Imperial Viking Sal — Restaurant in Tokyo

Food:

The food completely lacks variety. The breakfast buffet I ate at another hotel for a way cheaper price even had more types of food for it. For example, there is barely any COLD SEAFOOD, NO SASHIMI, and not even a section for people to pick their own fruits (basically all buffets I've been to had this)!

The food was nothing exceptional, and I've tasted better food than this garbage. For example, their steak was super super fatty and basically half of it had to be discarded or else I will get diabetes from it.

Other than that, we had to ask them in order to know that we had free drinks. And when someone ordered ice lemonade, they somehow did NOT ADD SUGAR SYRUP into it?!?!

Service:

Their service was meh from the start. Our waiter was nice enough to offer helping to take out photo. She was super eager to do that after we told her to take it LATER 2 times. We got annoyed when she asked for the third time because she failed to see that our table had been MISSING PEOPLE! Anyone can could how many sets of cutlery and seats are there on 1 table! Even a random restaurant's waiter has more brains than this.

Also most of the staff could not understand English, which was problematic for foreign tourists to cisit this place.

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere is atrocious. The whole place is very dark, making everything difficult to see.

To conclude, we paid over 100k Yen for 6 people, and it was one of the worst financial decisions I have ever beheld. We could have donated the money to some charity, and it would have been more of a satisfaction than this. This meal was completely wasteful, exorbitant, and preposterous of a meal from a so-called "High-class hotel."

We will never visit this hotel again after this...

This is a kid's friendly place. The service was top notched. For those who were used to buffet service, this was not one of those. You would feel like you were in a high-quality order-off-the-menu restaurant. The quality of the food was the same, Michelin-like quality. For those who are seafood fans, this place won't have those crab legs or raw oysters. It does have great tasting stir-fried shrimps, shark fin soup (if you like that), Peking duck, tempura, etc. As other posters noted, you need to save room for dessert. Ice cream, especially the rice wine ice cream, must be a try. The price to eat was not cheap, but online booking did allow for a cheaper 90 mins dining versus the full 180 mins dining. For us, after 30-45 mins, we were already full. We waited a bit to digest and eat dessert. The locals do dress up for dinner at this place. They allowed us to enter with some of us in shorts and jeans, which was a plus for us tourists who didn't bring nice clothes. We went on a weeknight. Weekend may be busier at this restaurant. We had a...

(English below) 「好きなものを好きなだけ味わう」という、今ではすっかりお馴染みとなったバイキング形式。実は日本で初めてこのスタイルを採用したのが帝国ホテルの「インペリアルバイキング サール」です。1958年の創業以来常に時代の先端を走り続け日本の食文化に大きな影響を与えてきました。

17階という高層階に位置する店内は天井が高く開放感があり大きな窓からは日比谷公園の緑や皇居外苑の雄大な景色を一望できます。都心の喧騒を忘れ、優雅な気分で食事を楽しめる空間です。内装はシックで落ち着いた雰囲気でゆったりとくつろぎながら食事を楽しむことができます。

料理は、和洋中、バラエティ豊かに取り揃えられています。帝国ホテル伝統のローストビーフや、揚げたての天ぷらなど、定番料理はもちろんのこと、シェフの創意工夫が光る季節感あふれるメニューも豊富に用意されています。目の前で焼き上げるパイ料理はサクサクのパイ生地と季節の食材を使ったフィリングが絶妙なハーモニーを奏でます。デザートも充実しておりパティシエが腕を振るった美しいケーキやアイスクリーム、フルーツなど目にも楽しいスイーツが揃っています。 2023年8月には、65周年を記念してリニューアルオープン。和食と中華料理が新たに加わり、より充実したラインナップになりました。寿司、天ぷら、点心など、日本が誇る伝統的な料理も堪能できます。

サービス面もさすが帝国。スタッフは皆プロフェッショナル意識が高くきめ細やかな対応をしてくれます。料理の説明はもちろんのこと、飲み物のオーダーや空いた皿の片付けなど常に気を配ってくれるので快適に食事を楽しむことができます。 特別な日のお祝いや、家族での食事、ビジネスシーンなど、様々な場面で利用できます。

The concept of "all-you-can-eat," where diners can freely choose and enjoy their favorite dishes, is now a familiar dining style. However, it was the Imperial Hotel's "Imperial Viking Sal" that first introduced this concept to Japan. Since its establishment in 1958, it has consistently remained at the forefront of culinary trends, significantly influencing Japanese food culture.

Situated on the 17th floor, the restaurant boasts a spacious and airy interior with high ceilings and large windows that offer panoramic views of Hibiya Park's greenery and the majestic Imperial Palace Outer Garden. It's an elegant space where diners can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy their meal in a relaxed atmosphere. The chic and sophisticated decor further enhances the dining experience, providing a comfortable and inviting setting.

The restaurant offers a diverse selection of Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. In addition to classic dishes like the Imperial Hotel's signature roast beef and freshly prepared tempura, there is an abundance of seasonal dishes showcasing the chefs' creativity and culinary expertise. The freshly baked pies are a must-try, featuring flaky pastry and seasonal fillings that create a delightful harmony of flavors. The dessert selection is equally impressive, with a variety of beautifully crafted cakes, ice cream, and fruits that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.

In August 2023, the restaurant celebrated its 65th anniversary with a grand reopening, introducing Japanese and Chinese cuisine to its already extensive menu. Guests can now savor traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura, and dim sum.

The service, as expected from the Imperial Hotel, is impeccable. The staff is highly professional and attentive, providing detailed explanations of the dishes, promptly taking drink orders, and efficiently clearing plates to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

"Imperial Viking Sal" is more than just a buffet restaurant. It is a culinary institution that continues to evolve while upholding its rich history and traditions. Whether celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a family meal, or conducting business, "Imperial Viking Sal" offers a memorable dining...