Western

It seems unthinkable that modern European fine dining can be enjoyed under $30, but that's exactly what this east-side bistro delivers, and they do a stellar job too. On top of that, the Two-Course Set Menu ($23) and Three-Course Set Menu ($28) are available at the same prices for both lunch and dinner — yay! The options are quite extensive, and dishes run the gamut from Mushroom Soup and Chicken Coq-Au-Vin for starters to Duck Leg Confit and Pan-Seared Barramundi for mains, and everything is cooked realy, really well. Some dishes require a top-up, but it'll all be well worth the investment if you choose to do so. For dessert, consider the Peach and Cheese "Cake" — the light and elegant sweet stole Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim's heart.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim

It's easy to keep track of your spending at this snazzy Chinatown establishment, as everything on the menu, even the drinks, are priced straightforwardly at $5 and $10. The laid-back yet hip setting as well as the tasty dishes have struck a chord with the Burpple community. Here's what you shouldn't miss. The Lu Rou Fan ($10) is a popular lunch special that sees rice topped with a huge slab of tender braised pork belly, alongside kailan and a sous-vide egg (for dinner, you get two melt-in-your-mouth belly slabs plus free-flow rice), while the Salmon Don ($10) impresses with the generous portion of perfectly cooked, pink tender fish. Make sure to get the Fried Chicken with Seaweed Mayonnaise ($5) to share. Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou loves that the battered chunks are super crisp and surprisingly juicy on the inside, and lovely dipped with the housemade nori mayo. We're not so hot about the desserts here though; so consider sticking with the savouries.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Fiona Ting

If it's steak you're in the mood for, this cosy 10-seater spot in Serene Centre (it shares the space with Sugarhaus) is perfect for the whole steakhouse experience at budget-friendly prices. It's certainly found a fan in Burpple Tastemaker Emily S, who has raving reviews of the meat. There are only two steaks on the menu — the Flat Iron ($22), which is leaner and offers great bite, and the Short Rib ($25), which has lovely marbling and a more decadent mouthfeel. The steaks arrive well seasoned, which warrants the acompanying chimichurri unnecessary, alongside a little bowl of house salad tossed in vinaigrette. Sides are priced at an additional $5 each, but worth the splurge. Consider the juicy Sauteed Thyme Mushrooms ($5) or luscious Guanciale Mac & Cheese ($5). Desserts still aren't stellar, so save your money for something else.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Emily S