NYX at One Ayala is an upscale, hotel-style buffet concept by the Vikings Group that delivers a refined dining experience with thoughtful service, premium international spreads like sashimi and carving stations, luxe specialty items, and unlimited wines and cocktails—all set in a sleek, modern space at One Ayala in Makati, making it perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
We made a mistake with our buffet strategy on our first visit, so this guide breaks down what to expect, how to properly pace and strategize your fine-dining buffet experience, the must-not-miss dishes, and the key nuances that set it apart from NIU, other Vikings buffets, and even hotel buffets—so you can truly maximize the ₱2,388 per head experience.
NYX, One Ayala
A Gastronomic Experience
📞 (+632) 8845-4647
dress code: smart casual to elegant attire
NYX is pet-friendly: Small pets are welcome
Provided they are kept in a stroller, crate, or pet bag at all times.
@nyx.oneayala
DECIDE: WHICH PREMIUM ITEM?
First, they provide one complimentary serving of a luxe item per guest—so choose wisely. These are not unlimited, and if you’re dining with family or friends, it’s smart to order different selections so everyone can taste and share.
HOKKAIDO OYSTERS
Lightly Poached, lemon-Tabasco sorbet, ikura, caviar, cold, briny, and a little extra
This is my personal favorite—but make sure you have something in your stomach first before diving in. It’s not really meant for sharing, and it’s best fully enjoyed on your own—especially if you’re a true oyster lover.
U.S. SCALLOP
Pan-Seared – French carbonara, seaweed dust, angel hair, dressed up and showing off
The big, succulent scallops are quite good, especially when paired with the creamy carbonara pasta.
BEEF WELLINGTON
Smoked salt, black garlic horseradish aioli.
crisp shell, tender secret inside
This is a mini version of the Beef Wellington, served with a good portion of beef and mushrooms—sulit.
LOBSTER
Half-Shelled Thermidor, buttery, golden,
and absolutely not for sharing
The baked lobsters come with a torched, cheesy finish. Their quality can vary, so how good they are really depends on the lobster itself.
FOIE GRAS
Pan-Seared, mango & peach chutney,
dressed frisée, smooth talk with a sweet finish
The foie gras is rich and indulgent, and best enjoyed with steak or other meats rather than on its own.
DON’T REPEAT OUR MISTAKE
What we did was pure takaw tingin—we went to every buffet station, ordered everything we liked, and though we expected a delay, everything was served at once. It got a bit chaotic trying to photograph the food and figure out what to eat first before it got cold.
The best approach is to treat your buffet like a 5-course fine-dining meal: start with appetizers, move to mains, and finish with desserts, planning drink and wine pairings with each course.
Skip the small plated items—they’re meant for variety but are often not executed well and frequently served cold.
I wouldn’t recommend the fried items either, as they’re usually pre-cooked, simply plated, and often arrive cold—losing their crispiness.
APPETIZERS
Start with the unlimited dimsum appetizers—they’re quite good, especially the siomai. Served in bamboo containers, they stay hot and fresh.
We love the sashimi, especially the salmon—you can indulge without feeling too full or guilty. Pair it with the unlimited sake, which elevates the flavors and cleanses your palate.
Take your time and savor choosing your sushi, maki, tataki, or aburi, and pair each bite with sake.
You can enjoy the tiger prawns and mussels as pulutan, cooked either in garlic butter or simply halabos.
Create your own grazing charcuterie plate with Jamon Iberico slices while sipping a glass of Rioja red.
Add slices of Brie, blue cheese, and Gouda, and pair them with a glass of white wine.
For soup, we tried the Seafood Laksa, Vegetarian Tom Yum, and Beef Curry Udon, and loved the Seafood Laksa. Just eat it right away since the bowls don’t keep it warm.
Noodle soups are also available, perfect if you’re craving ramen or Chinese-style noodles.
We love the Saikoro Cubes! Great with fried rice — nakarami kaming order.
MAKE YOUR OWN DRINK PAIRING
They serve a nice Italian white wine …
… and Rioja reds—choose a full-bodied one to pair perfectly with the steaks.
Here’s something new—unlimited sake to enjoy with your sushi and sashimi!
You can pair each of your dish with unli cocktails and make your own pairing.
I like the gin-based Nocturne—not too sweet, balanced drink, and pairs well with the dishes.
But best of all—don’t miss the Yogurt Soda from Nutrifizz, located near the jamons!
MAINS
Some diners go straight for the steak—make sure to order it medium or medium-rare.
Eating plenty of the roast beef makes your payment sulit, but be sure to pace yourself.
Order a slice of lamb leg for some meat variety.
For mains, you can indulge on lechon belly and lots of salmon.
…and additional salmon options for variety, perfect for health-conscious diners or seniors.
DESSERTS
For dessert, the macarons and chocolates are really good. (Had to sneak some for take out)
Yugi kept going back for the macarons, trying every flavor.
There are also small cake slices, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.
But best of all — we love the Ice Cream vs.
… Gelato stations.
The most popular flavor is the Biscoff Cookie Butter gelato.
So many flavors to mix and match!
If it’s your birthday, they serve a macaron cake with a shot of tequila!
FINAL THOUGHTS
NYX can be a better alternative to hotel buffets or fine-dining restaurants, especially if you want to make every peso count while satisfying the cravings of the whole family—kids, teens, adults, seniors, and especially foodies and wine/sake lovers. The main difference from other Vikings buffets is the service: you can organize your meal in courses, enjoy dishes while they’re hot, and take full advantage of attentive service. Portions are served individually, like tapas or pintxos, rather than family-style, letting each diner enjoy their NYX experience their way. The unlimited wine, sake, and cocktails are a big draw, making it perfect for milestone celebrations.
Don’t expect everything to be perfect just yet, as they’re still stabilizing operations. During our visit, the duck and lobsters weren’t up to par, and we gave feedback so future diners can enjoy a better experience. I also like that each guest has their own personal space—almost like a private room—while still feeling part of the communal dining experience.
NYX, One Ayala
A Gastronomic Experience
📞 (+632) 8845-4647
dress code: smart casual to elegant attire
NYX is pet-friendly: Small pets are welcome
Provided they are kept in a stroller, crate, or pet bag at all times.
@nyx.oneayala
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to the NYX team for inviting us to the opening of NYX at One Ayala. ✨🍷
P.S. We got a bit lost finding it since One Ayala can be tricky if you’re not familiar. NYX is on the tech/gadgets floor on the 4th level—head to the alfresco area facing Glorietta.
