Like many young Singaporeans, cafe-hopping ranks right up top of my favourite things to do. I love going to cafes for coffee, for brunch, or just as a place to work when I need a change of scenery from my desk at the office or at home. And while I proudly wear the title of certified cafe gworlie, I’m also painfully aware that with the rising cost of dining out, my weekend plans to trawl through Everton Park in search of the perfect brew might just prompt my bank account to file a desist order.
Because I refuse to choose between treating myself and being financially responsible, I’m constantly on the hunt for savvy savings hacks to indulge my coffee and brunch habit without burning a hole in my wallet. Enter my latest discovery: Mastercard Click to Pay. It’s a fuss-free way to settle the bill and be rewarded with perks like return vouchers for free drinks and bites at your favourite local cafes.
As Singapore becomes increasingly cashless, paying for meals with contactless payments and other digital wallets has become second nature. Ask yourself: When was the last time you paid for a meal with cash? Hand on my heart, I don’t think I’ve made a cash payment in four years.
But convenience shouldn’t be the only benefit. If you’re already embracing digital payments, why not make them work harder for you by helping you save when you’re at your next cafe date?
Mastercard Click to Pay is a password-free guest checkout option currently launching at select Commonwealth Concepts eateries, namely Baker & Cook, PastaMania, and The Marmalade Pantry.
When you pay with Mastercard Click to Pay for your meal at any participating Commonwealth Concepts outlets, you’ll enjoy return vouchers for freebies on your next visit.
First-time users only need to sign up once via the Mastercard Click to Pay website. Just enter your details—including a valid Mastercard—and you’ll unlock a whole new world of safer, breezier, and more secure payments.
I signed up for Click to Pay the same week I was scheduled to go for a brunch date with my bestie.
Armed with this new savings hack in my auntie arsenal, I asked her to dine at everyone’s fave OG cafe, The Marmalade Pantry.
Their Oasia Hotel Downtown establishment is my favourite—despite its central location, the spacious, airy interiors and spaced out seats rarely make you feel like you’re dining with a suffocating crowd. Plus, peep at the gorgeous pastel interior accents and that lush green wall.
My go-tos at The Marmalade Pantry include their Truffle Fries ($18++), generously seasoned with truffle oil and shredded parmesan, and either their mouthwatering Seared Scallop & Prawn Pasta ($32++) or juicy Spicy Chicken Burger ($26++).
Save space for desserts—the Sticky Date Pudding ($16++) is a winning version of the English dessert, topped with a stick-to-your-ribs toffee sauce and a vanilla ice cream that melts into every warm, spongy bite.
Ordering and payments are available via a QR code at the table, so no need to flag down a waiter.
When you’re ready to pay, select Mastercard Click to Pay at checkout.
Your card details should be saved for effortless convenience.
Your Click to Pay spend at The Marmalade Pantry entitles you to a return voucher for a cup of coffee or tea, worth up to $8, totally FOC, valid till 29 June 2025. All the better to wash down your meal with.
If you’re looking for a cafe in Singapore that’s off the beaten path, consider Baker & Cook’s latest Dairy Farm branch. The tranquil location, nestled within a condominium estate, offers an extensive brunch and lunch menu, starring artisanal bakes, sourdough pizzas, and top-tier coffee from New Zealand’s Allpress Espresso.
It’s the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time over a good book or a hearty yap session. Of course, good food only makes the experience better. At Baker & Cook, I’d heartily recommend getting their Big Breakfast ($25++), which comes with two types of house-baked bread and all the trimmings of a mouthwatering English brekkie.
The Avo Smash ($23++) is another great pick, especially if you’re an avocado toast acolyte, as each portion features your choice of either pain au levain or Danish rugbrod—two different types of sourdough—topped with avocado, a poached egg, and slivers of smoked salmon.
The cherry on top? The return voucher for the complimentary cup of coffee or tea (U.P. up to $8++) after I foot the bill with Click to Pay. This promotion is available from 26 May to 6 July 2025.
FYI: the free cuppa is also redeemable at Baker & Cook’s cool Porsche-themed establishment, Cafe Carrera.
Not everyone’s a cafe fiend at heart, so if “free food” is more your love language than people-watching over a cup of joe, you’ll be pleased to know that Mastercard Click to Pay also gets you freebies at everyone’s fave fast casual Italian restaurant, PastaMania.
Using Click to Pay means you’re entitled to a return voucher for free Crispy Chicken Fillet, a popular side dish usually worth $6.90—a promotion that will run from now till 29 June 2025.
The halal-certified restaurant has a wide range of pasta dishes and sides, including fusion options such as the piquant Seafood Mala Pasta ($14), loaded with mussels, clams, and shrimp, and the hearty Chicken Cheese Salsiccia Pasta ($13), served with bite-sized chicken sausages.
If you’re dining in a group, add some side dishes to round out your meal—the Cheesy Waffle Potatoes Nacho Bites ($5.50) and Cheddar Cheese Sticks ($6.80) are especially popular.
For cafe-loving Singaporeans like me who cringe at paying $8 or $9 for a latte, Mastercard Click to Pay is here to make dining out a little lighter on the wallet. Be sure to try it out ASAP to enjoy the current roster of freebies!
This post was brought to you by Commonwealth Concepts.
Photos taken by John Lery Villaneuva.