Rise Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is an all day dining restaurant with an international buffet spread. Even though the Rise buffet prices are not cheap ($45++ for lunch, and $68++ for dinner), it has been extremely popular with buffet lovers.
The question on everybody’s mind: is this the best buffet in Singapore? Is it worth spending eighty bucks for a buffet dinner?
One thing to note first, Rise restaurant at Marina Bay Sands does not take phone reservations, so if you are going for the MBS buffet during a weekend, it will be wise to go earlier (buffet dinner starts at 6pm) to get a table, especially for big groups.
Like what I did at Melt the World Cafe, and The Line Buffet, the first thing that I ate at Rise Restaurant was not appetisers or salad — I went for the desserts straight away. I love the feeling of exhilaration that you get from desserts – it helps to get my stomach going.
Why end the meal on a sweet note when I can start with a bang?
It was a case of hits and misses for the dessert buffet, with the Bread & Butter Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Mini Cream Puffs, and the Pineapple Anise receiving ‘As’, while the Madeleine and Matcha Financiers were a little too dry. The highlight of the dessert buffet was definitely the little squares of Lemon Meringue Tart – they tasted like love!
Rise Buffet Restaurant has surprisingly good sweet and sour pork. I know it’s a little silly to stuff myself with sweet and sour pork when there’s more expensive items like beef, sashimi and oysters around, but hey, you must try their sweet and sour pork when you are there for the buffet.
From the Asian Section of Rise MBS Buffet, the Roasted Duck was equally good. We particularly enjoyed the crispy skin with a layer of fats beneath, dipped with the sourish-sweet plum sauce — who cares about calories and fats?
There’s also Stir-fried beef Vietnamese style, prawns, deep-fried spring roll if you like your Chinese food. We sampled Indian Pulao rice, Achar, Yellow Dhal, Mango Chutney, and Chicken Masala from the Indian Buffet Section.
There is a chef at the Asian corner to prepare laksa and soup noodle, and another chef at the Pasta Station to cook pasta ala minute. It’s probably not very wise to have so much carbs, so we shared the noodle items: the famous Singapore Laksa was pretty decent, and I also enjoyed the crab meat tomato spaghetti.
The Cold Cut section of the MBS buffet was very impressive, they actually have a huge ham-cutting machine to slice it on the spot. Whoa! Iberico, anyone?
Meat-lovers will love this corner at Rise Marina Bay Sands: pinkish-red beef rib eye, the ravishing rack of lamb, oh-so-tender oxtail and my favourite prime ribs. Allow me to have second, and third helpings of that delicious ribs.
The Sushi & Sashimi counter is also extremely popular: all you can eat sashimi and sushi!
While I appreciated the fact that diners could actually grab as much sashimi as they want in one go, the nicely sliced sashimi left out in the open air was at the mercy of everyone (who might squeeze or cough). Maybe it’s a better idea to put the sashimi in the chiller and allow the chef to serve whenever someone wants the raw fish.
At the Seafood Buffet Counter, there are many who took at least a dozen of oysters and piled them on the plate. Me? I choose three of the nicest ones, and a few mussels. There’s also cold crabs, but I was too lazy to dirty my hands that day.
By now, it’s almost the end of round 1 for the international buffet. Repeat everything: starting from the dessert (again).
After a couple of rounds, it’s time to reflect: Oh god, what have I done?
This is what happens when you eat at a buffet: excellent roasted duck, fresh oysters, lots of sweet & sour pork, many slices of salmon sashimi, a meaty combination of oxtail, rib eye and prime ribs, spaghetti & laksa, and of course, serving (s) of dessert and cheese.
I think I am finally full.
The Celebrity Chef restaurants at Marina Bay Sands have been making headlines in the Singapore food scene. But if you are not into fine dining restaurants, maybe you can check out Rise Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands.
The Buffet at Rise Marina Bay Sands has a good selection of food, but at $68++, the price isn’t cheap. If budget is an issue, go for the lunch buffet which is more affordable at $45++.
Dessert lovers will also be happy to know that there’s a new alternative to the Chocolate Buffet at Fullerton. With a stunning view on the 57th level of Marina Bay Sands, the MBS club offers Chocolate Buffet ($38++) every evening from 8pm onwards.
My favourite buffet in Singapore is still Melt the World Cafe because of the memories I had there, but Rise Restaurant is definitely worth a try for special occasions. Oh ya, remember to pick up some macarons from Sweetspot Patisserie before you leave.
Singapore Food Restaurant Review
Rise Buffet Restaurant
10 Bayfront Avenue Tower 2,
Lobby Level Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6688 5525
// Buffet at Rise Marina Bay Sands is available daily: $45++ for lunch, and $68++ for dinner.
Thumbs up, B! Haven’t commented here in ages but I love reading your blog wherever I am. I enjoyed reading this entry, especially at a time when it feels like the Monday blues have hit me early.
Rise dinner is actually priced rather reasonably as compared to the price of a dinner buffet at The Line or Melt the world cafe. Do you think its buffet is value for money?
Similarly, I’m more of a dessert person too! Please do a review on the chocolate buffet at the club lounge soon! Any intention to try it out sometime soon? I would like to try a chocolate buffet someday and I wanna know which is the best choice that we have in town
I can get 30% for buffet at Rise! haha my friend went for the club’s chocolate buffet and she said it wasn’t worth it
As an expat now living in Singapore, I just tried Rise last week after a shop around Marina Bay.
Overall, everything was just average. The food was OK not very good. Variety is fine but not too wide. The service is OK, some waitresses dont speak English very well.
For that price, Rise is a big disappointment.
Went to Rise for the lunch buffet on a Saturday. We went in at about 2pm-ish and they seated us super far away from the buffet which was mildy annoying. There were no oysters during the lunch but everything else was nice. The desserts wasn’t spectacular for a dessert lover like me, IMO the food definitely outshone the desserts. This is a buffet I would go back to again for lunch!
Hi Ms. Pammiez.
How did you manage to get a 30% discount?
Thanks.
you’ll be glad to know that Rise does take phone reservations! but i’m not sure about weekends though…cant wait for my lunch on friday ^.^
Yesterday was my anniversary.
Went for buffet yesterday with my wife and daughter. Waitress told my wife table 36. It took 3 persons to tell me and locate the table and at the end was table 3.
I followed the sign “hotel..” I have to walk 200-300 m from self park carpark to the restaurant. The car park i found out is on the opposite building. At the end of the building one security tell me i have to push my stroller through the street where the pedestrain walkway is. What if it rains? I asked how about the high level walkway;answer is reserved and not for us.
Sushi is limited.
Food not fantastic.
Chocolate fountain chocolate doesn’t taste right.
It like a mass market kind of buffet and does not have the ambience.
The only thing I find quite ok is the fruit.
Paid S$112.00 for 2 persons.
Summary: Sucks. Not worth going. I don’t think i will go there anymore.
Any pics of the sweet and sour pork you raved about? Hehe
I think the booking counter is really very harsh . I understand that last minute of booking as today is mothers day. I hope I can impress my mum that the buffet at rise is delicious and a lot of variety of food.
I did beg on the phone but the booking counter is still unfeeling and say is fully booked and is not promises that they is seat. Only provided first come first serve. How possible I would allow my mum to-stand there waiting.
Moreover it is her job, I can’t blame. But I don’t think everyone will do it.. I am really sad because I have tried to book for two times, one is at Christmas ,now is mother. I think it is to hard to book seat at rise restaurant.
dear rise at mbs,
what time period is your lunch at this place?
i am bringing a party of 6 inclusive of me from Taiwan, what are the offers you have ?
i intend to be there by saturday 1 march 2014.
any specials please inform.
thanks.
mustapha
Hi,
Is the buffet at Rise halal?
Thank you.
Warm regards,
lina
Hi there … I’m planning to go to Singapore at the end of March. I’ve been very interested in the RISE buffet for a while now. I’m thinking of giving it a try this time around. Therefore i was just wondering if you know regarding the varieties of food they serve there. As in, are they the same for Weekdays vs. Weekends? Because I’ve been to hotel buffet in my country where apparently they have different menus for Weekdays Vs Sat night Vs Sunday night. I really appreciate it if someone can tell me. Thx a lot
End of April i mean. Sorry
@Melanie Usually dinner will have more food than lunch, and weekends will have a wider spread than weekdays. Hope this helps.
Hi ,
Is RISE buffet a halal?
thanks
Now Rise offers 30% for diners from Mon – Thurs when you present MBS Lifestyle Reward Card… you can apply for one at their many Customers Service Counters (mostly located at the Shopping/Casino Building which is opposite the hotel… I don’t know why the waitresses does not inform the diners this piece of good news… I saw it on the RISE website… so please do your diligent study (online) to get more value for your $$$$ worth…
Initially no reservations, but now they do take reservations even for weekends… you can also book online… state your table location preference (near dessert/entrance areas) so you don’t have to walk too far
I definitely agree that laksa is great but its filling so best to share with your frens or ask the chef to prepare a smaller amount so you dont stuff yourself just to avoid being guilty of wasting food, and then prevent yourself from other interesting bites
In addition, Rise also offers Theme nights and may have other variations… so before you go, check out their website for more information that will make your money worth!
Enjoy!!!!
Hi Lady Iron Chef,
I would like to check if we need to call for reservation. My colleagues and I are planning to have dinner on the 14th of December. We are atleast 15 pax and could be more but less than 20pax. Any number I can call?
Thank you.
Is rise restaurant buffet halal?
On our recent visit to Singapore we booked a meal at the Rise Marina Bay. We have travelled all over the world and love our food in top class restaurants on this occasion we can say that he Rise has one of the very best buffet we have had the pleasure to attend. Looking forward to our next visit.