It’s a weekday afternoon, and taking a mandatory birthday leave from work, I go to SM Aura with my family to have a feast at NIU.

The restaurant is the the high-end version of the popular buffet chain, which already has established itself in many parts of the Philippines and has made itself as a go-to venue for numerous birthdays and other special events. But this is a different experience. Located in the 6th floor of SM Aura, NIU has a decidedly more upscale vibe. And the food is different than those in Vikings as well, with some fares not readily available even in other hotels. The dishes are divided into nine (“niu” meaning “nine” in the Old Norse language) different stations ranging from Japanese, Pan-Asian, Western, Patisserie and so on.

It’s a luxurious experience, admittedly, but still affordable considering the choices you’re faced with, and the quality of the dishes themselves. Not to mention, you get to eat for free on your birthday.

NIU by Vikings
6/F, SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway, Taguig
(02) 478 3888
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