Planning a corporate family day is, quite frankly, a logistical tightrope walk. You are balancing the strictures of a corporate budget against the chaotic reality of pleasing hundreds of different palates—from the CEO’s elderly mother who only eats traditional Asian fare, to the junior executive’s toddler who demands nothing but chicken nuggets.
When you bring this circus to Sentosa Island, the stakes get higher. The "State of Fun" is notorious for tourist-trap pricing and mediocre food courts. However, nestled right next to the Beach Station, I found a solution that feels like a genuine discovery. Good Old Days offers a diverse, Halal-certified buffet spread that captures the nostalgic flavors of Singapore while offering the practical convenience necessary for a large-scale company event. It is not high-end dining; it is high-value dining.
Here is why this colonial-style restaurant is likely the smartest move for your next organizational gathering.
The Location: A Strategic "Base Camp"
One of the great joys of travel—even if it is just across the bridge to Sentosa—is finding a location that minimizes friction. For a company organizer, friction is the enemy.
Good Old Days sits in a prime strategic position. Located directly opposite the Beach Station (the final stop of the Sentosa Express Monorail), it serves as the perfect anchor point for the southern end of the island.
"Stepping off the crowded monorail at Beach Station, most tourists immediately flock toward the shuttle trams or the beaches. But if you look to the right, you see a charming building that looks lifted straight out of the 1930s. That’s your haven."
Accessibility and Ease
For a family day, accessibility is paramount. You will have strollers, perhaps wheelchairs, and certainly tired legs. Because the restaurant is literally steps away from the transport hub, attendees do not need to navigate complex shuttle maps or walk long distances in the tropical humidity. They can arrive from VivoCity, do their activities (like the Luge or the Beach), and converge here for dinner without breaking a sweat.
The Atmosphere: Colonial Charm Meets Canteen Comfort
The architecture of Good Old Days is a deliberate nod to Singapore’s colonial past. The exterior features white-washed walls and dark timber accents, evoking the black-and-white bungalows of the British era.
However, do not let the exterior fool you into thinking this is a stiff, formal venue. Inside, the vibe is decidedly "refined canteen." It is bustling, loud, and unpretentious—exactly what you want for a family day. You don't want a venue where parents are terrifyingly shushing their children. You want a space that absorbs the energy of the crowd.
The restaurant is split into two levels. For large corporate bookings, the upper level often provides a great vantage point and can be sectioned off, allowing your team to have a semblance of privacy while still being part of the action. The air-conditioning is powerful—a non-negotiable feature for any midday or early evening event in Singapore.
The Buffet Spread: A Culinary Tour of Singapore
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: the food. In my travels, I’ve learned that the best way to understand a culture is to eat its heritage food. Good Old Days positions itself as an arbiter of local taste.
For a corporate event, the menu here works because it hits the "safe but delicious" sweet spot. It isn't trying to be experimental fusion; it is trying to be comforting.
The Asian Heritage Line-Up
The star of the show here is the local Asian cuisine. This is where the kitchen team puts their effort, and it shows.
Singapore Laksa: Often the centerpiece of the buffet. The gravy here is rich, heavy on the coconut milk (lemak), with just enough spice to warm you up without blowing your palate. It is a "Build-Your-Own" station, which adds a fun, interactive element for guests.
Chicken Satay: You cannot have a Singaporean feast without Satay. The skewers here are grilled to a decent char. While they may not have the intense smokiness of a street hawker fanning flames at Lau Pa Sat, they are tender, plentiful, and served with a peanut sauce that has the right balance of sweet and savory.
Beef Rendang: This is usually the hit with the older generation. The beef is slow-cooked until it yields easily to the fork, coated in a thick, aromatic spice paste. It pairs perfectly with the fragrant Nasi Briyani often found on the rice counter.
Wok-Fried Favorites: Expect rotating dishes like Gong Bao Chicken or Sweet and Sour Fish. These are crowd-pleasers—reliable, tasty, and constantly refilled.
The Western & Kids' Corner
As a travel writer, I always appreciate when a venue understands its demographic. A family day implies children. If the kids aren't eating, the parents aren't relaxing.
The Western section is essentially a "Kids' Survival Kit."
Spaghetti Napolitan: Simple, tomato-based pasta.
Breaded Fish & Chicken Nuggets: Crispy, golden, and disappearing from the trays at alarming speeds.
French Fries: The universal peacemaker of foods.
Having these options ensures that while the adults are savoring the spicy sambal on their Nasi Lemak, the children are happily occupied with food they recognize and enjoy.
Dessert and Drinks
The dessert spread is modest but hits the right nostalgic notes. You will typically find:
Ice Chendol: A DIY station where you can load up on green jelly noodles, red beans, and lashings of Gula Melaka (palm sugar). It is the ultimate antidote to the Sentosa heat.
Fresh Fruit & Jellies: Simple palate cleansers.
Free-flow Cordials/Coffee/Tea: Essential for keeping a corporate group hydrated.
The "Real Value" Proposition
At Real Value SG, we look for the intersection of quality and cost. Why is Good Old Days the "Real Value" choice for a company family day?
1. The Halal Certification Factor
This is the single most critical logistical detail for a Singaporean corporate event. To be truly inclusive, your food must be Halal-certified. Finding a Halal buffet on Sentosa that can accommodate 100+ people, without charging hotel ballroom prices, is incredibly difficult. Good Old Days fills this gap perfectly. It allows your HR team to book one venue for everyone, rather than segregating the team based on dietary requirements.
2. The Price-to-Satisfaction Ratio
Sentosa dining is expensive. A burger at a nearby beach club can set you back SGD 25++. The buffet at Good Old Days is generally priced in the mid-range (often bundled with attraction tickets), offering an "All-You-Can-Eat" model.
When you calculate the cost per head for a 3-course meal à la carte on the island, the buffet price here represents significant savings. You are paying for volume and variety, ensuring no one leaves hungry.
3. The "Wings of Time" Synergy
"My favorite trick when visiting Sentosa is to time dinner right before the sunset show. It turns a meal into an event."
Good Old Days is located directly across from the Wings of Time amphitheater. This is a massive logistical win. You can schedule your company dinner from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and then simply walk the group across the plaza for the 7:40 PM show.
Many corporate packages actually bundle the buffet dinner with the Wings of Time ticket. This provides a turnkey solution for the organizers: Food + Entertainment sorted in one booking.
Logistics: Getting Your Team There
For the event organizer, here is the practical "Back Door" advice on how to get your group to the venue smoothly.
The Sentosa Express: This is the most common route. Instruct your team to take the Monorail from VivoCity (Level 3) to Beach Station. It is a comfortable 10-minute ride. The restaurant is visible immediately upon exiting the station.
The Cable Car: For a "VIP" experience, you can have staff take the Cable Car to the Sentosa Station, transfer to the Sentosa Line, and head to Siloso Point or Imbiah, but honestly? Stick to the Monorail. It drops you right at the door. The Cable Car is scenic but adds a 15-minute walk or bus transfer to get to Beach Station.
Charter Bus: If you are chartering buses, there is a drop-off point at the Beach Station basement car park. From there, it is an escalator ride up to the restaurant.
Conclusion: A Victory for Practicality
Dining at Good Old Days is not about white-glove service or molecular gastronomy. It is about the warmth of a shared meal in a historic setting. It is about the relief of finding a Halal-certified spot where the Laksa is spicy, the air-conditioning is cold, and the logistics are effortless.
For a company organized family day, you are looking for a venue that respects your budget while respecting your people's time and diverse tastes. By anchoring your event here, you strip away the stress of "island logistics" and replace it with good food and easy access. That, in my book, is the definition of Real Value.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Good Old Days at Sentosa Halal-certified?
Yes, Good Old Days is fully Halal-certified. This applies to their entire buffet spread and à la carte menu, making it an ideal choice for inclusive corporate gatherings and diverse family groups.
2. Does the buffet include entry to the Wings of Time show?
Not automatically, but they are often sold as a bundle. You can purchase a "Dinner + Show" combo package which is highly recommended for company events as it provides a seamless evening itinerary at a discounted rate compared to buying them separately.
3. What is the seating capacity for a large group?
The restaurant is spacious and can accommodate roughly 300 to 400 guests when utilizing both the indoor air-conditioned areas and the alfresco dining sections. For company family days, it is advisable to book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance to secure a dedicated section.
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