Epicurean at Crown Sydney: A Buffet Fit for the Gods (and the Rest of Us)

There are buffets, and then there’s Epicurean.

Tucked inside Crown Sydney, this isn’t your average stack-your-plate kind of place. It’s where you go for a 21st, an anniversary, or that once-a-year family get-together when everyone’s in a good mood and no one’s pretending to eat light - like an unspoken Christmas Day pass. It’s not dinner out - it’s an event.

Let’s start with the name. Epicurean comes from Epicurus - the ancient Greek philosopher who believed pleasure, done well, was life’s greatest pursuit. In other words, they named this place perfectly.

Walking in feels a bit like stepping into a very civilised feeding frenzy. There’s the energy of a Black Friday sale, but in designer shoes and really good lighting. No elbows, no chaos, just a quiet understanding that everyone here is about to eat a lot and very, very well.

The food itself? Think Sizzler on steroids - if Sizzler had gone to finishing school in Paris and picked up a Michelin star along the way. Every station feels like its own tiny restaurant: sushi, roast meats, seafood towers, curries, salads that are fresh enought to actually look like someone cared about them, and desserts so polished and varied you’ll need to remind yourself this isn’t a royal wedding. The prawns are plump, the oysters are briny perfection, and the carving station alone could bring a grown man or menopausal woman to tears.

And then there’s the staff. Amid the bustle, one older Italian gentleman stood out - charming, attentive, and somehow everywhere at once. He fussed over our table in the most effortless, old-school way; the kind of service that makes you feel seen without ever feeling watched. In a sea of diners, he made the experience feel personal - and that’s rare.

Epicurean isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it. This is food theatre - lavish, decadent, and unapologetically over the top. You don’t go here to grab a quick bite; you go to indulge, to celebrate, and to remember that life’s too short for portion control.

As for date night? Proceed with caution. Unless your idea of romance includes watching your partner demolish a mountain of lobster tails, maybe save it for when you’re both ready to drop the façade and fully commit - to each other and the dessert bar.

But for everything else - milestones, family gatherings, corporate celebrations, or simply reminding yourself what joy tastes like - Epicurean is exactly what its name promises: pure, elevated pleasure.