To obtain a coffee shop license in Singapore, you must secure an SFA Food Shop Licence and pass onsite inspection after your fit-out meets code. Confirm F&B use with URA (or HDB for heartland units), sign the lease, register with ACRA, then apply on GoBusiness. Design the cafe to SFA standards: non-absorbent walls/floors, a dedicated hand-wash basin with soap and dryer, separate pot/utensil sinks, chillers with thermometers, pest-proofing, proper refuse storage, mechanical ventilation, compliant kitchen exhaust, and a PUB-approved grease trap if handling oily food. Upload scaled floor plans, equipment list, tenancy, pest-control contract, cleaning schedule, and WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 certificates for food handlers; appoint a Food Hygiene Officer if required under SFA’s SAFE framework (e.g., higher-risk menus or larger operations). Engage an SCDF-registered professional for fire safety works and obtain fire permits before booking the SFA inspection. Typical critical paths: grease trap installation, exhaust discharge routing, and electrical loading approval. Add licences only as needed - liquor (if serving alcohol), alfresco TOL for outdoor seating, and music performance and sound recording rights. From complete submission to approval, plan 2-6 weeks depending on renovations and inspection slots. Common failures: missing hand-wash basin, unapproved seating, inadequate ventilation, and untrained staff.
