Is RISE Restaurant’s $78++ International Buffet At MBS Worth It?

RISE is a popular buffet restaurant in Marina Bay Sands Hotel

When it comes to hotel buffets in Singapore, RISE Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 1 Lobby is hard to miss. This open-concept buffet is popular for its wide variety of international cuisines, from Asian favourites and local classics to Mediterranean dishes.

The most affordable option is $78++ per person for weekday lunch, placing it among Singapore’s pricier hotel buffets, on par with Colony at The Ritz Carlton.

For this review, we visited on a Friday afternoon to see if the buffet is worth its hefty price.

Food at RISE Restaurant

For me, a buffet really stands out when it nails three things, in order of importance: quality of the food, variety of dishes, and price.

RISE Restaurant definitely delivers on variety. Even on a weekday lunch, the buffet features over 100 dishes, including fresh seafood, a dedicated Japanese section, hearty roasts, and a mix of local and Western desserts.

The seafood on ice wasn’t the largest selection, but it was reasonably fresh. The prawns and clams stood out, though the mussels were a bit dry.

The marinated prawns were particularly noteworthy, as it’s rare to see seafood prepared this way at a typical hotel buffet.

Another standout at the buffet is the Mainland China Live Station, featuring freshly made Shanghainese Fried Buns with Pork Filling, AKA sheng jian bao, and Hangzhou Mini Dumplings with Dried Seaweed and Sakura Shrimp. The fried buns were executed perfectly, with a crispy bottom and juicy meat filling, while the soup dumplings were a little too bland for my taste.

No hotel buffet is complete without a Japanese station, and RISE delivers with freshly cut sashimi, sushi, and even grilled yakitori. The Aburi Sushi stood out, with the perfect balance of sushi rice and thick salmon slices, finished with torched mentaiko mayo.

Another classic buffet favourite is the Laksa, available at the Live Noodles Station. While I found this version a bit too lemak, my colleague finished the whole bowl in minutes.

Carnivores will want to make a stop at the Carvery, stocked with meaty highlights including Hickory-Smoked Barbecue Black Pork Ribs and Roulade of Australian Lamb Leg.

We tried a plate of Slow-Cooked Larded Australian Grain-Fed Beef Rump with Roasted Carrots and Pasta Tossed in a Parmesan Wheel. The beef was tasty with the accompanying sauce, though it wasn’t my favourite meat option on the spread.

I much preferred the offerings at the Levantine & Middle Eastern station, featuring Kharouf (Whole Lamb with Couscous), assorted dips such as Hummus and Baba Ghanoush, and fresh salads.

The Chicken Shawarma, made to order, was a unanimous favourite at our table. The meat was freshly shaved from a kebab, wrapped in warm pita, and topped with a creamy sauce that cut through the richness perfectly.

The Indian station was another highlight. We loaded our plates with Butter Chicken, Chicken Tandoori, and Coin Prata. The prata really stood out, especially when paired with the raita and the creamy butter chicken gravy.

Save some room for dessert—prepared by the pastry team, the spread is impressive, with both local kueh and Western cakes. Pro tip: the Kueh Dadar is a crowd favourite, so make sure to snag a piece before it runs out toward the end of the buffet hours.

Alternatively, head to the other side of the buffet, and you’ll find an aesthetically pleasing spread of Strawberry Yogurt Cake, Pecan Nut Tarts, Black Forest Cake and more.

The Burnt Lava Cheese Tart stood out, reminding me of QUEIC’s viral version, with its crisp, buttery shell and molten cheese centre.

Ambience at RISE Restaurant

The ambience is one of the main draws at RISE Restaurant. Soaring glass ceilings make the space feel open and airy, while lush greenery around the tables adds character and life, giving the restaurant a premium feel without ever being stiff.

Even though we visited on a busy Friday, the restaurant didn’t feel cramped, thanks to the generous spacing between tables. The open layout and bright setting made for a comfortable dining experience, even with a full house.

RISE Restaurant is a five-minute walk from Bayfront MRT Station.

RISE Restaurant — Eatbook review

With a 4.3-star rating from over 2,000 Google reviews, RISE Restaurant’s daily buffets live up to the hype—even at their most affordable option. While it’s not as good as my all-time favourite hotel buffet, Colony, the impressive variety of dishes, beautiful ambience, and convenient location make RISE Restaurant a must-visit—whether you’re a tourist or a local looking to splurge on a special occasion.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out our guide to the best 1-for-1 buffet deals in Singapore for 2026. Otherwise, read our ranked guide to the best burgers in Singapore!

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Hotel Tower 1, Lobby, Singapore 018956
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 6:30am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 6:30am to 10:30pm
Website
RISE Restaurant is not halal-certified.

Photos taken by Gladys Lim.
This was a media tasting at RISE Restaurant.