The story
The Glasshouse at The Grove Hotel has earned a reputation as the UK’s best buffet, according to food explorer Mark Wiens. He praised its “incredible quality, variety, and service” across eight live cooking stations and five cuisines, noting the £94 per person price tag. The sprawling spread includes standout seafood like oysters, shrimp cocktail, and lobster tail, alongside Japanese sashimi and a blini with salmon roe and caviar. The carvery offers roast turkey and dry-aged beef rib, while the Italian corner features tortellini with pancetta and truffle.
Beyond the volume, the execution impresses: a Madras fish curry, Thai duck curry, and pho-style chicken noodle soup all appeared on Wiens’s plate. Desserts like the chocolate fountain with pineapple and a British cheese selection round out the experience. It’s a theatrical, quality-driven buffet that justifies its premium price, drawing crowds of over a thousand daily. For those seeking variety without sacrificing execution, this glass-walled dining room delivers.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2026.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 34 dish mentions say about the food
The oysters earn unanimous praise for their pristine freshness, while the overall vibe is one of refined comfort with generous, well-executed classics.
“The oyster is refreshing and cold, icy, with a clean taste. The hit of Tabasco and pickled shallots I added make it even better. Delicious.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered The Glasshouse at The Grove Hotel. Most active: Mark Wiens
The Glasshouse at The Grove Hotel is the best buffet in the UK, with incredible quality, variety, and service across eight live cooking stations and five cuisines, though it costs £94 per person.
Dishes mentioned
Oysters
The oyster is refreshing and cold, icy, with a clean taste. The hit of Tabasco and pickled shallots I added make it even better. Delicious.
Shrimp Cocktail
These taste like Arctic shrimp from really cold water — they have an incredible little bouncy texture with sweetness, and a little bit of paprika in there. Wonderful.
Poached Prawns
Good size prawns, poached. The sweetness and nuttiness are phenomenal. Out of the entire cold seafood plate, these little prawns are my favorite thing.
Lobster Tail
Juicy, cold, refreshing, nice and sweet. Excellent.
Beetroot Gravlax
That's like straight butter in your mouth. The fattiness, the acidity from the beetroot, the dill flavor, smoky, salty. So good.
