No one wants to be known as a cheap date, but that doesn't mean you can't woo on a budget. Court the object of your affections at these love nests.

Burger and shrimp toast at Absolute Burger
Cheap dates don’t necessarily have to be cheap. At Absolute Burger, you can posh up a bacon cheese burger ($30) order by asking for a side of shrimp toast with black truffles ($28): comic irony, and a great conversation starter. After your meal, take a stroll upstairs to experience all the weird and wonderful delights of Delay No Mall. 68 Yee Wo St, Causeway Bay, 2577 6988.

Spaghetti Japonese at Te
This cute looking diner has all the makings to be a great first date place. Neither pretentious nor fussy, they serve herbal tea and you eat off a tray. Your date picks from a number of different combinations on the menu, meaning you can quickly learn a lot about their likes and dislikes, ability to take spice, and decisiveness. We like the Spaghetti Japonese (sea clams and shimeji mushrooms, $68); what does that say about us? Shop 3, 19 D’Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 3421 0914.

Shoyu pork belly ramen at Ippei-an Ramen and Bar
We know this is a chain, but it’s still a grand spot for a romantic bowl of ramen and dumplings. The pork belly ramen ($68), served in bone stock with root vegetables is by far our favourite. Shop 11, 2/F Miramar Shopping Centre, Knutsford Terrace, 1 Kimberley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2375 5330.

Shrimp and cockle laksa at Katong
The spectacular mixture of Malaysian spice and creaminess make us go crazy for this place – and our dining partner. The price tag for the shrimp and cockle laksa ($51) is fair value considering what’s in your bowl: prawns, bean curd, cockles, bean sprouts, and oodles of noodles. In fact, the milky spicy broth is worth the visit alone. G/F, 155 Jaffe Rd, Wan Chai, 3168 2478.

Black pepper steak at Singapore Restaurant
At only $78 for a steak, this is date dining on the cheap. While the black pepper sauce can be a bit overpowering, you’ve got plenty of starch in the form of potatoes, rice or spaghetti to mop it up with. If black pepper sauce is not your thing, opt instead for the T Bone (also $78). 1/F Astoria Bldg, 24-38 Ashley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2376 1282.

Fried prawn in Maggi sauce at Lin + Chuen Kitchen
Though they are best known for their water crab congee, this low-key modern Chinese spot likes to play around with traditional Cantonese cuisine. Right now, they’re toying with that childhood favourite: Maggi seasoning sauce. Fresh butterflied prawns ($98) are thrown in the deep fryer, generously salt and peppered, and then tossed in Maggi, a tasty, tangy soy-based concoction that is hard to describe, you – and your partner – will just have to try it. Shop 2, G/F, Tong Po Mansion, 85 Shau Kei Wan Main St East, Shau Kei Wan, 2667 0877.

Fish ball noodle soup at Aberdeen fishball and noodle restaurant
This place serves a mean take on this classic soup. For $22 you get a bowl full of fish balls and delicate rice or egg noodles. The queue out the door should be some indication of the talent in the kitchen. Afterwards, take your date for a stroll through the market. G/F, 19 Fa Yuen St, Mong Kok, 2332 7122.

Oysters at Dot Cod
Every Wednesday from 6pm-10pm, Central favourite Dot Code serves up aphrodisiac-inducing oysters for only $15 each, with the type of oysters served changing weekly. Drinks, however, cost $70 – the price one has to pay for a bargain. B4 Prince’s Bldg, 10 Chater Rd, Central, 2810 6988.

Little Fat Cow
This hot pot specialist has the most incredible offer for couples doing dinner on the cheap: a whole platter of Angus beef for only $10, with chilled bottles of Asahi to chase the hotpot down costing only $20 for three bottles. 404-406 King’s Rd, North Point, 2512 2269.

Read the features:
Home comforts
It's a date
Café society
Standing room only
Sweet as
The dumpling index
The $100 Cook off