Indulge in 11 of the best Christmas buffets that are under $80

It’s almost Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year, when the feasts are jaw-dropping and calories don’t count (oh, how we wish)! We know, this being the gifting season means you don’t have much room on the budget for an indulgent meal. But rejoice — not all buffets are pricey. Hang up your apron because we’ve scoured the island for sumptuous Christmas buffets that will help you usher in the Yuletide cheer, without roasting your wallet – yay!

Peranakan-inspired Christmas delights at Baba Chews Bar and Eatery are sure to please even the Bibiks in your family. Housed in a charming conservation building in the heritage rich Katong neighbourhood, Baba Chews’ feast features a glorious buffet selection that includes options that are cooked à la minute.

Savour the likes of Assam Curry Turkey Breast stewed in a homemade rempah (spice paste), Crackling Pork Belly Panggang that is marinated with satay sauce and slow-roasted to crispy perfection, and the café’s signature Beef Short Ribs Rendang. Other must-tries are the indulgent Chendol Yule Log and the decadent Baba’s “Oyster Omelette” Soup that features a golden onsen egg, oyster soup espuma and Avruga caviar.

Cost: $60++ per person (price only for dinner on Christmas Eve)

Baba Chews is at #01-01 Katong Square, 86 East Coast Road, tel: 6723 2025. 

Photo: Baba Chews

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE

A scrumptious forest feast awaits at Park Hotel Alexandra this year! Known for its succulent roasts, The Carvery is offering premium meats that are perfumed with earthy herbs and spices, including the highly aromatic black truffle. This Christmas’ repertoire includes Beef Wellington, Turkey Roulade with Spinach, Mottainai Lamb Leg and Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Don’t miss the star of the show – Spit-Roasted Chicken with Truffle. Brined in an aromatic bath for 24 hours, the bird is slathered with truffle butter, spiked with rosemary and roasted to juicy perfection. Yum.

Cost: $58++ per adult, $32++ per child (price for lunch on Christmas Eve)

The Carvery is at Level 7, Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Road, tel: 6828 8880. 

Photo: Park Hotel Alexandra

ALSO READ: 10 CREATIVE LOG CAKE FLAVOURS YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas lunch at Sky22 is a treat for both the palate and the eyes. You’ll be greeted with an incredible array of indulgent classics, including Ham Hock and Foie Gras with Berry Compote, Sky22’s Signature Lobster Thermidor, Oyster Rockefeller, Slow-Roast Prime Ribs in Port Wine Sauce, and Black Forest Bûche de Noël.

While dining on the 22nd floor of the hotel, you’ll also get to feast your eyes upon the panoramic view of the surrounding cityscape — a wonderful companion to a fulfilling meal.

Cost: $56++ per adult, $28++ per child aged 6 to 12 (price for lunch on Christmas Day)

Sky22 is at Level 22 of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, 99 Irrawaddy Road, tel: 6378 2040. 

Photo: Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE

Fancy a spot of tea? L’Espresso’s Christmas Eve English Afternoon Tea Buffet is sure to leave you chuffed to bits. Get whisked away to Downton Abbey, as you daintily savour the elegant spread of sandwiches, chilled delicatessen (think duck rillette with assorted breads) and beautiful pastries at the hotel’s cosy café.

The buffet also comes with scrumptious hot savouries, such as Turkey & Chorizo Cottage Pie, Roasted Pork Belly with Apple Puree and Maple Syrup Glazed Butternut Squash. Available in two seatings (12 noon to 2.30pm and 3pm to 5.30pm), the afternoon affair includes two servings of coffee or tea. So satisfying, you’d be too stuffed for dinner!

Cost: $68++ per adult, $42++ per child (price for Christmas Eve)

L’Espresso is at Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, tel: 6730 1743. 

Photo: Goodwood Park Hotel

ALSO READ: 10 CREATIVE LOG CAKE FLAVOURS YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS CHRISTMAS

Since it first opened last year, Ginger has been serving up crowd-pleasing local and international spreads. This festive season, the buffet restaurant is putting an Asian twist on several Christmas classics, with dishes like Okinawa Black Sugar and Honey-glazed Ham with Oriental Salsa. Another star attraction is the decadent Gula Melaka Log Cake, which comes complete with attap seed and pandan jelly.

You can also expect traditional favourites, including Traditional Roasted Whole Turkey with cranberry sauce and natural pan jus, and Slow-roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb with roasted potatoes, caramelised onions and rosemary sauce. The best of both worlds!

Cost: $68++ per adult, $34++ per child (price for lunch on Christmas Eve)

Ginger is at Level 1, PARKROYAL on Beach Road, 7500A Beach Road, tel: 6505 5710.

Photo: PARKROYAL on Beach Road

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE

The elegant Atrium is promising a festive high tea spread of delicious proportions. Available from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, spend a lovely afternoon savouring unlimited servings of English and Peranakan delights, whilst seated on plush pods that float on the hotel’s reflection pool.

A buffet line of unique savouries, such as Nyonya Style Roasted Beef, Otah Salmon Fillet, Singapore Chilli Crab Quiche and Butterfly Pea Nasi Lemak, awaits, You’d also be treated to an array of jazzed up festive sweets, including a Durian Yule Log and Chestnut Choux. It’d be quite the experience.

Cost: $58++ per person (includes two beverages) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Atrium is at Level 1, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, tel: 6826 8240. 

Photo: Pan Pacific Singapore

ALSO READ: 10 CREATIVE LOG CAKE FLAVOURS YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS CHRISTMAS

Seafood lovers will be stuffed to the gills at The Square Restaurant’s Christmas Day buffet. The sumptuous spread of seafood on ice includes baby marron lobsters, oysters, prawns, stone crab claws, mussels and even scampi! The restaurant is also serving up its signature Salted Egg Crayfish and Chilli Crab. The latter is a rich delicacy with generous chunks of meat in huge claws — worth getting your hands dirty for.

And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the classics. Their Roasted Turkey is cooked to perfection so its flesh, even the breast portion, is tender. But we especially love the Baked Gammon Ham, which is deliciously smoky with soft pink meat. Durian lovers, pile your plates with the lemak durian pengat which packs a satisfying punch.

Cost: $68++ per adult, $32++ per child aged 5 to 12 (price for brunch and dinner on Christmas Day)

The Square Restaurant is at Level 7, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay, 177A River Valley Road, tel: 6433 8790. 

Photo: Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE

A whole Roast Lamb Leg on a spit, served with homemade rendang sauce? Sign us up! Bay Hotel Singapore’s Halal-certified Indonesian restaurant, Rumah Rasa, is serving up an unusual Christmas spread this year. The highlight of the feast is the Blue Bird with Indomie Stuffing – a blue tandoori turkey that is braised with blue butterfly pea, and served with spiced Indomie stuffing. Trust us, it’s nothing like anything you’ve ever seen (or tasted) before.

You can also expect other Indonesian delights, like Rendang Cottage Pie and Balinese Soup. If you go for dinner on Christmas Eve, there will also be a live barbeque station that features the lamb leg, kebabs, tiger prawns and more!

Cost: Christmas Eve Dinner with Live Barbeque is $68++ per adult, $38++ per child aged 6 to 12; Christmas Day Lunch is priced at $48++ per adult, $28++ per child 

Rumah Rasa is at Level 1, Bay Hotel Singapore, 50 Telok Blangah Road, tel: 6818 6681. 

Photo: Rumah Rasa, Bay Hotel Singapore

ALSO READ: 10 CREATIVE LOG CAKE FLAVOURS YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a delightfully aromatic Mediterranean-inspired affair at 21 on Rajah. Beautiful herbs and spices take centre-stage, as the Halal-certified buffet spotlights dishes such as Roasted Beef Marinated with Mustard, Yoghurt and Mixed Spices, Lamb Moussaka and its own take on the Christmas Turkey – a lemongrass-rubbed Roasted Turkey that’s stuffed with dates and nuts, and served with cranberry sauce.

With seafood being a staple of the Mediterranean, the spread also includes Boston Lobsters (not from the region but yum!), Snow Crabs and other seafood on ice, as well as Chilli Crab with Deep Fried Buns to appease local palates.

Cost: Christmas Eve Dinner is priced at $56++ per adult, $28++ per child aged 5 to 12; Christmas Day Brunch is $46++ per adult, $23++ per child

21 on Rajah is at Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park, 1 Jalan Rajah, tel: 6808 6847. 

Photo: Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE

True to its name, Straits Café is serving up a feast of flavours from the Straits – namely Penang, Melaka, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Feast upon the likes of KL Prawn Noodles, Klang Chic Kut Teh and Ipoh Chicken Rice for an Asian-flavoured Christmas. The buffet even stars a Malaysian Lok Lok Stall, where you can choose ingredients like sliced abalone, scallops and cuttlefish cooked to order and topped with a variety of sauces.

To complete the festive cheer, the Halal-certified restaurant is also serving up the classics, like Roasted Whole Turkey, Christmas Log Cake and Christmas Pudding. We approve.

Cost: $58++ per person (price for lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Straits Café is at Level 1, Rendezvous Hotel, 9 Bras Basah Road, tel: 6707 7745. 

Photo: Rendezvous Hotel Singapore

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Go east, life is peaceful there. An idyllic oasis away from the hustle-and-bustle of the city, Saltwater Café is a great place to relax and enjoy an unhurried feast with your loved ones.

The Halal-certified poolside restaurant is offering a sumptuous spread of traditional holiday favourites and Asian delights, such as its award-winning Nonya Laksa, Durian Pengat Shooters and DIY rojak. Another crowd-pleaser is the Chill & Grill station, which serves up freshly barbequed succulent seafood and meats. Festive fare include a mouth-watering Roasted Turkey, Oven-Baked Salmon and various log cakes.

Cost: $50++ per person (price for lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Saltwater Café is at Level 1, Village Hotel Changi, 1 Netheravon Road, tel: 6379 7018. 

Photo: Village Hotel Changi

ALSO READ: 14 BEST TURKEYS TO ORDER FOR A CHRISTMAS FEAST IN SINGAPORE