No matter your price point, there’s no reason to get stuck behind your desk when there are all these new lunch options in town, starting at a mere $9.80.
Catalunya
The Spanish restaurant finally jumps on the set lunch bandwagon with a three-course set lunch ($38). Mix and match your lunch to include favorites like Salmorejo, a tomato-based soup or the red snapper with salsa verde and mushrooms with molten egg yolk. Lunch options change weekly, but there are a range of staples, too.
Cocotte
The casual French bistro introduces a grower’s three-course lunch menu ($39) where it’s all about communal dining. There are tons of classics like duck confit leg, steak and fries, as well as the addictive mussels mariniere. Everything’s pretty light and it’s perfect for sharing.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
As if this local favorite could get any cheaper, the casual la mian (hand-pulled noodles) restaurant now offers a set lunch menu. For $9.80, you get a choice of starters that includes steaming baskets of xiao long bao, veggie dumplings or barbecue pork buns and a choice of mains like la mian with minced pork wanton and la mian with minced pork and mushroom. Plus, for an extra $2.90, you get a mango pudding dessert, too.
May May
The Asian-inspired bistro is a great destination for a lunchtime trek. Housed in one of Tras Street’s shophouses, it’s a bright and airy space with elegant marble tables and tiled grey walls with none of the snootiness. Everything’s really laid back here and lunch is all about the rice (or quinoa) bowls. Toppings include red chilli chicken ($15), braised pork belly ($16) and the light but flavorful butter poached cod ($18). Plus a lunch combo (extra $3) gets you a house salad and any non-alcoholic drink on the menu.
Merchants
If wine is more your speed, this is a great lunchtime retreat. The wine bistro in Duxton serves a no-frills two-course lunch ($12) that includes a mixed salad and a choice of roast beef sandwich with sauerkraut and fries or chicken tequila spaghetti. For this cheap, you can definitely afford to splash on out on a glass of wine.
