9 affordable fine dining spots in Singapore that keep us going back

Picture: Unsplash

Eating in Singapore is dear sufficient. Plus, there are such a lot of decisions. With regards to high quality eating, we wish one thing actually out-of-this-world… And we have now a mushy spot for locations that supply true worth for cash (learn: no miniscule, dainty parts that depart you hankering for a Large Mac after).

Hey, it will get us to return again greater than annually. Listed here are the locations that tick all of the bins in terms of high quality eating at an amazing worth.

1. Tamarind Hill

Picture: Fb / Tamarind Hill

This charming restaurant nestled in a colonial constructing is a gem for individuals who need an intimate meal in a country atmosphere. Hidden away atop the forested Labrador Nature Reserve, it serves Thai and Shan delicacies with a luxe and up to date twist.

Dishes are pricier than at a traditional Thai restaurant, however dishes are hearty and stuffed with flavour, and value each cent, particularly if you happen to’re up for sharing.

Appetisers vary from $14 to $28, mains from $22 to $58 and desserts from $14 to $24.

However to get one of the best worth, go for the restaurant’s leisurely Sunday Brunch ($60++ per individual or $120++ with free movement drinks) the place you’ll be able to order as a lot as you please off a set menu, together with dishes resembling purple curry with pork, duck with lychee salad and deep fried tiger prawns with salted egg sauce. Its TGIF set lunch is at $48++ and nabs you an ice chilly Chang Beer or home wine together with the chef’s signature creations.

Tamarind Hill is at 30 Labrador Villa Rd, tel: 6278 6364. Go to https://www.samadhiretreats.com/tamarind-hill-singapore.html.

2.  Xin Divine

Picture: Instagram/ xin_divine

Good outdated Chinese language meals is injected with fashionable European influences on this stylish restaurant. Its worth comes from the truth that the dishes are so out of the extraordinary that they’re a delight to strive.

Take the Szechuan-style tortellini ($16 for 3), which consists of heavenly parcels of Kurobuta pork wrapped in handmade pores and skin soaked in a broth of Sichuan chilli and Zhejiang vinegar earlier than they’re topped with frothy chilli oil foam.

 Or go for the Poulet De Bresse ($35), a unusual play on French delicacies, which contains a crispy roulade of French hen thigh that’s marinated with nu er hong and full of creamy foie gras.

 Get extra out of your greenback by getting the 4-course lunch set ($48++) that comes with an appetizer or soup and a primary, staple, and dessert.

Xin Divine is at 10 Duxton Hill, tel: 3100 0030. Closed on Sundays. Go to http://xindivine.com/

3. Cheek By Jowl

Picture: Instagram/ cheekbyjowlsg

This one-Michelin-starred restaurant  — helmed by husband-and-wife workforce, Rishi Naleendra and Manuela Toniolo — serves actually intriguing, mod-Australian fare, and is thought for suave shows.

Dishes are ever evolving however search for the the pretty-as-a-picture Zucchini Flower (a splash of vivid inexperienced and orange). The bloom is full of Sri Lankan mung beans and paired with millet.

For one of the best expertise I’d suggest the 5-course omakase dinner ($88++) the place you’ll be shocked with dish after dish of intense flavours which can be derived by way of modern pairings. Small parts, however so distinctive it’s nicely well worth the cash.

Cheek By Jowl is at 10 Boon Tat Road, tel: 6221 1911. Closed on Sundays. Go to http://cheekbyjowl.com.sg/

4. Labyrinth

Picture: Instagram/ han_ig

Should you love Singapore meals however take pleasure in seeing it elevated, that is for you. Helmed by Singaporean chef Han Li Guang, this one-Michelin-starred restaurant presents dishes which can be concocted from native produce.

Chef Han attracts on recipes impressed by his grandmother, giving a artistic spin to conventional Singapore delicacies. The restaurant’s lunch menu ($68++) provides one of the best worth, the place you will get a superb glimpse of Chef Han’s gastronomical creations with out breaking the financial institution.

Look out for Toh Thye San Farm French Poulet, a young roulade of hen thigh that’s slow-roasted for 5 hours and served with keropok crumbles, glutinous rice and soy-egg yolk sauce; and the chargrilled pork collar with blended grains, pickled native bok choy and fried kale.

Labyrinth is at 02-23 Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore, 8 Raffles Ave, tel: 6223 4098. Closed on Mondays. Go to http://labyrinth.com.sg/

5. Empress

Photographs: Empress

This contemporary Chinese language restaurant within the Asian Civilisations Museum marries genuine Cantonese flavours with a recent Oriental setting that provides each indoor and alfresco eating choices by the waterfront. 

The Signature Empress menu ($65++ per individual) contains a five-course sharing menu that features two appetisers (for sharing), soup, its signature Triple Roast platter, a primary, a alternative of rice or noodles, and dessert. 

Should you’re going with a companion, you gained’t need to miss out on its Extraordinary Empress Evenings bundle. For $88++, you’ll get a bellini and pre-dinner bites on the alfresco terrace, adopted by a four-course dinner with conventional Chinese language dishes in addition to beautiful desserts within the eating room. 

Need to flip up the romance? You’ll even get choice of including flowers to your desk, from $40 for six roses.

Empress is at #01-03 Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, tel: 6776-0777. Go to www.empress.com.sg.

6. 1919 Waterboat Home 

Picture: Instagram/ 1919waterboathouse

Not solely does this elegant spot provide the greatest riverside view, eating right here additionally evokes emotions of a bygone period. Lit warmly with old skool bulbs and a slightly over-the-top Artwork Deco chandelier, the European-style eating room housed in a colonial heritage constructing is an inviting and cozy spot for a quiet meal. European meals made with contemporary seasonal elements are key right here.

Their set menu is simply $28 for 2 programs and $35 for 3 programs, the place you get to select from appetisers resembling a Trio of Saumon and Truffled Crab Pasta, and mains resembling a Bar de Ligne of pan-roasted sea bass, dashi mushroom essence, potato mousseline and enoki crisp and a Beef Bourguignon of braised beef brief ribs, wasabi kale and patatas bravas.

Finish off the meal with a Cassis Noir of wealthy darkish chocolate mousse, cassis sorbet with a blended berry medley, a La Pomme of caramelised apples, cinnamon ice cream, bitter apple granite and spiced crumble or a cheese plate. What an amazing deal.

1919 Waterboat Home is at #03-01, 3 Fullerton Highway, The Waterboathouse, Singapore 049215, tel:6538 9038. Go to https://www.1919.com.sg.

7. Osia Steak and Seafood Grill

Picture: Instagram/ justinfoodprints

There’s a motive why this Australian grill restaurant acquired a Michelin star. Count on artistic dishes, contemporary elements and punctiliously plated meals on this fashionable restaurant that boasts a pleasant environment and an open kitchen. Come throughout lunch, the place you get to take pleasure in its reasonably priced lunch units underneath the glow of pure mild within the day. Two programs value $39 whereas three programs value $49.

Appetisers embrace a cauliflower cream soup with milk bathtub salmon or a coconut lime cured kingfish with pineapple, whereas mains embrace a spiced lamb rump with garam marsala dhal and cucumber apple mint yoghurt or braised beef cheek with potato rocket purée, parmesan cream and wild rice. Dessert is an intriguing scorching chocolate soup with black pepper ice cream and sesame crisp that may be a flavourful mix of candy and spicy.

We suggest including $14 for considered one of their stone fireplace oven flat breads — freshly baked and completely crisped, they’re served with butter and a macadamia ricotta unfold that can make any bread lover swoon with pleasure.

Osia Steak and Seafood Grill is at #02-140 and 141, Resorts World Sentosa, Festive Stroll, 26 Sentosa Gateway, tel: 6577 6560. Go to https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/eating places/osia

8. Skai

Picture: Skai/Instagram

Accessible proper now’s its Festive Set Lunch menu, which begins at $49++ for a two-course set (dinners are pricier, ranging from $128++). Should you (or your date) have a heartier urge for food, go for the three-course set ($59++) since we discovered Skai’s parts leaning on the smaller aspect. (Or order the dessert anyway, you gained’t remorse it.) There’s additionally the wonderful and really addictive sourdough bread with mushroom butter to kickstart your meal. 

9. Bam! Tapas Sake Bar 

Picture: Bam!

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