Some days call for a menu, and some days call for a plate, then another plate, then a trip back for crab legs. Minnesota has a solid lineup of all-you-can-eat spots where sushi bars, hibachi grills, and seafood trays share the same dining room.
This list covers seven of them, from busy Lake Street buffets in Minneapolis to suburban favorites in Maplewood, Fridley, West St. Paul, and Burnsville. A few even add hot pot, koi ponds, or chocolate fountains to the mix.
Most land in the $20 to $30 range per person, which makes them easy picks for family dinners, birthday groups, or a hungry solo lunch. Each stop here earns its place with something specific, whether that is snow crab on Saturdays, miso soup you rarely see at buffets, or bubbling Sichuan broth.
Save this one for the next time someone asks where to eat and nobody can agree.
1. Sumo Grill & Buffet, Minneapolis, MN
Crab lovers on East Lake Street have a clear target. Sumo Grill & Buffet puts all-you-can-eat crab legs front and center, and on Saturdays snow crab legs join the lineup.
The colorful dining room covers a lot of ground beyond seafood. You will find a hibachi grill, a sushi bar, a salad bar, and the usual Chinese buffet staples like broccoli dishes and fried favorites.
The dinner and weekend spread gets more ambitious. Shrimp, crayfish, mussels, salmon, prime rib, and soft shell crab can all show up, and a chocolate fountain waits at the end for dessert people.
Plan around the schedule. Sumo is closed on Tuesdays, and weekend afternoons into evenings are the busiest stretch, so a weekday visit is the calmer choice.
Reservations are not taken, but parking is usually easy to find. Prices generally run $20 to $30 per person.
2. Great Moon Buffet, Maplewood, MN
If sushi is the first tray you head for, Great Moon Buffet in Maplewood makes a strong case for itself. Its sushi rolls stand out compared to many other buffets in the area.
The restaurant sits in a strip mall on White Bear Avenue and has been a steady neighborhood fixture for years. It keeps things low-key and friendly, with prompt staff refilling plates and drinks.
Seafood fans get crab legs, mussels, and coconut shrimp. The menu also mixes Asian dishes with American comfort food, and yes, Minnesota hotdish has been known to make an appearance.
A big salad bar and wonton soup round things out for lighter eaters. It is open daily, with hours stretching to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the quietest. Free parking makes it an easy stop after errands along White Bear Avenue.
3. Hibachi Buffet, Minneapolis, MN
Timing matters here, in the best way. At dinner, Hibachi Buffet brings out fresh crab legs about every 30 minutes, so the tray rarely sits empty for long.
Another detail sets it apart from its Lake Street neighbors. The buffet offers miso soup, which is surprisingly rare at local buffets, along with a wide variety of sushi.
The made-to-order hibachi grill is the other headliner. Hot dishes include stir fried crawfish, shrimp lo mein, chicken skewers, and beef broccoli.
I like this one for a casual group dinner. The space is clean, the service is quick, and there is a good tea selection for anyone skipping soda.
A big parking lot helps a lot on busy Lake Street. Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 10 PM.
4. Teppanyaki Grill & Supreme Buffet – Fridley, Fridley, MN
Bring the kids for the koi pond and stay for the whole blue crabs. Teppanyaki Grill & Supreme Buffet in Fridley is big, and it uses all that space.
The seafood section goes deep, with crab legs, clams, mussels, shrimp, salmon, and crawfish. A sushi bar and hibachi grill sit alongside Chinese dishes and American classics like pizza and chicken.
One standout is all-you-can-eat pho. On a cold Minnesota day, a bowl of hot soup between crab runs makes a lot of sense.
Dessert includes ice cream and a chocolate fondue fountain. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Unlike many buffets, this one accepts reservations and offers a private dining room, which helps for birthdays. It is open every day from 11 AM to 9:30 PM.
5. Tokyo 23 Hibachi Buffet, West St Paul, MN
Here is where the hot pot part of the headline kicks in. Tokyo 23 Hibachi Buffet on South Robert Street splits its dining room into buffet, hibachi, hot pot, and sushi areas.
The sushi selection runs past 10 types of rolls, including a St. Paul Roll. Seafood fans can work through crab, crawfish, and other options from the spread.
Menu highlights include salt and pepper crab, spicy crawfish, and garlic stir-fried clams. Chicken, ribs, wings, and sesame chicken cover the less adventurous eaters.
The space is clean and roomy, and it accepts reservations, which is handy for larger groups. Free wi-fi and a private dining room are also available.
Check the calendar first. Tokyo 23 is closed Tuesdays and closes at 8:30 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
6. Legendary Spice Hot Pot, Minneapolis, MN
Night owls, take note. Legendary Spice Hot Pot near the University of Minnesota stays open past midnight every day, and until 1:15 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The concept is Sichuan hot pot served all-you-can-eat. Diners pick a broth from spicy to mild, then cook meats, seafood, and vegetables right at the table.
The ingredient lineup is wide, with plenty of sauces to build your own dip. Crab legs are a big draw, which is how a hot pot spot earns its seat on a buffet list.
The menu also branches into Sichuan street-style bites. Chengdu dandan noodles, Bo Bo chicken skewers, stinky tofu, and hulatang chili pepper soup all appear.
It costs more than the others here, usually $40 to $50 per person. Reservations are accepted, and there is a free parking garage and lot.
7. Dragon Star Buffet, Burnsville, MN
Value hunters south of the river should look at Burnsville. At Dragon Star Buffet, adult pricing has run about $24 to $26 plus tax, and that covers drinks, desserts, and all-you-can-eat seafood, sushi, and fish.
The room is enormous and brightly lit, with a koi pond adding some personality. A Mongolian grill lets you build a custom stir fry, while the sushi station and salad bar keep the options broad.
Seafood is the real pull, with crayfish, crab, and octopus on the spread. Traditional Asian buffet dishes fill the rest of the hot line.
Save room for dessert, since ice cream and sweets are a strong part of the experience. Vegetarian and vegan diners have choices too.
Reservations are accepted, a plus for big groups. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to stop in.
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