
Welcome to the Royal Buffet in Whitman, Philadelphia, where the only limit is your appetite. • Endless Chinese dishes crafted with the finest ingredients • Mouthwatering sushi and seafood options galore • Upscale setting perfect for any special occasion Prepare to embark on a gastronomic adventure at the Royal Buffet. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, simply craving an exceptional meal, or love the choices in our all you can eat service, the Royal Buffet promises to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you to our amazing Asian restaurant.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2743 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 202-7181
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Reviews
When we arrived, there was a long line, but everything was well organized and we were seated sooner than expected. What really impressed us was the freshness of the food — from lobster to crab to sashimi, everything tasted fresh and high quality. It genuinely exceeded our expectations.
What stood out even more was that although they close at 11pm, they were still bringing out fresh dishes after 10pm. No cutting corners, no leftovers sitting out. You can tell they care about the experience.
We also noticed the owner, Mr. Liu, personally walking around and making sure guests were happy. That kind of attention shows.
We left full and genuinely impressed. Highly recommend.
First things first: be prepared to wait—especially since they don’t take reservations. We waited about an hour to get in. But honestly? It was worth it.
The setup outside was very organized. There were two lines: the left side for groups smaller than 6 people, and the right side for big groups of 6 and above. A staff member was outside taking notes on how many people were in each party and keeping everything on track. It made the wait much easier to manage.
It was spectacular —especially for a Saturday night and a lobster buffet! Despite the crowd, the Service was excellent. The staff was attentive and kept up with the rush really well—especially impressive given our large group. The Food was fresh, hot, and had so many options to choose from—including a lobster dinner for $38 , which was a fantastic deal. I personally enjoyed the lobster and blue crab, and both were delicious. For a busy Saturday night, everything ran smoothly.
The atmosphere: The restaurant is very large and spacious with plenty of seating, which makes it great for both small and large parties. During peak times, it can get pretty busy, so expect to weave through crowds as people move around the buffet area.
The food: The selection is impressive and truly has something for everyone, including dim sum, seafood, classic Chinese dishes, roast duck, sushi, and more. I was especially impressed by the quality of the seafood. My favorite dish was the garlic lobster tails. The sushi was also very fresh, and I liked that there were plenty of condiments available to pair with different items.
The service: Service was attentive and efficient. Even with our large party, the staff was organized and made sure we were seated comfortably in a good area.
Now let’s get to what y’all really came for. I’m not about to inventory the whole building, just the heavy hitters. First stop, the meats. I saw oxtail and almost fell out in the aisle. Now listen, it was not mi Caribbean, slow-simmered, Sunday-at-grandma’s oxtail, but it was tender and respectable, so I’ll give credit where it’s due. The lamb, however, was giving very well done, steakhouse well done, meaning dry-adjacent. My professional suggestion, bring your own seasoning spirit because it needs a little encouragement.
Next up, sticky rice. First time having it and consider me converted. The salmon was delightful, slightly overcooked but still holding its dignity. That fried chicken though, whew, they seasoned and cooked that just for y’all, brown hearts all around. I also enjoyed the fries, pineapple, and plantains, solid sides doing exactly what sides are supposed to do.
Seafood corner. The lobster was a bit overcooked, not tragic, just thirsty. You will absolutely need butter and some Obey seasoning for the lobster and the mussels, don’t be shy. The crawfish, however, was cooked and seasoned just right, no notes there. A lot of the other staples tasted exactly as they should, fried rice, coconut shrimp, the usual suspects handled appropriately.
Let’s not skip the sushi because that section deserves a nod. Nice, expansive collection and they did pretty good with that, enough variety to keep me interested and circling back.
Now, bonus Philly point that cannot be ignored. Philly is a BYOB city, so when I saw a bottle of Barefoot on one table and Henny on another, I wasn’t mad at it at all. Folks were minding their business, sipping what they like, enjoying their food in peace, and honestly that added to the overall vibe.
All in all, I’d come back. I might pull up earlier in the day next time when things are fresher, but overall Royal Buffet held its own. Not perfect, but solid, and solid counts when you’re feeding the people.
Some of the meats at the grill station were a bit overcooked and tougher than I’d prefer, but the variety and portion sizes make up for it. Drinks were included in the price, which is a nice bonus compared to buffets that charge separately.
Desserts were better than expected—the ice cream bar with chocolate-coated pops was especially good. The dining area is clean, modern, and spacious, and the staff clears plates quickly.
Price: $38.99 per person
Senior Discount: $5 off
Drinks: Included
Best for: Seafood lovers, especially those here for lobster
Overall, a great value—come hungry.