Dainty in name, not in nature is how you’d describe Dainty Sichuan Group’s new venue.

Popular for serving dishes from the south-western Chinese province, the group – now with about 20 outlets – has flipped its Lonsdale Street location into an abundant hotpot and barbecue buffet.

Operational manager Edwin Su says the reboot was designed to combat bill shock, giving diners grappling with the cost of living a set-price meal, and better value for money.

Already, the move has proved successful, with queues down the street most nights.

Tables are equipped for the two-pronged experience, so you can get grilling right
alongside your bubbling broth. There are five deeply flavoursome soup bases to choose from – including a super-spicy number – which are delivered to the table for you.

Then, it’s time to hit the buffet, pile your plate high and cook your haul of ingredients however you like. (Bonus: you can revisit as many times as you please in the 90-minute sitting.) More than a dozen seafood options are front and centre, propped up on crushed ice. What’ll it be – Barilla Bay oysters, scallops, prawns?

And there’s plenty of wagyu, from belly to oyster blade, to fire on your barbecue, plus a plethora of other meats – some marinated, some not.

Also expect various dim sum and sushi items; a dessert bar with rotating cakes and kid-friendly sweets (there’s a fairy-floss machine); and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.

The buffet costs $49.80 for weekday lunches and $69.80 for weekday dinners, and $69.80 for weekend lunches and $79.80 for weekend dinners. It’s half-price for children between four and 11, and free for children under four. Sittings are limited to 90 minutes, and there’s a maximum of eight oysters and 100 grams of sashimi per person.

A huge curved screen above the buffet projects an undulating underwater seascape into the 220-seater diner, but the display – and the lighting – can be altered to suit the occasion.

Open Sun-Thu noon-2.30pm, 5pm-9.30pm; Fri-Sat noon-2.30pm, 5pm-10pm

149 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/dainty_hotpot_bbq_buffet