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

They say if you fall in love with the right person, everyday is Valentine’s Day. True that, and while we need no excuse to be romantic, Valentine’s Day has been around forever and the day will be exceptionally sweeter with lots of love in the air.

Valentine’s Day need not be all about chocolates and diamonds. Wine & Dine is the most popular indulgence with the love of your life, but there are many other interesting ways to spend the day. Whatever it is, pick an activity that both of you enjoy, and just forget the world.

Here are 10 things to do on Valentine’s Day with your other half.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Explore Gardens by the Bay

Get in touch with nature and explore the pretty Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay, one of the newest attractions in Singapore. Have lunch at one of the restaurants in Gardens by the Bay and enjoy a cooling and leisurely stroll through the Flower Dome.

Take a cooking class together

There are plenty of fun activities for couples to do. If both of you love food, go for a cooking class and spend some quality time together. At Forest Restaurant, Chef Sam Leong has a special culinary class combined with a four-course set lunch. You can have a nice lunch at the restaurant, and then move on to the culinary class in the beautiful state-of-the-art show kitchen to learn some tips from Chef Leong.

The cooking Class (capped to maximum of ten guests) with four-course set lunch at Forest costs S$160 nett per person and is available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (depending on demand, please call the restaurant to check the schedule).

A luxurious spa experience

How about a little treat for your partner and you? Everyone is tired from work, everyone needs to de-stress. Spa treatments are no longer an extravagant want, but a luxurious need.

Plan for a weekend getaway

One of the best things about being in Singapore is that it is just a few hours away from many amazing cities in the region. Take this opportunity and go for a weekend getaway with your partner. For more ideas, read our Guide to weekend getaways from Singapore.

Go for a staycation

For those of you who cannot afford the money or time for a holiday, the next best alternative is to go for a staycation.

For a lavish experience, book a room at Ritz-Carlton Singapore. There are many good hotels in the world, but Ritz-Carlton is in a completely different league. It is worth every cent.

We also love Four Seasons Singapore for their luxurious rooms on the couples’ floor.

You can also snuggle up for a romantic experience with a 2D1N stay at Hotel Fort Canning.

Dive with the sharks at Underwater World Singapore

If you are adventurous enough, why not go diving with the sharks? Underwater World Singapore has a dive guide-led programme ($120/pax) where you can spend 90 minutes with sharks and eagle rays. The best part is you do not need a scuba-diving license for this.

Escape to the countryside

Escape into the wilderness of the rural side of Singapore and soak in the tranquillity of Krangi. Pay a visit to the famous Bollywood Veggies and learn more about your greens. There are also many other farms to intrigue you – dragonfruit farm, goats’ milk farm, aeroponics vegetables farm, arowana farm etc.

Catch a play or musical

If Arts is your thing, and music is your soul, catch a musical at Drama Centre Theatre, Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands Theatre.

Spend a day at the beach

Give me sun, sand, sea any day, any time. Nothing beats spending a day at the beach with your loved ones – idling, sea sports, reading… anything, as long as you are basking in the company of your loved one.

Romantic candlelight dinner

Any occasion is a good excuse to go to a nice restaurant and have a great time. My advice: avoid celebrating on the actual day. Instead, go the weekend before or after. For recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s 20 Most Romantic Restaurants in Singapore.