There’s no shortage of food joints in Singapore’s bustling central business district (CBD), as every street has a restaurant, cafe or coffee joint. If the overwhelming abundance of eateries in the CBD area leaves you lost for choice, our recs of excellent restaurants in Tanjong Pagar will help you plan lunchtime better — check them out! 🥘

Under $10 per person

01 • Arcade Fish Soup

(Photo adapted from: Arcade Fish Soup)

Sometimes, all you want to do after spending the entire morning in an air-conditioned office is to thaw out with some warm food. And there’s no better way to warm up than by eating a piping-hot bowl of fish soup!

Arcade Fish Soup is one of the best fish soup places in Singapore. Take your pick between fried fish and sliced fish, add some rice or noodles, and dig into all that umami goodness for just $8 for a regular bowl. 🤤

📍 Address: The Heart @ Marina One, 5A Straits View, #B2-40, Singapore 018935. Other outlets are available.
📞 Phone: 8566 9077
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Thurs, 10am – 7.30pm | Fri, 10am – 3.30pm
🌐 Website: arcadefishsoup.com
🍴Halal status: Not halal

02 • The Little Red Hen

(Photo adapted from: The Little Red Hen)

You’ve probably had nasi ambeng and nasi kerabu before, but have you heard of nasi ulam? Its literal translation is “salad rice” due to the infusion of finely chopped herbs like kaffir lime leaf, turmeric leaf, and ginger flower.

Not only is the rice prepared with 15 different fresh herbs (yes, it’s very fragrant), but it also comes with wonderfully prepared sides like ayam percik (spicy roast chicken), beef rendang, ikan pepes (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), and oven-baked veggies. You’ll also be impressed by the homemade sambal for that extra kick of flavour.

Those who prefer ordering something simpler can opt for their set meals like the nasi ulam with ayam percik set or the nasi ulam with udang kunyit (turmeric prawn) set, which are priced at $8.50 and $10, respectively. 

You can find this wonderful Malay-Indonesian stall in Amoy Street Food Centre — you won’t be disappointed! 🙌

📍 Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, #01-66, Singapore 069111
📞 Phone: 9187 9410
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10am – 2pm
🌐 Website: instagram.com/thelittleredhen_sg
🍴Halal status: Muslim-owned

03 • Grandma Ban Mee

(Photo adapted from: Grandma Ban Mee)

For those willing to brave snaking lines, take note of Grandma Ban Mee. This humble stall in Amoy Street Food Centre serves up classics like the ban mee soup, but the dry chilli ban is their signature.

The dry chilli ban mee consists of super-springy noodles, minced meat, a pillowy soft poached egg, crispy anchovies, and a spicy chilli paste with a pleasant hint of shrimp. Even better, one bowl will only set you back $5.50. Sign us up!

📍 Address: Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, #01-07, Singapore 069111
📞 Phone: 8938 8687
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10am – 2pm
🌐 Website: facebook.com/grandmabanmian
🍴Halal status: Not halal

04 • Bami Express

(Photo adapted from: Seth Lui)

Have a tiny tummy? We hear you! But you may need to be okay with not having lunch during peak hours because there’s a banh mi place in Tanjong Pagar notorious for its long lines — but it’s worth the wait.

Bami Express serves up banh mi that reminded me of those I tried during my last visit to Vietnam. The baguettes are freshly prepared and baked in-store and stuffed with various meat and vegetable options like meatballs, pork belly, fried eggs, fish patties, mushrooms, and vegetarian char siew.

One of their signatures, the Bami Sai Gon ($5), bursts with creamy pate, pork ham, stewed pork, and chicken floss. It also includes slices of marinated carrots, cucumbers, and chopped coriander leaves for a delicious dose of fibre.

Oh, and you’ll also get to sip on authentic Vietnamese Coffee for just an extra dollar.

Address: Blk 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-02, Singapore 081005
Phone: 6443 3079
Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 9am – 4.30pm | Sat, 9am – 2.45pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bami-Express-Tanjong-Pagar-Plaza-100063725371487/
Halal status: Not halal

Under $20 per person

01 • 49 Seats

(Photo adapted from: Tripadvisor)

49 Seats proves you don’t need to splurge for a tasty meal. The restaurant is known for its savoury fusion of Western cuisine and unique interior.

This place is also the OG creator of Tom Yum Pasta and Fish and Chips with Tom Yum Sauce in Singapore. The Tom Yum Pasta is a must-try if you enjoy spicy, savoury, and tangy flavours. This Italian classic with an Asian twist comes with prawns, baby clams, and mussels for only $14.90.

The Fish and Chips with Tom Yum Sauce is another dangerously addictive dish — think of crispy, golden fish topped with tangy tom yum sauce, bringing its flavour up a few notches.

Other crowd favourites include the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio and Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta. Look out for the Weekday Lunch Happy Hour Promo with a main course, soup, and drink for just $14.90. 

📍 Address: The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, #01-49, Singapore 238843
📞 Phone: 6225 4332
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 11.30am – 2am | Sun, 11.30am – 11.30pm
🍴Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: thecentrepoint.com.sg/49seats 

02 • Gyu Nami

(Photo adapted from: Daniel Food Diary)

When Gyu Nami opened their humble stall at Amoy Food Centre, they only had one dish on their menu, the Roasted Wagyu Beef Donburi. That’s all they needed to bring the crowds in — because that’s how good their beef rice bowl is. 

Since then, they’ve opened a dine-in restaurant at Orchard Gateway and expanded their menu to include a few more mains like Unagi (eel) Donburi, Salmon Mentaiko Donburi, and Salmon Sashimi Donburi.

📍 Address: Orchard Gateway 277 Orchard Road B2, #06, Singapore 238858
📞 Phone: 9684 3412
⏰ Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 8pm | Sat – Sun, 12pm – 8pm
🍴Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: gyunami.oddle.me/en_SG

03 • Bara Food

(Photo adapted from: Bara Food)

Bara Food is the place to go when you’re in the mood for grilled goodness, as its diverse menu has something to satisfy everyone’s palates.  

Their star dish is the Nasi Bakar bara — which features rice wrapped inside banana leaves grilled over charcoal, creating a smoky aroma infused with a hint of lemongrass.

Their famous homemade sambal sauces also add a nice fiery kick when paired with the protein of your choice, Melinjo crackers, tofu, and tempeh. 

Their Sate Lilit (Balinese-style satay) comes with chicken and prawn marinated in traditional Balinese sauce.

📍 Address: 16 Enggor Street #01-10 Altez, Singapore 079717
📞 Phone: 8182 6876
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 8pm daily
🍴Halal status: Halal
🌐 Website: bara-food.com

Under $30 per person

01 • Una Una

(Photo adapted from: Eatbook)

Hailing from Nagoya in Japan, Una Una takes pride in bringing the flavours of Western Japan to your plate. It specialises in Hitsumabushi — a sweet and savoury grilled eel and rice dish with soup, dashi, pickles, and various condiments.

Exclusive deal for GetGoers: Enjoy free ice cream when ordering any main dish from the Grand Menu. Learn how to redeem.

📍 Address: 3 Temasek Blvd, Tower 1 #03-315, Singapore 038983 (Inside eat at seven)
📞 Phone: 6266 5338
⏰ Opening hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm daily
🍴Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: facebook.com/unaunasg

02 • Sona’s Grill

(Photo adapted from: Sona’s Grill)

Specialising in authentic North Indian Cuisine, this hidden gem’s warm and inviting ambience is the perfect stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Their biryani dishes are so delectable that you won’t even leave a grain on your plate!

Their menu boasts an impressive array of delicacies ranging from Mutton Rogan Josh (cooked in an exotic blend of spices and herbs) and Kadhai Paneer (cottage cheese cooked with onions, tomatoes, capsicum, and Indian spices) to classic Butter Chicken.

📍 Address: 12 Gopeng St, #01- 82/83 Icon Village, Singapore 078877
📞 Phone: 9152 0504
⏰ Opening hours: 11.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm daily
🍴Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: sonasgrill.com

03 • Hamburg Steak Keisuke

(Photo adapted from: Eatbook)

Taste Japan’s favourite delicacy fused with premium ingredients at Hamburg Steak Keisuke.

Try the Triple Cheese Prime set with a prime beef cut that hides a cheesy lava centre, or go for the OG experience and order the Keisuke Prime Beef set. Some sauces to try with your Hamburg steak include Keisuke Original (soya sauce base), Teriyaki Mayonnaise, Demiglas, and Oroshi Ponzu (grated radish and citrus soya vinegar sauce).

No reservations are needed, but you should head down early to avoid the queue.

📍 Address: 72 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079329
📞 Phone: 6908 4348
⏰ Opening hours: 11:30 am – 3pm, 5pm – 9 pm, daily
🍴Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: keisuke.sg/hamburg-steak-keisuke

(Featured photo adapted from: Little Red Hen, Eatbook, Bara Food, and Grandma Ban Mee)

Feast your heart away!
Daphne 😋