embu

embu is the all-day buffet restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, on level 3 of the hotel at Marina Bay. It serves breakfast, weekday lunch, weekend brunch and dinner. The spread covers local, Asian, Indian and Western food, from premium seafood to wood-fired pizzas.

The name is taken from the tembusu, a heritage tree in Singapore with sweet-smelling flowers. The hotel pitches embu as a place for families and friends to linger over a long meal.

What to order

Many diners head first to the Seafood Colosseum. This chilled display holds seasonal oysters, Boston lobster, mud crab, tiger prawns, mussels and clams. Snow crab is added on Friday and Saturday nights.

Many hot dishes rotate, so the choice changes from day to day. At dinner, expect stations such as:

• A Japanese counter with sashimi, sushi and cold cha soba
• A noodle station with dishes like prawn laksa or Ipoh hor fun
• A carving board with roasts such as beef striploin or leg of lamb
• Local and Chinese dishes, which can include chilli crab with mantou and bak kut teh
• Thai curries, stir-fries and pad Thai
• An Indian corner with tandoori items, curries, dal and naan

On Friday and Saturday nights, a barbecue station also grills king prawns and wagyu steak to order. Leave space for dessert. The signature chocolate cake is the best-known sweet. You will also find Nonya kueh such as ondeh ondeh and kueh dadar, egg tarts, fresh waffles and a chocolate fountain.

The setting

The indoor dining room is filled with greenery, which gives it a calm, garden-like feel. There is also an outdoor patio if you would rather eat in the open air. It is a calm spot, even though the busy Marina Bay waterfront is only a few minutes away.

Good to know before you go

• embu is set up for families. The Little Fan Corner serves children's favourites such as nuggets, potato wedges, sandwiches and popcorn.
• You can book a table through the hotel website or by phone.
• The hotel posts separate menus for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and kids. It notes that dishes are subject to change.
• Open flames are not allowed, and this includes birthday candles. Plan your cake with that in mind.

Getting there and nearby

embu is inside Mandarin Oriental, Singapore at 5 Raffles Avenue. After a meal, you can walk to the Marina Bay waterfront. The Singapore Flyer and the Helix Bridge are both within walking distance.

For other spreads, see our list of hotel buffets in Singapore. You can also browse restaurants in Marina Bay and the CBD. Our guide to things to do in Marina Bay will help you plan the rest of the day.