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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Criteria for Restaurant

Find out the criteria for restaurant use and where new restaurants can or cannot be approved.

Last updated 23 June 2026

In evaluating whether premises approved for Restaurant use is materially changed to a Bar or Pub, the following are some of the considerations which URA will take into account:

  1. Whether there is a kitchen or area for preparation of food located within the premises, and whether food and meals1 are made available to customers at all times until a reasonable time prior to closing of the premises during or at the end of the day;

  2. Whether there are adequate dining spaces within the indoor areas of the premises which are suitably furnished for customers to have their food and meals;

  3. Whether there are any marketing or publicity materials at or in the premises or any other place, forum or platform (e.g. banners, Facebook) representing or indicating that the premises is a place for liquor or alcoholic drinking; and

  4. Whether the premises is decorated in any manner or with paraphernalia associated with a Bar or Pub to give public the idea or perception that it is a place primarily for liquor or alcoholic drinking.

1 Meals are food prepared/cooked for consumption during mealtimes such as breakfast, brunch, lunch, hi-tea, dinner, etc. Finger food or small items e.g. fries/wedges, chicken drumsticks/wings, spring rolls, calamari, samosa, etc. are not considered as meals.

Locations where a new restaurant can be considered for approval

  • Shopping centres and commercial buildings. Planning permission is not required.

  • Check Land Use Zoning in the Master Plan.

  • Change of Use applications for restaurants located in shophouses outside problematic areas are evaluated on an individual basis. Clearance from the Land Transport Authority may be required for traffic and car parking matters.

Locations where a new restaurant is unlikely to be approved

  1. Balestier Road [PDF, 232.17 KB]

    • Thomson Road to Moulmein Road

  2. East Coast Road [PDF, 243.67 KB]

    • Joo Chiat Road to Still Road

    • Still Road to Telok Kurau Road

    • Lothian Terrace to Siglap Road

  3. Joo Chiat Road Area [PDF, 285.40 KB]

    • Joo Chiat Road (Changi Road to East Coast Road);

    • Joo Chiat Place (Joo Chiat Road to Still Road)

  4. Changi Road [PDF, 250.36 KB]

    • Jalan Eunos/Still Road to Jalan Kembangan/ Frankel Avenue

  5. MacPherson Road [PDF, 238.51 KB]

    • Tai Thong Crescent to MacPherson Lane

  6. Upper Serangoon Road [PDF, 238.51 KB]

    • Tampines Road to Lim Ah Pin Road

  7. River Valley Road [PDF, 180.42 KB]

    • Zion Road to Kellock Road

  8. Geylang Road [PDF, 228.07 KB]

    • Lorong 1 Geylang to Paya Lebar Road

  9. Bukit Timah Road / Dunearn Road [PDF, 188.07 KB]

    • Binjai Park (Jalan Jambu Mawar To Jalan Jambu Ayer)

    • Bukit Timah Road (Wilby Road to Elm Avenue)

    • Bukit Timah Road (Anamalai Avenue to Fourth Avenue)

  10. Greenwood Avenue [PDF, 202.88 KB]

    • Junction Of Greenwood Avenue And Hillcrest Road

  11. Sembawang Road [PDF, 151.87 KB]

    • Jalan Mata Ayer to Yishun Avenue 5

  12. Sembawang Road [PDF, 163.70 KB]

    • Mandai Road to Transit Road

  13. Serangoon Garden Way [PDF, 278.97 KB]

    • Kensington Park Road To Maju Avenue

    • Chartwell Drive To Penshurst Place

  14. Kampong Glam [PDF, 238.67 KB]

    • Bounded by Victoria Street, Jalan Sultan, Beach Road and Ophir Road

  15. Kampong Bahru Road / Spottiswoode Park Road [PDF, 172.99 KB]

    • Blair Road to Everton Road

    • Everton Road to Neil Road

  16. Jalan Riang [PDF, 231.12 KB]

    • Jalan Riang to Wolskel Road

  17. Thomson Village [PDF, 245.33 KB]

    • Upper Thomson Road

    • Soo Chow Walk

    • Jalan Todak

    • Sin Ming Road

    • Shunfu Road

  18. Bedok Area [PDF, 220.51 KB]

    • Bedok Road

    • Jalan Pari Burong

  19. Little India Historic District [PDF, 283.89 KB]

    • Serangoon Road

    • Jalan Besar

    • Kitchener Road

NOTES

  1. The locations in this table apply to the whole stretch of the road unless otherwise specified.

  2. Proposed eating houses in commercial or mixed commercial/residential developments located in the above areas can be considered if the building has its own car park lots which are available for public use.

For more information, refer to circular New Locations Where Additional Eating Houses In Shophouses Will Not Be Allowed.