Travel Itinerary
Buffets in Ohio bring together comfort, variety, and a sense of gathering that feels unmistakably welcoming.
Across the state, restaurants open their tables with crispy fried chicken, rich mashed potatoes, and spreads of sides that make it hard to choose just one.
These 16 all-you-can-eat spots stand out for the flavors they deliver and the traditions they keep alive, making each visit less about the number of trips to the buffet line and more about the joy of sharing a hearty meal.
1. Fuji Grill Buffet: Mentor’s Japanese Feast
Sushi purists might scoff at buffet-style raw fish, but they haven’t visited this Mentor standout. Chefs continuously craft fresh nigiri and creative rolls that disappear almost as quickly as they hit the display case.
Beyond sushi, hibachi stations flame with theatrical cooking displays. Don’t overlook their udon soup station where you customize noodle bowls with toppings.
The green tea ice cream provides the perfect cool finish to a meal that spans Japan’s diverse culinary landscape.
2. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen: Amish Country’s Buffet Queen
Nestled in the heart of Mt. Hope, this family-owned treasure serves up authentic Amish cooking that’ll transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.
The rotating menu features hand-rolled noodles swimming in rich broth and fried chicken with perfectly crispy skin.
Don’t miss their legendary pies – each one crafted from scratch daily. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes seconds (or thirds) feel like a neighborly obligation rather than indulgence.
3. Layla’s Kitchen: Mediterranean Magic Without Limits
Forget what you thought you knew about buffets! This Columbus gem elevates Mediterranean cuisine to art form status with its vibrant spreads.
Freshly baked pita arrives steaming to your table while you load up on creamy hummus and baba ganoush.
The lamb kebabs maintain perfect tenderness despite the buffet format. Vegetarians rejoice over stuffed grape leaves and falafel that actually tastes homemade.
4. Der Dutchman: Where Butter Makes Everything Better
Columbus locals swear by this Amish-inspired haven where comfort food reigns supreme. Fluffy biscuits dripping with sausage gravy sit alongside golden broasted chicken that puts fast food chains to shame.
The salad bar bursts with fresh-from-the-farm produce, while the dessert section showcases peanut butter cream pies that have developed cult followings.
Farm-to-table isn’t trendy here – it’s simply how they’ve always done things.
5. Delhi Palace: Spice Paradise Unleashed
Cincinnati’s curry kings have created a buffet experience that rivals anything you’d find in Mumbai. The naan bread arrives at your table pillowy-soft and piping hot while you explore their rainbow of curries – from mild butter chicken to fiery vindaloo.
Vegetarian options aren’t afterthoughts here; the paneer tikka masala earns as many raves as its meaty counterparts. Their weekend champagne brunch kicks things up with expanded offerings and mango lassis that taste like liquid sunshine.
6. Pickle Bill’s Lobster House: Seafood Overload On The Water
Perched along Grand River, this nautical-themed paradise is where seafood lovers find their happy place. The star attractions? All-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab legs that keep coming until you surrender your claw crackers.
Fresh oysters glisten on ice while peel-and-eat shrimp tempt from every direction. Not feeling oceanic? Their prime rib carving station satisfies landlubbers.
The waterfront views provide perfect backdrop for working your way through their infamous Bloody Mary bar – the perfect companion to unlimited seafood.
7. Grand Buffet: Asian Fusion Extravaganza
Size matters at Cincinnati’s largest international buffet where eight cooking stations span the culinary globe.
The hibachi grill sizzles with made-to-order creations while the sushi bar churns out surprisingly fresh rolls that defy buffet stereotypes.
The dessert island (not a typo – it’s massive) features everything from traditional Chinese egg custards to American chocolate fountain with fresh fruit for dipping.
8. Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet: Cleveland’s Ocean Bounty
Cleveland might be landlocked, but Kumo brings the ocean’s bounty to the Midwest with remarkable freshness.
The snow crab legs alone justify the trip – sweet, tender, and replenished with impressive frequency.
Their sushi chefs craft specialty rolls alongside classics, while the teppanyaki station sizzles with personalized stir-fry creations.
9. Golden Corral: The Reliable Crowd-Pleaser
This national chain earns its Ohio following through sheer variety and consistency across multiple locations.
The famous Chocolate Wonderfall fountain hypnotizes kids and adults alike while the weekend breakfast spread features made-to-order omelets that rival brunch-focused restaurants.
The fresh-baked rolls emerge warm from ovens throughout service – timing your visit to coincide with a fresh batch is a veteran move worth mastering.
10. The Buffet at MGM Northfield Park: Casino-Level Indulgence
Forget gambling – the real jackpot at this North Royalton casino is their upscale buffet where Vegas-style excess meets Midwest quality.
The pasta station features chefs who transform simple ingredients into Italian masterpieces before your eyes.
Save room for their dessert selection where pastry chefs showcase professional-level treats that would cost a fortune anywhere else. Even the salad bar gets special treatment with house-made dressings.
11. Tadka Indian Restaurant: Columbus’ Curry Wonderland
Columbus curry connoisseurs flock to Tadka for their lunch buffet that rotates regional specialties from across India.
Their butter chicken achieves that perfect tomato-cream balance while staying tender despite buffet-style service.
Vegetarians celebrate the paneer tikka masala and chana masala that receive equal attention to detail as meat options.
12. Tandul: Cleveland’s Indian Buffet Revolution
Tremont’s culinary jewel revolutionizes the Indian buffet concept with regional specialties that change daily.
The tandoor oven produces naan with perfect char spots while maintaining chewy interiors – a technical achievement worth applauding.
Their goat curry (weekend special) falls off the bone while vegetarian options like baingan bharta showcase smoky eggplant complexity.
13. Summer Place: Cleveland’s Hidden Chinese Gem
Locals protect this Cleveland secret where authentic Chinese cooking outshines flashier competitors.
Their weekend dim sum service features cart ladies wheeling treasures directly to your table – from shrimp har gow to pork siu mai.
The unassuming strip mall location belies the culinary magic happening inside.
14. K-Pot / PJ Hot Pot: Korean BBQ Meets Hot Pot
Columbus diners get two all-you-can-eat experiences in one at this Korean BBQ/hot pot hybrid.
Each table features built-in grills where you sizzle marinated meats to personal perfection – from bulgogi beef to spicy pork belly.
Meanwhile, individual hot pots bubble with your choice of broth for cooking fresh vegetables and noodles. The banchan (side dishes) keep coming without asking – from kimchi to pickled radishes.
15. Aab India: Grandview’s Spice Spectacular
Grandview Heights harbors this Indian buffet where northern and southern specialties coexist harmoniously. Their tandoor chicken emerges with that signature reddish hue while maintaining juicy interiors – a technical feat in buffet settings.
Vegetarians celebrate their paneer tikka masala and dal makhani that receive star treatment. The weekend champagne brunch expands offerings to include dosas and uttapam rarely found on standard buffets.
Their house-made chutneys – particularly the coconut version – deserve to be bottled and sold.
16. Little Hong Kong: Cleveland’s Chinese Comfort Zone
Skip the standard Chinese buffet fare and head to this Cleveland institution where authentic regional specialties steal the spotlight.
Their dim sum section features delicate dumplings alongside more adventurous options like chicken feet for culinary explorers.
The Peking duck station – a weekend special – showcases crispy skin and tender meat with all the traditional accompaniments.