The Search for the Disappearing NYC Buffet

For families seeking the classic all-you-can-eat (AYCE) experience in New York City, the landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. Once a staple of casual dining, the traditional buffet format saw a sharp decline following the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health concerns regarding shared food service led many establishments to abandon the model.

Veteran restaurant critic Robert Sietsema notes that while the classic buffet has largely vanished, the city still hosts various AYCE-style experiences. These include Brazilian churrascarias, where service is brought directly to the table, and interactive dining formats like hot pot and Korean barbecue. Sietsema highlights establishments such as Let’s Meat in Koreatown and the family-friendly Wonder Pig in Sunnyside as notable examples of the latter.

For those specifically seeking a traditional spread, options have become increasingly rare. A recent excursion to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square revealed that while hotel-based breakfast buffets remain open to the public, they often come with a premium price point that may not offer the value or variety associated with the traditional buffet experience.

Alternatively, some Indian restaurants continue to maintain buffet service. Dhaba, located in Curry Hill on lower Lexington Avenue, remains one of the few spots where diners can still find a traditional buffet selection.

While the city’s dining scene remains vast, those hoping to find a wide-ranging, casual buffet may need to look toward specialized cuisines rather than the general-purpose spreads of the past. For parents, the experience serves as a reminder that while the classic buffet may be a relic of a different era, there are still opportunities to introduce younger diners to new flavors through these remaining, more focused dining formats.