13 Unforgettable New York Buffets You’ll Go Back to Again

New York
By Samuel Cole

New York City is famous for its incredible food scene, and buffets are one of the best ways to experience a huge variety of dishes in one sitting. Whether you’re craving Brazilian steaks, fresh seafood, authentic Indian curries, or Korean BBQ, the city has something for every appetite. These 13 buffets stand out not just for their food, but because they’re so good you’ll want to come back again and again.

Churrascaria Plataforma – Midtown Manhattan

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Stepping into Plataforma feels like entering a Brazilian celebration of food. This upscale rodízio in the heart of Manhattan combines a stunning buffet with endless tableside meat service, making every visit feel special.

The buffet stations offer both hot and cold selections, from fresh salads to traditional Brazilian sides. But the real star is the parade of servers bringing skewers of perfectly grilled meats right to your table.

Dinner here balances ambience with variety, so each return visit lets you explore different stations and try cuts you missed before. Buffet guides consistently rank it among the city’s best all-you-can-eat experiences, and once you taste the picanha, you’ll understand why.

Crab House NYC – Midtown Manhattan (East 55th St.)

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Hidden among Midtown’s bustling streets sits a seafood lover’s dream. Crab House NYC transforms the typical buffet into something refined, focusing on ocean-fresh selections that arrive at your table with care.

Fresh crab legs, plump shrimp, and briny oysters take center stage in this elegant setting. The pace here encourages you to linger and savor rather than rush, making it perfect for a leisurely meal.

Recent features have called it a “hidden gem,” and that reputation is well-earned. If you crave a lavish spread where quality meets quantity, this spot delivers every single time you visit.

Theater Buffet – Times Square/46th St.

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Right in the heart of Times Square, this classic buffet serves tourists and locals alike with its wide-ranging menu. From American comfort foods to global stations, there’s something to satisfy every craving under one roof.

The location makes it incredibly convenient, especially if you’re catching a show or exploring the area. You can grab a quick bite or settle in for a longer meal—the choice is yours.

What keeps people coming back is that “buffet back-for-more” feel, where you genuinely want to try everything. Frequently cited among NYC’s best buffets, it delivers variety and convenience without compromising on taste or freshness.

Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet – The Bronx (Grand Concourse)

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Located at 200 East 161st Street, this Bronx buffet has become a neighborhood favorite for good reason. Sushi, steak, seafood, and Chinese food all share space under one roof, offering incredible variety at an unbeatable value.

Part of the return-of-buffets trend, this spot earned mentions on Eater NY’s best lists. Groups especially love it because everyone can find exactly what they want without compromise.

Return visits become a fun challenge—trying new favorites each time from stations you overlooked before. Whether you’re loading up on fresh sushi rolls or going back for seconds of hibachi steak, the unlimited options never get old.

Lakruwana – Staten Island

© The Infatuation

Willing to venture off Manhattan’s beaten path? Lakruwana rewards adventurous eaters with authentic Sri Lankan all-you-can-eat for around twenty-one dollars. Pork curry, eggplant, dal, and more fill the buffet line with bold, aromatic flavors.

The Infatuation highlighted this Staten Island gem for its exceptional value and flavor variety. Each dish brings something different—spicy, tangy, savory, and sweet notes all dancing together.

Perfect for repeat trips when you want to mix things up from typical buffet fare, Lakruwana offers something genuinely different. Strong value and even stronger flavors make this a spot you’ll tell your friends about after every visit.

Mizumi Buffet – Queens

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Queens is home to some of the city’s most diverse dining, and Mizumi captures that spirit perfectly. This sushi and international buffet combines raw fish with hot entrees, giving you the freedom to sample across multiple cuisines.

Buffet round-ups consistently mention Mizumi as a destination for variety seekers. One plate might hold California rolls while the next features Chinese stir-fry or Italian pasta.

Coming back again and again makes sense when the menu spans continents. Time Out Worldwide featured it in their lists, and once you experience the range yourself, you’ll understand the appeal of this Queens favorite.

Namaste Indian – Park Slope, Brooklyn

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Park Slope’s Northeast-Indian buffet brings Punjabi staples to Brooklyn in generous portions. Shahi paneer, lamb vindaloo, and fresh-baked breads like roti and naan fill the lunch buffet with aromatic, spice-forward dishes.

Time Out lauded this all-you-can-eat lunch for letting diners explore multiple dishes without commitment. When you crave spice, the buffet format works beautifully—sample small amounts or load your plate with favorites.

Recurrence works here because Indian cuisine offers such depth and variety. Each visit might focus on different curries, different breads, or different spice levels, keeping the experience fresh every single time you return to Park Slope.

Picnic Garden Korean BBQ – Queens (Murray Hill)

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Korean BBQ buffet takes on new meaning at Picnic Garden, where you pick raw meats, seafood, and sides before grilling them yourself at your table. This interactive dining experience turns every meal into a hands-on adventure.

Listed among the best “you-can-eat” meals for dedicated diners, Picnic Garden offers cook-on-site stations alongside traditional buffet selections. The banchan (side dishes) alone could fill a meal, but why stop there?

Return visits let you vary meats, marinades, and sides—that’s the big draw. One night you might focus on beef short ribs, the next on spicy pork belly, always with different flavor combinations to discover.

Dhaba Buffet – Lexington Ave, Manhattan

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Located at 108 Lexington Avenue, Dhaba brings Indian buffet dining to Manhattan with plentiful hot and cold selections at reasonable prices. Featured in buffet directory lists, this spot has built a loyal following among curry lovers.

Samosas, multiple curry options, rice dishes, and desserts create a complete Indian meal experience. The variety means you can mix mild and spicy dishes on the same plate without worry.

Going back when you’re in the mood for Indian flavors just makes sense here. Each visit might emphasize different dishes—maybe focusing on vegetarian options one time, then exploring lamb and chicken curries the next, always with that satisfying buffet abundance.

99 Favor Taste – Multiple NYC Locations (Lower East Side, Flushing, etc.)

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With multiple locations across NYC, including the Lower East Side and Flushing, 99 Favor Taste offers flexibility along with its all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ. Buffet-style or unlimited servings give you control over your dining experience.

Frequently cited in “all-you-can-eat” listings, this spot appeals to those who love customizable meals. Choose your broth, pick your proteins, select your vegetables, and cook everything to your exact preference.

Coming back to explore different meats or broths each time keeps things interesting. Secret NYC featured it for good reason—the combination of hot pot and BBQ in one location is hard to beat.

Jongro Market – Koreatown

© Thrillist

Old-school charm meets Korean buffet tradition at Jongro Market in Koreatown. Pick from raw meats, seafood, and vegetables, then cook everything at your table for a meal that’s as much experience as sustenance.

Highlighted in Eater’s best all-you-can-eat list, Jongro Market has earned its reputation through consistency and quality. The hot pot concept lets you control cooking times and flavor combinations completely.

Returns are recommended because different cuts and varying sides create new meals every visit. One trip might focus on seafood, the next on marinated beef, always with the satisfying ritual of cooking your own food exactly how you like it.

Rio Bonito Grill – Astoria, Queens

© Eater NY

Astoria’s Brazilian rodízio draws devoted diners with its meat-heavy buffet and endless skewer service. Recent reporting of all-you-can-eat spots highlighted Rio Bonito Grill as a Queens destination worth the trip.

The buffet bar offers traditional Brazilian sides and salads, but most people come for the parade of grilled meats. Servers circulate constantly, offering different cuts until you literally can’t eat another bite.

A fun repeat option when you’re in a meat-feast mood, this spot delivers on both quality and quantity. Eater featured it for good reason—the combination of buffet variety and tableside service creates an experience you’ll want to relive regularly.

Masbia – Brooklyn / Queens (Kosher Buffet)

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While not a commercial buffet, Masbia’s free kosher soup-kitchen network offers something different—a rotating buffet-style menu of hot meals served with dignity and care. Operating in Brooklyn and Queens, it speaks to NYC’s diverse buffet culture.

This isn’t typical “all-you-can-eat commercial” dining, but it represents something equally important. The buffet format ensures everyone gets nutritious, varied meals regardless of their circumstances.

Including Masbia as a heartfelt repeat-visit spot acknowledges that buffets serve many purposes in our communities. Wikipedia and local reporting document its impact, showing how the buffet concept can feed both bodies and spirits across New York City.