Dessert Shops in Singapore

A guide to dessert shops in Singapore

Desserts are popular in Singapore, and the heat makes cold treats especially welcome. The dessert shops in Singapore on this page focus on ice cream and gelato. Local desserts are just as worth trying. Many are sold at hawker centres, coffee shops and small family-run stalls, often for a few dollars.

Ice cream and gelato

Apiary is an ice cream shop in the Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar area. It makes a good stop after exploring the streets of Chinatown. Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique serves gelato in Katong and Joo Chiat. That area is known for colourful shophouses and Peranakan food, so it is a nice place to wander.

Gelato is the Italian style of ice cream. It has less air and less cream than most ice cream, so it tastes dense and smooth. For more scoops, see the Ice Cream and Gelato pages.

Local desserts to try

• Chendol: shaved ice with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and soft green jelly made from rice flour. It is sweet, rich and cooling.
• Ice kachang: a mound of shaved ice with coloured syrups, sweet corn, red beans and jelly. It is often topped with evaporated milk.
• Tau huay: soft, silky soybean pudding, served warm or cold in a light syrup.
• Bubur cha cha: a warm coconut milk soup with sweet potato, yam and sago pearls. "Bubur" means porridge in Malay.
• Kueh: small cakes made with rice flour, coconut and palm sugar, in many colours and shapes. Peranakan restaurants often serve nyonya kueh.
• Ice cream sandwich: a block of ice cream wrapped in a slice of bread or wafers. It is sold from small street carts, for example along Orchard Road.
• Durian desserts: durian is a tropical fruit with a strong smell. People tend to love it or dislike it. You will find it in puffs, cakes and pancakes.

Where to find more desserts

Hawker centres are the cheapest place to try local desserts. Look for stalls with shaved ice machines and pictures of colourful bowls. Our guide What Is a Hawker Centre? explains how they work. Many cafés also serve cakes, pastries and waffles with ice cream.

Chinatown and Katong are both good areas for a dessert walk. Pair a scoop at Apiary with a stroll around Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar. In the east, combine Birds of Paradise with a visit to the Koon Seng Road shophouses. If you love kaya, the sweet coconut and egg jam, try Kaya Toast for a local breakfast treat.

Tips for dessert hunting

• Go after a hot walk. Cold desserts are most welcome in the afternoon or evening.
• Eat quickly. Ice cream melts fast in Singapore's heat, so find a seat in the shade.
• Ask for a taste. Many ice cream and gelato shops let you sample a flavour before you choose.
• Try local flavours. Look for pandan, coconut, gula melaka (palm sugar) or durian. They show how local tastes shape desserts.
• Know the rough cost. A hawker dessert often costs a few dollars, while a scoop shop costs more. Prices change, so check the board before you order.
• Leave durians off the train. Durians are not allowed on the MRT because of their smell.

FAQs about dessert shops in Singapore

What are the best-known desserts in Singapore?

Chendol and ice kachang are two of the best-known local desserts. Both use shaved ice and suit hot weather.

Where can I try local desserts cheaply?

Hawker centres are the best value. Many have a dessert stall selling shaved ice, soybean pudding or warm sweet soups.

What is gula melaka?

Gula melaka is palm sugar, sold in dark brown blocks. It has a deep, caramel taste and is used in many local desserts.

What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Gelato has less air and less cream, so it is denser. It is also served a little warmer, which makes the flavour stronger.