World buffet restaurants are great if there’s a bunch of you dining out.
Where else can you get burgers, noodles, pizzas, curries, sushi, pancakes and cake all under one roof?
Cosmo is the self-titled ‘All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant’ with branches in Derby, Sheffield and wider UK.
I have visited Cosmo before and had a great time, because sometimes you just don’t know what you’re in the mood to eat.
Nine times out of 10 I know what I want before visiting a restaurant, downloading the menu, making notes of dishes and what drinks to have with them.
Sometimes, when I just don’t know what I want, I’ll go into a restaurant with an open mind with no preconceived idea.
Cosmo is great for both indecisive diners and those who want to meticulously plan their dining session.
The setting itself feels like it has undergone a glow-up.
It was already grand, being housed in a beautiful art-deco building dating back to 1934 which was formerly the Gaumont Cinema.
However the addition of Japanese inspired cherry blossoms near the entrance of the restaurant makes the eatery even more Insta-worthy.
Go up the stairs and it feels as if you’re thrust in the midst of the action, with the hiss of knife-sharpening, spatulas clanging on Teppenyaki and hubbub of people excitedly perusing open pots of bubbling food.
It felt like being in a vibrant food market, watching expert chefs work their magic using the freshest ingredients (scallops were a highlight).
The expansive area aside - all 15,000 square feet of it - the food is delicious, well seasoned (not once did I have to add salt to the dishes) and items I would happily enjoy as a takeaway at home.
A personal highlight was the super fast ice cream machine which is an upgrade since my last visit, creating Mr Whippy style ice creams in around 7 seconds flat.
It reminded me of the sweet taste of childhood and I cannot wait to return to Cosmo Derby.
If I could have this machine, that makes creamy, dreamy ice cream at home I would be so really happy, but for now I’ll have to make do by visiting Cosmo Derby (I didn’t really need an excuse, it’s a fun, filling dining experience).
Cool ice cream machine aside (see what I did there?), there is much to love about Cosmo Derby.
From expert chefs who always serve with a smile, to a warm and inviting ambiance thanks to Sid and his ace team, dining at Cosmo is fun and fabulous.
Lunch-time sessions start from £16.99, dinner from £19.99, prices vary depending on the day you dine.
Location: Cosmo, London Road, Derby DE1 2PA
For more information click here: cosmo-restaurants.co.uk
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1. Cosmo Derby Restaurant is based on London Road in the heart of the city centre.
The restaurant opened in 2013 to much fanfare, following a £1m injection from director Kan Koo. | Ria Ghei
2. The art deco building used to be Gaumont Palace Cinema in 1934, having undergone a glow-up for the 21st century.
Go up the steps towards the restaurant and down the corridor filled with flowers and wine. There is a cool a nod to Derby County with a signed DCFC football shirt (food and footie, what a great combination). | Ria Ghei
3. The concierge waiting area is so pretty, you could almost feel disappointed leaving it.
Cosmo Derby is decked out with pretty flowers with an eye-catching feature wall towards the back, which is an ideal place to get snap happy and take photos. | Ria Ghei
4. There is a wide range of desserts available ranging from hot American-style pancakes to Mr Whippy-style ice cream.
Ice cream that took around seven seconds to make, in Cosmo's brand-new ice cream machine was a hit at our table. I had two cones and they were delicious. | Ria Ghei