6 Buffets In New York You’ll Wish You Skipped (And 6 You’ll Keep Going Back To)

New York City is a paradise for food lovers, especially those with big appetites looking for all-you-can-eat deals.
But not all buffets are equally good in the Big Apple. Some leave you feeling like you’ve struck culinary gold, while others make you question your life choices.
Here’s my honest take on which AYCE spots deserve your dollars and which ones should be avoided at all costs.
1. Legasea (Midtown Manhattan) – SKIP IT

TikTok made this $45 all-you-can-eat ribeye spot famous, but fame doesn’t equal flavor. The steaks arrive looking sad and gray, with more gristle than meat.
One evening, I waited 40 minutes between servings while watching the kitchen struggle. The meat was consistently overcooked and underseasoned.
Save your money and carnivorous cravings for somewhere that respects beef.
2. Sea & Sky Feast Buffet (Various NYC locations) – AVOID

Despite making Yelp’s top 10 list somehow, Sea & Sky’s recent reputation has crashed harder than a soufflé in an earthquake.
Food sits under heat lamps for hours, developing that distinctive buffet skin nobody asked for. The seafood selection looks tired and questionable, while the dessert section features items that appear to have been purchased in bulk from the nearest discount store.
Customers consistently use words like “horrible” and “disaster” in reviews.
3. Umi Sushi Seafood Buffet (Multiple boroughs) – INCONSISTENT MESS

Umi’s TikTok presence shows beautiful seafood displays, but reality tells a different story. The sushi rice is often mushy, fish questionably fresh, and hot food stations neglected.
Crowds form around newly replenished items while other sections sit abandoned. Service ranges from nonexistent to overly aggressive about clearing plates before you’re finished.
Some locations perform better than others, but overall, it’s a gamble not worth taking.
4. The View Restaurant & Lounge (Times Square) – TOURIST TRAP

The revolving restaurant with panoramic city views charges astronomical prices for mediocre buffet fare. You’re paying for that 360° Manhattan skyline, not culinary excellence.
After 8 p.m., prices jump even higher while food quality mysteriously drops. The eggs Benedict could double as hockey pucks, and the carving station meat sits drying under lights for hours.
TripAdvisor reviews consistently mention “overpriced” and “disappointing” in the same breath.
5. Century Super Buffet/Umiya Sushi (Queens) – QUANTITY OVER QUALITY

These Queens establishments epitomize the “fill-your-plate-not-your-soul” approach to dining. Reddit users report dramatic quality drops over recent years.
The sushi contains more rice than fish, seemingly designed to fill you up cheaply. Service ranges from indifferent to hostile, especially when customers attempt second helpings of pricier items.
My cousin visited last month and described the crab legs as “mostly empty shells with a vague memory of seafood.”
6. Generic Convenience Buffets (Citywide) – HEALTH HAZARDS

Those unnamed, unbranded “cheap AYCE” spots lurking near subway stations should trigger immediate suspicion. Sneeze guards that don’t actually guard anything, food temperatures in the bacterial danger zone, and mysterious meats await the unwary.
One such place near Herald Square features steam tables that haven’t been properly cleaned since Obama’s first term. The dessert section typically showcases stale cookies and unidentifiable puddings.
No bargain is worth food poisoning.
7. Crab House NYC (Manhattan) – SEAFOOD PARADISE

Unlike typical buffets where seafood sits sadly in steam trays, Crab House cooks everything fresh to order. The unlimited lobster alone justifies the price tag.
Last anniversary, my wife and I demolished four lobsters each, plus crab legs, shrimp, and clams. The staff remained cheerful despite our shellfish rampage.
The cooking method (choose from steamed, garlic butter, or spicy) ensures everything arrives hot and perfectly cooked. Reddit users rightfully crown it NYC’s best AYCE seafood spot.
8. Churrascaria Plataforma (Midtown Manhattan) – MEAT LOVER’S DREAM

This Brazilian rodizio elevates the steakhouse experience with impeccable service and high-quality meat selections. Gauchos circulate continuously with skewers of perfectly cooked beef, lamb, pork, and chicken.
The expansive salad bar features authentic Brazilian sides rather than mere filler. Premium cuts like picanha (top sirloin cap) arrive juicy and tender.
While pricier than some AYCE options, the quality justifies every dollar, making it a standout for special occasions and business dinners.
9. Fogo de Chão (Multiple NYC locations) – CONSISTENT EXCELLENCE

This national chain maintains surprisingly high standards across its NYC locations. The lunch special offers exceptional value for Manhattan dining.
The Market Table (don’t call it a salad bar) features charcuterie, cheeses, and hot sides that could constitute a meal themselves. Meat highlights include the signature picanha, garlic-crusted ribeye, and bacon-wrapped chicken.
Pro tip: flip your card to green slowly to pace yourself, or you’ll hit the meat sweats before sampling everything worth trying.
10. Wonder Pig Korean BBQ (Queens) – LOCAL CHAMPION

Queens locals fiercely defend Wonder Pig as the borough’s BBQ king. The meat quality consistently impresses even Korean BBQ veterans.
My Korean-American friend’s grandmother gave it her coveted nod of approval last year—high praise indeed! The pork belly arrives with a perfect fat-to-meat ratio, and the beef options include premium cuts not typically found at AYCE prices.
The kimchi is house-made, and servers replace your grill grates frequently to prevent bitter charred flavors.
11. Hou Yi Hot Pot (Flushing & Downtown) – SOUP SENSATION

Hot pot enthusiasts whisper Hou Yi’s name with reverence. Their soup bases, from numbing Sichuan peppercorn to rich bone marrow, provide the perfect foundation for DIY cooking.
The ingredient selection shines with premium items like hand-sliced lamb, live seafood, and house-made meatballs. Unlike competitors, they maintain exceptional cleanliness standards around the ingredient bars.
I once watched an elderly woman devour three plates of beef while smiling serenely in chili-induced euphoria—life goals, honestly.
12. Spring Shabu Shabu (Queens Crossing) – CUSTOMIZABLE COMFORT

This Flushing favorite elevates the personal hot pot experience through attention to detail. Each diner gets an individual pot with their chosen broth, eliminating the usual hot pot compromise discussions.
The ingredient bar features remarkably fresh vegetables, handmade noodles, and thinly sliced meats that cook in seconds. Dipping sauces can be customized to your exact preference.
Frequent buffet connoisseurs praise Spring’s consistency—a rare quality in the AYCE world where standards often fluctuate wildly.