2
After trying many of Singapore's halal buffet restaurants, we decided to give Atrium Restaurant a try. We genuinely wanted to like it because you can clearly see the vision behind the restaurant. Unfortunately, the execution falls short, and by the end of the meal, you begin to understand why it wasn't particularly busy.
The staff are polite and helpful, but the restaurant appears understaffed or for some, distracted with their phones. Food was only replenished after being highlighted, and even seafood utensils weren't readily available. Despite that, the team remained courteous throughout.
The biggest praise goes to the two chefs at the laksa station and sushi counter. They interacted warmly with guests, joked with children, and paid attention to the little details that made diners feel welcome. They genuinely carried the dining experience.
Recommendation: the otah, prata with chicken curry, fragrant chicken rice (although the chicken was disappointingly served cold), local kuih, and the "Latin-inspired dishes". The laksa is decent, but don't expect a strong, authentic laksa flavour.
A sure miss: Sushi, Seafood and satay
Unfortunately, the sushi rice was hard, the seafood wasn't particularly fresh, the satay and sauce were cold, and the black pepper crayfish was bland with many pieces containing little or no meat.
We also celebrated a birthday and anniversary. Since the restaurant asked for the occasion during booking, we expected at least a small acknowledgement, but there was none, making us wonder why the information was requested.
Overall, Atrium feels like a restaurant with potential but limited by manpower and inconsistent execution. Some dishes were enjoyable, but those dishes can be found elsewhere at a better price and quality.
Two of the stars given in the review belongs to the two outstanding chefs whose professionalism and hospitality genuinely made the evening better. Without them, this review would have been much harsher.
I wouldn't make Atrium my first buffet recommendation, but tourists looking for a basic introduction to Singapore food may still appreciate it. I sincerely hope the restaurant improves because the potential is definitely there.
And if you are a local, and drove here. Dont expect free parking. Moreover, the first impression upon entering the mall/hotel can be surprising. As you walk into the hotel, you will be greeted by an old-school scent. Not unpleasant, but enough to tell you this isn't the polished, luxurious five star atmosphere many diners might expect. It feels like a property with history..whether that is charming or dated depends on what you're looking for.