Za Za Bazaar for Amazing Value All-You-Can Eat Buffet

If you’re a foodie in Bristol, looking for good value eats and a huge variety to satisfy your palate, look no further than Za Za Bazaar. Situated along the vibrant Harbourside, this global buffet restaurant is our go-to restaurant when entertaining friends and family with a big appetite. The restaurant is made of two floors with the first floor offering a dining experience with its diverse food stations and vibrant interior inspired by Asian night markets.

Ambiance and Venue

Upon entering Za Za Bazaar, you’re instantly transported to an exotic night market with plenty of lights and decors to hitting all your senses. The venue is expansive, with multiple seating areas that cater to different group sizes and preferences. Whether you prefer the bustling main hall with its lively atmosphere or a more intimate corner for a quieter meal, Za Za Bazaar has a spot for you.

Located on the first floor, the food hall is where you want to be for food while the ground floor has a more relaxed drinking atmosphere for your pre-dinner drinks or simply to kick back and relax with friends.

The decor is a feast for the eyes, with colorful lanterns, neon signs, and street art that evoke the feel of an Asian night market. The layout is open and spacious, making it easy to navigate between the various food stations while soaking in the lively ambiance. We were seated near floor to ceiling windows overlooking the harbour. With plenty of natural lighting, we were able to take great photos of our food.

As it is to situated at one end of the restaurant, we worked up an appetite by simply walking up and down, exploring the different food stations, slowly picking and choosing what we would like to eat.

Food Stations

Za Za Bazaar boasts an impressive array of food stations, each dedicated to a different cuisine. While the stations serve a variety of food, they can sometimes be different depending on seasonal ingredients or lunch or dinner sittings. Compared to dinner, the lunch buffet has fewer choices. Not that you will notice as there is still plenty of choices. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from the stations:

1. Dessert

The Dessert station is the nearest station to the entrance, and also closest to where we were seated.  It would be our last station to visit. We couldn’t help but list this first simply because it was arranged on the map in our paper placemat from left to right. The dessert is a refreshing mix of fresh fruits, cakes, pastries and patisserie. There is also a Mr Whippy-style soft serve ice cream machine and a chocolate fountain with a selection of topping sauces.

The dessert station offers an impressive array of cakes, pastries, and a chocolate fountain that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

2. Salads

Right next to the Dessert station is the Salad Bar and Drink Station. If you ordered your bottomless soft drink, this is where you get your drinks from the soda fountain. Start your meal with a refreshing selection of salads, from classic Caesar to more exotic options, the choice is yours.

The salad bar spread.

3. Far East

For lovers of Asian cuisine, the Far East station is a must-visit. This section offers a variety of dishes from Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisines. You can enjoy everything from sushi and sashimi to dim sum and stir-fried noodles. This station also features a live cooking stations are particularly popular, where you can watch chefs whip up your favourite noodle dishes right before your eyes. All you need is to choose your noodle and ingredients and to pass this on to the chef to have it prepared fresh.

We noticed that the corner for dim sum and if memory serve, crispy duck and pancake sections were empty for lunch time. There is also a section for asian starters which we particularly enjoy for finger food type food like vegetable spring rolls, crispy breaded calamari squid rings, meat balls and prawn on toasts.

4. Tex Mex

Craving something with a bit of a kick? The Tex Mex station has you covered. Here, you’ll find all your favourites, from tacos, nachos and burritos to fajitas and chilli con carne. The vibrant flavours and generous portions make this station a hit with those looking to spice up their meal. This is also the station where you get your BBQ fix. The Carribean section offers jerk and bbq chicken wings and grilled sweet corn on cob. There are also the burger bar and tacos stall where you can again pick your favourite ingredients and have it prepared by the chef.

5. European

The European station offers a comforting selection of continental dishes. Think Italian pastas, pizzas, and British classics like roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. For lunch time, in place of the roast beef, beef stew, fish and chip and cottage pie were offered. This station is perfect for those who appreciate hearty, home-style cooking. There is also a piri-piri chicken section where you get ask the chef to prepare your grilled chicken to your desired heat level.

From the European section, I got myself lasagna, fish (minus chips) with mushy peas and tar tar sauce, stewed beef with roast potato, grilled corn on cob and deep fried mushroom.

6. Indian

This is our favourite station in the Za Za Bazaar. In fact, eventhough it was the furthest from where we were seated, this was our first stop. The Indian station offers an array of colourful dishes and aromas, featuring a variety of curries, tandoori dishes, and freshly baked naan breads with their tandoor oven. The flavours are rich and authentic, with options ranging from mild to spicy, catering to all palates.

The chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh are particularly popular, delivering a depth of flavour that is sure to impress. The Indian street food section features fried starters like small spiced popadoms with various dips, onion bhajis and our favourite amritsari fish, deep fried battered and spiced fish. There is also a Dosa, a savoury Indian crepe with choice of toppings but this section was shut for lunch.

More on Interior and Seating Areas

Za Za Bazaar’s seating areas are as diverse as its food offerings. The main dining area is lively and bustling, perfect for those who enjoy a festive dining experience. For families and larger groups, there are spacious sections with long tables. If you’re looking for a quieter dining experience, there are more secluded nooks with cozy seating arrangements.

Za Za Bazaar is more than just a restaurant; it’s a culinary adventure around the world. With its diverse food stations, vibrant decor, and variety of seating options, it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, fajita, or a classic British meal, you’ll find it all under one roof. The lively atmosphere and the sheer variety of dishes make it a perfect spot for a casual meal with friends, a family outing, or even a special celebration. The lunch time buffet is particularly good value. There aren’t many restaurants in the area offering good value buffet. The only other all you can eat restaurant in the area is COSMO World Kitchen. Za Za Bazaar gets our vote for its vast open space, a multitude of food stations with food prepared fresh from ingredients to plate while you wait.