7 Massachusetts Buffets That Disappoint & 7 That Are Absolutely Worth The Trip
Who doesn’t love the unlimited options of a good buffet? Massachusetts offers plenty of all-you-can-eat experiences, but not all buffets are created equal.
Some leave you wishing you’d saved your money, while others provide a feast worth every penny. Here’s my honest take on which Massachusetts buffets to skip and which ones deserve your appetite.
1. Royal Buffet (Chicopee): Lackluster Selection with Questionable Freshness
The name suggests royalty, but the experience feels more like peasant fare. Food sits under heat lamps far too long, resulting in dried-out dishes that barely resemble their intended form.
Staff rarely replenish popular items, leaving customers to pick through leftovers. The sushi selection particularly disappoints with rice that’s often hard and fish that tastes less than fresh.
2. Nippon Grill & Seafood Buffet (West Springfield): Seafood That Falls Short
Despite promising an impressive seafood spread, Nippon Grill consistently underwhelms. The crab legs are often waterlogged and flavorless, while the shrimp has that telltale frozen aftertaste that no amount of sauce can mask.
The hibachi station could be a saving grace, but long lines and inattentive chefs make it hardly worth the wait. Dessert options look appealing from afar, but taste like they came from a discount grocery freezer.
3. China Buffet (Lowell): A Forgettable Dining Experience
Walking into China Buffet feels like stepping back in time, and not in a charming way. The faded decor matches the faded flavors of most dishes, which blend together in a symphony of salt and oil.
I once brought my cousin from out of town here, thinking it would be a quick lunch solution. We still laugh about how we both mysteriously “got full” after just one plate.
The egg rolls had the consistency of cardboard, and the sweet and sour chicken was mostly batter.
4. Sky Buffet (Milford): High Prices, Low Quality
Sky Buffet aims high with its name but crashes with its execution. The price point suggests premium offerings, yet what you’ll find are mass-produced versions of Chinese-American classics that lack any distinctive flavor.
The restaurant’s cleanliness issues extend to the buffet area, where food spills often remain unattended.
Even staples like fried rice and lo mein taste as if they’ve been sitting out since opening time, regardless of when you visit.
5. Imperial Buffet (Shrewsbury): Emperor’s New Clothes of Buffets
Imperial by name only, this buffet serves up mediocrity with a side of disappointment. The hot food section rarely maintains proper temperature, leaving supposedly crispy items soggy and sauced dishes congealed.
The sushi rolls look hastily assembled, with rice that’s often too firm or too mushy. My last visit featured a dessert section with fruit that looked tired enough to qualify for social security benefits.
For the price they charge, you’d expect at least average quality.
6. Hibachi Sushi Buffet (Raynham): Quantity Over Quality
Quantity reigns supreme at Hibachi Sushi Buffet, where the focus seems to be on filling table space rather than satisfying taste buds.
The hibachi station, supposedly the highlight, serves up meat that’s often overcooked and vegetables that have long surrendered their crunch.
Sushi offerings look colorful from a distance but reveal their flaws up close. Fish that’s cut too thick, rice that’s packed too tight.
The dessert section consists mainly of jello cups and stale cookies that few seem tempted to try.
7. Flaming Grill & Buffet (Roslindale): All Flash, No Substance
The dramatic name sets expectations that the food simply can’t meet. Despite the impressive size of the buffet, most offerings taste remarkably similar, dominated by excessive sweetness or salt with little nuance in between.
The much-advertised Mongolian grill station often has ingredients that look past their prime. I watched a family of four enter, plate up once, and quietly pay their bill before finishing, a telling sign when people prefer to cut their losses rather than get their money’s worth.
8. Spring Shabu-Shabu (Brighton): DIY Hot Pot Heaven
This Brighton gem transforms dining into an interactive adventure. Each table features individual hot pot stations where you cook fresh ingredients in flavorful broths of your choosing, from mild vegetable to spicy Szechuan.
The all-you-can-eat option provides unlimited access to the vegetable/noodle/fish-cake bar; meats and seafood are ordered separately by the plate.
I’ve brought hot pot newcomers here who initially looked confused but ended up filling three plates each.
The clean, modern atmosphere makes this spot perfect for both casual meals and special occasions.
9. Happy Lamb Hot Pot (Chinatown): Communal Feasting at its Finest
Nestled in Boston’s Chinatown, Happy Lamb elevates the hot pot experience with exceptional quality ingredients and attentive service.
The split pots allow indecisive groups to try two different broths – the signature lamb soup base develops incredible depth as your meal progresses.
The AYCE option feels like a luxury bargain with unlimited premium lamb, beef, and seafood. During winter visits, I’ve watched the restaurant fog up with steam as tables of friends and families bond over bubbling pots, creating not just meals but memories.
10. Mela Indian Restaurant (South End): Lunchtime Spice Paradise
Mela’s daily lunch buffet stands as a testament to Indian cuisine done right. Unlike many buffets where spices mellow into blandness, each dish here maintains its distinct character, from the warming ginger in the dal to the complex heat of the vindaloo.
The naan arrives fresh to your table, pillowy and perfect for scooping up the aromatic curries. Last summer, I arrived just as they opened and watched the chef carefully adjust seasonings at each station before service.
That attention to detail explains why the flavors remain so vibrant.
11. Godavari (Woburn): South Indian Specialties Worth Seeking Out
Godavari brings the diverse flavors of South India to the suburbs with a lunch buffet that rotates regional specialties you rarely find elsewhere. The dosas – crisp, fermented rice crepes – are made to order even during buffet service, ensuring perfect texture.
Their chutneys and sambars offer complex flavor profiles that elevate everything they touch. My vegetarian brother-in-law drove an hour specifically for their buffet and declared it worth every minute of Massachusetts traffic.
The restaurant’s bright, spacious interior makes lingering over multiple plates a pleasure.
12. FiRE + iCE (Back Bay): Customization Kings
FiRE + iCE revolutionizes the buffet concept by letting diners become designers. The market-style setup allows you to fill bowls with raw ingredients, everything from marinated meats to fresh vegetables and house-made sauces, before skilled grill masters cook it all on a massive circular grill.
The entertainment value matches the culinary experience as you watch chefs flip, chop, and sizzle your creation to perfection.
Located in the heart of Back Bay, it’s particularly popular with college students and tourists seeking an interactive meal that delivers both fun and flavor.
13. Oliveira’s Steak House (Somerville): Brazilian Bounty
Carnivores rejoice at this authentic Brazilian rodízio where gauchos circulate continuously with skewers of fire-roasted meats. The parade of proteins includes everything from filet mignon to housemade sausages, each seasoned and cooked to perfection.
The accompanying buffet bar offers Brazilian specialties like farofa and vinaigrette alongside fresh salads.
I celebrated my promotion here last year and still dream about their picanha – the prime cut of sirloin with a cap of flavor-packed fat that melts in your mouth.
The warm Brazilian hospitality makes every visit feel special.
14. Yutaka Buffet (Revere): Fusion Done Right
Yutaka stands out in the sea of mediocre Asian buffets by maintaining high standards across its diverse offerings. The sushi chefs visibly prepare fresh rolls throughout service, while the hibachi station sizzles with made-to-order specialties.
Chinese classics retain their distinct flavors rather than blending into one indistinguishable mass. The seafood selection particularly impresses with plump shrimp, tender calamari, and surprisingly good crab rangoon.
Unlike many AYCE establishments, Yutaka’s bright, clean environment and attentive staff enhance the experience.