Forget Just Xuxi and Hsu Hsiang! Foodies Rave About 'One Hidden All-You-Can-Eat Gem': Affordable Prices, Stunning Desserts, Nothing Misses the Mark

Buffet restaurants remain the top choice for gatherings and birthday celebrations among Taiwanese people. However, for many dessert lovers, the quality of the dessert section is the most critical factor in evaluating a restaurant. Recently, a netizen posted on a social platform, sharing that after visiting several well-known restaurants under the Hsinpin Group, they were repeatedly disappointed by the dessert offerings. After researching online, they found numerous people highly praising Hsu Hsiang's desserts, yet their personal experience did not match the hype, prompting them to ask the broader community: 'Is there really any buffet with desserts better than Hsu Hsiang?'

Top Picks for Dessert Buffets: Paili Hall, Maison de Chine, and Mandarin Oriental Make the List

In response to the original poster’s dilemma, many dessert enthusiasts shared their recommendations, highlighting Taipei's Regent Hotel Paili Hall, Maison de Chine Taipei, and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. One user commented, 'I think Paili Hall has the most diverse and highest-quality desserts.' Others noted, 'Maison de Chine offers many dessert options, but the flavors feel somewhat average,' and 'Mandarin Oriental is also good, especially for its layered French-style desserts, though it can become slightly tiring after prolonged eating.' Some also praised Hanlai Harbor’s desserts, saying they were 'almost on par with Paili Hall, just slightly behind.' Additionally, there were recommendations for the desserts at the Grand Hotel buffet.

Hidden Buffet Revealed: Exceptional Dessert Quality

Moreover, a 'hidden' buffet in Kaohsiung has recently gained viral attention online, quickly building buzz for its精致 desserts and high cost-performance ratio, even being dubbed the 'best dessert buffet in southern Taiwan' by netizens.

The restaurant sparking discussion is 'SERENA All-Day Dining' located within the Kaohsiung Nichirei Hotel. A user shared their dining experience on the social platform Threads, posting a series of intricately designed dessert photos, including cat-shaped breads, bow-shaped sweets, and lion dance-themed desserts, which look like they belong in a professional patisserie. She praised the overall dessert quality as stunning, saying, 'Everything is so beautiful and dreamy, it's hard to believe this isn't a dedicated dessert shop.'

Regarding dessert quality, the poster added further details, noting that the restaurant excels not only in visual design but also in filling and texture. For example, the bow and cat-shaped breads have rich fillings and a crispy texture; the strawberry cheesecake is paired with fresh strawberries and jam, offering a rich milky flavor; and there are also various chocolate lollipop cakes. She particularly recommended the chestnut Mont Blanc, describing its chestnut aroma as surpassing that of typical dessert shops, making her exclaim, 'It feels like I’m dining at an overseas patisserie.'

After the post went viral, many netizens praised it, saying, 'The mille-feuille at Nichirei is a must-try at least once in your life,' 'The desserts at Nichirei buffet are truly number one—beautiful and delicious, with no misses at all,' 'The breakfast at Nichirei is also amazing; my friend and I ate for two hours,' 'The desserts at Nichirei Hotel are the most exquisite I've ever had, surpassing all five-star hotels in southern Taiwan,' and 'Unbelievable—this buffet is basically overshadowed by its desserts.'

However, there were also dissenting voices in the comments: 'I went on Valentine's Day and thought it was just okay, especially the breads, which weren’t tasty. Only a few desserts were good. The seafood was fresh, but the overall menu selection was limited,' 'Desserts might be the only highlight; the other dishes are truly subpar. It has the poorest variety among buffets at this price point, and the flavors are mediocre,' and 'Only the bread trolley at Nichirei was decent; everything else was mediocre. The desserts look great but are overwhelmingly sweet when eaten.'

Since its opening in November 2024, SERENA All-Day Dining has accumulated nearly 1,000 reviews on Google, with a high rating of 4.4 stars. The menu includes steak, crab, Japanese cuisine, dim sum, and various desserts, with the dessert section—thanks to its eye-catching designs and diverse offerings—becoming the most discussed highlight.

In terms of pricing, according to the official website of Kaohsiung Nichirei Hotel, the breakfast rate for adults and children aged 12 and above is NT$880, which becomes NT$968 with a 10% service charge. Weekday lunch and dinner are priced at NT$1,180, and NT$1,380 on holidays, with service charges applied separately. Compared to other high-end buffets in the market that often exceed NT$1,000 or even higher, SERENA All-Day Dining offers relatively affordable pricing. With its 'high-aesthetic desserts + mid-range pricing strategy,' it has successfully captured consumer attention and carved out a new path in the fiercely competitive buffet market.

Full discussion: {Threads} Executive Editor / Li Yi-Qing