Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

From their signature spicy Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90) to Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90), 49 Seats may not be any gourmet fine dining establishment but its menu will leave you salivating. Your grandparents will find them comfortingly nostalgic whilst your kids will have no qualms gobbling them up. It is surely a place for everyone, without breaking the bank!

Here’s sharing our favourite dishes at 49 Seats. It is hard to just decide on one, or two.

49 Seats is renowned for their industrial chic ambience, where old-school metallic plates and tin mugs are used. We love that fuss-free, retro-ish touch to the food.

As its name suggests, the founding store at Outram Park sits exactly 49 diners. Due to its increasing popularity, 49 Seats has proceeded to open two bigger outlets at Bugis Plus and Orchard Central to accommodate more patrons. The casual dining establishment takes pride in serving East-meets-West delicacies similar to those served during Singapore’s British colonial era.

Being one of the leading pioneers in Singapore to create fusion dishes with spicy tom yum broth, we have to applaud 49 Seats for their brilliant concept of integrating Asian flavours into classic Italian dishes.

Who would have known that these seemingly contrasting ingredients would actually complement each other so well? We were completely hooked to the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90).

Active foodies on the prowl might have already heard about this highly raved dish that features an exotic cream-based seafood pasta. It packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and spiciness with every bite and is indeed illustrative of Singapore’s diverse ethnicity.

Topped with generous amounts of mussels and prawns, the semi-spicy pasta is the bestseller at 49 Seats and you will not get this unique pasta rendition elsewhere.

The Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta (S$14.90) and Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (S$14.90) also got to us with its simplicity. The smoked duck breasts are so tender and juicy, and either way, we liked both pastas. The former takes on the classic carbonara, while the latter is a traditional aglio olio – the end results are delightful fusion dishes with a notable local twist.

Do note that the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio is not on the menu so one would have to make a special request for it.

Fish options to look out for are the Old Fashioned Fish & Chips (S$16.90) and Pan-fried Fish (S$16.90). The former is a battered seasonal fish, while the latter is a tender dory cooked simply with salt and pepper and lemon juice.

Both fishy mains are generously portioned and served with either an Al Scampi or Tom Yum sauce on the side for dipping. For the uninitiated, the Al Scampi is a seafood dish prepared with sautéed clams, mussels and prawns.

If your briny cravings are still not met, order the deep-fried Fish Bites (S$9.90) that comes in a basket of 10. Damn, these snacks got us hooked and we couldn’t stop munching on them while waiting for our mains! By the way, you would have guessed that the Tom Yum sauce is addictive, right?

49 Seats also offer a few poultry and red meat dishes, such as the chef’s recommendations of Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90) and Sirloin Steak (S$19.90).

Complete your main and make it a set with an additional S$4.90, and you get a portion of soup of the day, and a soft drink of your choice. And the drink choices include their pretty house fizz beverages (S$2.50 for a la carte); we’d say go for these instead of the normal soft drinks!

Should you be a light eater, there is a variety of light bites for you to snack on. Our favourite appetisers is the glorious Cheese Fries (S$7.90).

Need another reason to love 49 Seats? They are open at ungodly hours if you need supper! Ain’t this good news?! There is an ongoing supper promotion for all main courses where 49 Seats’ customers get to enjoy 10% off after 10pm, 20% off after 11pm and 30% off after 12am. Like it cannot get cheaper, nocturnal creatures actually get to enjoy an unbelievable 50% off all pastas after 3am! Partygoers now know where to go after all that dancing.

If you haven’t realised, 49 Seats’ favourite number is evidently number 49. Alcoholic drinks are very affordable, where you can enjoy a bucket of 5 beer bottles for just S$49! Choose your poison from Corona, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Tiger. And if you fancy some wines, a bottle of red or white wine is reasonably priced at S$60 and S$70 respectively.

This Christmas, customers also get to enjoy a scrumptious festive feast at 49 Seats at just S$49 nett for two. The value-for-money set meal is inclusive of two soups, two mains and a dessert for sharing.

We will definitely head back when those midnight hunger pangs strike, for both their lip-smacking dishes and awesome discounts!

For the latest updates, head over to www.49seats.com and like them on Facebook.

49 Seats Main Outlet
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

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

Bugis Plus #07-04
201 Victoria Street
Singapore 188067
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6884 4633
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by 49 Seats.

What makes a good plate of fries? There are many attributes and factors, but we believe that as long as your fries are so good that you cannot stop munching on them until the plate or bowl is wiped clean, then they are helluva great fries. You know, like how after an almost ethereal first bite and you are hooked. Forever.

The best fries can be pretty easy to spot – glistening golden sticks, deep-fried to perfection. Perfection comes in the form of a warm fluffy centre and a crisp and tasty outer layer. Yes, we kid you not – we worship fries, but only because they make us happier people.

We thank all Heavens for the many places in Singapore that serve an amazing plate of fries with different varieties to choose from. Here are our picks of the 14 Best Fries You Can Find in Singapore that are worth the calories!

ARTEASTIQ – SWEET POTATO FRIES

Good sweet potato fries are hard to come by and the best ones can be underrated, such as the Sweet Potato Fries with Horseradish (S$12) from Arteastiq. Thick cut and lightly seasoned, this jar of goodness is filled with golden brown sticks that are moist and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of salt and crisp on the outside.

333A Orchard Road, #04-14/15
Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6235 8370
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

COOK & BREW – POUTINE FRIES

This Canadian-inspired dish will satisfy both meat-lovers and hardcore fans of fries. Shoestring fries are topped off with a generous lump of pulled pork, cheese and gravy made from the popular Strongbow apple cider. Although it isn’t a local dish, The Poutine “Eh” (S$16) certainly won our hearts over.

The Westin Singapore
33/F Asia Square Tower 2
12 Marina View
Singapore 018961
Tel: +65 6922 6948
Mon to Thu: 11am – 12midnight
Fri: 11am – 1am
Sat: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Downtown/Marina Bay

CHICK CAN – POUTINE FRIES

There are not many places in Singapore where you can find authentic Poutine—a Canadian dish which originated from Québec.

For the uninitiated, Poutine is made with French fries and cheese curds sprinkled on top, then topped off with a drizzle of light brown sauce. Imagine our delight when we found out that it is part of Chick Can Rotisserie’s menu!

The fresh cut fries are crispy on the outside with soft interiors, and goes well with the generous portions of chicken cubes and twirling cheese curds doused in brown gravy. There is a good balance between the main ingredients which made it a hit among those at the table.

82 Amoy Street
#01-00
Singapore 069901
Tel: +65 6221 8598
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

EVERYTHING WITH FRIES – CURRY FRIES

The name of the restaurant literally beckons – you can never miss out on this. Even after six years, the fries are still as good, if not better than when we had them way back then. If you think truffle fries are boring and overrated, you need not settle, because there is something even better here – Curry Fries (S$8).

Yes, this humongous sharing plate is for just S$8 and we honestly cannot get sick of it. Our favourite flavour yet!

Holland Village
40, Lorong Mambong
Singapore 227695
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

FISH & CHICKS

Salted egg yolk all day every day. When we learned about a Salted Egg Yolk Shaker Fries on Fish & Chicks’ menu, we were ecstatic, to say the least.

The salted egg yolk seasoning and the fresh, hot fries made a beautiful pairing. And because it is a shaker, you can decide whether you want to add more or less of the seasoning, but we went all out.

8 Grange Road
Cathay Cineleisure Orchard
Basement 1 (Koufu)
Singapore 239693
Tel: +65 9828 3490
Daily: 11am – 10pm (Last order 9.30pm)
Nearest Station: Somerset

HOUSE AT DEMPSEY- TRUFFLE FRIES

As one of Singapore’s pioneers in Truffle Fries, the taste of House at Dempsey’s Truffle Fries is one that is hard to forget. The strong aroma of truffle is so satisfying and the portion is great for sharing. The serving might look ‘naked’ but we know for a fact that some times, simplicity is the best answer.

8D Dempsey Road
Singapore 249672
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

I LOVE TAIMEI – SEAWEED FRIES

We should all be familiar with McD’s amazing seaweed shaker fries that comes in on a seasonal basis so we can’t have it all year round. I Love Taimei offers a simple and inexpensive solution with their Seaweed Fries (S$2.80), which we promise you, is even better. Have it fresh when they hand it to you and you will find yourself demolishing the serving within a few minutes.

3 New Bugis St
Bugis Junction
Singapore 188867
Tel: +65 6336 5987
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

SINPOPO BRAND – MA LING LUNCHEON CRISPS

Spam or luncheon fries can be quite common these days. And Sinpopo improvised them by making them into delicious and addictive crisps. Sliced thinly and deep-fried, the crisps taste amazing because they do not use any batter around the luncheon meat before deep-frying. Once you start on these chips, we promise you that you won’t be able to stop!

458 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427671
Tel: +65 6345 5034
Tue to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Dakota/Eunos

PARK AT HOLLAND VILLAGE – SPAM CHIPS

No expense has been spared during the deep-frying process to achieve an extremely crisp texture for these thinly sliced Spam Chips (S$8.50++).

281 Holland Ave #01-01
Singapore 278621
Reservations: info@parkgroup.com.sg / +65 9721 3815
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

P.S. CAFE – TRUFFLE FRIES

Yes, this is probably one of the biggest plates of fries ever. P.S. Cafe’s signature truffle fries are well-known for their gargantuan portions, good enough for 4 to 6 pax. The distinct taste of truffle oil is extremely prominent and the added parmesan is the icing on the cake. Warning: extremely addictive!

390 Orchard Road
#02-09A Palais Renaissance
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 6887 2207
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12am
Fri: 11.30am – 1am
Sat: 9.30am – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Orchard

POTATO HEAD FOLK – NAUGHTY FRIES

Featuring hand-cut potatoes with spiced béarnaise, hot beef chilli, crispy shallots, parmesan and sesame seed, Naughty Fries produces an incredible umami sensation. The party of flavours in your mouth will be a memorable satisfaction. For just S$9, we are definitely returning to Potato Head Folk to satisfy our fries cravings.

36 Keong Saik Rd
Singapore 089143
Tel: +65 6327 1939
Tue to Sun: 11am – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

SYNC KOREAN TAPAS BAR – KIMCHI FRIES

If you love kimchi, cheese and fries, the Kimchi Fries at SYNC (available at both outlets) will be your new best friend. The thin-cut fries are deep-fried to a golden brown, before being topped off with melted cheese and a generous scoop of kimchi. It is definitely a one-of-a-kind fusion fries; nothing about it to not love!

12 Maju Ave
Serangoon Garden Estate
Singapore 556690
Tel: +65 6282 0612
Daily: 11am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

SIN LEE FOODS – SALTED EGG YOLK SWEET POTATO FRIES

Salted egg yolk sauce has been all the rage over and we agree that it is more than amazing. Sin Lee Foods went the extra mile to have perfectly-made salted egg yolk sauce drizzled on golden brown sweet potato fries. It is a dream combination, and though they are stingy with the sauce, it is nonetheless a great plate to try.

4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee
Singapore 162004
Tel: +65 6377 3170
Tue to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat: 9.30am – 9pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

SUPPLY & DEMAND – GARLIC TRUFFLE FRIES

If you can’t decide whether you are more of a garlic or truffle fries person, it is alright, because you can have the best of both worlds at Supply & Demand. Combining the two top fries flavour enhancers, this gorgeous tin of Garlic Truffle Fries (S$15) is topped off with an aromatic roasted garlic and shaved parmesan. Eat your fries with the accompanying spicy dip for a more kickass taste.

#02-13/14, Orchard Gateway
277 Orchard Road
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6702 6218
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Craving for more fries? Read our guide to Singapore’s best truffle fries.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.