Delish Eats: The Vikings Group’s Newest Elevated Buffet Experience at NYX
Restaurant Story
Launched on Feb. 4, 2026, NYX marks the Vikings Group’s newest, posher approach to dining.
Building on the legacy of its established buffet brands — Vikings, Vikings The Alley, NIU, and Four Seasons — NYX emerges as its most luxurious and polished concept yet, with thoughtfully curated stations, palatial food selections, and an experience tailor-made to feel both indulgent and intentional.
Vibe and Venue
Located on the fourth floor of One Ayala Mall’s fourth-floor Al Fresco dining area, NYX can be quite elusive if you’re unfamiliar with the layout. But once you find it, it becomes a place that’s easily unforgettable.
Drawing inspiration from Nyx, the Greek Goddess of the Night, the restaurant is dressed in shades of midnight blue, black, and gold. When sunlight hits its exterior, it glows softly — echoing the golden hues often seen in animated retellings of Greek mythology.
At night, the mood shifts instantly. From the outside, the restaurant appears almost hidden, veiled in a mystery that signals luxury at first glance.
Inside, the drama continues. Warm and cool lights blend seamlessly to create an atmosphere that drips in opulence. Black leather seats, booths, and marble tables are thoughtfully spread across the 1,088-square-meter space, offering both intimacy and glamour to its visitors.
The buffet spread is arranged in a multi-station, seamless line, stretching across nearly a quarter of the restaurant’s space. Guests can take their time browsing through the selection in just one easy walk from end to end, where the charcuterie and dessert stations and cocktail bar meet at the center, directly across the main spread.
At the center of it all is a stage where live jazz acts perform and serenade guests during their meals, elevating the experience beyond food and drinks.
The Menu
NYX’s buffet selection leans towards global and international cuisine, setting it apart from its sister restaurants. Guests are invited to enjoy a gastronomic experience and indulge in an elevated version of familiar favorites from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Western traditions — thoughtfully reimagined with finesse and premium ingredients, while still tailored to local tastes.
The restaurant also has its own cocktail bar, where in-house specials draw inspiration from the night, a splendid selection of cold cuts and carvings, and an extravagant array of sweets and desserts that are gorgeous to look at.
The Cost
As expected of a luxury buffet, dining at NYX comes with a premium price point — comparable to that of upscale hotel buffets.
For weekday lunch, rates start at P788 (Kids, 3-4ft.), P1,588 (Kids, 4-4.6ft), and P2,288 (Adult).
Meanwhile, weekday dinners, weekends, and holidays start at P1,088 (Kids, 3-4ft.), P2,188 (Kids 4’-4.6ft.), and P3,288 (Adult). Senior and PWD discount rates are also applicable in the restaurant.
What We Tried
NYX invited The Beat Manila to experience the restaurant firsthand, allowing us to sample dishes from each of its thoughtfully curated stations — and more than a few seconds. The verdict? We were incredibly stuffed well into the next day.
Our meal began at the charcuterie station, where sausages, prosciutto, Ibérico hams, and cheeses like cheddar, Manchego, and brie set the tone for what was to come. Spoiler alert: it was a lot.
From there, we worked our way through the buffet, ordering an array of small plates from nearly every station — from Steak and Frites and Pork Ibérico to Lechon de Leche, Salt-baked Salmon, Braised Pork Belly with Quail Egg, Gyuu Saikoro, and Tempura.
Back at our table, we took out our phones and ordered some selections from the à la carte menu, including French Onion Soup, Caesar Salad, and Warm Prawn Salad.
Each diner was also treated to one complimentary plate from the menu, and we opted for the U.S. Scallops and the Lobster. NYX further elevates the dining experience with complimentary free-flowing wine throughout the meal.
We rounded out the evening with signature cocktails from the in-house bar — the Obsidian Dream and the El Macua — alongside delicate macarons and decadent cakes from the dessert station.
What We Liked
From the moment we stepped into NYX, it was clear that the experience was thoughtfully designed and curated for every guest to enjoy. We left the restaurant incredibly sated and pleasantly exhausted, which we felt well into the next day.
What stood out most was the exceptional service from the staff. The waitstaff were consistently attentive and accommodating, making sure that our needs were met and making the entire dining experience feel seamless.
When it came to the food, the variety alone was already impressive — but what made it even more fascinating was learning that the menu is regularly changed and some dishes are rotated. It’s a thoughtful approach that keeps the experience fresh for returning guests (us, included), while also allowing NYX to refine and highlight its most well-loved dishes over time.
NYX also boasts menu items that you would rarely see in a regular buffet. For example: chocolate pieces in the dessert station that had experimental flavors which challenged your inner gourmet, Chinese-style duck, poké bowls, ceviche, foie gras, and more. The opportunity to experiment without having to commit to a full serving (compared to ordering à la carte in a restaurant) is another plus for us, especially given the premium price point.
If you want to broaden your palate without dropping five figures on a dinner in an upscale restaurant, this is a good entry point. While it's not promising the same level of excellence (our MICHELIN-starred restaurants are on a different level, after all), you can certainly get your money's worth by trying a little bit of everything you hardly encounter virtually without limit — a move that will make our ancestors proud.
What We Didn’t Like
Despite an otherwise enjoyable buffet experience, one major detail slightly detracted from the evenings we visited and could benefit from improvement.
One notable concern was that some dishes were not always served at their optimal temperature, which occasionally took away from the overall enjoyment of the meal at NYX. While some dishes were served hot and fresh, others arrived with only the plates being warm.
At times, the contrast felt a little jarring and distracting, and refining this detail would elevate the overall experience even further.
What You Should Order
NYX’s buffet selection is surely a must-try, and what you should order depends on your personal preferences! But if we chose specific plates to recommend, it would be the Gyuu Saikoro, Warm Prawn Salad, Cold Cuts and Cheeses, Steak, Crème Brulée Burnt Basque Cheesecake, and Tiramisu Burnt Basque Cheesecake. You also wouldn't be disappointed with their sashimi selection, as well as their cold appetizers (such as the ceviche).
We also recommend pairing your meals with one of NYX’s signature cocktails, apart from the free-flowing wine, of course. And here’s a tip: arrive hungry — your eyes will do the eating as soon as you arrive.
Reserve a table here. Follow NYX on Instagram, and One Ayala on Facebook and Instagram.
Location: 4/F, Al Fresco Dining Area, One Ayala Mall, 1 Ayala Avenue cor. EDSA, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila; Branch at Opus Mall to open soon.
Opening Hours: 11 AM to 2 PM (Lunch seating), 6 PM to 10 PM (Dinner seating)
This food review is based on a complimentary media tasting provided byVikings Group NYX in exchange for a truthful review. The opinions expressed within represent the views of the author.
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Delish Eats reviews here.
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