Iowa sits about as far from an ocean as you can get, but that has never stopped folks here from craving crab legs and sushi. The good news is you do not need a plane ticket to get your fill.
A handful of all-you-can-eat buffets across the state stack their lines with snow crab, sushi rolls, shrimp, and made-to-order hibachi, all for one set price. Some lean hard into seafood, while others mix in pho, pizza, and even a chocolate fountain for dessert.
This list covers five spots in West Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Altoona, Davenport, and Clive where seafood lovers can grab a plate and go back as many times as they like. Save it for your next family dinner, birthday outing, or any night you are simply hungry for crab.
Bring an appetite and maybe skip lunch.
1. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, West Des Moines, IA
A chocolate fountain is not usually the first thing you expect at a seafood stop, but it fits right in here. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet pairs crab legs and a full sushi bar with a dessert table that keeps the meal going long after the main course.
The buffet mixes Asian and American cooking, so you can grab coconut scallops, shrimp, and crawdads next to egg rolls, orange chicken, and pizza. Stuffed mushrooms and kimchi also show up on the line.
The hibachi area is a big draw. You pick raw ingredients and sauces, and the cooks prepare them to order.
Pho is made to order too, which is a nice change from the usual steam-table soup.
Prices typically fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. The dining room is large and nicely decorated, and it opens daily from 11 AM to 9:30 PM.
Weekends from afternoon into evening are the busiest. Reservations are not accepted, so I would aim for a weeknight if you want a calmer visit.
Find it at 1801 22nd St in West Des Moines.
2. Golden Apple Buffet, Cedar Rapids, IA
Build-your-own pho at a buffet is a rare treat in Eastern Iowa. Golden Apple Buffet on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids offers it alongside a full sushi bar and a hibachi station.
Seafood fans have plenty to work with. Snow crab legs with butter sauce appear at certain times, and the hot line often includes shrimp, crayfish, and other crab dishes.
Fried plantains and fried rice round things out.
The space is large and clean, with a salad bar and a strong dessert selection for anyone saving room. Service tends to move quickly, which helps when the place fills up.
Expect to pay around $10 to $20 per person. Hours run 10:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 9 PM on Sunday.
Friday and Sunday evenings and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are much quieter.
The address is 2811 Wiley Blvd SW #200.
3. Red Anchor Sushi & Seafood Buffet, Altoona, IA
Timing matters at this Altoona spot. For dinner and on weekends, Red Anchor Sushi & Seafood Buffet rolls out its biggest spread, including crab legs, made-to-order hibachi, pho, and a large lineup of sushi.
The name says it all. Seafood is the focus, and the crab selection has included both Dungeness and snow crab, which is a step beyond what many buffets offer.
It is one of the newer buffets on this list, set on Adventureland Drive near the amusement park. The dining room is modern and casual, with separate sushi and hibachi grill stations.
Prices here run a bit higher, usually $20 to $30 per person, which makes sense with the dinner seafood lineup. Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM most days and until 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
I would save this one for a weekend dinner when the crab is out. Free parking makes it an easy stop at 2421 Adventureland Dr.
4. Dynasty Buffet, Davenport, IA
Frog legs, crawfish, and crab legs on the same visit make Dynasty Buffet one of the more adventurous stops in the Quad Cities. The Elmore Avenue location blends seafood with sushi rolls and familiar Chinese dishes.
The sushi selection gets its own side buffet, and coconut shrimp and pot stickers are regular favorites. A hibachi bar adds cooked-to-order plates.
The staff is attentive and the buffet area stays clean. There is also a salad bar, fresh fruit, and ice cream, plus a solid tea selection.
Here is a useful perk: Dynasty accepts reservations, which is handy for bigger groups. A private dining room is available too.
Prices typically land between $10 and $20 per person. Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sunday afternoons get busy, so plan ahead. Find it at 5388 Elmore Avenue.
5. Buffet City, Clive, IA
Sometimes the low-key option wins. Buffet City in Clive keeps things simple, with a no-frills dining room and a menu that has grown to include crab legs and grilled items.
The crab legs get replenished often, and salmon, oysters, and sushi are also on the line. Lighter choices like grilled zucchini and fresh fruit give it an edge for anyone wanting balance.
Classic Chinese dishes fill out the rest. Look for chicken with garlic sauce, hot and sour soup, green beans with garlic sauce, lo mein, and pot stickers.
Hours run the latest of this group, from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM most days and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Prices are usually $10 to $20 per person.
Delivery is available, a rare bonus for a buffet. The address is 8801 University Ave, with free parking out front.
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