It's no secret that eating out in Singapore has started to sting a little more lately. The kopi costs more, the lunch sets are pricier, and even your favourite cai png stall might've adjusted its prices. F&B businesses are no better off either, with many facing higher rents that force them to drive up their prices. It's hardly a surprise then, that more Singaporeans are rethinking how often – and where – they eat out.
According to a recent YouGov dining out report, about one in three people say they're eating out less than they did a year ago. Older diners are feeling the pinch the most, with 37 percent of Gen Xs and Boomers admitting that they're cutting back on food spending mainly because of rising prices. Others are doing it simply to save money due to the higher cost of living in 2025.
Still, for all the belt-tightening, the city's dining out culture remains somewhat intact. Nearly four in ten still eat out at least once a week, and this number jumps to 50 percent when it comes to Gen Zs and Millennials. What's changing is how we dine: more folks are choosing cheaper spots or hunting for discounts – all in a bid to stretch their dollar a little more. And it's more than possible in Singapore.
We'd even go as far as to say that it's not difficult to eat out for cheap here. Sure, $3 bowls of noodles for $2 nasi lemak might be nowhere near as ubiquitous as they were in the 2000s, but when it comes to wallet-friendly eats under $10 that'll actually fill you up, or hawker fare that won't break the bank, we're still comfortably ahead of the curve (see this recent survey on Singapore ranking among the world's most affordable cities for dining out).
At the same time, not everyone is trading restaurants for hawker centres. For many, "eating out less often" also means saving up for quality experiences that they feel are worth the dollars. After all, if you're going to spend, you might as well make it count. For the latest places making waves in the F&B scene, take a look at our picks of the best new restaurants in Singapore for 2025, or our recent edit of the 50 best restaurants in Singapore if you're looking to splash out for a special occasion.
Interestingly, the YouGov report also shows that Singaporeans find comfort in the friendly and familiar. Surprise, surprise: Of all F&B outlets, McDonald's is the most considered dining option in Singapore with a vote of 59 percent, followed by KFC (35 percent). Maybe it's because of all the adorb plushies, character collabs and blind boxes that these fast food chains have been pushing out, but either way, we're sure they would remain a popular option regardless. Going down the list, other common picks include Burger King, Subway, Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Jollibee, Din Tai Fung and Pizza Hut.
Check out the full YouGov dining out report here.
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