Cenzo
Photograph: Cenzo
Photograph: Cenzo

The best business lunch sets in Singapore’s CBD

Restaurants to bookmark for work team lunches and business meetings with clients

Rachel Yohannan
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The good thing about working in Singapore’s Central Business District is that you’re never short of food options. And on weekdays, there’s that added perk of set lunches, often at value-for-money prices. Whether you’re bonding with your favourite colleagues during break time or entertaining clients, these CBD restaurants offer some of the best business lunch sets in town – with prices starting from just $18.

Even if you’re not planning a meal with work associates, these set lunches are worth taking leave for on a random weekday where you simply feel like treating yourself.

RECOMMENDED: The best new restaurants in Singapore and the best happy hour deals in the city

Best business set lunches in the CBD

  • Middle Eastern
  • Tanjong Pagar

The Prince’s set lunch starts from $29

What is it? A Michelin Guide Selected Middle Eastern restaurant with chic jungalow vibes.

Why we love it: A four-course feast fit for royalty at just $29? Say no more. Start off with a dip and pita, then dig into mezzes like falafel and fried cauliflower, and not one but two kebabs of choice. End things on a sweet note with either baklava ice cream ($3 top-up) or carrot cake.

Time Out tip: The fried halloumi garnished with herbs and truffle honey is worth every cent of its $5 top-up.

Address: 48 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079317

  • Fusion
  • Singapore

Kee’s lunch set menu starts from $38

What is it? Skip the sad desk lunch and head to Kee’s, the modern restaurant housed within the heritage walls of 21 Carpenter. This isn’t your average midday bite either – Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh is behind the seasonally refreshed set lunch, where Pan-Asian punch meets Modern European flavours.

Why we love it: The menu includes appetisers like toasted corn soup, mains like seared Mediterranean seabass, and desserts like Kee's signature tiramisu. But these won't stay forever as the menu often updates with exciting new creations.

Time Out tip: Go for the two-course (from $38) if you’re keeping it light, or the three-course (from $42) if you fancy going all out. Either way, you’ll leave feeling smugly satisfied – because a Kee’s lunch break is the midday upgrade you deserve.

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  • Japanese
  • Marina Bay

Koma’s set lunch starts from $58

What is it? One of the world’s most photogenic restaurants, which Taylor Swift hit up not once but twice within the same trip. 

Why we love it: Just getting to your seat is an experience in itself. Walk through a series of torii gates at the entrance to be teleported to a mini Japan, complete with a red bridge, 2.5-metre bell, and paper lanterns all around. The food sings a similar Japanese tune: appetisers during lunch include different types of sashimi and tempura, while mains come in the form of seared fish, ginger chicken, and comforting hotpot.

Time Out Tip: Sands LifeStyle members get to enjoy a three-course meal ($68) for the price of two courses ($58). With that privilege, try the bonsai dessert for course three – a ‘gram-worthy, chocolate-based ensemble that resembles its namesake. 

Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, B1-67 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956

  • Singapore
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Hathaway’s set lunch starts from $28

What is it? A naturally bright and welcoming plant-filled space, serving modern Asian-fusion cuisine.

Why we love it: While other restaurants tier their set lunch pricing based on number of items, Hathaway makes sure that your budget doesn’t dictate how much you get to eat. All set meals ($28, $42, or $60) come with your choice of a starter and main – with the only difference being the selection – and desserts are optional add-ons. The most affordable set has options like kueh pie tee, potato pave, and chicken kapitan curry.

Time Out tip: Those with low booze tolerance can still raise a toast with non-alcoholic wine ($6). Else, there’s house red, white, or prosecco at just $8 for grape purists.

Address: 168 Robinson Rd, #01-01/02 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912

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  • Italian
  • Tanjong Pagar

Cenzo’s set lunch starts from $48

What is it? An Italian-Australian fusion restaurant and bar by Australian chef Drew Nocente, the mastermind behind the former Salted & Hung.

Why we love it: Two-course lunches ($38) here are refreshed every quarter so there’s something new to come back to each time. Either way, you’ll get a good glimpse of the sort of flavours and ingredients in the dinner menu: charred vegetables, expertly grilled meats, handmade pasta and more.

Time Out tip: Cast aside any rules you may have set for yourself on day drinking – tap beer goes for just $10 while cocktails and wine are only $12 during lunch.

Address: 81 Club St, Singapore 069449

  • Pan-European
  • Singapore

Sol & Luna’s set lunch starts from $42

What is it? A reliable spot in town for hearty Mediterranean-leaning dishes. Think appetisers like cream of porcini and stracciatella; mains like ricotta-stuffed tortellini and pan-seared chicken; and classic desserts of panna cotta and churros – all available as part of the weekday lunch set ($42 for two courses, $48 for three).

Why we love it: Despite being smack in the middle of the concrete jungle, this sleek bistro on the 17th floor is surrounded by a garden, of which you’ll get a clear view through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. A calming oasis for a breather during a hectic week of hustling.

Time Out tip: Make a prior reservation for indoor seats so you don’t sweat through your business attire. While the outdoor terrace is laid-back and scenic, the sun gets pretty unforgiving during the day.

Address: 88 Market St, #17-01 CapitaSpring, Singapore 048948

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  • Singapore

High House’s set lunch starts from $48

What is it? Soaring over 60 storeys high, this dual-personality venue is a pulsating nightlife spot by dusk, and a restaurant for refined sit-downs during the day.

Why we love it: Its Pan-Asian fare draws inspiration from the chef’s travels – there’s everything from Dutch kingfish with puffed rice jhalmuri; sakura pork belly that’s been slow-cooked for 12 hours; and a unique coconut and cashew tart with almond cream and barley tea ice cream. All these and more are items on the set lunch menu, where you can mix and match to create your ideal two-course ($48), three-course ($58), or four-course ($68) meal.

Time Out tip: Book a private dining room or The Hideout – High House’s sky karaoke room – for a cosier gathering. You don’t even need a large crew for that, as the minimum number of guests is four and five respectively.

Address: 1 Raffles Pl, Level 61-62, Singapore 048616

  • Chinese
  • Chinatown

Birds of a Feather’s set lunch starts from $34.90

What is it? An East-meets-West reinvention of Chengdu’s spice-packed fare.

Why we love it: An abundance of lush ferns and florals give the space an aviary-like atmosphere – the perfect setting for chirpy chatter with your flock. And not everything is tongue-numbingly spicy, so those who can’t take much heat can still dine easy. Two-course lunch sets ($34.90) come with starters like eggplant soba and spinach with  mushroom, followed by mains such as oriental bolognaise and mapo tofu.

Time Out tip: Can’t seem to find the quintessential Sichuanese dish of la zi ji (dried chilli chicken) in the a la carte menu? That’s because it’s cheekily labelled as ‘Find the Chicken in the Chillies’ ($19). Great as a sharing dish to whet the appetite before the real party begins.

Address: 115 Amoy St, #01-01, Singapore 069935

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  • Fusion
  • Singapore

SushiSamba’s set lunch starts from $48

What is it? Asia’s first outpost of the world-famous restaurant-bar, known for its flamboyant celebration of food with music and dance. This one’s on the 52nd storey of a skyscraper with 360-degree views.

Why we love it: Ever heard of Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian cuisine? Us neither, and that’s exactly what makes SushiSamba’s nosh so unique – you get the best of three in one sitting. On the set lunch menu ($48) are taquitos, an array of sushi rolls, seafood cazuela rice, mochi ice cream and more.

Time Out tip: If you love your colleagues enough to hang with them outside of work,  ham it up with live DJ sets at evening Sambaroom sessions, or make plans for Saturday’s Copacabana brunch parties with free-flow bites, beverages, and sizzlin’ samba dance performances.

Address: 168 Robinson Rd, Level 52 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912

  • Chinese
  • Tanjong Pagar
  • Recommended

Dumpling Darlings’ set lunch starts from $18

What is it? Dumpling specialty joint that also serves slurp-worthy noodles.

Why we love it: So, dumplings or noodles? There’s no choosing needed when the set lunch ($18) comes with both. Our favourites are the Sichuan pork noodles, fried pierogi filled with smoked bacon and cheddar, and original minced pork and cabbage dumplings. Vegetarians can pair the miso mushroom noodles with veggie mandus or karana momo – curried cauliflower dumplings with labneh and mock meat.

Time Out tip: Though not part of the lunch set, the dessert dumpling ($12 for five) is an absolute must-try. Each crisp pocket of joy is filled with amaretto, cream cheese and poached pears, and served with a dollop of ice cream.

Address: 
Chinatown: 44 Amoy Street, Singapore 069870
Boat Quay: 86 Circular Road, Singapore 049438

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  • Contemporary European
  • Marina Bay
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

The Spot’s set lunch starts from $45

What is it? A foolproof semi-casual option at the garden-inspired Marina One.

Why we love it: Get ready for a flavour bomb. The contemporary European dishes here have a distinctly Asian use of ingredients, with bold creations like cashew nut gazpacho with Thai basil and gula melaka mixed nuts; gochujang-glazed Iberico pork belly; and a pineapple sorbet with Sichuan granola.

Time Out tip: Nestled within The Spot is also a secret whiskey and cigar lounge.

Address: 5 Straits View, #01-26/27 Marina One East Tower, Singapore 018935

Other restaurants to check out

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