Singapore is well known for being a buffet crazy country where buffet aficionados scour the island to seek out the best of Singapore's buffet offerings. Be it for an intimate Valentine's day meal or a simple weekend brunch, there's a buffet spread to entice every palate.
Check out our picks for some of the best buffet spreads in Singapore.
What is it: The Marriott Cafe unveiled its new look buffet line after a three-month-long refurbishment with an open kitchen concept, and multiple live cooking stations, allowing the chefs to prepare all orders a la minute upon request. Led by newly appointed executive chef, Kevin Thompson, the highly curated menu features quality dishes from East and West, prepared with the concept of "freshness redefined.
The look: The Marriott Cafe's full scale revamp has certainly rendered the cafe unrecognizable from its former self. Redesigned with a fresh and contemporary look, the cafe incorporates the look and feel of a rustic country side cafe with the simple, clean lines of modern design. The heavy use of wood, stone and ceramic serving dishes gives off a warm and welcoming vibe reminiscent of a Italian home kitchen.
PR speak: "At the new Marriott Cafe, we are not only offering top quality buffet fare but also reinforcing the importance of freshness and nutrition in food," explains Anthony Page, general manager of the Singapore Marriott Hotel.
The food: The spread includes the largest salad bar we've seen so far, with over 15 varieties of salad fixings and 20 over accompanying condiments. In its east-meets-west menu, diners will be able to savour the specialities of the old Marriott Cafe such as the wide range of fresh seafood at the cold station as well as new additions like the grill and Tianjin cuisine sections.
Must-try: The roast station is definite must-try for all carnivores. As a self-professed meat lover, chef Thompson offers a mouthwatering range of tender slow-roasted meats such as leg of lamb and prime rib, all prepared on the spot in two huge Beech Ovens behind the counter. The prime rib is one item worthy of a mention, with the meat perfectly pink on the inside and nicely charred on the outside.
Keeping in line with its east-meets-west menu, the Marriott Cafe also offers authentic Tianjin-style dishes including freshly-pulled noodles and an array of handmade dim sum. Who would have thought that you would be able to find a good bowl of noodles in the unconventional settings of a buffet? The pulled noodles are prepared on the spot, with the chef providing a visual spectacle of dough twirling and kneading before serving it in your preferred style. The noodles are springy yet delicate, evidence of the skill put into its preparation.
Verdict: Singapore loves its buffets, and the Marriott Cafe is definitely not one to disappoint its diners. With its warm, welcoming interior and eclectic spread of delicious offerings, the Marriott Cafe is certainly a candidate in any buffet aficionado's staple options.
Prices start from S$35++ for high tea, S$46++ for lunch and S$60++ for dinner.
Marriott Cafe, 320 Orchard Road, Marriott Hotel, Singapore, +65 6831 4605