8 Michigan All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Where The Dessert Spread Outshines The Entrées
Who says the main course has to be the star of the show? Haven’t you ever eyed the dessert table before even picking up your first plate of entrées?
Is it the towering chocolate fountain, the rows of fresh-baked pies, or the endless trays of cakes and cookies that tempt you most? In Michigan, buffets have perfected the sweet finale so well that it often overshadows the savory.
From Frankenmuth’s Bavarian strudels to Traverse City’s cherry cheesecakes and casino buffets with gelato bars, these eight spots prove that in the Great Lakes State, dessert isn’t just the end of the meal — it’s the reason to come hungry.
1. Harvest Buffet At Gun Lake Casino: Sweet Jackpot
Last summer, I hit the dessert jackpot without placing a single bet! The Harvest Buffet at Gun Lake Casino features a chocolate fountain that haunts my dreams. Standing nearly three feet tall, it cascades with three different chocolate varieties.
Fresh strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks await their chocolate bath while nearby, the pastry chef’s daily creations tempt with everything from tiramisu to Michigan cherry pie. The house-made gelato station offers eight rotating flavors with toppings galore.
Though their prime rib carving station draws crowds, I’ve witnessed countless patrons strategically leaving room (or skipping entrées entirely) for the dessert finale. Pro tip: Thursday nights feature additional Michigan-themed sweets like Traverse City cherry cobbler and Mackinac Island fudge cake.
2. Fuji Japanese Buffet: Mochi Mountain Paradise
“You’ll need another plate for this,” warned the server with a knowing smile when she spotted me approaching the dessert station at Fuji Japanese Buffet in Madison Heights. Boy, was she right!
While most Japanese buffets might offer a modest selection of mochi ice cream, Fuji creates what I affectionately call ‘Mochi Mountain’ – a colorful display of at least 15 flavors of these delightful rice-wrapped ice cream balls. The green tea crème brûlée literally had me scraping the ramekin clean.
Their tempura ice cream – a paradox of hot, crispy exterior with cold, creamy center – deserves its own fan club. Even my sushi-obsessed husband now admits we drive 40 minutes primarily for the dessert spread, not the dragon rolls. The fresh fruit sushi made with sweetened rice and seasonal fruits is both Instagram-worthy and delicious.
3. Fuji Buffet & Grill: Chocolate Volcano Explosion
My nephew’s birthday celebration turned into a dessert revelation at Grand Rapids’ Fuji Buffet & Grill! Their signature ‘Chocolate Volcano’ – a warm chocolate cake with molten center – erupts hourly from the kitchen in fresh batches.
Kids and adults alike gather around, plates ready, as staff ceremoniously bring out these delectable treats. The self-serve ice cream station features 12 flavors, but the real magic happens at the adjacent topping bar with over 30 options from mochi pieces to Michigan cherry preserves.
My personal weakness is their custard-filled cream puffs, which somehow manage to maintain perfect crispness despite the buffet setting. While their hibachi grill stations showcase impressive cooking theatrics, I’ve noticed most patrons subtly eyeing the dessert area throughout their meal, planning their sweet strategy. The matcha tiramisu squares disappear fastest – snag one early!
4. Zehnder’s Restaurant: Bavarian Sweet Fantasy
Frankenmuth’s famous chicken dinner at Zehnder’s might get all the publicity, but their dessert spread is the real hidden treasure! My grandmother first brought me here as a child, and I still remember my eyes widening at what looked like Willy Wonka’s factory in Bavarian form.
Their signature strudel bar features six varieties daily, from classic apple to seasonal Michigan blueberry. The German chocolate station offers hand-crafted truffles and pralines that would make any European chocolatier proud.
My absolute favorite is their housemade ice cream paired with warm maple bread pudding – a combination that’s worth every minute of the hour-long drive from my house. While families come for their famous family-style chicken dinners, I’ve overheard countless guests planning return trips specifically for the dessert spread. Don’t miss their butter kuchen – a traditional German cake that’s rarely found elsewhere in Michigan.
5. Grand Traverse Resort Buffet: Cherry Wonderland
“You simply must try the cherry everything,” insisted my waitress at Grand Traverse Resort’s Sunday brunch buffet. Located in Michigan’s cherry capital, this spread celebrates our state’s famous fruit in ways I never imagined possible!
Their signature cherry cheesecake features three varieties of Michigan cherries atop New York-style cheesecake. The warm cherry bread pudding, served with housemade cherry bourbon sauce, converted me from a chocolate devotee to a cherry enthusiast in one bite.
Even their chocolate fountain comes with dried cherries for dipping alongside the strawberries and marshmallows. While their savory brunch offerings include made-to-order omelets and prime rib, the dessert section spans twice the space with panoramic bay views as your backdrop. Their cherry-infused chocolate truffles sell out every Sunday – I learned to grab those first after missing out during my initial visit. The cherry reduction sauce drizzled over vanilla bean panna cotta creates a perfect sweet-tart balance.
6. Golden Corral – Walker: Chocolate Wonderfall Madness
“Mom, can we live here?” my nephew asked during our visit to Golden Corral in Walker. While this national chain might seem like an unexpected entry, the Walker location’s dessert game deserves special recognition!
Their famous Chocolate Wonderfall fountain stands taller than most children, cascading with milk, dark, and white chocolate for endless dipping possibilities. The cotton candy machine – rarely found at buffets – produces fresh, fluffy clouds of sugar that transport adults straight back to childhood.
The make-your-own sundae bar features Michigan-made Hudsonville ice cream with over 20 toppings. While their hot buffet offers the expected comfort foods, the dessert section spans nearly a third of the restaurant with fresh-baked cookies emerging from the oven hourly. Their bread pudding with Michigan maple syrup reduction has a cult following among locals who know to check the dessert area first before filling up on pot roast.
7. Soaring Eagle Casino Buffet: Native American-Inspired Sweets
My weekend getaway to Mt. Pleasant led to an unexpected dessert discovery at Soaring Eagle Casino’s buffet. Their Native American-inspired dessert creations offer flavors you won’t find elsewhere in Michigan!
The wild berry and maple parfait bar features traditional ingredients in contemporary presentations. Their signature fry bread transformed into elephant ears with cinnamon sugar and honey drizzle honors tradition while satisfying modern sweet cravings.
The seasonal wild rice pudding with foraged berry compote changed my perception of what rice pudding could be. While their gaming floor attracts crowds, I’ve noticed many guests bypass the solid entrée options to maximize their dessert plate real estate. Their maple cream puffs filled with locally-sourced maple cream disappear within minutes of being brought out. Don’t miss the Three Sisters sweet corn ice cream – an unexpected flavor that perfectly balances sweet and savory notes with ribbons of wild blueberry preserves.
8. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet: Dessert Laboratory
Walking into Novi’s Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, I immediately noticed something unusual – a dessert section with its own dedicated room! The owner explained his philosophy: “Many buffets treat dessert as an afterthought. We make it our main attraction.”
Their experimental approach includes a monthly rotating “dessert laboratory” featuring creative combinations like wasabi white chocolate mousse and black sesame ice cream. The donut robot machine produces fresh mini donuts that travel down a conveyor belt directly to waiting plates.
Their signature dessert – mango sticky rice spring rolls with coconut dipping sauce – combines Thai flavors in an innovative format. While their hibachi stations offer entertaining cooking displays, the dessert room consistently has the longest wait times. Their lychee panna cotta with passion fruit gelee converts even those who claim they “don’t like Asian desserts.” The mochi waffle station lets you create customized treats with an array of traditional Asian and Western toppings.