Parking fees in Singapore are far from cheap and finding a carpark lot near your desired dining destination is definitely not the easiest task. We have also heard a fair share of embarrassing stories where drivers found themselves stuck in the carpark’s gantry due to their cashcards’ insufficient balances.

As avid drivers ourselves, we understand the hassle of finding convenient car parks and the need to constantly top up our cashcards. It seem almost brainless that one should top up your cashcards when they are nearly depleted of value – but trust us, this trivial errand never fail to slip off our minds.

Fortunately, there are actually several restaurants and dining areas in Singapore that offer free parking to guests and we are thrilled to share these exciting places! Read on more to find out where these dining destinations are.

BOUFE BOUTIQUE CAFE

Boufe Boutique Cafe is best remembered on Instagram for its impressive all-white minimalistic interiors. Located in the remote area of Phoenix Park, the cafe is almost only accessible by car. A section of the cafe also boasts trendy women clothing by local apparel brand OhVola.

308 Tanglin Road
Phoenix Park
Singapore 247974
Tel: +65 6734 7656
Tue to Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard/Redhill

DAPUR MELAKA

Newly opened family-run restaurant Dapur Melaka serves incredibly affordable Nyonya cuisine. Interestingly, the casual eatery serves crab and fishes from their own farms in Kranji and Pulau Ubin. Parking lots are available right outside the restaurant.

56 Sembawang road
#01-01 Hong Heng Mansions
Singapore 779086
Tel: +65 6455 0857
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Khatib

DEMPSEY HILL

Dempsey Hill is a tranquil sanctuary located within a stone’s throw from the bustling Orchard Road. The enclave of eateries situated in this vicinity will spoil all visitors for choice at any time of the day; Dempsey is a popular brunch spot and also a great destination for after-work drinks. From casual eateries to fine dining restaurants, there is definitely something here that can cater to your ever-changing cravings!

Dempsey Road
Singapore 249679

FAT LULU’S

Fat Lulu’s was formerly known as Five & Dime Eatery. Today, the restaurant is still run by the same owners and is located in the same venue. Parking is exclusively reserved for customers’ use only.

297 River Valley Road
Singapore 238338
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

IKEA TAMPINES RESTAURANT

While IKEA Tampines is essentially a furniture store, many Singaporeans still find themselves visiting the child-friendly onsite restaurant just for their delicious Swedish cuisine. Unfortunately, IKEA Alexandra does not provide free parking services.

60 Tampines North Drive 2
Singapore 528764
Tel: +65 6786 6868
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 10pm
Sat and sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

INDO CAFE

Indo Cafe can be spotted from afar when you are making your way into Orchard Road. But instead of joining the sea of people in town, why not have a meal at the colonial-style mansion instead? Free parking is offered to Indo Cafe’s diners and words cannot express how glad we are that the parking space is conveniently located just right outside the restaurant!

35 Scotts Road
Singapore 228227
Tel: +65 6733 2656
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Newton

MOUNT FABER

There are several restaurants located at Mount Faber, including the Faber Bistro and Spuds & Aprons. Whatever your preference is, you will be elated to find out that parking at the top of Mount Faber is actually completely free of charge. Taking a stroll around Mount Faber before/after your meal is always a good idea too.

101 Mount Faber Road
Singapore 099201
Tel: +65 6377 9688

NASSIM HILL BAKERY & BISTRO BAR

Tucked at the quiet end of bustling Orchard Road is Nassim Hill Bakery & Bistro Bar. The restaurant sits beside Singapore Post at Tanglin and allows one to relish in tranquility. Note that parking lots – located right outside the bistro – are very limited.

56 Tanglin Road
Tanglin Post Office #01-03
Tel: +65 6835 1128
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sat: 8am to 11pm
Sun: 8am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ORCHID LIVE SEAFOOD

Orchid Live Seafood’s far-flung location makes it incredibly inaccessible; after all, it is located right next to Khatib Camp! But its signature lobster porridge and other fresh seafood offerings make it worthwhile to travel for. Parking outside the restaurant is free of charge, hurray!

1 Bah Soon Pah Road
Singapore 769959
Tel: +65 6756 0311
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Khatib

PRIMA REVOLVING TOWER

Prima Revolving Tower is the only revolving restaurant in Singapore. The long standing Chinese restaurant is a pioneer in the Chinese fine dining industry and makes a great setting for family outings. While a decadent meal here does not cost cheap, one can be comforted that they get to enjoy the luxury of free parking!

201 Keppel Road
Singapore 099419
Tel: +65 6272 8822
Mon to Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

RAIL MALL

Rail Mall’s stretch of shophouses features several enticing restaurants. The best part is that parking at Rail Mall is absolutely free throughout the day!

380 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678040
Tel: +65 6763 1639
Daily: 7am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Hillview

RIDERS CAFE

Riders Cafe is hidden behind Bukit Timah’s lush greenery and till date remains rather exclusive due to its inaccessibility. The charming eatery offers a range of wholesome brunch items (till 11am) and other delightful ala-carte for the remaining day. Good news is that drivers can indulge in Riders Cafe’s mouthwatering gourmet without the pressuring need to constantly check if they have already exceeded their parking time limit.

51 Fairways Drive
Singapore 286965
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
Tel: +65 6466 9819
Sun to Thu: 8am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

SPRUCE

Tucked away in the secluded stretch of Tanglin Road, Spruce is renowned for serving one of the best American-Italian brunch in Singapore. Stash away those bothersome parking coupons as diners of the upper scale cafe-cum-restaurant get to enjoy complimentary parking throughout the day!

320 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247980
Tel: +65 6836 5528
Mon to Fri: 10.30am -10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Redhill

STAMPING GROUND COFFEE

Minimalistic cafe Stamping Ground Coffee in Siglap co-shares its venue with a florist and the end result? A visually stunning floral-themed specialty coffee cafe. Customers dining here can park at the few car park lots located right outside it.

87 Upper East Coast Road
Singapore 455223
Tel: +65 9070 7610
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT

The Coastal Settlement has been a favourite dining destination amongst hipster cafe hoppers and families alike. The far-flung restaurant, located in the old barracks of Changi Beach, has drawn a crowd of regulars with its delicious food and attractive vintage furniture. The Coastal Settlement’s free parking offer is definitely a key factor too in keeping its customers returning.

200 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508529
Tel: +65 6475 0200
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

THE GRANDSTAND

The Grandstand is the large retail destination in Bukit Timah. The mall houses a comprehensive variety of dining options and all visitors get to enjoy the privilege of free parking. From seafood restaurant Dancing Crab to burger bistro Omakase, the exhaustive list of restaurant tenants will make each visit a satisfying one.

200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994

From now till 30 July 2010, ten Esplanade Mall restaurants are offering a 1-for-1 lunch promotion during weekdays. For those of you who are working in the Marina Bay area or the Central Business District, it’s time to grab your colleagues and make a reservation for lunch!

Lets face it, EVERYBODY loves 1-for-1 dining promotion! Be it a 1-for-1 pasta lunch deal, 50% off ala carte menu or a 1-for-1 buffet promotion (by making use of the credit cards dining promotion), what’s there not to like when we get to enjoy the restaurant’s usual offering at half the price?

I have not been to any of the selected ten restaurants at Esplanade Mall, but I have always taken an interest to Barossa Australian restaurant as some of my friends mentioned that they have one of the best fish & chips in Singapore. Am I tempted by their 1-for-1 fish & chips at $18++? Hell yes!

With 1-for-1 lunch choices of Tandoori wrap, spaghetti prawn Aglio Olio, Portobello burger or fish & chips at just $25 nett, I think there’s a high chance that I will check out Harry’s @ Esplanade very soon!

If you are not very keen on the 10 Esplanade Mall restaurants that are currently having the 1-for-1 lunch deal, check out my other reviews on some of the Esplanade Mall restaurants:

Ichiban Boshi Esplanade
8 Raffles Avenue
#02-14 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6423 1151

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
8 Raffles Avenue
#01-06/08 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6235 9556

Southbridge Jazz @ 7atenine
8 Raffles Avenue
#01-10/12 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6338 0789

What are you waiting for? Pick up your phones and make a reservation at the selected Esplanade Mall restaurants for the 1-for-1 lunch deals now!