Movida introduces a wallet-friendly San Sebastian-inspired lunch set, starting from just $29 – an attractive deal given its prime city centre location. Available daily from 12pm to 3pm, the set lets diners choose from 2 Tapas + 1 Main for $29, 4 Tapas + 1 Main for $35, or 5 Tapas + 1 Main for $40. Perfect for foodies looking to sample a spread of dishes in one sitting, this offering brings variety and value to the table.
We went with the 4 Tapas + 1 Main option, and since there were two of us, we managed to sample a total of 8 tapas. It gave us an excellent overview of the selection available.
Crab Crumpet 4/5 and Home-made Duck Rillette in Crumpet 4/5
The Crab Crumpet (+$2) was a delightful one-biter. It is light, fresh and elegantly paired with saffron emulsion and finger lime. Meanwhile, the Home-made Duck Rillette in Crumpet was richer and more flavourful, featuring confit duck, pipparas, gherkin and a touch of oriental mustard for contrast.
Tuna Tartare with Grilled Avocado 4/5
Tarteleta 4.2/5
Two tapas stood out in particular. The Tuna Tartare paired well with roasted avocado and a bright citrus dressing, a refreshing and well-balanced dish. The Tarteleta (+$2), a brik pastry tart filled with chicken liver parfait and verjuice, surprised us. Despite usually avoiding liver, this tartlet delivered a burst of flavour that was both rich and nuanced.
Anchoa 3.8/5
Pan con Tomate & Jamón 3.5/5
The Anchoa (+$2) – a Cantabrian artisan anchovy with smoked tomato sorbet – impressed with its quality and pleasant saltiness. However, as we shared it, the portion felt a little too small to savour fully. The Pan con Tomate & Jamón was classic but unremarkable, with a faint 'bad oil' aftertaste on the bread that distracted from the otherwise fresh components.
Croqueta Del Dia 4/5
Octopus with Panchetta 3/5
The Croqueta del Día, made with Manchego cheese, was a comforting and well-loved classic. Ask the staff about the daily flavour. On the other hand, the Octopus with Pancetta was a miss – the pancetta overpowered the octopus entirely, which got lost in the bite.
Gambas al Ajilio 3.5/5
Paella del Día 4/5
For mains, we tried the Gambas al Ajillo and Paella del Día. The gambas were fresh and crunchy but let down by burnt garlic, which left a bitter finish. The portion also felt a little small as a main, though the preceding tapas helped to fill us up. The highlight was the Paella, a squid ink version with calamari and fish. It is bold, briny, and well-executed.
Flan 3.8/5
Churros con Chocolate 3.8/5
For an additional $8, you can opt for dessert. Our pick is always the Churros, served with a chocolate sauce, but it was a bit too diluted for our liking. While the texture was crunchy, we missed the chewy centre we're accustomed to. The Flan, a creamy Spanish-style caramel custard, was pleasantly spiced and complemented by pestinos pastries that reminded us of masala chai. The third option available is a Spanish-style Rice Pudding.
Lychee Blossom and Aperol Spritz
Top up $4 for non-alcoholic beverages like Lychee Blossom or Shirley Temple, or $8 for alcoholic options such as Kalimotxo or Aperol Spritz. These make great pairings to round off your lunch.
Movida's new lunch set offers a solid, value-for-money experience that encourages exploration of Spanish flavours. While there were hits and a few misses, the variety and affordability make this a worthwhile option for a satisfying midday indulgence in the heart of the city.
Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.
MoVida
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-43
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 83808509
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]
