Tucked inside a strip mall at 120 Waller Mill Rd in Williamsburg, Virginia, Peking Restaurant is anything but ordinary. For over three decades, this beloved Chinese buffet has been wowing locals and tourists alike with its jaw-dropping variety, including a hands-on Mongolian grill and a fun rotating sushi belt.
Whether you are a buffet veteran or a first-timer looking for something memorable, this place has something to surprise everyone at the table. Get ready to discover everything that makes Peking Restaurant one of the most talked-about dining spots in all of Tidewater.
The Rotating Sushi Belt That Steals the Show
Picture walking into a buffet and spotting a moving conveyor belt delivering sushi right to your seat. That is exactly what awaits you at Peking Restaurant in Williamsburg, VA.
The rotating sushi belt is one of the most talked-about features in the entire restaurant, and for good reason.
Guests can simply grab small plates of sushi rolls as they glide by, making the whole experience feel interactive and exciting. Reviewers have called it “such a fun addition” and a dream come true for anyone who has always wanted to visit a sushi train.
The variety includes classic rolls and creative combinations.
While a few guests noted that freshness can vary depending on the time of day, dinner visits tend to offer the best selection. Arriving during peak hours helps ensure you catch the freshest plates rolling off the chef’s station.
Mongolian Grill Experience Worth Every Visit
Few things beat watching your food cooked right in front of you, and the Mongolian grill at Peking Restaurant delivers exactly that thrill. Loyal customers have praised this feature for nearly 30 years, calling it “the best Mongolian grill in all of Tidewater.” That kind of loyalty says a lot.
You pick your own bowl of fresh ingredients from a wide selection of meats, vegetables, and sauces, then hand it off to a skilled chef who cooks it on a massive flat-top grill. The result is a personalized meal made exactly to your taste.
One reviewer raved about the “incredible Mongolian chefs” who bring both skill and showmanship to every bowl.
The grill station is also a visual treat. Watching the flames and hearing the sizzle adds an energy to the dining experience that a regular buffet line simply cannot match.
Buffet Variety That Covers All the Bases
Beyond the sushi belt and Mongolian grill, Peking Restaurant offers a full buffet lineup that spans Chinese classics, Thai-inspired dishes, and even some American comfort food favorites. There really is something for every appetite at this Williamsburg gem.
Fan favorites mentioned repeatedly in reviews include General Tso’s Chicken made with thick, tender white meat, fresh garlic green beans, sauteed spinach, honey chicken, and dumplings. One longtime regular noted that after 25 years, the quality has never wavered.
That kind of consistency is rare in the buffet world.
The spread also includes options like Korean beef, Thai rice, and mac and cheese with bacon, making it a solid choice for groups with picky eaters. Vegetarian options are kept well-stocked on the buffet line too, which is a thoughtful touch that many guests genuinely appreciate.
Asian-Inspired Decor That Sets the Mood
Step through the doors of Peking Restaurant and you are immediately transported somewhere special. The dining room is filled with Mongolian artifacts, hand-painted murals, decorative ceiling panels, and cultural statues that turn a simple meal into a genuine experience.
Multiple reviewers have specifically called out the decor as a standout feature, with one guest noting that “even the ceiling has artful panels.” Another described the layout as festive and fun, comparing it to a cultural gallery as much as a restaurant. Horse statues and traditional Chinese couplets line the walls throughout the space.
For families visiting Williamsburg, this restaurant doubles as a mini cultural lesson. Kids can look around at the artwork while waiting for their food, and adults can appreciate the attention to detail that went into creating such an immersive environment.
It is a dining room that actually has a story to tell.
Friendly and Attentive Service Staff
One thing that keeps guests coming back to Peking Restaurant again and again is the warmth of the staff. Several long-time regulars have shared stories of being greeted by name and even welcomed with hugs.
That level of personal connection is almost unheard of in a buffet setting.
Multiple reviewers praised the waitstaff for being quick, attentive, and proactive about refilling drinks and checking on food quality throughout the meal. One guest described the team as “super fast, super attentive,” while another noted that staff frequently tidied the buffet area and monitored food freshness.
The front entrance staff also receives consistent praise for making guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. For a restaurant that sees high traffic, especially on weekends, maintaining that kind of friendly energy across the entire team is genuinely impressive and clearly a point of pride.
Unbeatable Price for the Quality Offered
At roughly $17 per person for dinner and around $13 for lunch, Peking Restaurant offers one of the most value-packed meals in Williamsburg. When you factor in the sushi belt, Mongolian grill, and full buffet spread, that price feels almost too good to be true.
A family of four who visited recently called it “phenomenal for the quality, variety, and price.” Another reviewer who has been a regular for 15 years emphasized that the restaurant also lowered its to-go pricing, making it even more accessible for budget-conscious diners who prefer eating at home.
Compared to other dining options in the Williamsburg area, Peking delivers a genuinely elevated experience without the elevated price tag. For tourists exploring Colonial Williamsburg or locals looking for a reliable weeknight dinner, the value here is hard to beat.
You leave full, satisfied, and with money still in your pocket.
General Tso’s Chicken Done the Right Way
Ask any longtime fan of Peking Restaurant what they always order and chances are General Tso’s Chicken comes up immediately. One reviewer who has eaten here for 25 years said it is “ALWAYS made of thick pieces of tender white meat.” That kind of reliability earns serious loyalty.
Many buffets cut corners on this classic dish, using scraps or overly saucy coatings to mask lower-quality ingredients. Peking takes a different approach, letting the quality of the chicken speak for itself.
The sauce has just the right balance of sweet heat without overwhelming the meat underneath.
Paired with fresh garlic green beans or sauteed spinach from the buffet line, it becomes a truly satisfying plate. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular who has been coming here for decades, the General Tso’s at Peking never seems to disappoint.
Order early before it runs out.
Fresh Vegetables and Authentic Sides
Not every buffet takes vegetables seriously, but Peking Restaurant is a refreshing exception. A devoted regular specifically called out the “real green beans cooked tender-crispy with garlic” and “fresh spinach sauteed with garlic” as standout sides that keep them returning week after week.
Fresh, well-prepared vegetables at a buffet price point are surprisingly rare. Most spots overcook their greens or let them sit too long under heat lamps.
At Peking, the vegetable dishes are replenished regularly and prepared with care, maintaining their color, texture, and flavor throughout service.
For health-conscious diners or those who simply want a balanced plate, the vegetable options here offer a genuine alternative to the heavier fried dishes. Vegetarian guests have also noted that the buffet keeps a healthy rotation of meatless options available.
It is a small detail that shows real thoughtfulness in how the menu is curated.
The Sushi Chef Working Behind the Conveyor
One of the coolest visual experiences at Peking Restaurant is watching the sushi chef work behind the conveyor belt station. Guests can actually see the chef preparing rolls in real time before they are placed onto the moving belt and sent out to the dining room.
This level of transparency is something food lovers genuinely appreciate. You are not just grabbing pre-made plates from a mystery kitchen.
You can watch the craft happening right in front of you, which adds both trust and entertainment to the dining experience. One reviewer described it as a highlight of their entire visit.
The sushi selection tends to be more varied and fresher during dinner hours, so timing your visit accordingly pays off. Classic rolls are the most commonly available, and while the selection is not as extensive as a dedicated sushi bar, the quality is solid for a buffet setting.
A Buffet With Over 30 Years of History
Peking Restaurant has been a cornerstone of the Williamsburg dining scene for over three decades, and that kind of staying power does not happen by accident. One reviewer shared that their parents started going when the restaurant first opened, brought them as a child, and now they still visit as an adult.
That is three generations of loyal customers.
Longevity in the restaurant business means the team has had plenty of time to fine-tune recipes, train excellent staff, and build a reputation that word-of-mouth alone keeps growing. The owner, Benjamin Diau, is actively engaged with customer feedback and has been mentioned by name in several reviews as a sign of genuine ownership pride.
For visitors passing through Williamsburg, stopping at a local institution like Peking adds a layer of authenticity to the trip. You are not just eating at a buffet.
You are becoming part of a long-running community tradition.
Weekend Crowds Prove Its Popularity
If you want proof that Peking Restaurant has a devoted following, just try getting a table on a Saturday evening. Reviewers consistently mention that the restaurant gets “pretty busy on the weekends,” which speaks volumes about how well-regarded it is among both locals and tourists visiting the Williamsburg area.
The weekend rush also tends to mean fresher food, since higher turnover keeps the buffet trays replenished more frequently. Busy nights are when the Mongolian grill chefs really shine, cranking out custom bowls at an impressive pace while keeping the energy in the room high and exciting.
Arriving a bit early, right around the 11:30 AM opening or just after 5 PM for dinner, can help you snag a good table and catch the freshest spread before the crowds settle in. A little timing strategy goes a long way toward getting the best experience here.
Allergy-Friendly Options and Accommodating Staff
Dining out with food allergies can be stressful, but Peking Restaurant has earned praise for handling allergy requests with care. One reviewer shared that the staff quickly accommodated a peanut allergy for their group, even preparing a special order to ensure the meal was safe.
That kind of responsiveness matters enormously to families with dietary restrictions.
Staff were upfront about which dishes contained peanuts and clarified that all food is cooked in vegetable oil, providing guests with the information they need to make smart choices. Knowing that the team takes these concerns seriously makes the whole dining experience feel much more comfortable and trustworthy.
For parents traveling with kids who have allergies, or for anyone who needs to ask specific questions about ingredients, the staff at Peking seem genuinely willing to help rather than brush off concerns. That level of customer care is one of the quieter reasons this restaurant has lasted so long.
Take-Out Menu That Rivals the Buffet
Not everyone has time to sit down for a full buffet experience, and Peking Restaurant has that covered too. The take-out menu features many of the same beloved dishes from the buffet, including the famous General Tso’s Chicken, Orange Chicken, Beef Fried Rice, and Sesame Crystal Chicken, all available to go at a per-pound price that has recently been lowered.
One reviewer who has been ordering take-out for over 20 years calls Peking “far better than any other take-out Chinese food in the area in terms of price, portions, and quality.” Portion sizes are generous, and the food travels well, making it a great option for a family dinner at home or a hotel room meal during a Williamsburg vacation.
A small mix-up, like receiving crab rangoon instead of fried wontons, was noted by one guest but handled positively. Overall, the to-go experience reflects the same care as dining in.
How to Find Us
Getting to Peking Restaurant is easier than you might think. Located in the New Town area of Williamsburg, Virginia, the restaurant sits conveniently off Monticello Avenue, making it accessible from most parts of the city.
Whether you are driving in from Richmond or just exploring the local area, a quick search for Peking Restaurant Williamsburg will pull up the directions you need.
Parking is available right in the shopping center lot, so you do not have to stress about finding a spot. The restaurant is open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner service.
Call ahead on weekends to check wait times.