0 Followers
East Buffet & Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
East Buffet & Restaurant
8.0
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Three-story Cantonese landmark that has anchored downtown Flushing for decades. The second-floor banquet hall serves traditional cart-style dim sum while the ground floor offers Cantonese classics and affordable lobster specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Duck, Shrimp Dumplings, Lobster with Ginger Scallion
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Multi-level banquet hall with no-tipping policy on dim sum
Who should go: Large groups and families celebrating special occasions
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid 20+ minute weekend waits
What to order: Dim sum upstairs, $20 lobster specials downstairs
Insider tip: $2 validated parking in back lot—get ticket stamped before leaving
Logistics & Planning
Parking: $2 validated parking in the rear lot—get your ticket stamped inside before leaving. One of the best parking deals in downtown Flushing. Lot fills up by 11am on weekends, so arrive early or use nearby municipal garages.
Dress code: Casual—jeans and sneakers are the norm. Banquet hall sounds fancy but this is neighborhood Flushing, not Manhattan. Dress comfortably.
Noise level: Loud banquet hall energy—dim sum carts clattering, large families celebrating, kids running around. You'll be talking over the din, not having intimate conversation.
Weekend wait: 20-30 min for dinner service; less chaotic than dim sum hours but still busy for celebrations
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually seated within 5-10 minutes for dim sum
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate options—vegetable dumplings, steamed greens, tofu dishes, and congee. Enough variety to build a meal, though meat-filled carts dominate.
Vegan options: Limited—plain vegetables, rice, and maybe rice noodle rolls without shrimp. Ask servers to flag vegan-friendly carts, but don't expect much.
Gluten-free options: Challenging—soy sauce and wheat wrappers are everywhere in dim sum. Steamed rice plates and plain proteins downstairs are safer, but cross-contamination is unavoidable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not unless you're both adventurous eaters who find chaotic banquet halls charming. The fluorescent-lit, wedding-reception vibe works for family gatherings, not romance. Take your date somewhere quieter and save East Buffet for group outings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? For dim sum, it's walk-in only—no reservations. Weekends mean a 20+ minute wait; weekdays you'll be seated quickly. For large dinner parties or banquet events, call ahead to reserve space on the upper floors.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—this place was built for multi-generational family meals. High chairs available, tons of kid-friendly dim sum options, and the visual excitement of passing carts keeps children entertained. Nobody will judge noisy kids here; they're half the clientele.
Best For
Better for: Large group celebrations on a budget. The no-tipping dim sum policy, $2 parking, and affordable lobster specials make this unbeatable for family gatherings of 10+. Three floors mean they can actually accommodate big parties without a weeks-ahead reservation.
Skip if: You want refined dim sum or intimate dining. The food is solid but not destination-worthy—it's about value and convenience over culinary excellence. For higher-end dim sum, try Asian Jewels; for a quieter meal, look elsewhere entirely.
East Buffet & Restaurant
7.8
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
An all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet that doubles as a dim sum cart experience, making it a high-utility pick for groups who want variety over precision. The smartest approach is to treat it like a dim sum sampler—prioritize steamed items when they look freshest, then pick a couple of comfort dishes from the hot line to round things out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Siu mai, Shrimp rice noodle roll (cheung fun), Egg tart
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: AYCE buffet convenience plus roaming dim sum carts.
Who should go: Big groups who want variety fast
When to visit: Weekday lunch for calmer cart timing
What to order: Siu mai, cheung fun, egg tart
Insider tip: Skip long waits for a cart—ask for a fresh steam refill.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; paid municipal garages are nearby and usually the most reliable option, especially mid-day and evenings.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sweaters, and comfortable shoes are standard. No need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—busy dining room with carts moving constantly; conversation is easy within your table but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours for larger groups
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable dim sum items, fried rice/noodle options, and hot-line sides, though selection varies by timing.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly plain vegetables, tofu dishes, and rice; expect to curate carefully.
Gluten-free options: Limited—steamed proteins and plain rice are safest; sauces and dumpling wrappers generally contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date—the buffet format and constant motion make it more functional than romantic. Better suited for casual or low-pressure meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Off-peak hours make it easy; peak weekend times may involve a short wait, especially for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—open layout, familiar foods, and buffet freedom work well for kids. Best for elementary-age and up; strollers can be tight during peak traffic.
Best For
Better for: Groups who want maximum variety, fast pacing, and the ability to sample many dim sum items in one visit.
Skip if: You’re chasing top-tier dim sum precision or a quieter, more refined dining experience—specialty dim sum houses will deliver better execution.
East Buffet & Restaurant
7.8
A sprawling Cantonese venue that functions as both everyday dim sum hall and event-ready banquet space, built for big tables and familiar hits. The strongest play is staying focused—cart dim sum for lunch or a tight seafood-and-roast-meats order—because consistency can vary across the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dim sum cart staples (har gow/siu mai), Ginger-scallion lobster, Roast duck
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A large-format dim sum + banquet setup made for big, loud meals.
Who should go: Families and groups who want carts and space.
When to visit: Weekday late morning to dodge the longest waits.
What to order: Har gow, siu mai, ginger-scallion lobster.
Insider tip: Order narrow (dim sum + 1 seafood) to reduce variance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is competitive; nearby municipal lots and paid garages are the most reliable option, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—comfortable clothes are fine, but groups celebrating often dress a bit nicer.
Noise level: Loud—banquet-room energy with carts, large tables, and constant motion.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak hours without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to no wait in late morning; short waits closer to noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable dumplings, greens, tofu dishes, and rice/noodle options, though not a dedicated section.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable-based dishes can work, but sauces and broths may contain animal products.
Gluten-free options: Limited—steamed seafood and plain vegetable dishes are safer bets; soy sauce and wrappers are common.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for an intimate first date—the room is loud and built for groups, not quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially for weekday lunch or off-peak dinner, but weekends and large groups should expect a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—big tables, fast service, and familiar dim sum items make it easy for families with kids.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, family gatherings, and celebrations where space and classic Cantonese staples matter more than refinement.
Skip if: You want consistently polished execution, a quiet atmosphere, or a date-focused dining experience—smaller, more focused Cantonese rooms will serve you better.