Dining out is an expensive affair, and nowadays, it is very difficult to find a decent restaurant/cafe which has main courses for under $20. However, if you know where to go, there are still some hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered.
Here is a list of Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants where you can go for a good meal, even on a budget.
Note: I’m a little wary of using the words “inexpensive and budget” because everyone has different interpretations. For me, a good inexpensive restaurant is one that serves quality food at acceptable prices. It doesn’t necessarily need to be dirt-cheap, it can also represent places that offer value-for-money options, such as Club Street Social and Oriole Cafe in this list.
Big Mama Korean Restaurant
I think I’ve found my new favourite Korean Restaurant in Singapore. Big Mama is a hole-in-the-wall eatery that has been gaining a strong following for its home-style cooking. While some of the signature dishes cost slightly more, it has a ‘Big Mama’s Simple Menu’ with sets like Kimchi Fried Rice ($12), Pork Bulgogi with rice ($13) and Soyabean Soup with rice ($13).
2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Canopy Garden & Dining Bar is a new-found brunch haunt that offers a good menu of comfort food with friendly price tags, and is coveted for its location – nestled amongst the lush greenery of Bishan Park, and away from the bustling city.
If you are staying in the area – well, even if you are not, there is absolutely no reason to not pay Canopy a visit.
Bishan Park 2 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 6556 1533
Mon to Fri: 9am till late
Sat & Sun: 8am till late
Located at Gemmil Lane (a quiet corner off Club Street), Club Street Social is a chic restaurant/bar which does simple and well-made food — such as all day breakfast, salad, soup, crostini, tramezzini, panini — at very reasonable prices.
5 Gemmill Lane, off Club Street
Tel: +65 6225 5043
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat: 9am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Creation Cafe
This is a popular lunch spot for folks who are working in the area. They have a value-for-money $9.90++ set lunch which consists of soup, main course and drink. For dinner, the set menu starts from $15++.
100 Beach Road
#01-43 Shaw Tower
Tel: +65 6291 8308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Delicious Restaurant
For a restaurant in town, the food at Delicious Restaurant is inexpensive; most of the main courses are available from $15-20. With its excellent location at the basement of Scotts Square, this is an ideal place for friends to meet up for gatherings.
6 Scotts Road
#B1-16/19 Scotts Square
Tel: +65 6636 0903
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Everything with Fries
There is a reason why Everything With Fries is so popular with students – it serves affordable western food. The specialities, such as the Har Jeong Kai burger, Wild NZ King Salmon, Nutella Tart – while not fantastic, are decent for the price.
40 Lorong Mambong
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Sun to Thu: 12 noon – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12 noon – 1am
458 Joo Chiat Road
Tel: +65 345 5034
Daily: 12 noon – 10pm
Habitat Coffee
This little cafe along Upper Thomson Road is worth a trip. It is a cosy chill out spot which has comfort food such as sandwiches, salads, pastas and breakfast food. Most of the items on the menu are around $10-15. Make sure you try their truffle fries when you are there.
223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
When it comes to Thai food, I like to go Jai Thai for a simple and reliable meal. Most of the items on the menu are priced between $5-8 for small portion.
27 Purvis Street
#01-01 An Chuan Building
Tel: +65 6336 6908
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
7 Clover Way
Tel: +65 6258 0228
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9pm
Sun: 6pm – 9pm
My to-go place when I am meeting my friends in town. The prices of the main courses - smoked duck breast ($12), hotdog ($12), vongole with fresh clams ($17), marinara ($18), and mushroom aglio olio ($14) – are acceptable. For a meal under $20, Kith Cafe at Park Mall should be on the top of your list.
9 Penang Road
#01-01E Park Mall
Tel: +65 6338 8611
Daily: 8am – 10pm
When I am craving for Japanese food, I go to this humble Japanese eatery. Most people probably pass by without noticing it as it is located within a food court. But trust me, Koh Grill & Sushi Bar has good quality and inexpensive Japanese food. If you are having dinner in Orchard Road, I’d highly recommend Koh Grill & Sushi Bar.
435 Orchard Road #04-21
Wisma Atria Singapore
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
La Petite Cuisine
If you are in the Upper Thomson area, you should also check out La Petite Cuisine, a no-frills eatery that has decent French food at pocket-friendly prices. Think duck confit, steak frites for under $20. For folks who are staying in Bukit Timah, they have another branch at Serene Centre.
227 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6459 0553
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
10 Jalan Serene
#01-05 Serene Centre
Tel: +65 6468 8850
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
This Italian eatery at Holland Village has an ongoing 1-for-1 promotion for pizza/pasta/main course during weekday lunch. Each dish works out to be $10++, which in my opinion, is a superb deal.
26 Lorong Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 1982
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Oriole Cafe is another place in Orchard Road that I usually go to. Some of the main courses, such as the Beef Tagliatelle ($17), Fish & Chips ($18), Philly Steak & Cheese Sandwich ($16) are quite good.
96 Somerset road
#01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
(Opposite Brotzeit 313 @ Somerset)
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Paradise Inn Restaurant
Paradise Inn is a decent Chinese restaurant to go for a simple and affordable family dinner. In particular, you must try their signature Braised Vermicelli with Pork Trotters.
23 Serangoon Central
#03-15 NEX Mall
Tel: +65 6634 4228
(11 Branches in Singapore)
Saizeriya Ristorante
The food at Saizeriya Ristorante – a Japanese chain which offers cheap Italian cuisine – is okay, but for the price, there’s really nothing to complain about. You can get escargot for under $6, while pastas, pizzas and main courses are all below $10. Definitely one of the cheapest restaurants in Singapore.
177 River Valley Road
#02-22 Liang Court
Tel: +65 6337 9001
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Saveur Restaurant
Saveur Restaurant at Purvis Street has done a good job by serving inexpensive French food. The long line of hungry patrons during meal times is a testament to its popularity.
It is probably impossible to find another place that gives you Pan Seared Foie Gras for $8, and Duck Confit for $9.90. So, if you are on a budget, check out Saveur.
5 Purvis Street #01-04
Tel: +65 6100 1788
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Selfish Gene Cafe
While cafes are sprouting out everywhere these days – most with predictable and mediocre food – Selfish Gene Cafe stands out for their consistency in delivering good comfort food. You can find all day breakfast ($10.80-15.80), sandwiches ($9.80-12.80), salad ($6-12.80), soup ($5.80) and desserts ($5.80) on the menu.
40 Craig Road
Tel: +65 6423 1324
Daily (except Tue): 10am – 6pm
With a name as quirky as Table Manners, it is hard not to do a double-take when we passed this little gastrobar hidden in a corner of Changi City Point. The sleek layout had been thoughtfully planned, with wooden furniture and quirky quotes adorning the walls, adding a casual vibe to the chic atmosphere.
With its hearty grub fare at student-friendly prices, and its after work chill-out vibe, we are sure it won’t be long before this little gastrobar starts drawing in the after-work crowd from the Changi area.
#01-68/69 Changi City Point
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Tel: +65 6604 7669
Daily: 11am to 12am
The Fabulous Baker Boy
Located directly opposite Liang Court at The Foothills, The Fabulous Baker Boy is a really nice cafe to go for a gathering with friends, or a date with your partner.
Try their signature main courses such as the Ju’s Prawn Fettuccine ($18), Chicken Leek and Potato Pie ($14), and Pastrami Sandwiches ($10.50).
The Foothills #01-15
70 River Valley Road, Singapore 179037
Tel: +65 6694 8336
Daily: 12 noon – 11pm
Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro
This modern bistro by the Wine Connection is located at Robertson Quay and they have a pretty affordable menu like pasta ($12-15), pizza ($12-15) and main courses ($15-25). This is the place to go for a casual meal without breaking the bank.
#01-19/20 Robertson Walk
11 Unity Street
Tel: +65 6238 6878
7 COMMENTS
Awesome list. Definitely will check them out!
I like your new layout, simple and clean.
You should try Sarnies cafe on Telok Ayer. They have the most amazing sandwiches (roast-chicken, steak, schnitzel) for around SGD12. The sandwiches are huge too, can definitely share between 2 people
Great recommendations!
I think new Vietnamese restaurant Wrap & Roll should also be on your list! Never had such great variety of Vietnamese cuisine in Singapore before and the Banh Xeo is just addictive!
Thanks for the recommendations! now
I’ll have more options as I dine out. Should include Blackbird Cafe at Handy Road too
I love their coffee and their signature Seafood Risotto! And it’s also less than $20.
just stumbled upon your list. My add: Café Iguana in Clarke Quay. Superb Mexican food and hands down the best margaritas in Singapore!
Please intro some nice restaurants on chicken dishes.. My mum doesn’t like beef and lamb.. Had a hard time searching for nice restaurant with tasty chicken dishes T_T
Try Mis En Place!! 39 East Coast Rd!
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