Mandarin Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

We went for lunch at Mandarin’s buffet, and overall, it was a satisfying experience.

I absolutely love the teriyaki meatballs. Every time I eat them, I get a little tear in my eye. That’s how good they are. They remind me of my childhood in the best way.

The food in general is good. Some meats can be a bit chewy, but others are much more tender and enjoyable. The buffet offers a wide variety, and while most dishes stay consistent, they occasionally swap in something new, which keeps things interesting. Their frozen yogurt is great, and the dessert and fruit selection is solid. It’s not mind-blowing food, but it’s comforting, tasty, and dependable.

The service is generally very good. Staff greet you warmly and are polite throughout. One issue I’ve noticed on multiple occasions is that white customers tend to be seated in one room, while people of colour are seated in another. While the service itself doesn’t change, it’s hard not to notice, and it feels a bit discriminatory. I hope management addresses this and ensures that seating is handled fairly for everyone.

Another issue is the number of unsupervised children running around. I was bumped into several times while carrying food. It would really help if staff gently reminded parents to manage their kids when it gets too chaotic. It’s a safety concern and affects the overall atmosphere.

One small but important thing: the water cups are far too small especially compared with the older glasses Mandarin used to have. People get thirsty quickly, especially with salty or fried food, and it gets tiring having to refill those tiny cups over and over. They should consider providing larger cups or placing jugs on the tables.

On a positive note, I was happy to see they’ve started putting lemon slices back in the water. There was a period where they stopped doing that, and I had to go through the trouble of asking. When I did ask, I received strange or awkward reactions from the staff, like it was an unusual request. That honestly made the experience a bit uncomfortable. But I’m glad they’ve brought it back. Even though the slices are thinner now, probably due to shrinkflation, it still makes a big difference. Without it, the tap water really doesn’t taste good at all.

All in all, it was a good lunch buffet with kind staff and a lot of variety. With a few improvements, it could go from good...

Mandarin has been around since the early 80’s. They started in Brampton and now have 29 locations in Ontario. It’s mainly Chinese cuisine but they have incorporated Japanese cuisine into their menu a couple decades ago. I remembered they used to offer free buffet meals during Canada Day celebrations. The line must have been crazy long.

The Moon Festival started in mid September and will end in over a month. They used to give miniature souvenir lanterns. They don’t do that anymore. At this location, the parking is free for their guests. We went during the weekend and didn’t encounter any issues.

The restaurant decor remained the same so it brought back lots of memories. There are several rooms or partitions that can be booked for any occasion or celebration. If your birthday is coming up, you can subscribed to their newsletter ahead of time, and get an invitational coupon. Your meal is free with 3 accompanying paid adults. At the time of visit there were a lot of Birthdays.

The price is comparable to competing any AYCE restaurants. They have a salad bar with shrimp cocktail, soups bar, breads section, grilled / BBQ area included grilled corn, dumplings, sushi section, main dish like baked salmon and stir fried mussels, ice cream bar, dessert table including mooncakes, self serve soft ice cream, fresh fruits, cotton candy and the list goes on.

I like they give you a wet nap when you first sit down at the table and greet you on the way out with mint candies and cotton candy. The servers are hard working as they constantly take away all your used plates from the table and filling up your glass with cold water. My impression is good overall just like I remembered.

Crème brûlée, cappuccino ice cream and spinach with garlic are delicious. The fruits cake with icing I tried was disappointing dry. The washrooms are...

If you’re looking for a dependable, crowd-pleasing buffet experience in Scarborough, Mandarin delivers — and then some. I recently visited this location and left both impressed… and very full.

First off, the selection is massive. From appetizers to mains to desserts, they have something for everyone — Asian classics, Canadian comfort foods, seafood, sushi, and more. You could easily spend an hour just browsing before choosing your plate.

The service was great throughout — attentive, polite, and fast to clear empty dishes. I also noticed a lot of regulars, which says a lot about the consistency and comfort this location offers.

Most of the food was fresh and hot. One exception: I grabbed a piece of prime rib that was from the end of the tray and had been sitting a while — not bad, just noticeably less juicy. That said, a fresh batch came out moments later, and the newly carved slice was perfect: tender, flavorful, and steaming hot. It reminded me of one of my buffet rules — wait for the new batch, especially for items that need to be carved or don’t hold heat well under lamps.

Desserts? Plentiful. From cakes and soft-serve ice cream to traditional Chinese sweets and even a chocolate fountain — they cover all the bases. There’s even a touch of hospitality on the way out: cotton candy and mints by the door — a small but sweet final touch.

Final thoughts: Come hungry — and maybe pace yourself. I ate way too much (classic buffet mistake), but it was worth it. Mandarin in Scarborough offers a reliable, well-maintained buffet experience with friendly staff, a wide range of choices, and a welcoming atmosphere. Perfect for families, groups, or when you just want to treat yourself to...