11 Minnesota All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Where Dessert Always Outshines The Entrées
I used to think buffets were all about piling plates high with fried chicken, endless pasta, or carving-station roast beef.
But after years of exploring Minnesota’s all-you-can-eat scene, I realized something surprising: the real magic often happens at the dessert bar.
From chocolate fountains and bread pudding to delicate pastries and international sweets, these sugary spreads can turn an ordinary buffet visit into a full-blown adventure.
Minnesota’s buffets may serve up plenty of hearty entrées, but these twelve spots prove that the final course is the one worth saving room for.
Whether you’re a fan of old-school soft-serve or crave something more adventurous like mochi ice cream or gulab jamun, you’ll find a sweet reason to grab that extra plate.
1. Golden Corral – Maple Grove, MN
Golden Corral in Maple Grove knows exactly what it’s doing with that dessert island. Last summer, my nephew filled three plates with nothing but chocolate fountains and soft-serve before his mom caught him. The entrées? They’re fine—standard fried chicken and pot roast that won’t win awards but won’t disappoint either.
But those desserts? That’s where the magic happens. Fresh-baked cookies, bread pudding, cotton candy machines, and a chocolate wonderfall that makes kids lose their minds. I once watched a grown man create a seven-layer brownie sundae masterpiece.
The staff keeps everything stocked and fresh, which matters when you’re going back for round three of carrot cake. Sure, you should probably eat some vegetables first, but nobody’s really keeping track. That’s the beauty of buffet life.
2. Tradewinds Buffet – Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch, MN
Tradewinds Buffet sits inside Treasure Island Resort, and honestly, the dessert selection feels like hitting a jackpot. My aunt swears by their tiramisu, claiming it’s better than anything she had in actual Italy (though I suspect she’s exaggerating). The main courses offer decent variety—seafood, carved meats, Asian stations—but nothing particularly memorable.
Their pastry chef clearly graduated top of the class because those miniature cheesecakes are ridiculously good. Fruit tarts, crème brûlée, and seasonal pies rotate regularly. I appreciate that they label everything, so you know exactly what sugar bomb you’re committing to.
Pro tip: save serious stomach space before arriving. The casino atmosphere adds excitement, though watching someone celebrate a slot machine win while you’re elbow-deep in chocolate mousse feels uniquely Minnesotan.
3. Mystic Lake Casino Buffet – Prior Lake, MN
Mystic Lake’s buffet operates on a simple philosophy: go big or go home. Their dessert counter stretches longer than some Minnesota winters, packed with every sweet treat imaginable. Meanwhile, the entrée stations deliver solid but unremarkable comfort food that my dad describes as “perfectly acceptable.”
What makes this place special? The dessert chef rotates themed selections monthly. October brings pumpkin everything, December means peppermint explosions, and summer features berry extravaganzas. My personal favorite remains their bread pudding with whiskey sauce—though I skip telling my kids about that last ingredient.
Weekend crowds get intense, so arrive early or prepare to circle the dessert bar like a hungry shark. The atmosphere buzzes with energy, slot machine sounds mixing with satisfied sugar-induced sighs from fellow diners.
4. Granite City Food & Brewery – Multiple Minnesota Locations
Granite City technically isn’t a traditional buffet, but their Sunday brunch spread earns its spot here. I stumbled into their Eagan location expecting average brunch fare and left planning my next visit around dessert alone. The breakfast items and lunch selections are decent—nothing wrong with them, just nothing extraordinary either.
Then you hit the dessert table and everything changes. Their signature brownies deserve poetry written about them. Seriously. Dense, fudgy, topped with ice cream and caramel sauce that should probably be illegal. Fresh cinnamon rolls appear every thirty minutes, still warm from the oven.
My coworker once ate four brownies in one sitting and regretted nothing. The brewery atmosphere keeps things casual and fun, perfect for families who don’t mind a little noise with their sugar rush.
5. Mandarin Kitchen – Bloomington, MN
Mandarin Kitchen serves up respectable Chinese-American buffet standards—lo mein, General Tso’s chicken, fried rice that tastes exactly like you’d expect. Nothing offensive, nothing thrilling. But stick around for dessert and suddenly everything makes sense.
Their selection blends American classics with Asian-inspired sweets beautifully. Sesame balls, almond cookies, mango pudding, plus random additions like soft-serve and chocolate cake. I’m particularly obsessed with their fried bananas, crispy outside and caramelized inside, basically heaven on a plate.
My kids ignore the fortune cookies entirely in favor of the ice cream bar. Can’t blame them. The restaurant stays busy during lunch and dinner rushes, filled with families and office groups who clearly know what’s up. Arrive hungry, leave happy and possibly needing a nap.
6. Pizza Ranch – Various Minnesota Locations
Pizza Ranch markets itself as a pizza and chicken buffet, and sure, the pizza’s fine and the chicken’s crispy enough. But everyone secretly knows the real star sits at that dessert bar. My friend Sarah hosts her kids’ birthday parties here specifically because of the dessert pizza and cactus bread with frosting.
Yes, dessert pizza exists and it’s glorious—sweet crust topped with frosting, fruit, chocolate chips, whatever the chef feels like that day. The cactus bread (basically cinnamon roll dough) comes with vanilla icing for dipping. Kids go absolutely bananas for it.
Soft-serve ice cream rounds out the selection. Simple, effective, beloved by children and adults who aren’t afraid to embrace their inner child. The western theme feels a bit random but somehow works perfectly for a Minnesota family dining experience.
7. India Palace – St. Paul, MN
India Palace’s lunch buffet offers wonderful curries, tandoori dishes, and naan that I could eat forever. But their dessert game? Absolutely next level. Traditional Indian sweets like gulab jamun, kheer, and ras malai sit alongside American options, creating this beautiful fusion of cultures and sugar.
Gulab jamun might be my favorite buffet dessert anywhere—warm, syrupy milk balls that melt in your mouth. The kheer (rice pudding with cardamom) tastes nothing like the bland stuff from elementary school cafeterias. It’s creamy, fragrant, and addictively good.
I’ve converted several friends into Indian dessert believers here. The atmosphere stays relaxed and welcoming, with staff happy to explain unfamiliar sweets. Don’t skip the mango lassi either—it’s technically a drink but definitely dessert-adjacent and absolutely delicious.
8. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse – Burnsville, MN
Kobe’s hibachi buffet delivers solid sushi, teriyaki, and tempura options that satisfy without amazing anyone. Then you reach dessert and suddenly remember why you drove all the way to Burnsville. Their mochi ice cream selection alone justifies the trip—chewy, cold, available in flavors like green tea and mango that you won’t find at regular grocery stores.
They also offer traditional American desserts for less adventurous eaters. Cheesecake, brownies, and fruit options balance the menu nicely. My teenage daughter lives for the chocolate-covered strawberries when they’re available, checking multiple times during dinner to ensure they’re still stocked.
The modern atmosphere feels slightly upscale for a buffet, making it perfect for dates or celebrations where you still want unlimited food but with a touch of class and sophistication.
9. Grand Buffet – Coon Rapids, MN
Grand Buffet throws everything at the wall to see what sticks—Chinese, American, Italian, you name it. The entrées cover so much ground that nothing stands out as particularly special. But their dessert section? Surprisingly sophisticated for a strip mall buffet in Coon Rapids.
French pastries sit next to Asian sweets, American cakes neighbor fruit tarts, and somehow it all works. The tiramisu tastes legitimately good, not like grocery store knockoff versions. Fresh fruit adds healthy options for people with more willpower than me.
I appreciate their commitment to variety without sacrificing quality. Sure, you won’t find Michelin-star desserts here, but you’ll find happiness in the form of chocolate éclairs and mango pudding. The casual atmosphere and reasonable prices make it perfect for feeding large, hungry groups without breaking the bank or anyone’s dietary restrictions.
10. Fuji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar – Rochester, MN
Fuji’s buffet focuses heavily on sushi and hibachi options that taste fresh and well-prepared. The entrées definitely rate higher than most buffets on this list. But even with better main courses, their dessert offerings steal attention and stomachs.
Tempura ice cream deserves special mention—crispy fried coating surrounding cold ice cream creates this temperature contrast that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. They also offer mochi, traditional Japanese cakes, and Western desserts for variety. The presentation looks almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Rochester’s medical community keeps this place busy, with hospital staff and visiting families filling tables during lunch rushes. The quality reflects that regular professional crowd. It’s worth the drive from the Cities if you’re craving something beyond standard buffet fare with exceptional sweet endings.
11. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet – Duluth, MN
Way up in Duluth, Hibachi Grill serves the typical Asian buffet lineup—stir-fries, sushi, noodles, nothing you haven’t seen before. Perfectly adequate for filling up after hiking along Lake Superior. Then dessert arrives and suddenly you’re planning your next Duluth trip around this specific buffet.
Their cake selection rotates frequently, with seasonal options that show actual creativity. Pumpkin roll in fall, lemon bars in summer, peppermint bark during holidays. Someone in that kitchen genuinely cares about desserts, and it shows in every bite.
The location offers gorgeous lake views if you snag the right table, making your sugar consumption feel slightly more justified. Locals clearly love this place, with weekend dinner rushes requiring patience and strategic timing. Come hungry, leave satisfied, and maybe take a walk afterward.