A Singapore company charges you $7.50 to eat leftovers from high-end hotel buffets. I put it to the test.

Marielle DescalsotaSep 21, 2022, 14:31 IST

Singapore app Treatsure allows people to eat leftovers for less than $10.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Buffet restaurants typically have a "no takeout" policy.
In Singapore, people can pay $7.50 for a plate of leftovers from hotel buffets via an app called Treatsure.

Buffets are among the most popular restaurants in Singapore, but they can be expensive. If you fancy lunch at a five-star hotel's buffet restaurant, be prepared to shell out at least 50 Singapore dollars, or $35.50.

Clove at Swissotel Stamford.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Buffets are among the most popular restaurants in Singapore, but they can be expensive. If you fancy lunch at a five-star hotel's buffet restaurant, be prepared to shell out at least 50 Singapore dollars, or $35.50.

Intrigued by the idea of a buffet in a box, I made my way to Clove at Swissotel Stamford on a weekday afternoon.

Singapore app Treatsure.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

After scanning the app's code and paying at the cashier, I was all set to start packing food into my takeout box. There were more than a dozen options to choose from.

The author filling her Treatsure box with buffet items.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Clove offered mostly Asian fare. I had been expecting to pick through leftovers, and instead was surprised to find many buffet trays were still filled to the brim with food.

Asian fare at the buffet.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Clove offered mostly Asian fare. I had been expecting to pick through leftovers, and instead was surprised to find many buffet trays were still filled to the brim with food.

One downside to the experience was that I missed out on the tastiest dishes — those who paid full price for the hotel buffet got first pick, after all.

Near-empty buffet trays.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While adding on SG$5 for a slice of freshly cut meat sounded appetizing, I found it wasn't worth the additional cost, as there were already so many options from the buffet spread itself.

Live stations where you'd need to add on $3.50.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While adding on SG$5 for a slice of freshly cut meat sounded appetizing, I found it wasn't worth the additional cost, as there were already so many options from the buffet spread itself.

People who use Treatsure to access the buffet aren't allowed to dine in the restaurant, so I settled down at a nearby food court to eat.

Final hoard of food.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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A Singapore company charges you $7.50 to eat leftovers from high-end hotel buffets. I put it to the test.

Buffets are among the most popular restaurants in Singapore, but they can be expensive. If you fancy lunch at a five-star hotel's buffet restaurant, be prepared to shell out at least 50 Singapore dollars, or $35.50.

Intrigued by the idea of a buffet in a box, I made my way to Clove at Swissotel Stamford on a weekday afternoon.

After scanning the app's code and paying at the cashier, I was all set to start packing food into my takeout box. There were more than a dozen options to choose from.

Clove offered mostly Asian fare. I had been expecting to pick through leftovers, and instead was surprised to find many buffet trays were still filled to the brim with food.

One downside to the experience was that I missed out on the tastiest dishes — those who paid full price for the hotel buffet got first pick, after all.

While adding on SG$5 for a slice of freshly cut meat sounded appetizing, I found it wasn't worth the additional cost, as there were already so many options from the buffet spread itself.

People who use Treatsure to access the buffet aren't allowed to dine in the restaurant, so I settled down at a nearby food court to eat.