But since COVID-19 unleashed its wrath on the region the traditional all-you- can-eat model has been sent packing.

Public health orders meant serving yourself at an open buffet was not possible anymore, which virtually put Billabong's Restaurant out of business overnight.

But, owners Ly Do and his wife Jenny Po weren't about to let go of the all-you-can-eat feast their customers adore.

So, they've introduced a new style of buffet dining - all-you-can-eat from your table.

The iconic Billabong's menu - with a wide range of dishes from seafood to roasts and international dishes, and those delicious deserts - remains.

The only difference is once you set foot in the restaurant and pay the entry fee you spend the dining experience sitting down and you order your food from your table.

They have put tablets on every table so customers can place their order with no contact. Once the food is ready staff deliver it to the table. Customers can make as many orders as they want.

Mr Do says this is the future of buffet dining and there have been unexpected benefits.

"You're spending more time with your family or friends that you have come with, and you don't have to decide who is going to go and get their food first while someone else stays at the table," he said.

"The food is also fresher because we are preparing it after the customer has ordered it.

"Before we were cooking a lot of food not knowing how many people were going to turn up to eat and that meant we had a lot more food waste than we do now."

Mr Do assured the Mercury that the staff are happy to make as much food as their customers can eat.

He has also introduced a specials board which is giving customers something different and attracting new diners to the restaurant.

"It's more of a fine dining experience now but with an all-you-can-eat focus," Mr Do said.

Naturally some regular customers have been unhappy about the change and want a return to the old days. But that doesn't seem possible in this COVID-19 climate.