Zen Cafe — Restaurant in Singapore

Visited the cafe for lunch on a weekday. This cafe serves mostly western food, finger food, bread and beverage. They have a few Chinese food options like gyoza and rice. Their food do not contain eggs.

I ordered Vege Braised Meat Rice for $6 (Usual price $8). It is a dish of white rice, braised vegetarian meat with mushroom, diced corn and achar. The portion is sufficient for ladies. You can order this meal as a set with coffee or tea by paying about $3.50 more. The rice dish is served in a squarish disposable paper bowl and a plastic bag of cutlery (fork, spoon, knife and napkin).

You order the food from the counter outside. You will be given a buzzer and when it rings, you return to the counter to collect your food. There are seats indoor (aircon) and alfresco. The tray return racks are right outside the indoor section. Service crew are young men who are pleasant and bilingual in English and Chinese. At the counter, you may make donations to the Sangha.

The food trays and environment is really clean. The cafe play very nice zen music too! I saw an elderly lady walked past the cafe and picked up some fallen leaves next to the potted plants. As this cafe is nestled in a monastery, you will see groups of monks walking past you if you dine alfresco.

This cafe is really good for visitors who want to have vegetarian meals. The food hall at level 2 closes quite early during weekdays while this cafe stays open until 7 pm.

This cafe allow us to learn to accept the food served with our utmost gratitude, eat in silence and practice social...

Dear Zen Cafe,

I hope this message finds you well.

I was a customer at your restaurant around afternoon few months back. I am writing to express my heartfelt concern regarding an experience that left me feeling deeply disheartened.

The staff member who assisted me at the counter, a 45 years old and above lady or manager. spoke with an extremely impatient and indifferent tone. I came with goodwill and a peaceful heart, but the attitude I received made me feel disrespected and unwelcome. It affected my emotional state and unfortunately disrupted the sense of trust and comfort I had always associated with your establishment.

I fully understand how challenging the service industry can be, and I do not expect false pleasantries. But I do believe that basic courtesy and mutual respect are essential in any interaction between human beings.

Please understand that this message is not meant to accuse or blame anyone. Rather, it comes from a sincere wish for your team to take such incidents seriously, and to approach all customers with a sense of kindness—especially those who see your space as one of peace, nourishment, and spiritual connection.

Thank you for taking the time to listen. I wish your restaurant continued prosperity, and may all beings live in...

Not fit to serve the community nor Buddha!

Shocked to overhead that he hinted them to get something in order to continue staying and sit inside the cafe "比较好看”.

A gentleman, most probably the manger approached a small group of seniors chilling in the cafe. Suggesting other patrons will feel more comfortable seeing them with something. Seriously ?!! My impression is that, this monastery cafe is a nice, cosy place for vistors to rest their feet, and they even have tables set up for study or work at the far end of the cafe.

Truly disgusted, seems it's no different from other commercial cafes, perhaps its the people, sounds they are more interested in making it a profitable establishment and suggesting people to make a purchase in order to sit in their cafe.

something not right with the mentally of this male manager, questionable character, so low and petty, taking into consideration its a monastery...