Going cashless at Singaporean cafes
We’ve all had bimbo moments when paying for our meals, fumbling with our wallets to get the exact change out, only to drop our coins and having to scramble around like headless chickens trying to gather them… only for the coins to mysteriously come to life and roll away from you with all haste.
Save yourself such awkwardness by going cashless. No, we don’t mean running off without paying. More cafes and restaurants are accepting NETS – your ATM card – and NETS FlashPay – the card you use for your MRT, LRT and bus rides – as forms of payment. All you need to bring out of your house now is one card for quick hassle-free purchases.
Plus, NETS is teaming up with cafes and restaurants around Singapore this month to bring you special promos when you dine with NETS. Here are the best deals you can get:
1. Free Charcoal Waffle at Batter Fluffy Flaps
Source: @chrisciacyruscpr
Here’s some good news for those who like being hands-on with their food: The fluffy pancakes at Batter Fluffy Flaps are customisable with cereal, fresh fruits, ice-cream, and other toppings, so you can have them just the way you like. Grab your BFFs for pancake day, ‘cause you’ll get to claim a free Charcoal Waffle (U.P. $8) with a total bill of $30 and above. While you’re at it, take advantage of the free wifi to Instagram your pancake party on the spot.
The pancakes from the kids’ menu come arranged in fun animal shapes. Don’t worry about being judged if you can’t resist their cuteness, ‘cause I’ve seen many adults ordering them too. #justsaying
Source: @bubbamama
Batter Fluffy Flaps
Address: 89 East Coast Road, #01-01, Singapore 428790
Opening hours: Mon: 11.30am – 10pm | Wed – Thu: 11am – 10pm | Fri: 11.30am – 11pm | Sat: 9am – 11pm | Sun: 9am – 11pm
Promotion: Free Black Charcoal Waffle with minimum $30 spend when you pay by NETS
2. Enjoy up to 10% off at Lynn’s Cakes
Source: @nahmj
Born out of what began as a hobby, Lynn’s Cakes serves cupcakes and layered cakes in ever-popular flavours like Salted Caramel ($7) and Red Velvet ($7) . All cakes are lovingly baked on-site for optimum freshness. Peer into the glass window behind the counter and you’ll be able to spot the staff hard at work.
Source: @lynnscakessg
They also bake made-to-order cakes for special occasions like birthdays and weddings. These are all expertly crafted in fondant to the finest of detail, thanks to Lynn’s skillful steady hand.
Source: @lynnscakessg
Lynn’s Cakes
Address: 11 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598983
Opening hours: Tue – Thu: 11am – 7pm | Fri – Sat: 11am – 9pm | Sun: 11am – 8pm
Promotion: 5% off total bill with $50 minimum spend, 10% off with $100 minimum spend when paying with NETS (inclusive of whole cakes!)
3. 15% off your bill at Simplicite Cafe
Source: @zee.tee
Specialising in eggy brunch dishes, baked rosti, and the new fad – Hawaiian poke bowls, Simplicite Cafe keeps their dishes simple but high in flavour. Get your protein fix with the New Zealand Eggs Royale ($15), which comes with fragrant smoked salmon and fresh avocado. If you’re in the mood for something less ang moh, there’s always the Eggs A La Kopitiam ($6.50) – their take on our favourite soft-boiled eggs.
Source: @simplicitecafe
Although I have a sweet tooth, what draws me to Simplicite Cafe is their unique savoury waffles. The Smoked Duck Waffle “Pizza” ($17) is basically a waffle topped with ingredients like smoked duck, emmental cheese, and hoi sin sauce.
Simplicite Cafe
Address: 425 East Coast Road, Singapore 429012
Opening hours: Thu: 7pm – 10pm | Fri: 7pm – 11pm | Sat: 10am – 11pm | Sun: 10am – 10pm
Promotion: 15% off total bill with minimum spend of $20 when paying by NETS (excluding takeaway Gelato tubs).
4. 10% off your bill at Jag’s Gastropub
Source: @lil.lamb
Nestled in a row of shophouses, Jag’s Gastropub is a homely little establishment serving comfort food. Recommended dishes: Shepherd’s Pie ($15.90), Southern Fried Chicken ($14.90), and Lamb Shank ($25.90).
End off your meal by chugging away at an assortment of draught and bottled beers, or unique selection of fruity ciders in flavours like Toffee Apple, Strawberry-Lime, and Mango-Raspberry. Mmm, so refreshing! *burp*
If you need sweet treats to feed a party crowd, Jag’s also whips up customised cupcakes, tarts, and whole cakes with cheery designs.
Source: @jagsbakes
Jag’s Gastropub
Address: 87 Frankel Avenue, Singapore 458215
Opening hours: Daily; 8am – 12am
Promotion: 10% off total bill with minimum spend of $80 when paying by NETS
5. Enjoy more than 30% off lobsters at Mookata
The go-to for Thai barbecue, Mookata is best known for their succulent pork – as evident with the pink piggy on their logo. But other than that, the cook-it-yourself BBQ eatery also offers a spread of seafood.
Source: @charmantou
Crustacean lovers will rejoice about the NETS lobster promotions, where you can enjoy an a la carte lobster for just $24 (U.P. $38), or a lobster-and-meat combo from $26 – $34 (U.P. $40 – $49). All the lobsters sold here are Boston Lobsters, not lobsters farmed from the region, so the quality’s better and more consistent.
Whether you choose the combo with Tom Yam Chicken, Kurobuta, or Wagyu, you’ll be in for a juicy lip-smacking feast sizzling over a charcoal fire.
Mookata Katong (Flagship)
Address: 103 East Coast Road, Singapore 428797
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 5pm – 12am | Fri: 5pm – 1am | Sat – Sun: 12pm – 12am
Mookata Bugis
Address: Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street, #02-53, Singapore 188021
Opening hours: 11.30am – 10pm daily (Last order at 9.30pm)
Promotion: A la carte lobster for $24 (U.P. $38) or lobster Premium Combo Sets from $26 – $34 (U.P. $40 – $49) when you pay by NETS at Mookata Katong and Mookata Bugis.
6. 10% off at Two Bakers With $30 spent
Source: @jacinlovesyou
Run by two Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained chefs, Two Bakers’ desserts are as exquisite in quality as they are pretty. Created with only French butter, self-whipped cream and the very best ingredients, some of the patisserie-cafe’s specialties include the rich Le Chocolate Noir mousse cake ($9.80), and intricate fruit tarts ($7 – $8).
Source: @twobakerssg
Inspired by beautiful piped florals on confectionery? You can now zhng your cake, and eat it too – learn the techniques of the pros themselves with Two Bakers’ masterclasses (from $210) on buttercream flowers.
Two Bakers
Address: 88 Horne Road, Singapore 209083
Opening hours: Sun – Mon: 9am – 7pm | Wed – Thu: 11.30am – 9pm | Fri – Sat: 10am – 10pm
Promotion: 10% off total bill with $30 minimum spend when paying by NETS
7. Free drink at Teck Kee Chicken Rice
Source: @huiiqii_
Bite into the juicy chicken and fragrant rice at Teck Kee Chicken Rice. With Roasted and Steamed Chicken Rice from $5.50, the clean and well-ventilated eatery also serves local delights including Laksa ($5.50) and Shredded Chicken Porridge ($4.50).
While slightly pricier than their hawker centre counterparts, these dishes are still more affordable than food sold at other casual dining joints at The Rail Mall, making it a good spot for laid-back catch-ups with friends. Plus, many have lauded their chilli sauce for its flavourful, slightly garlicky quality – a must when it comes to chicken rice.
Teck Kee Chicken Rice
Address: 450 Upper Bukit Timah Road, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678069
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 8am – 10pm | Fri – Sun: 8am – 11pm
Promotion: Free drink with every $10 spent when paying by NETS
8. Up to 10% off at Cream & Custard
Source: @whatsheeatseveryday
Cream & Custard isn’t one of those run-off-the-mill hipster cafes – their selection of cakes and pastries are largely different from what you’d normally encounter, and relatively affordable too, given their artisanal quality. One of their bestsellers (also the first of its kind in Singapore!), Strawberry Watermelon Cake ($6.80), is a unique fruity creation that’s lightweight with a bit of crunch between its layers.
But the star of the show is The Black Ball ($9.80). The giant chocolate ball is served drenched in hot dark chocolate sauce, and slowly melts to reveal a decadent core of passionfruit curd, Valrhona chocolate mousse, and homemade crumble. So sinful, so good.
Cream & Custard
Address: Blk 46 Jln Bukit Ho Swee, #01-894, Singapore 160046
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm
Promotion: 5% off total bill with $20 minimum spend, 10% off with $50 minimum spend when you pay with NETS. Excludes takeaways, whole cakes, and RSVP top-ups.
Source: @yuppyry
Going cashless is easy
Look for the NETS FlashPay logo behind your MRT card!
With an efficient cashless payment system like NETS and NETS Flashpay, cafe-hopping is so much easier – no more fumbling with notes and coins, and you’ll be conveniently hands-free to take good Instagram shots of your food.
Participate in the NETS “Vote for your free meal” Facebook giveaway from 1 – 7 September and stand a chance to win a free meal at one of the featured cafes/restaurants.
This post was brought to you by NETS.