The Palm Restaurant — Restaurant in Oldham

This was an 'Indian' buffet restaurant featuring most of the usual suspects. A place I've seen several times hyped up on social media, so it has some expectations to meet.

It was easy enough to find and decent enough parking, though if it was busier, I think you would struggle a bit.

They have a big waiting area, but as it was not overly packed, we walked in straight away and got a seat.

Initial impressions are good as they have a newish attractive deco and vibe. The instrumental Asian music is pleasing, so the atmosphere was pretty good... but I did hear some complaints of a smoky atmosphere, but it didn't bother me much.

We were given instructions by the waiter. Lamb chops had to be ordered, and they would be brought to your table.

The problem here was that they didn't explain that they would be bringing sheesh kebabs and chicken tikka pieces over in a plate. So it was placed on the table while we were all away getting food. On returning, we thought someone had dumped their unfinished food plate on our table... esp as it just had a few small chopped pieces of a sheesh kebab and some chicken. We had to check to confirm it was for us. They tasted OK, but it's a bit weird that sheesh kebabs were not available on the self-serve buffet..

Drinks and tap water are available as well as mocktails which look good... maybe next time.

They have a good range of starters, they were not piping hot but warm enough to eat straight away. I liked the fish pakoras, Peri chips and pakoras. All the other starters were good enough. Decent range of salad and sauces, but I'm sure the hardcore buffet people will find it lacking. They also had lasagne, pizza slices, chicken flats (labelled as wings), chapli kebabs and few other items.

Something different here was the lamb and chicken donner options on the sell serve... it tasted alright but could have been warmer.

The best chicken was from the chicken jalfrezi next to the donner (not in the round curry containers). The chicken pieces were well cooked and soft. The masala was nice and spicy and hot. Maybe this is why it was kind of in the featured section...

The other curries seemed like they kind of tasted the same, I took several meat and chicken curries to taste aswell as keema. I wasn't overly impressed, but it was ok. There is no distinct taste for any one curry. I did think some of the curries were too oily for my liking.

Rice seemed a bit unappealing and dull. Naan was more like flat bread, not the proper fluffy stuff. Poppadoms were bit stale.

Dessert had a good range... portions of cakes, etc.. were small, but as you can ask for multiple pieces and return again for more, it's not a big issue... I enjoyed the warm Gulab Jamun and bubble gum ice cream... But it's no gelato ice cream... so I'm sure some people will not enjoy the texture of it.

The lamb chops plate was a bit of a miss. Ordered 4 but got 5. Some of the chops were more bone than meat... like two small bites... the meat was too chewy. The masala was good but mostly masked by the powdery charring taste... too much charring or burnt.

Overall taste and options wise it's a good buffet for the average Joe and the price.... but some people may find it lacking in a few areas.

Cash only or bacs... which is not good, really, as card machines are cheap and much more convenient. Luckily, one of us had the cash... otherwise, you'd have to pop out to get cash and rejoin any waiting queues.

I've been to worse buffets, so this is one I could def visit...

Hi went today to a Bangali owned and run buffet restaurant palm restaurant Oldham 19.95 adults 9.95 child upto 11 starting with starters to much takeaway starters not traditional starters ie Indian/pakistani no seekh kebabs in starters then was told we don’t have space for seekh kebabs doesn’t even make sense it’s the main starter they keep them in the back and only give them when you ask they tell you they will bring to your table seekh kebabs and grill chicken tikka waited 20 mins no one comes to your table waste of time and very low standard service you have to go and ask a few times then they have lamb chops again you have to ask and wait another 10 mins for that to come starters are not great their fresh yogurt was off and tasted sour their main dishes are are good and they do not advertise what they keep in the back it seems to be a secret which is misleading its customers. the fish was like it had been there for days it was off nothing in this place is fresh looks like they carry it on to the next day. The desserts were a disaster I rate it 2 out of 10 There was 6 of us on table after waiting 15 mins they bring 1 seekh kebab broken in to 6 pieces and 6 pieces of small chicken tikka what an embarrassment over all never seen that before ever. Jelly rock hard gulag jamun they don’t know how to make kheer using broken rice ice cream so hard and tasteless I don’t know wether it was cheap supermarket ice cream when asked for a jug of coke they bought the drink and the fizz was completely offf then they bought it again this time it was right overall the service is lowest in its class I will definitely not recommend this place it’s only worth £9.95 for adults and £4.95 for kids no more the best of the best ate all in Manchester. They guys really need to spend proper money get proper chefs and offer a higher class service the toilets stank they never even bothered cleaning the toilets every hour how pathetic can you be. A massive improvement needs and upgrade of professional management needed the only thing I did like there was friendly staff spend some proper money and don’t hide the food In the back. I rate it...

Decided to visit here after a friend recommended it. Reviews weren’t great but decided to give it a try.

Went on a Monday night so wasn’t too busy. Plenty of parking for a Monday. Waiting area is clean and aesthetically pleasing. Soon as we went into the restaurant you’re hit with the delicious smell of bbq but it’s also very smoky in there on one side.

We got seated quickly in a booth but it was so filthy with white stains against the green/blue seating, so we switched tables.

Had to signal for someone to take our drinks order as no one arrived for 15 mins after saying they’d give us a minute to choose but then we had impeccable service from the second older gentleman. Such a nice guy!

Water bottles are free which was a win win. The guava mocktail didn’t taste anything like guava but it was a solid 4/5. The soft drinks in a glass are also on the larger side so bargain at £2.95 !

The pizzas were fab, roast potatoes, wings. Plenty of starters. Chapli kebab wasn’t like the original chapli. A lot of the starters needed topping up and there were only 3 chefs working in the open kitchen. The fish was light but reminded me of pangasius. A lot of the starters were rubbery and lukewarm. Lamb chops were ok but not juicy and not much meat on them. Tikka and seekh arrive at the table in small chunks. There’s also red doner meat available in the buffet.

The mains weren’t as great with lamb pilau being labelled as lamb biryani . Didn’t like the look of some of the curries it was all a bit mushy eg lamb and potatoes curry and the yellow chicken curry (korma?)

The desserts were a massive let down. Stale cakes and everything looked as if it had been sat for a long time. The queue was getting bigger at the dessert stand no one would come and mann it. Had to remind a waiter that we were all waiting.

Paid at till- bacs which was fine no issue. Gentleman was really friendly and kind.

Decor is a 4/5 Service is 4/5 Food is 2/5

Sorry guys had high expectations but food wasn’t hot and desserts especially needs a bit...