Just a few doors down from Joo Bar, Ah Bong's Italian dishes out plates of delicious, freshly made pasta. Unlike its original digs in Tiong Bahru which only serves lunch, this location opens for both lunch and dinner, and its central location makes it the perfect compromise between those working in the CBD and those who are not. Moreover, all chef-owner Chris' pastas are made with heart and will please the fussiest eater in the group. Go for the crowd-pleasing Angus Beef Ragu ($16), or if you're in luck, get the signature Birthday Pasta ($9) — a winning combination of cream, bacon and broccoli that is sure to satisfy. The made-from-scratch dishes change everyday and the day’s offerings are uploaded on their Instagram every morning, great for those who need a little inspiration! Chris is experimenting more at this outlet, so show your support by trying new items and giving him your feedback!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim

Do not - we repeat - do not come to Teru Sushi with your friends not expecting a wait. But it won’t be hard to convince your friends that it’s worth it — the affordably priced, plump and juicy Oysters ($1.50) are enough assurance. Alternatively, find a day where you and your friends end work early and head straight to Teru at Tiong Bahru (they open at 6pm) to snag a table. Start the meal with some melt-in-your-mouth Sashimi slices ($12) before moving on to the oysters. For some carbs, go for the Shiok Maki ($20). It is an Unagi sushi roll blanketed with mayo, before being torched for a nice smoky finish. As for heartier eats, know that the menu is full of classed up versions of Japanese classics everyone will love. To put it simply, this is a group dinner slam-dunk.
Avg price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Emily S

When you're in the mood for a new dining experience, head right on to Punggol East, where a cluster of seven restaurants in shipping containers are now operational. Located within Social Enterprise Eco Development at Social Innovation Park, these container restaurants overlook the waterway, offering great atmosphere for alfresco dining. Whether you're up for a nibble or a full meal, you're likely to find something, from classic Fish and Chips ($6.90) from Big Fish Small Fish to tasty Sambal Stingray ($13) from D'Grill. To beat the heat, hop over to L'Chaim Bistro for a couple of pints ($6 for half; $11 for full), or cool off with a cold treat at like the Matcha Sherbet ($6.30) at Leung Kee Healthy Dessert. Pro tip: Check the weather forecast before you leave home. The sun can be merciless in the afternoons, so we would suggest coming by for an early dinner.
Avg Price: $10-$25 per person, depending on restaurant
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu

If you've ever associated clean eating with boring and tasteless fare, Thrive Kitchen may just be the place to change your mind. Tucked in the middle of new and currently quiet shopping mall NEWest in West Coast, the cosy space (all warm lighting and light wood) makes an inviting spot for a quiet meal with a friend. They have recently launched their full food menu, which sees tons of flavourful and nutritious eats, from wholemeal pastas to rice bowls and hearty mains. For a meatless meal, you're in for a treat with the Thrive Benedict ($12.90), which sees pillowy multigrain toast topped with mashed avocado, perfectly wobbly sous vide eggs and a super delish cashew mayonnaise. The star of the meal, however, was the Nonya-inspired Assam Fish Rice Bowl ($17.90). The assam sauce would wake you right up with its zingy hit of flavours, and we're pretty sure it would get nods of approval from Peranakan matriarchs. It's spicy, but absolutely worth the sweat. For sweets, try a slice of their moist gluten-free Coconut Almond Cake ($6.90), or a scoop of Despicable, a creamy banana and walnut ice cream. Will we be back? You bet.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Leigh Khoo