Unearth The Voyage
Bring your biggest appetite and a little curiosity because San Diego’s buffet scene is ready to stun your taste buds and your step counter. From sizzling grills to oceans of sushi, these spots turn seconds into a sport and dessert into a victory lap.
I once promised myself I would be reasonable, then a chocolate fountain made other plans. Ready to sample the city one overflowing plate at a time?
1. 100’s Seafood Grill Buffet
Claws up, seafood fans, because 100’s Seafood Grill Buffet rolls out crab legs like a red carpet. The raw bar glitters with oysters, shrimp, and mussels on ice, while cooks crack shells with enviable rhythm.
You can circle the sushi station twice and still find a new roll flirting with your plate. Grill lovers score big with teriyaki skewers, buttery salmon, and sizzling short ribs.
The fryers stay busy with tempura and calamari, yet nothing tastes heavy or tired. I once lost track of time comparing three different garlicky seafood sauces and somehow justified a fourth taste for science.
Save a final lap for dessert but do not sprint. Soft-serve swirls next to petite pastries, and fresh fruit keeps the pace civil.
Pro tip: hit the crab legs right after a fresh batch drops, then pivot to the grill for a balanced plate.
2. Natsumi Sushi & Seafood Buffet
First bite fireworks start at Natsumi, where salmon nigiri practically melts before you ask its name. The sushi lineup is tight, fresh, and beautifully cut, with pops of yuzu and clever sauces.
Watch chefs torch salmon belly and brulee that perfect edge without overdoing it. Seafood fans get a separate playground of oysters, chilled crab, and scallops.
The hot dishes rotate often, so pace yourself around tempura that stays light and crisp. I like to pair a miso soup chaser between plates to reset the taste buds.
Vegetarians are not sidelined here either, thanks to cucumber maki, seaweed salad, and tofu dishes. The dessert table skews petite and polished, which helps when you want just a few sweet notes.
Tip: go early lunch for calmer lines and the best selection, then glide through the rolls without breaking stride.
3. Great Plaza Buffet
Quantity meets surprising quality at Great Plaza Buffet, an old-school crowd favorite. You will spot carving stations, steaming dim sum baskets, and a salad bar that is actually worth a stop.
The sheer scale invites strategic plate planning and a calm, confident stride. Chinese classics land well: pepper chicken, mapo tofu, and garlicky greens.
Sushi is simple but fresh enough for a few rolls between hot bites. I love parking near the noodle bar, then returning to my seat with a bowl that looks like a warm hug.
Dessert turns playfully nostalgic with mini cakes and soft serve. Families pack the room on weekends, so choose off-peak times for easier refills.
Budget-friendly pricing makes repeat visits feasible, especially if you are testing your willpower against the dessert toppings bar.
4. Paradise Buffet
Paradise Buffet feels like a beach day without sand in your shoes. There is a generous seafood corner, a roast station that perfumes the room, and a salad bar that sparks good intentions.
The layout makes it easy to glide from plate to plate without traffic jams. Roasted meats stay juicy under attentive carving, and the grilled fish is more than a token.
Sides rotate, with coconut rice and garlicky broccoli showing up often. I once made a mini tasting flight of sauces and discovered a pineapple glaze that pairs beautifully with pork.
The dessert island is unabashedly colorful, from fruit tarts to soft-serve cones. Prices are friendly, especially at lunch, and staff are quick on refills.
Tip: start light with salads and shrimp, then build to the roasts so you do not retire early.
5. Seaside Buffet
Salt air vibes greet you at Seaside Buffet, where seafood headlines the show. Expect shrimp towers, lemon wedges stacked like tiny suns, and sushi rolls that look photo ready.
The carving station holds steady with roast beef and rotisserie chicken for meat-and-sea combo plates. Hot trays deliver reliable comfort: garlic noodles, fried rice, and stir-fried veggies.
The tempura station keeps things bubbly and crisp, perfect with a spritz of soy. I like to alternate seafood and meat to keep the palate curious and the plate balanced.
Dessert offers bite-size variety, making it easy to sample. Service moves quickly even when the room fills up on weekends.
Aim for early dinner to beat the rush and to snag the freshest salmon before it disappears into happy hands.
6. Sunrise Buffet
Morning people and night owls both find a happy middle at Sunrise Buffet. The room is bright, the omelet station lively, and the hot line a blend of Asian staples and American comfort.
Your plate might meet pancakes and potstickers in the same peaceful moment. Eggs made to order pair with crisp bacon, while fried rice and chow mein keep lunch folks content.
Vegetarians get a fair shake with sautéed greens and tofu. I once assembled a breakfast-to-lunch mashup that drew curious looks and zero regrets.
Desserts lean simple but satisfying, with fresh fruit that actually tastes ripe. Prices are soft on the wallet, especially for groups.
For the best flow, start with fruit and an omelet, then cruise to the hot bar so you finish with momentum, not a food coma.
7. Elite Buffet
Dress your appetite up a notch for Elite Buffet. The sushi bar glides from nigiri to sashimi with clean cuts and smart seasoning.
A grill station fires off steak, shrimp, and lamb chops that taste like someone’s focused on doneness. There is breadth beyond the grill: delicate soups, crisp tempura, and a steady stream of stir-fried greens.
The dessert spread is a head turner, chocolate fountain included. I returned for a second plate of strawberries and felt like I had hacked the system.
Expect weekend crowds, so reservations or early arrival help. Prices reflect the polish but do not feel overblown for the quality.
Strategy tip: do a scouting lap, claim a few signature items, and save room for that fountain because it wins more than just hearts.
8. Little Sakana All You Can Eat Sushi
Speed meets precision at Little Sakana, where AYCE ordering feels refreshingly organized. You check boxes, sushi arrives, and every plate looks sharp.
Nigiri is the headliner, with salmon, yellowtail, and eel standing tall. Rolls range from clean to fully loaded, and the kitchen sides keep things moving.
Think baked mussels, crisp gyoza, and miso soup that does its job. I always pace with two nigiri, one roll, then a tiny reset so the appetite keeps its rhythm.
Service stays brisk even during peak hours, and the fish quality punches above price. Dessert is modest, which is fine because the point is sushi.
Pro tip: start simple with nigiri to gauge the day’s cut, then graduate to specialty rolls once you find your favorite texture.
9. Kanpai BBQ & Shabu
Choose your own adventure at Kanpai BBQ & Shabu. One side sizzles with tabletop grilling, the other simmers with individual hot pots, and both smell like victory.
Meats arrive neatly sliced, from brisket to pork belly, with marinades that do not bully the beef. Shabu fans get hearty broths and a rainbow of veggies, tofu, and noodles.
Sauce bars are a playground, so build your perfect sesame-garlic-citrus masterpiece. I once tried a chili oil splash that turned into a personal best.
Portion control stays easy because you order in rounds. Staff help newbies with timing so nothing overcooks.
Aim for a balanced plate: grill some short rib, dip a dumpling in the pot, then reset with greens. You will leave warm, full, and maybe convinced you need a tabletop grill at home.
10. Jeong Won BBQ Buffet
Smoke signals of happiness rise at Jeong Won BBQ Buffet. You pick meats from a long buffet, fire them yourself, and build bites with rice, kimchi, and crunchy lettuce.
The marinades shine, especially the sweet soy short rib and spicy pork. Banchan keeps the table lively with pickles, sprouts, and potato salad.
Grills heat fast and stay consistent, so you are not stuck fussing with flames. I love the rhythm here: flip, sizzle, chat, repeat, then a quick sauce dunk for good measure.
Weekends get packed, but turnover is fast and staff are sharp. Prices make it easy for larger groups to feast without flinching.
Tip: start with thinner cuts to season the grill, then move to thicker pieces so you finish with peak caramelization and zero ash.
11. Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House
Luxury lands softly at Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House. The wagyu slices are marbled like artwork and cook in seconds.
Broths aim clean and focused, letting the beef do the talking while veggies play supportive roles. Sauces lean refined, with ponzu and sesame that feel thoughtfully balanced.
Sides arrive neatly portioned, so you can pace the feast. I remember the first swish of wagyu here like a tiny celebration with steam confetti.
Expect a higher price that tracks with quality. Service is attentive and happy to guide you through ideal cook times.
Save a last round for mushrooms and noodles to soak up that wagyu essence, then walk out floating three inches above the sidewalk.
