Eat

Affordable Eats in Singapore: 4 Great Restaurants for Frugal Foodies

Singapore can be an expensive place; surveys regularly place the country among the costlier places to live in the world. While that is not untrue, there are also plenty of reasonably priced places that do not skimp on taste. We present you our favourites.

Saveur

Saveur serves quality French fare at affordable prices. The long queues are testament to the success of that ethos. Saveur’s Duck Leg Confit is its most popular offering – a real steal at S$12.90. Other popular orders at this restaurant include Foie Gras on Creamy Lentils, as well as its Pork Belly. The ambience takes a bit of a backseat, as the space can get quite boisterous at times, but at those prices, one cannot complain.

Price Range: SG$5-13 per dish; SG$ 20-25 per person (including drinks)
5 Purvis Street #01-04
Tel: +65 6100 1788 
Noon-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm (Daily)

Lola’s Café
Quirky and quaint, Lola’s Café is a neighbourhood joint that packs a lot of personality. Brunch is a focal point here, served until 3pm. The Mushroom Melt, which features mushrooms and mozzarella melted over a brioche slice, and Lola’s Full Monty Breakfast are its popular choices. For dinner, try the Swimmer Crab Spaghetti or Pacific Dory Burger. No dishes here cost more than SG$ 15; an achievement given how tasty they are.

Price Range: SG$10-15 per dish; SG$ 20-25 per person (including drinks)
5 Simon Road
Tel: +65 6284 0349
10am-11.30pm, Tuesday-Sunday (extended to midnight Friday and Saturday)

Jane Thai
Orchard Towers is a fabled institution of its own in Singapore, but within these well-trodden walls is some of the best and most affordable Thai food on the island. Jane Thai’s stalwarts include the Yum Woon Sen (Seafood Vermicelli Salad), Gaeng Kiaw Wan (Green Curry) and Grapow Moo (Holy Basil and Minced Pork Stir Fry). Do mention your spice tolerance level to the waiter, as even a regular level of spiciness in authentic Thai cuisine could set your mouth on fire!

Price Range: SG$5-10 per dish; SG$ 15-20 per person (including drinks)
400 Orchard Road, #04-30 Orchard Towers
Tel: +65 6887 5677
6pm-4am, Mondays-Saturdays (5pm-3am Sundays)

Ma Maison

Tucked away in a corner of the Bugis Junction is Ma Maison, whose décor looks like a homely English cottage on first glance. Its menu, however, has Italian, French, English and Japanese influences, occasionally mixed in with Japanese ingredients like konbu (kelp) or shiitake. The lunch specials are of particularly good value. Try it out, if you have the gumption for fusion.

Price Range: SG$10-16 per dish; SG$ 25-30 per person (including drinks)
200 Victoria Street #02-51 Bugis Junction
Tel: +65 63384819
11.30am-3pm, 6pm 9.30, Daily (11.30am-9.30pm Saturday and Sunday)