Affordable restaurants under $100 where you can catch up with your friends

Some people eat to fill their tummies, whilst others eat to fill their hearts (and Instagram feed while they're at it).

In this economy (no, seriously), finding delicious yet affordable restaurants to eat is becoming more of a priority - especially if you're looking for a place to hang out and catch up with your friends.

But don't worry, you don't need to break the bank to have a decent meal with your friends.

You'll leave these seven restaurants on our current shortlist with a full stomach, sans a burning hole in your wallet because you can get a meal there for under $100.

Bonus: these places come with a great ambience too. Read on below!

THE SPOT

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This is The Spot to go for everything you could ever need to satisfy your hunger pangs-coffee runs, lunch quickies, and the ultimate post-work hang out for colleagues, friends, and maybe even your better half.

The CBD hotspot makes the restaurant a popular destination to chill, whilst their delectable food and enticing prices keep you coming back for more (their lunch set clocks in at $33++ for a main course and a dessert or appetiser).

Their food is described as "Southeast Asian sauce-centric", and favourite dishes include the Pan-Fried Red Snapper ($28), where a fillet of crispy snapper is served swimming in a hearty broth of green curry and eggplant, and the Spiced Local Duck Breast ($28), sliced duck breast marinated in red curry crème and best enjoyed with a glass of robust red wine.

The drink selection is worthy of a second look, with Macallan cocktails and wines curated by the 1855 team. We're not even half-done with all the secrets that The Spot holds-they've even got a cigar bar and a Macallan Boutique.

5 Straits View, #01-26/27 Marina One, Singapore 018935

THE OYSTER BANK

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The world is your oyster at The Oyster Bank, with oysters in every flavour and variation. Have them grilled, fried, as shooters, or slurp them up raw to truly enjoy the oysters in all their fresh and creamy goodness.

For an extra good time, hit up The Oyster Bank during their happy hours to go crazy on $2 oysters (5pm - 8pm on weekdays; 3pm - 6pm on weekends).

And if you're one of those who can't make up your mind at a restaurant, split an Oysters And A Pop Platter ($88), which comfortably feeds two people with oysters in 6 different flavours and a bottle of house wine or cuvee of your choice.

Throw in some more beers, cocktails, bubblies, sake, or wines, and your night is settled.

107 North Bridge Road #02-32, FUNAN, Singapore 179105

HALCYON & CRANE

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Drawing on tonal colours and wooden panels reminiscent of the Chinese paper umbrellas, Halcyon & Crane will make you feel like you're at brunch with your bestie no matter the time of day. The all-day dining menu is filled with European and Asian fusion dishes that will excite your taste buds.

One of the more interesting dishes, the King's Chicken Hash Benedict ($21) is an English breakfast muffin heaped with kung pao chicken cubes, cheese and the quintessential poached egg.

Coffee lovers will be intrigued by The Coffee Aficionado ($11), a sampling platter of hot chocolate, latte, and espresso, accompanied by some sweet strawberries on the side. Or treat yourself to a Sweet Potato Latte ($11), a savoury latte that tastes as good as it looks in photos.

290 Orchard Rd, #03-09, The Paragon, Singapore 238859

OPEN FARM COMMUNITY

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Nothing beats the taste of fresh produce - something that's hard to come by in land-scarce Singapore. Over at Open Farm Community, the menu features farm-to-table ingredients, all of which are sourced locally and from the restaurant's own edible garden.

To start, share a Tiberias Golden Snapper Ceviche ($20) for savoury mouthfuls of ceviche mixed with buah keluak paste, ginger flowers, and puffed barley. Then get ready to be surprised by the Spiced Aubergine ($32), the restaurant's vegetarian take on rendang.

Oh, remember to leave room for dessert! You don't want to miss the Lime In The Coconut ($16), best described as a citrusy deconstructed bubur cha cha. Definitely worth making the trip all the way to the Dempsey enclave!

130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819

WANTON - SENG'S NOODLE BAR

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Wanton - Seng's Noodle Bar is the epitome of elevated street food. The noodle bar has taken the humble wanton noodles and made it atas.

The simple menu has only four types of noodles: Char Siu Noodles, Braised Shiitake Noodles, Duck Noodles, and Beef Short Rib Noodles. Wantons come either fried or boiled.

Nothing too fancy, but definitely a leg up from your hawker centre dish. Surprisingly, a cold pint completes the meal for a satisfying finish. Their lunch set even comes with a sneaky half pint-just putting it out there if you're ever in the area for lunch!

52 Amoy Street, Singapore 069878

MOOSEHEAD KITCHEN - BAR

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Lunch is more of a grab-and-go affair over at Moosehead, but dinnertime's when the crowd retires to the eclectic restaurant to unwind after a busy day.

The sharing plates and limited seating space makes the Mediterranean kitchen a cosy affair when catching up with a friend or partner.

We recommend you try the Burrata ($21), an unassuming cheesy bowl of light, fluffy cheese, and the Grilled Squid ($18), an entire charred squid with a side of Thai Herb salad.

The smoky dishes are best coupled with a cold beer or classic cocktail. Pro tip: get in early as the restaurant fills up fast, or you might just find yourself stuck on the doorstep.

110 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068579

KAFE UTU

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It's hard to stand out amongst the countless restaurants and cafes lining the Keong Saik streets, but Kafe Utu breaks the humdrum of minimalist cafes and retro diners. The Afro cafe is decked out in quirky hand-carved doors, hand-blown water glasses, mahogany tables, and quirky artwork that pays homage to its African roots.

The menu, bound in leather, is a careful curation of East and West African dishes. Be prepared to take some heat as African cuisine can be quite spicy. The Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew ($28) is a comforting broth that calms your soul, or venture into the wild side with the Nigerian Fiery Peppered Pork Stew ($29).

There's also a brunch menu that is the African answer to the millennial obsession over avocado toast - Curried Avocado With Raw Garlic Toast ($18), which comes with a side of cassava chips.

12 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089265

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.