When your budget is tight but you still want to indulge, the solution is to hunt down deals. Thankfully, there are good lunch deals, and many are located in town.
With “cheap” being relative, remember that these are not your $1-chicken-rice type places, but value-for-money finds in fancy-ish places that you might want to check out when it’s pay day.
Deal: 3-course meal $34, (with one appetiser, main course and dessert) and 4-course at $45 (choice of two appetisers, one main course and one dessert).
Origin Grill’s chef de cuisine Heidi Flanagan favours unique and quality-driven ingredients, and the lunch offerings are no different. Some must-try on the set lunch menu include a classic grilled sea bass fillet, and the flavourful Williams River cross bred Wagyu Flank steak.
Lobby Level, Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore, Tower Wing, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350, Noon to 2.30pm
Classic Cantonese food is always a good option, and Yan offers two set menus, both including the dim sum trip platter. 5-course set lunch $38, minimum two to eat.
1 Saint Andrew’s Road, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957, 11.30am to 2.30pm
FOC Pim Pam is always good for a relaxing lunch with a few friends. Although alcohol is not included in the set menus, you might be tempted because the bar here has the largest collection of sherries in Southeast Asia. One tapas and one main for $25; one snack from the bodega, tapa, main and dessert at $35.
442 Orchard Road #01-29, Singapore 238879, Noon to 3pm
Publico Ristorante has just launched its lunch service and decided to offer a set menu that includes its popular pizzas (the Tartufata is excellent) and pastas. 2-course menu at $30, 3-course menu at $35
1 Nanson Road, Level 1, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909, Friday and Saturday, noon to 3pm
Porta has one of the most affordable lunch deals in its area. The menu here is modern European, and you’ll be able to order items such as Smoked Trout; Confit Chicken Leg, and Vanilla Panna Cotta. 2-course meal at $18, 3-course at $22, weekdays only.
1 Unity St, Park Hotel Clarke Quay, Singapore 237983, Weekdays noon to 2.30pm
The view from Stellar at 1-Altitude is, well, stellar. The dishes available in the set menus change monthly, but you can expect quintessential progressive Australian cuisine.
Level 62, 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616, 2-course at $38, 3-course at $48, and 4-course at $58
Eating heritage dishes at a heritage site is a fun experience, especially if that meal is a good value. The menus includes dishes such as Soy-braised Pork Jowl, and Caramelised Jackfruit Spring Rolls.2-course meal $35, 3-course $38.
80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326, Weekdays 11.30 am to 2.30 p.m.
Design Your Own Local Degustation Set Menu, 3-course $29; 4-course $33
This popular promotion has been going on since 2007, and now, there are new dishes to try out, such as pork satay, Hokkien black noodles and tahu telur. And when you’re done with your mains, you can try the dessert buffet.
22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221, Noon to 2.30pm
If you’re good at balancing your food, the One-Plate Lunch Buffet is ideal for you. Just stack your food as high as you can with items such as kueh pie tie, ayam buah keluak, and babi pongteh, and just hope that nothing spills. For $4 more, you’ll also invited to raid the dessert spread for unlimited servings of desserts. One-Plate Lunch Buffet, $18
20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281, Noon to 2.30pm
Even vegetarians can enjoy a wallet-friendly set meal. At Lotus Kitchen, you can order any bowl of ramen (usually $6.80) and just top up $3.90 for a dim sum (such as steamed beancurd roll, fried carrot cake or crystal vegetable dumpling) and free flow of Chinese tea. The curry ramen is highly recommended. Ramen, dim sum and free flow of tea at $10.70.
#01-01/02, Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road, Singapore 059413, 11.30am to 3pm
Text: The New Paper