
Papa Panda
Quick info
About Papa Panda
Papa Panda is a buffet restaurant and bar at 70 Carr St in Ipswich, straight across from the theatre. Guests help themselves at the buffet and refill their own plates, while staff clear used plates away between trips. Drinks are ordered at the table. The spread includes sushi and pancakes made fresh with a choice of fillings. Dessert centres on a chocolate fountain, alongside fresh cakes, fruit and puddings. The dining room leaves plenty of space between the tables, and tables can be booked for groups, including family meals of 5 and 12.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chinese buffet, fresh pancakes with fillings, chocolate fountain and dessert selection.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chinese buffet, fresh pancakes with fillings, chocolate fountain and dessert selection.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff at this Chinese buffet, with several also praising the food as hot, fresh and replenished as needed. Diners describe a good selection that tastes as good as a takeaway, and one likes that it sticks to Chinese dishes rather than a world buffet, so freshness holds up. Desserts come up repeatedly, including a chocolate fountain, fresh cakes, fruit and pancakes with a variety of fillings. Reviewers also mention plates being cleared quickly, space between tables, and notices about food waste, plus staff helping with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free needs. The main caveat is the self-serve format: one couple felt like a tag team, taking turns to refill plates, and another reviewer found plate clearing sometimes slow. One family booked for twelve recalls staff discreetly bringing a birthday cake to the table while their son was getting another plate.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff at this Chinese buffet, with several also praising the food as hot, fresh and replenished as needed. Diners describe a good selection that tastes as good as a takeaway, and one likes that it sticks to Chinese dishes rather than a world buffet, so freshness holds up. Desserts come up repeatedly, including a chocolate fountain, fresh cakes, fruit and pancakes with a variety of fillings. Reviewers also mention plates being cleared quickly, space between tables, and notices about food waste, plus staff helping with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free needs. The main caveat is the self-serve format: one couple felt like a tag team, taking turns to refill plates, and another reviewer found plate clearing sometimes slow. One family booked for twelve recalls staff discreetly bringing a birthday cake to the table while their son was getting another plate.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Had a lovely buffett lunch here today. Lots of delicious food choices, including a chocolate fountain and lots of lovey puddings. Oh and really friendly staff 👍🤩”
- Google user
“We booked a family meal for 12 and cannot fault the service or the food. The staff were friendly and attentive, without being intrusive and the food was all hot and replenished as needed. Upon overhearing it was my son's birthday they wanted to bring him a cake, but he hates any fuss, and when we explained this they discreetly brought it to the table whilst he was getting another plate. We would definitely recommend and would visit again.”
- Google user
“Staff are all incredibly friendly which is always a great sign. We had a table booked for 5 which I believe was their first evening seating on the day we went. This meant all the food was mostly fresh and warm which is always great at a buffet. Cant complain about the price either as seems very reasonable for a buffet nowadays.”
- Google user
“Nice buffet style dinner. Friendly staff, plates are cleared away before you come back with another. Food selection is good and tastes as good as any takeaway, and is often cheaper than a takeaway... Would definitely eat here again 👍”
- Google user
“Really nice buffet selection, plenty of fresh food. Really tasty! Love the range of dessert too, fresh cakes, fruit and pancakes. Would recommend.”
Highlights
“Casual restaurant & bar with Pan-Asian dishes like sweet 'n' sour pork & sushi served in a buffet.”
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Onsite services
- All you can eat
- Offerings· 10
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Atmosphere· 1
- Trendy
- Crowd· 3
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 3
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Restaurants near Papa Panda
- Dhaka4.44050.1 mi£20–50Reservations
chicken biryani, chicken shashlik madras, keema naan
- Mi Piace4.93810.7 miWheelchair accessible
carbonara, lasagna, calzone
- The California Grill4.83721.1 mi
chicken kebab, mixed kebab with salad, kofte kebab
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papa PandaVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.31,358 | — | £20–30 | chinese buffet, fresh pancakes with fillings, chocolate fountain |
| DhakaReservations | 4.4405 | 0.1 mi | £20–50 | chicken biryani, chicken shashlik madras, keema naan |
| Mi PiaceWheelchair accessible | 4.9381 | 0.7 mi | — | carbonara, lasagna, calzone |
| The California Grill | 4.8372 | 1.1 mi | — | chicken kebab, mixed kebab with salad, kofte kebab |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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