Buffet City in Plymouth

Family friendly but food tastes like it’s been left out for hours and lamb and duck very hard, chewy and inedible

I had been here about 5 years ago and the food was OK but after my recent visit boy it really has declined. The chicken is slimey and rubbery, sauce is like water and most items are inedible. They obviously buy the cheapest ingredients possible now and it shows. I certainly won't be revisting ever again.

Nice buffet and very reasonable price too. Discount for paying cash

Payed £19 for food and a drink, food was cold chewy and tasted like it has been sitting there all day!! Grabbed a plate and added a bit more rice and got told we would have to pay another £5 if we ate anymore!!!! Staff was beyond rude and kept peering over and giving dirty looks!! Now the day later and I cannot keep any food down. Will not be returning!

Nice, affordable food with varieties to try. Service is quite good and ambience quite nice but I went on a very busy day so it could have been a bit overwhelming.

Food was amazing and lovely place very cheap and good just annoying how waiters are always looking over at your food to see how much your eating other than that service is good and food is amazing and the waiters are nice 👍🏼

Food excellent and the staff was polite and attentive

Delicious buffet experience here and highly recommend it. Most of the complaints in the comments seem to be about parents trying to get their kids to eat for cheaper or free and getting upset because their not so little ones have to pay adult prices now. This place is cheap already! £16 for an all you can eat succulent Chinese dinner is an absolute bargain, better value than Maccies or KFC these days I can assure you. when I go out with my Girlfriend to a normal restaurant usually the meal often costs £90+! I will definitely be a regular here from now on. The duck is absolutely delicious as is the spicy lamb ribs.

Staff very friendly and polite Very reasonably priced

Went for lunch with wife and daughter. Was greeted with a smile and shown to a table - was given the choice of seeing the food on offer before paying which was nice. The food was average but for a lunch time it was still enjoyable. Will go back in an evening to see if food on offer is better.

Yep bad. Made to pay upfront after looking at the food, I suppose to cover their own backs and use as a scapegoat for such a revolting excuse for food. The 50 piece toys r us kids’ my first kitchen set would’ve probably gone down nicer.

Cold dry food clearly serving below the 63•c legal minimum . Staff were rude at the door while also being overly pushy telling us to pay immediately upon entry knowing nobody in their right mind would pay on their way out . Wouldn’t recommend unless you find the thrill of food poisoning worth dealing with the appalling staff and catering.

Just visited tonight, food was unbelievable bad. Made you look at the food first (which seemed fine) then you pay upfront, pretty standard. Food was soft, cold and chewy. Staff were defensive when asked about this. Go here if you really enjoy the experience of eating cold leftovers. Because that’s exactly how it tastes

Food wasn't hot, chicken was hard, ice-cream machine wasn't working,. Very poor selection.

It’s getting worse. Food now cold. Labelled seaweed is sugary shredded cabbage. Ice cream machine broken as usual. No chicken soup. No bean sprouts. And I have suspicions about the duck.

An experience I wish I had avoided, poor in every way.

The food was extremely nice and the drinks were on point, service was fantastic.Thank you 😍😍😍

I can honestly say I wish I had not had this experience. Please find somewhere else to eat!!!!

Loved this place but sadly standards have slipped. I would still go back so it can't be that bad.😉

Popped in for lunch, very welcoming, good choice of starters, mains and desserts.

Absolutely disgusting ! Food ! only chicken for the meat section no beef or pork waiting around for 5 minutes to put out new food this restaurant was very good in the past ! The Selection of food is very low ,,, not much variety at all !!! Save your money don’t go there!!

Looks like the place needs a spruce up, the cables carlesberg lager was horrible, several of our family left it, half drunken, the food seemed poor quality and not hot. I won't be going back, it's fairly cheap I spose, but also had to pay parking near by, so better options.

A well priced all you can eat Chinese buffet the staff a brilliant.the food is a wide variety of delicious dishes.

Poor. Food cold. Chicken hard. No taste. Do not waste your money here it's disgusting

Haven’t been to buffet city for a few years .Went yesterday ,what a difference.Really lovely.decorated smart ,&very clean.Food was nice ,all laid out nice .Such a difference compared to the last time we went .Will certainly will be doing back .

Fantastic food plenty to choose from the fried fish was really tasty service was fantastic defo will go again

HORRIBLE PEOPLE! Rocked up yesterday for dinner, their was 6 of us in our family 4 paying adults a 2 year old and a 8 month old baby we was told we would have to pay full kids price for my 8 month old baby when we refused as we know she wouldnt eat we was told thats fine but if we check the cctv and see her eating ANYTHING EVEN (ABIT OF JELLY) “boss man” will come and deduct money out of their wages for her eating (SCARE TACTIC INTO US PAYING FOR FULL PRICE) So in the end they offered us to pay £3 instead which we agreed to for her to eat a-bit of jelly! We was handed a slip with what we had to pay for my partner and i had a pushchair and the 2 young ones to carry to the table myself never got halfway from the front door to the table before i was told 3 times i must pay now (HANDS FULL OF CHANGING BAGS & PUSHING A PRAM ALSO) why so needy i don’t know…? The whole entire time we was eating we was watched like hawks everything we was saying and doing! Towards the end my 2 yr old daughter got really excited because of there deserts so as most 2 yr olds do she ran to the desert counter and was holding onto the side to try and look and some chef lady come out the kitchen and told her off for peering at the deserts! Disqusting behaviour! Food was average at best! They charge for waste left on plates (LUCKILY WE NEVER HAD WASTE) Yet there is dishes up there which havent even been touched so im assuming charging customers is a way to not loose money on the dishes they have over cooked and put out which NO ONE is touching! Will not be returning thats for sure Rather of gone to McDonalds and spent £100 😃👍

I recently checked out Buffet City, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. This place has a lot going for it. First off, the food is amazing. It’s got that real, authentic Chinese taste that’s hard to find. From the dumplings to the stir-fries, everything was spot on. The best part? It won't break the bank. The prices are super reasonable, especially considering how good the food is. Great value for your money. The staff here are wonderful. They’re really friendly and make you feel right at home. Their warm service made the whole dining experience even better. The manager is especially helpful, always attentive and quick to respond to customers’ needs, ensuring everyone has a great time. And I can't forget to mention the beautiful lady at the bar who adds a special touch to the place. The restaurant is nicely decorated, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Whether you're planning a date night, a family dinner, or a party with friends, [Restaurant Name] is perfect. There’s plenty of space, and the setup works well for any group size or occasion. All in all, Buffet City offers a great dining experience with delicious food, fair prices, friendly service, and a charming vibe. It’s a great spot for any occasion, whether you’re just grabbing a meal or celebrating something special.

I recently dined at Buffet City, and it was outstanding! The service was warm and welcoming from the start. The buffet offered a fantastic variety, with every dish full of flavor. For anyone looking for diverse food options and excellent service, here is the place to go.

Was told on arrival card machine wasn't working an could only pay cash. When I said I'm using my phone so we will have to eat elsewhere, all of a sudden the card machine is working! Next customer after us was told to go get cash out. Something seriously dodgy going on regarding tax issues!! Dodgy people

What a wonderful place to visit if your feeling hungry or just meeting up with family and friends. Thank you Buffet city for your lovely ,incredible food and also amazing staff 👍👌

Lamp steak is my favorite！Its awesome！Too delicious！The ice cream is also very amazing! I think it's better than the one by the seaside!

It was quite expensive for just one person but it was definitely worth it. Tons of delicious food and deserts. Totally recommend!!

Went in at 4:05 and got told we have to pay dinner prices as they’ve already put their dinner menu out. On the menu it states before 4:30 is £10.95 on Saturdays and dinner doesn’t start till 5. The man was rude telling us if we paid lunch prices then we would only have 25 minutes to eat, which is incorrect and not true according to their menu we would’ve had 55 minutes. We paid dinner prices anyway after he refused to believe that their menu is incorrect and false advertising and the food was shocking. Chicken balls tasted like they were soaked in dish clothes and not all the food was even out the whole time we were there anyway. Some of the food was soggy as well which seemed like they actually hadn’t swapped over the dinner food yet and still made us pay more for an awful meal. Wouldn’t recommend.

Buffet city,all you can eat,all food well presented, 😋 really tasty

Staff is always very welcoming and give excellent customer service. Also, food is always great, so Many choices! We are regular customers since we moved to Plymouth 🥗

Very bad food. Worst in Plymouth. Even the drinks tasted funny. The staff were not friendly and were rude throughout the meal. Would not recommend at all.

Up there with some of the worst food I've ever had 👏 unbelievable. Staff couldn't be any nicer too, was as if we were about to run out the door and not pay, even though you pay on arrival 🤔 would highly recommend to my enemies.

The food was OK, but the selection was not good. Staff don't like being told food is old or stale. Stood my ground asking for fresh food and they eventually sorted. You must pay before you eat which is weird

Chips were raw, chicken was dry and overcooked. Beef was like eating tongue. Gone down hill soooo much. Will never go there again

As a tourist in Plymouth, I didn’t really have a very good experience. We went in with a 10 months old baby and we were told that if our baby touches our food we will be charged £8.95 extra. I found it rude and odd because our baby is not really having too much food during the day, but sometimes, just to make her feel included I would give her something from my plate, very small, and careful with sugar and salt. It is quite unusual to charge a baby like you would charge a 6-8 yo, don’t you think? Good variety of food, some of them overcooked, like prawn toast and noodles. The price is okay for what they offer. But the manager/owner who waited for us could learn to be reasonable and stop having heart attacks for a baby chewing something from their food “without paying”. I would recommend other restaurants if you are visiting Plymouth.

Me and my family come here all the time and we absolutely love it! Very reasonably priced and the food is soooo good! Stones throw from the cinema complex so perfect of you wanna eat before/after a movie!

One of the best buffets I have been to not a large selection but everything was cooked perfectly

Lovely food and friendly staff.

Was nice not as much choice as I remember and quite expensive now but nice

Good food but It was unfortunately cold

1st time going here. Some dishes wasnt to personal preference for example curry sauce was a bit on the runny side on the other hand the rices and lemon chicken was brilliant. Good variety of foods and deserts aswell. Staff appeared friendly few didnt speak much. As it wae 1st time we had been we was offered to look at food 1st which was a nice touch.

Atmosphere is relaxing, staff are attentive, food is amazing and the place is clean, tidy and spacious, will definitely be coming back here again soon.

We, as a family, love going to buffet city for our birthdays. It's relaxing, great food, excellent service. 1 moan... Price increase! Easy to get to, parking all around but not free. Child friendly, alcohol available. Lots & lots of delicious Chinese food. Highly recommend.

Paid buffet city a visit yesterday with a friend after seeing and hearing good reviews, not eaten here for years after not hearing great things in the past but was very pleased! Staff were very pleasent and food was great, plenty to choose from with desserts aswell. Great value for money and perfect for a lunch visit in town on the weekend. Will visit again soon!

A nice meal, reasonable selection of dishes. Serves Jack Rabbit wines too ... well done! The building is a bit jaded, but if you're after a good few portions of some Chinese favourites, you can't go wrong!

Told us if we ate too much he'd charge us another £5 per plate!!!! What a cheek. How rude. The adults were eating theirs and with a 3 and 7 year old they only had one main plate and one dessert plate the whole time we were there!!!

Convenient if you're going to a show or the cinema.

The menu was rich and it was worth the price. Will be back again.

Being a Friday we thought we would have to book but lady on phone said just walk in . Wow what a great place. Friendly staff , excellent food and a good price, lovely atmosphere. When we visit Plymouth again we will definitely go for a meal there .

Absolutely amazing, went with family and friends. They absolutely loved it as much as I did. I’ve been going since a child

A great place and excellent customer service. A top choice and unforgettable dining experience

I had not been for a few years, so I was very surprised at the quality of food offered. The staff were brilliant and could not do enough to help. The food was let down by an attempt to do it as cheap S possible. The sauces were nothing more than coloured water. Not thick or sauce like at all, tasteless coloured water. The soup was almost the same not quite as bad but obviously watered-down. The seafood was obviously good quality but let seriously down if it was in a ,"sauce". I like Lamb, but even I wasn't going to try what they had out as spicy lamb. It looked horrid. The batter on anything was soggy, due to being under the metal lidded warmers. The ice cream machine was either not working or set at a to low level, because you just got the liquid runny cream. I certainly will not be going again.

This is the best the food is just soooo good

Always excellent quality and service

Really great place to meet up with friends

The food is good, probably the best Chinese I have had in plymouth although a little pricy with buffet at £15.95 (I believe) not terrible though, but beer was the worst beer I’ve had in my life don’t think the lines have ever been cleaned and some of staff a little unfriendly although one of the guys who was at the door was very friendly everyone else looked abit miserable. 3.2

The stuff friendly enough but the food was terrible seriously bad I ate out of guilt as I didn’t want my friends to feel upset I did not eat a lot tho yes I got a few times n visited the buffet but had little food in my plate .That was my first and last time there

The food was sooooo greasy and left my boyfriend up all night sick. The staff were not very welcoming and there were hardly any people in there which is understandable due to the quality of food. Not much choice in food either. The only good thing was the whippy machine. Would not recommend unless you want to be up all night with a bad stomach.

Food is decent for the price charged. But over the years, the variety has dropped and almost all food is very oily. Hot drinking water was not available when requested. Staff were supportive.

A great place to mingle with friends and family for hours, while nibbling on delicious food. Recommended to all.

I always find the staff very helpful and polite. The food is pretty good for a buffet, the veg is particularly fresh and tasty. Overall the decor and general atmosphere are a bit lacking. Worst of all is the hike to the toilet which is some distance away from the main restaurant, in an underground labyrinth of stairs, though there is a disabled toilet in the main area.

Such a lovely place, do not feel rushed at all, everyone is very friendly and the service is fast, they are quick to clear your plates and serve you Love it there

Greedy people... A family of 5 with 2 toddlers was told they had to pay for five people when it was obvious the two little ones would not eat anything. The manager didnt even bother talking to them and just scribbled something on a piece of paper and passed it along. What a shame. Food is very average. We wont come back.

worth a visit, been twice. good value.

great food,service but can be crowded,

Fantastic place, very relaxed atmosphere.

Food was really bad nothing like the exter one is so much better food they have in Plymouth one does not taste like Chinese

Busy,good tasty food,priced reasonably

, we will not go back was dreadfull you pay before you sit at a table the staff not friendly food was not great. everything not hot even though dishes were replenished worst Chinese buffet we have been too but seems the only one in plymouth town center

Very good food, only £10 eat as much as you like. Nice staff too

Nice Chinese buffet restaurant with a large selection of starters, mains and desserts. Good tasting food and excellent service from staff. Really enjoyed the ambience of the place. Reasonable price for an all you can eat buffet. Situated close to Royal Parade bus stops. Price rises to £15.95 per person on a Sunday. So for the two of us with a large Pepsi Max each and a buffet meal it came to about £37.

Tasty food, fast, friendly service. Good value for money

I loved it there, the food is amazing. Pay before you sit down & then just help yourself. It's such good value. I will definitely be going there again.

Used to go here regularly a few years ago and was always satisfied with food and staff etc. Unfortunately, the wheels have come off. £15.99 for adults, half price for kids, for a basic buffet. Staff were unfriendly. They charge you before the meal. Probably so you don't do a runner. As I said, food is basic. Rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, sweet and sour, curry, etc. The normal prawn toast and nuggets. Definitely not worth the £16. However the food is edible and it's cheaper during weekdays. Won't be going back, unless they improve.

Booked for my grandchildren birthday. Has gone down hill badly since our last visit. 😢

Been 2 Saturday afternoons this month with my children. Both times foods been good and staff friendly and polite. 2nd time the guy gave my eldest son 10% discount even though he was taller than 4ft 6. Its sensible price foods all hot and cooked well can't go wrong

Just had a fantastic meal with great service worth every penny.

Last went here just before COVID, so a bit cautious having read some of the recent negative reviews - but my daughter wanted to go, so we did! Went for tea (or dinner, depending on where you’re from!), arriving at approx 6pm. Restaurant was busy and had a good atmosphere. Plenty of space around tables and going to/from the buffet area. Yes, the selection is fairly limited but it’s a Chinese buffet not a world buffet, so you’d expect that. The trays were kept topped up and the food was a nice temperature. We both went up 5 times and tried most dishes on offer. We enjoyed everything we had apart from 2 things - the sweet and sour chicken had a weird taste and the filling in the chocolate eclair was weird too. The rest was really nice. The price is value for money and we would go back.

Been a while since we last went but the food is amazing, full of flavour, Took family members this time & they loved too. Staff are very nice & friendly. Will use it more. 100% really good place to go for chinese food.

Food gone down hill drastically. Tasted like it was reheated and a Chinese that does not have a chicken chow mein.

It is what it is. Decent food, Well done.

Let's be honest the food although in abundance was rank, dry, over-cooked, too salty and over flavoured with monosodium-glutamate designed to make you buy more drinks. The proud owner strutted about with his chest pumped out, wearing a baseball cap and sporting a rather egotistical ponytail. The clientele saw several families and people with no respect or manners for other diners. A restaurant no matter how bad the food is a place considered a calm place to dine at ones leisure. Some clients were very loud, bullying others over their kids ransacking the food and very unhygienic (these were regularcustomers). Avoid at all costs because we warned you!

Loved it. Eat too much. Food delicious. Friendly staff. Value for money.

The worst food we have ever eaten. Everything was overcooked, cheap food and most things inedible. I feel we wasted a lot of money for us to eat a minimal amount. Choice of food is very limited but I guess they can carry on getting away with it as it is the only one left in Plymouth. Things need to change.

This place is awful! Please don't waste your money here. £72 for 4 people with very cheap cuts of meat, fat (not duck), bones in the satay chicken. The food is quite hot but most of it is over cooked the chicken balls cannot even be cut let alone chew. It is still busy in there but I don't know how?.... wait there is nothing else like this in plymouth so that's why they can get away with it. Things need to change! No chocolate fountain and you can just about get ice cream using the scoop sitting in the dirty water 🤮

Food was standard not much choice thow , and the food survery is a little cramed needs to be more spaced out , staff was friendly

This is amazing the food was plentiful although looks like small area for food, definately recommend to all, everything cooked to perfection clean tidy staff extremely accomodating

Hot.food frequently refilled and areas cleaned staff quick to clean away used plates unfortunately limited vegetarian option maybe a vegetable curry could be added. Will visit again

Cheerful and reasonabley cheap, good selection of Asian food. Completely unlimited, just collect a plate and fill it up! All hot and good quality food 👍🏻

I have visited buffet city 2 since lockdown the food is still excellent staff very friendly prices are still good 😀😁😁😄😁

Food and service how it should be

Food was quality and service was brilliant! Would highly recommend 👌 this place does not deserve its 1 star reviews imo

Came for 1st time today with family. It was my birthday so the staff done the music and cake even when my family didn't ask which was nice. They also gave me something which means good luck. Staff were amazing, friendly with all smiles, which made the experience lovely. Food is nice the only downfall was I wish they had abit more choice but we all did still enjoy.

Average at best. Food quality not really great. You have to pay straight away Staff were friendly though.