Singapore is definitely an expensive place to be. However, it is possible to experience it to its fullest without breaking the bank! And with its world renowned cuisine, you cannot leave without trying its many types of food. The good thing is, the locals eat in food courts for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and for only a few dollars! So ditch the fancy brunches and give a try to the real Singapore.
Here are our best addresses for food, on a budget.
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Food Courts or Hawker Centers
As mentioned, most locals eat in food courts (or hawker centers), so you will find them everywhere on the island. Thanks to Singapore’s rich mix of cultures and ethnicities, you will find many different types of food from nearby countries, all incredibly good. Here are a few food courts that you shouldn’t miss:
Old Airport Road Hawker Center
This is one of the biggest food courts in the country and, in our experience, the best one. The offer of food is incredible (more than 150 stalls, many of them were internationally recognised and received awards), and because you’re quite far from the CBD (Central Business District), the prices are very low. If you’re into seafood, don’t miss the OAR stall, but you’ll have to be there early as they always sell out.
Telok Ayer Food Court: Lau Pa Sat
This food court is very pretty and well looked after. The prices are a bit higher due to its central location (in the middle of the CBD) but still very affordable.
In the evening, the street behind it gets closed and table and chairs are set for people to eat different food grilled on carts, it is a very enjoyable experience .
Satay by the bay
Satay by the bay, like its name indicated, specialises in satay, a speciality in Singapore. Because of its location in Gardens by the bay, it is an ideal stop before or after going to the Garden Rhapsody light show.
Our favorite stall is City Satay!
Tip: they have a special pineapple sauce that is absolutely delicious but you have to know about it and request it, so ask them for it when you order!
East Coast Lagoon Food Village
This food court is located right by the sea, in what looks like a small village almost. In the evening, it has a lovely atmosphere. If you’re craving seafood, especially chili crab, is the place to go to.
Restaurants
Yan Kee Noodle House
This noodle house is located on Boat Quay so a great location if you’re in the area. We particularly loved their noodle soups, the quality price is there and they are open 24 hours.
Chinese Food 东方美食饭店
This restaurant is a proper chinese establishment, it has many items on the menu, but at the opposite of many other places, the quality is up there. They will give you a paper sheet where you write down what you want which is ideal when communication can be difficult.
A great place to taste many bits of what Chinese cooking is!
Brazil Churrasco
This is not cheap as the rest of our recommendations, but we put it here because it’s an unlimited buffet and bbq meats so, if you’re a big eater, this could be worth it for you!
This place offers unlimited bbq meat for 55$.
They have a buffet with sides and cold appetizers, and different types of meat will be grilled in the kitchen on a spikem brought to your table still on the spike, and the waiter will cut directly from it as many pieces as you’d like. Then, another type of meat will come, then another one, then another one, etc. They probably bring about 10 different types of meat, and you can ask them to bring back whatever you liked most too.
Drinks and Bars
Club street – Jerry’s Barbeque & Grill
Club Street is a great spot in the evening, traffic is stopped and bars and restaurants flood the road with tables and chairs. While most establishments on the street are a bit expensive, Jerry’s always has great deals on, check it out!
Boat Quay
If you walk all the way at the end of Boat Quay, some restaurants offer great deals during happy hour, such as Tian Tian. It’s the chance to have a beer with a river view without having to break the bank.
Street Drinking
Even if nobody seems to be doing it, it is actually legal to drink in the street. So instead of buying a 20$ beer, buy a few in a shop, find yourself an amazing spot in a park or by the river, and enjoy!
Snacks
Dry Market – 1st floor of the Albert Center
This market is located above the food court, just take the stairs! People are selling dry fruits and nuts in batches, you won’t be able to beat their prices. The perfect place to load up on tasty, healthy snacks.
Mustafa Center
I have been talking about Mustafa Center in Singapore On A Budget: The Best Things To Do. This shopping center is located in Little India and has everything you could think of: from flip flops to golden bracelets, hairdryers to Lindt chocolates. It is absolutely massive, but a great spot for some food shopping. They have an entire floor dedicated to it, their fruits/vegetable section, as well as their swett snack section are particularly big and very cheap.
Are you looking for a place to stay? Here are the spots we would highly recommend:
Where to stay?
ST Signature Chinatown (Chinatown)
This hotel offers small but clean and modern private rooms in the city center of Singapore (Chinatown). The location is ideal and the hotel is self check-in. The bathrooms, kitchen and terrace are shared.
Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel (Chinatown)
This hotel is also located in Chinatown which is a great advantage. The hotel offers both shared and private rooms. It is simply furnished but it got everything you might need. There is a shared lounge and breakfast is included. Staff is available and lovely.
The Atlas Station (Farrer Park)
The Atlas Station is a small, simple property with futuristic looking pods, with single or double beds. You can change the settings within your pod which makes it ideal AC wise. It is quiet and very clean.
It is further than the other hotels recommended but still very close by using the MRT.
The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel (Beach Road, Bugis, Arab Quarter)
This property offers single or double pods in shared rooms or private rooms. Breakfast is included and bathrooms are shared. The property is modern but welcoming, and the bedding is very comfortable.
Dream Lodge (Lavender)
Dream Lodge offers single and double pods in shared rooms. Bathrooms are shared and there is a kitchen. Breakfast is included. There is a bit of a homey feel, with decoration with a 50s vibe and very friendly staff. The place is also extremely clean.
Champion City Hotel (Boat Quay)
The property offers small, private bedrooms and bathrooms, with a 24h reception. Despite their small sizes, the rooms have all amenities you might need.
This place is extremely well located, a few steps away from the river, in a lively area in the evening. From there, you could walk to Marina Bay, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Raffles, etc.
Heritage Collection (Seah, Bras Basah, Business District)
This is a higher budget but if you have it, it is worth it. This is a loft in a renovated traditional shop house. The place is clean, modern, full of light. There is an apple TV, hosts who are happy to help with any request. Additionally, the location is ideal.
All our best places at once in Google Maps
Here is our Google Map link with all our best places and things to do in Singapore:
