I visited The Knolls on a Sunday just after 12pm, which is when their weekend brunch service begins. The first thing that stood out wasn’t the food, it was the shift in environment. Compared to most brunch spots in the city, this one feels removed, almost intentionally so.
Located within Capella Singapore in Sentosa, the restaurant sits in a quieter, more open space. You’re not dealing with mall traffic or street noise. Instead, you get a view of greenery, pools, and a more relaxed layout. It immediately sets a different tone for the meal.
The pacing reflects this as well. There’s no pressure to order quickly or turn the table. You’re expected to settle in, and that shapes the entire experience.
The Weekend Brunch Format: Structured but Not Overwhelming
The weekend brunch here is the main draw, and it’s designed differently from large-scale hotel buffets. Instead of offering an extensive self-service spread, The Knolls follows a semi-buffet or curated format, where:
- Starters and lighter items are either presented or served to the table
- Mains are ordered from a selection
- Desserts are served towards the end
Pricing typically ranges from:
- S$98–S$128++ per person (standard brunch)
- S$158–S$198++ with free-flow alcohol options
What I noticed is that the format keeps things controlled. You’re not overwhelmed by choices, and you’re not moving between stations. Everything comes to you, which helps maintain a steady pace throughout the meal.
What Shows Up on the Brunch Menu
The menu rotates, so not every dish is fixed. But based on what’s consistently offered, you can expect a mix of Mediterranean-inspired and classic brunch items.
Common Brunch Highlights
- Freshly baked bread and pastries
- Cold cuts and cheeses
- Seasonal salads with Mediterranean flavours
- Eggs Benedict and other egg-based dishes
- Seafood pasta or grilled fish
- Roasted meats (often lamb or beef)
- Light desserts and fruit-based selections
These dishes aren’t designed to be heavy or overly rich. The focus is on clean flavours and ingredient quality rather than variety or volume.
What I Tried: How the Food Comes Together
Since the brunch is partly structured, the experience builds gradually.
The bread and pastries came first. They were warm, with a noticeable freshness, especially the croissants. There’s a light butter aroma, and the texture holds well without feeling dense.
For the mains, I went with Eggs Benedict and a seafood pasta option. The Eggs Benedict was straightforward, the yolk had the right consistency, and the hollandaise wasn’t overly acidic. It’s familiar, but it’s done correctly.
The seafood pasta leaned more toward Mediterranean flavours. It was lighter than expected, with a clean finish rather than a heavy sauce. It’s the kind of dish that fits the setting, you don’t feel weighed down after eating it.
Dessert followed later, and like the rest of the menu, it stayed restrained. Nothing overly sweet or complex, but balanced enough to close the meal without feeling excessive.
Weekday Dining: A Different Kind of Brunch Experience
If you visit on a weekday, the experience shifts noticeably.
There’s no structured brunch menu. Instead:
- Breakfast runs until late morning
- Lunch begins around noon
- Everything is ordered à la carte
This creates a more flexible experience. You can still have brunch-style dishes, eggs, lighter mains, pastries, but it feels more like a relaxed lunch than a dedicated brunch session.
From an analytical standpoint, weekday dining here works better if you’re not specifically looking for a “brunch event.” It’s quieter, less structured, and gives you more control over what you order.
Service and Flow: Consistent, but Not Intrusive
Service at The Knolls aligns with its overall positioning. Staff are present and attentive, but not overly involved. Dishes are introduced briefly, and the pacing is managed in the background rather than directly at the table.
During my visit, there were no noticeable delays. Courses arrived at a steady pace, and there was enough time between them to sit back without feeling like the meal was dragging.
What stands out is how unobtrusive the service feels. You don’t need to call for attention, but you’re also not interrupted unnecessarily. It supports the relaxed nature of the experience.
Practical Notes Before You Go
- Weekend Brunch Timing: Usually 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Weekday Format: À la carte breakfast + lunch (no dedicated brunch menu)
- Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekends
- Best Seating: Outdoor terrace for a more relaxed atmosphere
- Pricing: Starts around S$98++, with premium packages available
- Duration: Expect to spend 2–3 hours for weekend brunch
- Dress Code: Smart casual, slightly relaxed due to resort setting
What Makes This Brunch Stand Out
The Knolls doesn’t compete on volume or variety.
Instead, it stands out for:
- Environment — quieter, more spacious than city brunch spots
- Pacing — slower, more intentional
- Food Style — lighter, Mediterranean-influenced dishes
- Format — curated rather than buffet-driven
This combination creates a brunch experience that feels more like a short getaway than a typical meal, and captures the quiet, polished appeal that people look for in luxury hotel dining.
Final Assessment: Who This Brunch Works Best For
The Knolls brunch is best suited for diners who value space, pacing, and a quieter environment. It works particularly well for couples, small groups, or anyone looking to step away from the usual city dining setting.
It may not be the right fit if you’re expecting large buffet spreads, high-energy social brunch scenes, or extensive dish variety. Instead, it offers something more controlled and relaxed. The experience isn’t built around quantity, it’s built around how the meal unfolds over time.
Planning to explore other hotel dining experiences? You can refer to our guide to Singapore’s Best Hotel for a curated look at where dining and setting come together across the city.