Grand Ceylon — Restaurant in Ōtara-Papatoetoe

Group of 10 for buffet dinner on Saturday night. The food was ok, average, a bit spicier than expected & often had to wait for the food to be refilled. Difficult to walk/move between tables, they’re too close together & it gets really hot, lucky we were seated near the door. Upon arrival we waited almost 30 minutes before one of the wait staff came to our table. Asked for a jug of coke & was told they only serve cans but would check if there were any 1.5 bottles of coke for our group, we also asked for ice water as the water in the bottles on our table was really warm. Right up til we left, we received no drinks, water bottles weren’t re-filled & none of the staff came back to our table. There was only one staff member waiting tables & another refilling the buffet. Eftpos was down so we had to pay via online banking. Worst service & restaurant we’ve ever eaten at, was also our first time. We won’t be back. You need to rearrange the seating & have more staff on, get aircon & improve your poor...

Lunch visit today group of 7, only one other table of 4 occupied. Food itself is pretty good - though the beef pepper fry was rather chewy/tough.

However, service is decidedly NOT great. Took over 30 minutes for first dish to be served - when queried said kitchen busy as had Ubereats/takeaway orders to prepare. Unsure why online orders prioritised over dine-in guests.

Salad did not turn up at all - when queried said would be another 5-10 minutes, so cancelled as would have been after we had finished.

No napkins at the table or near the handwash station. Had to remind to get cutlery & plates when food finally arrived. Had to ask for water to be topped up.

Had run out of all drinks except coke & sprite. No alcohol allowed due to 'public holiday' - unsure why that is a reason either.

All in all not a great experience. If you want the food, order takeaway as that apparently has priority & you are not sitting hungry waiting...

I recently visited Grand Ceylon in Papatotoe, and it was an unforgettable culinary experience. The restaurant's ambiance is warm and inviting, with decor that transports you straight to Sri Lanka. The attention to detail, from the lighting to the cultural accents, creates a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere.

The menu features a range of authentic Sri Lankan dishes. A standout dish I would say the kottu, which was flavorful and generously portioned.

The service was exceptional. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations, and they were attentive throughout the meal without being intrusive.

If you're in Papatoand looking to try authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, Grand Ceylon is a must-visit. The combination of traditional flavors, modern presentation, and excellent service makes it one of the best dining experiences in the city. Highly recommended! Thanks to the owners Upul and Thilina and the...