Auckland’s Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Restaurants So You Can Chow Down

15th Sep 2024

Written by:

Vicki Young
Former Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ

Here in Tāmaki Makaurau, there is some serious buffet game across the city. From BBQ and hotpot buffet (yes, at the same time), countless varieties of fried chicken and crispy-edged dosas, dim sum, to fresh kaiomoana—if you’ve come to feast, you’ve come to the right place.

We've tracked down the best endless eats for your next celebration. Gather your mates, loose clothing is advised.

Here's where to get the best buffets in Auckland.

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Billion Skewers Hot Pot Buffet

5/21 Corinthian Drive, Albany

Image credit: Billion Skewers Hot Pot Buffet | Facebook

Can’t decide between skewers or hotpot? Enter Billion Skewers Hot Pot in the Corinthian Drive precinct, filled with an array of Asian eateries to choose from. Select your broth to dunk your skewer selection in (from mushroom, beef bone broth, to tom yum to name a few), then choose your unlimited skewers, as well as fresh noodles, hot and cold dishes, and that essential post-buffet soft-serve—make your way to Albany to check out this local fave, stat. Adults are priced from $42 (from lunchtime) and children (from 6-12 years) at $20.

Insider Intel:

Don’t forget the fried dough stick skewers as well as your meat options, to dunk into the hot pot broth at the end.
They are now offering dual broth pots with their chicken and pork broth, alongside a spicy and sour golden soup (the latter is so good for poaching fish slices in).

One Tree Buffet

G01/223B Green Lane West, Epsom

Image credit: One Tree Buffet | Vicki Young

Since opening with their popular buffet dinners, One Tree Buffet has recently expanded buffet offerings to Sunday brunch buffet, which have extremely popular from the get-go (they’ve told me there has been a waitlist for Sundays for some weeks now because it’s that popular).

From the raw fish bar, an array of sushi, then to the hot grill—where chef also presents a show—juggling the cooking tools and tossing spice shakers, while grilling meat on the flat top. Move along to fresh ramen and pho stations, before saving room for endless dumplings and other yum cha hits in the large steamers). Don’t forget the hot section on the other side too—there’s hot brekkie essentials, plus tender soy-braised pork belly, miso pasta, Cantonese comforts of a corn and egg drop soup, as well as mini burger sliders and pizza (a fave with the kids).

Insider Intel:

Save room for dessert, with delicate chiffon cakes, creme brulee and tiramisu by the giant trayful, and a self-serve ice cream machine with allll the toppings (let that inner-kid loose).
Note both brunch and dinner menus are slightly different and with different pricing too. Brunch buffet is much more affordable, at only $79 per person but if you’re after scampi, oysters, Peking duck in your buffet, you’ll be spending $125 per person (worth it).

Dak Hanmari Korean BBQ

5 Auburn Street, Takapuna

Image credit: Dak Hanmari Korean BBQ | Vicki Young

There are so many Korean BBQ spots in the North Shore, but if you’re going to choose one, make it Dak Hanmari Korean BBQ. Having been here a few times now, it’s a firm fave for Korean BBQ with the fam. Along with a great selection of cold Korean dishes like japchae, salads, soups, kimchi and all the BBQ meats—there’s something for everyone, including how you have you BBQ (make your own dipping sauce at the condiment station). The last time we went, the place was heaving with people—families and groups of friends, all crowded around their tables with plates of meats and salads, chatting and eating away. It’s rowdy but in a cheerful locals kind of way. Adults cost $45 per person, with varying pricing for children at different age groups.

Insider Intel:

It’s better to book ahead by calling, and arrange payment at visit (they have had issues with online payments recently).
Grab a plate of lettuce and another plate of pork belly for the BBQ to build your own ssam (Korean lettuce wraps).

Baklawa Cafe (Shefco)

46 Stoddard Road, Wesley

Image credit: Baklawa Cafe | Facebook

For Middle Eastern fare, look no further than Baklawa Cafe. Home to Shefco, which arguably have the best pitta you’ll ever have (along with a solid shawarma from their Dominion Road shop where you can get both shawarma and shop for pitta to take home), along with an excellent array of freshly-baked golden baklawa (which you may also know as baklava from neighbouring countries)—glistening with syrup and dotted with pistachio emeralds. It’s a must-add to your Shefco order, and definite must-finish sweet with Lebanese coffee. With the buffet featuring unlimited fresh hummus, falafel, Lebanese charcoal chicken, and vibrant tabbouleh—among many other flavoursome and plentiful pates, it’s surprising it’s only $35 per person (and kids from 3-10 years at $20). Hands down an absolute steal of a buffet to look forward to every Friday and Saturday night.

Insider Intel:

They release their full buffet menu on the day of via their socials page, but honestly whatever they make is absolutely drool-worthy, so just phone in to reserve your spot (and make it quick).
Their cafe site is home to where the baklawa is made—be rude not to purchase an additional takeaway box of the sweets to take home too.

Mae Nam Khong BBQ Buffet

1 McCrae Way On, corner of New Lynn Station Memorial Drive, New Lynn

Image credit: Mae Nam Khong BBQ | Facebook

Having expanded to offer traditional Thai-style BBQ (known as ‘Moo-Kata’) with tabletop hotpot, Mae Nam Khong BBQ in New Lynn is their newest offering—with a 2-in-1 BBQ and hotpot set-up. The sizzling grill in the centre cooks your meats while you simmer veggies and noodles in the surrounding soup ‘moat-like’ arrangement (genuis, really). With pricing for adults from $38.90 (for their lunch special on Fridays to Sundays, and $43.90 for dinner, plus various pricing options for kids), it’s a fun way to have lunch or dinner with the fam. Walk-ins are possible but bookings recommended, to guarantee a reservation.

Insider Intel:

Check out their range of house-made dipping sauces including their signature Moo-Kata sauce.
They also offer snacky fried bites like fried squid, noodles, rice, and giant tubs of self-serve ice cream for that post-BBQ sweet treat.

Bivacco

115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Bivacco | Facebook

For a Bivacco-style buffet, check out their popular Sunday Feast. Offering an “elevated buffet” every Sunday from 11am-4pm, expect all the seafood, roast meat, pizza and dessert options, with a chocolate fountain in tow. Their menu changes seasonally with dishes, with the current Winter menu at the time of writing featuring their popular kaimoana station (with all the smoked and roast Akaroa salmon, seared tuna, plus pickled mussels in salsa verde), salumi antipasti and a range of cheese, salads, truffle-topped pizza, a show-stopper carbonara in a Parmesan Reggiano wheel, roast meats like crispy porchetta, roast and charred veg, plus a range of trifle and tiramisu sweet treats—and that’s just to name a few that catch my eye on their current menu. Sittings are for two hours, at $85 per adult and $35 for children under 12.

Insider Intel:

The Bivacco chocolate fountain with fresh fruit and marshmallows is a popular dessert option for kids (and adults alike)—one of the many dessert options at their Sunday Feast.
You can also purchase additional alcoholic drinks during the feast, with winter menu picks like mulled wine, hot whiskey and hot apple rum.

Chutneys - South Indian Restaurant

149 Stoddard Road, Mount Roskill

Head to Chutneys for unlimited chaat, dosas, or an Indo-Chinese feast with their different specials on during the week. From $15 for all the chaat you can snack on Sundays, to crispy-edged dosas for $20 on Wednesdays, to an Indo-Chinese feast on Thursdays (for $20), we’ll be making a beeline for our chilli chicken and sweet-spicy noodle fix here. They also have other buffet dinner options for the full feast (with various prices), on select nights—bookings recommended.

Insider Intel:

Chef makes the dosas fresh in front of you, while you choose your pick of sambar (a tangy, South Indian stew) and chutneys to have with your dosa (or opt for fragrant, masala-filled dosa too).
Their chaat Sundays are a great way to try a range of Indian street snacks. Choose from medu vada, masala vada, onion pakora, samosa, pav bhaji or aloo tikki (with the essential bread dip).

My Fried Chicken

Various Locations

Image credit: My Fried Chicken | Vicki Young

Fried chicken lovers, assemble. If you’re a fan of a chicken drumstick, look no further than My Fried Chicken’s endless drumstick feast. For $35 per person, you get 90 minutes of indulging in 9 different Korean-style flavours of chicken drumsticks. From original crispy or spicy-sweet gochujang, to sweet and salty maple or cheese-dusted drumsticks, to name a few. There’s even fries, cheese balls, brioche sliders, mac 'n' cheese, cheesy mashed potatoes and K-slaw thrown in too (to build your own fried chicken sandos).

Insider Intel:

For those who want an extra kick, they also have extreme spicy as an option—perfect with a crisp My Fried Chicken house beer on tap (it’s the Korean ritual of chimaek afterall, enjoying a fried chicken and beer combo).
For those who want more than just chicken, they also have a bottomless brunch and dinner option, where you can choose endless cocktails, beer or wine with three dishes: fried chicken drumsticks, as well as an option from the grill (like bulgogi beef) and a side (we’re eyeing up their cheese tteokboki).

Gao Asian Fusion

4/200 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany

Image credit: Gao Restaurant | Website

Gao has just released their Boodle Fight Feast for brunch—a communal sharing-style feast with all the Gao favourites. From Gao’s fried chicken, crispy pork belly, house curries to their homemade Filipino pork sausage—all served on banana leaves, along with unlimited sides to share. Tickets are $45 per person for 90 minutes on the weekend, so rally and crew and make your way to Gao for this weekend’s brunch.

Insider Intel:

Gao have also started offering their à la carte dishes during this time, which you can order in addition to the boodle brunch feast.
You can pair your feast with bottomless drinks—choose from either their select cocktails or mocktails list.

Special mention: Trivet

Located in JW Marriott Auckland, 22 Albert Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Trivet | Facebook

If you’re a big kaimoana fan, then check out Trivet’s popular Kaimoana Pasifika buffet, now extended to every Saturday throughout July. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail on arrival, then kaimoana spread with juicy Te Matuku oysters from Waiheke, Chef Wallace’s signature trevally oka, tiger prawns, local steamed mussels and a selection of Kiwiana and Pasifika-inspired plates (from umu-style meats to palusami, to name a few). Book your space for $95 per person below.

Insider Intel:

You can also bring the fam along, with kids from 6-12 years at 50% off the adult pricing, plus kids 5 years and under dine free.

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Main Image Credit: Bivacco | Facebook