Singapore, one of Asia’s gourmet capitals, is known for its endless dining options and, particularly, for its outstanding buffet spreads, which attract gourmands from far and wide. For a first-time visitor, however, all this choice can be a little confusing and that is exactly why I wrote this article, which is just like a mini-guide to Singapore’s best buffets.
Prepare your appetite – The feast is about to begin…
Straits Kitchen is housed within the swish Grand Hyatt, right near the corner of Orchard and Scotts, in the heart of the city, and is probably the only buffet in Singapore that serves the best of the city’s street-food and Hawker-centre delicacies in an elegant hotel environment. The rich spread boasts many local favorites that represents Singapore’s many ethnicities, including Beef Rendang, Satay, Chili prawns, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa and Tandoori Chicken, just to name a few…
Must-try desserts include Almond Jelly, Banana Fritters, Mango pudding and the ultimate Durian ice-cream.
This is also one of the best buffets in Singapore for classy dishes, like the “Buddha Jumps over the Wall” soup.
Next in line, and just a few steps away, is Carousel, in the Royal Plaza on Scotts, which has not been around for too long, but has already made a name for itself as one of the most sought after buffets in Singapore. Fresh seafood, sushi and sashimi seem to be the main draw here, but there is also a decent choice of salads, Asian dishes, Rotisserie meats and, of course, lovely desserts and freshly baked pastries to accompany the coffee… Carousel is also Halal certified, which makes it a good choice for Muslims.
Still within the same area, Shangri-la’s Line Restaurant serves what must be the biggest, richest and most diverse buffet in Singapore, boasting 16 culinary stations that serve every delicacy you can possibly think of, from fresh seafood and sushi to scrumptious pizzas, pasta dishes and other Italian fare, and from Indian tandoori specialties to mouthwatering desserts… It is slightly pricy, as you might expect from a Shangri-la restaurant, but is a head above the rest.
Nestled within the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, on Orchard Road, the International buffet at Triple 3 (the buffet restaurant) gives tough competition to Shangri-la and is another serious candidate for the Best Buffet in Singapore title… There are several gastronomic stations here that prepare both western and oriental delicacies, from fresh seafood and cold cuts to a variety of a-la-minute meat dishes and what not… And you can either dine indoors or ‘alfresco’, by the poolside.
Last but not least is the Weekend Champagne Dim Sum Brunch at Mandarin Oriental’s Cherry Garden Restaurant, and although it is only served on weekends, it is well worth waiting for… Their delicately hand-crafted dim sums and roasted Kurobuta-pork are probably the best in town, and you can also enjoy free flow of champagne and very pleasant ambience… Who can ask for anything more?