[Review] A Hearty Weekend Feast at Swensen’s Unlimited Featuring 12-Hour Slow Roasted O.P. Beef Rib and Ice Cream Galore

My son Asher and I recently visited Swensen’s Unlimited at VivoCity on a Saturday noon and this was our first time trying this buffet concept, after hearing so many great reviews from my friends and colleagues. We had arrived with empty stomachs and somewhat mixed expectations as Swensen’s has always been more familiar to us as an ice cream and casual dining brand. After we had our fill, I am thrilled to share that the massive spread of nostalgic classics and modern buffet staples delivered a memorable afternoon feast.

The first thing that stood out when we walked through the buffet line was how wide the selection was. The prices are pretty reasonable, starting from just S$30 for a child and S$50 for an adult for weekend lunch:

Note that there is a 90 minutes dining time, which in our opinion, is more than enough for a hearty meal.

There were Western dishes, Asian inspired options, local favourites and even a seafood section, all laid out in a way that made it easy to keep going back for more. It is the kind of buffet where you are encouraged to try a bit of everything, and I found myself doing exactly that.

The food mainly zeroed in on familiar, Swensen’s favourites like fish and chips, lasagna and baked rice. It is not trying to be overly complicated or experimental, but instead focuses on hearty dishes that work well in a buffet setting.

The highlight of our visit was clearly the new Premium Grain Fed O.P. Beef Rib, which is slow roasted for over 12 hours and served exclusively during weekends from Friday nights to Sundays.

Watching it being carved live and served directly at the station added a nice touch of theatre to the experience.

The meat was tender, juicy and carried a deep roasted flavour that made it stand out from the rest of the buffet offerings. Among everything I ate that day, this was easily my favourite dish and the one I went back for a second helping.

While the mains across the buffet are generally more comfort food in style, they do their job well in the context of an all you can eat setup. It is not the kind of place you come to for refined plating or intricate culinary techniques, but rather for a satisfying, filling meal where you can sample a wide range of dishes without overthinking it.

Dessert, however, is where Swensen’s Unlimited really shines.

The ice cream selection is a major highlight, with a wide variety of flavours that includes both classic favourites and newer Zer0 sugar options. I appreciated that there were choices like matcha, pistachio, coffee and mango in the Zer0 range, alongside familiar staples such as vanilla, strawberry and sticky chewy chocolate. The zero sugar options were surprisingly good and did not feel like a compromise in taste.

What makes the dessert section even more fun is the ability to build your own sundaes. There is a playful element to it, especially if you enjoy mixing flavours and toppings to create your own combinations. I can see how this would be especially popular with families or anyone dining in groups.

For those who like challenges, there is a fun contest running called the #UnlimitedSundaeShowdown where you can build your dream sundae, post it online, and potentially win a year’s worth of Swensen’s Unlimited buffet passes.

Overall, Swensen’s Unlimited is less about individual standout dishes across the board and more about the overall experience of abundance. You come here to eat freely, try different things and definitely leave space for ice cream. The new slow roasted O.P. beef rib does elevate the weekend experience significantly, making it feel more special than a standard buffet visit.

For a first visit, I walked away feeling satisfied, especially because of that beef rib and the generous dessert selection. It is the kind of place I would consider returning to again for a casual, hearty weekend meal.

For reservation and other details, visit the official Swensen’s Unlimited website.