After 44 years, beloved South Tampa Chinese buffet Hao Wah will close this weekend

After nearly-half-a-century, a staple South Tampa restaurant is ready to walk away.

Hao Wah, located at 1713 S Dale Mabry Hwy, is one of Tampa’s institutional Chinese buffets. The restaurant—well loved by locals and a popular gathering spot for families and students of the nearby Plant High School—opened doors on April 1, 1980. It started as a humble spot, but doubled in size during an expansion in the early-2000s.

For a long time Hao Wah was known for its all-you-can-eat buffet including dishes ranging from sushi to pho to Szechuan–nearly any Asian dish you could think of. Like most others, the buffet shut down during the pandemic but it's since returned to all its glory.

An employee at Hao Wah's Pinellas Park location said that the Tampa's location will close after Sunday, March 24. The Pinellas Park location (10454 66th St. N) will remain open and the restaurant's famed catering service will also continue.

Hao Wah patrons on Yelp commend the restaurant’s generous portions, great service and affordability, stressing the welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It has long been a place for community to gather, for friends and family to break bread and share a delicious meal, so its closing means a lot to South Tampa residents.

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