Singapore clinches top spot for many things, including the not-so-covetable title of The World’s Most Expensive City. But this amazing country has no shortage of cheap eats (thankfully), and you don’t even have to look hard for it — thanks to our little guide. To help you make the most out of your money and expand your horizons beyond fast food and hawker grub, we’ve rounded up a list of affordable restaurants in Singapore, for vegetarian-friendly bites, great burgers and a bunch of top-notch meals under $15 (disclaimer: we’re basing this on one full meal per person).
Little Hiro
You’ll find grilled treats, Japanese-inspired fare, and sinful burgers at this BBQ spot. Their deluxe Hawaiian grills (like the black pepper striploin) don’t cost more than $13.90; prices for their teppanyaki rice plates start at $7.90; and their burgers are about $8 on average. If normal burgers won’t do, there are ramen burgers (from $10.20) for the taking.
Little Hiro, #01-01 King’s Arcade, 559 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269695, p. 6466 3477.
Dojo
These guys specialise in gourmet pork burgers. On the menu are cheekily-named choices like the Elvisu (bacon, peanut butter and jelly), and the Hadoken – pork patty topped with spicy Asian chilli con carne, onions, cheese and bacon bits. Not feeling pork? There’s Fowl Play, the only chicken burger on the menu. All burgers are priced between $10 and $14.
Dojo, 72 Circular Road, Singapore 049426, p. 6438 4410.
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King
One of the best places to get your ramen fix, in our opinion, and at no more than $15! Slurp up the superbly rich tonkotsu-based soup, and don’t forget to add a flavoured egg as well. Tip: Get here early or you’ll have to wait in line.
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King, #01-19 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867, p. 6636 0855.
Get vegetarian bites on the cheap at Real Food
Real Food
This isn’t a showy cafe with fancy creations and pretentious-sounding menu items. Instead, it’s a modest, pleasantly cosy vegetarian store with simple, pocket-friendly offerings like a beetroot burger ($12.80) and Genovese pesto pasta ($9.80).
Real Food, 110 Killiney Road, Tai Wah Building, Singapore 239549, p. 6737 9516.
BluJaz Cafe
The long-standing bar on Bali Lane isn’t just known for great live entertainment – pop by for some cheap bites like fish and chips ($10.90), sambal fried rice ($8.90), and shawarma (from $12.90). The menu’s pretty extensive and offerings span across a range of cuisine types — great for groups with differing tastes.
BluJaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, Historic Kampong Glam, Singapore 189848, p. 9199 0610.
Eighteen Chefs
A popular spot among students, Eighteen Chefs is the place to go for value-for-money dining deals. Majority of the menu items are below $15, including the signature Heart Attack Fried Rice (from $8.90), which is prepared using dark sauce and the oil from the bits of beef steak that come with the rice.
Eighteen Chefs, #04-02 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Road, Singapore 239695, p. 6736 3800.
Saveur
From a hawker stall in a coffee shop to a full-fledged restaurant, Saveur has certainly grown in recent years. With foie gras at just $9.90 and duck confit at $13.90, it’s no wonder the crowds are flocking.
Saveur, #01-04, 5 Purvis Street, Singapore 188584, p. 6333 3121.
Affordable Italian grub at Concetto by Saveur
Concetto by Saveur
Speaking of Saveur, the same folks behind the French restaurant also own Concetto, an affordable Italian dining spot that dishes out decent plates like a crab risotto ($14.90), and a mean carbonara ($12.90). Got room for dessert? There’s the pistachio panna cotta ($7.90).
Concetto by Saveur, #01-11/12 The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, Singapore 229233, p. 6735 1141.
Fill-a-Pita
Okay, Fill-a-Pita isn’t exactly a restaurant, but we can’t help but include this awesome little food stall on Shenton Way. Located in a coffee shop, it offers Mediterranean bites at no more than $8. Their specialty, as you would have guessed, is pita — there are sandwiches that comes with falafel and tahina sauce, or you can have your pita bread with a side of hummus.
Fill-a-Pita, #01-02 Shenton House, 3 Shenton Way, Singapore 068805, p. 9835 1446.
Saizeriya
You’ll be hard-pressed to find cheaper Italian meals outside Saizeriya. This family-style restaurant puts out creations like pasta for $6 on average, and steak dishes for approximately $8.
Saizeriya, #02-22 Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Road, Singapore 179030, p. 6337 9001.
Top image: Little Hiro