12 Missouri Seafood Buffets Where You Can Eat All You Want And Get A Taste Of The Sea In The Heartland
Who says you have to pack a passport to get your shrimp fix or wrestle a lobster into submission? In a twist of culinary fate, Missouri, the Show-Me State, is also the “Show-Me-Your-Plate” state when it comes to seafood buffets!
Forget migratory patterns; these 12 havens transport the ocean’s treasures right to your table. Prepare your appetite, loosen your belt, and get ready to dive fork-first into an all-you-can-eat adventure that’ll make you forget you’re miles from the nearest tide pool.
1. Hokkaido Seafood Buffet & Grill – St. Louis
Stepping into this St. Louis gem feels like entering a seafood lover’s paradise where Asian flavors meet oceanic abundance. The buffet line stretches wide with fresh sushi rolls, mountains of peel-and-eat shrimp, and a rotating cast of seafood stars that change with the seasons.
What sets Hokkaido apart is the sheer variety that goes beyond your typical buffet suspects. You will find everything from delicate sashimi to hearty grilled fish, all displayed with care and replenished constantly. The grill station lets you customize your seafood experience while the cold bar keeps things refreshingly simple.
Families pack this place on weekends, and for good reason: the quality stays consistent even when the crowds roll in.
2. Starvin’ Marvin’s – Branson
Branson tourists have been fueling their showtime energy at this longstanding buffet spot for years, and the dinner spread is where seafood takes center stage. Snow crab legs appear regularly on the menu, drawing crowds who know a good deal when they crack one open.
Beyond the headlining crab, you will encounter fried shrimp, baked fish, and other coastal classics prepared in true Midwest comfort style. The restaurant keeps things simple but satisfying, focusing on volume and value rather than culinary acrobatics.
Service moves quickly even during peak tourist season when the line snakes out the door. Starvin’ Marvin’s has earned its place as a Branson tradition, one buffet plate at a time.
3. Krabby Daddy’s – Festus / Cape Girardeau / Poplar Bluff
Locals across three Missouri cities have learned to watch the Krabby Daddy’s calendar like hawks because that is when the all-you-can-eat crab leg promotions drop. This regional chain has built a loyal following by delivering exactly what its playful name promises: serious crab action without the coastal price tag.
When those special nights roll around, parking lots fill up fast with folks ready to crack shells until their hands hurt. The menu goes beyond crab legs, offering shrimp boils, fried platters, and other seafood staples that keep regulars coming back between the big events.
Each location maintains the same commitment to generous portions and straightforward seasoning that lets the seafood shine. My cousin drove an hour just to hit their Cape Girardeau spot during a snow crab weekend and still talks about it.
4. Flat Creek Restaurant & Grill – Webb City / Joplin
Nothing fancy happens here, and that is precisely the point at this beloved local spot where fish fry nights feel like a community gathering. The all-you-can-eat fried fish events draw neighbors who have been coming for years, filling tables with laughter and the satisfying crunch of golden-battered fillets.
Flat Creek keeps the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming, more family reunion than fine dining, which is exactly what makes it work. The kitchen churns out hot, fresh batches throughout the evening, ensuring your third plate tastes as good as your first.
Prices stay reasonable enough that bringing the whole family does not require a second mortgage. This is where seafood meets heartland hospitality in the best possible way.
5. Amazin’ Buffet – Springfield
Springfield residents looking for variety hit this Asian buffet where the seafood lineup rivals some coastal spots in sheer selection. Oysters glisten on ice next to piles of boiled shrimp, while crab legs make regular appearances that send diners into happy feeding frenzies.
What makes Amazin’ truly dependable is the consistency across visits, whether you show up on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday night. The buffet stays well-stocked, and the staff keeps empty trays from lingering long.
Hot dishes rotate throughout service, giving you reason to circle back for seconds or thirds of whatever catches your eye. For an all-you-can-eat experience that covers multiple cuisines while keeping seafood front and center, this Springfield staple delivers every time.
6. Ocean Buffet – Saint Robert / Pulaski County
Military families and locals near Fort Leonard Wood have made this straightforward buffet a go-to spot when seafood cravings hit hard. The setup covers all the bases with a sushi station that stays busy and seafood selections that include regular rotations of crab and shrimp.
Ocean Buffet keeps things simple but satisfying, focusing on the classics that people actually want to eat multiple servings of during one sitting. The space accommodates large groups easily, making it perfect for celebrations or just feeding a hungry crew after a long day.
Prices remain budget-friendly enough that you can bring the kids without wincing at the total. Sometimes the best buffet is the one that just gets out of the way and lets you eat.
7. The Buffet At Ameristar – Kansas City
Casino buffets have earned their reputation for going big, and this Kansas City spot delivers exactly that energy when Friday seafood nights roll around. All-you-can-eat crab legs become the main event, drawing crowds who know that casino buffets do not mess around when it comes to volume.
Beyond the headlining crab, the buffet spreads wide with other seafood options and non-aquatic choices for anyone in your group who prefers land-based protein. Quality stays surprisingly high considering the sheer amount of food moving through the line.
I once watched someone stack four plates worth of crab legs on their table, and nobody even blinked. Check the calendar for special seafood nights to maximize your ocean-in-the-heartland experience.
8. River City Casino – St. Louis Area
St. Louis locals keep tabs on River City’s event calendar because that is when the all-you-can-eat crab leg announcements drop like winning lottery numbers. They add another dimension with its own seafood offerings that complement the main buffet action.
When these special events happen, the kitchen goes all in with fresh batches arriving steadily to keep the steamers full. The casino atmosphere adds an element of excitement to the dining experience, making it feel more like an event than just another meal.
Portions are generous enough that even the most ambitious eaters eventually wave the white napkin. Smart diners arrive early during crab leg nights to beat the rush and secure prime seating near the seafood stations.
9. Hollywood / Horseshoe Casino Buffets – St. Louis & KC Area
Multiple casino locations across Missouri run their own versions of seafood extravaganzas, typically landing on weekends when crowds are ready to splurge. These larger hotel-style buffets bring a certain polish to the all-you-can-eat experience, with better presentation and more varied options than your average strip-mall spot.
The buffets rotate their seafood offerings seasonally, keeping regular visitors from getting bored with the same lineup every week. Beyond crab, you will find shrimp prepared multiple ways, fish dishes, and usually a raw bar during premium nights.
The casino setting means you can gamble away your seafood savings right after dinner, though that strategy remains questionable. These buffets work best for special occasions when you want the full casino resort experience.
10. Pier 88 Boiling Seafood & Bar – Independence (KC Area)
Traditional buffets take a back seat at this seafood boil house where the portions arrive so generously that calling it all-you-can-eat feels like splitting hairs. Massive platters piled with boiled crab, shrimp, crawfish, and all the fixings land on your table ready for a messy, satisfying feast.
The atmosphere leans casual and fun, with bibs encouraged and silverware optional for the full hands-on experience. While not technically a buffet, the shareable boils feed groups so abundantly that you might need to roll yourself out the door afterward.
Cajun seasonings bring serious flavor without overwhelming the seafood itself, and you can adjust the heat level to match your tolerance. Come hungry, bring friends, and prepare for a gloriously messy meal that satisfies like few others can.
11. Jumpin’ Catfish – Lee’s Summit Area
Weekday specials at this local seafood house have earned a devoted following among folks who know that Tuesday or Wednesday crab leg nights offer serious value. Alaskan snow crab takes the spotlight during these rotating all-you-can-eat events, giving diners reason to push through the midweek slump with a seafood celebration.
Beyond the special events, the regular menu offers plenty of seafood options that keep the kitchen busy even on non-buffet nights. Fried catfish lives up to the restaurant’s name with crispy coating and tender meat that converts even skeptical seafood eaters.
Service stays friendly and attentive without hovering, striking that perfect balance that makes you want to return. Check their schedule for current all-you-can-eat offerings before making the trip.
12. Krab Kingz – St. Louis Area
Big seafood energy radiates from this St. Louis area spot where plated boils and periodic all-you-can-eat nights keep the crab-obsessed crowd coming back for more. The restaurant strikes a balance between casual dining and seafood house ambition.
Regular service focuses on generous platters that arrive steaming and seasoned just right, making even non-buffet visits feel abundant. The menu covers the greatest hits of seafood boil culture, from snow crab to crawfish, with sides that soak up all that delicious, buttery goodness.
Prices stay reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive, which explains the loyal customer base. Krab Kingz proves that Missouri can hang with coastal seafood spots when it comes to satisfying those ocean cravings.