The Best Buffets in Saint Paul

Q Cumbers

★★★★☆ 3.8 (244) • $$

"Q Cucumbers is a very nice buffet style restaurant - 4 stars.I just went to Cucumbers for the first time. I had a family member who was discharged from Southdale hospital after 2 days of fasting. Obviously, he was famished and he requested Cucumbers buffet before driving home since he was extremely hungry. I felt a little stupid though. I consider myself a foodie but I can't believe they've been around for over 30 years and I've never visited.DECOR: The first thing I noticed is the restaurant is unique and quite beautiful. They have a stand-alone building in the Galleria area. The design is, basically, a big circle, like a giant circus tent. The walls are all glass and a big portion of the roof is glass. So the entire restaurant is very bright, cheery, and light colored.CUSTOMER SERVICE: The second thing I noticed was the excellent customer service. The people at the host stand were great. And the woman who bussed our table was excellent. I also chatted with a couple other staff. All of them had outstanding customer service skills.CLEANLINESS: I checked out the entire restaurant and the restrooms before we left. The cleanliness appears to be excellent at Cucumbers.FOOD: Cucumbers is definitely a step up from other buffets I've tried out through the years. Everything is bright, fresh, well stocked, and well organized. They also have a bakery that makes many of their own pastries, bread, and pizza. And all of the soups are made in-house. Very impressive for a buffet! If you arrive for dinner M thru F, Saturday, or Sunday brunch, you'll have many more yummy food selections.LOW CARBOHYDRATE: I was pretty disappointed trying to eat low-carb, keto, carnovore style at Cucumbers. Of course, I'm not a dummy so I suspected this was the case. I mean the name is Cucumbers, right? Duh! But it was worse than I thought. For lunch, the only meats on offer were pulled pork, baked chicken legs, and a pork carnitas thing that I skipped because I suspected seed oils and other possible offending ingredients in the sauce. If you're carnivore, make sure you only visit for dinner or on a weekend to get beef, eggs, and some other animal product offerings. You'll do a lot better with the Cucumbers menu if you're keto. Of course, this is the perfect place to eat if you're a vegan or vegetarian.All-in-all, I wouldn't go back again because of my restrictive diet unless it was Sunday Brunch. But if you're a regular Standard American Diet eater or a vegetarian, you should really love Cucumbers.-Maxx"

Star of India

★★★★☆ 4.4 (144) • $$

"In town for a conference and looking for some vegan food. Had a delicious eggplant dish. Perfectly spicy. Lots of flavor. The garlic naan was generous and delightfully crispy. I definitely recommend"

Tokyo 23 Buffet

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (239) • $$

"It was really good. The place was clean but the employees didn't help or refill our drinks at all. Crab legs were nice and it was worth the money. I would definitely go back!"

Tea House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (245) • $$

"I'd been eying up this place the past several times I stayed in the Plymouth, MN area. I finally got there the last time I was in town. It was overall a really nice experience.The service wasn't particularly fast but it was pleasant and I was in no hurry. It was a rainy night in fall and I really enjoyed having some hot tea while waiting for my entree.The food (I got Kung Pao Chicken) was quite tasty. It was in line with safe, familiar American Chinese food. Which hit the spot for me. The place is very close to the hotel I always stay at, so I'm sure I'll return!"

Tibet Corner

★★★★☆ 4 (141) • $$

"The owner is an absolute LEGEND, and the food is top notch! This was on our Hopkins bucket list since moving here, and it didn't disappoint.The owner is mainly doing takeout only right now, and since he was missing a staff member that night hadn't planned to provide dine in service. But he welcomed us in and gave great service!The CHAI. All I'm gonna say, is you have to taste it to believe it. Dreams really do come true. My partner wouldn't stop stealing sips!I got the butter chicken and it was flavorful and creamy- spot on. My partner got an absolute mountain of lamb biryani and he loved the flavors and sauce.The owner chatted with us when he was free and is a total gem. He had us laughing constantly! While we were there, several folks came in for takeout and one even paid for the next strangers' tab! You can tell this is a local favorite.  We'll be back!"

Akame Sushi

★★★★☆ 3.5 (178) • $$

"Business lunch with a co-worker and I had never tried Kyoto or any MN chain of sushi that specializes in all you can eat. Usually I judge these places but took the gamble and it paid off They have a solid menu with a ton of sashimi, roll and cooked options and a staff that keeps bringing you food until you are done ! I tried two cuts of fish (unagi, salmon) and two rolls along with miso and edamame. Green tea ice cream was the closer.... Fun to have two blocks from where I work"

98 Pounds Buffet

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (207) • $$

"I really love all the different varieties of food really good food. The service there is awesome the waitress is always awesome. Definitely kid friendly family friendly; an awesome relaxed restaurant. Warm and inviting ambiance."

Mama Sheila's House of Soul

★★★★☆ 3.9 (135) • $$

"Surprise from start to finish! Soul food in Minneapolis!???!The storefront is no no no. It isn't open...and if it is, would I dare go in? You walk in; empty showcase but there is a whole other world beyond. Tin ceiling. Murals. Gold. Velvet Stand in line. Customers look real. we are the only white guys in the place. Food, food, food. Pay by the pound! It was too good to photograph. I started eating before I got to my table! Mmmmmm. If you are into crisp, dente vegetables and grilled meat, this is not your spot. It's southern home cooking. I had a scoop of cooked cabbage, about a cup and a half, collard greens, yams, mashed potatoes. The only surprise the gravy was thin and light. Delicious. Meat loaf, falling off the bone jerk chicken. Corn bread that looks ordinary and was the best I have ever had. Next time I will take two pieces. No honey but it would only distract from its goodness. The only crisp food was the fried chicken. It's unique. The staff was super, down home friendly. Great booths for private conversations. Beautiful setting. If you want an experience go. Take your time, embrace. We went on a week night. Quiet but comfortable. I would love to go back on a busy weekend; I bet the vibe is phenomenal!!!!!"

Marhaba Mediterranean Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (118) • $$

"For ~$16 for buffet lunch, it's a good deal and fun experience. The food itself was hit or miss. The hummus, gyro meat, and salad bar were the best part. There were an assortment of chicken and fish dishes that were fine but not particularly tasty. The mashed potatoes were flavorless (should have avoided in the first place, lol). The dessert bar had a lot of variety and was fun to try. Overall go for the experience of buffet but food is nothing to write home about."

Sumo Grill & Buffet

★★★☆☆ 3 (182) • $$

"I had given up on Chinese buffets back in 2014.I know that the people that run some of those Asian food buffets would not eat the food they served to others.Oily,over cooked tasteless stuff.It was ubiquitous...from North Dakota to Minnesota.It was worst in smaller towns. Well not anymore! Guess who's back...back again...buffets back...tell a friend! Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet has renewed my faith in Asian food buffets.I walked in hesitant but very soon my hesitance turned in to unbridled happiness.The food was fresh and hot! A concept that works!A few things stood out like the Teppanyaki Chicken,Roasted prime rib and hot and spicy chicken!The fried rice was prepared well and fresh.The chicken for the hot and spicy chicken had crunch when bitten in too.The Mongolian grill was nicely kept with tons of fresh choices of meat and fresh veggies.They also had a sushi bar.The amount of different varieties of food was almost endless.Desert was a treat with the chocolate fountain and real ice cream that had to be scooped!If you are around Minneapolis this is the spot to check out for Asian buffet food."

Black Bear Lodge & Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.6 (103) • $$

"The drinks and food are consistently good - we come here regularly and they always have some items on a rotating menu to keep things fresh, which we appreciate!"

China Star Buffet

★★★★☆ 3.5 (84) • $$

"We stopped in during the week for a quick lunch. Great service! We were immediately greeted and shown to our table. The Buffet is full of choices from appetizers to soups to main dishes to sides and desserts. Lots of variety. Great prices too!"

Hong Kong Buffet

★★★★☆ 3.8 (41) • $$

"I found the buffet food during my most recent visit to be average - some good and some not so good. Some of the food was greasy and the sweet sour chicken cold and tasteless. My favorite was the coconut chicken and the salmon. Sometimes it's hard to avoid this place since it is only a few blocks from my place. Most convenient for our family."

Panda Garden Buffet

★★★☆☆ 3 (65) • $

"Located on the corner of Larpenteur and Lexington, this place sort of blends in. It's apart of the strip mall full of many choices like Home Goods, Elite Nails, Anytime Fitness, Johns Tailors and so much more. On the bus line, and near the locals "shopping center" we found this option by googling "buffets near me." We walked in to a woman sitting on her phone, we weren't greeted but she said "how many" as if she was annoyed, and continued to stay on her phone. My father stated "2" and she stood up, quoted the price of around $25 and tossed the table "reservation" sign at us (it mentions not to waste and to ask for help if needed) Now that we've been standing here for about two minutes, she still hasn't made eye contact with us. I chuckled in frustration and walked away, because I absolutely HATE terrible customer service. At this moment she looks up with slight concern on her face, because- excuse my French- she knew she had us f***** up. If it were up to me, we would have turned around and left but I was with my father and I bit my tongue. They didn't deserve our support. The way she carelessly tossed the sign across the less than 12 inch counter replays in my mind, and I think of a multitude of ways I could karate chop her in her throat (not really, but a girl can dream.. right?) We seated ourselves in the last booth near the restrooms, which was perfect because I was disgusted at the sight of the cashier. The young lady who cleaned our tables did a great job at smiling and being prompt. Kudos to her, she's the best. My dad and I had a really great time, trying new things and suggesting things to one another. The food was OK. I loved the clams and they have a good selection for anyone on a pescatarian diet, like myself. For the first time in a long time, I treated myself to a little desert to sweeten up the sour experience I had walking in. Ice cream with sprinkles will bring the kid out in you. If you read any of my reviews, very rarely do I have this disposition. I really want to make sure you understand how unkind our initial interaction was and how displeased I was that we stayed after being treated in such a manner. However, I can not deny that I was pleased with the menu, and finding some foods that cater to my diet. (Not many, but some) Would I go again? Maybe I'd give them another shot. I enjoyed spending time with my dad, the meatless options they had, and how the entire restaurant is self serve. 1 Star for location, 1 Star for food and 1 Star for the waitress who gathered our plates."

Asian House Edina

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (50) • $

"It be slim pickingsMy return would be doubtfulKeep on exploringDecided to give this place a whirl as it is one of the closer Chinese Buffets to my work that I have not been to. It is in an off the beaten path strip mall location. There are not very many items on the buffet. Maybe like ten or so choices. The sesame chicken was probably the best thing that they had available. Everything else was rather meh. Lo mein, fried rice and egg rolls were nothing special. The cream cheese in the wontons was piping hot. Almost burn your mouth hot. The only dessert options were some cookies and some other crumble dish. No ice cream.Price was $8.60 for the buffet. Be advised that this price does not include your beverage. I got chased down to my car to pony up an extra two bucks for a Diet Coke."

Hong Kong Buffet

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (40) • $$

"Four stars because there were only few items I did not like. Watermelon was crunchy fresh which surprised me. Swirl ice cream was good: I asked them if I can come back and pay one dollar get one without the buffet and they said it's OK. Mac Donald does not have swirl ice cream. Few minor cuts in the furniture here and there. Eggrolls were good. Many items I liked. Ample parking and cleanliness acceptable. Silver Ware was kinda from my grandmother's era, but clean. 7.99$ lunch: best quality price ratio."

Panda Garden Buffet

★★☆☆☆ 2 (69) • $$

"This place is seriously underrated! I love how you can get both Chinese and Hmong food at this buffet which was so surprising and nice for me because this side of the cities don't usually have a lot of Hmong food options (at least compared to St. Paul). There is both a DIY pho bar (Hmong style) and tri color dessert bar which makes it fun. For other Hmong food options there is Lao style papaya salad, boiled chicken and yes even Hmong pepper!Everything is pretty much self serve including drinks. I do agree that some of the dishes weren't fresh looking or needed to be filled but also it was just starting to get busy so I think they were just keeping an eye out to not waste food. I think for the price and location- I was pleasantly impressed and will be back."

Whiskey Dick's Eatery and Saloon

★★★★☆ 4.3 (10) • $$

"Little local spot smack dab in the middle of Millville. It took over the Lucky 7 and it is decorated very cute and family friendly on the restaurant side. They seem to get a good little business from the locals and that is good because it is nice that they can have something close and not have to drive 20 minutes to go out to eat. We were there on a Friday night with 7 mouths to feed and two decided on the buffet which was fish/chicken/beans/mac - n- cheese/ and some salads for around 12 dollars. They seemed to like it. I will say the fish was coming out hot and made in small batches and looked really good. The rest of us got burgers and wings and fries. They give you paper plates and canned soda and water is in plastic cups and you will pay between 10-14 a person. The bar has nothing but the cheapest beer. I decided to not even drink if that tells you anything. On the drive home I heard each person complaining about how they did not enjoy their meal. I certainly would not make this a destination dinning spot but if you find yourself in Millville and need to grab something you could do a lot worse. Perhaps we just should have ordered something different."

Red River Inn

★★★★☆ 3.6 (14)

"Such a small and quiet restaurant, good for small get togethers with family or friends. Prices are fair, service is fantastic and the food is good."