10 best affordable French restaurants in Singapore, offering more than just baguettes [Nov 2024 update]
Singapore has some truly excellent French fine-dining establishments, but what if you’re craving some of your favourite French classics and don’t want to drain your bank account over white tablecloths and three to four-figure bottles of wine?
French food is famously delicious, savoury, buttery, rich and innovative, but often times this comes at a price. We’re not simply talking about baguettes, croissants or Délifrance. We want the real deal that comes from all over France.
And that’s what this cheap and good French food guide in Singapore article is for. We’ve selected some of the best-tasting and most affordable French restaurants around Singapore to help you solve this dilemma.
Bon appétit!
1. The French Ladle
The French Ladle is located conveniently under a block of old condominium along Pandan Road.
A step into the humble establishment is a whoosh back in time— framed pictures of popular French places of interest join the hand-written menu that sits sturdily on brawny white brick walls, as if untouched for the past five years. As it is run by only a husband and wife duo, with the latter being the server, don’t expect first-class treatment. The wife can be seen rushing to and from the kitchen ensuring food is being put out in a swift manner.
Service aside, the food is definitely a cut above the rest with it beating several higher-end restaurants in this listicle. Starting off with the Foie Gras Poele (S$26) served with an onion marmalade which had a sweeter flavour profile. The Foie Gras also had a thin pan-seared crust on the outside while the inside melted in my mouth.
A standout dish was definitely their Confit de Conard (S$38) or for you French illiterates, duck confit. It had a biscuit-like crispy skin on the outside and was falling off the bone on the inside. While I acknowledge that duck can be easily overcooked, this was extremely tender.
2 Pandan Valley, #01-206, Singapore 597626
+65 8858 3205
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm & 6pm – 9.30pm
Closed on Mon
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2. La Table D’ Emma
La Table d’Emma is a delightful French bistro located near Telok Ayer, offering an intimate and authentic dining experience. With its cosy, welcoming atmosphere, this hidden gem serves up a variety of traditional French dishes crafted with passion and precision.
Popular menu highlights include Grilled Octopus Tentacle With Chimichurri Sauce (S$26) and the Foie De Canard Poele (S$26), all made with fresh ingredients and classic techniques. I highly recommend the former with its tender tentacles and its tangy chimichurri sauce.
How can I forget the Le Mille Feuille Vanille (S$18)? The pastry’s layers are crispy, airy and buttery, offering a satisfying crunch, while the smooth vanilla cream adds a rich, velvety sweetness.
The star is the hazelnut praline, which brings a nutty, caramelised richness and a bit of crunch to balance the creamy vanilla. Together, the flaky pastry, silky cream, and crunchy praline create an indulgent, harmonious treat, perfect for anyone who enjoys the delicate balance of lightness, creaminess, and nutty sweetness in a dessert.
The restaurant’s focus on delivering a true taste of France, combined with its warm hospitality, makes La Table d’Emma a must-visit for French food enthusiasts in Singapore.
8 Club Steet, #01-04, Singapore 069472
+65 8101 8691
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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3. L’Entrecote
L’Entrecôte has long been one of, if not my favourite French establishment in Singapore. Their classic Trimmed Entrecôte Steak (S$48.80), fries and signature sauce (to die for) is not only delicious (not the mention the only main on the menu), but great value for money.
The fries are also free flow which means for all you big eaters out there, you can eat to your hearts content.
Their quality house wine is also very affordable at S$12 a glass and S$54 a bottle. Good food, good ambience, good value – a must-visit.
Price point: S$32.90 for their signature steak, fries and a walnut salad
36 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089614
+65 6690 7561
Daily: 12pm – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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4. Les Bouchons
Les Bouchons is another favoured steak frites restaurant in Singapore. Here you can choose their signature dish with herbs, butter, or even lamb. The meal of course comes with a house salad and free-flow fries. Straightforward, good value and good-tasting steak frites.
Their Lunch Set menus are crazy affordable considering the location is in town and for S$39, you get a 3-course menu with drinks as well.
For a list of all the locations, contact numbers and operating hours, please click here.
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5. Le Clos — Wine House & Restaurant
Clos is a deli & wine house in New Bahru that offers an inviting experience for wine lovers. With a selection of over 800 wines, including rare grower Champagnes and fine wines, it appeals to both casual drinkers and collectors.
The venue features a cosy restaurant, an alfresco terrasse, and a speciality deli that sells artisanal delicacies, charcuterie, and homemade gelato. Diners can indulge in French comfort food like Macka’s M4 + OP Rib Black Angus & Bordelaise Sauce (S$17 per 100g) and Grilled Tuna Collar (S$14), cooked in a Josper oven for rich, smoky flavours.
Clos blends a relaxed atmosphere with a serious passion for quality wine and food. The deli offers cheese, charcuterie, and ice creams, while a curated selection of wine glasses and pantry essentials elevates the dining experience. The venue is designed for casual drop-ins, intimate meals, or larger events, and is equipped with a pétanque pitch for added enjoyment.
46 Kim Yam Road, #01-18 New Bahru, Singapore 239351
Wed to Mon: 12pm – 11.30pm
Closed on Tue
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6. Gaston
Nestled in the heart of Singapore, Gaston Burgundy Bistro & Wine Bar offers an authentic taste of French cuisine, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Burgundy. This charming bistro creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for both casual diners and those seeking a refined dining experience.
The menu at Gaston features a delightful selection of traditional French dishes, each prepared with care and attention to detail. Highlights include the Boeuf Bourguignon (S$40), a slow-cooked beef stew infused with red wine, and the Escargots (S$20) which they’ve done away with the traditional style of serving the snails in their shells.
Instead, incredibly buttery, crusty pastry shells cradled the snails in a cover of velvety garlic and butter parsley. The crumble and crunch were addictive; my only wish was that I didn’t have to share this.
One of the standout features of Gaston is its extensive wine list, which offers a carefully curated selection of wines from Burgundy and beyond. Guests can enjoy a glass of exquisite Pinot Noir or Chardonnay that perfectly complements their meal, enhancing the overall dining experience. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to provide recommendations, ensuring that each pairing enhances the flavours of the cuisine.
25 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089132
Tue to Sat: 12 pm – 12 am
Closed on Sun & Mon
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7. Saveur Bistro
Saveur Bistro on Purvis Street has gained a strong reputation for making authentic French cuisine accessible and affordable. Saveur combines traditional French flavours with a more casual dining experience, making it a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
Some of the highlights are their Set Lunch (S$38) and Set Dinner (S$58) which is a great way to frame your meals. The variety and quality offered in this set menu ensure diners can enjoy a complete French dining experience without overspending, which contributes to Saveur’s popularity as a go-to spot for casual yet elegant meals in Singapore.
5 Purvis Street, #01-04, Singapore 188584
+65 6333 3121
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5pm – 10.30pm
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8. Miam Miam
I know, I know, Miam Miam is a French cafe with a Japanese influence, but you can still get some really great classic French dishes here at a good price.
If anything, come here just for one of their multiple-baked French soufflés for a taste of France. With all their dishes made hot to order, you can surely get your fix and leave satisfied.
The soufflés are not just savoury, their soufflés De Nuage (S$17.90) is a tomato-based sauteed rice with bacon and mushroom. The game changer, however, is the fluffy egg soufflés on top of it. Mixed with the rice, the airiness of the soufflés just makes the rice lighter and so much easier to eat. It’s hard to describe it but you need to come down and try it for yourself!
If that’s not your thing, they also serve Tender Striploin with Butter Truffle Paste Donburi (S$23.90). Albeit the rice is not very French, the seared tender striploin donburi topped with a perfectly soft onsen egg delivers a rich combination of savoury flavours. Enhanced with butter truffle paste, the steak is accompanied by rice, garnished with scallions and served alongside pickled vegetables, making for a luxurious and indulgent meal experience.
For a list of all the locations, contact numbers and operating hours, please click here.
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9. La Petite Cuisine
For fans of French cuisine in Singapore, La Petite Cuisine is a delightful find, recently re-established at in their home in Woodlands. This intimate setting creates a cosy private dining atmosphere – a home away from home.
Chef and owner, who handles everything from seating to cooking, brings a magical touch to the dining experience. The 3-course set menu, starts at S$62, offers exceptional value and includes a choice of entrées, mains, and desserts, featuring dishes like French Onion Soup and Confit de Canard.
To finish, the Classic Crème Brûlée is a standout dessert, praised for its silky smooth texture and perfectly caramelised crust.
Blk 729 Woodlands Circle, Singapore 730729
+65 9735 7595
Wed to Sat: 6.30pm – 10pm
Closed on Sun to Tue
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10. Merci Marcel
Merci Marcel is carving a unique niche in Singapore’s culinary landscape by offering a delightful array of French cuisine, alongside its renowned artisanal desserts. This up-and-coming bistro combines classic French cooking techniques with a modern twist, making it a go-to destination for food lovers seeking authentic French dining experiences.
The menu at Merci Marcel is a celebration of French flavours, featuring beloved classics like Crab Rillettes (S$22), Angus Beef Ribeye (S$32), and Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio (S$24), all prepared with premium ingredients and attention to detail. Each dish is crafted to highlight the richness and depth of traditional French cuisine while remaining approachable to local palates.
While there were some misses when we were there, Merci Marcel still ought to be the convenient fast, french food restaurant to go to.
For a list of all the locations, contact numbers and operating hours, please click here.
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