Love it or hate it, the festive season is upon us and in full swing. But more than the annoying grocery store jingles or tell-tale signs of Michael Buble emerging from hibernation, Christmas is a time to be thankful and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Here, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to do just that over Singaporeans’ favourite pasttime—feasting on amazing food.
Alley on 25
Photo credit: Alley on 25
Kick off the festivities at this scenic sky-high restaurant at Andaz Singapore. Besides a free-flow sustainable seafood bar on ice, look forward to staples at their Christmas buffet with a wide range of meats such as their Prime Rib Roast Beef, Turkey Breast Roulade and Glazed Kurobuta Ham. Fill up also on Egg Nog and Mulled Wine as you end off your meal with classic Christmas desserts such as Marzipan Stollen, Tropical Fruit Pavlova and a special glazed Pandan Chiffon Cake covered in creamy mint mousse. Their Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas day Lunch are both priced at $108 per person, or $158 to include free-flow alcoholic drinks.
Artemis Grill
Photo credit: Artemis Grill
Offering the same good Mediterranean-inspired communal dishes this festive season, expect dishes like the Whole Grilled John Dory with red wine, beurre blanc, fennel and seaweed salad ($128), or the Stuffed Rabbit Saddle with wilde mushrooms, candied chestnuts and Armagnac jus ($120), both of which are perfect for two-four to share for dinner while taking in the sights at this sky-high haunt.
Ash & Elm
Photo credit: Ash & Elm
On Christmas Eve, indulge in a lavish European dinner over at InterContinental Singapore with their live culinary theatres bringing to you mouth-watering epicurean delights in the form of Charcoal-Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce, Roasted Tom Turkey with Citrus Fruits and Honey Ham and Spinach Flatbread. Relax and soak in the Christmas spirit with log cakes, fruitcakes and warm gingerbread spiced bread and butter pudding. On Christmas day itself, head for their Champagne brunch to enjoy seafood on ice, festive charcuterie and cheese, and special small plates of Pan-Fried Foie Gras with Cranberry Chutney and Brioche Chips. Both offerings are at $148 per person, or at $188 to include unlimited Taittinger Champagne and other alcoholic beverages.
Atrium Restaurant
Photo credit: Atrium Restaurant
At this casual all-day diner at Holiday Inn Singapore, expect to see the usual suspects at any Christmas feast—seafood on ice, stuffed Roast Turkey, Honey Glazed Ham, Christmas Pudding, Stollen and their Signature Chocolate and Banana Log Cake—on offer during the festive buffet period (from $88 per adult). On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, though, they’re amping it up with dishes such as Baked Miso Marinated Salmon with Seafood and Pan-seared Bamboo Lobster with Masala Sauce and Tobiko, priced at $138 per adult.
Azur
Photo credit: Azur
Even if you’re not travelling this holiday season, you can still indulge in a spread of both Asian and Western food at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, with Singaporean favourites such as Sambal Stingray, Satay and Laska. There’s even Drunken Live Prawns in Herbal Soup and Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup as healthier options on Christmas day, but it’s probably just to save on the calories for the dessert bar, which features Bubur Cha Cha and traditional Nonya kueh in addition to the usual Christmas desserts. Brunch and dinner for Christmas Eve and day are priced at $98 per adult, and you can top up $30 for unlimited Bottega Prosecco and house wine.
Baba Chews
Photo credit: Baba Chews
Have yourself a modern Peranakan Christmas at this cosy dining establishment located in Katong Square. At an affordable price of $52 per person for Christmas brunch and $60 per peson for Christmas dinner, savour fusion dishes such as Turkey Breast Assam Curry, Yakitori Panggang and Har Cheong Kai with Buah Keluak Waffle. Look out also for the hawker-inspired Baba’s Oyster Omelette Soup, made with a golden onsen egg and oyster pancake topped with Avruga caviar.
Basilico
Photo credit: Basilico
Regent Hotel no doubt houses one of the most prominent Italian buffets in Singapore—enjoy authentic, traditional Italian Christmas breads such as Panettone and Pandaro alongside tantalising meats such as a 12-hour Slow Cooked Traditional Pork Cotechino and Parma Ham-wrapped Turkey Roulade filled with Foie Gras and Chesnuts. On Christmas day, gain access to their dedicated cheese room carrying over 50 Italian speciality cheeses and an impressive spread of seafood with Alaskan king crabs, mussels as well as poached and spiny lobsters. Join them for their festive buffet during lunch ($85) and dinner ($199) on Christmas Eve, or brunch ($168) and dinner ($125) on Christmas day. Add from $40 onwards for free-flow Prosecco, Champagne and wines.
Cafe Mosaic
Photo credit: Cafe Mosaic
Brilliantly located downtown, Cafe Mosaic’s festive feast at Carlton Singapore features an international spread of seafood on ice and succulent carvings of Roasted Whole Turkey and Honey Baked Ham. End your meal with freshly made sweet treats such as Christmas cookies, cakes and French pastries before heading out for a scenic post-dinner stroll around Bugis or CHIJMES. Priced at $98 per person for Christmas dinner (Dec 12-25) and $88 for Christmas lunch.
The Carvery
Photo credit: The Carvery
It’s a festive forest feast this year at Park Hotel Alexandra’s meat-focused buffet restaurant, with their usual premium cuts laced with earthy aromatic spices, black truffle, and served with sides of root vegetables, fresh greens and fruits. Come back several times to have a taste of different offerings, such as the Roasted Pork Knuckle available only for weekday dinners, and the Whisky-aged US Angus Beef Prime Ribs that’s only available for weekend dinners. Prices range from $48-$68 from Dec 5-30, except on Christmas Eve ($58-$128) and Christmas day ($88-$128) depending on your choice of drinks. Come during Dec 24-25 and enjoy carolling happening at select times too.
Cedele
Turkey Bacon Parcel with Olive Garlic Tapenade ($23). Photo credit: Cedele
The healthy-ish (but certainly not any less tasty) option, Cedele will be offering various special festive dishes across their dining outlets, such as Turkey Bacon Parcel with Olive Garlic Tapenade (from $23), Grilled Sea Bass ($22) and Grilled Yuzu Salmon ($23). Besides their signature Chocolate Flourless Logcake ($8.50), be sure to try their new Rose Lychee Martini Logcake ($10), a deliciously light and refreshing alternative. Finish off with a festive cuppa of Gingerbread Coffee Latte ($6.50) or Activated Charcoal Hazelnut Latte ($6.50).
Colony
Photo credit: Colony
Vintage meets luxury at this gorgeous dining house at the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. For Christmas, prepare your bellies for Grilled Butterfly Tiger Prawns, Wagyu Beef Wellington and more, in addition to the whopping seven live stations showcasing Singapore’s heritage cuisines. Christmas Eve lunch is priced at $148 including unlimited pours of Prosecco and house pour wines, while Christmas Eve and actual day dinner are priced at $208, including Champagne at the latter.
Folklore
Eurasian Christmas Pie. Photo credit: Folklore
Inspired by the chef’s Eurasian-Peranakan parentage, experience a truly authentic journey on Singapore’s culinary heritage with their Christmas menu, featuring their all-time favourites dishes such as Feng ($30), an assortment of pig’s offal cooked in a blend of 18 spices and the Eurasian Christmas Pie ($30), that’s filled with a scrumptious mix of chicken, meat balls, pork sausages and vegetables encased and baked in buttery puff pastry. If you love traditional Eurasian desserts, Sugee Cakes ($10 for three slices) and coconut sponge cake Bolu Cocu ($8 per slice) will make an appearance for you to go nuts over.
Food Exchange
Photo credit: Food Exchange
At the heart of the newly opened food enclave at Novotel Singapore on Stevens is Food Exchange, a bright and airy casual-chic restaurant. Priced at a reasonable $88 per person for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas day brunch, festive buffets will include traditional Roast Turkey, Honey Studded Ham and other Christmas desserts on top of their international selections with fresh seafood on ice.
Hard Rock Cafe
This Christmas season, Hard Rock Cafe Singapore presents a Naughty or Nice menu with specially concocted cocktails paying homage to iconic and nostalgic crowd favourites. Enjoy items like Smoked Duck Salad with Cranberry Dressing and Crispy Duck Skin, Thick Sliced Honey Baked Ham Burger with Christmas Five Spice Pineapple Pickle, served with Sweet Potato Fries, and more. The special menu is available till Dec 26. Come on Christmas Eve for a special performance.
Lawry’s
Lobster Bisque. Photo credit: Lawry’s
Most of us will know of this distinguished American restaurant for their exquisite prime rib of beef and unique table-side showmanship. This year, delight in an extensive whimsical six course dinner on Christmas Eve (from $168), featuring Lobster Bisque with Alaskan King Crab, Atlantic Lobster Tail and Sea Urchin. The seafood medley continues on Christmas day, with Foie Gras, Hokkaido Scallop and other oyster and lobster dishes as part of the Enchanted Christmas Day six course set, available for lunch and dinner ($138).
Lime Restaurant
Photo credit: Lime Restaurant
This popular buffet spot at Parkroyal on Pickering is upping the ante this Christmas with an extensive line-up of festive delights. Throughout the month, feast on premium items like Wagyu Beef Rump, Pork Prime Ribs, and Honey & Citrus Glazed Ham ($68-$98), or take it up another notch on Christmas Eve and day ($108-$178) with eats like Boston Lobsters on ice, Baked Oyster in Chilli Crab Sauce and Durian Gula Melaka Yule Log. Enjoy Christmas carolling too on Dec 24 and 25.
Madame Fan
Photo credit: Madame Fan
Enough of Western cuisine during Christmas? The NCO Club’s Chinese restaurant is the place to be for the entire month of December for festive course dining ($78-$238) with an elevated touch. Start with an assortment of dim sum followed by premium plates of scallop, lobster and more if you’re there for lunch. For dinners, enjoy their signature Crispy Aromatic Duck served with pancake, before moving on to items like Double-boiled Sakura Chicken soup, Braised Live Abalone Claypot, Angus Beef Short Ribs, and more. Get the highly-recommended wine pairing for an additional $98.
Marcello
Photo credit: InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
It’s gonna be a real celebration at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay with a Christmas market offering filled with treats like a creperie station, caramel popcorn, mulled wine and freshly baked cookies. Gather at communal-sized tables, where for $50 per person (minimum of 15), enjoy a full feast with eats like Rosemary Baked Camembert & Crostini, Turkey Breast Roulade, Glazed Winter Vegetables, and plenty more. Or come during Dec 24 and 25 in smaller groups for a cosy getogether with family and friends.
Marriott Cafe
Photo credit: Marriott Cafe
Another easy place in town to hang your feet up after a long day of Christmas shopping, the festive buffet selection here has to be one of the best. For Christmas Eve and day, they’re serving up almost every protein you can think of—quintessential Roast Turkey, Australian Beef Prime Ribs, Pan-fried Foie Gras, Milanese Lamb Chops, and all our favourite seafoods such as lobsters, oysters, scallops, crayfish and more. Noteworthy desserts include their Raspberry Gula Melaka Coconut Log Cake and the ever-so-hyped-up Pumpkin Spiced Panna Cotta.
Mezza9
Photo credit: Mezza9
Go a la carte from Dec 1-25 and have a taste of Grand Hyatt Singapore’s flagship restaurant’s festive offerings such as Atlantic salmon and spiced apple crumble, or join in for a grand Christmas Eve buffet spread where signatures such as their roasted whole tom turkey, tuna poke bowl and roasted suckling pig await. On Christmas day itself, enjoy cuisine from the world over cooked fresh from six live stations.
Nami
Photo credit: Nami
If you prefer quality sashimi and wagyu beef over the basic turkeys and pumpkin pie, treat yourself to a stunning seven-course Christmas Surf and Turf dinner at Nami ($238), located within Shangri-La hotel. From Dec 23-25, experience their winter creations such as Poached Hiroshima Oyster marinated with Sesame Oil, Truffle with Soy Bean Croquette and of course, the decadent A4 Saga Wagyu Beef Sirloin with Ginger Sauce.
Plate
Photo credit: Plate
If you’re somehow still not over the salted egg yolk craze, then this is the place for you—you’ll get Roasted Chicken with Salted Egg Yolk sauce, Salted Egg Yolk Prawns, and a good mix of western and local dishes alike at Plate in Carlton City. Save some space for some fresh Durian Pengat and assorted Nyonya Kueh, though. Their Christmas Eve and day Buffet lunch is priced at $65 per person, while the Christmas Buffet Dinner is at $85 per person.
Porta
Photo credit: Porta
At Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s Porta, enjoy a festive feast without going overboard with their decadent four-course dinner menu ($64) featuring dishes like sous vide scallops, French onion soup and smoky beef brisket. You can choose to go a la carte too, just in case you’re a light eater. But be sure to end on a sweet note with their fresh banana caramelised for 12 hours, topped with vanilla ice-cream and served with sponge cake and rum. The special menu is available Dec 24-25, and Dec 30-31.
Rumah Rasa
Blue Bird with Indomie Stuffing. Photo credit: Rumah Rasa
Your favourite supper go-to has now manifested itself in the form of a Blue Bird with Indomie Stuffing over at Bay Hotel. Braised in blue butterfly pea till tender, this tandoori-spiced turkey has it’s unusal stuffing made from Indomie folded into bread, soaked in milk and tossed in Indonesian herbs and spices. At their festive lunch buffet ($48), enjoy a range of Indonesian appetisers such as Rendang Cottage Pie and Balinese Soup. For dinner ($68), they’re firing up live BBQ stations for you to dig into Kebabs, Lamb Kofta and a special carving of their Roast Lamb Leg served with homemade rendang sauce, bekakak gravy, mint and chilli chutney. Top it all off with their eye-catching Blue Galaxy Log Cake, which has a blueberry with raspberry coullie yogurt flavour. No festive blues here.
Sky 22
Photo credit: Sky 22
Get away from the shopping hoard and head to Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, which sits just on the fringe of town. Escape up to the 22nd floor, where you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of Novena as you relax in the quiet ambience. Their Christmas Eve Lunch Buffet ($68) sees festive classics such as roast turkeys, and roast lamb legs on display, injected with asian mains such as Beef Short Ribs Rendang and even Singapore Chilli Crab with Mantou Buns. At only $56 per person for their Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, the merriment continues with their signature Lobster Thermidor, Oyster Rockefeller and Slow-Roast Prime Ribs in Port Wine Sauce on offer.
The Knolls
Halibut Confit with Citrus Eunos. Photo credit: The Knolls
A breathtaking seafront view awaits at The Knolls, perfect for an intimate celebration with your loved ones. With it’s Mediterranean-inspired menu, savour a three ($78) or four-course ($98) lunch on Christmas Eve and day, or opt to splurge on a five-course dinner on Christmas Eve ($168). On this special occasion, unwind and bond over exquisite culinary creations by Chef Ignacio Moreno, including a beautifully plated Halibut Confit with Citrus Eunos.
The Marmalade Pantry
Photo credit: The Marmalade Pantry
Gather your friends for a charming festive meal at this home-grown bistro and tuck into a hearty three-course lunch ($48) or dinner ($52) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Highlights include a bowl of comforting Vanilla Butternut Soup with a delicate ricotta cheese ravioli, Turkey Breast, Beef Tri-Tip with herbed sides and even Crayfish with herb butter. Healthier choices such as Charred Cauliflower and Bulgur Wheat Salad, or Pan-Fried Salmon will also be available. Round it off on a sweet note with a Golden Creme Brulee, or the St. Honore—a medley of classic puff pastry with whipped cream and profiteroles.
