12 California Buffets Where Dessert Steals The Show
California’s buffet scene offers more than just endless plates of savory dishes.
For sweet-toothed diners like me, the dessert sections are where the real magic happens.
I still remember my first encounter with a California dessert buffet – my eyes widened at the colorful array of treats while my diet plans quickly evaporated.
These 12 buffet spots elevate their dessert game to an art form, making them worth visiting even if you skip the main course entirely.
1. Chocolate Fountain Paradise At Serrano Buffet
Last summer, I nearly fainted when I spotted the triple-tiered chocolate fountain at Serrano Buffet in Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. The warm, velvety chocolate cascades hypnotically, waiting for you to dip fresh strawberries, marshmallows, and pound cake squares.
Beyond the fountain, their pastry chefs create miniature works of art daily – from crème brûlée with the perfect crackling top to delicate French macarons in rainbow colors. My personal favorite is their house-made gelato station with rotating seasonal flavors.
The dessert section takes up nearly a quarter of the entire buffet space, which tells you everything about their priorities. Pro tip: go on Thursdays when they feature special chocolate-themed creations not available other days.
2. Seafood Meets Sweet Treats At 100s Seafood Grill Buffet
Who would’ve thought San Diego’s premier seafood buffet would also be a dessert lover’s dream? The contrast still makes me chuckle – watching serious diners crack crab legs before transforming into kids at a candy store when they reach the dessert station.
Their bread pudding, soaked in a rich bourbon sauce, has haunted my dreams since my first visit. The Filipino-inspired desserts, including vibrant purple ube cheesecake and traditional halo-halo, reflect the owner’s heritage and add unique options you won’t find elsewhere.
Fresh fruit tartlets change with the seasons, showcasing California’s amazing produce. My strategy? Skip the rice and potatoes during the main course to save precious stomach space for at least three dessert rounds.
3. Country Comfort Sweets At Hodel’s Country Dining
Grandma’s kitchen has nothing on the homestyle dessert spread at Hodel’s in Bakersfield! My first bite of their cobbler – bubbling with local peaches and topped with a buttery crust – literally made me close my eyes and sigh with contentment.
Unlike fancy hotel buffets with their precious tiny portions, Hodel’s serves desserts country-style – generous slabs of chocolate sheet cake, full-sized slices of pie, and scoops of ice cream that would make a diet coach faint. Their cinnamon rolls, made from a family recipe dating back to 1967, emerge from the kitchen throughout the day.
What really sells me is watching the multi-generational families sharing dessert together, creating traditions around specific treats. The bread pudding with whiskey sauce remains undefeated as my personal champion.
4. Sacramento’s Sweet Spot At Rick’s Dessert Diner
Technically not a traditional buffet, Rick’s 24-hour dessert diner in Sacramento offers an all-you-can-sample approach that earned its spot on this list. My midnight sugar cravings led me here during a work trip, and I’ve planned routes through Sacramento ever since just to stop by.
The retro 1950s diner aesthetic with pink neon sets the perfect backdrop for their rotating display of over 100 desserts. You pay per slice, but their ‘indecision platter’ lets you create your own mini buffet experience with quarter-slices of any four cakes or pies.
Their signature Pink Champagne cake remains legendary among Sacramento locals. The coconut cream pie transported me straight back to childhood memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, while their chocolate bourbon pecan pie might be worth driving across state lines for.
5. Korean-Inspired Sweet Sensations At SomiSomi
SomiSomi revolutionized my dessert expectations with their build-your-own approach to Korean-inspired sweet treats. While not a traditional buffet, their customizable soft serve stations throughout Southern California offer a personal dessert buffet experience that’s worth bending the rules for.
The fish-shaped taiyaki cones – crispy on the outside, fluffy inside – come warm from the iron press before being filled with your choice of custard, red bean, or Nutella. Then comes the soft serve decision paralysis with flavors like black sesame, matcha, milk tea, or my personal addiction – ube.
Watching them assemble these treats is half the fun, especially when they add the finishing touches of Fruity Pebbles, mochi pieces, or pocky sticks. The Instagram-worthy creations taste even better than they look, which is saying something!
6. Global Flavor Adventures At Wanderlust Creamery
Wanderlust Creamery blew my mind with their travel-inspired ice cream flavors that transport your taste buds around the world. Their multiple SoCal locations feature a rotating menu that feels like a global dessert buffet in ice cream form.
I’ll never forget trying their Sticky Rice + Mango flavor that perfectly captured the beloved Thai dessert, complete with pieces of sweet rice folded into the cream. Their Japanese Neapolitan – layers of matcha, black sesame, and hojicha tea ice creams – reimagines the classic in sophisticated Asian flavors.
The unlimited sampling policy (within reason) lets you taste your way through destinations like Vietnamese Coffee, Filipino Ube Malted Crunch, or French Violet Marshmallow. Each scoop comes with a story about its origin, making this a culinary geography lesson disguised as dessert indulgence.
7. Event Magic At Sweet Tooth Candy Buffets
My cousin’s wedding introduced me to the jaw-dropping displays from Sweet Tooth Candy Buffets, and I’ve been finding excuses to hire them for events ever since. This Southern California mobile dessert experience brings customized candy buffets to private events, creating the ultimate sweet table fantasy.
Their signature touch involves color-coordinated candy displays that match your event theme – from elegant gold and white for weddings to wild neons for birthday bashes. Glass apothecary jars of varying heights create a visually stunning landscape filled with nostalgic favorites and gourmet treats.
Beyond candy, they’ve expanded to include donut walls, s’mores stations, and chocolate fountains. The best part? Guests receive little branded bags to create their own take-home dessert buffet selections, extending the joy beyond the event itself.
8. Customizable Candy Heaven At SF Candy Bar
My inner child screamed with delight upon discovering SF Candy Bar in the Bay Area. This create-your-own candy buffet concept lets you fill containers by weight with over 500 varieties of sweets from around the world.
The wall-to-wall bins organized by color create a rainbow effect that’s almost too pretty to disturb. I spent my first visit just photographing the displays before finally grabbing a container and going wild. Their international section features Japanese Kit Kats in flavors like sake and green tea, British Cadbury varieties, and Australian Tim Tams.
Beyond everyday visits, they offer event services where they’ll create custom buffets for parties. My favorite hack? Visit on Tuesdays when they restock and offer a 15% discount on bulk purchases – perfect for creating your own mini candy buffet at home!
9. Budget-Friendly Indulgence At Yum Buffet & Grill
Yum Buffet in South Sacramento proves great dessert buffets don’t require fancy casino settings or high prices. This unassuming strip mall treasure surprised me with a dessert section that rivals establishments charging triple their modest $15.99 dinner price.
Their fresh-made cream puffs – light as air and filled with vanilla custard – disappear within minutes of being brought out. I’ve timed my visits to coincide with these magical moments! The mango pudding, silky and topped with fresh fruit, reflects the owners’ Hong Kong background.
Kids (and kids at heart) go crazy for the soft-serve ice cream machine with toppings bar. My unexpected favorite? Their warm taro balls in sweet ginger soup – a traditional Chinese dessert I’d never tried before that’s now on my comfort food list. Don’t judge this buffet by its modest exterior!
10. Native American-Inspired Sweets At Chukchansi Buffet
Fresno’s Chukchansi Gold Resort offers a dessert buffet section that beautifully incorporates Native American culinary traditions. My weekend getaway turned into a sweet cultural education when I discovered their honey-sweetened berry compotes and blue corn puddings.
The highlight remains their acorn flour cookies – a traditional ingredient reimagined into delicate, nutty shortbread that pairs perfectly with their house-made ice creams. Seasonal offerings include prickly pear sorbet in summer months and persimmon pudding in fall.
Beyond the indigenous-inspired items, they excel at classic desserts with creative twists. Their crème brûlée flight features four seasonal flavors in miniature ramekins – I still dream about the lavender honey version. The buffet strikes that perfect balance between honoring culinary heritage and satisfying modern sweet cravings.
11. Sushi And Sweets Harmony At Natsumi
After stuffing myself with sushi at Natsumi’s all-you-can-eat experience in San Diego, I nearly skipped dessert. That would have been the mistake of the century! This Japanese restaurant cleverly combines two of life’s greatest pleasures – unlimited sushi and a surprisingly extensive dessert selection.
Their mochi ice cream comes in flavors beyond the usual suspects, including black sesame, plum wine, and yuzu. The tempura ice cream – a hot-cold contradiction wrapped in crispy batter – creates that perfect Instagram-worthy stretch of melted ice cream when pulled apart.
My unexpected favorite became their green tea tiramisu, a fusion creation that replaces coffee with matcha. The desserts are included in the AYCE price, making this possibly the best value on my list. Pro tip: they bring out special seasonal desserts that aren’t on the menu if you ask your server nicely!
12. Family-Style Feast At Lin’s Grand Buffet
Discovering Lin’s Grand Buffet in Murrieta during a family road trip saved us from a car full of hangry travelers. While the entire buffet impressed us, their dessert section turned my sugar-obsessed nephew into a temporary angel – worth the price of admission alone!
Their fresh fruit selection puts other buffets to shame, featuring dragon fruit, lychee, and seasonal California specialties like Harry’s Berries strawberries when in season. The chocolate fountain stands surrounded by house-made marshmallows, rice crispy treats, and fresh fruit for dipping.
What makes Lin’s special is their rotating Asian dessert section featuring Malaysian kuih, Filipino halo-halo, and Chinese egg tarts. My personal addiction became their pandan-flavored tapioca pearls swimming in coconut milk – refreshing after a heavy meal and unlike anything at typical American buffets.