Our guide to the best lunch spots in Singapore’s CBD will help you make the most of your mid-day break.
Looking for a good go-to lunch spot in Singapore’s Central Business District (aka CBD)? It’s home to popular cafes, swanky restaurants and amazing local food. Having our office in the heart of the CBD (Tanjong Pagar, to be exact) has placed us perfectly to check out the best eateries for lunch. Be it value-for-money weekday lunch sets, chic restaurants to impress your client, or fuss-free spots to grab a bite, here are our favourite CBD lunch spots for our mid-day break. For more eats, check out our guide to local food in Singapore.
Where to get a good lunch in Singapore’s CBD
Our recommendations if you’re pressed for time:
- Best for business meetings: Bochinche
- A go-to for casual team lunches: Muchachos
- To grab a quick bite: Sarnies
- For special occasions: Rappu
1. The Prince
We’ve been a fan of this restaurant since its days as Fat Prince, and its revamped space and menu as The Prince don’t disappoint. If you can take an extended afternoon break, get the four-course lunch set. A heads up: the generous portion left us in a delicious food coma after.
You’ll begin with hummus or baba ghanoush, followed by sides like chickpea salad, fried calamari and cauliflower with lemon aioli. Next, choose your kebabs from options like braised lamb shoulder, crispy red snapper and beef cheek stew. Finally, end with the carrot cake or baklava ice cream for dessert.
Best for: Middle Eastern cuisine with an inventive twist
Must-try dishes: Braised lamb shoulder kebab; crispy red snapper; fried calamari
How much: Four-course set lunch from $29
Opening hours: Daily, 5.30pm to 11pm; Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 3pm
Address: The Prince, 48 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079317
2. Chico Loco
One bite and you’ll go absolutely loco for Chico Loco. This Mexican joint serves guilt-free comfort food where you’re encouraged to drop the cutlery, use your hands and get gloriously messy. Its menu encompasses a mix of breakfast items as well as salads and sandwiches. But the piece de resistance has to be its flavour-packed spit-roasted chicken.
Best for: Succulent rotisserie chicken with frozen margs
Must-try dishes: Signature rotisserie chicken; ancho smoked wagyu brisket; tomato rice
How much: Set lunch from $21; mains from $15; sides from $4
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 11.30am to 10.30pm; Thursday and Friday, 11.30am to 11pm; Saturday, 5pm to 11pm
Address: Chico Loco, 102 Amoy Street, Singapore 069922
3. Cudo
Escape for your mid-day respite at one of the CBD’s hottest new lunch spots, Cudo. The third and latest concept by the folks behind Siri House and Moxie is a tribute to modern Latin American cuisine. Group executive chef Steven Chou draws inspiration from his childhood and culinary experience in New York and New Jersey. We visited and loved its nostalgic, comfort food inspired by the free-spirited, fiery and soulful nature of Latin cooking.
Come by on weekday lunch for a two-course set inclusive of a starter and a main. We recommend trying lunchtime exclusives like the pressed Cubano sandwich, and rigatoni verde with arugula pesto, garlic confit and shrimp. Or, order up a feast of small and large plates, pastas, and sides to share. Our fave? The torched truffadito (lightly charred Japanese yellowtail dressed with an ancho chilli truffle tiger’s milk). Other must-tries include grilled hanger steak, and Carnedillas (tortillas stuffed with braised beef short ribs).
Have time to spare? Extend your lunch break with Happy Hour deals from 3pm. Say cheers to $8 beers, wines from $12 per glass, one-for-one cocktails, and two hours of free-flowing alcohol from $48!
Best for: Soulful modern Latin American cuisine
Must-try dishes: Pressed Cubano sandwich; rigatoni verde; torched truffadito
How much: Weekday set lunch from $28; a la carte starters from $13 and mains from $21
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 11.30am to 10.30pm; Friday and Saturday, 11.30am to 11.30pm
Address: Cudo, 13 Stanley Street, Singapore 068732
4. Café&Meal MUJI
For a satisfying yet balanced meal in the CBD, Café&Meal MUJI is our go-to spot. Build your own plate with the two- and three-deli sets, featuring a choice of 16-grain, white rice, or bread, a soup (miso or cumin carrot), a delectable selection of hot and cold dishes, and sides like hijiki or an onsen egg. We love the use of fresh, quality ingredients and how the selection is thoughtfully crafted to suit local tastes.
Need a hand in choosing? Our favourites are the sakura chicken with curry miso and dried chilli that’s flavourful and not oily, and the creamy mentaiko potato salad. Don’t forget to check out the new dishes made with seasonal produce. Standouts include the refreshing baby scallop and roasted eggplant salad, and the bacon and scallops with cauliflower au gratin, which is rich and smoky without feeling heavy.
If you’ve still got room for more, add a drink to your deli set and enjoy a dessert at 50% off. We’re big fans of the classic milk tea with a touch of brown sugar, and the iced lychee passion pu erh pear tea with tangy passionfruit seeds. For desserts, try the rich and nutty black sesame burnt cheesecake, and the lemon yuzu tart. It’s a crowd-pleaser with zesty curd, airy meringue and a jammy strawberry lava centre.
Best for: A healthy fuss-free meal that won’t break the bank
Must-try dishes: Bacon and scallops with cauliflower au gratin; sakura chicken with curry miso and dried chilli; black sesame burnt cheesecake
How much: Deli sets from $16.80; drinks from $4.90; desserts from $9.90
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Café&Meal MUJI, multiple locations including Raffles City and 100AM
5. Kiwami: Ramen & Gyoza Bar
Sometimes all you need is a piping hot bowl of ramen to trudge through a long day of meetings and deadlines. Tucked away in the basement of Guoco Tower (right across Tanjong Pagar MRT station’s gantry) lies Kiwami: Ramen & Gyoza Bar. The brand is known for its rich tonkotsu broth simmered for 10 hours using Japanese pork bones, and grilled gyoza.
While the original pork bone broth was robust, we preferred the premium red tonkotsu version for a spicy kick from the Japanese red chilli oil and hot miso paste. If you’re craving rice, the cha shu fried rice surprised us with its wok-hei that was comparable to typical tze char stores. Add sides like the crispy pork gyoza and fried pork cutlet, and you’ll be all fueled up. Psst: the store offers a dinner-exclusive ramen buffet if you’re in the mood to feast!
Best for: A quick and satisfying ramen fix
Must-try dishes: Premium red tonkotsu ramen; grilled gyoza; cha shu fried rice
How much: Weekday lunch sets from $9.90; a la carte dishes from $5; drinks from $1.90
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 9.30pm
Address: Kiwami: Ramen & Gyoza Bar, #B2-10, Guoco Tower, 1 Wallich Street, Singapore 078884
6. Sarnies
Hankering for a good cuppa? We’re proud to share that Sarnies never disappoints. All beans are roasted in-house, so you get a fragrant brew every time. For a caffeine kick, we recommend the rich and nutty black sesame latte, and the iced coconut Americano sprinkled with roasted coconut chips.
Don’t forget to check out its lunch menu. It serves up delish Aussie-style grub like steak and eggs, tuna melts, giant bowls of salad, and build-your-own breakfast platters. We tried the roast chicken sandwich for a protein-packed meal. No fret if you’re cautious about overly dry chicken breast ‘cos the version here was juicy, tender and complemented with a savoury dressing. We also Pimp My Breakfast option to curate a breakfast platter with your favourite ingredients.
Best for: Satisfying Aussie-style grub
Must-try dishes: Roast chicken sandwich; tuna melt; black sesame latte
How much: Mains from $14; coffee from $5
Opening hours: Daily, 7.30am to 5.30pm
Address: Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
7. Cafe Gyeon
Matcha lovers, good news: Singapore’s first specialty matcha bar has relocated from Serangoon to Club Street – so you can easily get your CBD matcha fix. We aren’t kidding when we say the matcha menu is extensive. Start by choosing your drink type (latte, extra rich or straight), before choosing your matcha region. You can also jazz up your drink with customisable add-ons like a layer of milk cloud, or vanilla and hazelnut flavour enhancers.
Besides getting your dose of matcha, the food options are worth a shout-out, too. We tried the Japanese teishoku balanced meal for a wholesome and filling meal. A Japanese take on the classic big breakfast, each plate comes with a choice of protein, tamagoyaki, cold marinated scallops, onigiri, tater tots, pickles and miso soup. The Hokkaido pork collar was tender and deliciously charcoal-grilled.
Best for: Specialty matcha and Japanese-style dishes
Must-try dishes: Hokkaido pork teishoku meal; creamy mentai udon
How much: Mains from $16.90; sides from $6.50; drinks from $6.50
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 9pm
Address: Cafe Gyeon, 87 Club Street, Singapore 069455
8. Gold Ocean Curry Fish Head
Combining cai png (Chinese mixed rice) faves and its authentic fish head curry under one roof, this eatery has a loyal following amongst locals. Fill up your plate with squid, sweet and sour pork and kang kong, and drench your rice with the creamy fish curry. You won’t regret it. Heads up: the queues can get pretty wild, so go for an early (or late) lunch!
Best for: Fiery and tantalising Chinese delicacies
Must-try dishes: Claypot curry fish head; rendang mutton; sweet and sour pork
How much: Check in-store for prices
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 3pm; Monday to Friday, 5pm to 8.30pm
Address: Gold Ocean Curry Fish Head, 181 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068629
9. Common Man Coffee Roasters
Breakfast for lunch? Say no more. Common Man Stan slings out plates like eggs benedict, brioche french toast, fluffy pancakes and egg white scramble with sauteed kale, all day every day. Our top pick is the Turkish Common Man Breakfast, featuring phyllo wrapped soft-boiled eggs, crispy feta and pita bread for a wholesome meal.
Coffee is a must at this cafe; just take your pick from fast, cold and slow brews. Our fave? Hands down, the nitro honey oat latte. Creamy and indulgent, this delicious coffee comes topped with walnut crumble and almost feels like a dessert.
Best for: Classic brunch and coffee cravings
Must-try dishes: Turkish Common Man Breakfast; king prawn mac and cheese; nitro honey oat latte
How much: Mains from $18; slides from $6; coffee from $6
Opening hours: Daily, 7.30am to 6pm
Address: Common Man Coffee Roasters, 11-12 Stanley Street, Singapore 068730
10. Muchachos
If you’ve got a hankering for Mexican food, look no further. Muchachos serves gut-busting burritos that’ll have you stuffed for the whole day. Get yours with proteins like fish, steak, or chicken. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the beef tongue quesadilla.
We swear by the breakfast burrito, which is stuffed with eggs, hashbrowns, as well as breakfast sausage with a side of syrup. It’s sweet and savoury in all the best ways! P.S. Don’t discount the cheeseburger, either.
Best for: Classic, hearty Mexican specialities
Must-try dishes: Breakfast burrito; lengua quesadilla; cheeseburger
How much: Tacos from $5.60; burritos from $14; sides from $5.40
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm
Address: Muchachos, #01-01, Frasers Tower, 182 Cecil Street, Singapore 069547
11. Pagi Sore
A popular lunch spot for the CBD crowd, Pagi Sore offers satisfying meal packages, so you can get the most out of the Indonesian dishes it offers. These include tahu telor (tofu omlette), ikan asam pedas (fish in tangy asam sauce), ayam goreng Java (Javanese-style fried chicken) and more.
Best for: Authentic Indonesian dishes made with heritage recipes
Must-try dishes: Tahu telor; ikan asam pedas; ayam goreng Java
How much: Mains from $9.80
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am to 2pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 5.30pm to 8pm
Address: Pagi Sore, Far East Square, 88-90 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048470
12. Bochinche
This is our go-to spot for a juicy steak. Expect a variety of modern Argentinian dishes that accompany masterfully prepared steaks, both wet and dry-aged. Start your meal with beef or corn empanadas, and golden snapper ceviche.
Next, pick your choice of steak, which comes with fragrant salt, chimichurri, creamy horseradish, as well as mustard for you to savour. The carb-lover in us can’t say no to extra portions of the crispy and fluffy chips garnished with garlic and parsley.
Best for: Wood-fired steaks for fancier lunch dates
Must-try dishes: Our Butcher’s Board; tropical ‘leche de tigre’ ceviche; braised inside skirt empanadas
How much: Set lunch from $35; mains from $18; sides from $12
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm; Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 11pm; Saturday, 11.30am to 3pm
Address: Bochinche, 27 Club Street, Singapore 069413
13. My Awesome Cafe
With its Chinese medicinal store facade and charming interior made up of random bits and bobs, My Awesome Cafe is absolutely endearing. The great range of salads and sammies makes for a satiating, healthy lunch. Plus the space is so vibey, perfect for both a casual lunch or a get-together with friends at night over drinks.
Best for: A charming medicinal-style setting for photos
Must-try dishes: Duck confit burger; rendang mushroom burger; pineapple upside down cake
How much: Check in-store for prices
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 12pm; Saturday, 10.30am to 11.30pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm
Address: My Awesome Cafe, 202 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068639
14. Rappu
If you want omakase-style handroll sushi at wallet-friendly prices, hop over to Rappu. This bar lets you indulge in a four-course sushi meal, filled with ingredients like hotate, salmon and toro. If that’s not enough, add on a sake pairing or sip on refreshing Japanese-inspired cocktails.
Best for: Omakase-style dining at a steal
Must-try dishes: Hotate handroll; engawa handroll; lotus chips
How much: Four-course lunch set from $18; handrolls from $6.50; sides from $5
Opening hours: Daily, 6pm to 10.30pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 11.45am to 2.30pm
Address: Rappu, 52 Duxton Road, Singapore 089516
15. Amoy Street Food Centre
If you’re working at Tanjong Pagar, there’s no way you haven’t had lunch here. With two storeys of diverse hawker choices, Amoy Street Food Centre is a good lunch spot in Singapore’s CBD. We’ve had our share of great Thai food, decent pasta, hearty congee, assorted noodle dishes and more.
Need some recommendations? Get your comfort food fix from Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, Han Kee Fish Soup, or Cantonese-style congee from New Hong Kong Congee. The hawker centre is also home to several new-age coffee stores serving a mix of traditional and modern drinks. Top of our list are Mad Roaster, Daylight Coffee and Coffee Break.
Best for: Wallet-friendly and diverse options
Must-try stores: Han Kee Fish Soup; New Hong Kong Congee; Mad Roaster
How much: Check in-store for prices
Opening hours: Daily, 6.30am to 9pm; varies by store
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111
16. Maxwell Food Centre
Ah, Maxwell Food Centre. This massive dining enclave is home to over 100 food stalls, all with a focus on different specialities. There’s chicken rice from Tian Tian (the late, great Anthony Bourdain was a fan), wholesome congee from Zhen Zhen Porridge, roasted meat from Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia and others. Just be prepared to chope your seats before ordering as the place tends to get packed during lunchtime.
Best for: Food haven well-loved by locals and tourists
Must-try stores: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice; Zhen Zhen Porridge; Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia
How much: Check in-store for prices
Opening hours: Daily, 8am to 10pm; varies by store
Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
And there you have it, our fave lunch spots in Singapore’s CBD.
