Businesses

15 Things To Spend Your CDC Vouchers On, Now That The Government Has Distributed For 2024

CDC vouchers – Things to spend on


If there’s anything Singaporeans can agree on, it’s that free things must take. After all, the only thing better than a good deal is not having to pay a thing at all.  A new set of CDC vouchers was released on 3rd January 2024. Each household will be able to claim $500 from now till 31st December 2024.

If you thought you only had hawkers and participating supermarkets to spend at, we’re here to prove you wrong. Here are 15 things to spend your CDC vouchers on, including things to do, eat, and buy that you might not have known about.


– Things to eat –


1. Butterspace – Fresh ice cream sandwiches, open till 2am


In a sea of potongs and wafer sandwiches from ice cream cart uncles, gourmet ice cream sandwiches with soft, chewy cookies and freshly churned ice cream are a different twist on a well-loved classic. At Butterspace, they sell exactly that. Among the many things to do in Bedok is this industrial-themed bakery serving up fresh desserts and ice cream sandwiches. 


Image credit: Eatbook

While the sleek, modern interior may suggest high prices, the treats here, like their brownie, start from just $1.60. A Cookie Sandwich may be pricier at $9.50, but considering the fact that it comes with your choice of ice cream, topping, sauce, and cookie, it’s worth the splurge.

Address: 55 Chai Chee Drive, #01-198, Singapore 460055
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 10am-3pm, 7pm-11pm | Fri-Sat 12pm-1am | Sun 12pm-11pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: 8756 4271| Butterspace Facebook


2. Milleaville Macarons – Customisable desserts for gifts


Long regarded as one of the hardest desserts to perfect, macarons are known for their crisp outer shells and chewy centres. At Milleaville Macarons, the normally serious French pastries are prepared with a playful twist – coming in a number of different flavours and designs.


Image credit: @milleaville_macarons via Instagram

While they do make classic macarons (from $25 for 10pc) in flavours like Ondeh Ondeh, Lemon, and Speculoos, they specialise in character macarons (from $32 for 6pc) that are perfect not just for kids, but also those who wish they were still kids. The store also makes vegan macarons (from $18 for 6pc) that don’t make use of eggs or dairy for those with dietary restrictions.

Address: 51 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #01-84, Singapore 310051
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11am-8pm | Tue 9am-9pm | Sat 11am-7pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 9050 5780 | Milleaville Macarons website


3. Bailey and Whiskey – Pet-friendly cafe serving all-day brunch


Tucked along Depot Road lies Bailey and Whiskey, a pet-friendly cafe serving all-day brunch. Known for their Whiskey’s French Toast ($16), the safari-themed cafe has all wooden furnishings and plenty of plants to really complete the nature theme. The floor is even carpeted with artificial grass on which the kids can make themselves at home. 


Image credit: @ilivetoeat_jpg via Instagram

For those looking to truly embrace their wild side, they have outdoor seating open to all, fur friends included.

Address: 108 Depot Road, #01-30 Depot Heights Shopping Centre, Singapore 100108
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 8am-4pm | Sat-Sun 9am-4.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 9325 6563 | Bailey and Whiskey website


4. Little Island Brewing Co – Artisanal brewery with 30 beers on tap


With over 30 craft beers, wines, and spirits on tap, Little Island Brewing Co – a microbrewery in Changi Village – is perfect for those who enjoy their booze. Made in-house using traditional methods, the beers are brewed fresh – from grain to glass


Image credit: @kevinteosy via Instagram

Available on a rotational basis, signatures include the Stars & Bars, an American IPA, and Naked Lager, which has notes of malt, vanilla, and honey. Prices start at $12 per serving, and vary depending on size.

Do note that while Little Island Brewing Co also has outlets at South Beach and Gillman Barracks, only their Changi Village location accepts CDC vouchers.

Address: 6 Changi Village Road, #01-01, Singapore 509907
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 12pm-11pm | Fri-Sat 12pm-12am | Sun 12pm-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6543 9100 | Little Island Brewing Co website


– Things to do –


5. The Cat Cafe – Bukit Timah cafe with 14 felines to cuddle


Nestled deep in Bukit Timah is The Cat Cafe – with 14 snuggly kitties under one roof. Unlike most other animal cafes that don’t really sell food, they have a pretty substantial menu here, with signatures such as Lasagna ($10) and Chicken Mushroom Pie ($6).


Image adapted from: The Cat Cafe via Facebook

$18 gets you 2 hours with the fluffy felines and a canned drink, thereafter, additional half-hour blocks are charged at $4.50 each, in case you can’t bear to leave your new furry friends so soon. While the cafe has another branch in Bugis, do note that only the Rail Mall outlet accepts CDC vouchers.

Address: 392 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678046
Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 10am-9pm | Wed 3pm-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
Contact: 6977 9579 | The Cat Cafe website


6. Flowers by Sadha – Bouquet workshops & art jamming


Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but if they’re a little too far out-of-budget, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Since nothing shows sincerity like a handmade gift, go the extra mile with Flowers By Sadha’s floral arrangement workshops where you can make your own bouquet. 


Image credit: Flowers by Sadha

In addition to the workshops and countless colourful pre-made arrangements, the florist also hosts intimate art jamming sessions, where you can paint and draw to your heart’s content. Like their pre-made bouquets (from $25), the classes are affordable, at $15 for the art jamming sessions and $45 for the workshops.

Address: 67 Telok Blangah Drive, #01-222, Singapore 100067
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 9336 7940 | Flowers by Sadha website 


7. Just Ants – Ant-keeping hobby shop


Nobody wants ants crawling around their desks, but these little critters make great pets once you give them the right tank to reside in. You can find out more about these low-maintenance pets by paying Just Ants in Yishun a visit.


Image credit: @justantsss via Instagram

The hobbyist shop has all the essentials you might need to turn these would-be pests into pets. They’ve got food (from $1), decorations (from $1), and even formicariums (from $8.90) – pre-built ant farms so you can observe your ants through glass without disturbing their ecosystem. 

Address: Block 928 Yishun Central 1, #01-143, Singapore 760928
Opening hours: 12pm-8pm, Daily
Contact: 9091 9599 | Just Ants website


8. Cards Citadel – Pokémon card trading shop


You may remember Pokémon trading cards from back in the day, when they were all the rage. While some of us have traded in our playing cards for business cards since then, in others, the passion is still going strong.


Cards Citadel is a literal trading hub for card enthusiasts, hosting regular game sessions.

Image credit: @cardscitadel via Instagram

If you consider yourself somewhat of a Pokémon trainer, you may want to check out Cards Citadel – a Pokémon card trading shop in Khatib – to level-up your game. More than just selling and displaying rare cards, the shop also acts as a meeting point for Pokémon card enthusiasts to trade, chat and just play cards.

Address: 464 Crawford Lane, #02-01, Singapore 190464
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 3.30pm-9.30pm | Sat-Sun 3.30pm-9pm
Contact: 9616 8926 | Cards Citadel Facebook


–  Things to buy –


9. Fishing Buddy SG – Fishing supply store in Jurong



In addition to rods, Fishing Buddy stocks a number of reels and lures.

Image adapted from: @fishingbuddy_sg via Instagram

Fishing Buddy SG, quite simply, sells all the reels, rods, and lures you could possibly need for a successful day out on the water. Taman Jurong might be out of the way for some but you’ll just be minutes away from Jurong Lake, one of the legal fishing spots in Singapore.

Since you’re already out West, take a gander through the neighbourhood. There are plenty of things to do in Jurong, such as a Japanese onsen and Singapore’s oldest dragon kiln to check out.

Address: 399 Yung Sheng Road, #01-57, Singapore 610399
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 6265 2120 | Fishing Buddy SG website


10. Hitoyoshi Yakiniku & Mart – Japanese-style “konbini”



Image credit: The Red Marker via Google Maps

You don’t need to be a weeb to know what konbinis are – high-level convenience stores that are iconic in Japan, but practically non-existent in Singapore. Not entirely though; on Upper Bukit Timah road sits Hitoyoshi Yakiniku & Mart, a Japanese-style konbini that may very well be one of the only ones of its kind on the island.


Image credit: @taroxtaco via Instagram

Split into mart and restaurant sections, the former stocks nostalgic Japanese snacks, drinks and fresh foods while the latter specialises in yakiniku, made with special cuts of imported Japanese Wagyu beef.

Address: Upper Bukit Timah Road, #01-380, Singapore 678040
Opening hours: 11am-3pm, 5pm-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6980 6859 | Hitoyoshi Yakiniku & Mart website


11. Kiddy Palace – Children’s department store in Toa Payoh


If you grew up in the 90s, department store runs were probably a big part of your childhood. Though most of the OGs like Tangs and John Little are now obsolete, Kiddy Palace is a close reminder of what once was. 


Image credit: @kiddypalacesg via Instagram

Specialising in children’s and maternity products, the department store chain is a one-stop shop for parents, with everything from toys to toothbrushes in one place. Plus, most of their products are heavily discounted in comparison to retail, a welcome surprise considering how expensive parenting can be. 

*While the chain has branches all over the island, do note that only the Toa Payoh outlet accepts CDC vouchers.

Address: 500 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #03-30 HDB Hub, Singapore 310500
Opening hours: 10.30am-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6352 7781 | Kiddy Palace website


– Services –


12. “Hair” By Common Studio – Organic treatments


“Hair” By Common Studio is known for doing, well, hair. Located in both Queenstown and Serangoon, the minimalist salon specialises in organic hair treatments. On top of that, they also use eco-friendly products in all their services because it’s just as important to take good care of the planet as it is your hair. 


Image credit: “Hair” By Common Studio

More than just being eco-friendly, their services are wallet-friendly as well – treatments start from just $68, while a cut will only set you back $25.

“Hair” By Common Studio Queenstown
Address: ​​Block 53B Strathmore Avenue, #01-02, Singapore 144053
Opening hours: 10.30am-8pm, Daily

“Hair” By Common Studio Serangoon
Address: Block 261 Serangoon Central Drive, #01-41, Singapore 550261
Opening hours: 10.30am-8pm, Daily
Contact: 8860 8358 | “Hair” By Common Studio website


13. Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming – Specialises in Teddy cuts


We all know that the CDC vouchers can be used by humans – I mean, duh. What many people don’t know is that the vouchers can also be used to pamper man’s best friend; located in the heart of Yishun, Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming & Salon offers grooming services for dogs, cats, and even rabbits.


Image credit: Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming via Facebook

Though they are able to work with all fur-styles, they specialise in teddy cuts, a special technique in which the fur is cut in a rounded manner to create an end look similar to a bear.

Address: Block 926 Yishun Central 1, #01-181, Singapore 760106
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Contact: 9737 0294 | Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming Facebook


14. Beng Watch Service and Repair – Run by an elderly couple


Buried within a sea of much newer establishments in Bendemeer Market is Beng Watch Service and Repair, an old school watch and clock repair shop. With a quirky, retro interior, stepping into the shop feels like going back in time.


Image credit: Shi Kai via Google Maps

It’s run by a sweet elderly couple, and there are no prices here – in true old school fashion, the services are charged on a case-by-case basis. Still, this doesn’t mean they overcharge customers; in fact, several online reviews state that the couple have, on many occasions, insisted no payment be made at all.

Address: 29 Bendemeer Road, #01-108 Bendemeer Market & Food Centre, Singapore 330029
Opening hours: 7.30am-3pm, Daily
Contact: 6396 6212


15. Brow Art Asia – Popular threading shop in Clementi


They say that the brows are the windows to the face – whoever “they” may be, it’s undeniable that a tidy set of eyebrows can have a dramatic effect on one’s appearance. If your caterpillars are looking sparse, eyebrow embroidery creates the illusion of fuller brows without the need for extensive drawing, spooling, and shaping.


Image adapted from: Brow Art Asia

You can get that at Brow Art Asia. Hidden in Clementi, the shop is especially popular among residents in need of an eyebrow groom. They’re known for their detailed work and minimal pain during the tattooing process. If your brows are gucci, they also offer eyelash extensions and eyeliner embroidery to hasten your makeup process in the morning.

*While the chain has other outlets around the island, do note that only the Clementi outlet accepts CDC vouchers.

Address: Block 443 Clementi Avenue 3, #01-69, Singapore 120443
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-8pm
Contact: 6265 3051 | Brow Art Asia website


Where to spend your CDC vouchers

Until about 10 minutes ago, chances are you were one of many who thought that your CDC vouchers could only be spent at the same hawker stalls you’ve been frequenting all your life. From this list, though, it’s clear that that is not the case. 

From pet grooming to eyebrow threading, you can not only spend your vouchers on yourself, but your pets too. Heck, you can even spend them grooming the hair pets above your eyes. 

Find out more about CDC vouchers here

Cover image adapted from: Eatbook, The Cat Cafe, @kevinteosy via Instagram, Bakefresh Studio
Originally published on 16th June 2022. Last updated by Raewyn Koh on 25th January 2024.

 

Cherisse Goldwich