Usually synonymous with nightclubs or breezy Sunday brunches, this riverside district has more good food than you may think.

Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse

Dim lighting, earth tone furnishings and croc print-inspired chocolate chairs give this Italian steakhouse a distinctly sexy feel; it's a great date venue. In case the name wasn't a dead giveaway, it's all about the meat here, so forgo their pastas in favor of their signature Fiorentina—a deliciously smoky char-grilled 1-1.2kg T-bone steak of marble score six Aussie wagyu.

Bochinche

Noted Argentinean chef Diego Jacquet, whose London eateries Zoilo and Casa Malevo draw rave reviews, helms this restuarant with the same bold design. The restaurant has recently given way to a more casual concept that still retains its convivial atmosphere and now has an Argentiean-inspired gourmet market selling beef, condiments, oils and even sweet treats to take home.

Cho Omakase

Tucked in a small alley behind Boat Quay, this Japanese omakase restaurant is easy to miss. While the minimalist and light wood zen decor is nothing to rave about, the small 30-seater has course-by-course plates of sashimi, sushi and cooked dishes including the melt-in-your-mouth Hida wagyu and oysters. Plus, for an omakase restaurant, it's one of the more affordable options in town.

Cuisine Master Hotpot

The high-end hotpot establishment (think black and tan wooden decor and granite-topped tables) serves premium sets, including multiple courses of top-notch ingredients like baby lobster, grouper and Australian ribeye. There are also affordable noodle bowls, with toppings such as Kurobuta pork, slipper lobster or grouper, for lunch.

Hai Di Lao

The first overseas branch of the popular Sichuan hotpot chain offers good service, affordable grub and even free manicures. The food doesn't disappoint either, with seven savory soup options and a comprehensive list of items, including their justifiably famous mashed shrimp and homemade tofu. Doesn't hurt after a night of drinking to tuck into some hearty broths.

Japanese BBQ Yakiniku Yazawa

You can't swing a bat without knocking into a Japanese eatery in the Robertson Quay area, but this BBQ establishment is a standout, despite the pretty ordinary setup (think black booth seats, dim lighting and wood accents) and somewhat brash service. The superb meats on offer are reasons enough to warrant a return visit—just ask any one of the many Japanese patrons who frequent it on a nightly basis. They're also open till late.

Pind Balluchi Bar & Grill

At Singapore's first outlet of this popular restaurant chain from India, dig into fine incarnations of Punjabi classics in a plush, rock-wall-and-dark-wood setting. Order dishes such as galouti kebab, minced lamb patties, bhatti chicken, chicken marinated in yogurt and rose petals, and tandoori broccoli.

Tamashii Robataya

Run by chef-owner Patrick Tan—formerly of noted sushi restaurant Yoyogi—his wife Nicole and their business partner Max See, this joint specializes in Japanese grills or robatayaki. Snag a seat at the long chef's counter: they serve food up on long wooden paddles, making for a fun interactive experience full of dishes like grilled kurobuta pork belly roll, grilled cod with teriyaki sauce and grilled turbo clams with mushroom. And if you don't want to blow the budget, affordable lunch sets are available too.