The Best Hotel Buffets in Manila, Whatever Your Budget

(SPOT.ph) From high thread-count bed sheets to butler service, there’s a lot to love about staying at a hotel. There’s also the convenience of the buffet, where you can get your hands on unlimited sushi, curry, noodles, steak, and so much more. But with numerous hotels around the Metro, how can you even begin to choose? To make things a little easier, here’s a guide to the hotel buffets in Metro Manila that are most worth your appetite.

Here are our picks for the best hotel buffets in Manila:

Spiral at Sofitel

Rates start at P2,000

Even if you’re not a fan of buffets, it’s hard not to enjoy the dining experience at Sofitel’s Spiral. After all, you’re bound to find something you love here, thanks to the buffet’s 21 different stations, which feature everything from flaky pastries, spicy curries, and of course, all kinds of cheese. There’s even a station dedicated to just ice cream and chocolate! Watch for specials like the Sunday Cheese Room, which offers a wine-and-cheese pairing session or the Wednesday Seafood Night, which features a selection of freshly caught seafood.

Spiral is at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. For reservations, contact (02) 8832-6988.

Heat at EDSA Shangri-La

Rates start at P1,985

EDSA Shangri-La’s Heat has been around for ages and it’s clear why it remains a crowd favorite: It knows how to surprise guests. The buffet is known for its "Mad For" nights, which places the spotlight on specific ingredients. On Fridays, the focus is on lobster, with the buffet spread having dishes like Lobster Curry, Lobster Thermidor, and even Lobster Bisque Ice Cream. On Saturdays, the spotlight is on premium Wagyu beef, with Wagyu Buns, Wagyu Laksa, and Wagyu Beef Steak Tagalog making appearances on the menu.

Heat is at Lobby Level, Tower Wing, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong. For reservations, contact (02) 8633-8888.

The Pantry at Dusit Thani

Rates start at P1,950

Dusit Thani Manila’s The Pantry focuses on the farm-to-table concept. Every dish in their buffet spread is made with ingredients sourced directly from local farmers. If Sunday brunch is a tradition for you, you’ll be pleased to know that you can sip on wine, craft beer, and even mimosas, while making your way through their buffet.

The Pantry is at Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City. For reservations, contact (02) 8238-8888.

Marriott Café at Marriott 

Rates start at P1,600

Marriott Café not only has a variety of dishes from all around the world, they also pride themselves on their extensive seafood offerings, which ranges from an assortment of local fish all the way to large tiger prawns and lobsters. These can be cooked any way you like and with a wide variety of sauces like roasted garlic, cilantro pesto, and lime butter. Their marbled interiors also lend an elegant vibe to the restaurant.

Marriott Café is at G/F Marriott Hotel Manila, 2 Resorts Drive, Pasay City. For reservations, contact (02) 8988-9999.

Café Ilang-Ilang at The Manila Hotel

Rates start at P1,550

There’s a reason Café Ilang-Ilang at the Manila Hotel seems to always be fully booked: They always have something new to offer. Their breakfast and lunch buffet offerings are already pretty decent, featuring favorites like Chinese, Japanese, and of course Filipino cuisine, but if you really want to get the full experience, make the trip to Manila during dinner time. Café Ilang-Ilang highlights different dishes that fall under one theme every night of the week. There’s International Buffet on Mondays and Sundays, Tuesday Mediterranean Nights, Wednesday Asian Nights, Surf and Turf on Thursdays, Seafood Night on Fridays, and Amercian Nights on Saturdays.

Café Ilang-Ilang is at Manila Hotel, 1 Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila. For reservations, contact (02) 8527-0011.

Medley at Okada Manila

Rates start at P1,400

Dining at Okada Manila’s Medley Buffet feels like you’re watching a show. There’s an open kitchen right at the center of the buffet, which allows diners to see their selected dishes being made by a team of expert chefs. There’s a total of seven buffet stations here, which range from Chinese to Italian, as well as a generous selection of fresh seafood. Also not to be missed is their dessert bar, which stocks cakes, chocolates, and kakanin (native rice cakes).

Medley is at G/F Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Parañaque City. For reservations, call (02) 8555-5799.

Market Café at New World Manila Bay Hotel

Rates start at P1,400

Have you ever wished buffets offered something more than what’s in their stations? New World Manila Bay Hotel’s Market Café lets guests pick and choose ingredients and dishes they want, thanks to the buffet’s market-style presentation. This allows for a totally customizable experience that’s made entertaining by the open kitchen set-up. Plus, unlimited drinks are already included in the initial buffet price. 

Market Café is at 3/F New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila City. For reservations, contact (02) 8252-8888.

Cucina at Marco Polo Ortigas

Rates start at P1,399

Here’s a bit of trivia about Marco Polo’s Cucina: National Artist Jinggoy Buensuceso helped design the hotel restaurant’s interiors. The minimalist aesthetic help provide a sharp contrast to the hotel’s buffet spread, which is composed of several stations for salads, breads, desserts, and specialties like paella, roast pork, and beef noodle soup. You can even catch a glimpse of your dishes being prepared, thanks to the buffet’s interactive open kitchen.

Cucina is at 24/F Sky Lobby, Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For reservations, contact (02) 8720-7777.

Corniche at Diamond Hotel

Rates start at P1,380

The buffet at Diamond Hotel’s Corniche may not be as extensive as other hotels, but they more than make up for it by offering a carefully selected spread. There’s freshly made sushi, perfectly roasted lamb and turkey, as well as homemade ice cream. Also not to be missed are their theme nights, offering Flavors of China on Thursdays, Seafood Night on Fridays, and Steak Nights on Saturdays.

Corniche is at the Diamond Hotel, Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila City. For reservations, contact (02) 8528-3000.

S Kitchen at Sheraton

Rates start at P1,450

Sheraton Manila’s S Kitchen is a haven for all things Filipino food. Step into the restaurant and the first thing that will catch your eye are chickens being roasted over open coals and a whole roasted pig on display. There’s also an impressive display of native delicacies like rice cakes as well as a DIY halo-halo station. Plus, the kitchen uses locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, aimed at helping local communities. 

S Kitchen is at Sheraton Manila Hotel, 80 Andrews Avenue, Pasay City. For reservations, (02) 7902-1800.

Spectrum at Fairmont Makati

Rates start at P1,450

From its clean, modern interiors to its impressive buffet spread, Spectrum at Fairmont Makati is a culinary experience that you shouldn’t miss. Whether you’re in the mood for Indian, Arabic, or Filipino, Spectrum has dishes for you. Don’t miss their impressive carving station either—it’s pretty much complete with roasted prime rib, porchetta, and roast beef. 

Spectrum is at G/F Fairmont Makati, 1 Raffles Drive corner Makati Avenue, Makati City. For reservations, contact (02) 8795-1840.

Circles Event Café at Makati Shangri-La

Rates start at P1,450

If you're after a relaxing ambience and an extensive spread, you might want to check out Circles Event Café at Makati Shangri-La. The restaurant showcases cuisines ranging from Western favorites to Indian fare via open-theater kitchens, so you can take a peek on how your food is prepared before it gets to your plate. On weekends, they offer The Cookout, a dining concept that takes inspiration from casual weekend cookouts with the family. Aside from the international buffet spread, a grilling station, and carving station, this dining experience also comes with live entertainment and activities for kids.

Circles Event Café is at the Lobby Level of Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City. For reservations, contact (02) 8814-2580.

High Street Café at Shangri-La at the Fort

Rates start at P1,350

Shangri-La at the Fort’s High Street Café prides itself on taking its guests on a culinary journey without having to leave the city. High Street Café features nine buffet stations called Neighborhoods, which put the spotlight on famous cuisines from around the world. They also feature a Seafood Bucket Buffet, where you can fill up buckets with freshly caught seafood like shrimp, mussels, and crabs. There’s even a DIY poke bowl station!

High Street Café is at Shangri-La at the Fort, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City. For reservations, contact (02) 8820-8888.

Fresh International Buffet at Solaire

Rates start at P1,100

At first glance, Solaire’s Fresh International Buffet seems like any other hotel buffet in the Metro, serving both Asian and Western cuisines. But what makes them unique is their impressive seafood spread, where you can get your hands on lobsters, crabs, shrimps, mussels, and so much more. You can even get them cooked however you like, whether it’s steamed, grilled, or fried. The ambience seems to be a combination of East and West, too, marrying the Zen touch of wood and stone with the modern look of embedded lights and metallic accents.

Fresh International Buffet is at Solaire Resort & Casino, 1 Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City. For reservations,  contact (02) 8888-8888.

Food Exchange at Novotel

Rates start at P888

If you’re looking to expand your palate from the usual buffet offerings, consider putting Novotel Manila’s Food Exchange on your list. This hotel restaurant is home to an extensive spread of Indian cuisine, all made with spices that came all the way from Mumbai. And if you’re the type who always needs to adjust your food’s salt levels, you’ll be pleased to know that Food Exchange has a station dedicated to the stuff. You can take your pick from smoked salt, Himalayan pink salt, roasted garlic salt, and even peppercorn salt.

Food Exchange is at G/F Novotel, General Aguinaldo Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City. For reservations, contact (02) 8990-7888.

Update as of November 28: A previous version of the article included Shang Palace, which does not offer buffet-style dining. It has been replaced with Circles Event Cafe.