Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Singapore presents an elevated buffet experience that combines festive Chinese New Year flavors with international cuisine, all set against one of Singapore’s most spectacular dining backdrops. With their current 1-for-1 promotion bringing the price down to $69++ per person, this represents excellent value for a special occasion meal.
Ambience & Setting
Perched on Level 32 of The Westin Singapore, Seasonal Tastes commands some of the most breathtaking views in the city. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic vistas of Marina Bay and the South China Sea, offering diners a stunning backdrop that transitions beautifully from sunset to the glittering city lights at night.
The dining space strikes a balance between contemporary elegance and warmth. The interior design is sophisticated without being stuffy, featuring clean lines and neutral tones that allow the views to take center stage. The buffet stations are thoughtfully laid out with ample space between them, preventing the congestion that often plagues popular buffet venues. The atmosphere feels refined yet welcoming, making it suitable for both romantic dinners and family celebrations.
Lighting is particularly well-executed here. During early evening hours, natural light floods the space, while after sunset, the ambient lighting creates an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere. The acoustics manage to maintain a pleasant dining environment even when the restaurant is busy, with conversations remaining at comfortable levels rather than echoing throughout the space.
Service staff are attentive and professional, regularly clearing plates and refilling water without being intrusive. The reservation system keeps crowds manageable, ensuring that even during peak dining hours, the experience doesn’t feel rushed or overcrowded.
The Flourishing Dinner Buffet: An In-Depth Analysis
Premium Seafood Station
Snow Crabs The star attraction of the buffet deserves its billing. The snow crab legs arrive fresh and properly chilled, displayed on crushed ice to maintain optimal temperature. The meat is sweet, delicate, and yields easily from the shell, indicating quality sourcing and proper handling. Unlike some buffets where seafood can taste tired from sitting out, the turnover here appears brisk enough to ensure freshness. The accompanying lemon wedges and melted butter are provided, though the crab’s natural sweetness means they’re almost unnecessary. For crab enthusiasts, this alone could justify the visit.
Western Mains
Roasted Beef Striploin The beef striploin is carved to order at a live station, which is always a promising sign. The cuts are generous and cooked to a proper medium-rare, with a pink center that hasn’t been compromised by sitting under heat lamps. The exterior crust shows good caramelization, suggesting proper searing technique. The meat itself is tender with well-distributed marbling, delivering that satisfying beefy flavor without excessive chewiness. Accompanying sauces include a peppercorn sauce and horseradish cream, both well-executed and complementary rather than overpowering. The only minor critique is that during peak serving times, some cuts may be closer to medium than medium-rare.
Asian Specialties
Steamed Hainanese Chicken This local favorite is executed with competence, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of specialist hawker stalls. The chicken is properly poached, resulting in silky skin and moist meat with that characteristic jellylike texture beneath the skin. The accompanying ginger-scallion sauce and dark soy sauce are authentic, and the chili sauce has appropriate heat. However, the rice served alongside, while fragrant, lacks the intense chicken-fat richness you’d find at dedicated Hainanese chicken rice stalls. Still, as part of a broader buffet spread, it’s a solid representation of this Singaporean classic.
Singapore Laksa The laksa surprises with its authenticity and depth of flavor. The coconut-based broth is rich and creamy without being cloying, with a good balance of spice that builds gradually rather than overwhelming. The broth shows complexity, suggesting a proper rempah base with dried shrimp and belacan. Toppings include prawns, fish cake, tau pok, and cockles, with rice noodles and laksa leaves available for customization. The prawns are fresh and properly deveined. While it may not rival the best laksa specialists in the city, it’s impressively good for a hotel buffet and demonstrates genuine care in preparation rather than being a token local dish.
Interactive Station
Live Pasta Station The pasta station offers customization with a selection of pasta types, sauces, and toppings. Pastas are cooked al dente to order, which is crucial for maintaining proper texture. Sauce options typically include aglio olio, carbonara, and marinara, with proteins like prawns, chicken, and bacon available. The execution is competent though not revolutionary. The carbonara has good egg-to-cream ratio without being heavy, while the aglio olio delivers proper garlic punch with a hint of chili heat. This station works well for those wanting something lighter or for diners with specific preferences.
Dessert Selection
The dessert spread features both Western and Asian options. Western desserts include mini tarts, chocolate mousse cups, tiramisu, and a selection of cakes. The presentation is appealing, with individual portions that make sampling multiple desserts practical. Quality is consistent across the board, with the chocolate offerings being particularly well-executed—rich without being overly sweet. Asian desserts include chendol, traditional Nyonya kueh, and seasonal fruit displays. The tropical fruits are ripe and properly sweet, clearly selected with care.
The Longevity Dinner Buffet: Special Occasion Fare
This limited-availability buffet (only February 17-18) leans heavily into traditional Chinese celebratory cuisine.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall This luxurious soup traditionally requires days of preparation, incorporating premium ingredients like dried seafood, mushrooms, and various proteins in a complex broth. The version here respects the dish’s heritage with visible premium ingredients and a deeply flavored broth that shows proper time and technique. The soup is rich and nourishing without being heavy, with each spoonful revealing different textures and flavors from the various ingredients. For those unfamiliar with this dish, it’s worth trying as it represents the pinnacle of traditional Chinese banquet cuisine.
Chilli Crab Sauce with Mantou A clever adaptation of Singapore’s national dish for buffet service. Rather than serving whole crabs, the kitchen prepares a generous portion of the iconic sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce for dipping mantou (fried buns). The sauce captures the essential character of good chilli crab—tomato-based with egg ribbons, aromatic with ginger and garlic, and properly balanced between sweet and savory. The mantou are fried to order, arriving golden and crispy outside while remaining fluffy inside. They’re perfect vehicles for soaking up the sauce. This approach makes the dish more accessible and less messy while preserving what makes chilli crab special.
Value Proposition
At the standard price of $138++ per person, Seasonal Tastes positions itself in the premium buffet category, competing with establishments like Colony at The Ritz-Carlton and Edge at Pan Pacific. The quality of ingredients and execution justifies this positioning, though it wouldn’t represent exceptional value at full price.
However, the 1-for-1 promotion transforms the value equation dramatically. At $69++ per person (approximately $80 after service charge and GST), you’re paying mid-tier buffet prices for a premium experience. The inclusion of snow crab alone—which easily costs $30-40 at seafood restaurants—substantially closes the value gap. When you factor in the roasted beef striploin, laksa, and the spectacular views, the promotion represents genuinely excellent value.
The additional $10++ for yusheng is reasonable given that standalone yusheng orders at restaurants typically cost $30-60, though you’ll need a minimum of two diners to add this option.
Who Should Visit
Ideal For:
- Special occasion dining with impressive views
- CNY celebrations with family or friends
- Seafood and beef lovers
- Those seeking variety in a single meal
- Diners with the eligible credit cards for the 1-for-1 deal
Perhaps Skip If:
- You prefer intimate, quiet dining experiences
- You’re seeking cutting-edge culinary innovation
- You don’t have one of the required credit cards (full price is harder to justify)
- You have specific dietary restrictions that limit buffet enjoyment
Practical Considerations
Reservations are essential, especially for weekend dinners and the special Longevity Buffet dates. The maximum party size of 10 diners is worth noting for larger group celebrations. Arrive early in the 6pm-10pm window to maximize your dining time and enjoy the sunset views. The restaurant is not halal-certified, which may be a consideration for some diners.
Be aware of blackout dates—the Flourishing Buffet is unavailable February 16-18, while the Longevity Buffet is only available February 17-18. The promotion excludes public holidays and their eves, so plan accordingly.
Final Verdict
Seasonal Tastes delivers a well-executed buffet experience that successfully balances ambition with consistency. While individual dishes may not always reach the heights of specialized establishments, the overall package—combining quality ingredients, competent execution, stunning views, and especially the 1-for-1 pricing—makes this a compelling option for CNY dining.
The kitchen demonstrates respect for both international classics and local favorites, avoiding the common buffet pitfall of spreading itself too thin. The ambience elevates the experience beyond mere eating, making it genuinely special occasion-worthy. At the promotional price, this represents one of the better value propositions in Singapore’s competitive buffet landscape.
Recommended: Yes, especially with the 1-for-1 promotion. Book early, arrive hungry, and don’t miss the snow crab.
Address: 12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Level 32, The Westin, Singapore 018961
Hours: Daily 6pm – 10pm
Price: $138++ per person ($69++ with 1-for-1 promotion)
Tel: 6922 6888
Promotion Valid: Until March 3, 2026