The Must-Try Delaware Buffet Where Locals Say The Dessert Table Steals The Show
In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Chinatown Buffet & Grill at 18701 Coastal Hwy, Suite 12 has become a local favorite for its endless variety and vibrant flavors.
While the buffet offers a little something for everyone, it’s the dessert table that truly captivates diners.
Layers of cakes, creamy puddings, and fresh pastries tempt even the most disciplined eaters to indulge.
Families, friends, and longtime patrons gather to sample familiar favorites alongside new discoveries, enjoying a relaxed atmosphere where every visit feels celebratory.
Locals keep returning, sharing smiles and recommendations over heaping plates and sweet treats.
In Delaware, this buffet proves that meals can be an experience, and desserts can steal the spotlight, leaving a lasting impression long after the last bite.
The Koi Pond Welcome Sets the Mood
Right when you walk through the door, a koi pond greets you like some kind of zen garden surprise tucked inside a Delaware beach town buffet.
The orange and white fish glide around lazily, completely unbothered by the hungry crowds filing past them.
It’s an unexpected touch that immediately signals this place takes its atmosphere seriously.
Most buffets slap up some generic decorations and call it a day. Not here.
The pond creates a calming vibe that makes the whole experience feel less like a feeding frenzy and more like an actual dining adventure.
Kids love stopping to watch the fish before loading up their plates.
Parents appreciate the brief moment of peace it provides.
The koi pond might seem like a small detail, but it sets Chinatown Buffet apart from every other strip mall eatery on Coastal Highway.
All-You-Can-Eat Pricing That Won’t Wreck Your Wallet
Marked with just a single dollar sign on Google, Chinatown Buffet delivers serious bang for your buck.
Beach vacations can drain your wallet faster than sand drains from your shoes, so finding quality food that doesn’t require a second mortgage feels like winning the lottery.
The pricing structure here makes it possible for families to actually enjoy a meal out without calculating tips before ordering.
You pay one price and suddenly have access to dozens of dishes spanning multiple Asian cuisines.
No hidden fees, no surprise charges, just straightforward all-you-can-eat value.
Rehoboth Beach isn’t exactly known for budget dining, which makes this spot even more valuable.
Whether you’re feeding picky kids or adventurous eaters, everyone pays the same reasonable rate.
That kind of simplicity and affordability keeps locals coming back week after week, especially when payday is still a few days away.
Operating Hours That Accommodate Beach Schedules
Open from 11 AM to 9:30 PM most days, with extended hours until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, Chinatown Buffet understands beach life operates on a different clock.
Nobody wants to rush off the sand at 5 PM just to catch dinner before everything closes.
These hours let you maximize your beach time and still grab a proper meal afterward.
The lunch crowd tends to be lighter, which means shorter lines and fresher food rotations if you time it right.
Evening service accommodates the after-beach rush when everyone’s sunburned, hungry, and covered in a fine layer of salt and regret.
Getting seated at 8 PM on a summer Saturday is totally doable here.
They’re open seven days a week, which matters more than you’d think when you’re on vacation and lose track of what day it actually is.
Consistency in hours means you can plan around it without worrying about surprise closures.
Range of Asian Fare Beyond Basic Chinese
While the name says Chinatown, the menu refuses to be boxed into one category.
You’ll find classic Chinese dishes sitting next to sushi rolls, Japanese hibachi options, and various other Asian specialties that keep things interesting.
This variety means even the pickiest eater in your group can find something that works.
Buffets that try to do everything often do nothing well, but Chinatown manages to maintain quality across different cuisines.
The sushi bar gets restocked regularly, and the hibachi grill stays busy churning out made-to-order items throughout service.
You’re not just stuck with the same orange chicken and lo mein you could get anywhere.
Exploring different sections of the buffet feels like a mini food tour through Asia without leaving Delaware.
One plate can hold dumplings, teriyaki, and spring rolls all at once, and nobody judges you for the chaos.
That’s the beauty of buffet freedom combined with genuine variety.
The Dessert Table That Steals Every Conversation
Locals don’t just recommend the dessert table. They obsess over it, text their friends about it, and plan their entire meal strategy around saving room for it.
This isn’t some sad corner with stale fortune cookies and canned fruit.
We’re talking about a legitimate spread that could stand alone as its own attraction.
Fresh fruit, soft serve ice cream, colorful cakes, puddings, and Asian sweet treats create a rainbow of options that make decision-making genuinely difficult.
Some people skip straight to dessert and work backward, which honestly isn’t the worst strategy.
The variety changes regularly, so repeat visitors always find something new to try.
Watching someone’s face light up when they first see the dessert section never gets old.
It’s the moment when the buffet experience shifts from good to memorable.
Multiple trips to the dessert table are not only acceptable but expected, and the staff never makes you feel weird about your third helping of coconut cake.
Nearly 2,000 Reviews Tell the Real Story
With 1,911 Google reviews and counting, Chinatown Buffet has been put through the wringer of public opinion.
That 3.8-star rating reflects honest feedback from everyone who walked through the door, from cranky tourists to devoted regulars.
No restaurant is perfect, but nearly 2,000 people took time to share their experience, which says something about the impression it leaves.
Reading through reviews reveals patterns about what works and what doesn’t.
People consistently praise the dessert selection, the value, and the variety.
Complaints usually center on typical buffet concerns like food temperature or crowded weekends, nothing that suggests serious problems.
This volume of feedback provides a reliable picture of what you’re getting into.
New restaurants might have 50 glowing reviews from friends and family, but almost 2,000 reviews means you’re seeing the full, unfiltered truth.
That kind of transparency helps set realistic expectations before you even park your car.
Coastal Highway Location Means Easy Access
Sitting right on Coastal Highway at Suite 12, finding Chinatown Buffet requires zero navigation skills.
You’re already driving this main drag to get anywhere in Rehoboth Beach, so spotting it becomes automatic after your first visit.
The location eliminates the treasure hunt that comes with some hidden local gems.
Plenty of parking exists in the shopping center, which matters tremendously during peak summer season when finding a spot feels like winning bingo.
You won’t circle the block twelve times or debate whether that space is actually legal. Just pull in, park, and eat.
Being on the main highway also means it’s positioned perfectly for both locals running errands and tourists cruising between the beach and their rental properties.
The central location makes it a natural stopping point rather than a special destination requiring extra effort.
Sometimes convenience is just as important as quality, especially when you’re dealing with tired, hungry beachgoers who’ve reached their limit.
Phone Orders and Website for Modern Convenience
Calling ahead at 302-644-2688 lets you check on wait times or ask questions before committing to the drive.
Their website at chinatownbuffetgrill.shop provides basic information, hours, and details that help you plan your visit.
These simple modern conveniences make the whole experience smoother.
Buffets traditionally operate as walk-in-only establishments, but having a phone number that actually gets answered is surprisingly helpful.
You can confirm they’re open on holidays, ask about group accommodations, or verify current pricing without showing up blindly.
Small details like this show a restaurant that actually cares about customer experience.
The website might not win design awards, but it serves its purpose by giving you the essential information quickly.
No annoying pop-ups, no video that auto-plays, just straightforward details about location and hours.
Sometimes basic functionality beats flashy design, especially when you’re just trying to figure out if you can grab dinner before they close.
Regulars Know the Tuesday Through Thursday Sweet Spot
Smart locals hit Chinatown Buffet during the Tuesday through Thursday window when crowds thin out and the whole experience becomes more relaxed.
You get the same food, the same dessert table, and the same value without fighting through weekend tourist hordes.
Shorter lines mean fresher food rotations and less stress overall.
Weekday visits let you actually enjoy the meal instead of treating it like a competitive sport.
You can take your time at the dessert table without someone breathing down your neck waiting for you to move.
The staff seems more relaxed too, which creates a better overall vibe.
Summer weekends turn any Rehoboth Beach restaurant into controlled chaos, but midweek visits feel almost peaceful by comparison.
If your schedule allows flexibility, choosing a Wednesday dinner over a Saturday one transforms the entire experience.
Same great food, fraction of the hassle, and you might even snag that booth by the window.
The Grill Component Adds Fresh-Cooked Options
That ampersand in Chinatown Buffet & Grill isn’t just for show.
The grill station lets you order items cooked fresh while you wait, adding a custom element to the standard buffet model.
Watching your food get prepared right in front of you provides reassurance that not everything has been sitting under heat lamps.
Hibachi-style options let you pick your protein and vegetables, creating combinations that match your exact preferences.
This hybrid approach combines buffet variety with made-to-order freshness, giving you the best of both worlds.
Some nights you want to graze the steam trays, other nights you want something hot off the grill.
The grill station also accommodates dietary restrictions better than pre-made buffet items.
You can request no sauce, extra vegetables, or specific cooking methods that work for your needs.
Having this option available elevates the whole operation beyond typical buffet limitations and shows thoughtful attention to different eating styles and preferences.