If you live in Birmingham and want to celebrate a milestone with a friend or family member, you will be sure to hear the place called Buffet Island mentioned over and over again when it comes to time for taking venue recommendations. There’s just something about this place (and the food) which makes you want to keep going back. It doesn’t matter how much you tell your friends, ‘let’s try somewhere else next time’, you just know that the next time, you’ll be right there.
Do you think they have a magic potion that they put in the food? Or is it just the allure of the place?The ambience? Who knows what it is. Today, I stop to review the place and give it my considered rating.
There is usually a wide variety of fresh fruits on hand for dessert.
And so is the sweeter option for dessert.
The physical surroundings at Buffet Island
Situated at the very busy intersection by Tyburn Road, Buffet Island could easily be mistaken for an unused building if you saw it in the daytime. I often think that the frontage could do with some work to make the place look a bit more inviting.
Once the evening opening hours come, however, the place takes on a life of its own and become lively and vibrant with couples, families, and groups of different sizes coming to celebrate a milestone or another.
Although the all you can eat restaurant is quite big (seating close to 100), it can sometimes feel cramped on special days such as Mothers’ Day as extra tables and chairs are brought in, preventing free movement to an extent.
The restaurant sometimes accommodates large groups
I would highly recommend adjustments to the entrance and areas in the facility for disabled access. The toilet facilities are ok and seem generally well maintained. That’s a big plus, in my opinion.
The food at Buffet Island
You know by now that it’s the food that most people go to Buffet Island for. The Chinese cuisine served there boasts at least 30 chafers of different types of savoury dishes each night ranging from the common sweet and sour chicken to egg and chicken fried rice. You can be forgiven for taking 3 or 4 trips for a refill of what you’ve already tried, or for a trial of a new dish or two. The general spice level is mild, a bit of a disappointment for palettes used to spicy food.
The temperature of the foods on offer depends on what time they are refilled, which is a consequence of how delicious they are, or how busy the restaurant is. Generally, though, there isn’t an issue with how hot or cold the food is. If you are particular about getting hot food, then it would be in your best interest to keep an eye out for when the chafers are being refilled.
The service at Buffet Island
It would appear that Buffet Island has a good staff turnover rate. It doesn’t matter who serves you, however, as the service is usually quite pleasant and efficient. In fact, when the restaurant isn’t too full, you could mistake their attention for being too much (almost like they’re spying on you). lest you’re tempted to slip some wings and or a few spring rolls into your handbag.
Unlike in other restaurants, I’ve never witnessed any issues, problems or arguments. I would think that would be no reason for any arguments as patrons already know the cost of the meal before being seated. Alcohol is also served so that’s another matter.
The owners/staff are quite accommodating and patrons (including) us, have asked in the past for them to hold onto a birthday (or other celebratory) cake etc until we were ready for it. They usually send out a bubbly personality with the lit cake. They will even cue the Happy Birthday song at the right time too.
Empty tables are usually cleared and cleaned promptly and the general cleanliness of the venue is superbly maintained.
It is quite easy to reserve a table at buffet island if you ring up in advance. It is not necessary, however, unless it is a very busy holiday period like Christmas or Valentines. Generally, though, they are quite accommodating.
Value for money
Considering the nearly £15 cost per person for the privilege of eating all you can in about 2 hours, it averages out ok. Especially when you think that some people can manage the feat and have a go at eating the owners out of their investment, others are rather timid (or perhaps see no point in stretching their colons too much).
The price for children is £2.00 less than adults and their kiddies age is 9 years old and below.
Star rating/ Buffet Island
All things considered, including how centrally located the venue is to the city centre, and to public transportation, I would give the lovely Buffet Island a star rating of 4 out of 5.
Thanks to our experiences there so far, Buffet Island comes highly recommended as the venue for your next family celebration.
Thanks to Buffet Island for inspiring this post.
And there are other amazing places across the UK for your family celebrations.
See our review of a product here.