They say that in a relationship, courtship never really ends. It’s true, a fancy date night is much-needed every now and then, even for married couples. Whether your anniversary is coming up or bae’s birthday is up next on your calendar, here are some fancy restaurants under $50/pax to celebrate any special day.
From a Paris-themed cafe to a garden bistro on the 17th floor, get your money’s worth at these atas yet affordable restaurants.
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Image credit: @joierestaurant via Instagram
After spending a chill day shopping at Orchard Road, make your way to Joie Restaurant for a Japanese-European fusion meal that’s also vegetarian. Their 4-course set lunch starts from $38++, while the 6-course set dinner starts from $78++. The sets come with a starter, soup, main, and dessert.
Truffle Risotto (left) and Grilled Mushroom Steak on Pu-Ye (right).
Image adapted from: @joierestaurant via Instagram
The restaurant, situated at the rooftop garden on the 11th floor of Orchard Central, also has private rooms which come at no additional cost. It can seat 5-16 people – perfect for those who’re planning a big birthday celebration.
Must-trys: Gratinated Champignon with Mozzarella, Truffle Risotto, and Grilled Summer Mushroom Steak on “Pu-Ye” Hot Stone – included in the set lunch.
Address: 181 Orchard Road, #12-01 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: 6pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: 9663 0901 | Joie Restaurant reservations
Sol & Luna is a beautiful garden bistro surrounded by lush greenery. It’s situated on the 17th floor of CapitaSpring’s Green Oasis where the rooftop sky garden is.
For a day out with bae, check out their high tea menu ($32++/pax) which includes an array of savoury and sweet bites such as tapas and tarts. If you’re stealing away from work on a weekday, the restaurant also has 2-course ($42++/pax) and 3-course ($48++/pax) menus. You can choose from a decent array of appetisers, mains, and desserts, including hearty meats and pastas.
House-Made Raviolini with potato mash stuffing and tomato basil sauce.
Image credit: Eatbook
You have the option of either indoor or alfresco dining – pick the latter if you’d like to enjoy your meal with a view of the CBD. While you’re there, check out the wedding gallery, 1-Arden on level 51, if you’re planning to pop the question soon.
Must-trys: Sol & Luna Big Pan Breakfast ($29) from the Weekend Brunch Menu, House-Made Raviolini ($24).
Address: 88 Market Street, #17-01 CapitaSpring, Singapore 048948
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 10am-11pm | Mon-Fri 11am-11pm
Contact: 8031 4316 | Sol & Luna reservations
Restaurants with unblocked views are failproof when it comes to setting the mood for romantic dates. At Overeasy, you can go ham on cutesy couple photos with Marina Bay as a dramatic backdrop – or with the old-school American diner setup inside.
Image credit: @_gyu_p via Instagram
Skidaddle over for their weekday set lunch that comprises 2-course ($29) and 3-course ($35) options. It includes some of their crowd-fave burgers and good-ol’ American diner cuisine. If you’re headed over for weekend brunch or dinner, you can still keep within a $50/pax budget with some small plates (from $15), burgers (from $25), and signature mains(from $25).
Image credit: @overeasysg via Instagram
They’re open till 1am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so bring your partner here if you plan to have a few cocktails (from $18) after dinner and groove to some music.
Must-trys: Spicy Buffalo Wings ($17) and the “To-Die-For Burger” ($27) made with wagyu beef.
Address: 1 Fullerton Road, #01-06 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Opening hours: Mon-Tue & Thu 12pm-3pm, 5pm-11pm | Wed & Fri 12pm-3pm, 5pm-1am | Sat 11am-3pm, 5pm-1am | Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm
Contact: 9129 8484 | Overeasy reservations
At any of Merci Marcel’s 3 outlets, you’ll feel like you’re dining in a European back alley or a breezy Balinese restaurant. Hanging potted plants and dashes of greens are a staple feature in all outlets, so it hits a sweet spot between fancy and chill.
Image credit: @mercimarcel via Instagram
From fresh acai bowls to seared foie gras, the French restaurant’s menu has an extensive list of nosh for you to choose from. Head over any time of the day, because they’ll have a menu to suit the mood, be it breakfast, dinner, or afternoon tea. Either way, each main costs about ~$25 for a filling dish, leaving you with room for goodies such as French bakes (from $4) and desserts (from $10).
Image credit: @mercimarcel via Instagram
Don’t worry about rolling out of bed late for your date because their brunch menu is available till 4pm daily. For their dinner menu, you’ll be glad to know that they have a bunch of sharing plates to bring you and your boo closer together.
Must-trys: Ravioles de Royans French dumpling pasta (from $20) and Poached Eggs with avocado on sourdough bread ($24).
Full list of Merci Marcel outlets in Tiong Bahru, Club Street, and Orchard.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-12am | Sun 8am-11pm
Contact: 6224 0113 | Merci Marcel reservations
Image credit: @binary0101.sg via Instagram
Binary is a spacious 45-seater gastrobar basked in warm lighting. It’s located at a less busy corner of Orchard, a perfect pit stop to get away from the hubbub of city life.
Image credit: @binary0101.sg via Instagram
Their menu has a little bit of everything from all corners of the globe. But, what’s special is that diners have the freedom to choose which style they prefer their dish to be cooked in – Western or Asian. Enjoy their King Prawns ($42) served in either creamy mentaiko or cajun herb butter. Meanwhile their Wagyu Flank Steak ($42) is served either grilled – with creamy onion puree – or marinated with yuzu kosho, sake, and miso.
Must-trys: Signature Kubaneh Bread ($14) and Seafood Laksa Linguine ($14).
Address: 390 Orchard Road, #01-01A Palais Renaissance, Singapore 238871
Opening hours: Sun-Tue 11.30am-10.30pm | Wed-Sat 11.30am-12am
Contact: 9363 0101 | Binary reservations
Image credit: Gotti SG via Facebook
Dim lighting, velvet trimmings, 1920s art deco accents, and authentic Italian food is what you’ll get at Gotti Italiano. After sundown, this place turns into a buzzing bistro with a kitchen that dishes out handmade pastas (from $26) and pizzas (from $28) and a bar that churns out cocktail after cocktail (from $22).
Image credit: @gotti.sg via Instagram
But there’s no need to wait till after dark for a fancy date. Head over during lunch for their 3-course lunch menu (from $32++) to sample all the goods. It comes with a starter, main, dessert, and coffee and tea.
Must-trys: Filetto Di Manzo of Australian black angus beef tenderloin from the set menus, Risotto Al Granchio with red crab meat ($32), and Signor Gotti pizza with wagyu beef cheeks ($36)
Address: 78 Amoy Street, Singapore 069897
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-12am | Sat 6pm-12am (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 3157 4226 | Gotti Italiano reservations
With a French-Asian menu that changes every 4 months, The Masses is a place to bookmark if you ever want to come back for seconds. They’re currently on menu number 15.0.
Wagyu carpaccio MC6-7.
Image credit: @themassessg via Instagram
A majority of their a la carte offerings are priced well below $50 per dish, but if you want to stick to a budget, turn your attention to their lunch menu (from $32.90). You’ll be stuffed with a starter, main, and dessert, but for extra decadence, feel free to add on goodies such as oysters (+$5) or bone marrow and escargot (+$10).
Get into a deep convo with your partner at this cosy space.
Image credit: The Masses, Singapore via Facebook
Must-trys: Bone Marrow & Escargot ($24.90), “Hainanese” Pepper Crusted Canadian Tomahawk ($32.90), and A4 Wagyu ($44.90).
Address: 85 Beach Road, #01-02, Singapore 189694
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm | Sun 12pm-3pm, 5.30pm-9pm
Contact: 6266 0061 | The Masses reservations
Image credit: Blossom Restaurant
There’s dim sum at your neighbourhood haunts, and there’s dim sum that you splurge on at chain restaurants like Tim Ho Wan. But who knew you could take it up a notch with the extra atmosphere at Blossom Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands? We’re talking impossibly high ceilings and windows that resemble a modern glass house, plus trees indoors.
Image adapted from: @jojustlovetoeat & @kenteraz via Instagram
Talk about impressing your date. Pop open the dim sum menu that’s available during lunch and high tea, and you’ll find all your faves such as siew mai and bao. Prices start from $6.80, so you should be able to order enough for 2 that’s within a $50/pax budget. If you’ve got a little more to splurge, there are other delectable Cantonese options such as the Peking Duck (from $68).
Must-trys: Blossom Signature Dumpling Soup ($16.80).
Address: Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Lobby Tower 2, #01-05/05A, 2 Bayfront Ave, 018972
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 11am-3.30pm, 5.30pm-9.45pm | Mon-Fri 11.30am-3.45pm, 6pm-9.45pm
Contact: 6688 7799 | Blossom reservations
Since 1963, Shashlik Restaurant has been firing up delights such as grilled skewered meat and deep-fried “corndog” chicken. And while they did take a lil’ break in 2015, they’ve now reopened for good.
Image credit: @natnibbling via Instagram
Even their desserts are literally set on fire – we recommend the Baked Alaska (from $20), an ice cream meringue cake which will be flambéed with dark rum in front of your eyes. Call the restaurant in advance if you wanna add a special touch to the dinner table with a customised cake.
Image credit: @shashliksg via Instagram
If you’re here on weekdays, check out their weekday set lunch which features specials such as Hae Bee Hiam Pasta ($19.50) and Shashlik’s Hainanese Pork Chop ($21.80). Each main comes with a choice of soup and coffee or tea.
Must-trys: Borscht Soup ($12), Russian Coffee ($22), Baked Alaska ($18) and Cherry Jubilee ($28).
Address: 545 Orchard Road, #06-19 Far East Shopping Centre, Singapore 238882
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6732 6401| Shashlik Restaurant reservations
Image credit: @houseonthemoon_official via Instagram
Couples who love their sweets, head over to House On The Moon. This dessert restaurant got really fancy stuff that’ll definitely satisfy any sweet tooth. Their signature dessert, Moon Walk ($25), is a yoghurt dessert with a hint of nut butter and coconut, and you can get classics like Black Forest ($25) cake.
Image credit: @houseonthemoon_official via Instagram
They also have seasonal set menus (from $48) that include an array of mains such as meats, seafood, and veggies, so stay tuned to their website for refreshed menus.
Must-trys: Moon Walk ($25) and Black Forest ($25).
Address: 1 Selegie Road, #01-13 GR.!D, Singapore 188306
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6.30pm-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 8280 4327
With this list of fancy restaurants under $50/pax, there’s no more holding back; it’s time for a surprise date night with boo without having to bust your bank account. You’ll have plenty of options, not just for delish grub, but also chio backdrops to soft-launch your relationship on Instagram.
For more date ideas, check out the prettiest “glass house” cafes in Singapore, or look forward to snapping tonnes of pics at these colour-themed cafes in Singapore. If you’re keeping things casual, check out these unique Starbucks outlets in Singapore.
Cover image adapted from: @overeasysg, @mercimarcel & @joierestaurant via Instagram
Article originally published by Rachel Tan Yuan on 23rd May 2022. Last updated by Jessica Fang on 8th June 2023.
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