Singapore Daily Food Budget for Tourists

Food is an important part of any Singapore holiday, and the good news is that tourists can choose from a wide range of dining options. You can eat affordably at hawker centres, choose Indian restaurants and casual cafés, or enjoy premium restaurants and fine dining.

For most tourists, a realistic Singapore food budget is around SGD 25–60 per person per day if eating at hawker centres and casual restaurants. Travellers who prefer premium restaurants or fine dining should budget considerably more.

Singapore Food Cost Per Day

Your daily food budget depends mainly on where you eat.

These are approximate planning figures. Your actual spending will depend on your meals, drinks, snacks, restaurants and dietary preferences.

Singapore Breakfast Cost

Breakfast can be one of the least expensive meals of the day if you choose local food or a simple café.

A basic breakfast might cost around:

SGD 3–8 per person

Common options include:

1. Kaya toast
2. Eggs
3. Coffee or tea
4. Roti prata
5. Dosa
6. Idli
7. South Indian breakfast
8. Simple bakery items

If your hotel includes breakfast, you can significantly reduce your daily food expenses.

Singapore Lunch Cost

Lunch prices vary depending on the type of restaurant.

Hawker Centre

A typical meal can cost approximately:

SGD 5–10

Indian Restaurant

A casual Indian meal can cost approximately:

SGD 8–18

Mid-Range Restaurant

Expect approximately:

SGD 15–30+

Hawker centres are particularly useful for tourists who want to experience local Singaporean food without spending too much.

Singapore Dinner Cost

Dinner can range from a simple hawker meal to an expensive fine-dining experience.

Budget Dinner

SGD 5–10

Casual Restaurant

SGD 12–25

Premium Restaurant

SGD 30–80+

Fine Dining

SGD 100–300+ per person

Fine-dining prices vary considerably depending on the restaurant and menu.

Singapore Food Budget for Indian Tourists

Indian tourists have plenty of food choices in Singapore.

Popular options include:

1. North Indian food
2. South Indian food
3. Punjabi food
4. Vegetarian food
5. Jain-friendly options
6. Biryani
7. Dosa
8. Idli
9. Thali
10. Indian snacks

If you mainly eat at casual Indian restaurants or food courts, a reasonable budget can be around SGD 25–50 per person per day.

Vegetarian Food Budget in Singapore

Vegetarian travellers can find many suitable choices in Singapore.

For a budget-conscious vegetarian traveller:

SGD 20–35 per day can be a reasonable target when choosing affordable meals.

For more comfortable restaurant dining:

SGD 35–60+ per day

Indian vegetarian restaurants, vegetarian hawker stalls and food courts can provide different price points.

Singapore Food Budget for Families

Families should calculate their food budget based on the number of adults and children.

For example, a family of four eating mainly at casual restaurants and hawker centres could plan approximately:

SGD 100–200 per day

This can increase if the family chooses premium restaurants, hotel dining or frequent snacks and drinks.

Children's meals may cost less, depending on the restaurant.

Singapore Food Budget for Couples

A couple travelling on a comfortable budget can plan around:

SGD 50–120 per day

This allows a mix of local food, Indian restaurants, cafés and casual dining.

A couple choosing fine dining should budget separately because one premium dinner can cost as much as several days of casual meals.

Singapore Hawker Food Budget

Hawker centres are one of the best ways to experience Singapore's food culture while keeping costs under control.

Popular foods include:

1. Chicken rice
2. Laksa
3. Noodles
4. Satay
5. Roti prata
6. Nasi lemak
7. Vegetarian dishes
8. Fresh juices
9. Local desserts

A meal at a hawker centre can often be considerably cheaper than eating at a full-service restaurant.

Singapore Drinks and Snacks Budget

Don't forget to include drinks and snacks in your daily budget.

Typical purchases can include:

1. Coffee
2. Tea
3. Fresh juice
4. Soft drinks
5. Ice cream
6. Desserts
7. Bottled drinks
8. Café snacks

A practical allowance is around:

SGD 5–15 per person per day

depending on how frequently you buy drinks and snacks.

Does Singapore Food Include GST and Service Charge?

Restaurant bills can include additional charges, depending on the establishment.

At full-service restaurants, check the menu and final bill for applicable GST and service charges.

Hawker centres generally provide a simpler pricing structure, making it easier to understand your spending before ordering.

How Much Money Should You Carry for Food in Singapore?

For a comfortable holiday, a tourist can plan approximately:

SGD 40–60 per person per day

for food if breakfast is not included in the hotel.

If your hotel includes breakfast, your remaining lunch, dinner and snack budget can be lower.

Luxury travellers should keep a much larger budget because premium restaurants and fine dining can significantly increase daily spending.

How to Save Money on Food in Singapore

Eat at Hawker Centres

Hawker centres offer a wide range of affordable local meals.

Choose Hotel Breakfast

If breakfast is included in your hotel package, make use of it.

Drink Water

Singapore's tap water is safe to drink, so carrying a reusable bottle can help reduce unnecessary spending.

Eat Indian Food Strategically

Indian restaurants can be convenient for travellers looking for familiar vegetarian and regional meals.

Avoid Eating Every Meal at Tourist Restaurants

Restaurants in premium shopping and tourist areas can be significantly more expensive.

Mix Dining Styles

A good strategy is:

Breakfast at hotel → Hawker lunch → Casual or Indian dinner

This provides variety while keeping your daily budget manageable.

Sample Singapore Food Budget for One Day

A comfortable tourist could plan something like:

Breakfast: SGD 6

Lunch: SGD 10

Coffee/snack: SGD 5

Dinner: SGD 18

Drinks: SGD 5

Total: SGD 44 per day

This is only an example. Your actual spending can be lower or much higher depending on your choices.

Singapore Food Budget for a 5-Day Trip

For a 5-day holiday, estimated food budgets could look like:

If your hotel includes breakfast, you can reduce these estimates.

Final Thoughts

A Singapore daily food budget for tourists can be surprisingly flexible. You don't need to spend a large amount on food every day to enjoy the destination.

For most travellers, SGD 25–60 per person per day is a practical range for a combination of hawker food, casual restaurants, Indian meals, drinks and snacks.

If you're travelling on a luxury holiday, plan a separate dining budget because premium restaurants and fine-dining experiences can quickly increase your daily expenditure.

The easiest way to control your food costs is to mix hotel breakfast, hawker centres, casual restaurants and selected premium dining experiences.