Lai Ling Info
Amenities
Service options
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
Accessibility
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
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Alcohol
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All you can eat
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Beer
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Coffee
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Free water refills
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Late-night food
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
Dining options
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
Amenities
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Bar on site
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Toilets
Atmosphere
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Casual
Crowd
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Groups
Planning
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Reservations required
Payments
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Cash only
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
Children
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Good for kids
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High chairs
Parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Best KPortal Reviews
Absolutely love this place, regularly go, we get great service and great food - never have any complaints
You have to pay for your food and first drink up front which is fair enough as I’m sure they’ve had people walk out without paying - don’t see why anyone would have a problem with this.
We always go home full and definitely get our moneys worth, favourite Chinese to eat out at
Starters come on one big plate which we enjoy as we all share and have a bit of everything, small portions are great as reduces the waste as I don’t like wasting food but if we finish it and wanted more we just order more.
Myself and my friend came to those restaurant as we wanted a Chinese buffet over a nice meet up.
When we arrived, we were led to our table (2 person table), which was fine. However, when a family of 4 were seated next to us about 10 minutes after we got there- then it felt like I was shoved into a corner and the lady next to us was that close, when she flicked her hair back, it hit my table and nearly my food (not her fault of course, but it was not good enough as there were plenty of other tables they could have been sat at).
In terms of food, myself and my friend ordered our starters separately & when it arrived, everything was on 1 big plate, meaning when I tried to separate my food from hers, half of mine went on the table as I wasn’t given a big enough plate to accommodate my yuk sung- this might sound picky, but if I’m paying for my food, I want to eat it :(
Next of all, we were told that with our main dishes, they will be on separate dishes (yay!). However, because the plates are small, we ate them quick as we only chose 2 each & we’re ready to order our next ones- it took a while for these to be ordered but that’s okay as we understand there were other people too. By the time out dishes came, they were really small for mains so I had lots of rice left over from the one dish & I couldn’t eat the other as it not only looked inedible (see picture) but the texture was like raw chicken! I really politely apologised that I couldn’t eat the food as i physically couldn’t swallow it. I was told that I’d get charged an extra £5 because “it’s a waste” even though id already paid for my buffet meal. As well as this, my friend’s other dish didn’t arrive. We waited ages for it & when we asked the manager where it was, she said we had to eat the dishes we had on our table before the next could come out. This was a bowl of rice and cold curry (cold from waiting for her chips to come out). All of our food was vile it was frozen food that had been cooked there and then gone stale from waiting to come out. When we asked the waitress to help us understand why we wasn’t aloud to get any other food or else we’d be charged (we were really polite about this), the manager came over & pretty much butted in & said that “if we have any complaints don’t gossip and talk to her”. At this point, we were hungry & frustrated because we were being treated like idiots (not by the waitresses but the manager). Even though she was saying this in a polite manner, it was very passive aggressive and confusing because we hadn’t done anything wrong.
This might sound silly, but we felt uncomfortable with how their sea life was kept. There were multiple large fish (about 15 fish) in the tiny A3 sized fish tanks; call me picky but there were too many in the tanks compared to the regulations of how should be kept.
An unusual buffet set-up but it worked well and the food was excellent! Probably the first all you can eat place where the flavours in my mouth were more important than filling my belly!!! Worth every penny and I'll be going again
It was a quite day, but they do a buffet, eat as much as you like, for £18:99, I ordered a takeaway, the staff was lovely and helpful, so I'd like to commend them, well done, but the food wasn't really to my pallet, but it was ok
Well completely different from previous visits no tablecloths on table looks like tables from garden fate, staff miserable the lady who took orders rushed said was enough for a patty of 5 didn’t need to order 2 off anything.
Have to pay for your food before having it I understand why because I wouldn’t pay for most of it sorry to say very disappointed in the whole experience won’t be going again, for the price could of got better from a takeaway chicken slimes
We were the only customers sat in.
A man came in to dispute a parking fine which was interesting to see, quite loud and went on and on and on with both parties repeating themselves several times going round and round in circles until he eventually left me and my mate in peace.
Received burned tofu, no dips or sauces provided-aside from the ‘main ’ dish that sat in some clear wetness. Advised would be £2 or £2.50 for a “plate” of chilli oil. We declined, who wants a plate of oil? We just wanted something wet to moisten the dry food.
We were seated next to a nice warm radiator which was promptly turned off ????
Had strong feeling if we’d have mentioned the burned tofu there would have been an argument- no check back on us during the meal at all only as we were leaving. ????
I forgot why I didn't like this restaurant until I returned for my second visit!! No atmosphere! Keep your coat on as it's so cold in there! Although it's a buffet style restaurant, and you are told to order as much as you want, which is then brought to your own individual table, the staff don't really appreciate you ordering more! They bring out small plates to share which are barely enough for one person so you need to repeat order. At this point the small plates have less food on, and as you order more the quantity and quality of food gets worse! The staff, especially the proprietor make it clear that they don't really want you ordering more! And God forbid you ask for a clean plate!!! They were horrified, but they didn't explain that at the start. You also have to pay up front. The food itself is tasteless and it feels like it's all precooked - the chicken tastes the same in all the dishes- they just add whatever different sauce!
Honestly, came here with my sister under the pretence that this place was ‘amazing’- upon arriving, we were the only two there and customer service was okay-when we come to a buffet we come to eat!! Trust me, to be told we were limited to a certain number of dishes per round was quite displeasing but oh well it didn’t get busy so I was understanding.
I admire the concept of sharing plates with one another I think it creates a stronger atmosphere with whoever you bring and the authenticity of the decor was also quite admirable.
The food itself was delicious (in my opinion) I thought the food was very tasty and came out hot and fresh each time. Although some dishes had a questionable aspect to them-they were none the less delicious, I just wish we could’ve ordered more in one go.
I will certainly be returning and I hope I am not let down in my second visit as other people have been.
Regardless of whether you are a buffet person or not-try this restaurant!!- the concept makes you feel like you’re in a Chinese sitcom enjoying authentic foods. I recommend people go here for the sole purpose of experience.
Again ! There should be a more clear sign stating the number of dishes you can order each ‘round’.
Quick Facts About Lai Ling
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 02:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 02:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 02:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 02:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Friday | 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Sunday | 02:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
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