Best Buffets in New York

A beloved Sri Lankan institution where weekend buffet service runs all afternoon, with clay pots of curries, sambols, and lamprais beneath temple art. Celebrated by Eater NY and Time Out for value and scope; confirms weekend buffet hours on the restaurant’s site.

Manhattan’s pioneering AYCE Korean barbecue uses cap-style grills and a timed format for unlimited rounds of meats and banchan. Covered by Eater NY at launch and consistently praised by diners; hours and policies are clearly stated by the restaurant.

12 Fantastic Indian Restaurants in NYC | Condé Nast Traveler

Walking into Vatan in Murray Hill blew me away—the modest Third Avenue façade gives way to a cavernous dining room modeled after a traditional Gujarati village with faux trees, thatched-roof booths, pastoral murals, and a massive Ganesh statue—and you’ll want to settle in for its $45 prix-fixe vegetarian all-you-can-eat experience where a massive thali is endlessly refreshed with samosas, sev puris, bhaji, daal, chole, and even unlimited ice cream and gulab jamun if you can make it that far. - Sarah Khan

A stalwart Brazilian rodízio where passadores carve endless meats and a sprawling market table doubles as a salad-and-sides buffet. Regularly highlighted by Eater NY and Time Out; the official site confirms current hours and offerings.

Family-owned Queens Brazilian steakhouse offering all-you-can-eat rodízio and a rotating hot buffet with salads and Brazilian sides. A neighborhood favorite for group celebrations; details and hours are clearly listed by the restaurant.

A rare Thai moo ka ta experience: part grill, part hot pot, with a buffet of meats, veggies, and sauces for DIY cooking. Included in Eater NY’s all-you-can-eat coverage; the restaurant lists clear pricing and terms.

A New Gem in Elmhurst Focused on the Hits of Thailand | Eater NY

In the tiny triangular nook at 86-08 Whitney Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens, Na Rath opened earlier this year and is run by Naratchira “Ryan” Kunchadechchirawat, who teamed with Chef Anurat “Bass” Chaiyakhet to recreate Thai food as it’s served in Thailand. I’m still thinking about the whole tilapia delicately steamed in a garlicky lime broth and served in a fish-shaped platter, and the buoyant shrimp cakes—made from mashed jumbo shrimp, battered and fried golden—that were so bouncy I had to check for whole shrimp inside. Chaiyakhet’s tom yum gets its saltiness from fish sauce and uses tiger prawns rather than substituted shrimp; the papaya salads include year-long fermented crabs for a salty funk, pad krapow is made with Thai basil, and sweet chile sauce is banned from his pad Thai. Other highlights are whole fried fish served with lettuce wraps, noodles, mint, and tamarind dipping sauce; shellfish hor mok steamed inside a coconut; and a Thai-Chinese fish maw soup in which dried fish maw is rehydrated, stewed with soy, sugar, and tapioca starch, and finished with light black vinegar and chile powder. The tiny six-table room often fills with boisterous Thai-American grandmothers, families, and young professionals, and the menu is offered a la carte or AYCE—about $55 per person depending on seafood add-ons—with a food-waste penalty equal to the full a la carte price of any unfinished dish; there is also sushi on the menu. - Caroline Shin

Hou Yi Hot Pot - Review - Lower East Side - New York - The Infatuation

Hou Yi Hot Pot is perfect for a night out with a few friends who want to eat copious amounts of meat, then follow that up with an impromptu ice cream party. Dinner here is $45 per person, and you can choose from about 30 different types of broths—ranging from pickled vegetables to kimchi with pork—plus a bunch of hot pot meats, veggies, and starches. Each pot holds two different kinds of broth, and we suggest something mild in one half and something from the “Hot & Spicy” section in the other. (Just be aware that even the “medium” spicy broths would cause a mild commotion at a hot sauce convention.) There’s also a big freezer in the corner filled with about 12 different kinds of scoop-it-yourself ice cream, and that’s where you should find yourself once you’ve decided it’s time to wrap things up. The space is just one small windowless room, so it isn’t ideal for huge groups or anyone who constantly craves natural light—but it’s great for something casual with a small group. Stop by the next time you want to have a fun, interactive meal in the neighborhood. - Bryan Kim

Weekday cafeteria-style buffet in the Hare Krishna temple basement, serving hearty, affordable vegetarian plates to Downtown Brooklyn regulars. Covered by Gothamist and Time Out; recent reviews confirm midday hours and rotating menus.

Coney Island’s all-you-can-eat seafood feast—choose the standard spread or a lobster tier; dishes are made to order rather than steam-table. Noted by Eater NY’s AYCE guide and widely reviewed by diners for value and variety.

A Curry Hill standby serving a seven-day lunch buffet alongside Punjabi specialties. Cited by local food writers and recommended in community threads; the restaurant confirms daily lunch buffet and hours on its site.