We Tried Basilico’s $68++ Italian Buffet: Over 40 Cheeses, Wagyu Lasagna And More

Basilico has an Italian buffet at Conrad Singapore Orchard

My colleague has been raving about Basilico for weeks now. According to her, it’s the place her whole family goes to for every special occasion, and obviously, this led me to have some high expectations.

Basilico is located at Conrad Singapore Orchard, offering an Italian buffet built around seasonal produce sourced from the motherland. We went down for the Weekday Lunch ($68++ per person), which runs under the seasonal theme “A Feast Of Summer” till the end of August. Basilico also runs a Weekend Brunch ($128++ per person) and Dinner ($98++ per person).

The menu changes every few months, and on our visit, the lunch buffet leaned into Mediterranean coastal flavours, with fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and sun-ripened produce taking centre stage. 

24 Best Buffets In Singapore For All Budgets, Including Hotel Buffets, Outdoor BBQ And More

Food at Basilico

We started at the antipasti spread, which had a generous selection of cold cuts, including Salami, Cooked Ham, and Parma Ham, alongside seasonal salads such as Radicchio Salad, Artichoke Salad, and Chickpea and Bell Pepper Salad.

Drawn in by the thin slices of duck breast, I went straight for the Smoked Duck Salad, which had just enough char and saltiness to feel more substantial than your usual salad starter. I also enjoyed the Artichoke Salad, which was lighter on the palate with a hint of acidity. I liked how the artichoke hearts added a slightly briny note.

One dish that genuinely surprised me was the Marinated Anchovies. This traditional Italian antipasto is especially common along the southern coastal regions. Unlike the overly fishy, salty anchovies you might find on pizzas, these were cured in a light vinegar and lemon marinade, which mellowed the brine and left the fish tasting clean.

Onto the cheeses, which honestly could warrant its own separate review. The Signature Cheese Room, featuring over 40 varieties housed in its own chilled space, is only available during dinner and weekend brunch. At weekday lunch, the selection runs smaller, but there was still a solid spread of cheeses to try.

The whole display came beautifully set up, with little tags explaining the texture and intensity of each cheese, alongside suggested pairings such as dried kiwi, walnuts, and honey served on the side.

The Burrata was the obvious crowd-pleaser. Soft, milky, and oozy in the middle, it’s best eaten simply with a drizzle of olive oil or a touch of truffle honey to bring out its richness. They also offered Mozzarella with Pesto, which added a herby brightness to an otherwise mild cheese. For those who like a bit of funk, the Gorgonzola Dolce was a standout, featuring a tangy, sharp bite that paired beautifully with the grapes laid out alongside.

There were three pizza flavours available on our visit. The Pizza Margherita was the most classic of the bunch, while the Pizza With Mixed Cold Cuts was the heartiest option, topped with a mix of cured pork and nuts.

Our favourite was the Pizza With Eggplant, and while it was a vegetarian option, it shone for its well-balanced flavours. The eggplant was roasted till soft and slightly sweet, almost caramelised in parts, playing off beautifully against the savoury, salty notes from the cheese. It didn’t feel like a “vegetarian substitute” pizza at all.

For pasta, the must-order is clearly the Wagyu Beef Lasagna, which has been on Basilico’s menu for the past 15 years. After trying it, it’s easy to see why this dish has stuck around. The Wagyu beef bolognese was rich and savoury, with a subtle depth that hinted at a slow braise. The pasta sheets held their structure well without turning soggy, and the whole thing was finished with a generous shaving of aged Parmesan on top, adding a nutty finish that tied everything together.

Among the mains, the Beef Meatball Stew was, hands down, my favourite dish of the entire spread. The meatballs were tender and well-packed, holding together nicely without turning dense or rubbery, while the stew reminded me of the kind of home-style cooking I experienced during my trip to Italy. A touch of alcohol in the tomato-based stew gave it a deeper, slightly tangy richness that cut through the heartiness of the meatballs.

We also made our way to the carving station, featuring a whole lamb leg and Australian beef. While I don’t usually fancy lamb, I found myself enjoying this one—it was tender with a good amount of fattiness running through it, giving it a richer, more succulent bite. It also had none of that gamey lamb smell that often turns people off lamb.

The beef, on the other hand, was leaner and slightly chewier, though it still held its own when paired with the mint sauce on the side. A touch of added salt also helped to draw out more flavour from the meat.

A quick mention for those who like local or Asian food at buffets: there’s a small Asian corner here exclusive to Basilico’s lunch buffet, with comfort dishes such as Mee Goreng, Roti Jala, Sambal Salmon, and Kapitan Curry Chicken.

Finally, when we moved onto desserts, we were spoilt for choice with an impressive spread of cakes, bread pudding, and ice cream. Basilico’s dessert spread didn’t feel like an afterthought and was honestly one of the better ones I’ve had at a buffet.

The Pistachio and Raspberry Cake was the perfect way to end my meal. The pistachio-infused mousse was nutty and slightly savoury, contrasting nicely against the tartness of the raspberry glaze that coated the cake. It wasn’t overly sweet either, which made it easy to finish in one go.

We Tried This 4.7-Star Buffet At Hilton Singapore Orchard—Is It Worth $68++?

Ambience at Basilico

Beyond the food, Basilico itself is a sight to behold, with distinct dining sections spread across a wide space. There’s a circular layout with three open kitchens and a striking 360-degree chandelier hanging above the central island where the appetisers sit.

Tucked in another corner is a cosier seating area with patterned blue armchairs and warm wooden cabinets overlooking the hotel’s atrium and spiral staircase. Elsewhere, a long marble-topped bar counter with hanging brass pendant lights gives off a more lounge-like ambience.

But the real showstopper, in my opinion, is the Signature Cheese Room. It’s rustic and almost cellar-like, with wheels and wedges of cheese laid out on wooden boards under warm, dim lighting, surrounded by jars of honey, fresh grapes, and bottles of Italian wine. It genuinely feels like you’ve stepped into a little corner of Italy, and it is easily one of the most photogenic parts of the buffet.

Basilico is a five-minute walk from Orchard Boulevard MRT Station.

Basilico – Eatbook review

Between the strength of the cheese selection, the consistently good mains, and the seasonality of the spread, it’s no wonder my colleague offered such high praise. I left completely stuffed, but also a little embarrassed it took me this long to finally give Basilico a try—this is genuinely one of the best hotel buffets I’ve had. 

What works is that the lunch spread doesn’t try to be everything. It’s leaner than what most dinners or weekend brunches would offer, but everything in the lineup is done well. If you’re a fan of Italian food, this one’s worth the visit, and I’m already looking forward to coming back to try the dinner spread.

If you’re looking for dining deals, read our list of best 1-for-1 buffet deals in Singapore. Thai food lovers who want something more affordable can check out Bangkok Jam’s new Thai buffet.

Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, Conrad Singapore Orchard, Level 2, Singapore 249715
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 3pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 3:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6725 3232
Website
Basilico is not halal-certified.

Bangkok Jam Launches $19.90++ Thai Buffet Dinner With 19 Dishes

Photos taken by Nathania Tay.
This was a media tasting at Basilico.