Hi-Lai Harbour Tianmu Branch — Restaurant in Shilin District

Very good buffet overall. I was impressed by the great variety and attention they put into the smaller details that distinguishes them from other buffets. Eg, steak was on par with other buffets but six types of salts and 4-5 types of sauces and sautéed garlic bulbs (this I appreciated a lot) to go with your steak? Brilliant! Also about eight types of fruits which were all sweet and presented well in their colors and freshness. Two brands of ice creams including Haagen Daz and another brand I didn’t know but was of high quality (I didn’t expect to like the matcha green tea flavored ice cream but I loved it!). I was also impressed by the soups (raw beef slices cooked as you pour in hearty clear broth, and clam soup). Lots of dessert varieties too including the impressive soufflé pancake with various toppings. Oh and four types of coffee beans, including two rated above 90!! Good spacious environment with good view, convenient sink to wash hands after eating seafood without having to leave for the mall bathroom. Admittedly though the seafood didn’t taste as fresh as it could including the crabs. Shrimp was ok and the grilled oysters (limit two per person each time) were pretty good. Good variety of other drinks as well, including three sodas (cans), five juices, two beers (lunch menu), three waters (including sparkling) and three flavors to add. Also some fried items which were fine and pizzas which I didn’t try. Service quick...

I came here with my wife and her extended family, this is the second time her Grandparents have treated us to lunch at Hi-La Harbour, but the first time at the Tianmu Branch. This branch felt smaller than I was expecting, with less tables near the windows we were seated toward the back of the restaurant.

I ate a bunch of enjoyable food, from some dim sum items, to a variety of meat cuts, sashimi, sushi rolls, hand rolls, and cabbage with braised pork. There was more I did not get to try because I also wanted to enjoy some shaved ice with toppings (condensed milk, red bean, jelly), fresh fruit (I loved the guava and Chinese apple). I also had some soufflé pancakes and coffee for dessert.

There are plenty of drink options, I had water, iced coffee, cucumber juice mix, and some beer.

Altogether it was a great time. I walked away plenty full not even having tried all the stations.

We arrived 15 minutes before the buffet opened and waited in line in the mall area outside the store, which wrapped towards the bathrooms. We didn’t have to wait long, the restaurant opened they were quick to move the line along and get everyone seated inside. Each station has long lines at first but once everyone gets settled and starts eating their first plates it’s easy to go up and...

Have to make a reservation.

Food mostly mediocre. Has a good variety though just not great for most options.

Eg, salmon sashimi was cut in a way where it keeps all the hard to chew parts, fried rice was very sweet, pizza looked very sad, fruits were all pretty unripe.

The stream fish was pretty good, and most of the dressers were pretty good too. They have a variety of premade or canned drinks and a shaving ice machine, both were good.

Service wise, they keep cleaning the table so that's nice but a bit too much it got irritating as we were trying to chat and they kept interrupting when or table isn't that messy or full to require a cleanup yet. Basically they are doing their job very well 😂

A concern I have at one of the pizza area, there is apparently a sink right behind the pizza counter and the staff was washing something and I saw the water splash right in the pizza and they didn't do anything about it. Very gross 🤢

The view was interesting when it was still bright.

They still charge extra for new year pricing, not worth it during...