Valentine’s Day can be an incredibly expensive affair. While it is commonly known to be a romantic event for lovers to express their undying love to one another, many people also think of it as a money sucking holiday where people go broke because they feel the need to splurge on their partners in fear of looking like an utter scrooge.

If you’re feeling a tad bit broke this month and you’re still reeling from the damage done to your wallet during Christmas, fret not as we have come up with 11 affordable places for a romantic dinner that won’t make you look like a cheapskate.

COMO CUISINE

From the buttery whiff of freshly baked viennoiseries to the chocolatey aroma of fresh coffee grinds in the morning, COMO Cuisine is the ideal place to head to for a date with your special one. Luxuriate in their all-new menu that features all-day comfort fare that will leave a lasting impression this Valentine’s Day.

A meal for two should cost around S$50 to $60.

Block 18A Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249677
Tel: 1800 304 6688
Mon to Sun: 8am – 9pm
Breakfast (Mon to Fri): 8am – 12pm
High Tea (Tue & Fri): 3pm – 5pm
Brunch (Sat & Sun): 8am – 3pm

DUCKLAND 

If you and your date love duck, this would be the perfect place to have your Valentine’s Day meal! Duckland serves up a pretty impressive range of both Asian and Western-style duck dishes that will change the way you eat duck. Despite using the finest quality of Irish duck, the prices here are kept affordable so you are truly getting more bang for your buck.

A hearty meal for two here should cost no more than S$50.

United Square Shopping Mall #B1-09&64/65
101 Thomson Road
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 6259 5668
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

FRAPASBAR BY SAVEUR 

The newly opened FrapasBar by the renowned Saveur serves up delectable, authentic French fare and tapas with modern twists here and there—all while keeping prices affordable. Not only is the food here fantastic, but the ambience of the place is also really classy and cosy, creating the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner date with Bae.

You can expect a meal for two to cost around S$30 to S$40, which is pretty decent for the food.

2 Tampines Central 5, #01-35
Singapore 529509
Tel: +65 6789 1121
Daily: 11.30am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

FRESH FRUITS LAB

Fresh Fruit Labs is one of our favourite places in Singapore to get an affordable meal for two. We love how the crux of their food creations revolve around fruit, which definitely is a factor that makes them stand out. The colourful ambience of the cafe also makes it a quirky destination for you and your partner to celebrate your relationship and feel like kids again.

The wallet damage here for two people should be less than S$40.

28 Clementi Road
Singapore 129754
Tel: +65 6803 7472
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

FYNN’S

Tucked away at South Beach Avenue is Fynn’s, a beautiful, modern all-day dining cafe. Here, they serve up scrumptious Australian fare that is sure to please you and your date. The cafes aesthetic marbled tables, rattan chairs and stylish decor also makes this the perfect setting for that quintessential Valentine’s Day photo for the gram.

The cost of a meal for two people should be around S$40 to S$50.

26 Beach Road
#B1-21, South Beach Avenue
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 1878
Tue to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 10.30am – 4.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Esplanade 

ICEHAUS

Icehaus is an all-day dining restaurant at Alley on 25 that offers cold cuts, sustainable seafood, heirloom salads and locally-inspired desserts. Guests hankering for a light yet satisfying desserts can also opt for Icehaus’ famous desserts that beautifully encompass the elements of local street sweets but with a modern approach.

5 Fraser Street, Level 25
Andaz Singapore
Singapore 189354
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

LA NONNA

If Bae is hankering for some Italian food, then the one place that you both should go to is La Nonna. La Nonna serves up authentic, mid-priced Italian food that will leave you both with full, happy bellies. The portions are also incredibly large so it’s great for couples who have larger appetites.

Despite the generous portions, the prices here are still kept affordable. The bill for two can be less than $60, which is really decent for authentic Italian fare.

26/26B Lor Mambong
Singapore 277685
Tel: +65 6468 1982
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Eve of PH: 12pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 12pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

THE BETTERSHIP

The Bettership is a sashimi-centric eatery that serves up boats of fresh restaurant-quality sashimi as well as stellar bowls of donburi. Their open kitchen concept also allows you to watch the chefs prepare your food right in front of you, which definitely adds an interesting touch to the meal.

For less than S$40 for the both of you, you can get restaurant-grade Japanese fare that will leave you and your partner with happy, satisfied bellies.

2 Handy Road #01-03,
The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6835 9006
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Photo Credit: The Marmalade Pantry 

THE MARMALADE PANTRY 

The marmalade pantry takes pride in serving up modern comfort food at affordable prices. We are also in love with the decor of the place; chic, minimalistic and tasteful, this place will wow you and your date in terms of both food and ambience.

A meal for two here should cost less than S$45.

The Marmalade Pantry At Downtown
Oasia Hotel Downtown, #01-01
100 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079333
Tel: +65 6385 0741
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 4pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

WAA COW! 

For some mind-blowing wagyu beef bowls that will leave you and your partner craving for more, Waa Cow is the place to go. Here, you can get some life-changing value-for-money bowls of flame-torched wagyu donburi. You’ll find yourselves coming back here again even after Valentine’s Day is over!

Each bowl of this quality goodness costs less than S$25 each and for such premium cuts of meat, it really is a very good deal.

5 Straits View, #01-09 Marina One
The Heart West Tower,
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 9851 1552
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

It is always nice to have someone to share your likes and hobbies with. Especially so if the person has the same obsessions as you do. Food is a universally-loved entity in itself and many people identify themselves as ‘foodies’ – us included.

Food dates, travelling for food, breakfast in bed and more. If you are lucky enough to be with someone who adores food as much as you do, things like these are frequent and aplenty; and it’s what keeps you going!

If you are in a food-centric relationship, you will probably relate to this list of 15 Things Only Foodie Couples Will Understand.

#1 BREAKFAST IN BED REGULARLY

There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of eggs and pancakes – in bed. Either your other half is the loving one to make you breakfast, or you getting up early just to surprise him/her. Breakfast in bed is sweet all the same.

#2 COOKING TOGETHER IS YOUR FAVOURITE PAST TIME

You look forward to coming home after a trying day at work and dishing out some of our signature dishes in the kitchen together with your partner. That’s some quality time spent there, and it promotes communication and coordination!

#3 DOUBLE UP DESSERTS

You know how couples tend to share a dessert at the end of the meal? Forget that, you guys will order 2 (or more) desserts. The more the merrier, so that you get a taste of everything!

#4 EDIBLE GIFTS ARE ALWAYS PREFERRED

Some girls love diamonds and some guys love luxury watches. But not for us. Meal treats, macarons and buffet surprises are our thing. That’s how practical we are.

#5 FOOD ARTICLES SHARING 24/7

Ever saw an article about a new restaurant opening on Facebook and you just cannot wait to check it out? You would proabbly copy the link and send it to your partner right away and start making plans. That’s how we foodies roll, yes?

#6 FOOD DATE NIGHTS ARE APLENTY

We don’t really care for ice skating and movie dates, neither do we get excited about parties and whatnot. We just want to dine out and spend time with food together. That’s our idea of happiness and a perfect date. Just food at different restaurants and cafes.

#7 IT CAN GET COMPETITIVE WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD

You guys can sometimes try to one-up each other on how much you know about food. Admit it, many of your heated arguments circle around who knows about food best, where to dine at, what to cook tonight and all the food-related issues.

#8 SHARING SNACKS OR BITES WHENEVER

You never have to worry about not finishing a snack, because you know your partner is going to gobble the remaining up for you. Being with a partner who loves to eat as much you do is really about ordering whatever you want and sharing them!

#9 TEXTS TO EACH OTHER LARGELY INVOLVE FOOD

You send pictures of food, plan your next meal, discuss about your dinner last night, talk about the new restaurants etc. A large part of your texts revolves around food, and that’s what gets the both of you excited.

#10 TRAVELS ARE PLANNED AROUND FOOD

When you take a holiday, your itinerary is centered around food. Food is your priority, and you make sure you map out your meal plans before anything else.

#11 YOU BOTH HAVE FOOD-ONLY INSTAGRAMS

Ok, maybe 90%. But you get the idea. Photos of your breakfast in bed, photos of your homemade lunch, photos of your fine 8-course dinner, photos of your picnic basket, photos of your anniversary cake, and everything else in between.

#12 YOU CAN ORDER MORE FOOD TO SHARE

When you have a partner who loves food and can eat as much as you, ordering food is never a problem. Cannot decide between two choice? Order them both! It is our favourite theory of “the more the merrier”. Oh what joy it is to have our tables filled with plenty of dishes!

#13 YOU CAN SURPRISE EACH OTHER WITH FOOD

Surprising each other with food is a regular thing between you guys. Buy him/her that slice of cake, or plan surprise dinners for him/her on an otherwise regular and dreadful work day!

#14 YOU HAVE A DAILY MEAL/FOOD PLAN TOGETHER

You guys plan your meals in advance and you always look forward to dining with the other person because this means another awesome food adventure together. This also enhances communication and promotes bonding.

#15 YOU NEVER ARGUE ABOUT WHAT TO EAT

Yes, you might squabble a bit, but you never really argue because you will take turns dining at each other’s favourite places. Food keeps the relationship going, and always gives you something to look forward to. Definitely more than just a date!