Cafe Fit-Out · Espresso Bar Build
Cafe Renovation in Singapore
Cafe renovation from S$50,000 — espresso bar counter, water line and drainage, pastry display, brewing station, seating zones, brand-aligned lighting and signage. We help compact cafes and full-menu cafes plan a fit-out path that respects barista workflow, foot traffic and SFA requirements.
Espresso bar buildCustom counterSFA aligned5-10 weeksBrand-aligned design
What cafe renovation covers
- Espresso bar counter — custom build to fit your machine, grinder, knock-box, milk pitchers, water filter and POS.
- Water + drainage — dedicated water line for espresso machine, ice machine and dishwasher with proper trap.
- Pastry / cake display — refrigerated display with proper electrical loading and venting.
- Seating zones — work-and-coffee, social, takeaway queue, separated by lighting and finishes.
- Lighting + signage — accent, task and ambient layered; shopfront and menu board with proper electrical points.
- Permits — SFA Food Establishment Licence layout, NEA where exhaust required, landlord and mall fit-out submissions.
Common cafe scenarios
Compact specialty coffee bar
30-50 sqm, espresso-focused with 8-15 seats. S$50K-S$80K.
Standard cafe with brunch
60-100 sqm with prep kitchen, 25-40 seats. S$90K-S$150K.
Premium specialty cafe
Designer interior, custom millwork, premium equipment. S$150K-S$220K.
Cafe takeover refresh
Refurbish counter, redo lighting and seating, rebrand. S$25K-S$60K.
Mall lot kiosk cafe
Compact kiosk format with limited seating. S$30K-S$70K.
Cafe with retail / books
Hybrid concept with display shelving, S$80K-S$140K.
Cafe renovation budget guide
What to send first
- Lease floor plan and photos.
- Coffee equipment list (machine model, grinder, brewers).
- Menu type — coffee only, brunch, full F&B.
- Concept reference / mood board.
- Target opening date.
Critical-path items
- Bar counter design freeze.
- Electrical loading for espresso (often 30A dedicated).
- Water filter and drainage routing.
- SFA layout review.
- Lighting design for shopfront and counter.
Cafe renovation FAQ
How much does cafe renovation cost in Singapore?
Compact cafe (40-60 sqm): S$50,000-S$90,000. Standard cafe with full menu (60-100 sqm): S$90,000-S$150,000. Premium specialty cafe: S$150,000-S$220,000+. Final cost depends on espresso equipment level, kitchen scope (if any), and finishing.
Do I need SFA licence for a cafe?
Yes if you serve any food beyond pre-packaged items. Coffee-only operations may use a simpler licence class. We design the layout to comply with SFA requirements either way.
Cafe renovation timeline?
Compact build: 5-7 weeks. Standard cafe with kitchen: 7-10 weeks. Includes design freeze, fabrication of bar counter, lighting and seating delivery, electrical, plumbing and licence inspection.
Can you build the espresso bar counter custom?
Yes. Custom espresso bar counters in solid surface, stainless, timber or terrazzo with proper depth for grinder, machine, knock-box and water line. We build to your barista workflow.
The approval path behind a cafe fit-out
The page above mentions the SFA Food Establishment Licence, but the licence sits at the end of a chain of approvals that all run off your renovation drawings — getting them right at design stage is what keeps a cafe opening on time. The licensed premises must show a clear "dirty-to-clean" flow, washing-up area, dedicated handwash basin and adequate storage before SFA will inspect and approve. If you are taking over a unit that was previously retail, office or a non-F&B use, you usually need URA written permission for change of use before food can legally be sold there — this is one of the most common reasons a "ready" unit cannot open. In a mall or strata building, the landlord's fit-out team and a licensed Qualified Person also have to endorse the works.
- SCDF fire safety — any addition of an exhaust hood, gas, hard partitions or change to the sprinkler/smoke-detection layout typically needs Fire Safety plan approval and a Fire Safety Certificate; a Qualified Person submits via FSSD.
- PUB sanitary & grease — espresso, sink and dishwasher discharge must run to a properly sized grease trap and trapped floor waste; PUB sanitary works often need a licensed plumber's endorsement.
- NEA — kitchen exhaust discharge points and grease-laden air are regulated; a cafe doing cooking (not just coffee) needs the right exhaust termination, not a window fan.
The technical drivers that actually move the number
Beyond the espresso machine's dedicated circuit already noted, two things quietly dictate cost. First, ventilation: even a coffee-only bar accumulates CO2 from the beverage-grade gas used for sparkling water and nitro, and any hot kitchen needs a hood, make-up air and an extract route to a compliant discharge — running ductwork through a tenanted block is often the single biggest hidden cost. Second, drainage and waterproofing: cutting new floor traps and laying fall to the grease trap on an upper-floor unit means hacking, re-screeding and a waterproofing membrane, which adds both money and a curing-time delay.
What pushes a quote up: heavy M&E rerouting, three-phase upgrades, full kitchen scope, premium millwork and stone counters, and tight mall after-hours work windows. What keeps it down: reusing an ex-F&B unit with an existing licence history, grease trap and exhaust riser already in place. Realistically, allow 1-2 weeks for design and submissions, 5-8 weeks on site, then SFA/SCDF inspection before opening — landlord and authority lead times, not the build, are the usual delay.
Send your floor plan, lease unit type and a few photos of the existing water points and ceiling on WhatsApp and we will mark up the permit path and a realistic scope before you commit to the lease.