Not really one of the cheapest – by local standards, but hear me out…..
This place is called Jinfushan, it’s an all you can eat buffet for 60 RMB (US$ 9.20). There’s fruits, fresh fruit juice, vegetables, fries, crabs, salads, dumplings, desserts, ice cream. But get this – it’s also all can drink – as in beer or Chinese wine/spirits! Can you imagine this working in a western country?!!!
I went there during the week, invited by a Chinese Prof. Apparently it’s packed in the weekends. The group sitting at the next table gave us glasses of French wine – that they had brought with them. Then left us the bottle. After we finished eating, the staff brought us both a coffee, just as a nice bit of extra service.
It’s on Zhongshan North Road, two bus stops north of the Drum Tower square/roundabout (near Gulou Metro) and at the intersection with Shanxi Road (SW corner). Go in the building AOX Life, and take the elevator to the top floor. It’s in the far corner of that floor.