The Emperor in Sutton

Still remains one of my favourite restaurants of all time. Haven’t been able to go for a while & after reading some recent (not so great) reviews on here I was worried things had changed, but they haven’t- still as good as ever. Yes inflation means they have increased their prices but at £32 a head I think is pretty good value for money. All you can eat, cooked to order fresh off the menu. It doesn’t get much better than that. The food is delicious, fresh, hot, served super fast & great quality. Have been coming here for easy 10 years now & even though I keep moving further away, I always end up travelling far to come here. Came midweek with a friend, we were here for almost 4 hours. We didn’t feel rushed at all, staff are friendly. Already looking forward to my next date night here!

The food was just ok, we were encouraged to go for the buffet menu which is £32 each, I don’t recommend it, as there is no way choosing from the a la cart you would eat that much, the service was speedy, but the food too greasy and lacked seasoning, at the end of the meal, we asked for a doggy bag to take what was left and was informed, it was against their policy to provide doggy bags for the buffet menu, which to me, was unheard of! The other thing we didn’t like was that there were only two tables occupied, but all the staff were on the restaurant floor, talking loudly with each other in Cantonese,which was a bit much. All in all, too expensive for what you get, and quite a flat atmosphere, sorry to say, won’t be returning.

I am a little conflicted from last night. As a family we have been coming to The Emperor since the 80's, since I was a child myself. Last night was a special night for my mother as it was her birthday. I had booked a table for 8, but unfortunately, my niece and nephews all ended up sick with a virus. We ended up ordering from the buffet menu as we were pushed by the server to do so, the food itself was not as good as it normally is and it did not even look pleasing to the eye. The braised mushroom and bamboo shoot was disgusting. There was not enough pancakes for the duck and the duck was dry. The ribs were tasteless and so dry, I would say the meal was average as if it was not the same chef like before. Everytime we wanted to order more food, we were looked at as we shouldn't and are we sure we could eat that, even though it was a buffet menu. The service was slow, I expect they want to serve slow, so that you get full quickly and end up paying £32 regardless of what you order, which is really bad and very expensive for what they delivered and I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE BUFFET MENU, ORDER YOUR OWN THINGS as you will not be eating £32 worth of food. There was food leftover and for the first time we asked for a doggie bag for my mum to take home, which every restaurant we go to provide happily if there is anything leftover so as to not waste it but I am assuming they keep it, reheat it and give it to another customer the next day. We were shocked to be told that is not possible, WHAT? Apparently people order lots so that they end up taking it home, so what? If are paying for the food, it is up to them if they want to take it home or not. I didn't want to make a big deal as it was my mother's birthday, but the restaurant had no right to refuse their customer request for something that we were going to pay and the bill was not cheap. This has put me off ever returning to that restaurant and even though before we left my mother did tell the server off, as a family we have decided not to return here again, being served on a timely manner and professionally is very important to us, would I recommend this restaurant, not anymore. Very disappointed and do not recommend not only because of this experience but the service was poor and the door was not that good, very bland!!!!!

Ladies are very welcoming. On arrival it would appear they would prefer you to have a buffet menu rather order from the normal menu list. Buffet £32 pp which considered to be very expensive for a buffet. Food average. Ribs were dry. We ordered duck pancakes which seemed more of just the skin than meat and the crispy lamb was dry. When we decided we would like to order some chicken satay and was met with ‘ are you sure you want more and not dessert. £78 was our bill for two. I don’t mind paying decent price for good food, but we didn’t get this here. Wouldn’t recommend his restaurant.

We’ve been coming to the Emperor for many years and the food and service has always been exceptional. Unfortunately, our latest visit was not an enjoyable experience. We went on Saturday for a birthday celebration and the food, as always, was very good, however, the price of the unlimited menu has increased to £32.00 per person which we found to be very extreme. None of our group could eat £32.00 worth of food each! The increase made the bill £96.00 straight away before any drinks were ordered making it a very expensive meal out. The restaurant is slowly out pricing themselves from the market. The closing time has also changed to 10pm. The staff therefore were constantly at our table trying to hurry us along, they kept looking at their watches as if we were holding them up, they tried to take our plates when we had not finished, we felt so rushed it was not a relaxing enjoyable meal. At about 9.10pm the waitress came over asking us to put our dessert order in as the kitchen closed in 20 minutes! A table that came in around 8pm were told to order mains and desserts due to the kitchen closing at 9.30pm! The food was lovely, but we will not be returning due to the way we were rushed through our meal and the vastly overpriced menu.

We had a family lovely meal here. The highchair we had booked was in place for our arrival and it had a lovely padded seat unlike most other restaurant highchairs. Service was good and the food was excellent. They have the best crispy aromatic duck I have had in the UK. The restaurant is spacious and air conditioned and the menu is comprehensive.

We went here as first time visitors for my partners birthday and had the Sunday lunch. Our first thoughts were what a cosy atmosphere, greeted with a friendly smile from behind the bar. We were shown to our table and promptly asked for a drinks order. The starters, main course and dessert were all excellent, and the staff were very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyed going here and will definitely be visiting again and recommend it to friends and family.

We went here for my birthday and my nephews.Food was excellent and nothing was to much trouble for the staff. Service was great and friendly. You can eat as much as you want for £32. Is that a lot? You can take as long as you want so can space out the meal as we did. Spent around three hours there. As it was a Thursday didn't think it would be that busy but it was full. All the dishes looked well prepared and presented.

The Emperor is reliably good. We have been here several times as a family. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Good food every time. Highly recommended.

Great night out, food excellent, hot tasty, staff friendly & helpful, we had not been for a few years so looked forward to returning & enjoyed whole evening

Celebrated Husbands 80th birthday with family, absolutely amazing evening. The staff are wonderful and couldn’t do enough for us, attentive but not intrusive. The food was fabulous, will definitely be back.

My husband and I went to The Emperor last night to celebrate his birthday. We had an amazing eat as much as you like meal. The food was hot and fresh and extremely tasty. Just as I remember it in the old days. The last time we went was a couple of years ago and we weren’t impressed the food was not as good so we stayed away. We thought we’d give it another try in spite of the negative reviews and I’m so glad we went. The service was excellent and the staff really friendly. Yes the prices have gone up but everywhere has. We chose mainly seafood and definitely got our moneys worth. Will definitely be going back.

Sad to say that after many years we will not be going back to the Emperor. Was told Sunday buffet was as before covid. Told on arrival no buffet only set menu. Much more expensive. Food was not to the same standard as before to say the least. Menu not clear at all, told we over ordered but would say we ate less than previous buffet style. With service charge our bill was almost double than before. I am trying to think of something nice to add. Toffee apple was fine.

We have visited the Emperor often over the last 20 plus years. It used to be a special treat but my last visit a couple of years ago for my birthday (14 of us) was not a happy one ie: most of the food was good but staff were rude. I asked for a fork and I pretty much had it thrown at me. We were told we couldn’t have our duck with our starters it had to come with the mains. However despite that last bad experience we decided to give them another try. Bad mistake! We had the unlimited option which has gone up in price considerably to £28.90pp and the staff are doubly as rude then b4. Everything we ordered was either too sweet or way 2 salty. During our 1 and 1/2 hour visit at least five times they tried to take my plate away which obviously made us feel they wanted us out. Then they had the cheek to add on a 10% service charge. With our meal we only had 2 beers and 1 shandy and for just 2 of us the bill came to £79. So Emperor neither will we be reccomending you nor will we be coming back. Very disappointing visit.😔😔😔

Had a lovely meal. We chose veggie and prawn dishes as we eat halal meat. I would eat here again. I particularly loved the sweet and sour king prawn balls.

The food as always, was excellent. We have been lucky enough to call this our local for more than 10 years & have ordered takeout from here regularly. Understandably the prices have risen every time we have ordered recently. No doubt due to new procedures...

Sad to say that our experience last night was disappointing. Over priced but I could have dealt with that as the food is very good . What has prompted this review is the attitude of the staff . We Arrived at the correct time and...

Used to be our go to chinese restaurant for a great take-away. However, the prices have increased by over 50% for some dishes; and the menu is woefully overpriced. We will not be using again; time to find another takeaway.

Food is excellent. However prices Jan ‘22 increased just under 50%. Even considering inflationary environment this is way out of line with headline and inflation rates. Profiteering unwelcome surprise. Unfortunately we will now look for alternative takeaway, just too expensive, this will be last visit...

Wow. Great food, staff fantastic. Nothing too much. recommended!!!!!!! two tables. children and adults catered for. Lovely 30th birthday. Thank you for a great evening.

Very welcoming, nothing was too much trouble. Very good food, from spring rolls and seaweed to wonderful king prawns. Lamb in lettuce wraps and duck with pancakes were both delicious too. All you can eat food pricing was very reasonable. Chinese tea and drinks extra....

Finally made it back to the Emperor for Sunday Buffet lunch , it must be 25 years since my last visit, not by choice l hasten to add ,but because ld been living 6500 miles away. My daughter and l had a wonderful lunch and...

We ordered a takeaway as a special treat for my birthday as we were unable to go out for a meal. What a disappointment. The quality of the food was very poor. We had the sizzling lamb which was swimming in grease and god knows...

What’s happened to this place ? It used to be pretty good , went here Saturday night , the food was terrible , we had the £27 per head thing and 2 of the dishes were swimming with grease and tasted horrid , we politely...

It was a surprise for my husband so I had to go early to get the balloons and banners to be set up. The waitress was very helpful and helped me to get the decorations up. The meal was excellent. All the dishes were delicious...

Ordered salt and pepper spare ribs. There wasn't any salt nor pepper added to it..Wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone

The first time since the latest lockdown and it was comfortingly the same as ever. Tables divided by screens, great service and very good food. We have already got the next date in the diary in a months time.

We had a mishap with our dinner tonight and wanted a quick take away. We had been to the emperor before for the eat in buffet but never take away. Our usual was over an hour wait and we decided to they the emperor at...

We have been eating at The Emperor for over 14 years and never had a complaint. Due to the lock down we have found the delivery service to be not on the same par. Tonight we ordered the same menu we have ordered numerous times...

It is with sadness I leave this review as the Emperor has been my favourite restaurant over the last 15years! It has changed the service is so slow, the prices have gone up but if it was the delicate, fresh and outstanding food that we...

The food and service could not be faulted. It happened we visited when the 'Eat in to Help Out' offer was on but the buffet menu at full price is reasonably priced and good value. Every dish was fresh and delicious. We were introduced to...

We have been visiting this restaurant for many years and we are never disappointed. Had a takeaway during lockdown but visited the restaurant last week. The staff were very considerate and all relevant rules were observed, including hand sanitiser on all tables. The space between...

This is a regular Chinese and we missed not being able to have our regular meal at our regular table. It has very nice hanging partitions the we rather liked and suggested they might remain in place and the staff were in masks. The mixed...

Another visit to the restaurant which has always set high standards and always lived up to them. Management and staff are great and the food is of a very high standard. Best Chinese restaurant for miles around. If you have never been there I suggest...

The staff here were fabulous last night - attentive, swift, efficient and had the right level of banter with three guys having a meal out to catch up. We ate a combination of starters (plumpest sesame prawn toasts ever) and then the duck course. Everything...

My family and I used to be frequent customers at this restaurant. At one occasion, my son was crying and I had a waiter come up to my family and I and say that we are making people leave and we should go outside until...

Three of us visited The Emperor for a get together shortly before Christmas and, despite the very busy urban setting outside, we had a thoroughly good time. Food and service were excellent and I just wish this restaurant was a lot nearer to our home!...

Sorry but take away 100% better than sitting in. Slow service, was told that most people stayed in their for 3 hours plus, I can see why one waitess probably one chef, but over 5 people doing the take away service. Need more waiting staff

I've eaten at this restaurant many times and the never disappoint me - the food is cooked freshly of the menu and loads to order from prawns, chicken, etc. great service and friendly staff make sure you get them to sing birth day song!!! highly...

Been a while since I've been here and it remains a good place for a family meal. The Sunday fixed price buffet is great for a get together. Crispy duck start and then the buffet awaits! We'll be back even though considerably further away these...

Had a meal with family and it was fabulous. The food was superb and the service outstanding. Could not have wished for a better evening

Three of us have been coming here for lunch for 11 months a year for 30 years. Some may think this is a strange thing to do, but it is near our work and serves good food. We have always had good food, good service...

We have been to this restaurant so many times, it was always a favourite of ours and could never fault it. We loved it so much that I even had my hen do here in March 2019. We decided to take the kids with us...

Reserved and booked a table. For my mums birthday at 8.30 Arrived and I could see straight away they were short staffed. My husband walked in and approached someone himself to ask about the table. Guy was snappy and rude. Didnt know about our reservation...

We went here for a family birthday and went for the menu all you can eat @ £22 p/head. There was 18 of us including children. Food was excellent and all we could manage was the starters and main. No room for pudding.

Can’t rave enough about The Emperor ! Always friendly, quick to serve, and the food is just the best. We’ve had several evenings out here with different family members and friends, and it never fails to disappoint. Book ahead or you will be disappointed!

Their waiters are the most annoying and ill tempered waiters ever.He kept moaning as tho we were wasting his time. Flipping dumb guy.Couldnt even do his job properly.IT WAS NORTH CHEAM EMPEROR.So if you anyone like the one I saw talk back to them and...

My wife and I come here all the time. The atmosphere is always very relaxed and inviting. The servers are always polite and helpful. In addition to this, the food is always spectacular..tonight was no exception. Arrived without a reservation (doh) on a friday night!...

We've been a few times over the years. The food is okay..we always get full up on the duck and pancakes and the starters. Didn't enjoy the mains as much as we usually do but the beef in black bean sauce was nice.

Recently went here for buffett after hearing that poor hygeine rating had been lifted. We have been here many years but it does seem that some of the staff do take the customers for granted & this case one was rude. Having requested a glass...

Booked the table for 1pm today ,Sunday ,turn down as booking wosnt made on they behalf apparently member of the staff made booking for Tuesday instead... What happend to us today was unacceptable, poor comunication and staff no speaking Eanglish !!!... Maybe we have lucky...

Met a friend for a beer after work and then went to The Emperor for dinner.. glad we booked as all tables were full at 8.00pm.. for £22.90 per head you can eat as much as you like... obviously the price works as the restaurant...

We went for my dad's birthday. We were a group of 16 and had a huge round table. The staff were fantastic and really nice. The food was excellent as usual. I love coming here to eat.

We ate at the Emperor yesterday at their Sunday buffet and contrary to the latest reviews I can honestly say that we had a superb lunch. Friendly staff, and a good atmosphere. The Sunday buffet lunch that they offer is exceptionally reasonable price wise and...

I’ve been to The Emperor a couple of tome before. We loved the service and the food the 1st time, the 2nd time was okay and this time - terrible is an understatement. I arrived before my husband .. The waiter said i will wait...

We had just got back from the airport and phoned ahead for a table, great friendly service and top notch food as per usual, we had the evening buffet and had the opportunity to order 'half' portions so not to cause unnecessary waste, this is...

I asked for my crispy duck to not be crispy because I like it soft and they done it absolotely perfectly. I love this place. Definitely recommend

We were booking a table for 4, and the guy who firstly answer hang up on us three times, then and after trying for the last time, they were so rude, screaming that they had more customers to attend. Awful.

Very poor service bland food got to comfortable needs a revamp taking customers for granted i will take my money some where else

We have been going for their Sunday buffet for special occasion for years! There are an array of dishes to choose from including chicken, prawns, pork etc and is a great value for money. We are pleased to say that the quality of food is...

I was really disappointed with the restaurant & food. I work locally & noticed the restaurant is busy in the evening so booked it for a friends birthday meal as he loves Chinese but that was a big mistake as it was not a good...

Greasy food. Surprised they charge so much. Don’t think we’ve had such a bad meal in a very long time.

I took my young children here yesterday for a meal. One of them was 14 and eats quite a lot and my 11-year-old who doesn’t. I had to pay the same price for both children and considering the amount 11-year-old can eat compare to a...

Great food very busy on a Friday loads of choice buffet was fab, really fun to try everything, far too much for us but we made a great attempt!

Nice Buffet had to come to this one as Worcester Park was full ! Very similar and as always good quality food and variety but not the same portions was also weirdly smaller and table service was terrible and so slow !!!

Went here with 3 friends on a Thursday evening. Was surprised how busy it was on a week day but having now experience the food can see why as it was plentiful and tasty and not too expensive.

I'm not sure if the chef was having a bad day but we visited this place for a quiet meal and the food was extremely disappointing. The seasoning was all over the place, the spare ribs we had were salty to the point of inedible...

First visit. The website says that the set menu is £16 per head. We had a very nice meal I have to say but we're horrified at the bill of £98 for three of us.!!! We only had two halves of shandy each and coffee...

The food is delicious from the duck to the deep fried seafood... it tastes delicious!

We've been using this restaurant for a number of years now for Sunday lunch, and for evening meals and always find the food here very good, and always made to feel welcome by the staff, this place is always very busy so would recommend booking...

My family have been regular takeaway customers for years but the last few months the food has deteriorated. The dishes have been poor quality and tonight I found a shard of chicken bone and my daughter found a metal wire in her chicken dish. Not...

As much as you can handle Chinese food, service is good, good choice on menu, no pressure, nice evening.

I have been coming to The Emperor for over 6 years and it has always been lovely. I have taken various friends here and they all love it too and have returned many times. The food is lovely with generous portions and it's much, much...

I love The Emperor ! I didn’t book until last minute as my mum is unwell and in hospital, but my husband and I kept with family tradition and went out on Christmas Eve for dinner and I managed to book a last minute table....

Having been here in the summer I went back due to a family birthday. which if anything it was even worse than before, basically I don't think they know how to cook vegetarian food which was tasteless and not enjoyable. The menu is in urgent...

The staff are lovely, chatty. The food itself is above average, there are some nice tweaks on routine dishes. I did try to find their menu online prior to going but their website was terrible and in Chinese.

This is without a shadow of a doubt our favourite Chinese Restaurant!!! Great food. Great price. We've been lots of times and will continue to do so. You will not be disappointed.

Excellent Indian food at a reasonable price. Restaurant is always very busy recommend booking for Saturday Evenings

Me and my girlfriend only go here when it's a special occasion. This time is was our anniversary, The food is always amazing, nice and hot never have a reason to complain! But.. The service! The last few times of going there the service has been poor, for example, no smiling, looking like they're not listening to you while taking your order, taking forever to bring simple things for example again, a glass of water, taking 15 minutes to arrive, then they gave us a jug with no glasses and then have to wait a further 10 minutes for the glasses (may sound silly but this is just one of a few examples) There is one guy in there that actually looked happy and he was In a suit, (manager? Or owner? Not sure) he was laughing and talking to the customers while taking there order. Which was nice to see. The frustrating thing is that It never used to be like this, it just seem to happen, the staff use to be so helpful and smiley.. But I keep going back for the food I just wish the service was as good as the food and it would be a 5 out of 5