AD | Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill: All-You-Can-Eat Global Cuisine in Coventry

Thinking about food shopping the week you come home from holiday is always a struggle. Post-holiday me was grateful for pre-holiday me for two things. One: booking an Asda delivery for the evening of our return. Two: taking up an exciting invite to dine at Coventry’s new-ish all-you-can-eat restaurant Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill. Which meant one less evening to get back into the struggle of cooking and washing-up. (Who am I kiddin’ – that’s Mr Fletche’s domain…)

Why is this post marked as an AD? I received a complimentary meal in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill offers a vast selection of dishes from around the world. There’s sushi, tacos and curries. Pizza, grilled meats, seafood. There’s a section which I liked to called “beige English comfort food” with chips, onion rings, fishfingers and chicken nuggets. And a mesmerising cheese fountain at the nacho station.

Coventry city centre is an easy 25 minute drive for us. We parked at the nearby Belgrade Plaza NCP, just a few minutes walk from the restaurant. Despite a nondescript facade on the fringes of West Orchards Shopping Centre, we enter to an instantly Instagrammable lobby with a twinkling umbrella canopy and cherry blossom decor. Upstairs we confirm our booking at the desk and we’re seated straight away in a booth. We peruse the drinks menu. I opt for a reasonably priced cocktail, Mr Fletche goes for a beer.

Our lovely host Neha gives us a tour of the buffet stations. She’s keen to explain the concept behind Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill, and their commitment to providing authentic, quality dishes to all. Each dish is carefully labelled with allergens, and Neha advises that all of the meat, save one or two pork dishes, is halal-certified. Despite being meat-heavy, there are plenty of options to satisfy vegetarians too.

Tour over, photos snapped, it’s time to get down to business. We focus on small plates so we can sample a variety of the cuisines available. Unlike some of the diners, who carry plates overflowing with food. We have sushi to start, accompanied by wasabi, edamame beans and a crisp fresh salad. It’s a good chance to practice our chopstick mastery ahead of Japan.

Mr Fletche checks out the Chinese and South East Asian section, returning with sauteed vegetables and tender char siu pork (amongst other things) that he’s still raving about days later. I’m tempted by the rich and creamy butter chicken, confidently labelled as “world famous”. If it’s not, then it probably should be. Our final stop is at the world grill section, where I stuff a pitta bread full of the kind of delicious lamb doner meat rarely found at the local chippie. I watch for a while as the chefs knock up fresh grilled meat and fish on request at the live cooking station.

There’s just enough space left for a dollop of Eton mess and a jelly cube or two, although I eye up the vibrantly coloured ice cream freezer with a myriad of sprinkle options. I also briefly consider whether sticking my head under the warm chocolate tap would be considered polite. A subtle shake of the head from Mr Fletche and I step away from the counter.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill: Opening Times and Prices

Mon-Thurs – 4:30pm-9pm – £20.99 adults, £11.99 kids

Fri – 4pm-10pm – £21.99 adults, £11.99 kids

Sat – Noon-10pm – £22.99 adults, £11.99 kids

Sun/Bank Holidays – Noon-9:30pm – £21.99 adults, £11.99 kids

Discounts for NHS staff, Blue Light Workers, Armed Forces and students – see their website for more details.

📍Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill, 36-42 Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GF. Google Map.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill: The Verdict

Mr Fletche and I left Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill thoroughly satisfied. There was no compromise on quality despite the vast variety of food on offer. Mr Fletche would have liked to see a dairy-free ice cream option (or sorbet) available as someone who is lactose-sensitive but this was a minor quibble.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill is perfect for families, date nights, post-work eats or even solo. Make sure you arrive on an empty stomach, and prioritise the quality meats and seafood over the less nutritious fare. A concept like this is an ideal opportunity to try something new without committing to a full meal.

We haven’t spent much time exploring the Coventry food and drink scene but I can definitely see us returning to Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill. If only for a full plate of the char siu pork.