Basilico

Basilico is the Italian restaurant of Conrad Singapore Orchard, on Level 2 of the hotel on Cuscaden Road. It is best known for its Italian buffet, served at weekday lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The hotel was formerly the Regent Singapore.

The buffet is built around Italian produce and traditional cooking, and the spread changes through the year. Its best-known feature is a walk-in cheese room stocked with aged Italian cheeses.

What to order

Start at the central island, where the antipasti are laid out. Expect salads, cold cuts and fresh cheeses such as burrata and mozzarella with pesto. Recent spreads have included a smoked duck salad and marinated anchovies.

Then move on to the live stations. Chefs make fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas, and there is a carving station for roast meats. A recent review singled out the wagyu beef lasagne, which has stayed on the menu for many years. A small Asian corner adds some variety.

Leave room for dessert. The sweets counter has Italian cakes and pastries, such as a pistachio and raspberry cake. The wine list leans towards Italy, if you would like a glass with your meal.

The cheese room

The Signature Cheese Room is a dimly lit space inside the restaurant that feels like a cellar, with cheeses set out on wooden boards. It holds more than 40 aged Italian cheeses, including Gorgonzola Dolce. You can walk in and choose what you like.

The full selection is out at dinner and weekend brunch, and there is less to choose from at weekday lunch. If cheese is your main reason to come, pick one of the fuller meals.

The setting

Three open kitchens curve around the round dining room, so you can watch the chefs as you walk between the stations. A large round chandelier hangs above the central island. There is also a seating area with blue armchairs that looks over the hotel atrium.

The mood is relaxed but polished. It works well for a family meal, a business lunch or a long weekend brunch with friends.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reserve ahead by phone or online, especially for weekend brunch and larger groups.
• Dietary needs: one booking site lists the restaurant as vegetarian-friendly. Tell the team about any allergies when you book.
• Which meal: lunch is the lighter option, while dinner and weekend brunch give you the full cheese room.

Nearby

The hotel sits near the Tanglin end of Orchard Road. For Korean barbecue, head up to Seoul Restaurant on Level 3 of the same hotel. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is a close neighbour. After a long lunch, the Singapore Botanic Gardens are a short taxi ride away.

See more hotel buffets and European and Italian restaurants, or all restaurants in Dempsey, Tanglin and Holland. Our Orchard Road guide covers the shopping street nearby.