The term “all you can eat” doesn’t always equate to a top notch dining experience. Buffet spreads with too many options may reveal dried out meats and wilted vegetables sans any fresh flavor. But in Houston, all-you-can-eat concepts are changing for the better. From corner to corner of the greater Houston area, diners will find beautifully laid-out brunch spreads, unlimited Korean hot pots with prime beef, and lunch buffets with loaded chaffing dishes as far as the eye can see.
Here is a list of restaurants showcasing top tier buffet brunches, lunches, and all-you-can-eat experiences where you can eat to your heart’s content.
Kim Son
Houstonians have “Mama La” to thank for this iconic Vietnamese restaurant and perennial favorite that has hosted weddings, family celebrations, and holiday gatherings since 1982. Kim Son has an a la carte menu with dim sum offerings, but much of its draw is its daily buffet loaded with Vietnamese dishes likepho bo hue (beef noodle soup) and spring rolls, alongside Chinese American items like beef and broccoli and crab rangoon. The buffet is available during lunch for $21 per person, and dinner for $32 per person. 10603 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, kimson.com
Nobu
Nobu’s Sunday brunch service lets guests explore interactive chef stations and enjoy an unlimited selection of sushi, salad, sweets, alongside classic brunch dishes for $75 per person. Offered from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the brunch menu varies from week to week, but is a wonderful reflection of the iconic global brand. Nobu’s tea menu is a rewarding detour for tea enthusiasts, while brunch cocktails like the Japanese Bloody Mary deliver a bold, spicy start to the morning. 5115 Westheimer Rd., Houston, noburestaurants.com/houston/home
India’s
Well before there were high-end gourmet Indian restaurants in the city, there was India’s. Not much has changed at the Galleria-area restaurant since the 1980s, and many folks like it that way. For those unfamiliar with the cuisine, the lunch buffet allows newbies to get a taste of everything and is offered every day from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Indulge in staples like lamb rogan josh, tandoori chicken, sag paneer, chana masala, and vegetable dishes galore. Fluffy naan is served hot out of the tandoor, and desserts like rice pudding serve as a sweet finish. 5704 Richmond Ave., Houston, indiasrestauranthouston.com
Hugo’s
Hugo’s Sunday brunch buffet has a cult following, and for good reason. Offered weekly, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $45 per person, the bountiful spread may include flautas, tamales, chile rellenos, and carnitas, and an epic offering of desserts, including conchas, tarts, and cookies. Order a margarita, or two, and stay for the live music beginning at 11 a.m. For some variety, check out Hugo’s sister restaurants, Urbe and Caracol, which also offer their own Sunday brunch buffets. 1600 Westheimer Rd., Houston, hugosrestaurant.net
Star Pizza
For pizza-lovers who simply can’t get enough, Star Pizza’s lunch buffet, offered only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location, is a must. The buffet showcases a rotating lineup of Star’s signature pies, making it an easy, crowd-pleasing midday indulgence. Multiple locations, starpizza.net
Maharaja Bhog
Unlike a traditional buffet—where guests navigate a line and fill their own plates—Maharaja Bhog serves round, compartmentalized platters known as thalis, with unlimited refills of each dish brought directly to the table upon request. The all-vegetarian menu focuses on northern Indian cuisine, with each thali including an appetizer, specialty dish, vegetable, curry, and dessert, along with condiments like chutney and pickles. 8338 Southwest Fwy., Houston, maharajabhog.com
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
For its Mongolian-style hot pot, Happy Lamb Hot Pot simmers bone marrow for eight hours to create a flavorful broth in which to cook raw proteins, greens, and vegetables. Diners may choose their broth flavor, with the Best of Both Worlds option allowing for a choice of two. The classic hot pot is offered during lunch for $22 per person and dinner for $28 per person. Meats like lean lamb, marbled beef and pork belly are brought to the table, while a wide variety of vegetables, seafood, and snacks are self-serve at the buffet. Multiple locations, happylambhotpot.com
Hongdae 33
This Korean BBQ concept from Grace and Leo Xia, who also operate the local Duck N Bao chain, offers an all-you-can-eat experience n Houston’s Chinatown. The restaurant’s neon-lit dining room transports diners to the vibrant Seoul nightlife district of Hongdae, while the all-day deluxe menu allows them to cook proteins like Korean spicy pork bulgogi, black Angus beef brisket, and spicy baby octopus at their own tabletop grills. Along with a variety of meat, the experience includes unlimited helpings of banchan like kimchi, scallion pancake, and japchae. 9889 Bellaire Blvd., Houston,hongdae33kbbq.com
Mikiya Wagyu Shabu
This elegant shabu-shabu concept offers several 90-minute all-you-can-eat experiences, from a basic set for $45 per person, to the diamond for $98 per person. Guests can choose what level works for them, with each set offering wagyu, and they get more premium with each tier by including specialty dishes like wagyu nigiri and Norway lobster. 9896 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, mikiyashabu.com/project/houston-tx
Seven Sushi & Robata
For Houstonians looking for high-quality sushi without the splurge, the newly opened Seven Sushi & Robata feels like a lucky find. The latest concept from husband-and-wife duo Grace and Leo Xia—who also operate Duck N Bao and Hongdae 33—the restaurant brings a made-to-order, all-you-can-eat sushi and robata experience to Asiatown. With fresh fish, housemade sauces, and an authentic Japanese robata grill turning out flame-grilled skewers and premium meats, Seven strikes a rare balance between value and craftsmanship. The experience is priced at $37 per person for two hours of unlimited core menu selections, or $57 per person for an elevated tier that unlocks premium sushi and grill items like bluefin tuna, salmon belly, LA galbi, and Hawaiian ribeye. 9889 Bellaire Blvd, Ste. E209, Houston, 7sushitx.com
Shabu Zone
At Shabu Zone, each guest is served an individual pot of light broth for shabu-shabu and given instructions on how to create the perfect bowl of goodness. The all-you-can-eat set up gives diners an opportunity to experiment and customize their experience with a variety of ingredients, including wagyu beef cuts, and a sauce bar. Lunch is $23 per person, and is available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dinner hot pot is $33 per person, and is available daily. 11201 Bellaire Blvd., Houston,shabuzone.com
