Spoon World Buffet & Bar in Basildon

Pffff… most of the food is bang average, some of it is actually just plain old gross. It’s overpriced also. My daughter went and got some grapes and they weren’t ripe, they tasted bitter. Some of the kitchen staff were hanging around near the kitchen door, they kind of had faces that suggested they were waiting to see If anyone would go for the dish that the porters had spat it. Just felt uneasy in there. Staff are actually rubbish, as I’m writing this a waiter comes over and just points at the empty plates on our table, and then stands there waiting for me to pass him empty plates. Like that’s my job? Never coming here again.

Staff inattentive on arrival. Food had congealed! And wasn't fresh. Too many nuggets, hash browns etc..cheap fillers. Lady on pizzas touching all the pizza with bare hands then licked her fingers!!! Manager seemed a big vague! Some food was burnt and the cakes were flavourless and frozen!!! The chocolate fountain looked like milkshake! Avoid like the plague.

very over rated and very over priced, we was in a party of people and we was so crammed in we couldn't get in and out of our table hence our table was not serviced, i had to request the staff to clear our table before we could eat our next meal,this place has so deteriorated since it's opening days, won't be getting my custom anymore,for the £80 we spent i'm quite sure we could go to most good restaurants for that price

When i went in the restaurant there was a huge queue but it went so fast 5 stars so when i got inside the building there was so much food to choose from i went with the spicy chicken absolutely delicious i love it so much it been two years now time to wait 2 years until i go there again just kidding

Great food, especially the crep section

Food was great, we all loved. The options are great

First time we went there.Save to say,that also last time.Greeting was ok,just took the money and showed the table.Worst part is the food.Tasteless,meat was horrible,any meat I tasted was like chewing gum.The only thing that tasted good was chili oil.Avoid

First place that comes to mind when I fancy capital spare ribs(very meaty and tasty). For all you can eat, the options are rather great, and food is topped up fast so hardly any waiting time. The freshly made dessert is an excellent idea if you have kids with you.

A nice place for a dinner with a variety of food in a very good quality. They only accept cash but this is not a problem as plenty of ATMs are around.

Super food Super staff Great stake

food was really greasy, pizza was cold I will not be going there again. Staff cleaned up table while we getting food as soon as we put our clean cups on there the table wasn’t even touched.

A really good selection of main foods from all over the world, Indian selection is good if you like spicy curry's but not so much if you don't, sushi was good as we're the grilled dumplings. Drinks were reasonably priced, only minor negative was deserts were a bit blah..but thats just my opinion.All in all a good place for a cheap meal out.

Wait for about 10mins in a Q even though we had a table booked, was very busy, I thought it was bad a children go on hight and not on age, so if you have a tall child they have to pay adult price! food was abit tasteless but ok, we had some dim sum and wanted a couple more but they didn't replace them which I thought was bad.

A very nice place where you can serve yourself and dishes for all tastes. I highly recommend it

Please guys save your pennies!! I went here for lunch today after the cinema and was in and out within 20 mins (this included purchasing drinks from the bar). What can I say?? Shown to a table not even explained how it all works. Majority of the staff standing round on their phones. Literally went up to the buffet once (that was enough!!) food tasteless, swimming in grease and not sure what meat they used to make the sweet and sour or lemon chicken but it most certainly wasn’t fresh chicken!! Possibly the most disgusting food I’ve ever had! Couldn’t even get the chips right, they were like cardboard and prawn toasts had no prawn just toast.

Was greeted by a scruffy woman at the door that took us to a table, food was like warm chewy and expensive, rubbish choice of afters, won't bother going again. Shocking

Dry cold meat, peeling chairs and grubby tables. Only go if you want to over-pay for a glorified Chinese/ Indian/ pasta!

Food is horrendous and it’s all the cheapest of food there was 3 of us and didn’t even finish a place of food between the 3 of us it has to be one of the worse places to eat in Essex and the toilets are also stinking I would advise people not to go near this place unless u like eating the cheapest food and tasteless food in the uk

Firstly food was great. After walking in being meet with staff member at door. She was quite rude. How many are you? Go sit down and then said go pay to bar. The person behind the bar said she’s struggling to be polite. Got to my sit and she not even say a word about drinks. How you order. What a joke…! Has I was eating. I should have taken pictures of two staff members eating has the worked with blue gloves on . Not sure why you would do this in front of paying guests. Maybe next time a picture. Tables were clean and the other staff walking around was nice and friendly. Rudeness when you walk in, is not what you want for a meal out.

Lovely restaurant, atmosphere was good and great options for food. We had a group of 10, all enjoyed it and there was something for everyone. All round general cleanliness! Desert wasn't really up my street, a bit bland. Looks the part but wasn't as tasty. Food was fresh and tasty.

I was very disappointed in this resturant in every way. The food was awful and most of it cold. Staff were untidy looking, young man that work there smelt of BO really bad. Decor was horrible and dated. The floor was sticky! The sink area stank of sewage near the back wall. Everything about this place was horrific!

Honestly, I can’t see the problem with this place and bad reviews. I was reading some reviews and now decide to use my review to tell the truth from what I have seen over multiple visits to Spoons: “Chicken is raw/tasteless” - I love chicken and tried quite a few different types on all occasions, and every time they have been white on the inside and well seasoned. “Restaurant is dirty” - I have NEVER seen it be dirty. The large workforce keep it spick and span. The buffet serving area can get mucky, but that’s what happens at buffets. “Staff are rude” - This could be true, I don’t know, but the staff I spoke to were polite and went out of their way to assist us when we needed some more napkins for the table. Also, the drinks are refillable! EDIT: Okay, I don’t want to start a reviews war but I have seen a few reviews about children putting their fingers in the chocolate fountain. How is this the fault of the restaurant? If you have a problem, either don’t use the fountain OR go and talk to their parents. Staff at restaurants shouldn’t be forced to control random children! When we visited, the fountain wasn’t even working (which isn’t a big deal for my group.)

4 adults, 2 kids & a baby. Good place to go. Nice clean restaurant. Good customer service. Recommended

A great day good food worth every penny 😋

Very lovely place. Starts service 2pm. Sometimes short wait for table to be available

Wide variety of food, really fresh and good value. Very friendly helpful staff.

If I could give zero stars I would. Went back after a year as had a bad experience but recent reviews looked positive certainly won't be going back again. Food disgusting and children putting fingers and all sorts on chocolate fountain and double dipping plus cleaner with dirty rag wiped round food pots and it was dipping in the food 🤢 no air conditioning. Told supervisor and staff about the chocolate fountain and they just left it running full of germs my next call after getting off the toilet and throwing up will be to the health inspection and trading standards and any food health authority I can find. They need to be closed down immediately before someone dies

Very exciting and much appreciated place for Buffet in Basildon

Friends and family paid a visit to Spoons after watching a movie at the new Vue Cinema. Although the main meals section didn't disappoint as usual it was extremely disappointing that by 8.15 the dessert section was almost totally empty and not being replenished. When asking if the restaurant was closing we were informed yes at 9.30pm. Asked if more desserts were coming out we were told no. Such a shame as this spoiled the atmosphere and enjoyment of our meal. The kids were upset as the chocolate fountain was gone with the biscuits and sweets which usually accompany it. From what is generally a very enticing dessert section to virtually nothing availqble was annoying and frustrating. Especially as the restaurant didn't close for another 95 minutes. Personally speaking the next time we visit the cinema we shall look elsewhere for our evening meal.

Really good for families. I'd had to have a minor procedure which meant I'd had to go on a specific diet, and then fast for a day, my partner took me here when I was allowed to eat again so we could eat anything we fancied! The choice is brilliant and the quality of the food is generally really good - not typically what you would see from an all you can eat buffet! Would come back again and recommend to others.

Im so disappointed for the staff who working in this place i come from Alisford to Chatham especially for this place to enjoy the food from different countries but unfortunately the waters makes me feel embarrassed because there was no one to tell me i can't use that table end shw was screamed that i wasn't been paid end i can't use the table i tried to explain here end then i see all the people was staring at me so i was feel so embarrassed i just decided to leave that place i was eat hungry 😔i hope some one will ride that cement end the waitress with be off the job because its not she doesn't know how to talk with the customers and i will also look my rights im not gonna leave that because im also human

If I could give it zero I would. Workers rude. We waited 4 hours to get into it, they saw us let us book a whole table and then as soon as we walk in there for our booking they tell us no because we need an adult. We looked online and it says over 16 can eat without an adult, which we are but they still didnt let us when we said this. I have my drivers licence. I have a job. But I cant eat food at spoons. This is not a strip club it is a buffet that surves food for people to eat. We cant even order drinks as there is a bar so we cant anyway. We are starving and just wanted to eat, we were so excited all day to eat there. All I can say is I am very saddened and disappointed in this place and I will NOT be returning.

Maybe say the age requirements for booking before denying people that have been waiting for hours and telling them to go we are all over 16 but we were denied straight at the door

Not the best food in my opinion

This is a very beautiful restaurant. All the food here is very tasty, and the service and decoration are also really good. There are various types of food available here. There is also a live kitchen. It's value for money.

Great buffet, italian, Chinese, indian, sushi, the desserts were amazing, Chef there too to cook steaks, crab etc. great price, kids had a field day here, never stopped eating, well worth the money

The location is convenient, the food was not too good for me compared to other buffets.

Visited with my family. Won't be going back. Food was cold. Even though they had varieties on the menus but they could have done more to make it warm/ hot. Not everyone enjoys cold food. Left a lot to be desired but that's my own preference though others may like it that way. Customer service was bearable and just okay. No-one going above and beyond to make the stay worthwhile. All the staff were doing their jobs as expected but no whao factor. Even though I complained about the cold food, there was no feedback from the staff. Pancake and sirloin were made on the spot so hot food at last, yayyyy.

Always a pleasant experience at this buffet, a good value , great food, Always hot, friendly staff

Food OK nice choice but not very hot

A good buffet with a lot of variety.

Absolutely awful £24 each they go on the kids height my grandson is 11 but had to pay adult as his tall, he only ate a small amount, my other grandson is autistic so only ate 6 popcorn chicken, the price is a joke the food was disgusting the customer service awful it’s pay and sit down there’s tickets on your table telling you how long you can eat for, the dessert offer was horrible, never again waste of money

An all you can eat buffet. Good value depending on who you go with, good for the big eaters, not so much the little ones. My youngest is a very fussy 4 year old, so maybe ate about 4 mouthfuls and a bit of ice cream, but cost the same amount as my nearly 10 year old. Cakes were a bit dry. Plates a bit on the small side, but I can understand why. Reservations not needed. A bit cheeky to have different prices depending on day of the week! No parking as in middle of town centre. And parking is chargeable.

Cash only. Having a little tax dodge

Could do with more dessert options but apart from that the food is great.

The selection of food available is ample enough. Most of the dishes I tasted were nice, tasty and fresh. A few were a bit dry to my taste. Deserts were not really great, limited selection and nothing that really stood out. It is (or was on the night) a cash only affair. Not a big deal as there is a cash point right across the street.

Price seems to go up every time I visit but never the less large selection of food.

Staff were very helpful and friendly, quick at taking empty plates. The food was very good, hot and plentiful. The place was very clean.

Kids love it. Enjoyed the steak and lamb. Shrimp somewhat bland taste?

Visited for the first with my partner and son and we really enjoyed the food. Great selection all hot and tasty. Brilliant service from the Shift manager and FOH staff...Will definitely be going again!!!

Absolutely in agony swollen belly , bad signs of overdosing with msg Although food was reasonable I'm bloated on 3 x1/2 plates I won't return !!!

2 stars because I’m a nice person but this place was a disappointment! Staff were rude and food was below average. Messed up with our booking (twice). Some random kid was running around barging people. Overall…. Never again

Large buffet selection means everyone can always find something to eat, and far too much to try everything. We visited early lunch time and pleased all dishes were already out and freshly cooked. A repeat Saturday evening visit proved just as good. Good was regularly restocked, and in this day and age the value is pretty great (£22 each + drinks) considering the choice.

Came here on a Monday evening for a birthday meal. Nice atmosphere as it wasn't overly busy or empty - just right! Food stations were clean and full, we all left feeling well fed. Good value for the price also :) Would definitely come back!

It’s really amazing wonderful food mainly the chicken pasta I love it!!

Booked a table for my son who wanted to celebrate there for his 17th birthday with his friends. Hard to book online (website a bit hit and miss), so was glad to finally speak to someone on day of booking to confirm all would run smoothly for 5:00pm booking. I asked if they would honour student discount to be told they would. Was asked that my son and friends being Student ID. Not only did my son and his friends have to wait an hour later to get in, it also turned out other birthday parties had their birthdays celebrated around my son by staff. As a result had to pick son up a lot later!

Good selection of food. Chicken dishes taste like they have been injected with water. Remember, it is cash, only no card payments

A lot of choice,I personally found a lot of the food quite bland but for what it is it's ok.waiter was a laugh though 👍

The food is stale, cold and tasteless. There is hardly any vegetarian options. The service is bad as no one comes to ask for drinks or cleaning plates etc. Even manager is not available for providing the feedback on site. It is more like a cheap Chinese buffet rather than world buffet as there are no other dishes. Pizza cheese is worse than rubber.

Nice food and lots to choose from, But feel like being rushed. Not sure if it's because of the atmosphere or not as it's very hectic like being in a school canteen.

It was great to go to & enjoy it, the food was great to have.

Good food, good choice of food. Down side to it toilets are up stairs and it can be very noisy.

I often find shortcomings, something is always missing for me. But this restaurant is truly amazing! Everything is just perfect, very pleasant atmosphere, very clean, great staff, and the food is fantastic. The selection is very wide, suitable for both kids and adults! I highly recommend it! It was my first visit here, but I will definitely come back!

Bland chinese food, mediocre food, curry and sauces are good. Unhygienic, I feel like I'm going to be sick the following day after eating here. Also Kids running around and being loud, very annoying. 3 stars because of the price and amount of food you can get.

Disappointment. Food limited. As we have vegetarian family members? All you can have rice, margarita pizza and one potato curry. You do not want to pay nearly £20 for pizza and chips. Bench we sat on was so work that all you can feel is wooden frame. Food gave all of us upset stomach. Choice of food very limited. It used to be nice place bit now it is not.

Cramped, cheap food, most has no flavour and service? There is none, even as soon as we walked in the door we were told “pay there, ok go find a seat” Also I know buffets aren’t considered hygienic but I it’s the only one I’ve ever been to where I’ve left and gotten sick the day after I hate parents who let their kids run about like it’s a playground but the staff don’t do anything, £20 is way too expensive to put up with all of that

Lots of food selection, great food as well. My fave is the salt and pepper fish - hope to come back again.

Absolutely amazing place came here a few times and I was absolutely delighted with what I was seeing. The staff are all so nice.

Nice buffet, a good array of foods

Very busy but all the troughs kept getting filled regularly and nothing empty .drinks very expensive and over priced Sushi very good fish not just vegetables

A buffet with normal frozen food

Food is great. Service very poor. Staff all stand around on phones . Managers don't give directions. Bins over following rubbish on floor. Tables are all in the wrong layout. Could be a lot better with right management in place

Bland flavourless food, over charged for a child, kids left to run around by parents, to crammed, overall not a very pleasent place to eat. Pay a little more and go to Aroma!

Absolutely terrible customer service, our friend was waiting for all of us to arrive,so he was waiting around 30 mins in the queue, and we we have finally all arrived, the lady,who pretends to be a manager, but she isn't, blond lady, with green highlights, she didn't even give us her name, we were all told to go and join the end of the queue, despite our friend has been waiting for so long in the queue and gad booked for us a table when we had a conversation she was so rude to us, she made my 6 years boy cry,and the lady who gets payments, she was not helping at al either.Horrible customer service, never will be back again ,ruined all our night out👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

I really love this Chinese all you can eat but unfortunately it was very, very busy...just too many people for my group. Just made it too noisy and the waiting to get food as it was so crowded. Shame....but will go again, such a shame they don't do lunch times during the week anymore.

Went for dinner with the family, we booked coz if u want a table then please book in advance 😀...... so much to choose from and the food is lovely.....I would so recommend this place to eat

Very big selection of food. Went on a Saturday night but booked in advance which was lucky as there was a queue outside. Have been a few times and will go plenty more

Terrible overpriced , food all taste very similar. Trays often empty for 15 mins or more si by then you've give up or full eating something you didn't really want. Very very average

Did not get to eat as you have to pay first. And only cash. Wondered if it’s a money launderette

We won't be returning. Poor customer service. Particularly the lady with blue hair. She was totally rude and had a face on her like a bulldog chewing a wasp the whole time we were there. Even looked like she was making other staff members uncomfortable. Totally brings down the atmosphere in the place. Shame as we have been couple of times before and enjoy the variety of food. Cash only too 🤔

Went here this evening, I had booked with a group of friends. I was hugely disappointed and embarrassed. I was driving my mobility scooter in, (my friend holding the door) the staff member ran towards me telling me I cannot take it in there and was really rude about it. There was lots of room and little areas I could have put it in out of the way but she wouldn't let me. I voiced my concern for it being stolen and she snapped that I should bring the key in with me. Not quite how it works! It was cash only and so members of our group had to rush to the cash machine, she made an issue out of this too, whilst we waited outside (out of the way of any queues) she rudley ushered us out of the way. At first, they wouldn't except a £50 Note being used for 2 peoples meals. They didn't allow a member of our party to have a smaller meal, despite her having a medical card to say she can't eat much. The same woman barked at someone for using the wrong door. The food was mainly Chinese and the chicken was pink and jelly like. They definitely need to scrub up on their customer service and learn to not discriminate also.

Cash only, rubbery tough chicken, tables too close together and rude woman with zero customer service skills on the door. Disappointed, won’t be going back.

Had a birthday meal here with friends and so nice to have a selection for everyone. We arrived quite late and they said the kitchen was closing. We was advised to have a quick look round and see if they had the food we like before paying. As we was in late we was out late. We noticed them cleaning around us not not to close to be annoying and must say they do a very good clean. Updated 27/01/24 On arrival we were advised the card machine is not working so cash only, after reading reviews this is a common trick at weekends. Rude greeting on arrival and no interest for catering for disabilities. Being told medical exception cards are not accepted, as we had a friend who hardly eats since her operation and was told to leave the mobility scooter outside. The drinks were reasonably priced but the food was of poor quality, most items very fatty and meats chewy. Shame as our first experience was amazing years ago.

We have been there few times and every time was worse ,but after our last visit I don't think we will be back ,80% of food was cold ,staff are not very friendly none of them can even smile back(unfortunately working in hospitality that's Ur job to be nice and friendly -i know I'm working in a restaurant), restaurant is really cold as well I get it doors are opening all the time but just put heating on especially when is 2 degrees outside

Good food. Good value. Friendly staff and caters for veggies !!! 8. 1. 24 Visited on my own yesterday and was extremely upset by the decline in service since my last visit some time ago. As a vegetarian I requested a table away from the smell of meat. I was told I could only sit at a table for two and as none of those was suitable for me, my only option was to accept a refund and leave without eating . Can you believe this?????

Very good food , and atmosphere 😃😃

What sort of restaurant takes only cash? Why would they not have a working card machine in this world of digital? My friend booked a table for 20 people and they sat us in stacked rows when there was an entire row for 20 people or more seating right in the middle of the room, where everyone can at least be together. As if paying for 20 people wasn't already a lot of cash to bring. The lady at the front so rudely made a point that we can't sit down unless it's fully paid before we get sat down. Why would we bring all these kids and adults into a restaurant to not be able to pay? Especially for a birthday celebration? Do you think we just find it fun to let this birthday child down? Why not take a reservation fee beforehand? Obviously because they want cash only but a sized establishment like that should provide card option. Twice the woman at the front reminded us that we are out by 6. We didn't expect to be treated like cattle and I've been to plenty of buffet places whom are more organised about things and treat customers with better curtosy. I suspect because it gets pretty busy there, profit is all that matters so we're just a number. Staff were just hanging around doing nothing most of the time. There was a good choice but dessert was bland. I got a crepe and the person making the crepe put the freshly hot crepe on my hand, that was holding the plate, when she put it on my plate. Pay attention please, I seriously don't need a burnt hand. Birthday boy had fun and that's all that matters but definitely can do better with their booking reservation system and card payment option should be standard.

Absolutely garbage never eaten somewhere so filthy

An enjoyable meal and loads of different plates to choose from. My only gripe is how expensive it was. We went on a Thursday evening so was £16 each...and now, Dec 2023, it was nearly £20 for Saturday lunchtime!!

Be careful!! I now have food poisoning following my visit yesterday afternoon. This place is clearly not up to standards.

I’m really disappointed with this restaurant, when we got to the restaurant they informed us that their card terminal was not working, that we had to pay cash. There was no apology and to make matters worse I’d just spoken to them on the phone to confirm booking. They could have easily mentioned they were having problems with their card machine. Their attitude was if you don’t like it leave, luckily my husband had cash on him. The food was not great neither was the service. I won’t be going back and I don’t recommend the restaurant to anyone.

Food was undercooked, raw chicken on the trays. Staff members were rude, cups were dirty and a family with children were at the ice bucket and the kids were putting the tongs in to their mouths and then other people were using them. I used to like this place a lot and often visited once a week but it’s gone down hill and the hygiene is so bad now

Rude chef by steak area. Waited patiently for him to ignore us and then serve people behind. Then I asked if we were at the right place for steak and he gave us a hand gesture to wait without even acknowledging us. Still after waiting patiently he then finally cooked our steaks, when we asked for medium then served us well done burned steak. Use to really love this place but won’t be coming back , customer service is so simple

This was a return visit from Wales!! Didn't dissapoint

One of the best buffet restaurant in the UK. I went there with my girlfriend. Affordable, many food options to choose. Especially Chinese foods such as shredded duck with pancake ,prawns,pork ribs and they even got seafood platter like scallop and crabs that will be served very fresh. I did not expect the foods would be that good. Very worth it. Worth for the money. The best shop in Basildon for me. Thanks the owner and manager for their generosity of food.

The staff were rude and hostile in turn it made the atmosphere heavy. They made you feel in the way. On the drinks they say tango diet Pepsi etc but they are a very cheap version. The food was OK. Some was cold on the Web site it said 15.99 when we got there it was 18.99 and the staff was rude when we questioned it she said its a old web site. And it was cash only!!

Tasty food. Good location, spatious and good service. Planty of choice for vegetarian as well.

It was my first buffet in the UK, the experience was worth it and the food was good. It will be nice to have adequate signages around that will guide you to where and what so you get the chance to focus on your choice food on time before you get filled with the lesser choices

Cash only when I visited, crowded with long waits, we left in the end.

Been there on several occasions with Family and friends. A wide variety of menu suits all tastes. Very crowded in weekends and ok in the weekdays.