15 Of The Best Buffets Around The US That Give Golden Corral A Run For Its Money

With a bounty of delicious options at your fingertips, it's easy to see why so many people have come to love buffets. Because for the indecisive diner, there's plenty of options for a taste of this and nosh of that. And if you're into getting the most bang for your buck, there's the all-you-can-eat spots that allow you to load up to your heart's content — usually within a 120 minute seating period. 

Certain restaurants that aren't strictly buffets have even been known to dabble in the AYCE realm. (Looking at you, Olive Garden.) However, when it comes to being the best buffet, it's better to leave it to the pros. For the best buffets across the country, we're looking at quality as well as quantity. Here, you'll find restaurants that offer a vast array of dishes ... from the gourmet to the down-home. From places that are friendlier on the wallet to more pricey establishments, these 15 buffets are highly rated across sites like Yelp, OpenTable, Tripadvisor, and Google — the list will help inspire your next all-you-can-eat experience. 

There are many buffets in Las Vegas (aka Sin City) — a place known for its excess — but the Bacchanal Buffet located in Caesar's Palace does right by its name. ("Bacchanal" comes from the Greek god Bacchus, who was known for being more than a little stoked to enjoy a party.) Touted as "the largest buffet in Las Vegas," the Bacchanal Buffet boasts more than 25,000 square feet of fine dining featuring internationally inspired cuisines. Here's more numbers to throw at you: This star of Sin City night life has 10 kitchens, nine chef-attended stations, and more than 250 menu items. Hungry diners can tuck in to wood-fired pizza, three different kinds of crab, prime rib, Wagyu beef, and much more.

The buffet is also open to visitors not staying at Caesar's Palace. However, it still requires deep pockets: Brunch is $65 per person, while the dinner buffet will run you up to $85 per person. But, you know, it's like multiple five-star restaurants rolled into one, so ..

The Bacchanal Buffet
(702) 731-7928
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Touted as "the largest buffet in America," both USA Today and Food & Wine have declared this behemoth to be one of the best in the country. With a 4.3 star rating after more than 36,000 Google reviews, it's clear that the Shady Maple Smorgasbord –– located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country –– has earned its reputation as one of the best. (The price point doesn't hurt either, with the dinner buffet clocking in at between $25 to $30 per person, depending on the menu that evening.)

While other buffets like to spread their culinary wings and offer everything from pizza to sushi to steak, the Shady Maple Smorgasbord is all about hearty comfort food. Alongside classic strip steak and tender beef brisket, guests can also indulge in Cajun catfish and fried shrimp. Dinner every day at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord features 46 salad items, three soups, six homemade breads, four cheeses, eight meats, 14 vegetables, 13 desserts, eight pies, six cakes, and more.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord
(717) 354-8222
129 Toddy Dr., East Earl, PA 17519

With a name like "Crab House NYC," you can bet this restaurant features a seafood buffet. Situated in Midtown Manhattan, this centralized spot has earned the distinction of being voted the best buffet in the city, according to Yelp (as updated by diners this year), with an impressive 4.4 star rating.

Its unlimited seafood buffet (for $80 per person) is made and served to order, and includes high-ticket items like jumbo crab legs, raw oysters, and pan-seared scallops. For those craving lobster, Crab House NYC also offers a lobster buffet for a cool $115 per person, which includes fresh lobster and indulgent lobster mac and cheese. Prepared fresh to order rather than remaining stagnant and sweltering under heat lamps is one of the major qualities that makes Crab House NYC worthy of the price tag. That and the big-city location, of course.

Crab House NYC
(212) 933-0264
135 E 55th St., New York, NY 10022

Las Vegas strikes again in its second inclusion on our list, with this all-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ restaurant. And if you lose money at the casino, you can definitely make it back when you dine at 888 Japanese BBQ, where a trip to the buffet ranges from a reasonable $28 to $45 per person, depending on what menu tier you choose. 888 Japanese BBQ offers three tiers for diners: Angus, Prime, or Kobe. For those seeking the ultimate dining experience, the most expensive option, Kobe, will grant you access to more than 100 menu items. Diners can enjoy an incredible array of fresh sushi as well as gourmet dishes like Kobe beef carpaccio and filet mignon.

Of course, those opting to stick with the Angus menu tier won't go home hungry; 888 Japanese BBQ provides plenty of sushi, salads, appetizers, and main courses that'll fill bellies and keep wallets feeling flush, too. Perfect for when you're ready to head back to the card table.

888 Japanese BBQ 
(702) 476-5033
3550 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

If you'd like to take in a scenic seaside view while indulging in premium seafood, look no further than The Nordic, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island. A major destination for summertime travelers and vacation-goers, The Nordic knows that you can have too much of a good thing and is only open for the summer season. (It'll reopen this year on April 25, 2025.)

With an impressive rating of 4.7 on Google (and more than 4,500 reviews) and 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor, this seafood restaurant brings hungry diners the best of what New England has to offer. For $140 per adult, The Nordic offers fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, snow crab legs, lobster, prime rib, BBQ ribs, filet mignon, corn on the cob, and much more. So strap on your bib and make sure you're hungry — because The Nordic won't disappoint! 

The Nordic
(401) 783-4515
178 Nordic Trl, Charlestown, RI 02813

If you're in the market for a hearty serving of soul food, look no further than Jacob Restaurant Soul Food & Salad Bar, located in the Harlem borough of New York City. (There is a second location in upper Manhattan as well.) Unlike other buffet restaurants that charge a flat fee no matter how much you eat, Jacob Restaurant takes a more economical approach for customers: $10 per pound of food –– and there is plenty of food to be enjoyed.

Jacob Restaurant brings New Yorkers and visiting tourists a huge assortment of Southern-style cooking, like classic fried chicken, collard greens, fried plantains, and macaroni and cheese — plus more unique items you may not find elsewhere, like pig feet and oxtail. With 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor and a bargain price, make note of this spot for your next trip to the Big Apple when you're craving something a little different (or something that reminds you of home).

Jacob Soul Food Restaurant
(212) 866-3663
373 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Part of the appeal of hitting up a buffet is the lack of commitment. You can sample a little of this, a little of that, and if you don't like it, you can opt to fill your plate with something else on your next round. (Ideally, you have someone at your table who's happy to steal your scraps, too.) This is the low-key idea reflected in Chicago's Red Apple Buffet.

With an average of 4.3 stars on Google from more than 1,400 reviews, Red Apple Buffet states on its website that it's a "Polish-American restaurant serving hand-crafted cuisine." Among those hand-crafted offerings are traditional blintzes, schnitzels, and pierogi. But the Red Apple Buffet doesn't only serve diners classic items from the European country. Visitors can also dig into familiar American fare like BBQ ribs and beef brisket. This harmony between hearty Polish comfort food and American classics has earned Red Apple Buffet a slew of accolades, including its rating as the second best buffet in the country.

Red Apple Buffet-Restaurant
(773) 763-3407
6474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60631

Unlike other restaurants on this list, EDGE Brasserie & Cocktail Bar –– located in the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami –– only offers a buffet for breakfast and Sunday brunch. However, the brunch in question sounds so exquisite (and the restaurant is rated so highly across OpenTable, Tripadvisor, and Google) that we had to include it.

Perfect for the high-rollers or those who are just looking to splurge while they're on vacation, EDGE Brasserie offers a Sunday brunch for $140 per person (or a weekday breakfast buffet for $45). While you could certainly enjoy waffles and bacon like the rest of us (and who wouldn't want that?), this gourmet French-inspired restaurant provides its diners with more cosmopolitan dishes. Think: Unlimited raw seafood bar, tomahawk steaks, and made-to-order pastas. And, in a city famed for its nightlife, you can start the celebrations early with bottomless cocktails included in that hefty $140 price tag.

Edge Brasserie and Cocktail Bar
(305) 381-3190
Four Seasons Hotel Miami, 1435 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131

Simply delicious, Casey's Buffet in Wilmington, North Carolina, is renowned for its Southern-style BBQ buffet lunch and dinner. In fact, its full name is Casey's Buffet Barbecue & Home Cookin'. With Southern sensibilities and a down-home atmosphere, the people behind Casey's Buffet have more than earned their 4.4 Google rating after more than 3,000 reviews.

Diners who are looking for the stick-to-your-ribs classics can load up on Southern-friendly staples like fried chicken, catfish, okra, and hush puppies — definitely a treat for your taste buds. Different days of the week are also where you can find some extra special items too, like fried shrimp on Fridays or turkey and roast beef on Sundays. It's the kind of home-cooked meal those of us who can't cook regularly dream about. Per their website, "Miss your mama's cookin? Come home to Casey's." Sounds like a plan.

Casey's Buffet
(910) 798-2913
5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403

Like the Golden Corral, Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet is actually a chain of restaurants, most of which are located in Texas (although there are currently two spots in California as well). For between $20 to $25 per person, diners can load up on more than 60 items that are "mindfully Mediterranean." When it comes to being mindful, it's clear that Dimassi's means it offers an extensive menu for those with dietary restrictions, as it has many items that are vegan, vegetarian, or halal, so everyone can enjoy a taste.

In addition to the pita bread that's made in house daily, those dipping their toes into Mediterranean cuisine at Dimassi's can enjoy other authentic dishes like fattoush salad, kafta kabobs, gyro, and hummus. Sure, it's not all flashy seafood towers and big steaks, but for the best bang for your buck and exciting flavor? You won't have to twist our arms to head into a Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet. 

Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet
(469) 786-1616
4940 State Hwy 121, Plano, TX 75024

If you're looking to experience the good ole days, you might find them (or something like them) down at Ole Times Country Buffet in Brunswick, Georgia. (There are actually quite a few locations in Georgia, as well as one each in Alabama and Florida.) The Brunswick location seems to be a shining star for this franchise, which has a 4.5 star Google rating with more than 5,000 reviews and raves like, "This place should come with a warning ... too much good food inside!"

The comfortable, laid-back vibes of this buffet restaurant extend to the menu, too. There's nothing fancy or frilly here, just quality home cooking. Beloved Southern classics like mac and cheese, fried okra, and fried green tomatoes look right at home on their checkerboard-patterned tablecloths. For those with a sweet tooth, Ole Times Country Buffet doesn't disappoint: Banana pudding and peach cobbler are two of the restaurant's specialties.

Ole Times Country Buffet
(912) 264-1693
112 Center Dr, Brunswick, GA 31520

A different style of buffet, this is Brazilian BBQ. In fact, it's San Francisco's first ever "authentic Brazilian Steak House." You might ask: How does a Brazilian steakhouse differ from a regular steakhouse. Skewered meats that have been slow-roasted over an open flame are brought to diners at their table, where they are sliced and served to order. These meats include steak, pork, chicken, lamb, and shrimp. Whole pineapples are also skewered, roasted, and served, with the fruit getting a sweet caramelization from the open flame. The buffet has seasonal salads, Brazilian sides, and fresh veggies. 

At Espestus, hungry dinner customers will pay $75 per person to be served between 12 and 14 cuts of meat, as well as salads, appetizers, and traditional Brazilian dishes. With trained servers appearing table side to dole out the goods –– including the prized gigantic skewers of meat –– it's unlikely to be a top spot for any vegetarians in your crew. With more than 4,000 Yelp reviews, this 4 star restaurant is worth the experience the next time you're in San Francisco.

Espetus Brazilian Steakhouse
(415) 552-8792
1686 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

If you find yourself with a hankering for Indian food (and happen to be in Phoenix, Arizona), you'll definitely want to pay a visit to India Palace. Located in an unassuming strip mall, this buffet restaurant has a 4.4 rating on both Yelp and Google and a 4.5 on Tripadvisor. Diners can enjoy authentic Indian flavors, a "warm and inviting atmosphere,"and excellent service at this extensive buffet that also boasts a number of vegan and vegetarian dishes. 

In addition to their beloved lunch buffet, customers who perhaps don't have eyes bigger than their stomachs are also welcome to order off the menu, where Indian favorites like tandoori chicken and lamb curry get high praise. With a focus on fresh ingredients and rich flavors, it's no wonder India Palace has been called "the best Indian food in North Phoenix".

India Palace
(602) 942-4224
2941 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053

If you're looking for some Amish-style hospitality, you'll certainly find it at Der Dutchman, located in Sarasota, Florida. Known for their $19 "barn-raising buffet," customers can load up on roast beef, ham, turkey, chicken, and more at this low-key restaurant. Imagine your ideal Sunday dinner and then multiply it to unlimited quantities and you have an idea of what Der Dutchman is.

While the price may be low, the quality certainly isn't, if online reviews are anything to go by. Der Dutchman has netted 4 stars on Yelp. Over on Tripadvisor, it's a cool 4.5, letting hungry diners know that they won't be sacrificing quality for quantity. In addition to its stick-to-your-ribs favorites, the Amish buffet also offers an assortment of home-baked treats, like fried donuts, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, and classic whoopie pies. Fill your stomach and satisfy your sweet tooth, all for a very reasonable price.

Der Dutchman
(941) 955-8007
3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232

If you're right by the seaside, you may as well load up on fresh fish. Cafe Sierra describes itself as "LA's best seafood restaurant" and "the best all you can eat seafood buffet in Los Angeles." Those are pretty big claims to make ... but judging by its 4.4 Google rating, this buffet can back it up.

Located next to Universal Studios, Cafe Sierra is a must-try tourist destination if you're searching for locally sourced seafood. Not only is the fresh seafood all you can eat at dinner ($159 per person) and weekend brunch ($109 per person), the restaurant also offers bottomless beer, wine, and champagne. Cast aside your rod and reel and take a trip to a buffet that boasts Maine lobster and Dungeness crab alongside a boba station, crêpe station, and chocolate fountain. We may not be in heaven, but this restaurant in the City of Angels gets us pretty close. 

Cafe Sierra
(818) 509-2030
555 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608