Buffets under $40: Best spreads for Spanish tapas, Japanese hotpot, Thai fare and Nonya classics

SINGAPORE – Diners who crave the abundance and variety of buffets without paying more than $40 have plenty of choices.

Instead of the standard international offerings, some restaurants specialise in fare that one does not usually associate with buffets – Spanish tapas, Peranakan classics and traditional Thai dishes.

Several restaurants offer spreads with tighter menus, shorter seatings and sharper weekday deals. But there is no compromise on taste. Think wagyu beef sliders, roast ayam buah keluak and freshly sliced sashimi.

Across the island, nine restaurants are showing that affordable, all-you-can-eat dining can be satisfying. 

Buffets, at their core, remain a communal way to dine – a format that continues to resonate with Singaporeans.

“We offer diverse, affordable buffets because we believe sharing a wonderful meal together should be accessible for every occasion,” says Ms Bonnie Wong, 36, chief executive of Creative Eateries, which operates Suki-Ya and Sarai Fine Thai.

At Sarai Fine Thai, a weekend lunch buffet goes for $39++ an adult, while Suki-Ya’s hotpot lunch buffet starts at $22.90++.

Over at The Winery Tapas Bar in Chijmes, Mondays mean two hours of free-flow tapas at $39++, including indulgent bites like suckling pig tacos.

Some buffets lean on nostalgia. Carlton City Hotel Singapore’s Plate restaurant hosts a Sunday-only Ah Ma Porridge Buffet Lunch for $48++, but one-for-one promotions bring the effective price to under $30. The draw? Comfort classics such as kam heong lala, braised pork belly and Taiwanese-style sweet potato porridge.

At Cafe Lodge in YWCA Fort Canning, the weekday porridge lunch buffet starts at $19.80++. It includes braised duck and braised pork belly.

Meanwhile, M Hotel Singapore’s The Buffet Restaurant serves a halal-certified Peranakan lunch buffet at $36.80++ through September.  

Catering to white-collar professionals seeking a welcoming venue for lunch gatherings and team luncheons, the buffet offers an accessible and inclusive dining experience, making it ideal for diverse teams, says M Hotel Singapore’s general manager Edeline Tiong, 48.

She observes that guests tend to be well-informed and up to date with the latest deals and promotions. 

“This behaviour highlights a clear sense of price sensitivity, particularly when it comes to buffet offerings,” she says. “It also underscores the importance of perceived value. Guests are not just looking for affordability, but also a dining experience that feels worth their time and spend.”

Carlton City Hotel Singapore’s general manager Niall Cowan, 52, says the Ah Ma Porridge Buffet Lunch is built around comfort and quality, not excess. 

“While premium buffets focus on luxury ingredients, we focus on thoughtful curation, depth of flavour and warm hospitality. Compared with budget options, we deliver a higher standard of freshness, cooking technique and a relaxing ambience – all at under $40 with our one-for-one deal. It’s value without compromise,” he says.

Mr Jason Choong, 46, the food and beverage manager at YWCA Fort Canning, has noticed a growing demand for affordable buffets, driven by economic factors and evolving consumer preferences.

He says: “We see the demand for our affordable porridge buffet not just among seniors, but also families and office workers looking for a delicious and comforting meal.”

Ms Evien Ang, 50, head of marketing at Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant, agrees the demand for affordable buffets is growing as diners become more value-conscious amid the economic downturn. 

She says: “Diners appreciate generous selections, consistent replenishment and the freedom to indulge without worrying about the cost. Ultimately, it’s about enjoying a satisfying and well-rounded dining experience that feels worth every dollar spent.”

But she points out that for operators, running an affordable buffet is challenging due to the need for careful cost management and economies of scale. High food wastage and labour costs make it difficult to maintain profitability without compromising on quality.

Value-driven a la carte buffets are also gaining momentum, with the likes of The Winery Tapas Bar’s Tapas Night, Hey Kee All-You-Can-Eat Ala Carte Lunch Buffet and Sarai Fine Thai Ala Carte Buffet, where food is prepared to order.

Mr Mikael Chan, 29, general manager of The Winery Tapas Bar, says the tapas for its a la carte buffet on Monday nights are curated with the same care as the premium a la carte menu. 

“While it’s priced affordably, we don’t compromise on quality or ingredients. Many of our tapas feature imported produce like Spanish piquillo peppers,” he adds.

Here is a closer look at the nine restaurants offering buffets under $40.

Tapas Night

Where: The Winery Tapas Bar, B1-05 Chijmes, 30 Victoria Street
When: Mondays, 4pm to 1am (patrons have a two-hour dining limit)
Tel: 8388-8850
Info:

thewinery.com.sg

Kick off the week with a flavour-packed Spanish feast at The Winery Tapas Bar’s Tapas Night. For $39++ a person, indulge in two hours of free-flow tapas, with 16 delectable options that bring bold, smoky and savoury flavours to the table.

Sink your teeth into Patatas Bravas – golden, layered agria potatoes fried to a crisp and smothered in fiery bravas sauce, creamy housemade mayonnaise and a dusting of togarashi.

Another must-try is the Suckling Pig Taco, filled with luscious Spanish suckling pig, tangy pickled onion and a smoky-sweet housemade sauce.

Porridge Buffet

Where: Cafe Lodge, YWCA Fort Canning, 6 Fort Canning Road
When: 6 to 9pm daily
Tel: 6335-8008/6335-8009

A comforting bowl of porridge becomes a hearty dinner spread at Cafe Lodge, where every bite supports a good cause. The dinner porridge buffet is priced at $28.80++ an adult and net proceeds support YWCA’s community service programmes. From Mondays to Thursdays, enjoy a one-for-one deal.

On weekends, diners get a complimentary steamed fish with every two paying adults. The spread features over 30 dishes with a live station carving up braised duck, pork belly, steamed squid, century egg and fish cake.

Ah Ma Porridge Buffet Lunch

Where: Plate, Level 3 Carlton City Hotel Singapore, 1 Gopeng Street
When: Sundays, 12.30 to 2.30pm
Tel: 6632-8922

The porridge buffet lunch at Plate at Carlton City Hotel Singapore, which features Taiwanese-style sweet potato porridge, is usually priced at $48++ an adult. But diners who are DBS or POSB cardholders enjoy a one-for-one promotion, while senior citizens aged above 55 get 50 per cent off the regular adult price.

The spread features an extensive variety of home-style savoury sides, classic condiments and local hot and cold desserts. Signature picks include Kam Heong Lala Clams stir-fried with curry leaves and dried shrimp, and tender Braised Pork Belly simmered with star anise, cinnamon and garlic. 

Hey Kee All-You-Can-Eat Ala Carte Lunch Buffet

Where: Hey Kee HK Seafood, 01-01, 102 Guillemard Road
When: Mondays to Fridays, noon to 4pm
Tel: 9891-0950

Feast on wok-fried flavours at Hey Kee HK Seafood’s weekday lunch buffet that brings Hong Kong dai pai dong (streetside stall) classics to the table. For $25.80++ a person (minimum four diners), enjoy 80 minutes of made-to-order dishes from a 30-item menu.

Premium picks – one a table – include Typhoon Shelter Style Stir Fried Abalone and Temple Street Crispy Roast Chicken.

Specials – such as Hair Dryer White Pepper Live Prawns and Flambe Angus Beef With Whisky – which launched in March, add flair.

For the former, prawns seasoned in salt and pepper are heated with a hair dryer before serving. The latter comprises thick-cut cubes of premium Angus beef seared then set alight.

Weekend Dim Sum Hi-tea Buffet

Where: Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant, 01-88 Thomson Plaza, 301 Upper Thomson Road
When: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 3 to 5pm
Tel: 6451-3233

Savour Peking duck egg crepe wraps at this weekend dim sum high tea buffet, which offers a choice of about 20 dishes. For every three adults paying $28.80++, the fourth one dines free; and there is a minimum of four diners.

Favourites include the Steamed Barbecue Pork Bun, which has a sweet savoury filling of housemade char siew, and Deep-fried Bean Skin Roll with Seaweed, a crispy snack of minced pork and prawn wrapped in seaweed.

Nyonya Classics Redefined 

Where: The Buffet Restaurant, Level 2 M Hotel Singapore, 81 Anson Road
When: Noon to 2.30pm daily
Tel: 6500-6116

M Hotel Singapore’s Nyonya buffet celebrates Peranakan flavours with over 30 dishes. Priced at $36.80++ an adult, those dining in groups can enjoy a discount of 10 per cent with a minimum of four diners.

Launched on June 18, diners have until Sept 30 to tuck into classics such as Nyonya Laksa, Roasted Ayam Buah Keluak and Beef Cheek Rendang at halal-certified The Buffet Restaurant.

The Roasted Ayam Buah Keluak gives a Western twist to traditional ayam buah keluak. Whole chicken is marinated with housemade buah keluak sauce, then roasted to perfection. The dish is available daily at a live station.

The Peranakan line-up includes Udang Masak Lemak Nenas (prawn and pineapple curry), Assam Fish with Okra & Pineapple and Sayur Lodeh (vegetable curry).

Sarai Fine Thai Ala Carte Buffet 

Where: Sarai Fine Thai, 03-122 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 11.30am to 3pm
Tel: 3125-5142

Savour refined Thai favourites at Sarai’s 120-minute a la carte buffet featuring time-honoured dishes. At $39++ an adult, there are 29 items such as Neua Phad Prik Thai, tender black pepper beef sauteed with onions and crispy vermicelli; and Pla Gao Sam Ros, crispy fish fillet drenched in a rich, tangy-sweet sauce.

Suki-Ya All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Sukiyaki

Where: 04-14/15 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street; 02-09 Heartland Mall Kovan, Block 205 Hougang Street 21; 01-35 Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place; 02-183B/C Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard; 04-62 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road; 01-102/103 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk
Info:

suki-ya.com.sg

For hotpot lovers on a budget, Suki-Ya delivers great value with hearty sukiyaki buffets. The regular lunch buffet from Mondays to Thursdays is usually priced at $22.90++ for an adult, while dinner is priced at $27.90++.

Lunchgoers pay an additional $1++ to enjoy free-flow ice cream. From Fridays to Sundays, on special occasions  such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and public holidays and eve of public holidays, diners have to pay an additional $3++ each.

The buffet spread for both lunch and dinner is the same, but diners get 60 minutes for lunch and 80 minutes for dinner. 

There is a choice of five soup bases, from tomato to sukiyaki. Pay an additional $2++ for soup bases such as Mala Miso, Fresh Soy Miso and Truffle Mushroom. The buffet offers 65 items, including thinly sliced beef shortplate and cheesy chicken ball. 

Japanese Buffet

Where: Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant, 08-01/02/03 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road
When: 11.30am to 3pm, 6 to 10pm daily
Tel: 9817-5259
Info:

kisekirestaurant.com.sg

From fresh sashimi to do-it-yourself shabu shabu, Kiseki’s Japanese buffet offers a bounty of over 100 items at pocket-friendly prices. Lunch is usually $29.90++ an adult and dinner is $49.90++. The prices vary on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Enjoy a leisurely meal without the pressure of a time limit. Seafood-on-ice includes mussels, prawns and clams. Snow Crab Legs are exclusive to the pricier dinner buffet.

The DIY Shabu Shabu station offers over 25 ingredients with three choices of soup bases – Tonkatsu, Miso and Kimchi.

Diners can also enjoy live music performances on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9pm.