Starbot Cafe: Human Refueling Center

Starbot Cafe is the latest F&B outlet at Universal Studios Singapore. Located at the Sci-Fi City zone, the cafe sits in nicely in the middle of two major blockbuster attractions: Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon and Transformers: The Ride. It does not appear to be solely themed to Transformers (although the crew here wear NEST uniforms), but instead designed to be part of this bustling futuristic zone. Which is why this place is also commonly referred as the Transformers Cafe!

With streaks of blue lighting and unusual diagonal forms, this cafeteria style restaurant is bizarre, yet inviting. The floor is divided into two areas: a large indoor seating area, and a queue lane that wraps around the edge of the cafe. It’s kind of like IKEA’s restaurants.

Stations in the Human Refueling Center

1. Bottled drinks and Desserts
2. Cube Station (Salads and chilled dishes)
3. Snack Station (Finger food and fried snacks)
4. Main course station
5. Drinks and more desserts

Menu

Here is an almost complete list of food offered at Starbot Cafe. Do note that F&B outlets in Universal Studios Singapore change menus all the time, and the restaurant rotates options for the entrée and snacks. I’ve also noted down the starting price for each section.

EDIT: I’m afraid to say that this restaurant is not Halal certified. There are some dishes with pork and the Yakitori sticks have bacon.

Commanders Combo, with Dessert of the Day (from S$12.80)

Poached Salmon Combo (served with rice)
Teriyaki Chicken Combo (served with rice)
Grilled Gourmet Sausages Combo (served with mashed potatoes)
Vegetarian Fried Rice

*Dessert: Usually, a serving of Panna Cotta (sold separately at $5.50)

Junior Commanders Kid’s Meals, with a Kid’s drink & collectible item** (from S$9.50)

Tomato Meatball Pasta
Chicken Sausage
Dino Nuggets

**Collectible Item: Woody Wookpecker lunchbox

Bottled/Canned Drinks (from S$3.00)

Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Evian Sports
Jasmine Green Tea
Milo
Fanta Orange
Vitamin Water

Side Winders (from S$5.80)

Corndogs (No longer available as of 25/11/2011)
Fried Space Wings (Chicken wings, sold in sets of 3)
Yakitori (sold in sets of 3)
Assorted Chinese Pastries (Spring rolls, egg tarts etc. from $1 per piece)

Appetisers & Sandwiches (from S$4.80)

Chilled Soba
Fresh Green Salad
Caesar Salad
Assorted Sandwiches

Soups (from $4.50)

Aged Melon with Spare Ribs Soup
Cream of Mushroom

Cube Station – Maki and Rolls (from S$5.80)

Sci-Fi Shrimp Rolls
Smoked Salmon Maki
Fantasic Treasure Maki
Miso Prawn Maki
Wasabi Kiwi Maki
California Roll Maki
Spicy Shrimp Maki
Beijing Duck Maki
Char Siew Maki

Dessert Corner (from S$3.00)

Panna Cotta
Chilled Mango Sago
Fresh Fruit Bowl
Sci-Fi Flavoured Lemon Grass Jelly

Apart from all that’s stated, the restaurant also sells soft drinks (in disposable and souvenir cups) and non-alcoholic mixed drinks in souvenir glasses.

Starbot Cafe is what I feel to be Universal Studios’ equivalent of the typical restaurants at Tomorrowland, specifically the Starliner Diner at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The meal combos are reasonably priced – the food portions are generous and filling, unlike typical theme park food offerings. They also seem healthier, with a good dose of greens and rice. To keep your taste buds excited, the meals also include a small appetizer on the side: achar or kimchi depending on your luck.

Poached Salmon Combo (S$13.80)

While my friends and I enjoyed the main courses, we found that the fried side dishes (or side winders) to be very oily. The layout of the restaurant is also very cramped and the whole restaurant gets crazy during noon and in the evening. Unfortunately with the next big thing happening next door, the park can’t set up tables outside. I would recommend that parents with strollers to park them outside the restaurant for the convenience and safety of other patrons – ask the park crew for a child’s high chair. And if you feel like dining at Starbot Cafe during the high peak periods this holiday, be sure to plan your meal times – the cafe is usually filled to capacity from 11:30am~2:30pm and 5:00pm~6:30pm.