Sunday plans in the Twin Cities usually involve errands, naps, or a game on TV. For a loyal crowd of seafood fans, though, the day comes with a very specific mission: crab legs, mussels, and steamed shrimp piled on a plate before noon.
There is a buffet tucked inside a busy shopping center near Central Avenue that quietly turns Sunday into a seafood event. Lunch that day costs around 22 dollars, and the spread grows in ways that make regulars set their alarms.
The doors open at 11 am, and some people are already waiting outside when they do. Keep reading to learn where this spot is, what lands on the Sunday line, which extras deserve a second trip, and the small practical tricks that can save you money at the register.
Grab a fork and settle in.
A Buffet on Central Avenue
Every great Sunday mission needs a destination, and this one has a clear pin on the map. Great Moon Buffet sits at 4029 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421, in the United States.
The restaurant is listed as a Chinese restaurant, and its own description keeps things refreshingly simple. It calls itself a casual, all-you-can-eat Chinese eatery serving popular dishes, with seafood and sushi on the lineup.
The address carries a Minneapolis label, but many locals connect the spot with Columbia Heights. The restaurant even sits right in the heart of that community, according to its biggest fans.
It shares space with other businesses in a shopping center. That setup makes it a natural stop for anyone combining a meal with a round of errands nearby.
There is nothing flashy about the front door. The appeal lives inside, along the steam tables, the salad bar, and the seafood that arrives in bigger numbers once the weekend rolls around.
Think of it as the neighborhood buffet that saves its best act for Sunday.
Decades Behind the Steam Tables
Some restaurants count their history in months. This one counts it in decades.
One longtime returning diner came back after a 25-year break and was greeted by an employee who had worked there for 33 years. That kind of staying power is rare in the restaurant world.
The kitchen has its own deep roots too. The owner’s uncle handles cooking duties, and he has been making Chinese food for around 30 years.
That background helps explain why the buffet leans on house recipes instead of only heat-and-serve entrees. Smaller buffets like this one often bring a few unique dishes alongside the usual favorites, and Great Moon follows that pattern.
There is also a family connection in the name. Other Great Moon buffets operate around the Twin Cities, including ones in Maplewood and on White Bear Avenue, though each location runs its own show.
So the Central Avenue spot is not a copy of its cousins. It has its own crew, its own kitchen habits, and its own loyal Sunday regulars.
History, it turns out, is the secret seasoning nobody lists on the menu.
Why Sunday Changes Everything
Mark your calendar, because the day of the week matters here more than you might expect.
On Sundays, the seafood selection grows noticeably. Mussels appear on the line, crab legs join the party, and three different kinds of shrimp take up space on the tables.
The steamed shrimp in particular get attention for their size. They are large enough that people mention them by name after a visit.
Crawfish have also shown up on the buffet at times. Like any rotating item, availability can shift, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a guarantee.
Lunch on Sunday has been priced at about 22 dollars. For the amount of seafood and variety on offer, that number feels fair to a lot of returning diners.
The seafood boost is the main reason the Sunday crowd forms. It turns a regular buffet trip into something closer to a weekly tradition.
Shellfish fans, consider this your official invitation to rethink your weekend routine.
Crab Legs Worth the Wait
Crab legs are the headline act, and they earn the spotlight.
They are part of the expanded Sunday seafood spread, served alongside the mussels and shrimp. Fans of the buffet describe the seafood, crab legs included, as well prepared.
Crab at a buffet is always a bit of a race. When a fresh tray lands, the line tends to notice quickly.
A smart strategy is to arrive early. People have been seen waiting at the door right as the restaurant opens at 11 am, which tells you how seriously some folks take their first plate.
Staff restock the line regularly, so patience usually pays off. A short wait at your table can bring a fresh batch your way.
Crab legs also slow you down in a good way. Cracking shells takes time, which means fewer quick trips for heavier items and more room for a seafood-focused meal.
Bring your appetite, a little patience, and maybe an extra napkin or three.
Mussels and a Trio of Shrimp
Crab may draw the crowd, but the supporting cast deserves its own round of applause.
Mussels show up as part of the Sunday lineup, giving shellfish lovers a second reason to grab a plate. They pair well with a seafood-heavy strategy that skips the fried basics.
Shrimp come in three varieties on Sundays. That alone gives you room to sample without repeating yourself.
The steamed shrimp stand out for their impressive size. Diners call them out specifically as one of the pleasant surprises of the day.
There is also a cheesy seafood dish on the line, the kind found at many American Chinese buffets. Fans of that classic tend to say it rarely disappoints.
Shrimp also appear in other forms across the buffet, which helps when you want a break from shells. The variety keeps the seafood portion of the meal from feeling one-note.
Shell game, anyone? Here it is one you can actually win.
The Sushi Question
Sushi gets mentioned a lot when people talk about this buffet. It is one of the most discussed topics among diners.
The restaurant’s own description highlights seafood and sushi as part of the spread. That makes it a draw for anyone who likes mixing rolls with hot dishes.
Expectations should stay realistic, though. The sushi section is small, and at least one visit found only two options on the line.
Availability has also changed over the years. Sushi was missing for a stretch after the pandemic, then returned as part of the buffet’s lineup.
The best approach is to treat sushi as a fun side rather than the main reason to go. Pair a few pieces with crab legs and mussels, and you get a nice range of seafood styles on one plate.
If sushi is your top priority, timing can help. Fresh plates tend to appear when the dining room is busier, especially around lunch.
Small but present, the sushi corner plays a supporting role with quiet confidence.
Hot Line Favorites
Not everyone at the table will want shellfish, and that is fine. The hot line has plenty to keep non-seafood eaters busy.
Chicken skewers here are large enough to take up half a plate. The sweet crispy chicken and barbecue ribs also earn praise from repeat diners.
Chicken wings are another quiet favorite. Some people say they would come back just for the wings and ribs.
Pepper chicken has its own fan club, and orange chicken appears in plenty of conversations too. Pot stickers, a mushroom pork dish, and chicken with broccoli round out the familiar picks.
Lo mein draws mixed opinions. Some families love it paired with the crunchy chicken, while others find it underwhelming.
Fried rice is similar, with results that vary from visit to visit. A good tactic is to grab small portions first and return for what you enjoy most.
Fried items that come straight from the fryer tend to be the safest bets. Consider it a sampler approach that rewards curiosity.
A Salad Bar That Holds Its Own
Here is a twist most buffet fans do not see coming: the salad bar gets real compliments.
The vegetables are described as fresh, and the cold food section has stayed strong across return trips. It is one of the most frequently mentioned features of the restaurant.
That matters on a seafood day. A lighter plate from the cold section makes a nice break between rounds of crab legs and shrimp.
Cream cheese wontons also stand out for some diners, even ones who were not impressed by everything else. They are a small item with a surprisingly loyal following.
The buffet is spread over several tables. One diner admitted to running out of room before reaching the last one, which says something about the size of the layout.
Pace yourself, scout every table first, and then build your plan. A little planning keeps you from filling up too soon.
Greens at a seafood buffet may not grab headlines, but they quietly earn a spot on your plate.
Soft Serve and Sweet Endings
Every buffet needs a grand finale, and this one comes from a machine.
A soft serve ice cream machine sits ready for dessert. It only offers vanilla, but chocolate syrup is available for anyone wanting a little upgrade.
The machine is cleaned regularly, a detail that regular diners appreciate. It shows up again and again as a highlight of the meal.
Beyond the ice cream, the dessert area includes almond cookies and fresh fruit. Those options give a lighter finish after a seafood-heavy lunch.
Families with kids tend to love this part most. A bowl of vanilla with syrup is a simple win that almost nobody argues with.
The trick is saving space. Plenty of diners admit they were too full for dessert and promised themselves a return trip to try it.
Plan your plates with that in mind. Leaving room for a scoop is the kind of strategy that pays off sweetly.
Fresh Food by the Clock
Ever wondered how long a tray has been sitting out? At this buffet, the answer is often written down.
Staff mark time stamps on the food so they know when to swap trays out. It is a simple system that helps keep the line fresh.
Cleanliness is a big part of the conversation here. The floors, furniture, buffet area, and even the restroom hallway have all drawn compliments.
Utensils come individually wrapped and are handed to guests. That small touch shows attention to detail.
Even the cooks get involved. Chefs have been seen poking their heads out of the kitchen doors to check that things are running smoothly.
That said, consistency is not perfect. A few trips have turned up dishes that were not hot enough, especially items like chicken strips, so it helps to check before loading up.
Fresh batches are your friend, and asking staff when a refill is coming is perfectly reasonable.
Quiet Rooms and Easygoing Crowds
Crowds are not always a given here, and some people count that as a perk.
Weekday lunches can be calm and quiet. Some families have found themselves nearly alone in the dining hall.
Sundays are a different story, since the extra seafood brings more people through the door. Arriving near opening time helps you beat the rush.
The seating includes bench-style booths that are very soft. Some guests find they sink deeper than expected, so pick a table if you prefer firmer seats.
Servers refill drinks and clear plates as you go. That keeps the table tidy while you focus on the next round.
The vibe works well for budget-minded families, solo diners on a day off, and shoppers taking a break. It also has a special-occasion side, as at least one couple chose it to celebrate an anniversary.
Casual, relaxed, and unfussy, the room sets the stage for a long and leisurely meal.
Cash, Cards, and the Bill
A quick money tip before you go could save you a few dollars.
The restaurant adds a surcharge for card payments. Bringing cash is the simple way around that extra fee.
Sunday lunch has been about 22 dollars per person. For two people on another visit, the total came to roughly 45 dollars, so budget accordingly.
Tipping is common since servers handle drinks and plates. If you forget cash for a tip, the cashier has allowed it to be added to a card.
Drink options have changed over time. The restaurant now serves Pepsi products, which is good news for anyone who enjoys Dr Pepper.
Takeout is another option for those who want buffet food at home. Portions in to-go dinners can be generous, with some orders stretching across multiple meals.
A little preparation at the register means more of your budget stays where it belongs, on seafood.
Hours, Parking, and the Bus
Getting there is the easy part, which is good news for hungry people.
Great Moon Buffet opens at 11 am every day. It closes at 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, 10 pm on Friday, and 9:15 pm on Saturday.
The shopping center offers plenty of free parking. That makes it simple for families arriving by car.
Transit riders have it easy too. The restaurant sits right next to a transit center, so catching a bus there is convenient.
Being inside a shopping center also means you can pair a meal with errands. Many regulars plan their trips around shopping at other businesses in the area.
For Sunday seafood, aim for opening time. Getting there at 11 am gives you first access to the crab legs, mussels, and shrimp.
Easy parking, easy bus access, and long hours make spontaneous trips refreshingly stress-free.
The Verdict on Sunday Seafood
So, is the Sunday seafood trip worth it? For the right diner, the answer leans toward yes.
Great Moon Buffet is not trying to be fancy. It is a tried-and-true neighborhood buffet that gets the job done, with a few standout moments along the way.
The Sunday spread is the clear highlight. Crab legs, mussels, three kinds of shrimp, and a bit of sushi for about 22 dollars make a strong case for the trip.
The salad bar, big chicken skewers, wings, ribs, and soft serve add plenty of backup. Cleanliness and fresh-food time stamps add peace of mind.
Results can vary from dish to dish, so sample first and go back for favorites. Bring cash to skip the card fee and arrive early for the freshest seafood.
Keep expectations grounded, and the place can feel like a fun weekly ritual. Many people walk out already planning their next Sunday.
Sometimes the best weekend plans come down to a simple question: crab legs first, or mussels?
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