While we love indulging in bubbly buffets and afternoon teas every once in a while, a delicious lunch in town is a fab midday pick-me-up, too. Here are five restaurants with set lunches, whether you’re dining with girlfriends or colleagues. Psst… Some are affordable options, while others are more suited for special occasions!
Tiffin Room
Established in 1892 during the golden period of their reign, Tiffin Room promises a finely-curated menu of authentic North Indian delicacies, a beautiful ambience and dedicated table-side service. Inspired by the royal culinary heritage of the Maharajas, award-winning Chef Kuldeep Negi applies traditional cooking techniques and special blends of freshly-ground spices. Dietary needs with vegan or Jain dishes are also available upon request.
The dining experience at the iconic Raffles Singapore restaurant includes the customisable Mera Dabba (literally means “my box” in Hindi). Inspired by the home-cooked meals thoughtfully prepared by Indian families for their loved ones and packed into tiffin boxes, the set lunch ($65 per person for vegetarian, $75 for non-vegetarian) offers a charmingly elevated North Indian meal presented in custom-made copper tiffin boxes and complemented with comforting curries, delicately-flavoured rice, tandoori breads, chutneys and pickles. Yum!
Grand Lobby, Raffles Singapore
1 Beach Road
6412 1816 | rafflessingapore.com/restaurant/tiffin-room/
La Dame de Pic
Known for its epicurean creations, the cuisine at La Dame de Pic, Raffles Singapore showcases a clever symphony of flavours, cooking techniques and its signature touch of incorporating herbs and elements from local and regional markets. Savour exquisite dishes that reveal influences from the Asian region while staying true to the essence of Valence, Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s birthplace.
From Fridays to Saturdays (excluding public holidays), indulge in a three-course set lunch at $128 per person. Look forward to beautifully plated dishes like the octopus from the Mediterranean with green anise, and the pan-roasted female duck from Challans. If you’re out to splurge, get the Experience set ($248 per person), which includes the Berlingots: iconic pasta parcels found in all of Anne-Sophie Pic’s restaurants around the world. Here, the signature dish incorporates an Asian touch with a new flavour association using herb of grace, which enhances the Berlingots’ French cheese fondue filling.
Grand Lobby, Raffles Singapore
1 Beach Road
6412 1816 | rafflessingapore.com/restaurant/la-dame-de-pic
Cafe Melba
Available from 12pm to 2pm on weekdays, Cafe Melba Mediapolis’ set lunch is a steal at $18 for a main course with free-flow iced lemon tea. Fix your hunger pangs with the fab range of hearty mains, including herb roasted chicken breast, fish and chips and a 12-hour confit pork belly served with wilted cabbage, shitake mushrooms and bordelaise sauce (French wine sauce). Still peckish? Top up $4 for a dessert of the day, or opt for an additional starter like the smoked duck salad.
The Australasian resto has always been a favourite for gatherings of all sorts – weekend brunches, family dinners and quick lunches in between work. The Mediapolis outlet is a 150-seater boasting high ceilings and wooden furniture for a homey touch. Weddings and events have also been held at the large alfresco dining area that looks out to a vast outdoor garden; it’s the perfect backdrop for breezy evening soirées!
1 Stars Avenue, #03-01
6352 2721 | cafemelba.com.sg
The Exchange
If you’re in town, stop by The Exchange for a tasty lunch break! Located in Asia Square, this downtown restaurant is a fab spot for meet-ups over Australasian-influenced dishes, coffee and beer at any time of the day. The food menu is modern, uncomplicated yet delicious, featuring fresh ingredients that are of top quality. The setting is smart and spiffy with a throwback to the mid-century facades in Soho, New York; think elaborately molded ceilings, Chesterfield sofas, marble clad surfaces and stainless-steel framed windows.
From Mondays to Fridays, 12pm to 2pm, lunch starts at an affordable price of $19.90 for your choice of main. Dishes include a juicy chicken katsu burger, vegetarian-friendly truffle mushroom fusilli, and vongole linguine. You can opt to top up $5 for a starter – a soup or a salad – and another $5 for dessert.
#01-05, Asia Square Tower 1
8 Marina View
6636 1200 | theexchange.com.sg
Neon Pigeon
If you’re looking for an ultra cool lunch spot, try the newly relocated Neon Pigeon, which is now open for lunch from 11.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays. Their signature colourful artwork adorns the buzzing restaurant and their amazing bento set lunch ($29) is hard to beat. You get to choose one snack from a choice of Japanese cucumber or chuka wakame (seaweed, shiso, chili, melon), one “bird feed”, which offers our absolute fave Tokyo hummus or roasted white miso eggplant, followed by one Bao or main course.
Another must-try is the duck confit ramen ($20), which comes with foie gras paitan broth, mushroom, spring onion, and napa cabbage. It’s only available in limited portions daily, so don’t miss out on it!
36 Carpenter Street
neonpigeonsg.com
Solo Ristorante
Take a lunch break and treat yourself to some modern Italian fare at this charming restaurant in Amoy Street, where partner and chef Simone Fraternali helms the kitchen with classic recipes using contemporary techniques. Available from Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm, the set lunches start at a wallet-friendly $26 for two courses. You can also customise it with premium options like parpardelle (top up $5) with Angus beef bolognese and parmigiano cheese, or add on a glass of wine for just $10.
Celebrating a special occasion? Chef Simone has recently introduced his new signature dishes inspired by the northern region of Italy, and in particular the areas surrounding his hometown of Gradara, located by the coast. Highlights include the Tagliolini – handcrafted with sea urchin, lightly tossed with smoky uni sauce, tarragon and lemon zest – and Polipo: braised and grilled octopus, orange potatoes, cherry tomato salad and Taggiasche olives.
45 Amoy Street
6260 0762 | soloristorante.com
Read more in our Wine & Dine section! Check out our favourite brunch spots.
