5 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.

Bacchanal Buffet, Las Vegas, Nevada

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

Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl, Pennsylvania

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

Crab House NYC, New York City, New York

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

888 Japanese BBQ, Las Vegas, Nevada

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

The Nordic, Charlestown, Rhode Island

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