SINGAPORE \u2013 In a bid to draw diners, restaurants have come up with all manner of deals. In the past year, more have been offering all-you-can-eat-and-drink bundles, set lunches priced below $30 and artisanal offerings \u2013 such as handmade pasta \u2013 that will not cause a wallet meltdown.<\/p>\n
The latest idea is meal deals for two diners to share. Restaurants both casual and upscale are offering well-priced menus aimed at encouraging diners to try a restaurant for the first time and hopefully return, get a quick lunch with a colleague or celebrate occasions.<\/p>\n
The going has been tough. According to\u00a0international market research firm\u00a0YouGov\u2019s Singapore Dining Out Report 2025, one in three diners here is eating out less often than he or she did the previous year. Respondents say it costs more to eat out, the cost of living has increased, they are trying to save money and they are cooking at home more.<\/p>\n
For restaurateurs, this has meant empty seats. Walk into any mall or along restaurant-lined streets, and you will often find staff stationed outside restaurants, menu in hand, hoping to reel in customers.<\/p>\n
Goodwood Park Hotel general manager Kris Wong, 47, says: \u201cDiners today are very informed and tend to do their own research before deciding where to dine. Many keep an eye out for seasonal launches, new dishes or ongoing promotions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Restaurant operators The Straits Times interviewed say they have noticed that many of their customers dine in pairs.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for En Yeoh\u2019s Bak Kut Teh, which has restaurants at Chinatown Point, Suntec City and Changi City Point, says: \u201cA set for two hits that sweet spot perfectly, without the commitment of a larger group order.\u201d<\/p>\n
Restaurant operators also deploy the twofer deals strategically.<\/p>\n
Fernando Arevalo, 40, chef-owner of Latido, a 50-seat Colombian restaurant in Tras Street, recently introduced a five-appetiser set for two to share.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that trying an unfamiliar cuisine can sometimes feel intimidating or expensive, especially with so many dining options available,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy offering a variety of flavours at an approachable price point, we hope more diners will feel encouraged to visit us for the first time, discover Colombian cuisine and return for the full experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vineyard at Hortpark, a 100-seat restaurant set amid greenery, is capitalising on the romantic ambience to draw diners for date nights and marriage proposals or to celebrate anniversaries and other milestones. It offers a five-course menu for two priced at $188++ a couple. Diners have the option of pre-ordering a bouquet of flowers (priced from $120) for their celebration.<\/p>\n
Chief marketing officer Andie Chen, 40, says: \u201cThe idea is to create an intimate and romantic dining experience where couples can step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect and enjoy quality time with one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also looking to appeal to date night diners is French bistro Summer Hill in Claymore Connect. The 60-seater runs a popular weekend trolley brunch. On days when it does not, diners can opt for a roast chicken or fried chicken set meant for two.<\/p>\n French Fried Chicken Platter at Summer Hill bistro comes with five pieces of buttermilk fried chicken and five side dishes.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SUMMER HILL<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Owner Anthony Yeoh, 44, says: \u201cCan we serve our community across the full week, not just weekends? We stop being \u2018the weekend brunch place\u2019 and become a restaurant that shows up for people in different seasons, different occasions, different needs.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesman for Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant, with outlets at Great World and Suntec City, says its two-person set, which launched in 2024, is meant to drive up lunch traffic, since \u201chotpot is typically more popular at dinner and tends to underperform at midday\u201d.<\/p>\n The gambit seems to be working.<\/p>\n Putien, a chain of restaurants which serves Fujian cuisine, launched its set meals for groups of two to 10 diners in January, and has reported a 15 per cent bump in sales.<\/p>\n At Uncle Fong, the take-up rate of its lunch sets can go as high as 42 per cent. The sets for two at Italian restaurant Altro Zafferano are just as popular, with about 40 per cent of diners opting for them.<\/p>\n En Yeoh\u2019s Bak Kut Teh launched its set meal for two in March and says these account for 5 per cent of sales.<\/p>\n The spokesman says: \u201cThe promotion does result in a lower average spend per table, but we see value in it as a way to keep our regulars coming back and to attract new customers who might not have tried us otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n There are other benefits too.<\/p>\n Goodwood Park Hotel says set menus help to streamline service and kitchen workflows, and reduce food wastage. Wong says these contribute \u201cpositively to the restaurants\u2019 overall operational efficiency and profitability\u201d.<\/p>\n Mediterranean restaurant Moxie offers a set menu for two, with four starters, one main course and two desserts.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MOXIE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Others reporting more business include Moxie, an 80-seat Mediterranean restaurant in the Outram area. It launched a $168++ tasting set for two at the start of 2026. Brand ambassador Cheryl Seah, 46, says the restaurant has had a 10 to 12 per cent bump in revenue and 10 per cent more dinner covers.<\/p>\n She adds: \u201cAt its best, a set menu removes some of the friction from ordering and allows guests to relax into the experience, which is something we feel many diners are increasingly looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n Here are some two-to-dine deals.<\/p>\n Altro Zafferano’s set for two comes with three appetisers, options for pasta and main course, and dessert.<\/p>\n PHOTO: ALTRO ZAFFERANO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where:<\/b> Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay<\/p>\n Open: <\/b>11.45am to 3pm, 6 to 11pm (weekdays), 6 to 11pm (Saturdays), closed on Sundays<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Call 6509-1488 or go to @altrozafferano (Instagram)<\/p>\n Deal: <\/b>The four-course set for two ($188++) comes with three appetisers, pasta, main course and tiramisu for dessert.<\/p>\n Chilli Padi Tok Panjang’s Nonya Feast For Two offers Claypot Buah Keluak Fried Rice, Braised Nonya Chap Chye and Honey Pork, with Lemongrass Pandan to drink.<\/p>\n PHOTO: CHILLI PADI TOK PANJANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where: <\/b>380 Upper Bukit Timah Road, The Rail Mall<\/p>\n Open:<\/b> 11am to 10pm (weekdays), 10am to 10pm (weekends)<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Call 6340-1946 or go to @chillipaditokpanjang (Instagram)<\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Nonya Feast For Two ($43.60++), available until June 30, comes with three dishes and drinks. Diners share Claypot Buah Keluak Fried Rice, Braised Nonya Chap Chye and Honey Pork.<\/p>\n Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine’s Teochew Muay Set Menu for two comes with four dishes, pickles and free-flow porridge.<\/p>\n PHOTO: CHUI HUAY LIM TEOCHEW CUISINE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where:<\/b> 01-02 Chui Huay Lim Club, 190 Keng Lee Road<\/p>\n Available:<\/b> 11.30am to 2.30pm (weekdays, until July 31)<\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Teochew Muay Set Menu ($49.90++) comes with four dishes, pickles and free-flow porridge.<\/p>\n Taiwan Porridge Set Menu With Dessert Buffet at Goodwood Park Hotel’s Coffee Lounge comes with six dishes and access to the dessert buffet.<\/p>\n PHOTO: GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where:<\/b> Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road<\/p>\n Available: <\/b>Noon to 2.30pm, 6 to 10.30pm daily (Taiwan Porridge Set), 2.30 to 5pm daily (Tea Set)<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Call 6730-1746 or go to @goodwoodparkhotelsg (Instagram)<\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Taiwan Porridge Set Menu With Dessert Buffet ($68++) comes with six dishes and diners help themselves to the dessert buffet. A Taste Of Singapore Afternoon Tiered Tea Set ($68++) offers eight sweet and savoury bites, including Kaya Toast Macarons.<\/p>\n Where:<\/b> 01-44 Chinatown Point, B1-122A Suntec City and B1-30 Changi City Point<\/p>\n Available: <\/b>Chinatown Point, 11am to 3pm (weekdays); Suntec City and Changi City Point, 11am to 10pm (weekdays)<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>enyeohsbkt.com.sg<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Bak Kut Teh Premium Set for Two ($24.90++) includes large Claypot Bak Kut Teh with four types of meat, side dishes such as braised peanuts, and rice.<\/p>\n Latido’s five-appetiser set menu is meant as an introduction to Colombian cuisine.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LATIDO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where:<\/b> 40 Tras Street<\/p>\n Open: <\/b>Noon to 3pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 6 to 10pm (Tuesdays to Thursdays), 6pm to midnight (Fridays and Saturdays), closed on Sundays and Mondays<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Call 8961-8191 or go to @latido.sg (Instagram)<\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Sabores De Mi Tierra ($68++) features five appetisers meant as an introduction to Colombian food.<\/p>\n Where: <\/b>Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road<\/p>\n Available:<\/b> 11.30am to 2.30pm (Mondays to Fridays)<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Call 6730-1704 or go to @goodwoodparkhotelsg (Instagram)<\/p>\n Deal: <\/b>Executive Set Lunch ($118++), available until July 31, offers two five-course sets, featuring four pieces of dimsum, a soup or a seafood dish, a meat dish, a rice dish and dessert.<\/p>\n Where: <\/b>Level 1, Alumni Association, 2 College Road<\/p>\n Available:<\/b> 5.30 to 10pm (Sundays, Tuesdays to Thursdays), 5.30 to 11.30pm (Fridays and Saturdays)<\/p>\n Info:<\/b> Call 9339-3380 or go to moxie.sg<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Its Tasting Menu ($168++) comes with four starters, one shared main course (Umami Rice, which is rice and seafood cooked with shellfish bisque, or Wagyu Oyster Blade steak) and two desserts.<\/p>\n Tai ochazuke is one of the courses in Oumi’s Tai Nose To Tail Communal Menu, showcasing seabream.<\/p>\n PHOTO: OUMI MODERN JAPANESE KAPPO RESTAURANT<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where:<\/b> 51-01 CapitaSpring, 88 Market Street<\/p>\n Available: <\/b>6 to 11pm (Mondays to Saturdays)<\/p>\n Info:<\/b> Call 9837-8248 or go to oumi.sg<\/span><\/a>; book at least two days in advance<\/p>\n Deal: <\/b>Tai Nose To Tail Communal Menu ($196++), until June 30, showcases tai or seabream served in different ways: cured, braised, fried and served with rice.<\/p>\n Where:<\/b> All 18 Putien restaurants<\/p>\n Info:<\/b> putien.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Deal:<\/b> Seasonal Mix & Match Sets ($82 nett or $148 nett) come with starter platters, soup, a seafood dish, a meat dish, a noodle dish and dessert.<\/p>\n Summer Hill’s Classic Roast Chicken set for two comes with soup, side dishes and a whole roast chicken.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SUMMER HILL<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where: <\/b>02-17 Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road<\/p>\n Available: <\/b>11.30am to 2.30pm (Tuesdays to Thursdays), 6.30 to 10.30pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays)<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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