Joyful Garden Watertown in Watertown, MA

4.1(1,206)8.70 - 19.95Watertown, MA
American-ChineseStir-fries
CallDirectionsWebsite
Solid choice

Rated 4.1 stars based on 1206 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Quick meals
  • Families
  • Large groups

Not ideal for

  • Quiet atmosphere

At a glance

Watertown, MA • Price 8.70 - 19.95 • 4.1★
Joyful Garden Watertown, a renowned Chinese buffet in the heart of Watertown, Massachusetts, is a culinary gem that offers an all-you-can-eat experience like no other. With a rich selection of traditional Cantonese dishes, from delicate dim sum to savory seafood options, every visit is a treat for the senses. Reviewers rave about the welcoming service, authentic flavors, and comforting menu, making Joyful Garden Watertown a top choice for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely lunch or a satisfying dinner, Joyful Garden Watertown has something for everyone.
This family-friendly Chinese buffet welcomes diners of all ages.
Address
550 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472, USA, Watertown Square, Watertown, Massachusetts
Phone
(617) 356-1234
Today
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price
8.70 - 19.95
Rating
4.1 (1,206 reviews)

What stands out

⚡Quick service

No long waits

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

✨Fresh, quality food

Multiple reviewers mention the freshness

View reviews →

Before you go

🅿️Parking available

Convenient parking for customers

🍺Alcohol served

Beer, wine, and cocktails available

🥡Takeout available

Order to go

Signature Dishes

10 popular dishes mentioned by diners

Top picks

Food· $8.95×2Welcoming Service×2Authentic FlavorsComforting MenuMaking **Joyful Garden Watertown** A Top Choice For LocalsVisitors Alike

Also mentioned

Accessibility Of Joyful GardenAtmosphereNo OtherNon-Dim Sum Items

Extracted from diner reviews and FAQ answers.

Not the Fastest

Score 30/100 · 2 positive signals
Quick bite score30/100
Speed signals
0/30
Grab-and-go
0/25
Budget-friendly
10/20
Time commitment
15/15
Convenience
5/10

What works

  • Under $16 per person
  • Ideal for quick meals

Keep in mind

  • No takeout option

Scored from service speed, takeout options, pricing, meal format, and lunch availability.

Regional Specialist 🏮

Cantonese regional cuisine · score 65/100
Authenticity score65/100
AuthenticCantonese

Regional dishes detected

Dim Sum

Detected from menu, FAQ answers, and restaurant name.

Trusted Rating

👍 4.1 weighted · 1,206 reviews
4.1weighted · raw 4.1 from 1,206 reviews
Trusted
Review volume vs. city median1,206 / 1,206 median
06,030 (Rock Solid threshold)

The trusted rating blends this place’s raw score (4.1) with the city average (4.10) using a Bayesian formula. Places with fewer reviews are pulled toward the city mean; places with 6030+ reviews carry their rating at nearly full weight.

Photos

10 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
Monday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM – 9:00��PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Pricing

Price range 8.70 - 19.95
Price range8.70 - 19.95
Menu items include pricing. See the menu section for item details.

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more

Amenities

Available facilities and features
TV AvailableGood For GroupsGood For KidsOutdoor SeatingOpen To AllWaiter Service

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
Noise: Noise level

Dining Options

Food and beverage choices

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
TakeoutDine-inDeliveryReservations

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Parking

Parking availability
Bike ParkingBusiness Parking parking

Parking is available for customers.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
Business Accepts Credit Cards

Food & Drink

Menu offerings
none

Reviews

1,206 reviews

Reviews

Customer reviews available

Loading full reviews...

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

Is the food at Joyful Garden authentic Chinese cuisine?

Yes, the food is authentic Chinese, with a variety of classic Cantonese dim sum dishes available.

How is the service at Joyful Garden?

The service can be slow and inconsistent, with some servers seeming uninterested in assisting diners.

Is Joyful Garden a good option for dim sum lovers?

Yes, Joyful Garden is a good option for dim sum lovers, with a variety of classic Cantonese dim sum dishes available.

How is the atmosphere at Joyful Garden?

The atmosphere is busy and smells great, with a spacious dining room.

Are the servers at Joyful Garden attentive?

The servers can be inattentive and seem uninterested in assisting diners at times.

Is the food at Joyful Garden fresh?

The freshness of the food can be inconsistent, with some dishes being fresh and others not so much.

How is the overall experience at Joyful Garden?

The overall experience at Joyful Garden can be inconsistent, with some reviewers having positive experiences and others having negative ones.

Are the prices at Joyful Garden reasonable?

Yes, the prices are very reasonable, especially for lunch.

Show 4 more questions

Can you get takeout at Joyful Garden?

Yes, takeout is available at Joyful Garden.

Are the non-dim sum items at Joyful Garden consistent in quality and taste?

No, the non-dim sum items can be inconsistent in quality and taste, with some dishes being good and others not so much.

Can you get seafood at Joyful Garden?

Yes, seafood options are available at Joyful Garden, including jumbo clams.

How is the accessibility of Joyful Garden?

Joyful Garden is easily accessible by rideshare, with a smooth drop-off process.

🍜Cultural Food Hub

A vibrant food district with diverse eateries, cafes, and cultural landmarks.

A vibrant food district with diverse eateries, cafes, and cultural landmarks.

Food & Dining
22
Transportation & Automotive
17
Government & Public Services
11
Recreation & Entertainment
8
Retail & Shopping
6
Miscellaneous Services
5

82 nearby places across 12 categories

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

82 places nearby (arts & culture, food, government, services, personal care)

Theaters & performance venues

The Majestic 7

Cinema

81 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~1000 ft
Mosesian Center for the Arts

Theatre

321 Arsenal Street

~0.3 mi
+1617-923-0100Website

Museums & galleries

Artwork

Artwork

~0.2 mi
Artwork

Artwork

~0.4 mi

Libraries & archives

East Library

Library

~0.5 mi

Restaurants

Joyful Garden

Restaurant

550 Arsenal Way

~110 ftMo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:30-21:00
+1-617-356-1234Website
Medium Rare

Restaurant

~710 ft
Kura Sushi

Fast Food

101 Bond Square

~740 ftMo-Th 11:30-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-21:30; Su 11:00-21:00
+1-617-675-7575Website
Pokéworks

Fast Food

~760 ft
Vitality Bowl

Fast Food

~780 ft
Sweetgreen

Fast Food

~850 ft
Jersey Mike's Subs

Fast Food

~880 ft
Chipotle

Fast Food

550 Arsenal Street

~980 ft
+1 617-612-8253Website
Tori Jiro

Restaurant

98 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~1020 ftMo-Su 12:00-22:00
+1-617-744-5009Website
Shake Shack

Fast Food

~1020 ft
Branch Line

Restaurant

321 Arsenal Street

~0.4 mi
Fordee's

Restaurant

555 Mount Auburn Street

~0.4 mi
Website

Cafes & Coffee

Ten One

Cafe

~750 ft
Starbucks

Cafe

~910 ft

Bakeries & Desserts

Pastry shop

Pastry

~850 ft
Ben & Jerry's

Ice Cream

103 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~910 ft
Danish Pastry House

Bakery

205 Arlington Street

~0.4 mi

Grocery & Markets

Roche Bros.

Supermarket

96 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~0.2 miMo-Sa 07:00-21:00; Su 08:00-20:00
+1 617 612 5537
Massis Bakery

Supermarket

569 Mount Auburn Street

~0.4 miMo-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-17:00
+1 617 924 0537Website
Victoria Spa

Convenience

Mount Auburn Street

~0.4 miMo-Sa 07:00-23:00; Su 07:00-22:00
7-Eleven

Convenience

~0.5 mi

Bars & Pubs

Coolidge Liquors

Alcohol

Mount Auburn Street

~0.5 miMo-Sa 09:00-23:00; Su 10:00-21:00

Government offices

Watertown RMV Service Center

Government

550 Arsenal Street

~100 ftMo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Website

Waste management

Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.4 mi
Recycling center

Recycling

~0.4 mi
Recycling center

Recycling

~0.4 mi
Recycling center

Recycling

~0.4 mi
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.4 mi
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.4 mi

Postal services

United States Postal Service

Post Box

~0.4 mi
Mailbox

Post Box

~0.5 mi
Mailbox

Post Box

~0.5 mi

Public facilities

Drinking water

Drinking Water

~0.5 mi

Other services

Vacant

Vacant

~690 ft
Sayat Nova Dance Company

Dance

101 Bigelow Avenue

~0.2 mi
+1 617 923 4455Website
Whale-of-a-Wash

Laundry

6 Bigelow Avenue

~0.5 miMo-Su 06:00-23:00
+16179249691
Coolidge Square Self-Service Coin Laundry

Laundry

Mount Auburn Street

~0.5 miMo-Su 06:00-21:30
Slipway

Slipway

~0.5 mi

Beauty & spa

Exotic Nails and Spa

Beauty

Mount Auburn Street

~0.4 mi

Hair services

Vasquez Barber Shop II

Hairdresser

615 Mount Auburn Street

~0.4 mi
+1-617-774-1440
Liz's Salon

Hairdresser

616 Mount Auburn Street

~0.5 mi
+16179725090

Financial & accounting services

EZ Tax and Accounting Services

Tax Advisor

415 Mount Auburn Street

~0.6 mi
+1 617 744 5290Website

Parks & amenities

Bench

Bench

~250 ft
Bench

Bench

~670 ft
Bench

Bench

~690 ft
Bench

Bench

~730 ft
Bench

Bench

~740 ft
Bench

Bench

~750 ft

Sports & recreation

Sports field

Pitch

~0.2 mi
Playground

Playground

~0.4 mi

Places of worship

Armenian Memorial Congregational Church

Place Of Worship

~0.3 mi

Clothing & fashion

Nike

Clothes

20 Eldridge Avenue

~720 ftMo-Su 10:00-20:00
+16172029935
Old Navy

Clothes

110 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~1010 ft
+1 617 744 6271

Specialty stores

Ulta Beauty

Cosmetics

114 Arsenal Yards Boulevard

~1020 ftMo-Su 10:00-20:00
+18577604388
Staples

Stationery

1660 Soldiers Field Road

~0.5 miMo-Fr 08:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-19:00
Website

Home & garden

The Tile Shop

Tiles

36 Arlington Street

~0.2 miMo-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
+1-857-304-2729

Sports & outdoor

Seven Cycles

Bicycle

125 Walnut Street

~0.6 miMo-Fr 09:00-18:00
+1-617-923-7774Website

Sports facilities

Central Rock Gym Arsenal Yards

Sports Centre

~930 ft
Website

Gyms & fitness centers

GymIt

Fitness Centre

36 Arlington Street

~1030 ftMo-Th 05:30-22:30; Fr 05:30-20:00; Sa-Su 07:00-20:00
+1-617-923-4441Website

Parking facilities

Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~250 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~590 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~800 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~810 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~880 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~900 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~950 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~950 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~970 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~1010 ft

Vehicle rentals

Bluebikes

Bicycle Rental

~650 ft
Bluebikes

Bicycle Rental

~0.2 mi
Bluebikes

Bicycle Rental

~0.5 mi

Vehicle parts & accessories

Parts Authority

Car Parts

~0.4 mi

Vehicle services

Compressed air station

Compressed Air

~0.4 mi

Other transportation

Alfa Romeo-Maserati

Car

1650 Soldiers Field Road

~0.5 miMo-Th 09:00-19:00
+16178707777Website
Acura of Boston

Car

1600 Soldiers Field Road

~0.5 miMo-Th 09:00-20:00
+18573802103Website

Fuel & charging stations

Gas station

Fuel

~0.5 mi