Our pick of the best affordable restaurants in Singapore has great food that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
You’ll find plenty of affordable restaurants in Singapore serving up generous portions, flavour-packed meals, and even a few hidden gems. From hawker centre classics and casual cafes to sit-down restaurants that deliver value for money, here’s our guide to dining out on a budget. Keep the momentum going with all the free things to do in Singapore!
1. Tipo Pasta Bar
Fresh, handmade pasta without the gourmet markup? Yes, please! Tipo Pasta Bar, a popular halal restaurant in Singapore, makes all its pasta daily from scratch, so every plate tastes lively and fresh. Build-your-own pasta options start from $9.90, letting you mix toppings like caramelised sundried tomatoes and Swiss brown mushrooms, while house specials sit just above $15 (skip these if you wanna stay on budget). Our top pick? You can’t go wrong with the truffle cream gnocchi.
Best for: Carb enthusiasts who want artisanal pasta without the fine-dining guilt trip
Must-try items: Build your own pasta; house specials
How much: From $9.90
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 10pm
Address: Tipo Pasta Bar, multiple locations including Aliwal Street and Waterloo Street
2. Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut
Step aside, ayam penyet in Singapore – the duck is running the show here. This spot nails it with a secret spice-marinated duck that’s fried to golden, crunchy perfection but still juicy inside. Don’t forget to order the tahu telur (crispy tofu-egg drizzled in sauce) and kangkong belachan on the side, which are perfect for sharing (and splitting up the bill). Fyi, the sambal is fire, so pace yourself!
Best for: Duck lovers, spice chasers, and anyone who thinks chicken is overrated
Must-try dishes: Original crispy fried duck with rice; tahu telur; kangkong belachan
How much: From $9.90
Opening hours: Daily, timing varies by location
Address: Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut, multiple locations including Lucky Plaza and Singpost Centre
3. Ordinary Burgers
Who says burgers in Singapore have to cost a fortune? Ordinary Burgers serves up everything from classic beef to chicken, fish, shrimp, and even vegetarian options like portobello mushrooms and Impossible patties, all at friendly prices. Order the combo with sides only if you’re super hungry; otherwise, the main burger itself is filling enough.
Best for: Burger purists who want the classics without the “gourmet” price tag
Must-try items: Classic burger; chicken burger; fish burger; portobello mushroom burger; Impossible meat patty burger
How much: From $9.30
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 9pm
Address: Ordinary Burgers, multiple locations including Sun Plaza and One Kent Ridge
4. Typhoon Cafe
Taiwanese food fans, this one’s for you. Typhoon Cafe nails authentic flavours without the fuss or price tag. Bowls of lu rou rice, lu rou mian, mee sua, and dumpling la mian land under $15, making it a dream for casual weekday lunches. If you’re not super hungry, treat yourself to the black sesame kinako mochi cake – it’s a wallet-friendly dessert that packs major flavour. Tip: go for combo bowls during off-peak hours for faster service and a slight price edge.
Best for: Taiwanese food stans who prefer comfort bowls any day
Must-try items: Lu rou rice; lu rou mian; mee sua; dumpling la mian; black sesame kinako mochi cake
How much: From $12.90
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am to 10pm
Address: Typhoon Cafe, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura and Kallang Wave Mall
5. Blu Jaz Cafe
A place that needs zero introduction, Blu Jaz Cafe has established itself as the go-to amongst jazz connoisseurs and hip bar-hoppers looking for great drinks and live music in Singapore. But what you may not know is that it serves an array of cuisines at affordable prices. Think seafood mee goreng, salami pizza slices, or focaccia for just under $15! If you’re planning to drop by, we suggest visiting during early evenings so you can grab a seat without waiting.
Best for: Jazz cats who want live music vibes and a full meal without emptying the wallet
Must-try items: Seafood mee goreng; salami pizza slice; focaccia
How much: From $9
Opening hours: Daily, 12pm to 12am
Address: Blu Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848
6. Kim Dae Mun Korean Food
Hidden in Concorde Shopping Mall, Kim Dae Mun is the definition of a no-frills, affordable restaurant in Singapore. The menu is packed with comforting Korean classics like pork kimchi soup, spicy pork bulgogi, and hearty bibimbap, and most dishes hover around $10. Regulars swear by the generous portions and authentic flavours that rival pricier Korean joints. Oh, don’t miss the banchan (side dishes); the cucumber kimchi adds a refreshing touch to your meal. Pro tip: go early during meal times as queues can get intense, but service is fast once you’re in.
Best for: Korean food diehards who love hearty portions with no-frills, all-thrills energy
Must-try items: Pork kimchi soup; spicy pork; fried dumplings
How much: A la carte from $6.50
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 8pm
Address: Kim Dae Mun Korean Food, #01-03D, Concorde Shopping Mall, 100 Orchard Road, Singapore 238840
7. TingKat PeraMakan
Peranakan food in Singapore usually comes with a hefty price tag, but TingKat PeraMakan keeps it wallet-friendly with individual set meals under $20. Each combo comes with a main, two sides, drink, and dessert, so you’re basically sorted for a full feast. What we like the most are the ayam buah keluak and curry chicken, though the chap chye side is a quiet MVP. Not a heavy eater? The portions are big enough to share.
Best for: Peranakan food fans craving hearty set meals
Must-try items: Individual set meals; main; two sides; drink; dessert
How much: From $9.90
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: TingKat PeraMakan, multiple locations including Owen Road and Paya Lebar Road
8. Poke Theory
When you’re craving something fresh and healthy, Poke Theory delivers big on flavour and value. The “light bowls” come with fresh veggies alongside protein like salmon, tuna, chicken, or tempeh. Swap out rice for lemon herb quinoa if you want a lighter but still filling option. All this will set you back $13, but we don’t mind going a little over budget for the regular bowl with extra toppings.
Best for: Salad-dodgers who want fresh, colourful bowls that don’t feel like punishment
Must-try items: Light bowl; regular bowl; salmon; tuna; chicken; tempeh; lemon herb quinoa
How much: From $13
Opening hours: Timing varies by location
Address: Poke Theory, multiple locations including Telok Ayer and Kovan
9. VeganBurg
Plant-based doesn’t have to mean pricey – VeganBurg is proof. Popular picks include the Smoky BBQ burger and Shrooms Burg, but if you want something local, go for the satay-inspired option. We love that the patties are surprisingly juicy and flavourful, even for meat-eaters. (Psst: make it a meal by pairing your burg with sweet potato fries!) Bonus: it’s eco-conscious dining, so you’re saving both your wallet and the planet.
Best for: Plant-based eaters (and curious carnivores) who want big flavour minus the big spend
Must-try items: Smoky BBQ; Shrooms Burg; char-grilled satay
How much: From $10.90
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 11.30am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays, 11.30am to 9.30pm
Address: VeganBurg, 44 Jalan Eunos, Singapore 419502
10. Guzman y Gomez
Looking for delicious Mexican food in Singapore on a budget? It doesn’t get much better than GYG. You can choose your style of dining between burritos, bowls, nachos, tacos, and even enchiladas. (Choose bowls over burritos if you want to customise toppings and keep costs lower.) Proteins range from chicken, pork, beef, and even tofu, so there’s something for every diet.
Best for: Taco Tuesday lovers and burrito rollers who want Mexican without the fiesta-level bill
Must-try items: Burrito; burrito bowl; nachos; tacos; enchiladas
How much: From $10
Opening hours: Timing varies by location
Address: Guzman y Gomez, multiple locations including One Holland Village and Northpoint City
11. Jai Thai
Often dubbed the most affordable Thai food in Singapore, Jai Thai delivers authentic flavours at wallet-friendly prices. Expect classics like tom yum soup, green curry rice sets, pad Thai, and beef noodle soup. Portions are generous, so one set meal is easily shareable if you’re snacking. If you can, opt for the homemade drinks to complement the spicy flavours.
Best for: Thai food enthusiasts who swear by tom yum and green curry
Must-try items: Tom yum; green curry rice sets; pad Thai; beef noodle sets
How much: From $12
Opening hours: Timing varies by location
Address: Jai Thai, multiple locations including Clover Way and Eunos Road
The next time you’re dining out on a budget, these affordable restaurants in Singapore have your back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you define "affordable"? What's the average price for a meal?
In this guide, "affordable" means you can comfortably get a satisfying meal for under $15 per person. The average price for a single main dish at most of these spots is typically between $10 and $15, with some set meals or combos going slightly above that.
What kind of affordable food can I expect to find in Singapore?
You're spoiled for choice! Our guide covers a whole world of flavours. You can find everything from delicious Asian rice bowls and authentic Korean dishes to hearty American burgers and Mexican burritos, all without breaking the bank.
Are there any options for specific diets, like vegetarian, vegan, or halal?
Yes, absolutely! The Singaporean food scene is diverse, and so are its affordable options. We've highlighted places like VeganBurg for delicious plant-based burgers, and many of the Asian restaurants have vegetarian-friendly dishes too. For halal options, you'll find a wide variety of choices, from Indonesian smashed chicken to authentic Korean and Thai food.
Do I need to make reservations at these affordable restaurants?
Most of the spots on this list are casual, so reservations are generally not needed. However, during peak hours (lunch and dinner rushes), especially on weekends, you might encounter a short queue. But don't worry, the line usually moves pretty fast!
