Metta Cafe – A Taste of Good Food, A Serving of Hope

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Tucked away in Simei in the East, this cafe is the heart of a much larger circle of support built on understanding, respect, and inclusion.

Tucked away in Singapore’s eastern heartland, just a short walk from Simei MRT, lies a cafe that looks ordinary on the outside but carries an extraordinary purpose. Metta Cafe isn’t just another vegetarian eatery—it’s the heart of a much larger circle of support built on understanding, respect, and inclusion.

The Bigger Picture: Metta Welfare Association’s Story

Metta Cafe is run by the Metta Welfare Association (Metta), an organisation founded in 1992 by Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhaobbm—who also serves as the President of Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Registered as a society in 1994, Metta is endorsed by Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Health (MOH), and Ministry of Education (MOE). It is also a proud member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the Singapore Hospice Council, and the Singapore Disability Sports Council.

While many know Metta for its cafe, the association actually runs five key social service pillars that span the entire human lifespan:

1. Adult Day & Residential Services – Providing life skills, meaningful activities, and confidence-building for adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them live independently and integrate into the community.

2. Metta School – Catering to students aged 7 to 18 with Mild Intellectual Disability and/or Mild Autism Spectrum Disorders.

3. Early Intervention Programme – Supporting children under 2 to 6 years old diagnosed with Mild to Moderate Autism and/or Intellectual Disability through individualised education plans.

4. Elderly & Home Hospice Care – Administering home-based care for seniors with chronic illnesses, rehabilitative programmes for physical impairments, and hospice care that allows clients to spend their final days at home with dignity and comfort.

5. Vocational Training & Employment – And right at the heart of this pillar is Metta Cafe, offering hands-on F&B training and job opportunities for youths with special needs upon their graduation from Metta School.

Fun fact: the digital artwork used in Metta’s materials is created by Crystal Tay and Brenda Teo—youths with special needs from the Arts@Metta programme!

Metta Cafe - Delicious noodles, tea and pastries for lunch

Metta Cafe: The Vocational Training Arm

Established in 2014, Metta Cafe serves as a real-world classroom. It employs graduates of Metta School who hold ITE skills certifications, training them in baking, food preparation, kitchen operations, and customer service. Trainees learn not just hard skills, but also work ethic and interpersonal communication, all under the patient guidance of teachers and volunteers.

In early 2020, the cafe made a full switch to a vegetarian (plant-based) menu, and it is also Halal-certified—welcoming customers of all dietary and cultural backgrounds. Most recently, at the end of 2025, the space underwent a fresh renovation, so you’ll be greeted by a bright, renewed ambiance.

What’s on the Menu?

Metta Cafe offers a rich variety of local vegetarian favourites at super affordable prices, with an average spend of about S$5 to S$15 per person.

  • Breakfast: Classic vegetarian bee hoon with vegetables and spring rolls.
  • Fried rice: Olive fried rice, Yangzhou fried rice, Sambal fried rice, and more.
  • Noodles: Hor Fun and other local staples.
  • Western options: Burger sets and more.

Don’t forget to check out their retail corner, where you can buy instant noodles, organic juices, health supplements, and—best of all—eggless cakes, cookies, and pastries hand-baked by the trainees themselves.

Beyond the Cafe – More Ways to Give Back

Your support doesn’t have to stop at dining in. Metta runs several incredible community initiatives that you can join:

🥫 Food Bank Programme

You can buy groceries or Donate‑a‑Meal coupons directly from Metta Cafe to help low-income families put food on the table. (Drop off only groceries purchased from the cafe itself.)

🌱 “Adopt Us” Eco Programme

For just $5 you can “adopt” a plant nurtured by eco‑trainees (youths with special needs). They learn seed propagation, cuttings, and grafting — and even upcycle old jars and bottles into creative planters.

🏮 Seasonal Festive Treats

During Mid‑Autumn Festival, look out for 3D‑printed lanterns designed by youths with special needs, alongside handmade, baked‑with‑love cookies (including natural dark chocolate!). “Every lantern creates hope. Every donation empowers lives.”

Practical Info

📍 Address
32 Simei Street 1, Metta Building, Level 1, Singapore 529950

🕘 Opening Hours
Daily 7:00am – 5:00pm (closed on public holidays); extended till 8:00pm on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month

📞 Phone
6580 4624

🚇 Nearest MRT
EW3 Simei MRT (about an 11‑minute walk)

🛵 Delivery
Available on Foodpanda and GrabFood

Some of beautiful souvenirs hand-crafted by their students

Final Thoughts

Metta Cafe is far more than a place to grab a quick bite. It is the visible, delicious tip of a massive iceberg—a holistic circle of care that reaches from early childhood all the way to end‑of‑life hospice, while empowering youths with special needs to stand tall and independent.

So next time you’re in Simei, drop by for a plate of olive fried rice or Hor Fun. Buy an extra meal coupon for the Food Bank. Adopt a $5 plant. Grab a box of those handmade cookies. You can pay with your CDC voucher for meals and souvenirs.

Because at Metta, every meal creates hope, and every donation empowers lives.
And honestly? That’s the best kind of lunch there is.
Location: 32 Simei Street 1, Level 1 Metta Building, Singapore 529950

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