After over 12 years of operation the Chinese restaurant on 3507 Thomasville Road — right next door to a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — has closed for good as of June 10.
For months, longtime patrons of the local family operation Panda Buffet have been questioning the status of the restaurant once it temporarily closed its doors during the 2025 holiday season.
According to commentary on the social media group Tallahassee Foodies, customers were initially told the owners had traveled overseas to visit family when they arrived looking for their usual buffet fare.
Local operation Panda Buffet on 3507 Thomasville Road, shown on June 10, 2026, is closed for good.
Completely normal. This closure like others they’ve had over their decade of operation felt quite routine. But days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Like many patrons, the Tallahassee Democrat attempted to reach the restaurant for comment, but calls went unanswered or were disconnected.
In the meantime, handwritten notes posted periodically on the restaurant’s door became the only form of communication. Early messages cited a vacation, followed later by plans to take time for renovations. The restaurant’s website continued to state that reopening was anticipated in May 2026.
However, the “For Sale” sign in front of the building and Google listing the fixture as “permanently closed” signals the end of its run.
Panda Buffet once dubbed itself as the “Tallahassee’s best all around Chinese buffet.” It was known to be a reliable, dependable spot to get an array of traditional dishes with over 100 choices of chicken, beef, sushi, seafood, potatoes, greens, salads and desserts to choose from.
For many residents, it was a an “old faithful” now being remembered as another longtime local establishment that has quietly faded away.
Local operation Panda Buffet on 3507 Thomasville Road, shown on June 10, 2026, is closed for good.
Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chinese restaurant Panda Buffet closes after 10 years in Tallahassee