Capella Singapore’s The Knolls
Photo Courtesy of Capella Hotels and Resorts
Thanks to some bold, envelope-pushing kitchens around the globe, “buffet” has gone from a six-letter word to a three-letter one — VIP. We found six spreads that are so lavish, so over-the-top, that they’ll forever have you rethinking the bland, cookie-cutter experience you remember from Sundays past.
The Knolls at Capella Singapore
The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Capella Singapore, located on the satellite island of Sentosa, once served as British military barracks. Understandably, the Colonial-era property has a long and storied pedigree in feeding the masses. But today’s buffet is no soldier’s chow. Taking a cue from its idyllic seafront setting, The Knolls serves a new Mediterranean Sunday brunch that pairs live-action gourmet cooking stations with a band — and dancing is encouraged. In between numbers, indulge in fresh seafood, fine lamb and suckling pig, an array of cheeses and an extensive dessert selection. Add unlimited wine — or unlimited wine and Taittinger Champagne — for an additional fee.
The Breakers Palm Beach, Photo Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach
The Circle at The Breakers Palm Beach
A tradition for more than 25 years, Sunday brunch in The Circle at the Four-Star Palm Beach hotel happens against a stunning backdrop of ocean views — all the better to get you ready for a full raw bar with Alaskan king crab legs, shrimp, sushi, domestic caviar and smoked fish. Breakfast lovers will find Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict and a made-to-order omelet station, while more lunch-focused stations offer pasta, fresh fish, carved ham, beef tenderloin and more. Or keep it light with salads, imported cheeses, pâté and baked breads from the house pastry shop. A strolling harpist ties it all together, moving from table to table.
Toucan Charlie’s at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
The “Biggest Little City in the World” takes the buffet concept seriously, but nowhere so much as Toucan Charlie’s in Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, with specialty nights such as Friday’s seafood feast, Saturday’s surf and turf and Sunday’s beloved Champagne brunch. After hitting the slopes this winter, fuel up on made-to-order proteins such as omelets, Mongolian barbecue and roasted or fried chicken. Juicy prime rib is also hand-carved daily for both lunch and dinner.
Intercontinental Hong Kong’s Harbourside, Photo Courtesy of Intercontinental Hong Kong
Harbourside at Intercontinental Hong Kong
Clinging to the famous Hong Kong harbor’s edge, the Five-Star InterContinental Hong Kong keeps its gorgeous Harbourside buffet/à la carte hybrid open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, letting you decide when to partake in Western, Asian and Indian menus. So, yes, you can have your Cajun prawn Caesar salad and chicken tikka masala with a side of Hainanese chicken rice. There’s even an iHealth menu, with recommendations for conscious eaters, including pan-fried garoupa filet for those who wish to increase their intake of antioxidants.
Bacchanal at Caesars Palace
With the Freshtxt virtual queue holding your place, daily chef’s specials and baked-to-order soufflés, Las Vegas has perfected the art of the buffet. The city that made the live-action cooking station the standard for high-end spreads has taken the notion a step further with individually portioned servings at Bacchanal Buffet’s nine show kitchens. Sample Japanese curry, pizza from a wood-burning oven, fresh sopapillas (fried pastry), hand-rolled sushi, individual baked lasagna, charcuterie and crêpes. Chef Ryan Primo Nuqui’s newest specials are especially redolent of autumn: butternut squash ravioli in Frangelico cream sauce and crispy artichokes in a citrus Romesco. And here, Champagne brunch spans both Saturday and Sunday.
Dining Room at Park Hyatt Shanghai
While its iconic screwdriver-shaped design dazzles from the outside, this Four-Star gem in Shanghai sparkles in numerous ways from the interior as well — one of them being with a Sunday lobster brunch in the 87th-floor Dining Room that runneth over with flavors. Elegantly prepared crustaceans may be the marquee item here, yet they’re far from the only stars on the menu. Banana pancakes, mushroom risotto and free-flowing Taittinger Champagne (for an added cost) tell a magnificent culinary story that locals and visitors enjoy every week. Should you need any more help painting a memorable dining experience, breathtaking views onto the cityscape from your table can help.
