Whole steamed lobsters sit on an all-you-can-eat buffet line in South Philadelphia. Not lobster bits in a salad, but whole lobsters, brought out again and again during dinner service.
That alone would turn heads. Yet the same room also holds sushi, sashimi, dim sum, roast duck, oxtail, lamb chops, and a dessert section with an ice cream bar.
Drinks, including boba milk tea, are part of the deal too.
I like the idea of a meal where nobody at the table has to agree on one cuisine. Grandma can chase dumplings while the teenager builds a sushi tower and someone else hunts down crab legs.
Pennsylvania has plenty of buffets, but few aim this big.
There is a catch, though. Timing matters here more than you might guess, and showing up at the wrong hour can change what lands on your plate.
A South Philly Giant Called Royal Buffet & Grill
Royal Buffet & Grill sits at 2743 S 3rd St in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the southern part of the city. Google lists it as an Asian restaurant, which is true, but that label barely covers what’s inside.
The building is large, and the dining room is roomy and modern. Diners describe a huge main seating area plus four private rooms.
That size helps explain how the place can handle the crowds that gather on busy days.
Hours run from 11 a.m. every day. On Monday through Thursday, the doors close at 10:30 p.m.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, service stretches until 11 p.m.
One practical perk gets mentioned a lot. The restaurant has its own private parking lot, and it’s big.
In a city where parking can feel like a contest, that’s a real relief.
I’d call this a destination meal more than a quick bite. People drive in from New Jersey and other nearby areas just to try it.
The draw is simple to explain, even if it’s hard to finish in one sitting, and it starts with the shellfish everyone talks about.
Whole Lobsters, Over and Over
Lobster is the headline here, and it’s not a gimmick. During dinner, the buffet offers unlimited whole steamed lobsters, often with melted butter served on the side.
That’s rare in the Philadelphia area. Some diners say this is the only local buffet they know of that sets out whole lobster at all.
The trays are restocked often during busy hours. You won’t need to grab five at once out of fear they’ll vanish.
Pace yourself and take one or two at a time.
Here’s the timing tip. Lobster belongs to the dinner menu.
On weekdays, dinner starts in the mid-afternoon, around 3:30 p.m. On weekends, dinner pricing and the full dinner spread generally run all day.
So a Tuesday lunch visit won’t get you the same lineup as a Saturday afternoon. If lobster is your whole reason for the trip, plan around that schedule.
I’d also leave room for dipping sauces. The buffet sets out a selection, so you can switch things up between bites.
Lobster is just one part of a much bigger seafood story, though, and the crab section nearby is just as busy.
Crab Comes in Many Forms
Count the crab options and you might lose track. Snow crab legs, blue crabs, Dungeness crab, fried soft-shell crab, and stuffed crab shells have all shown up on this buffet.
The stuffed crab shells are worth a look. At least one diner pointed out a spicy kick, which makes them a nice change from plain steamed shellfish.
Blue crabs feel right at home in this part of the country. People in the Mid-Atlantic grow up cracking them, so seeing them on a buffet line is a fun local touch.
Crab legs follow the same rule as lobster. They tend to appear at dinner, not lunch.
One weekday lunch guest noted that crab legs were missing until the dinner switch.
Bring patience for the shells. Crab takes work, and a plate of legs can eat up a good chunk of your meal time.
Since there’s a dining time limit, I’d mix crab with quicker bites.
Oysters, clams, and shrimp round out the seafood section too. The cold side of the room offers something very different, built around rice and raw fish.
Sushi and Sashimi Without the Menu Math
Ordering sushi piece by piece adds up fast. At this buffet, the sushi bar removes that worry, since rolls, nigiri, and sashimi are all part of the spread.
Salmon sashimi and seared salmon nigiri are two items diners single out. Seared salmon is a good pick if you’re curious about sushi but unsure about fully raw fish.
I like sushi bars at buffets for one reason. You can try a single piece of something new without committing to a full roll.
If it’s not your style, no harm done.
That makes the sushi station a good place for kids or picky eaters to experiment. A cucumber roll today might lead to salmon next time.
Keep plates small here. Rice fills you up quickly, and it can crowd out the lobster and crab you came for.
A few pieces at a time works best.
The sushi bar sits alongside plenty of cooked Asian dishes too. Some of the most comforting ones come in little steamer baskets.
Dim Sum, Duck, and Chinese Comfort Food
Dumplings first, questions later. Dim sum has a spot on this buffet, including siu mai, the open-topped pork dumplings many families order at Chinese restaurants.
Roast duck and Peking duck show up too. Duck is often a special-occasion dish, so finding it on a buffet line feels like a small bonus.
Classic Chinese American favorites are here as well. Mongolian beef and honey chicken are two that diners have mentioned.
I’d treat this section as the heart of the meal. Lobster grabs attention, but a few dumplings and some duck give your plate balance.
They also pair well with rice from the hot food line.
The variety is helpful for mixed groups. One person can stick with familiar takeout-style dishes while another tries duck for the first time.
Food is brought out steadily, even late in the evening. One couple noted fresh dishes still arriving after 10 p.m., close to closing time.
Not every hot dish comes from China, either. Some of the richest plates lean toward Caribbean and grill traditions.
Oxtail and Lamb Chops Steal Attention
Oxtail on an Asian buffet might surprise some people. Here, it’s one of the most talked-about dishes, with diners describing it as tender and soft.
Oxtail is a slow-cooked cut, usually braised for hours. It’s beloved in Caribbean, Korean, and Southern cooking, so it fits a buffet built around many tastes.
Lamb chops are the other standout. One diner said they came out medium rare, which is impressive for food sitting on a buffet line.
Timing matters again. Lamb chops, like crab legs, tend to be dinner items.
A weekday lunch visitor found them missing until the evening menu began.
The grill station also turns out other meats, including ribeye steak. Results can vary by visit, and some diners found certain grilled meats a bit tough.
Grabbing pieces right after a fresh batch arrives is a smart move.
I’d keep an eye on the grill counter and time your trips. Fresh food is the goal.
After all that meat, a cool drink helps. Luckily, drinks are already part of the price.
Boba Tea Comes With the Meal
Boba milk tea at a buffet sounds like an upgrade you’d pay extra for. Here, drinks are included in the price, and boba milk tea is on the list.
That’s a real savings. Many buffets charge separately for drinks, so this adds value without much effort.
Soda is available too, and staff will refill it on request. If your drink tastes off, just ask for a fresh one.
Boba fans will appreciate the chewy tapioca pearls as a fun break between savory plates. Kids especially tend to get excited about it.
I’d suggest a simple strategy. Start with water or tea while you eat seafood, then save the boba for dessert time.
It pairs well with sweets and feels like a treat to end the meal.
Drink choices may change from time to time, so check what’s available when you arrive. Variety seems to be the rule across the whole restaurant.
Speaking of sweets, the dessert area deserves its own visit, and it may look different depending on the season.
A Dessert Line That Shifts With the Seasons
Save some room. The dessert section here goes well beyond a bowl of pudding.
An ice cream bar offers chocolate-coated pops along with other frozen treats. Cakes are part of the lineup too, including strawberry mousse cake and coffee mousse cake.
Fresh fruit is also available. It’s a lighter option after a plate of crab and duck, and it’s handy for anyone watching their sugar.
The dessert selection seems to change with the season. That gives repeat visitors a reason to check what’s new each time.
Birthdays get extra attention too. One diner hinted that staff have a surprise ready for guests celebrating, so mention the occasion if it applies.
I’d grab a small sampler plate rather than one big slice. Tiny portions of three or four desserts let you try more without feeling stuffed.
Desserts also make a nice final round before your dining time runs out. That time limit is one of a few house rules worth knowing before you go.
Know the Rules Before You Line Up
Reservations aren’t accepted, so arrival time is everything. On weekends and holidays, waits of 30 minutes to an hour can happen.
The line system is well organized. Separate lines are set up by party size, with one for smaller groups and another for groups of six or more.
A staff member often checks party counts outside.
Earlier is better. One Saturday group walked right in around 12:45 p.m., but a long line formed by 1:30 p.m.
Diners mention a dining time limit of about an hour and a half. That’s plenty for most people, but it’s good to keep in mind.
Watch the lunch-to-dinner changeover too. If you arrive for lunch late in the afternoon, staff may let you know your lunch time is ending when dinner begins.
Child pricing is based on height, with a measuring line at the front. Ask about it upfront to avoid surprises at the check.
Seniors may get a discount, so it’s worth asking.
Once you’re seated, the room itself makes a strong impression.
Bright Lights, Big Room, Busy Staff
Decorative lights and a modern look set the mood inside. Diners often describe the dining area as clean, bright, and nicely decorated.
The size can feel overwhelming at first. One guest called it a food theme park, with long stations stretching across the room.
Staff work hard to keep things moving. Servers clear empty plates quickly and refill water, which matters when tables turn over fast.
The owner, Mr. Liu, has been seen checking in on guests personally.
Busy times can feel cramped. On packed weekends, the gaps between tables get tight, so a weekday visit may feel more relaxed.
Restrooms get good marks for cleanliness too. That’s a small detail, but it says a lot about a place serving this many people.
Large groups have options as well. The four private rooms can work for family gatherings or celebrations.
I like that the setting feels a little festive without being fussy. You can come in casual clothes and still feel like it’s a night out, with lobster on the plate and boba in hand.
Share this story
