The Ultimate Guide to the Best Buffets in NYC (All-You-Can-Eat Foodie Heaven)
New York City is famous for its diverse and dynamic food scene—but if you’re hungry and want to taste it all, there’s nothing better than a buffet. From sizzling Korean BBQs to lavish Indian spreads and Brazilian steakhouses, NYC’s buffet game is as impressive as its skyline.
Whether you’re on the hunt for unlimited sushi, all-you-can-eat meat, or a vegan buffet feast, this list covers the best buffets in NYC where quantity meets quality.
1. The Buffet at Bryant Park Grill
Located behind the New York Public Library, this elegant spot offers a weekday lunch buffet that’s perfect for professionals and tourists alike. Expect American classics, salads, and light entrees in a classy setting. 
2. The Buffet (Flushing, Queens)
An upscale Asian buffet that features everything from fresh sushi and sashimi to Peking duck, dim sum, crab legs, and even American comfort foods. A favorite for families and special occasions.
3. Let’s Meat (Korean BBQ, Manhattan)
An all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spot in K-Town where you grill meats at your table. Enjoy endless cuts of beef, pork, and chicken, plus side dishes like kimchi, rice cakes, and japchae. Time-limited but worth every minute.
4. Gaia Italian Café (Manhattan)
This Italian gem offers a weekday buffet lunch with rotating pasta, salads, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread. It’s a cozy, authentic experience with a homemade feel.
5. Sik Gaek (Korean Seafood & BBQ, Queens)
Not a traditional buffet, but their massive seafood hot pots and shared platters give off buffet vibes. It’s a social, seafood-loving experience you won’t forget.
6. Delhi Heights (Jackson Heights, Queens)
This Indian buffet is a neighborhood favorite, offering classics like butter chicken, saag paneer, samosas, naan, and biryani. All-you-can-eat for a price that’s hard to beat.
7. 99 Favor Taste (Multiple Locations)
Another top-notch Korean BBQ and hotpot buffet. Choose from meat, seafood, and veggie options, and cook it all at your table. Affordable, delicious, and a fun group dining experience.
8. Amma (Midtown Manhattan)
A hidden gem offering upscale Indian cuisine with a lunch buffet that includes regional dishes from across India. Elegant, aromatic, and perfect for curry lovers.
9. Churrascaria Plataforma (Brazilian Steakhouse)
If you’re into endless meat carved at your table, this is the place. Their rodizio-style buffet includes everything from filet mignon to lamb chops, with a lavish salad bar and Brazilian sides.
10. Café China (Midtown East)
While not a buffet in the traditional sense, their weekday lunch combo platters let you sample several Sichuan dishes at once, buffet-style pricing without the crowds.
11. Joy Kitchen Buffet (Brooklyn)
A classic Chinese-American buffet featuring fried rice, lo mein, General Tso’s chicken, egg rolls, and more. Nothing fancy, just comfort food that keeps you coming back.
12. Ichiumi (Koreatown) – Closed Temporarily
Once known as the ultimate Asian buffet in NYC, Ichiumi offered an endless selection of sushi, seafood, Korean BBQ, and more. Check for reopening updates—it was iconic.
13. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (Multiple Locations)
Offers an all-you-can-eat menu option where you grill everything from beef tongue to shrimp. Great for groups and foodies who love hands-on dining.
14. The View Restaurant & Lounge (Times Square)
NYC’s only revolving rooftop restaurant. While not always buffet-style, they often host prix-fixe brunch buffets on weekends with stunning skyline views.
15. Vatan Indian Vegetarian (Murray Hill)
A rare treat—an all-you-can-eat Indian vegetarian buffet served at your table. Taste everything from dosas and samosas to curries, rice, and dessert, all in a colorful, temple-like setting.
16. Feast Buffet (College Point, Queens)
This Asian fusion buffet brings together Japanese, Chinese, and American cuisine in a modern setting. Think sushi rolls, crab legs, roast beef, stir-fried noodles, and a chocolate fountain. Its upscale décor makes it feel more like fine dining than a typical buffet.
17. Curry in a Hurry (Lexington Ave, Manhattan)
A favorite among locals in the Curry Hill neighborhood, this casual Indian spot serves a buffet-like spread during lunch hours. Grab a tray and load up on tandoori chicken, curry goat, daal, and fragrant basmati rice. Fast, filling, and flavorful.
18. BBQ Olive Chicken & Ribs Buffet (Flushing, Queens)
A hidden gem for meat lovers. This Korean BBQ spot specializes in grilled chicken, pork ribs, and short ribs, with unlimited side dishes and sauces. Don’t miss the spicy garlic wings and kimchi pancakes.
19. Boishakhi Restaurant (Jackson Heights, Queens)
A Bangladeshi buffet that’s generous and authentic. Enjoy biryani, beef curry, hilsa fish, mixed vegetables, and sweet rice pudding. It’s an affordable culinary trip to Dhaka right in NYC.
20. Spring Shabu Shabu (Flushing & Manhattan)
This hot pot buffet offers an endless array of fresh veggies, seafood, meats, noodles, and sauces. Customize your own broth and cook your selections at your table. It’s fun, interactive, and ideal for cold days.
21. Casa Adela-Style Latin Buffets (Various Pop-Ups & Events)
While not a daily buffet, Latin American pop-ups and Dominican/Puerto Rican diners around the Bronx and Harlem often serve buffet-style offerings. Roasted pork, maduros, beans, and moro rice are staples. Ask locals or check out community centers for events.
22. Buffet de la Gare (Brooklyn, Haitian Cuisine)
For a different twist, visit this buffet-style Haitian spot in Flatbush where you can enjoy griot (fried pork), rice with djon djon (black mushrooms), stewed meats, and more. Spicy, home-style, and soulful.
23. China Buffet King (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)
A no-frills Chinese-American buffet that includes classics like sesame chicken, lo mein, steamed dumplings, and shrimp with broccoli. It’s affordable and reliable for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
24. Vegetarian Paradise (Chinatown Manhattan)
A vegan and vegetarian buffet experience featuring tofu dishes, mock meats, stir-fried greens, rice noodles, and herbal soups. Perfect for plant-based food lovers looking for value and variety.
25. Ayce Korean Sushi & Grill (Queens)
All-you-can-eat sushi, Korean BBQ, and Japanese appetizers? Yes, please. This buffet spot is popular with groups for its wide variety of rolls, tempura, and grill-your-own options.
Buffets by Cuisine: What You’ll Find in NYC
NYC’s buffet scene reflects its multicultural identity. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect based on cuisine:
🍛 Indian Buffets
Expect rich curries, vegetarian options, naan, basmati rice, and chutneys. Many Indian buffets cater to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. Regional dishes like dosa, sambar, and tandoori specialties make appearances too.
🥢 Asian Buffets
A staple in NYC, Asian buffets often combine Chinese-American dishes with Japanese sushi, Korean BBQ, and even Thai curries. Some also offer seafood-heavy sections and dessert bars.
🥩 Brazilian Buffets (Rodízio)
Typically found in Midtown and Queens, these feature grilled meats served table-side (churrasco style), massive salad bars, and sides like pão de queijo and farofa. Perfect for carnivores.
🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan Buffets
Rising in popularity, especially in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, plant-based buffets offer healthy, creative, and globally inspired dishes. Think quinoa salads, lentil stews, tofu scrambles, and non-dairy desserts.
🌎 Global Buffets
Some buffets, especially hotel-based ones, feature fusion cuisine from all over the world—Italian pastas, Mexican tacos, Asian stir-fry, and more. These are great for groups with mixed tastes.
Buffet Trends in NYC
1. Time-Limited All-You-Can-Eat
Due to NYC’s fast pace and high demand, many buffets now limit dining to 60–90 minutes. This helps manage crowds and food quality.
2. Interactive Dining
From shabu shabu to DIY Korean BBQ, many buffets now incorporate a cook-it-yourself aspect, adding entertainment to the meal.
3. Hybrid Buffet Models
Some modern buffets operate as half-buffet, half-À la carte, where appetizers are unlimited, but you choose one main dish. This appeals to health-conscious diners who want variety without overeating.
4. Luxury Buffets
With rising food prices, upscale buffets are on the rise, especially at hotel brunches and rooftop venues. These offer gourmet selections, mimosas, and desserts in a fine-dining setting.
Tips for Buffet Lovers in NYC
- Skip breakfast: You’ll thank yourself later.
- Start with a walkthrough: Scout the options before loading your plate.
- Hydrate: Don’t let thirst disguise itself as hunger.
- Watch out for sneaky fillers: Bread and rice are cheap and fill you fast. Focus on protein and specialty dishes.
- Bring friends: Buffets are best enjoyed with good company and shared bites.
Final Thoughts: NYC Buffets for Every Appetite
From bustling Korean BBQ joints to quiet vegan havens, NYC’s buffets offer something for everyone. Buffets aren’t just about eating more—they’re about exploring cultures, flavors, and food traditions from around the world. Whether you’re dining out with friends or treating yourself to a solo food adventure, New York’s buffet landscape is as rich and varied as the city itself.
So next time you’re wondering where to eat, consider a buffet—you just might discover your new favorite spot while enjoying endless plates of satisfaction.
