This place is a joke.I attempted to join my friend for her bday celebrations last sat.The birthday girl and her group were refused entry as they couldn't find her on the guest list. Even though she went personally to the place to book a table, she had to e-mail twice and spoke to the manager.But the robot on the door wouldn't help.We were all very presentable, a mixed group of approx 12.Whilst we were waiting I witnessed the same situation.A well-dressed guy turned with his group and although his first name was on the list the surname didn't match - believe me his name was very unusual so it was obviously a typing error.Robo cop with his clipboard was not going to help.He also stood outside with us waiting hoping for a manager to appear and resolve the situation..It was 9pm!We didn't hang around too long especially when we saw backpacking tourists leaving the bar.I look forward to reading about its closure and will be happy to return when something else appears in its place.

First of all...the venue is amazing...the food was great...particularly enjoyed my passionfruit cocktail...

And secondly...i've tried hard but really can't seem to understand why this place has been getting so many poor reviews...i went with my fiance for our birthday's; her 22nd and my 23rd.

I do feel certain orders took a short while to arrive but, that just made it better for me and the mrs to chat and enjoy eachothers company.
Maybe, all these poor reviews are from people who have gone Buddah Bar with friends, or alone...hence they want their food and drinks ASAP without the pleasure conversating with their company, instead, to stuff their faces and get out of there.
In fact, my fiance and I were approached by waiters on many occasions asking if we would like to order or, and this is the first time i've ever heard this from a waiter, whether we would like to sit back and enjoy the venue and our chat for a bit, this i feel was a very nice touch.
I would also like to add...the waiter requested the chef's that our desert order (warm chocolate cake) be decorated for our birthday...which it was, and rather beautifully. Given I only mentioned this when ordering, they still delivered. Much appreciated buddah bar.

I would definately go again...

From: Gurdip Singh

Gorgeous venue but terrible terrible service! We had to wait for our orders for up to 50 minutes each time. Staff kept forgetting what was ordered. One waitress overheard me making a comment about poor service and said (interrupting my conversation with a friend) "you can make jokes if you want but I am telling you....."
And what with the manner to call customers "darling"?

I had high hopes when I heard about the launch of the London BB.

Sadly it's not a touch on Paris. I went with a group of eight other people last Saturday. The staff at the entrance are all very attentive and last count there must have been at least 10 staff at the reception area, this was about as good as it got. We were led to the bar area before our dinner. I've heard of subdued lighting but can I just say one word - dark.

Finally about half an hour later after our original dinner booking we were led to our table. One keen waiter was keen to point us to the Budda Bar £55 special and wanted to explain this sales package. A bit too hard sell and dare I say tacky.

It must have taken at least one hour for the starters to come, no sorry I mean just one person's starter to come. The rest of the starters (they forgot most) arrived at 15 minute intervals or maybe it was half an hour. I forget. All I know is that nearly two hours after we had sat down for dinner, the main courses arrived. Not bad for post midnight munchies.

So yes the service is a shambles. It's a shame because the food itself isn't bad. And some of the staff are polite and understanding, including one head waiter.

You get the impression that Budda Bar lures many with the expectation of a cool London haunt like its Paris sister. Now this brand is suffering from owners who think they can recreate a smattering of ambient music and asian fusion food in a different city. Instead what we get is a rather tacky and themed restaurant desperate to appeal to a new clientele.

Why even the large gilded Buddha a at the foot of the restaurant has been become victim to the vapidity. It seems his Buddha belly has been reduced- perhaps been on a detox, had a tummy tuck or given up waiting to be fed. I bet the real Budda is turning in his grave and telling everyone to head to the nearest KFC.

If you're the type of person who is happy to...

a) wait 45 minutes after the booking time for your table to be ready
b) wait 50 minutes for your drinks to arrive at your table...with half the order missing
c) enjoy eating tasteless food
d) pay far too much for the tasteless food
e) get charged for drinks you didn't order (after waiting 50 minutes for your first drink, there's very little desire to want another)
f) like to be patronized by the management when you make a complaint about the above
......then you'll love this place.

I've given it 1 star for the interior, which is quite impressive.
I personally wouldn't recommend the Buddha bar to anyone.

You have actually proved my point in that the Buddha bar consistently discriminates against ordinary, hardworking people trying to book a table. I've never said "Do you know who I am?." I just don't want to be judged when I try to book a table. Looking at all other negative reviews on this site, I am not alone in this opinion. Everyone feels Buddha Bar is a snobby place, where people are looked up and down. The service makes McDonalds look fantastic and the food is average.

Also my reference to the fact that the majority of workers are not English speakiing, was not to complain about where they come from but to highlight the communication issues I found when ordering. The Buddha bar employees struggled to understand my basic order for a mojito, a cosmopolitan or even the Sushi menu. By the way, ethnically I am not British, I'm Asian but I do speak English.

A truly appalling place.. and that not us being a snob (I hope)

I have visited this bar once and to be frank the service is absolutely appalling. However the venue is quite unusual and I decided to try to book this place for my birthday drinks, giving it the benefit of the doubt. I was really shocked to get a snooty email from a lady called Nicole who turned my offer of hiring a table for 12 people with the view to bringing in an additional group of 20 people to the bar later. Our group consistents of 30 something of down to earth bankers and business professionals and I cannot comprehend why a bar would want to turn people away who are willing to spend a huge amount of money drinking at the bar. If you're the CEO of Buddha bar - be warned! You have idiots like Nicole and Maurice working at your bar who really don't have a clue about improving your profits. I predict this bar will be closed in a year's time. Also you have so many non- English speaking immigrants who've never made a cocktail in their life and to be honest it really is very, very comical. Go there if you're bored and want to watch how stupidly a bar can be run.