11 Utah’s Best All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants Locals Flock To

United States
By Alba Nolan

Utah is home to some truly amazing all-you-can-eat restaurants that locals love to visit again and again. From Brazilian steakhouses with endless meat skewers to Asian hot-pot spots where you cook your own meal, the Beehive State has buffets for every taste. Whether you’re craving fresh sushi, classic American comfort food, or sizzling Korean BBQ, these spots offer great value and delicious variety. Get ready to discover the restaurants where Utahns go when they want to eat until they’re completely satisfied.

1. Chuck-A-Rama (statewide)

© Chuck-A-Rama

A beloved Utah original that opened back in 1966, Chuck-A-Rama has been feeding generations with rotating comfort-food bars that feel like Sunday dinner every day. Think carved roasts glistening under heat lamps, fry-sauce-friendly sides that locals grew up dipping, salad bar classics, and a dessert spread that still makes kids’ eyes light up.

With nine locations scattered across Utah, it’s the go-to spot for family nights, team dinners, and birthday celebrations that need to please everyone. The vibe is consistent, kid-friendly, and unmistakably Utah – no frills, just familiar favorites piled high.

Locals return because it never tries to be fancy; it just delivers exactly what you’re craving when you want a reliable, hearty meal without breaking the bank.

2. Rodizio Grill (Salt Lake City – Trolley Square)

© Rodizio Grill

America’s first Brazilian steakhouse was born right here in Salt Lake City, and the flagship location inside historic Trolley Square still serves up the full rodízio experience with pride. Gauchos glide between tables, carving endless skewers of perfectly seasoned beef, lamb, pork, and chicken while you flip your coaster to green for more.

The salad bar isn’t an afterthought – it’s a sprawling spread of fresh greens, cheeses, cured meats, and Brazilian sides that could be a meal on its own. The brick-and-beam setting adds character, making date nights and celebration dinners feel a little more special.

Pro tip from regulars: come hungry and pace yourself on the warm, cheesy pão de queijo rolls, or you’ll fill up before the best cuts arrive.

3. Tucanos Brazilian Grill (Salt Lake City & Provo)

© Tripadvisor

Another longtime Utah favorite, Tucanos brings the churrasco party to both Salt Lake City’s Gateway district and Provo’s BYU corridor. The vibe here is festive and upbeat – bright colors, samba beats, and servers who keep the energy high as they bring out skewer after skewer of fire-roasted meats.

The salad bar offers traditional Brazilian sides alongside familiar favorites, so even picky eaters find something they love. What locals can’t get enough of? The grilled pineapple rounds that arrive between meat courses, caramelized and sweet enough to reset your palate.

It’s the kind of place where birthdays turn into mini-celebrations and weeknight dinners feel like an event, all without leaving the Wasatch Front.

4. Mr. Shabu (Salt Lake City – The Gateway & Orem)

© Wheree

Utah’s shabu-shabu sensation lets you take control of your meal: pick a simmering broth, then load up at the all-you-can-eat bar stocked with paper-thin meats, fresh seafood, noodles, and a produce section that would make a farmer’s market jealous. Both the Gateway and Orem locations stay packed in 2025, and for good reason.

Cooking your own food at the table turns dinner into an interactive experience – perfect for groups who like to linger, experiment, and customize every bite. Surprisingly, it’s one of the most veggie-forward AYCE spots in the state, with mushrooms, greens, and tofu that shine just as bright as the proteins.

Why locals go: it’s customizable, fun, and way more engaging than staring at your phone between courses.

5. UMI Japanese Shabu Shabu (South Salt Lake)

© Gastronomic SLC

An all-you-can-eat hot-pot extravaganza that local food bloggers can’t stop talking about, UMI serves up broths, meats, noodles, and a DIY sauce bar that lets you mix your perfect dipping blend. The vibe is casual and unpretentious – think comfy booths, tableside burners, and zero pressure to rush.

What sets it apart is the sheer variety: you can go traditional with miso or bone broth, or spice things up with Sichuan-style heat. The spreads are generous, and the staff keeps refills coming without hovering.

Best for big groups who want to linger, sample everything, and turn dinner into a two-hour hang session where the conversation flows as freely as the broth. South Salt Lake locals consider it a hidden gem worth the drive.

6. Happy Lamb Hot Pot (Murray)

© Wheree

This popular international chain landed in Murray and immediately became a local obsession thanks to its all-you-can-eat hot-pot format and help-yourself extras that go way beyond the usual. We’re talking a sauce bar with dozens of options, boba tea on tap, and yes, even a cotton candy machine for dessert.

The broad selection of meats, seafood, and vegetables means everyone at the table finds their favorites, and the split-pot option lets spicy lovers and mild-broth fans coexist peacefully. Families love it because kids can pick exactly what they want; college students love it because the value is unbeatable.

Tip from regulars: split your broths to keep everyone happy and maximize the flavor adventure without anyone sweating through their meal.

7. Sukiya Sushi & Japanese Buffet (Midvale; Orem, too)

© sukiyautslc.net

A newer name that locals are buzzing about, Sukiya launched in Midvale and quickly expanded into Utah County with a full Japanese buffet that covers all the bases. All-you-can-eat sushi sits alongside hot dishes like teriyaki, tempura, and noodle bowls, giving you the best of both worlds in one price.

The standout feature? Sheer variety – dozens of rolls, fresh nigiri, and cooked plates mean you can graze your way through an entire Japanese menu without committing to just one style. The fish is fresh, the rice is properly seasoned, and the turnover is high enough that nothing sits too long.

It’s become the go-to spot for sushi lovers who want quantity and quality without the à la carte price tag adding up fast.

8. Takumi Sushi & Restaurant (Downtown SLC)

© Postmates

Downtown’s all-you-can-eat sushi and buffet house packs dozens of rolls, plus ramen and hot entrées, into one wallet-friendly price. Set near the University of Utah corridor, Takumi has become the easy meetup spot for students, downtown workers, and anyone craving sushi without the usual downtown price shock.

The menu is massive – classic California rolls sit next to creative signature combinations, and the kitchen keeps churning out fresh batches as trays empty. Hot items like gyoza, teriyaki chicken, and steaming bowls of ramen round out the experience.

Strategy from seasoned visitors: start with lighter nigiri and sashimi to appreciate the fish quality, then move into the heavier signature rolls and hot dishes once you’ve hit your stride. Pacing is everything here.

9. Pier 8 All-You-Can-Eat Seafood & Sushi (Orem)

© Wheree

Snow crab meets sushi at this Orem favorite, where all-you-can-eat boils, rolls, and seafood plates keep Utah County seafood lovers coming back week after week. Recent 2025 menus and hours confirm it’s going strong, and the crowds on weekends prove locals haven’t lost their appetite for unlimited crab legs.

The setup lets you mix and match – start with a seafood boil loaded with crab, shrimp, corn, and potatoes, then switch gears to fresh sushi rolls and nigiri. It’s a rare combo that scratches two very different cravings in one sitting.

Crowd favorite strategy: go half seafood boil, half sushi to maximize the all-you-can-eat fun and leave feeling like you truly got your money’s worth without overdoing any one thing.

10. Yummy’s Korean BBQ & Sushi (Orem)

© Tripadvisor

Grill-it-yourself all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ with an unusual bonus: an AYCE sushi option running alongside the meat feast. Yummy’s has built a loyal local following in Orem by letting diners control the flame, the timing, and the char level on house-cut meats like pork belly, bulgogi, and marinated short ribs.

Smokeless tables mean you won’t leave smelling like a campfire, and the sushi side of the menu adds variety when you need a break from the grill. It’s interactive, social, and endlessly customizable – perfect for groups who can’t agree on one cuisine.

Don’t skip the pork belly and bulgogi, and throw in a few rolls to round things out and give your palate a breather between smoky, savory bites.

11. SAPA Sushi Bar & Asian Grill (Salt Lake City) – AYCE Rolls Window

© Tripadvisor

Not a full-time buffet, but locals pack SAPA’s dining room for the All-You-Can-Eat Rolls window that runs Monday through Thursday during early evening hours. It’s a smart, budget-friendly way to sample this popular spot’s creative rolls without committing to full-price à la carte ordering.

The quality stays high even during the AYCE window – fresh fish, inventive combinations, and generous portions that don’t skimp just because it’s unlimited. The sleek, modern vibe makes it feel more upscale than your typical all-you-can-eat joint.

Timing tip from regulars: it’s a set window, so arrive on the early side to beat the rush and give yourself plenty of time to order multiple rounds without feeling hurried by closing time.