Eating is an expensive hobby, and we all know the anguish of wanting a good meal but not having enough moolah to indulge. It is painful as much as it is frustrating. #FoodiesProblems
But you see, dining out need not be expensive if you know where to go. We have rounded up a list of 13 places in Singapore that serve budget main courses that are priced S$13 and below, and you know this is awesome news, right? No need to break the bank for a good and comforting meal, no need to pay an arm or a leg.
In this guide to budget eats under S$13, you will find a balanced mix of continental and international favourites from all over Singapore, so bookmark this page and it will save you on rainy days when your wallet has no ability to take any more beating.
#1 AH BONG’S ITALIAN – BASIL PESTO PASTA
Ah Bong’s Italian at Tiong Bahru changes their menu daily but recycles some popular picks. If you’re lucky enough that day and the Basil Pesto Pasta or a variation of it is on the menu, don’t hesitate to order it.
Doused evenly with rich pesto sauce, the overall pasta taste is taken up a notch with what we felt was a light addition of chicken broth and other seasonings – unveiling an extremely palatable taste. The pastas here are all prepared a la minute so the pastas are best eaten the minute it reaches your table. For just a mere S$7, we’re definitely coming back for more!
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-46
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 9650 6194
Daily: 10am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru
#2 ARBITE – BANANA & CARAMEL PANCAKES
When in Serangoon Gardens, the cafe to go to is Arbite. This cafe started with humble beginnings some years ago, and today, it is a perennial favourite among residents and cafe-goers.
We like that the menu is not cluttered with the “typical cafe food”. What had us going back is the pancakes. For only S$12, you enjoy a stack of fluffy pancakes with banana, caramel sauce, sea salt, walnuts and vanilla ice-cream.
66A Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555962
Tel: +65 6287 0430
Mon to Fri: 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11.00 am – 10.30 pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon/Lorong Chuan
#3 EWF BY EVERYTHING WITH FRIES – HAR JEONG KAI BURGER
Prices at EwF are extremely budget-friendly, especially when the portions are more than substantial. A mouthwatering burger combo (inclusive of a burger, fries and beverage of your choice) starts from an affordable S$11.90.
The Har Jeong Kai Burger (S$8.90/ala-carte, S$11.90/meal) features a succulent prawn paste chicken leg sandwiched between two delicate handmade sesame buns, then topped with mayonnaise.
200 Victoria Street
#04-05, Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 6338 0135
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
#4 GYOZA YA – MENTAIKO GYOZA & GARLIC RICE
Well-known for their inexpensive gyozas (Japanese meat dumplings) with convenient outlets in central Singapore, Gyoza Ya has upped the ante in the recent few months with variations of their pan-fried gyozas.
These selections include the Mentaiko Gyoza and the Cheese Gyoza (both S$7.80 for 5 pieces), which are best eaten with their individually portioned side of Garlic or Seafood rice (S$5.80 each) but we highly recommend sticking to the former as the garlic flavour is pleasantly poignant.
260 Orchard Road, Robinsons Orchard
The Heeren, B1-02A
Singapore 238855
Tel: +65 6737 5581
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
#5 HOB NOB CAFE BAR – FISH & CHIPS
Hob Nob is one of the several under-the-radar spots we love in Orchard Road. It is located on level three of Far East Shopping Mall – the one beside Wheelock, not the better-known Far East Plaza. The place is small, with only 8 tables that accommodate 25 people.
The food is simple, so don’t come here expecting fancy stuff. But if you want a decent meal in town without breaking the bank, Hob Nob might just become your new favourite place. Prices start from S$9.80 for a Fried Egg & Bacon Sandwich, to S$16.80 for Spaghetti Tom Yum Seafood. The Hob Nob Fish & Chips (S$11.80) is also worth a try.
Hob Nob is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s Top Budget Restaurants in Orchard Road.
#03-18/19, Far East Shopping Centre
545 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6734 0474
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
#6 I WANT MY NOODLE – MY MUSHROOM NOODLE
I Want My Noodle is a local brand name that showcases their signature homemade springy egg noodles, served in a variety of different ways. We liked My Mushroom Noodle (S$7.90) for the inexpensive price tag and the overall taste of the noodles (dry is a better option) with their chilli sauce, served on the side.
There are other options such as the Double Roast Noodles which cost a little bit more but we can assure you that it is also worth the splurge. Only cash is accepted at this eatery so do make sure you have enough cash handy.
Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road
#03-14/15
Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6235 2331
Daily: 10.45am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
#7 NAKAJIMA SUISAN GRILLED FISH – SALMON TERIYAKI
Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish at Takashimaya’s Japanese food court remains one of our favourite places to go for a good and affordable meal in Singapore. The prices of the set meals — choose from Salmon Teriyaki ($12.50) and Shio Saba ($7.50) — are pocket-friendly, and the food never fails us.
391A Orchard Road Basement 2
Takashimaya Food Hall Ngee Ann City
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset
#8 RAMEN KEISUKE – TONKOTSU RAMEN
Small and unassuming, this ramen joint does not look one bit attractive. And if you do not have a keen sense of smell, you might just walk right past it. That would mean you are missing out on a bowl of very authentic Japanese ramen.
Tonkotsu is our top choice always, simply because no other broths can be as gratifying as a rich, creamy and oily pork broth. The good news is, Ramen Keisuke does a pretty mean bowl and it is only S$10.80 with free flow of hard-boiled eggs and bean sprouts!
#01-19 Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6636 0855
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
#9 SAVEUR – DUCK CONFIT
People love Saveur because it offers cheap and decent French food. There’s a trade-off, though. Portions are very small, so you have to order more dishes to share.
Having said that, it is probably impossible to find another place that serves a good duck confit at $10. So, if you are on a budget, check out Saveurs. Remember to go early, or be prepared to queue.
Read: Guide To 11 Duck Confits To Try In Singapore.
5 Purvis Street, #01-04
Singapore 188584
Tel: 6333 3121
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.15pm
Sun: 12pm – 2.15pm, 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
Spizza Mercato at Capitol Piazza has a super affordable menu and a wide variety of pizzas (but of course), and what it is exceptionally popular during lunch for its amazing weekday lunch deals – S$12 for a dry pasta with classic sauce or a 10 inch pizza, anyone?
13 Stamford Road #B2-52
Capitol Piazza
Singapore 178905
Tel: +65 6702 1835
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
#11 THE WICKED GARLIC – SQUID INK LINGUINE
Previously housed in a coffee shop, The Wicked Garlic’s tremendous success has led them to move over to the Central Business District in International Plaza. The Wicked Garlic offers a good range of pastas, pizzas and risottos but we loved their Ling Nero Di Seppia (Squid Ink Linguine, S$8.70) the most.
Each strand of pasta is coated evenly in the tasty squid ink sauce and you have a choice to add in extra items such as prawns and bacon to enhance your dish or to suit your liking. For just a mere S$8, we’re definitely not complaining.
10 Anson Road
#01-37, International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 8509 2942
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 8am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
#12 &SONS – GRILLED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK
&SONS has lunch promotions every weekday that is just too good to resist. Their lunch menu items range from S$8 to S$12 and they feature a wide range of selections such as Pork Cheek Ragu Penne Pasta (S$9) and the ever popular Grilled Beef Sirloin Steak (S$12).
For a mere S$12, you get more than your money’s worth of a sirloin steak, cooked to your preferred doneness, a side of roasted potatoes & caramelised onions and salad. With an addition of S$2.50 – S$3, you can get yourself a cup of coffee or tea too.
Note: The main courses are only available for weekday lunch.
20 Cross Street
China Square Central, #01-19
Singapore 048422
Tel: +65 6221 3937
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 1am
Sat: 6pm – 2am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer
#13 49 SEATS – CARBONARA PASTA
One of our favourite budget restaurants in Singapore, 49 Seats has gained a legion of supporters by keeping its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry.
While 49 Seats is known for its Tom Yum Pasta, the Carbonara (S$12.90), Beef Bolognaise (S$12.90), and Aglio Olio (S$10.90) are also worth trying. And best of all, there is no GST and service charge here.
49 Kreta Ayer Road
Singapore 089007
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 2am
Fri to Sat: 6pm – 5.30am
Tel: +65 6225 4332
Nearest Station: Outram Park
For more recommendations on where to eat, read our guide to 20 Inexpensive Restaurants in Singapore.