Swensen’s Unlimited at Terminal 2 in Changi Airport Singapore offers an exciting value for money buffet experience. Since Terminal 2 had undergone renovations, it had introduced new additions, including the revamped Swensen’s restaurant. This outlet now features a buffet spread instead of the regular à la carte menu.
Swensen’s is one of the enduring American franchise brands still operating in Singapore. On some history, Swensen’s was established in San Francisco in 1948 by Earle Swensen, who learned to make ice cream while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The American family restaurant is largely known for its quality ice cream and casual dining experience. It blended Earle Swensen’s passion for creating premium ice cream with innovative flavors that complimented the restaurant’s inspired concept.
Henceforth on a global expansion, the first Swensen’s outlet in Singapore opened in 1979, introducing American-style family dining and ice cream sundaes to the local scene. Unlike other American diners like Denny’s, Friday’s, and Chili’s which came and left Singapore’s shores, Swensen’s has remained strong in Singapore. Currently, there are two Swensen’s Unlimited locations: one at Changi Airport Terminal 2 Arrivals and another at VivoCity Mall, which replaced an existing Earle’s Swensen’s restaurant.
Swensen’s menu in buffet form
At Changi Airport Terminal 2, Swensen’s Unlimited offers a buffet catering the masses seeking value for money buffet dining. The buffet features a wide selection of hot dishes, salads, desserts, and their signature ice creams. Swensen’s touts to bring their signature staple à-la-carte offerings to their buffet scene, laid out like an international hotel buffet.
Also, you pay for your meal in full before being seated and issued a red wristband to identify yourself as a buffet diner. This also allows you to leave the restaurant premises to use the toilets located outside the restaurant. Queues for a table are common, especially during peak hours, with both walk-ins and reservations available.
On a walkaround of the food options, most of the cooked foods resides along a kitchen wall, running lengthwise across the entire restaurant. You can see the kitchen behind glass, the counters are home rows of food warmers housing Asian and Western dishes. Notable cooked food items include baked rice, pasta, and western mini burgers. There is also fresh seafood, though not quite their best offerings. More on that later.
Also, Swensen’s aims to bring its signature offerings to the buffet scene. Over the years, the brand has expanded its menu to include both Western and Asian cuisines and themed buffet options.
Asian and western selections
The buffet includes savoury and sweet options. Highlights include crayfish in sauce, salmon, chicken breast, and mini burgers. Staples like rice and fried noodles (mee goreng) are also available. A standout is the creamy chicken lasagne, praised for its rich flavour and texture. Asian dishes such as chicken curry and fried rice cater to local tastes. Crispy fried chicken wings are well-seasoned and consistently popular. Seafood options, including garlic butter prawns, are fresh and flavourful.
Western offerings include fries, fish fillets, and two soup options—one clear and one cream-based. The roast section offers beef, meatloaf, turkey, and ham, especially during festive periods.
However, the roast items are mediocre in quality and portions, cooked to medium-well. The thin-crust pizzas, prepared fresh, are a better option, they are light with generous toppings making them a favourite.
A selection of baked rice options includes fish, chicken, and curry bases, along with pasta dishes prepared to your preference. Interestingly, there are no Japanese sashimi or sushi offerings, which limits its claim as an international buffet.
Also, the cold section includes seafood and salads, but the variety is underwhelming. The seafood section offers crayfish, prawns, and clams but lacks more premium offerings like oysters, lobsters and snow crab. Salads are fresh but sometimes limited in dressing options. The quality and freshness of the seafood is a mixed bunch too, generally I had no issues with the seafood, but do note they are not the cream of the crop, so do check for freshness when picking your fair of raw seafood.
Also, food replenishment is timely, ensuring minimal waiting for popular items. However, peak hours can lead to longer queues and slower plate clearing. If you prefer bold flavors, avoid the stir-fried noodles, which can be bland.
Ice cream buffet, a highlight
Desserts are a highlight at Swensen’s buffet. The dessert island claim to feature 48 rotating ice cream flavors (which I could physically verify counting across two ice cream counters). These are served from staff who offer 3 scoops of your choice in a small sundae cup. You can also have your ice cream on a bed of waffles too.
The ice cream is of good quality, they are thick and not watered down. There is also a notable selection of favourite flavours such as dark chocolate, mint, and durian. From here, you can have a go to recreate Swensen’s classic sundaes. The impressive ice cream condiment station includes classic toppings like chocolate syrup, rainbow sprinkles, Swensen’s biscuits and cherries to name afew.
Also, you could even attempt their signature Earthquake Sundae, a multi-flavor creation. The condiments and dressings are not limited to just ice cream and can be universally used for any items you see fit.
I particularly liked Swensen’s sticky chocolate toffee sundaes, though replicating the dessert myself to restaurant-level quality is challenging. It would be helpful if staff assisted in creating these classics, or maybe have a guide to make these Swensen’s classic favourites.
Still, if you are into ice cream, this extensive dessert selection is for you, making it a central part of the buffet experience even by itself. Maybe Swensens could offer a separate ice cream buffet offering.
On top of the ice cream is also a selection of Nonya cakes and desserts, waffles and apple crumble too. Additional dessert counter options include durian puree, free-flow waffles, chendol, and a chocolate fondue station with fruits and marshmallows. The durian puree is one to try, it is thick, though not as rich and reminiscent of the that we tried at the Asian Market cafe.
Value dinner buffet
Pricing for Swensen’s Unlimited starts at $25 for lunch and $38 for dinner on weekdays. Weekend prices are higher, at $50 for lunch and $60 for dinner like this dine-in. Festive periods, like Christmas, feature a premium menu priced around the $69 per person. While $60 per person may seem steep for a dinner, it remains competitive compared to hotel buffets with similar offerings, in the sub-$70-80 range. It might so sound like a bargain with hotel buffet prices often creeping up exceeding $100 per person today. The value-for money is echoed by the restaurant’s popularity, with long queues even at 9pm near the 11pm closing time.
The dining atmosphere at Swensen’s T2 is vibrant and bustling. The space is spacious and brightly lit, suitable for families and groups. Also, service staff are attentive and maintain cleanliness promptly. Buffet counters are well-organized, ensuring easy navigation.
However, the restaurant do enforces a strict 90-minute dining time, with different staff constantly reminding you when your time is nearly up- which can be rather irritating at times. Dining here is pretty much all business touch and go, and not quite the restaurant if you wish to spend an evening catching up with friends or family over food.
All in all, Swensen’s T2 Unlimited buffet delivers tad an enjoyable dining experience with diverse options and signature ice creams. Highlights include the creamy chicken lasagne, Earthquake Sundae, and garlic butter prawns. If you are here just for the food, the buffet offers a mix of quality, variety, and affordability, making it a worthwhile dining option at Changi Airport. Though I would minus points-off my recommendation for the rather rigid and limited buffet timing, which would otherwise make for a better dining experience.
This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.
Verdict:
Must Go! | Actually pretty Good | Worth Trying | Shortlist Optionally | Should Avoid
Swensen’s Unlimited Buffet T2 Makan Place Locality Map
Unit #01-03, 60 Airport Boulevard Singapore Changi Airport,
Changi Airport Terminal 2 Arrival Hall (Public Area),
Singapore 819643
Opening Hours: 11 am- 11 pm daily
