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Two fantastic Buffets in Pattaya

With nearly 100 buffets to choose from in Pattaya there are no shortage of options. Having lived here for many years and having gone to most, I thought I would share my two very favorite places with you.

Daruma Shabu and Sushi Buffet

Located across from Big C on 2nd road in North Pattaya, Daruma is my favorite restaurant in town. It’s very conveniently located, the food is great, it’s a nice place, and its open 24 hours! Business isn’t exactly booming there and I’d be heartbroken if they had to go out of business, so go and check it out if you haven’t already done so. The place is probably too large for it’s own good, but at least you’d never have to wait to eat there.

Atmosphere/Service- It’s a nice newer looking place with cool air always pumping. When you walk in you notice a room with tables and chairs that is always empty. It’s a shame that they miscalculated, but the front dining room is basically just for show. When you walk into the main hall there is nothing but 4-6 person tables, all with the Shabu hot pot. And there is a revolving line of sushi that goes all around the restaurant. You’ve probably send some places like this before, like Shabushi; but this place is much nicer and there are no “bar stool” seats. The service is solid; it always seems like someone is around when you need them and the Sushi Chef’s don’t have a problem making you something for free as long as it’s on their normal list of sushi rolls.

Food- The food is great. My girlfriend is always preoccupied with the hot pot and she insists that the quality of the fish and meats they give you to cook is higher than the larger chain restaurants. I raid the large and delicious sushi rolls as they come by. I also have never had less than 10 servings of salmon sashimi when I’m there; they have the best in town. The all you can eat sushi destroys any other like it in Pattaya.

Price- They have special rates for lunch, with a more limited choice of options on the rotating line. Dinner buffet is 399 Baht per person. It may sound like a little too much, but there’s no way they can justify giving you the quality of the Sushi and meats for the Hot Pot at a lower price. Drinks are about the same price as they would be at a larger chain restaurant. You’re looking at 1,000 Baht for a dinner for two with beer.

Help me keep this place alive! I go there about once per week for a reason. Anyone I have brought there with me always loves it and I’m sure you will too.

Aroy Chang Party Buffet

Like Daruma, this restaurant is also an all you can eat buffet, but they have just about nothing in common past that. The Party Buffet is located on Sukhumvit (the side of the street closer to town/beach) in what I would guess is Central Pattaya. There is a very bright liquor store next door to it also called Aroy, so if you keep your eyes peeled for the bright liquor store you’ll have no problem finding it. This restaurant’s appeal comes down to seafood and price. The customers are 95%+ Thai, and on many occasions I have been the only non-Thai there. I think this is a good thing because you know you’re getting a good value for your money with so many Thai’s frequenting the establishment.

Atmosphere/Service- Just like many non-chain Thai buffets, the restaurant has no walls and no Air. With the hot pot steaming in your face sometimes the heat can be a little uncomfortable, but only for someone on a holiday; permanent ex-pats here are used to this type of place. There’s nothing nice about it; but you really feel like you’re IN THAILAND when you’re in a place like this and I suppose that’s worth something. The service is perfect, no complaints.

Food- They have an assortment of meat and vegetables for the hot pot, as well as some staple Thai dishes, a little bit of Sushi, and some type of chicken or pork streak. And I don’t touch any of it when I’m there. I actually think all of that food may even be slightly below average for a buffet of this style (judging on looks) and I could care less. When I’m there it’s for nothing but the seafood. For the price I have never seen a seafood selection quite like it. The shrimp/prawns are larger than most places carry, and they usually have oysters and clams available as well. But they also have rock lobsters! The grill man cooks them up and cuts them up perfectly. Rock lobster is no Maine lobster, but these happen to be pretty tasty and there’s no limit. I get downright gluttonous with the lobsters. I’m never a big fan of over tipping in Thailand, but I make it a point to give the grill man 50 Baht, which is the least I can do since he loads me up with 5-7 lobsters at a time, and I go up many times. I eat so many lobsters there that they have offered to give me a 1or 2 kilograms of lobster to take home at their cost, which is less than half of the fish market’s price. I guess they figure at least they don’t lose money on me that way. Anyway it’s quite an experience if you’re a seafood lover.

Price- You can’t beat 179 Baht per person for that type of seafood selection; it’s fantastic! They also have the large bottles of Asahi beer for 79 Baht to wash down all of those lobsters and shrimp. Value for the money is off the charts here.

So if feel like putting on your cheapest t-shirt and getting messy with an excessive amount of seafood for 179 Baht, this is the spot!


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About ParadiseCity

M. Schwartz is an expert in all things Thailand. Having seen and done it all, there is nobody more equipped to teach about a successful ex-pat transition to Thailand. He wrote the cult classic guide book for men in Thailand called, How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck in Thailand

11 Responses to Two fantastic Buffets in Pattaya

  1. Popeye October 16, 2012 at 4:36 pm #

    How does Daruma compare to Oishi buffet? Thank you.

    • ParadiseCity October 17, 2012 at 10:09 am #

      It crushes it.

  2. Chris October 17, 2012 at 9:04 am #

    Shabu sux man I can’t believe you recommend it, but then some people rave about it, not really my style, give me noodles anyday.

    • ParadiseCity October 17, 2012 at 10:10 am #

      The shabu just keeps my gf busy; it’s the Sushi and Sashimi that I love about that first place.

      • Michael October 31, 2012 at 5:26 am #

        Can you give directions of where Aroy is located exactly ?

      • Blue February 9, 2016 at 11:20 pm #

        You know what, I’m very much incniled to agree.

  3. Thaimlord October 19, 2012 at 12:07 pm #

    Try the Friday lunch seafood buffet at the Hilton for 300 baht. Sensational.

  4. Michael October 23, 2012 at 5:22 am #

    Can someone give more details as to where Aroy Buffet is located ?

  5. Michael October 29, 2012 at 8:12 am #

    I would really like to know the address details of Aroy

  6. Stef March 16, 2013 at 6:09 pm #

    The Aroy is just off Sukhamvit42,from the beach take central road keep going untill you reach Sukhamvit and turn right Aroy is 300m on the right.

  7. Joe June 10, 2013 at 3:39 pm #

    Very very not recomended place for eat….staff very rude , small stove,dirty place .. Not lobster found….. I will not come here again

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