It seems like only yesterday that diners were ready to write the obituary for buffets. It made sense: The self-serve, all-you-can-eat model was the antithesis of the way that we were supposed to interact with food in a world turned upside-down by a global pandemic. And though it sits alongside fine-dining as the few parts of the sector that have yet to come roaring back at full-strength, these area spots indicate there are signs of life in the buffet business—and that it just might be time to bust out those stretchy pants again.
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Every Sunday, for both brunch and dinner, South Grand’s bastion of Brazilian cuisine turns into a stunning all-you-can-eat celebration of the country’s rich culinary tradition. Dinner is especially impressive, with several cuts of steak, bacon-wrapped chicken, and Brazilian sausages available alongside other traditional delicacies. 3212 S. Grand, Tower Grove East.
Casa Don Alfonso’s Sunday brunch spread is an embarrassment of riches, ranging from traditional breakfast items such as thick-sliced bacon and made-to-order omelets to Mediterranean-inflected specialties such as tramezzino. The highlight, however, is the stunning charcuterie spread, which allows guests to eat their weights in prosciutto di parma. It alone is worth the price of admission. 100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton.
Even before The Grove was The Grove, Everest Café has been dazzling diners with its excellent Nepalese and Korean fare. The lunch buffet—available Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday—offers a great way to sample the vibrant cuisine, especially the chicken chow chow, a special Nepalese noodle dish. 4145 Manchester, The Grove.
One of the areas’ most beloved Indian spots, Haveli recently resumed its lunch buffet, a welcome development considering that it allows you to sample as much of the restaurant’s delectable cuisine as you can fit on your plate. Although dishes vary each day, the mango chicken is a must-try when it’s on offer. 9720 Page, Overland.
Himalayan Yeti is one of the area’s top Indian restaurants, which makes it even more special that you can sample so much of what it has to offer during lunchtime. Available seven days a week, the restaurant doesn’t compromise on quality for its all-you-can eat offering; if you see the lamb rogan josh on the daily spread, then scoop up as much as you can fit on your plate. 3515 S. Kingshighway, North Hampton.
Hokkaido Seafood Buffet and Grill
This South County mainstay overwhelms with its assortment of seafood, sushi, steak, and everything in between. Although classic Chinese buffet items are well-represented, it’s the cooked-to-order Mongolian barbecue that distinguishes this eatery from the pack. 129 Concord Plaza Shopping Center, Sunset Hills.
There are two things to know about dining at House of India’s lunch buffet: 1) Your water glass will likely never be lower than one sip below the rim (the servers have a sixth sense), and 2) You’re in for an excellent taste of Subcontinental cuisine in the form of dishes such as vegetable korma, tandoori chicken, delectable meatballs in yellow curry, and (on weekends) chole bhature. 8501 Delmar, University City.
Recent construction has made the Brentwood gem a bit more difficult to reach, but such barriers can’t obscure the outstanding cuisine. As far as Chinese buffets go, Joy Luck reigns supreme, thanks to its always-fresh dishes, unapologetic use of spice, and the delicious roasted chicken. 8030 Manchester, Brentwood.
‘Yia Yia’s’ is Greek for ‘grandmother,’ a reference that won’t be lost on you when you experience its soul-warming Sunday brunch, cooked with the same sort of care you’d find at your own grandma’s house. Expect the classics: carved prime rib, made-to-order omelets, smoked fish, eggs Benedict, roasted potatoes, bacon, sausage, fruits, and cheeses… Basically everything your heart desires when you say the words “brunch buffet.” 15601 Olive, Chesterfield.
