No one can say that Mancs don’t love a good Chinese, and we’ve got some of the best restaurants around serving everything from spring rolls and noodles, to pork and fried rice. What we may love even more, though, is the all-you-can-eat variety − we’re talking Chinese buffets. What could be better than shovelling mounds of absolutely everything on offer onto your plate and into your gob, complimentary tastes be damned? Anyway, here’s our guide to the best Chinese buffets in Greater Manchester where you’ll really get what you pay for.
1. TCB
Starting off strong, our first spot is aptly called TCB… AKA, The Chinese Buffet. This Greater Manchester famous, robot-serving mammoth of the Chinese buffets is an absolute classic. With restaurants in Bolton, Bury and St Helens (OK, not actually Greater Manchester, but it’s there), TCB rebranded and changed their operation during COVID and it was loved so much, they decided to keep it.
Put simply, it’s a more sophisticated way of dining, not dissimilar to À La Carte, but still giving you the choice of how much and in what order you enjoy your meal, just like choosing from a buffet. Order food and drinks from an app on your phone, delivered in tapas-style portions to the table by Bellabot, the robot waiter.
💻 Book here, or download the app.
📍 32 Bridge St, Bolton BL1 2EH | 1st Floor, 5 Rock Place, Bury BL9 0JX.
2. China Buffet
Instagram post from @chinabuffetmcr
A Chinatown favourite, China Buffet has been around in the city centre for an age. It’s one of the only remaining Chinese buffets in Manchester city centre, and they pride themselves of serving the best quality, freshest Chinese food they can − and regulars know it’s the real deal. China Buffet has all the classics from crispy duck to salt and pepper chips, and a few niche bits in between, all for no more than £17 for all-you-can-eat! China Buffet is open Sunday − Thursday, 12pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 10pm, and is closed on Tuesdays.
💻 Walk-ins only.
📍16 Nicholas St, Manchester M1 4EJ.
3. Swinton Buffet
Another suburban Chinese buffet spot, Swinton Buffet is extremely popular with locals. Serving affordable Cantonese, the buffet offers a all-you-can-eat for just £6.90, and it’s a no-frills experience that you can rely on. If you’re a fan of Chinese flavours but don’t want to break the bank, this buffet could be for you.
💻 You can book by calling +44 161 793 0606.
📍 516 Bolton Rd, Pendlebury, Swinton, Manchester M27 4DL.
4. Tops Buffet
Instagram post from @topsmanchester
Taking world buffet dining to a new heights, Tops Buffet serves freshly cooked dishes in live cooking stations where customers can watch as expert chefs turn fresh ingredients into delicious meals. Although not purely Chinese cuisine, Tops Buffet does have an incredible section of Chinese food not to be sniffed at, and whilst you’re at it, grab some other cuisines too.
Tops has added new varieties of food to its lunch and dinner menus, and the atmosphere promises a fun and holistic experience every time, thanks to the great staff, making it one of best Chinese buffets in Manchester.
💻 You can book here or call 0161 237 1000.
📍 106 Portland St, Manchester M1 4RJ.
5. Cosmo
Instagram post from @cosmomanchester
Another city centre world buffet experience, Cosmo really puts the work in to ensure a top notch experience for customers. The newly-renovated and highly chic restaurant could have us all fooled into thinking this was an expensive six-course menu type of place, but the secret is, it’s all-you-can-eat.
The buffet − positioned in the heart of Manchester city centre on the corner of Deansgate and Market Street − offers more than 160 authentic dishes freshly served from eight live cooking stations, with the ‘World of Asia‘ selection being a huge part of this. All-you-can-eat comes in at no more than £23, and for that you can get as much as you want in peak times… win!
💻 Book here.
📍 48-58 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2EG.