12 Florida Buffets That Still Feel Like The ’90s (And Locals Love Them For It)
Remember when buffets were the highlight of family dining? Florida still holds onto that magic with restaurants that transport you straight back to the 1990s.
These beloved all-you-can-eat establishments maintain their charm with mirrored walls, neon signs, and food stations that stretch as far as the eye can see.
While buffet dining has declined elsewhere, these Florida treasures continue serving up nostalgia alongside endless plates of comfort food.
1. Boston Lobster Feast Serves Up Seafood Extravagance
Tucked along International Drive in Orlando since the early ’90s, Boston Lobster Feast remains the undisputed king of seafood buffets. The red-and-white maritime decor hasn’t changed in decades.
Mountains of peel-and-eat shrimp, freshly shucked oysters, and slabs of prime rib satisfy hungry visitors nightly. Locals know to arrive early on weekends to beat the tourist crowds.
The restaurant maintains two locations in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, both delivering that authentic ’90s seafood feast experience.
2. Fred’s Market Brings Country Cooking to Central Florida
Fred’s Market feels like dining in Grandma’s country kitchen – if Grandma could cook for hundreds. The MarketTable™ concept showcases Southern staples under warm lights in a setting that hasn’t changed since the Clinton administration.
Regulars flock to three Central Florida locations for crispy fried chicken and catfish that put fast food chains to shame. The collard greens simmer with ham hocks while strawberry shortcake awaits for dessert.
The Lakeland, Plant City, and Riverview locations all maintain the homey atmosphere that keeps families returning week after week.
3. Ole Times Country Buffet Brings Southern Comfort to Lake City
Walking into Ole Times feels like stepping through a time portal to 1995. The mall-adjacent location features no-nonsense Formica tables and vinyl chairs that have witnessed countless family gatherings.
The buffet line presents a parade of Southern classics – the fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed in decades. Sweet tea flows freely from massive dispensers while banana pudding waits patiently under the dessert heat lamps.
North Florida locals treat this place like their personal dining room, greeting staff by name and claiming their usual tables.
4. Ocean Buffet Makes Gainesville Diners Feel Nostalgic
Ocean Buffet embodies the quintessential ’90s Chinese mega-buffet experience. The sprawling restaurant space features those classic aquarium decorations and red lanterns that were all the rage during the Clinton years.
I spent countless college birthdays here, challenging friends to sushi-eating contests while piling plates high with General Tso’s chicken. The memories taste as sweet as the soft-serve ice cream.
The Mongolian BBQ station remains a highlight, where chefs still toss your chosen ingredients on a massive round grill with theatrical flair.
5. Ichiban Buffet Lights Up International Drive
Ichiban on Orlando’s tourist corridor keeps the ’90s pan-Asian buffet dream alive with its glowing neon signs and mirrored wall panels. The massive dining room buzzes with the sound of families planning their theme park adventures.
The sushi bar continually delivers fresh rolls while the hibachi station’s flames shoot dramatically toward the ceiling. Weekend visitors might spot the ice sculpture slowly melting at the seafood station.
Despite newer, trendier options nearby, locals still pack the parking lot for the comforting predictability of this I-Drive institution.
6. Kissimmee’s Ichiban Buffet Welcomes Hungry Families
The Kissimmee location of Ichiban proudly advertises its “200+ items” on a sign that’s become a local landmark. Inside, the layout follows the classic ’90s template – seafood near the entrance, hot dishes in the middle, desserts in the back.
Families still gather around massive lazy Susans that haven’t been replaced since the restaurant opened. The hibachi station draws the longest lines during dinner service, with chefs who’ve been flipping shrimp for decades.
The restaurant’s cavernous space easily accommodates large family reunions, making it a go-to for celebrations.
7. Buffet City Satisfies St. Petersburg Appetites
Buffet City stands as a monument to ’90s excess in Pinellas County. The exterior’s faded signage hints at the time capsule waiting inside.
Local retirees arrive promptly at 4:30 pm for the early bird special, filling plates with Chinese-American classics that taste exactly as they did decades ago. The heat lamps cast that distinctive orange glow over trays of orange chicken and beef with broccoli.
Kids still make inappropriate mixtures at the soft-serve machine while parents pretend not to notice, just as they did when the place first opened.
8. King Super Buffet Rules Pensacola’s Buffet Scene
King Super Buffet maintains its reign in Pensacola with a dining room that looks frozen in 1995. The faux-marble columns and golden dragons have witnessed countless birthday celebrations and post-church Sunday lunches.
I celebrated my high school graduation here, piling my plate with crab rangoon while my grandparents stuck to the American section with its meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Some things never change, thankfully.
Weekend seafood nights still draw the biggest crowds, when the crab legs appear and locals don plastic bibs with unironic enthusiasm.
9. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet Keeps Daytona Beach Fed
Just off International Speedway Boulevard, Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet occupies a former chain restaurant space, preserving its ’90s architectural features. The dining room stretches seemingly endlessly under drop ceiling tiles and fluorescent lighting.
Race fans and beach-goers alike line up at the grill station, where chefs still wear the tall white hats that were the height of culinary fashion three decades ago. The sushi case displays colorful rolls under lighting that enhances their visual appeal, if not their authenticity.
The soft-serve machine remains the final destination for most diners, offering a sweet finale to a nostalgic meal.
10. Super Orient Buffet Glows on Semoran Boulevard
Super Orient Buffet on Orlando’s Semoran Boulevard maintains its late-night hours and massive selection just as it has since the ’90s. The restaurant’s distinctive green roof has guided hungry locals for generations.
The buffet stations stretch in seemingly endless rows under lighting that hasn’t been updated since the Backstreet Boys topped the charts. Weekends bring the coveted snow crab legs, sold by the pound and worth every penny.
The restaurant’s carry-out option remains popular, with staff expertly packing styrofoam containers by weight – a true throwback to pre-digital dining.
11. China Lee Buffet Satisfies Ocala’s Appetite for Nostalgia
China Lee Buffet has served Ocala families for nearly two decades, maintaining its original ’90s aesthetic without apology. The massive dining room features those distinctive divider walls with circular cutouts that were once the height of restaurant design.
The hibachi grill remains the centerpiece, where diners still hand bowls of ingredients to chefs who cook with theatrical flair. Children gravitate toward the dessert station with its chocolate fountain and ice cream novelties.
Weekend warriors know to arrive early as the parking lot fills with regulars who’ve been coming since the restaurant first opened its doors.
12. Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet Brings Oceanfront Feasting to the Keys
Perched on the waterfront in Islamorada, Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet combines ’90s buffet excess with stunning ocean views. The restaurant’s revival maintains its original charm with nautical decorations and wooden accents throughout.
I remember coming here as a teenager after a day of fishing, amazed at the mountains of peel-and-eat shrimp that seemed to magically replenish. The tradition continues today with the same recipe.
Oyster lovers still huddle around the raw bar while others opt for the crab leg add-on, cracking shells as boats pass by outside the panoramic windows.