Overview

Nestled in the heart of Hornby, Christchurch, Valentines Hornby presents itself as a buffet restaurant that seamlessly blends variety, quality, and welcoming service. Located at 7/11 Chalmers Street, this spot is an inviting destination for families, friends, and anyone keen to indulge in an extensive spread without fuss.

The standout feature here is undeniably the seafood buffet, boasting everything from prawns and mussels to mixed seafood and raw fish salads that burst with freshness. Complementing this are rich offerings like the indulgent chocolate fountain, brandy snaps, and a delightful array of cupcakes that add a sweet finish to the dining experience. The inclusion of a birthday cake as a free gift adds a thoughtful touch, making Valentines Hornby a favored spot for celebrations and special occasions.

Guests appreciate the live cooking station where meals are prepared fresh, enhancing both flavor and atmosphere. The all-day menu caters to varied tastes, from classic comfort foods like roasted vegetable medleys and garlic bread to more exotic options such as Tahitian salad and tiramisu. The bottomless soda pop option is a crowd-pleaser, enhancing value while keeping the mood light and lively.

The space itself fosters a friendly, relaxed vibe—often highlighted by patrons who praise not only the food but the attentiveness of the staff. Staff members like Jasmine and Lance have been singled out for their professionalism and warm service, which elevates the overall experience. Valentines Hornby balances a bustling buffet environment with personal touches, visible in accommodating special dietary needs such as gluten-free options, and ensuring that every guest feels cared for.

Ideal for families celebrating birthdays, casual date nights, or group outings, Valentines Hornby delivers on freshness, variety, and thoughtful hospitality. With a constantly replenished salad bar and desserts that range from mousses and lemon roulades to ice cream, the offerings are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate. It’s this harmony between delicious food, a comfortable setting, and the friendly team that makes Valentines Hornby not just a meal, but a memorable dining destination in Christchurch.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
All you can eat
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Late-night food
Salad bar
Small plates
Spirits
Wine
Atmosphere
Casual

What Customers Say

linda Dong
Dec 11,2025
5/5
We celebrated our kid’s birthday there. The restaurant should be under the new management. The food was nice, especially the roast pork. The staffs were very friendly. My daughter enjoyed her birthday arrangement and the free cupcake with a candle and the birthday card. The buffet price is quite reasonable in today’s world.
Brooke Coward
Dec 11,2025
5/5
We had Jasmine tonight looking after our table and she was absolutely incredible! You should be very proud of your staff. Our second time here and both experiences have been ones to remember. The food compared to last time was a different variety and equally as delicious.
bill kettley
Dec 11,2025
5/5
My boyfriend and I went in this evening for dinner and thought it was great value!! especially with the $8 unlimited refills with the soda fountain! I’ve seen reviews of people not liking the food but I thought it was all really great quality, I was especially impressed by the live cooking station and the overall range of food that they have here. I liked the music that was playing and all the workers I spoke to were very nice! We were served by Lance and he was very kind and professional, he kept the place tidy and continually checked in to make sure our experience was going well, shout out Lance! I added a few pictures of some our plates but I didn't take the best pictures haha
Chrissie Walker
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Valentines Hornby is our favourite place to eat! We go at least once a month and cannot fault it. The food is fantastic - a great variety, very fresh, always beautifully cooked, and nicely presented. They often experiment with new dishes but you can rely on the favourites to always be there. The food is always hot and constantly replenished, and there is a great salad bar too. The dessert is amazing! Such a variety, including a chocolate fountain and ice cream machine. I love all the small portion mousses, meringues, cheesecake, hot dishes and the sides, like berries, cream and sauces. The lemon roulade is so good! The staff are very friendly and helpful and the service is great too. We cannot praise this place enough - do yourself a favour and check it out! Great value for money too.
John Doe
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I celebrated my birthday here with family and friends visiting from Australia, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. The food was fresh, delicious, and offered something for everyone, while the staff went above and beyond to make the evening special. One of my friends is celiac, and although I hadn’t mentioned this when booking, the team accommodated her beautifully — which is rare at a buffet restaurant. Their care and attention made us all feel welcome and relaxed. To top it off, I received a birthday discount, and they even extended a discount because of my friend’s dietary needs. That kind of thoughtfulness is hard to find and really made the night memorable. We left happy, full, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food and exceptional service!
Ksen A
Dec 11,2025
4/5
It is such a lovely place to go to for lunch or dinner. I liked the food and all of their desserts. I think that this place occasionally also makes some changes to the menu or food, which is cool too. Would recommend going on your birthday as you get to eat for free if you bring more than three guests. I really liked the atmosphere. Their toilets are very stylish and clean. One or the nicest toilets that I have seen in a while. The service was also spot on. Overall, I had a great experience.
Fergus Rolston
Dec 11,2025
5/5
It had been 26 years since my last visit to a Valentines. I was really impressed. We went for my daughter’s birthday. The team at Valentines really made an effort to make her day special. The food was great, great selection, well presented and tasted great
Aroha Wilson
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Went there for my birthday last night with my family and it was absolutely wonderful! The food was great and there was a large array of food. What really tied off the experience were the people working though. They were all so friendly and welcoming. Thank you so much for a great night

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Tuesday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Wednesday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Friday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM 05:30 PM - 08:30 PM
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