20 Best Affordable Italian Restaurant in Singapore Nonna Approves [2024]

Classic Italian food is heartwarming, honest and hearty.

When you think of Italian food, prices upwards of $10 typically come to mind – definitely not what you’ll consider pocket-friendly. If you’re trying to rack your head for a more economical option, maybe Saizeriya will come up first.

Luckily, we live in a country where food options come in abundance, and this rings true even for Italian food on a budget. Here are the 20 best affordable Italian restaurant in Singapore you’ll say grazie for!

1. Super Dario Lasagne

Tucked away in a nondescript part of City Square Mall, Super Dario Lasagna believes in baking its food by hand. Every dish, especially the lasagna, is lovingly made layer by layer from scratch every single day. That’s how you know it’s truly worth every calorie.

Founder Dario hails from Siciliy and has always had a penchant for cooking for family and friends. Most ingredients are shipped straight from Italy to ensure authenticity and freshness.

Of course, success is best achieved in a team. Luca, from Udine, is Dario’s business partner, and with his great knowledge of food and dedication to work, contributes to the success of this unique lasagna concept in Singapore.

According to the reviews, the shop is cosy, the lasagna is excellent, and the tiramisu is simply stunning!

2. La Nonna Holland Village

Named after the Italian language for “The Grandmother”, La Nonna whips up traditional Italian country cuisine, just like the homely, belly-warming goodness a grandma would make, whether in Italy or not.

Using age-old, time-honoured recipes passed down generations, La Nonna has achieved a substantial following for its simple yet distinctive food. The eatery’s gentle lighting makes it an ideal place for that dinner date, apart from dining with friends and family.

Indulge in the Caprese ($20), Macaroni and Cheese Della Nonna ($22), Gnocchi Ai Quattro Formaggi ($26) and Calzone ($24.50) for authentic Italian country cuisine with the family.

You’ll want to try the crab meat pasta and truffle pizza that the reviews praise. Pair it with a great glass of wine to end your evening perfectly.

3. Bella Pasta

Bella Pasta is no stranger to the local dining scene; it’s set up shop since 2010, more than a decade ago. The sister brand of Bella Pizza, it was conceived to complement the latter’s pizza-focused menu.

With an extensive menu that spans a huge variety of Italian selections, like the Pappardelle Boscaiola ($28), Pancetta di Maiale Alla Griglia ($30), charcoal-grilled Meat Platter ($80) and Pannacotta ($10), there’s definitely something for everyone.

The reviews show that you must try the apple crumble dessert, king prawn pasta, and fresh seafood. Savour your meal outside by the idyllic river for a complete experience!

4. iO Italian Osteria Singapore

iO Italian Osteria was built to bring an intense and unmatched piece of Italian tradition to Singapore. Diners get to experience first-hand the fragrance and ambience of an authentic Italian Osteria with a modern spin to it.

Talented chefs will work on your meal from scratch using only the freshest and most flavourful ingredients. Share the Baked Lasagna “Grandma” Style ($18), Spicy Roasted Farm Chicken “Alla Diavola” ($22), Traditional Stuffed Roman Schiacciata (from $10) with your closest friends and family.

Reviews affirm the taste of the mains and sides, with popular choices being the porchetta, steak and pistachio tiramisu. Throw in warm service and a cool vibe for a truly out-of-this-world experience.

5. Trattoria da Mimmo

Chef Mimmo of Trattoria da Mimmo draws inspiration from the comfort food of his childhood and serves up his signature Tuscan-style dishes that reflect this.

Embedded in a corner of an unassuming neighbourhood, this tranquil spot gives you authentic taste, generous portions and reasonable prices. We recommend the Linguine Carbonara and for the adventurous, the Trippa Della Casa. For dessert, grab the tiramisu; rich and creamy but light at the same time.

Reviews affirm its authenticity, hospitable staff and freshness. They also give a nod to the perfect pastas, burrata and pizzas! The portions make it a great place to dine with your fam or gang.

6. Casa MANINI

Casa MANINI is the fresh start to an old legacy back in Italy. Family-owned and operated, this charming little restaurant is run by the owner and his wife. Dig into delectable dishes of Northern Italy and curated alcohol selections to pair with your food.

The restaurant’s highlight is the classic beef and pork Mamma’s Lasagna ($23), but other favourites include the Spaghetti Carbonara ($23), Burrata pizza ($28) and Campari Vaniglia ($12).

Indulge in a homestyle setting as you soak up the atmosphere and feast on Italian comfort food. Reviewers loved the lasagna, appetisers and the carnivore pizza!

7. Italian Osteria X

Remember those times when you stumbled upon a hidden gem to dine at that you wish stayed forever hidden so you could hog it to yourself?

Italian Osteria X is one such restaurant you’ll find, run by the lovely owner and chef, who also happens to have worked in two Michelin-starred Marea for two years in New York City.

Dishes are pleasantly affordable across a fairly lean menu, and we think you’ll love the Parma ‘Garden’ pizza, Bologna ‘Ragu’ pasta, and Livorno ‘Mare’ pasta.

Reviews sing praises about its pizzas, particularly the fresh and generous toppings, as well as the Caputo 00 flour for the lovely thin crust and texture.

8. Sapore Italian Restaurant

Our local National University of Singapore isn’t just famed for its education system – its food is also world-class.

You’ll find Sapore Italian Restaurant on campus, dishing out plate after plate of fresh Italian food to hungry students and staff alike. It prides itself as the first Italian Lifestyle Caffè Bar inspired by Italian bar culture’s history and tradition.

Our favourite picks include the homemade Tagliatelle Del Sapore ($21.89), Cannelloli Ricotta Spinach ($16.39) and Rucola Prosciutto di Parma ($25.19).

As per the reviews, diners loved the calzone, thin-crust pizzas and tiramisu. If you adore fresh food with even fresher ingredients, you know where to go!

9. Zazz Pizza

Quality takes centre stage at ZAZZ Pizza. The fruit of more than 25 years of experience in Italian cuisine in both Singapore and Dubai, this casual dining establishment dishes out wood-fired pizzas and a curated menu of other Italian favourites.

ZAZZ Pizza also bakes its own bread in-house, and makes its own chilli flakes and sauces. Vegetarians can also dine here with over 20% of its menu being vegetarian dishes.

Have the Ravioli Della Casa ($19), Seafood Risotto ($25), Margherita ($19) or build your own special pizza from $19! Reviews rave about the food quality, superb service, and recommend the mac and cheese as well as the burrata pizza.

10. d.o.c

Short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, d.o.c is a genuine Italian restaurant specialising in traditional Neapolitan cuisine. It uses applewood to fire its wood-fired pizzas to add a sublime sweet and savoury taste.

You can’t pass up the flavour-bursting Calzone, Spaghetti Puttanesca, Burrata, and Bittersweet Lava Cake. It also has an extensive wine and beverage menu for wine connoisseurs.

Wine and dine amidst a soothing atmosphere. Taste the handmade pizzas, seafood pasta and molten lava cake as raved in the reviews!

11. GIO – Gourmet Italian Osteria

GIO aims to recreate a similar feeling of community you would feel sitting at an Italian restaurant in Italy.

You don’t need to travel all the way to Venice or Rome to taste the authentic flavours of Italy. All you need is to stop by GIO that’s conveniently located at Tanjong Pagar.

Choose from more than 100 tasteful wine selections that signify every region of Italy. You’ll find one of the biggest selections of Negroni, Spritz, and Americano in Singapore to your delight as well.

Start off with some warm homemade bread (from $3), pumpkin ravioli with amaretto and smoked ricotta ($32/46), and end it off with limoncello and lemon sorbet ($20)!

12. Rosso Vino

Rosso Vino strives to deliver a premium and leading dining experience to its customers.

This timeless and beautiful restaurant offers a lovely alfresco dining option if you want to marvel at the scenic Singapore River. Check out its highly raved promotions like 1-for-1 cocktails and draughts for its happy hour deal.

Some tasty treats on the menu include the Tris Di Bruschetta ($15), Gnocchi alla Sorrentina ($23), and Panna Cotta ($15).

Drop by on different months to try the exciting monthly specials that will guarantee a fresh and new experience every time you visit!

13. Latteria Mozzarella Bar

Latteria Mozzarella Bar presents a piece of Southern Italy with fresh mozzarella and burrata alongside traditional Italian food.

Wine and dine from a rustic shophouse in the charming Duxton Hill and choose between the cosy indoors and idyllic alfresco dining option outdoors.

These are some menus it offers:

• A la carte
• Set lunch (Mondays to Fridays, 12pm – 2.30pm)
• Sunday brunch
• Wine and beverage menu

It also has seasonal specials for you to try the best picks of the season! You can even take a virtual tour of the place

14. LINO @ Binjai Park

LINO is a modern Italian-inspired restaurant under the famous Les Amis Group of restaurants.

It focuses on using traditional cooking techniques to let the flavours of its food slowly develop to deliver honest and heartwarming tastes.

LINO specialises in freshly handmade pizza and delicious pasta. You can also find a unique drink menu that revolves around:

• Wines
• Spritzes
• Beer
• Digestifs
• Cocktails
• Coffee

You can find both indoor and outdoor alfresco seating here!

15. Kucina Italian Restaurant

Kucina Italian Restaurant is unlike any other – it’s Singapore’s only Halal-certified Italian restaurant.

It is run by an Italian-Muslim revert with over 3 decades of experience in Italian food. It endeavours to introduce authentic Italian food to the Muslim community in Singapore by retaining the original flavours of classic Italian cuisine.

You can get the stay home packages to send to a close friend or family who’s under isolation order at home, or who’s down with COVID-19. Otherwise, visit the homely restaurant and try food like its freshly baked Bread Basket ($8.90), Arancini Sicilliani ($11.90), Classic Carbonara ($22.90), and Pannacotta ($9.90)!

16. La Pizzaiola @ Jalan Riang

La Pizzaiola seeks to recreate the same childhood experience its owners had of a cosy and welcoming pizzeria with the same name.

It’s the ideal place if you’re looking for an authentic and affordable pizza and pasta joint. Complete the experience with handpicked Italian wines! It features an extensive menu where you can pick dishes like Focaccia all’ Aglio e Olio ($9.90), Calzone ($19.90), Lasagna ($19.90), and Porchetta con Patate e Peperoni Arrosto ($33.90).

You can also get complimentary coffee or tea with every dessert ordered under its latest promotion.

17. Little Italy

Little Italy was created to remake the Italian family setting with real Italian food made using traditional recipes.

It represents the simple goodness of pure Italian food by using a few excellent ingredients instead of complicated cooking methods. Little Italy’s chef hails from an Italian family in Brazil and has spent years working in countries like the UK and America.

Try the highly recommended signature Carbonara, Parma and Burrata, Tagliere, and Little Italy pizza to find out why it’s so loved by the locals and foreigners alike!

18. Acqua e Farina

Acqua e Farina recreates the real flavours of North and South Italy. It is managed by 2 Italian chefs, combining both regions of taste into a crossroads of highly distinctive cuisine.

Its goal is to focus on going back to the basics of good Italian cuisine with simplicity and great ingredients. If you’re on a budget, you can try the set lunch that’s available from Tuesdays to Fridays with prices from $28.

Some great choices from the ala carte menu are the Melanzane alla Parmigiana ($27), Caprese ($27), Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($33), and Stinco di Agnello Brasato ($43).

19. 1 Tyrwhitt Bistro Bar

This Western-Italian fusion bistro is a great place for pizza, pasta, and drinks.

During the day, it’s an artisanal coffee hangout in the area, and at night, it serves tasty Italian food all around. In fact, it doesn’t just serve Italian food, but also local bar bites and western cuisine.

Browse through its comprehensive menu that has crowd-favourites like the Beef Lasagna ($18.80), Seafood Marinara ($17.80), Black Truffle Egg pizza ($23.80), and Tiramisu ($8.80).

20. Micasa Kitchen & Bar

Micasa Kitchen and Bar started from humble beginnings at a small hawker stall in Bukit Timah Food Centre.

Since inception, its values have always centred around the warmth of home and family. Its menu is carefully selected from locally sourced fresh produce in Singapore that strives to engage the local community.

Every dish you see is meticulously modified to suit local tastebuds while preserving the fundamentals of European cuisine.

Conclusion

Do you have any reviews and comments to share regarding our choices for the best affordable Italian restaurant in Singapore?

While SBO is committed to supporting our local businesses, we welcome any feedback and anonymous sharing regarding your experience with the listed affordable Italian restaurant in Singapore.

We hope that this guide will be useful in helping you to make an informed decision when it comes to finding the best affordable Italian restaurant in Singapore.

Explore More Content

• Food
• Best in Singapore