August 2025 by Scott
UNBELIEVABLE!
Never in my life have I been expected to pay for tap water. We ordered a bottle of wine, which you can guarantee had at least £15 mark up on it and the only option for water was a bottle. Don't know the price however I asked for tap water. Was told it was 60p. I'm not short of 60p however we were going to spend getting £60+ in there. The penny pinching audacity gave me cause to leave without eating. Oh, you're given very clear 'instructions' on how you have to order what you can and cannot do. I swear it's only the Chinese that treat paying customers with such patronising methods and seem to get away with it. If you want to be regimented on how you order and are happy paying very inflated prices, by all means try it out. If you want to be treated like a human being, steer away. I have just checked and according to the licensing act 2003, licensed pubs and restaurants are required to provide FREE tap water upon request. I have reported them to the local authority. Here?s hoping they lose their licence as going by the reviews, I?m not the first this has happened to.
Response to owners reply.
In the UK, it is generally not illegal to charge for tap water in licensed premises, but they are obligated to provide free tap water upon request. However, they can charge for the service, the glass, or for filtered water. Unlicensed premises do not have the same legal obligation to provide free tap water.
You wanted to charge for the water. Cannot believe you're still standing on your ground with this. You lost a potentially regular customer for the sake of 2 pennies. Certainly lost £60 that night. I cannot describe how despicable it is. And the attitude you gave when challenged by the young server on my behalf was disgusting. Yes, I understood what you said!
August 2025 by Lucy Hardiman
Sadly after years going back as far its been open of celebrations here with family, friends and work colleagues the Lailing we knew and loved it's well and truly gone.
The refurbishment looks fresh granted seating is better too and nice too see the sad fish gone hopefully too a big tank.
The staff Nicola and Owen were fantastic and the only save of the evening guys you are wasted here.
The menu system is very inconvenient when you are just trying converse and have fun, one person constantly writing.
The price increase is expected and not ott. However the lack of drinks and being license you cant take your own was shocking thats before you look at the price of them.
Then the food. Half the menu of really popular for us classics have gone. What is left is just sub par cheap Chinese food. Salt and pepper was more sweet and sticky, the curry sauce was like wheat and popcorn blended it was not eatable. It was not something I can say id want again. Certainly not for the prices. We did look to get our favourite dish off the other menu but at nearly £12 on top for one main we choose not too and personally I left hungry.
The owner was dismissive of customers and staff who were having to take a lot of cristism and trying to politely feed it back on deaf ears.
Very much here to rinse as much as they can from people was the feel.
It's so heartbreakingly sad to think we were there for my 40th last year having the most amazing evening again to find its been butchered in too this.
I think we will be going to the Harbourne buffet from now on
July 2025 by Amer
Best made to order buffet around. REMEMBER OPEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY 5pm til 10.30pm
July 2025 by Gemma Broad
Probably the best salt and chilli around! All the food tastes fresh and hot! Brilliant customer service!
July 2025 by Jayne
Although Google says this place is closed it's definitely open under new management!
Food was amazing
Service was spot on staff very friendly nothing is too much trouble
The restaurant looks lovely and clean can highly recommend ? we will definitely be returning ?
July 2025 by Amber-Mae Hemus
First time going back to lai ling since the refurb and slightly disappointed. The price for the buffet has gone up and the food was okay but wasn?t as nice as it was before. The actual restaurant was cold and to take your order for the buffet you had to mark down a number for the amount of portions on a menu and pass it back each time you wanted to put your order in, not sure why they can?t take your order for you. Small portions if you ordered one of something and even charged us 60p for a glass of tap water. Wouldn?t say it?s worth the price so probably won?t be going back again.
July 2025 by Danielle Parsons
Nicola gave a great service and the food was up there with one of the best Chinese in Rubery/Rednal.
Would definitely recommend ?
July 2025 by Jade Bird
The BEST place to go!
I hadn?t been here since last year when they first closed for the refurbs and new management. I was unsure at first because it was new staff, new management but did they DELIVER!!
The lad that was serving us was brilliant, he explained everything to do with the buffet. Everytime he came over he told us what it was and how many portions etc. He was so kind and sweet.
All the staff helped us with the 3x babies we had by giving us seats, smiling with them and playing too. They helped us to move some chairs and even gave us some plastic plates for the babies to eat off.
When it came to the end of the meal, he offered to take photos of us for the occasion of my birthday! The waiter came over with a FREE BUFFET ticket for my birthday present off themselves too, they were beyond amazing. The food was phenomenal and so tasty! The toilets were spotless and clean! The staff were amazing and so kind. I?m definitely coming back! Not only for my birthday buffet but for other occasions, definitely! ??
July 2025 by Kate George
Honestly can say one of the best meals I have ever had. It was the buffet menu and every dish I had was lovely and hot and fresh.lovely friendly staff too
July 2025 by Roger Clare
This is now under new management and it certainly shows. The decor is fresh and clean with plenty of room at the tables. The food was really tasty and very plentiful. The new way of ordering took some explaining but once understood it worked well. Two of our party were Gluten free and this is the best Chinese dining experience they have had for a very long time with plenty of options. The service was excellent and always with a smile. The quantity of food that came out was enough for the biggest of appetites. The price was reasonable in light of the dining experience. Definitely planning another trip in the near future. Thank you all.
July 2025 by Susan Clare
Just come from the best chinese buffet, they do gluten free and it was awesome, to see my families face enjoying thier favourite food, and for it to be safe for them to eat, definitely going again, Thank you
July 2025 by ThatPersonSpence
Myself and my partner tried this restaurant for the first time today. They have recently changed management. The staff were very helpful as well as accommodating for my disability. The food was fabulous and all home made. You could tell by the taste. Overall this is a must try, from the staff to the food everything was amazing. Very Slightly higher priced than other but definitely worth it . It is small yet not cramped. Only slight criticism is that tap water is not free it is 60p per large glass
10/10 will be visiting again!
July 2025 by toni lacey
Lovely staff Nicole so attentive and the food freshly cooked ,Lovely birthday party of 7 Thank-you we will be back.
July 2025 by Jill
Came here with my partner this evening. We went for the buffet menu, food was delicious. The service was 10/10 Nicola was very friendly she went above and beyond for us. Will definitely be returning.
September 2024 by Amijayne Mckeown
We used this place regularly and as we hadn't been for while we went bought our drinks and the staff took a dislike to us as soon as we walked in we was told we carnt take our own drinks which we accepted and for the lady to not look at and tell us to get out for my partner tio finish his drink while not even looking at us which I fount very unprofessional. She then said to my partner go outside and have a word with me his partner then come bk in. But as the service was poor I refused to go bk in
