Cuisine from around the globe will be available from a new buffet-style Chester restaurant launching on Monday (November 28).

Workmen are busy completing a refit at the Newgate Street premises opening as Panda Mami.

Panda Mami world buffet will take the place of the former Chinese Buffet City and Thai restaurant Thaixotic, both in the same building, which closed some time ago.

General manager Yong Yan said about 250 dishes would be on the menu at the all-you-can-eat buffet with customers able to order directly from the chef.

He explained: “We are different to a traditional Chinese restaurant or a world buffet restaurant because we have fish as well. We have the chef cooking for you face-to-face - he will be making Teppanyaki, some sushi, some pizza and barbecue as well. So you can go to see the chef and order what you want.

The former Buffet City in Newgate Street is opening as the Panda Mami world buffet on Monday, November 28.

"About 40% of our food is European style and another 60% is Asian style so it’s like sushi, Korean food, Chinese food, Thai food and the European food will include Italian and may be even some traditional English food such as roast dinners and Yorkshire pudding on Sundays!”

Yong explained that the menu won’t be the same every day so regular customers don’t get bored.

The 200-cover restaurant, which includes an upstairs VIP area available to reserve for parties and special occasions, will be open seven days.

Prices start at £8.99 for lunch, Monday to Friday, while dinner is £14.99 from Monday to Thursday. At the weekend, dinner is £15.99 on a Friday night and all day Saturday and £14.99 on Sunday. There is a fully licensed bar.

Yong said Chester represented ‘a great opportunity’ for the business, which also has outlets in Manchester and Cambridge.

The former Buffet City in Newgate Street is being converted into the Panda Mami World Buffet.

Meanwhile, just a few doors away the former Italian restaurant Zizzi has been converted into Brazilian steak house Picanha, which is now open.

And Blackhouse Grill opposite has closed ahead of a refurbishment that will see it turned into an All Bar One.

The general area has been dubbed the Dining Quarter following the opening in Pepper Street of Latin American-style Las Iguanas, Opera Grill, American-themed Coast to Coast and Mexican restaurant Chimichanga.