A new gallery highlights the evolution of Singapore’s beloved coffee shop culture, showcasing over 3,000 artefacts.
A new heritage gallery celebrating Singapore’s coffee shop culture has opened its doors, offering a glimpse into the historical and cultural significance of these local hubs. The Singapore Coffee Shop Heritage Gallery, located in the Foochow Building at 21 Tyrwhitt Road, is a gift from the Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association to the nation for Singapore’s 60th birthday in 2025. The gallery spans 4,900 sq ft and will be open to the public from December 2, free of charge.
The gallery houses nearly 3,000 artefacts and photographs, offering visitors a rich history of coffee shops in Singapore. Items on display include vintage soft drink glass bottles, ceramic cups, and sock filters used for straining coffee. These objects highlight the evolution of the coffee shop environment, which has played a significant role in Singapore’s social fabric.
The Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association, founded in 1921, has over 300 members, who together run more than 400 coffee shops in Singapore. Mr. Hong Poh Hin, the association’s chairman, explained the gallery’s purpose: “Singapore’s coffee shops have grown and thrived with the nation, and have become part of Singaporeans’ lives.”
The gallery traces the history of Singapore’s coffee shops, beginning during the British colonial era. In those days, hawkers operated from wooden carts, but over time, many rented shop spaces for better shelter from the elements. Chinese immigrants from Hainan and Fuzhou were the primary operators. By the 1950s, Singapore was home to over 2,000 coffee shops. In the 1960s through the 1980s, government policies shifted the landscape of coffee shops, with many being relocated due to urban redevelopment plans.
Today, there are approximately 1,100 coffee shops and food courts, with over 700 located in HDB estates. The classic combination of coffee, soft-boiled eggs, kaya toast, and local dishes remains a staple, but coffee shops have also adapted to a growing multicultural population, offering cuisines like Vietnamese, Thai, and north-eastern Chinese food.
Mr. Hong pointed out that coffee shops are a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural society: “The increasing variety shows we are an open and multicultural society.” He also noted that these establishments remain relevant across generations. “Coffee shops are not just for uncles and aunties; they are also popular with younger people who don’t cook and enjoy affordable, convenient meals.”
In addition to their role in serving food, coffee shops are social hubs that foster community interaction. They also provide employment, especially for older workers, with about 30% of employees in the sector aged 60 and above. Some coffee shops have embraced technology, using digital ordering systems, automated food prep, and coffee machines to improve efficiency and address staffing challenges.
Despite technological advancements, the core social role of coffee shops as places of gathering remains unchanged. As Ms. Sherry Lim, assistant honorary secretary of the association, stated: “Even if a coffee shop goes fully automated, it will still be a community node where people congregate.” The new gallery is a fitting tribute to this enduring legacy of connection and community.
