Tom's Palette Closing: Last Day Was 16 Oct 2026, and Why
30 October 2026 · By the Eventful team
Photo: Tom's Palette
Tom's Palette closed for good on Friday 16 October 2026, shutting both its Bugis and Kovan outlets after 21 years. The gelateria says on its own site that rent and general costs rose faster than its revenue could, so it chose to wind up the brand rather than take on big financial risk.
The last day was Friday 16 October 2026. Tom's Palette's website now carries a short thank-you note: "Thank you for the memories", followed by the last day and a goodbye from the team.
Both shops went at once. That is the flagship at 51 Middle Road, near Bugis, where it moved in 2020, and the Kovan outlet it opened in 2024. If you were planning one last tub, you have missed it. It joins a long list of names that shut this year, which we tracked in our F&B closures piece.
Photo: Tom's Palette
Why Tom's Palette closed
In its own words, the increase in rent and general costs "far outpaced" any revenue growth it could manage without taking on significant business and financial risk. So in 2026 the team chose to wind up the brand.
That is a familiar story for small dessert shops here. Gelato is labour heavy, and Tom's Palette made every tub by hand with no colouring, premixes or artificial flavouring, which it says was the whole point.
What Tom's Palette was famous for
Weird flavours, mostly. Its library ran to 260 flavours, from the classics to Salted Egg Yolk, Nasi Lemak and Mango Sticky Rice. Its history page lists a few landmarks:
2005: opens at Shaw Tower, making about $30 a day at first. 2007: press coverage of its Salted Caramel Cheesecake flavour, the one it says saved the business. 2011: Salted Egg Yolk, inspired by Hong Kong liu sha bao. 2013: savoury flavours White Chocolate Nori and Parmesan Cheese & Cream Crackers. 2018: a Chee Cheong Fan ice cream with Kwong Woh Hing Sauce Factory that went viral. 2020: Shaw Tower closes on 1 July and the shop moves to 51 Middle Road.
Co-founder Eunice Soon started it in 2005 after a chef friend taught her to make vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Granny's Favourite was its most popular flavour.
Good to know
· Tom's Palette closed on 16 October 2026, so both the Bugis and Kovan shops are gone.
· Craving a savoury gelato now? Check our dessert lists for shops still making local flavours.
· Its site still tells the full 21-year story on the Our History page, worth a read if you grew up on it.
FAQs
Is Tom's Palette closed?
Yes. Tom's Palette closed both its outlets, at 51 Middle Road near Bugis and at Kovan, with its last day on Friday 16 October 2026.
Why did Tom's Palette close down?
The brand says rent and general costs rose much faster than its revenue, and it chose to wind up rather than take on significant business and financial risk.
How long was Tom's Palette around?
21 years. It opened at Shaw Tower in 2005, moved to 51 Middle Road in 2020 and added a Kovan outlet in 2024.
What flavours was Tom's Palette known for?
Local and savoury flavours such as Salted Egg Yolk, Nasi Lemak, Mango Sticky Rice and Salted Caramel Cheesecake, out of a library of about 260 flavours.
