Eastopia, a new all-you-can-eat Chinese and Japanese buffet, has opened its doors in Partick, Glasgow, promising to bring 'the best of the East' to the city. Located at 252 Dumbarton Road, it is the only Chinese and Japanese buffet in the west end and is fully halal.
The restaurant, which opened at the end of August, offers a fusion of Chinese, Japanese and international buffet favourites. Prices start at £19.99 for adults midweek from 12-4pm on Mondays to Fridays, while children under 10 are £9.99 each. At dinner time and on weekends, prices rise to £24.99 per adult and £12.99 per child. Infants under 5 are £5.99 regardless of the day or time, and anyone under two goes free.
First Impressions and Atmosphere
A visit on a Monday evening revealed a busy restaurant, with booking recommended to guarantee a table, especially on weekends or during school holidays. The interior is striking, with red walls adorned with painted cherry blossom tree branches, giving it the feel of a high-end Chinese restaurant despite the buffet-style service.
The eatery is based in the former Superdrug store and is spacious, with many booth-style tables. However, the main buffet area is laid out quite close together, which can feel a little overcrowded when going up for food.
Food and Drink Options
Guests can enjoy unlimited food and bottomless drinks from a self-serve fizzy drinks machine. The restaurant does not currently serve alcohol as it awaits its drinks licence, but bring-your-own-bottle is welcomed.
The buffet offers a vast choice, including classic takeaway dishes like Salt and Chilli Chicken, Chicken Curry, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chicken Satay, and Beef and Black Bean stir fry, alongside rice, noodles, and prawn crackers. More authentic options include Dim Sum, Mapo Tofu, Gyozas, lamb with cumin, and Salt and Chilli Fish Fillet. There is also a sushi counter, poke bowls, and a frying station where chefs prepare steak or Wagyu burgers in front of diners.
Dining Experience and Verdict
Run by the former chef at Sapporo Teppanyaki in Glasgow, the restaurant was too busy for a wait for fresh meat from the frying station. For young children, there is a small Italian section with pizza and pasta options.
Standout dishes included the Teriyaki Chicken, Mussels in Black Bean Sauce, and Duck pancakes, with the Salt and Chilli shellfish also impressing. All food was hot, fresh, and tasty, and other diners' towering plates suggested they enjoyed their meals too.
The only complaint was not being able to try more of the food due to the sheer variety. A return visit at lunchtime might be preferable to avoid the busy dinner rush. Eastopia is a good addition to the west end and is likely to become a popular spot in Partick.
