Visited August 23, 2026, at noon.
International Buffet—also known as Buffet des Continents—was once a more animated and efficient part of my dining rotation. On this recent lunch visit with my granddaughter, the restaurant felt noticeably slower than I remembered from its earlier years. Even so, its enormous range of food and theatrical European-inspired setting still make it an easy outing for families, particularly when children are part of the plan.
A Tour of the Buffet
The décor leads diners through stylized European scenes, from colourful storefront façades to grand staircases. The room was clean and well maintained during our visit. Chairs looked polished, tables had been thoroughly wiped down, and there was none of the sticky residue that can make a buffet meal feel less appealing from the outset.
The buffet is arranged in successive stations. The Japanese section is focused mainly on rolls, followed by a soup-and-salad bar with green vegetables and several prepared salads. The beet salad was a pleasant surprise: fresh-tasting, well seasoned, and one of the better cold options on offer.
The breakfast section offers a practical balance of proteins and carbohydrates. The Italian station comes next. Skip the spaghetti with marinara sauce, which was not a highlight, but make room for the lasagna. It was creamy, cheesy, and satisfying in the uncomplicated way that buffet lasagna should be.
The Chinese station serves familiar Chinese-Canadian favourites, including spring rolls, egg rolls, noodles, chicken balls, and more. Nothing aims to be especially adventurous, but the selection does a respectable job of satisfying a Chinese-food craving. The row of pizzas that follows is best skipped.
At the carving station, the pork roast and smoked meat stood out as very good. The Angus beef, however, was dry. Three soups were available during our visit, and the wonton soup was a welcome exception to buffet heaviness: its broth was light, soothing, and easy on the stomach.
Dessert and the Family Factor
Dessert options were extensive. The cakes were dry, but the ice cream was pleasantly restrained rather than overwhelmingly sweet. Brightly coloured gelatin desserts were especially inviting to children, and the fruit station offered a good variety.
One downside is the washroom, which felt more like one at a busy big-box store than part of a dining experience. It is an area the restaurant could improve substantially.
Verdict
International Buffet is no longer quite as lively or efficient as I remember it, and quality varies sharply from one station to the next. Still, there are enough worthwhile dishes—especially the beet salad, lasagna, pork roast, smoked meat, and wonton soup—to make a visit enjoyable. Its sheer variety, playful décor, and child-friendly dessert selection remain its strongest assets for family dining.
I plan to return on a weekend to try the all-you-can-eat crab offering.
What to Choose
- Best choices: beet salad, lasagna, pork roast, smoked meat, and wonton soup.
- Better to skip: spaghetti with marinara sauce, pizza, dry Angus beef, and dry cakes.