Inshanghai in County Durham

My wife and I and another couple visited Inshangai for a late lunch arriving around 2:30pm. We have visited numerous buffet restaurants over the years and they do tend to be a bit hit and miss. However, we had a very pleasant lunch here. Service was friendly and attentive, there was a good selection of foods which were all nicely cooked, suitably warm and well presented. Staff were regularly replenishing the food and clearing and wiping tables. The location is great with pleasant views of Durham. Can highly recommend.

I've been going regular for 10 years, and it's still beautiful. I highly recommend

Definitely the best and healthiest oriental buffet we have visited and we have been to many - every oriental dish imaginable, regularly replenished, and large selection of salad and fresh fruit. Attractive environment, next to the river, and friendly but unobtrusive service. We will be back!

The one restaurant with the most customers. I walked around the local area to find a good restaurant and chose this one as it's the one with the most customers. This is an all you can eat restaurant with various prices for different times of the day. Loved the options available but as always a few more different dishes would be better.

I have been going to Inshanghai on and off for quite a few years. Clearly there is a reason for this, well its because their food is good and reasonable...up to a point. I can not complain about the service, the staff always serve me and eme and my partner or anyone I am with, with a smile. Inshanghai, do tend to have a reasonable choice when it comes to food, what you would expect from an americanised/oriental buffet. Lately though, i was rather shocked at the price they charged me for a meal for 2 and two none alcoholic drinks. I should hve checked the prices for going in on a Sunday, as it was double the amount we normally pay. Safe to say we wont be going back on a sunday. Weekdays are a safe bet, for us anyway. Also they tend to play the music way to loud, when I went, me and my partner could not hear one another over the din of the music coming in through the speakers above. My partner has oversensitivity. Normally going to Inshanghai we have never experienced this issuse, but we had to ask a member of staff to turn it down, which they did. We were greatful for that, so ten out of ten for service! Just if you want to, go when its cheaper, go on a weekday.

The Inshanghai restaurant in Durham is one of the best restaurants in the city. The food is very tasty, always fresh and hot. When something runs out in the bain-marie, the staff immediately refills it. A huge selection of hot dishes, salads and desserts. The staff is very cheerful, always polite and smiling. Mrs. Justyna, who is the head of the room there, deserves special recognition. She is a person who is always smiling, polite, willing to help and advise. And at the same time she is characterized by great personal culture. Delicious food, great atmosphere and service make Inshanghai a very atmospheric place to which you return with pleasure. I highly recommend it. Kasia i Irek.

Good food good people's and very clean restaurant x

Inshanghai Durham – The Best Chinese Restaurant in North East Inshanghai Durham is a true gem among Chinese restaurants in North East. Located in a picturesque setting with a beautiful view of Durham Castle, this restaurant offers not only great food but also unforgettable experiences. The food at Inshanghai is always fresh and delicious. Each dish is prepared with the utmost care, making every bite a true feast for the palate. The menu is diverse, so everyone can find something they like – from classic Chinese dishes to more modern interpretations. However, what really sets Inshanghai apart is the service. The staff are extremely courteous and pay attention to every detail to make guests feel special. Special thanks go to Justyna, who always greets guests with a smile and makes you want to come back. Thanks to her and the entire team, every visit to Inshanghai is pure pleasure. We highly recommend Inshanghai Durham to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience. It is the perfect place for gatherings with friends and family, Artur & Magdalena✨✨

Always a nice atmosphere and friendly staff. No complaints with the food

Great quality food, plenty if it. Always leave full and happy A regular !

First-trime visit for a Golden Wedding Anniversary. Nine guests, so only a small gathering. We were all very impressed with the ambiance, delicious array of food, drinks choice and excellent fast, friendly service. Fantastic value for money, too, at just under £30 a head for both food and drinks. Highly recommend. Many thanks.

Went on a Sunday ll the food was loverly even the Sunday roast

The fans make the restaurant quite cold, making it difficult to tell whether the food is stone cold from the Bain Maries or due to the fans. The food is of poor quality despite being very expensive, and you’re charged if you waste any. If the food were of good quality and served hot, perhaps fewer customers would leave it uneaten. It’s nowhere near worth £20.50; I wouldn’t even say it’s worth £10. I’ve been to many Pan-Asian buffet restaurants that are over £5 cheaper and don’t charge for waste, and they still manage to serve the food hot.

My friend and I visited Inshanghai for a spot of tea. To say this was our 1st time - the food was great. A good selection. The atmosphere was lovely. Highly recommend 👌

It was a good experience. We loved it. We will be back.

Beautiful food. EXTREMELY expensive, especially for a child. £115 for 3 adults and two young children really took the shine off the excellent food.

Visited here on August 4th, can't believe how far it's gone back, food was atrocious, and it is now like a pit canteen, so dark n dingy. . £17 ALL YOU CAN EAT, £4FOR A COKE., BITTERLY DISAPPEARED.

My mother in law my 15 year old niece my wife and my just turned 13 son had a lovely meal staff were lovely until it came to the bill .my 15 year old nice got child rate my just turned 13 adult price when questioned was told to tall for a child surely this is against the law my mother in law is 5ft going by that logic she should of had child prices

It's hit and miss, I've been coming here for years and iv noticed it's slowly starting to get worse, it's definitely worth a try though if you haven't been before, it's all you can eat so there will be something you will like.

Had embarrassing moment in here after me and family had only been in for 40 minutes and been told to leave because the late meals had been put out and desert. We had our meal and we wanted a desert there told us we would have to pay a extra £5 pp as it was the late sitting . So we where told to leave . We did my bill was £ 96 and we had no desert I will never go back for the way we where treated.

Typical chinese evening buffet. Food was nice and hot, service was good. The room restaurant is large enough that you dont feel overcrowded. They add a 20% service charge which of course is optional but the bill was paid without the payer realising so paid nearly £40 tip for a help yourself buffet so just be careful.

This Chinese buffet restaurant offers a delightful experience with a wide variety of delicious dishes to choose from. The food is not only tasty but also great value for money. The restaurant boasts a beautiful view of the river, adding to the overall pleasant ambiance. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring you leave with a happy and satisfied tummy.

Just love going in there. Food is amazing.x John smith drink is cans x ❤️

Loads of good options of food, reasonable price!

Vast array of food in the buffet. Fresh and tasty. Lovely staff. Easily missed as it's not advertised around the Riverwalk like the other restaurants. So, it's on the lower level, next to the Thai restaurant, below Mr Fox. Go! Enjoy!

Very disappointed on this occasion. Whilst the food was hot and we were seated quickly the food itself was a let down. No prawn toast, very chewy beef and lots of the meat dishes had little to no meat; no chicken in the chicken chow mein, no pork in the pork rice etc. There was also no banana fritters by 8pm, you'd think with 2 hours until closing they would replace the empty dishes. Had I known there would be no prawn toast and no meat in half of the meat dishes I'd have come for the lunch buffet and saved £5 each.

Really nice food. Plenty to choose from. Very good variety. The salad nice and fresh. Only thing that let's it down is the fruit is tinned. But apart from that excellent. Would recommend.

Excellent food!! Will be here again.

The food was great, The staff was always nice and friendly,

All foods were oily and cold, deserts were dry, charged a 13 year old an adults meal which is 2x more because he was over 5 foot tall. SCAM! 60 pounds for 2 people and 1 drink to have a nice night RUINED, asked for the child to be given the child's price and the rude man said no and expected a tip too! The cheek... Never going back there again as staff walk around and just pick out food to eat as they go! The beef is so hard you might as well chew on a tree as it will be softer!! Definitely DO NOT come here, I hope it shuts down to avoid any more scams...

Absolutely mouthwatering food, thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. From being seated, orders taken, food and drinks, payment, atmosphere, staff readiness and friendliness, the entire visit was brilliant. I've never visited this place before but I will most definitely be returning regular. Fantastic day

Worse Chinese buffet I have ever been to . Beef was like leather . Curry sauce resembled dirty dish water with no taste . Daughter was up all night with a tummy upset . This place needs to close .

Dined with my daughter for her 19th birthday. Very disappointed. Paid a lot of money for the worse Chinese buffet we have ever experienced. Very poor choice . Beef was like leather ... You couldn't cut it . Had to spit it out because was soo chewy. The curry sauce watery and tasteless. Resembled dirty kitchen sink water . Chips were cold and dry . Very little choice of desserts a tub of ice cream was the best option . Was so looking forward to our choice of restaurant with amazing views of cathedral. But left feeling deflated. My daughter had tummy ache all night after eating here . I feel that this restaurant should be shut down . Don't know how they are still trading with such high prices Don't be fooled by the beautiful views . There are much nicer restaurants to eat in Durham

It's a while since I've been to inshanghai durham and Sunday buffet was arround £7 to £8 went today two adults Sunday buffet with two half's of coke and cost £41 could not believe the price . Could of gone out for Sunday lunch at pub and paid less . Cost now is not worth it.

1st time won't be the last time. Food was lovely, a couple of items were not the best really char siu pork was flavourless and shredded beef was a mission to chew.. couldn't cut it with the knife and was like super tough jerky.. BUT apart from that everthing else was delicious and well worth every penny. Staff were lovely. Very clean.

Had a fantastic time. Plenty of buffet choices, the restaurant was really clean, seating was comfortable. Had a table by the window which had some stunning views over the river. Staffs were welcoming and friendly from start to finish. This was a positive dining experience. My first buffet in years and yesss!! It was worth the wait..

Spontaneous birthday treat whilst staying far from home. Asked Google for the best Chinese restaurant in the area and we were not disappointed. The food was fabulous, very fresh, hot, tasty and plentiful. The restaurant and facilities were spotlessly clean and the staff team extremely welcoming. We were hugely surprised when we were presented with a birthday cake complete with candles and the team singing happy birthday. If we lived closer we would be regulars. I would highly recommend to anyone.

Just watch out for the service charge which isn't listed anywhere

Went for lunch with partner first time we have ate here. We found it to have a nice atmosphere food was really nice with a good selection on offer.. Nice view of the river staff were very helpful and polite can highly recommend. Pricing was reasonable. good service through out. Will be returning soon.

One of the best all-you-can-eat Chinese places with amazing food and great food selection, especially the grand buffet

Food great but far too expensive.

Lots of choice and very good food and friendly staff, would definitely come again, price was also very reasonable, and good atmosphere

Getting very expensive 30% of the food trays where empty and not getting replaced fast enough and not a lot to choose from desert wise

Visited Saturday 04/05/2024 around 6pm. Decent selection of tasty food, though quite a lot of seafood. Although we had pre-booked by phone earlier in the day, the process of being allocated a table at 6pm is chaotic, with no system at all for seating people in the order they arrived, you pretty much just have to get up and go forward or be last.

Taste and quality not up to the mark. Would not recommend.

Food always good never had bad thing in all years I've been going .. staff are very friendly always clean the place I won't go anywhere else

Regular visitors, staff always polite and courteous, friendly atmosphere and seems to attract a good crowd. The food is fantastic. Especially as its so popular it could be a little cheaper 🤔

What this place has going for it is its location, overlooking the lovely river and bridge. Make sure you get a window seat. We visited on Saturday afternoon, expecting it to be really busy but it was surprisingly quite. On entering the restaurant the sign asks you to wait to be seated. However, there was no staff member present. We hung about waiting for a few minutes. Just a metre away at the bar, 4 staff were talking and hovering around yet none of them acknowledged us. We watched a busy waitress come and get drinks from the bar twice and serve drinks to two tables before she came back and seated us. We then had a ten minute wait until someone came to offer us drinks. The buffet was OK. Pretty normal english/chinese food. I was surprised that the soup (usually chicken and sweetcorn) was just egg and sweetcorn and this was disappointing. Some of the food was really nice - chicken chow mein, chicken curry, egg food young. The beef and leek could have lovely but I got the tail end of the tray and the beef was too chewy to eat. Overall I don't think we will go back. £15.99 seems reasonable for all you can eat but it wasn't for us. However, £2.10 for water/cordial and a huge ice cube is ridiculous. Clientelle mainly chavvy families and noisy kids and didn't make for a relaxing afternoon meal.

Lovely place lovely staff and lovely food

Midweek lunch was £15 pp, bargain, and we enjoyed everything we tried. There was so much choice we couldn't have even a tiny portion of everything on offer. Special fried rice and noodles also fantastic. There was things like chips, nuggets ,poppadoms, hash browns etc maybe for kids and we finished with ice cream, fruit and jelly. I would go again , really busy which is always a good sign

Very nice food had to wait but got through fast enough

Shocking, £106 for 5 people they charged a 12 yr old a 13 yr old and 14 yr old as adults and it’s £6 for a glass of Pepsi absolute madness

Not that authentic but still worth trying.

Food has gone downhill from previous visits I wouldn't go back the best bit was the banana fritters that were labeled at pineapple fritters

One complaint.... never had seaweed 😆

Lovely place Bern going for years always value for money & very tasty

Perfectly OK. Plates have shrunk but that's OK stop me mixing too many different dishes

Choice of dishes for lunch time buffet seems to have got less. Staff always polite and helpful

Rude staff, foodbbasic and bland, dirty glasses, drunk beggers quite frightful, for all the new bars and eateries durham has to office , try cleaning up drunks, beggers and shoplifters and make a beautiful city wonderful again.

I would just wait for the evening so you get the full works much better dinner time isn't the best

Food has gone down hill not a fan at all now

Plenty of food to choose from to be fair the price is pretty decent for what you get, didn't get asked to leave the place even after 1hr45m like most places, they do not like you asking for water, but many of their drinks are seriously overpriced. No all you can eat should charge their prices. Clearing tables isn't a massive priority but isn't the end of the world, only thing that made my rating was the food alone

Quiet, as it was an afternoon to be fair. Last 2 visits here, we've found that a lot of the food seems to taste of chemicals. Not sure if somebody is spraying cleaner too close to the food, or if the dishes aren't being rinsed etc? Chicken balls were nice. Staff were lovely as always.

We were there in December 23, afternoon and we noticed some of the dishes have been removed . The same when we were there in the summer some dishes were not put out I don't know if they have been removed off the menu. We went there on the 19 February 2024 the price has gone up a lot and they have reduced the amount of food on offer. A lot of the warming pans were not in use I would think about 8-10 were empty. We will not be going back as the place is not as good as it was. You can get a good meal at the Fighting Cocks pub just on the corner over the bridge for half the price.

I've been here twice with my mam dad sister and a friend great food great service great staff 10 stars Matthew

Last year, I turned up without booking a table and I was rudely told I had to wait 15 mins for a table to become available. I didn't mind. But 45 mins later, we walked out.. Tonight, I turned up after booking a table at 6pm. I was told to wait because the time was 5.58pm. Fair enough, it was busy so I were happy to wait... Everyone's names were called. The queue had completely gone. I was still waiting.. And I waited.. And i waited... 35 mins later, I'm still waiting, I asked the Chinese woman at the front for her to stick her hand in my face to either shut me up or for me to wait.. For god sake, I'm a large woman, with a large hubby and a hungry child and we were made to feel invisible!! I'm sick of this place treating us like this. I'm done trying to eat at this place.

Sunday lunch buffet is fantastic. Food is beautiful. Staff friendly & owner is lovely. Always a pleasure to eat here.

Totally forgot to write this last year so apologies to the restaurant. Absolutely amazing, friendly welcome. All the staff were brilliant, polite, courteous and looked happy in their job. The food was amazing, and we had a lot. Lots if choice, very fresh and tasted really nice. What made the experience even better was sitting with a gorgeous view of the river. Shame we don't live closer but we will certainly be back.

Price has jumped up since I last went. For the price we expected more. The food was ok, and mostly hot. Some of the dishes weren’t replenished even though it was not late. Not sure any staff member smiled or interacted with us while we were there.

Visited tonight during a busy period. Unfortunately the food was not maintained and often trays were left empty. The meat within the dishes was poor quality and the food was below average. Would not return

I had a wonderful time at the Chinese buffet yesterday. The food was delicious, fresh, and varied. I especially enjoyed the crispy duck, the dim sum, and the noodles. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the place was clean and spacious. The price was very reasonable, only £17.70 per person for unlimited food and drinks. However, I heard that next Monday, the price will go up by £2 because of the greedy Jeremy Hunt MP, who wants to tax the restaurants more. That's a shame, because this buffet is a gem and deserves to be supported. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Chinese food, but hurry before it gets more expensive!

we were told we didn't need to book, we got there and it was packed. as we were coming through the door we were shouted at to shut the door. we saw the attitude the waitresses were giving the other customers with no manners at all so we didn't stay. awful customer service

Unfortunately not nearly as good as previous visits. Bar was covered in dirty glasses. Had to wait despite booking a table. Food was luke warm, very bland. Won't be returning.

Food very good but lady who seats people she was very rude and ignored us before another member of staff seated us! Also made us pay before we even were seated!

Tldr: if you like Chinese food, it's great to stuff your face for a reasonable price. £13.90 pp at printing. Lovely food, great selection for an afternoon buffet. The fact it was busy and keeping walk-ins waiting is a testament to its popularity. Service is casual, maybe a bit lax. However, the fresh food, being continually topped up, drinks brought to table, and various salads and starters more than make up for some deficiencies. We'll be back, if we're ever back in Durham. 3* LOTS of kids, but lunar new year and weekend, suppose it's expected 4* service, take it as it comes, some friendly some nor so. 5* lots of food options

Tried again after a another bad experience. I really wish I hadn't. Main buffet choice was abismal, dried out noodles and rice, bullet hard prawns. To think this place is a sister restraunt to myshanghai. Well you just wouldn't. Although I live two miles away from Durham , Myshanghai will be my only choice from now on.

We didn't wait long for a table and the food we had was lovely but there wasn't any duck and a few empty trays that weren't filled. There wasn't a great choice for vegetarians.

Not the best ok as a Chinese had better in Newcastle

My birthday treat, trying foods I have never eaten before and being able to pick my own portion sizes I loved it .

Love this place, all you can eat buffet and the food is delicious, and it's very well priced, evening is better than afternoon in my opinion better options of choice.

Price has gone up but choice has gone down. Now £14.95 (Sunday) but no prawns. Choices of Chinese and traditional Sunday roast, which is good. One of the last few remaining buffets in the North East. It just may not be profitable anymore.

Best value buffet in Durham city with a great view as well!!

Food looked good but tasted only average and was very salty. The Hot & Sour soup was terrible. The music was acceptable at first, but was repetitive and became onerous. When we went to pay, one of us, being a pensioner, asked for the 10% off deal, but was refused on the grounds that we should have informed them when we first entered! You have been warned.

Buffet restaurants are not normally my cup of tea, however this place wasn’t too bad. Visited with friends for lunch at their suggestion and actually ended up enjoying it. Lots of dishes to choose from, all at a good temp and refreshed regularly. Would definitely visit again 🙂

Was a nice place the food was nice and the price was quite cheap

We, as a family, love this restaurant and can comfortably say its one of our top restaurants in our area!

Our usual New Year's Eve family trip! 2 birthdays to celebrate.. This year we took advantage of the Birthday Person Eats free.. I have to say the staff member who took our payment wasn't happy. Didn't let it spoil our evening though. Food delicious as ever... Happy New Year!!

A little disappointed, I haven't been here for a good while, very quiet, food good .

We were here for many occasions, always happy with food and service. Never complain the food never got a food poisoning or so. Food was freshly prepared and I vast range of tastes. Usually it is very clean place but of course it depends on rush hours. I’m going to come back again for many times

All you can eat. I found the food realy good. Lots of things to choose from. Realy whould go again.

Food is good as usual. Soft drinks expensive, £26.60 for 7 pints of Pepsi Max.

maneger always lovely known her since i was little great food lovely waiter drinks 10/10 food 10/10 everything is a ten out of ten

The food was lukewarm and the banana fitters were the worst l had in my life time

Food was OK. Not the greatest taste but not the worst. Disappointed on the selection. Thought there would be more especially for the price per adult.

Food Is normally good from here but £20 a person is abit much when you didn't even have any spring rolls or prawn crackers. Table wasn't cleaned before sitting down either.

Very enjoyable . Fantastic service took 3 messy babies and the staff were great

First time back in since COVID and I was really happy with the food and the service. The wine I had was lovely. Will definitely be returning. Staff are so lovely. Monday at three o clock is very quiet.

Booked for a table of 5. On arrival our table had been taken :( Very busy on a Sunday but plenty of food available even Sunday roast!

Wasn’t many options especially for the deserts bit into the chicken it was pink inside which means it was still raw the services was rude and not worth £26 pound definitely won’t go again.

I love a buffet , I can find what I want easily. I like how they do English food not just Chinese. I am going to again because I love it.