Amelia WilliamsWhen you’re really hungry or trying to feed a crowd, nothing beats a good buffet.
The CBD has some fantastic all-you-can-eat options, catering to tourists looking to get the most for their money and even families seeking variety. Anyone who loves the thrill of unlimited plates can get their heart’s content.
Dive into seafood feasts, wake up to an expansive breakfast spread. These 5 best buffet restaurants in Auckland CBD have something to satisfy every craving.
How much do buffets cost in Auckland CBD?
Prices for buffet restaurants in Auckland’s city centre can change depending on the day and time you go. Generally, you can expect to pay around $39 to $55 for a good-quality breakfast or lunch buffet. For the more elaborate dinner or premium seafood buffets, prices often start upwards of $55 and can go significantly higher for the full luxury experience. Always check their websites for weekend or public holiday surcharges.
1. Vie Lounge & Eatery
Website: https://www.vie-eatery.com/
Address: 157 Hobson Street, Auckland Central
Contact: 09 925 0799
Schedule: (Buffet Breakfasts) Mon – Sun: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Vie Lounge offers what it calls “affordable luxury,” and for a breakfast buffet, it really delivers. It’s a classy, comfortable spot located inside the Auckland City Hotel, making it super convenient if you’re staying nearby.
The vibe is cosy and enchanting, offering a calm way to start your day before heading out into the city.
The buffet is a classic hotel breakfast spread done right. I was impressed by the quality for the price because everything was fresh, and the staff were incredibly welcoming.
It features all the essentials, including a mix of hot items and continental choices.
The only real downside is the tight schedule. It’s strictly a breakfast affair, wrapping up at 10 am sharp, so it’s not for late risers.
Customer Reviews
Lovely food presentation and taste! The restaurant’s atmosphere is cozy and warm, and the waiters are passionate and helpful to us. Would 10/10 recommend for a visit !!!
- Matthew Chin | Google Review
A very warm welcome indeed, thank you very much to Garfield for his welcome and his joy, I recommend 100%.
- Raimana Teipoarii | Google Review
2. Fortuna Buffet Restaurant
Website: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants/fortuna-buffet-restaurant/
Address: Level 3, SkyCity, Corner of Federal and Victoria Streets, Auckland
Contact: 09 363 6000
Schedule:
(Lunch) Sat & Sun: 11.30 AM – 2.30 PM
(Dinner) Wed – Sun: 5.30 PM – 9:00 PM
If you’re looking for unbeatable value and sheer variety, Fortuna is an Auckland institution.
Located right in the SkyCity complex, it’s a great choice for a casual family dinner or for loading up before a show.
It’s a true all-you-can-eat experience that delivers on its promise of “exceptional variety.”
The selection is huge, with seasonal dishes like lamb shanks and glazed ham alongside fresh seafood, sushi, and a massive salad bar.
I always make sure to save room for the dessert station. The classic pavlova and trifles are a must-try.
The atmosphere here is also bustling and casual, so it’s not a quiet, intimate dinner, but it’s fantastic for groups.
Be aware that because the menu is seasonal and based on availability, your absolute favourite dish from your last visit might not be there next time.
Customer Reviews
The ambiance and atmosphere at Fortuna buffet are truly amazing. They have a great variety of dishes and desserts. It is one of the best buffet restaurants in Auckland. We had a fantastic time over there for dinner and would love to visit again. Think it would be a romantic place for couples. Cheers!
- EMMANUEL BANDILI | Google Review
This was by far the best dining experience we have had at Fortuna and as a family we have dined many times. The food was lovely a good variety of everything hot foods were hot and likewise for other varieties. The men at our table were particularly impressed with the soups. Our waitress was very attentive and cleared our table regularly. Overall I’d just like to say fantastic work team from start to finish our family lunch was lovely
- Tee Jeffery | Google Review
3. Eight Restaurant
Website: https://eightrestaurant.co.nz/
Address: 83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland
Contact: 09 300 2924
Schedule:
(Breakfast) Mon-Sun: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
(Lunch) Fri-Sun: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
(Dinner) Mon-Sun: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Eight takes the buffet concept to a whole new level of luxury, featuring eight international kitchens. This isn’t your standard buffet line.
It’s an interactive experience where you can walk up to different chefs and have food cooked fresh for you. You can move between the American grill, the Indian tandoor kitchen, and the fresh sushi and sashimi stations.
It’s an incredible experience for foodies who want to try everything. Watching the chef at the grill cook my steak exactly to order was a definite highlight.
The seafood station and the dessert station (with its famous chocolate fountain) are amazing.
The only catch is the price. It’s easily the most expensive option on this list, so it’s more of a special occasion blowout than a casual weeknight dinner.
Customer Reviews
This buffet is a solid choice if you love variety. The open kitchen lets you see dishes being prepared, and the seafood station is a highlight—oysters, mussels, crab, and super fresh sashimi cut to order.
8 options – decent Indian curries, grilled meats, and even ostrich for the adventurous.
Veggie-friendly – salad bar with fresh picks + grilled vegetables
Worth it for seafood lovers, especially on crayfish nights! Good for groups or casual dates.
- Isabelle Qin | Google Review
The variety of food for lunch that was available was just as good as the dinner setting.
As usual over indulged. Had endless soft drink included in the price.
Staff were very attentive. Food was fantastic 😋
- Maria Robertson | Google Review
4. Tombo Buffet
Website: https://www.tombobuffet.co.nz/
Address: 5 Short Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Contact: 09 522 8282
Schedule:
Tue – Fri: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Sat & Sun: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
For those who crave Japanese and Asian flavours, Tombo is a must-visit. It’s an all-you-can-eat spot that perfectly combines high-quality sushi and sashimi with a huge range of hot Asian dishes.
The live cooking station is a great touch, adding a bit of theatre to the meal.
They really focus on fresh, local ingredients, and you can taste the difference, especially in the seafood.
I loved the variety here. I was able to load up on fresh tempura and sushi, while my friend went straight for the hot pot and grill. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure.
It gets really popular, especially with groups, so I’d take their advice and book ahead. Trying to walk in on a Saturday night might be tricky.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely delicious selection of food & incredible, attentive service! Workers are so friendly and actively checking on customers. The food is high quality and tasty, everything has a different taste and is replenished often. Amazing 100/10!
- Racheal Katipa-Hemopo | Google Review
Lots of fun, great range of options and we were impressed by the range and quality of the meats which were very tender and flavorful. The staff refill the food very quickly and were always quick to assist with the hotpot and grill. The 1hr 45 min limit was plenty of time.
- Achini S | Google Review
5. KatsURA Japanese Cuisine
Website: https://www.katsurajapanesecuisine.com/
Address: 71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland Central
Contact: 09 366 3000
Schedule: Wed – Sun: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
For those whose ideal buffet involves mountains of fresh, high-quality seafood and authentic Japanese dishes, KatsURA is a leading choice. This is a more refined, immersive dining experience.
You can sit at the Teppanyaki tables and watch the chefs work their magic or park up near the raw bar. The two-hour buffet experience is a seafood lover’s dream.
When I went, the unlimited fresh oysters, crab legs, and beautifully prepared sashimi were incredible. I definitely felt I got my money’s worth on those alone.
It’s a premium experience with a focus on sustainable, local ingredients.
The main drawback is its limited hours. It’s only open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, so you need to plan your visit.
Customer Reviews
The food was very fresh, and the service was excellent. We also ordered the king crab legs, grilled wagyu skewers, and scampi — all were amazing. They even gave us two fresh and sweet oysters per person. The unlimited slipper lobsters were our favorite. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back!
- Valerie Cheung | Google Review
We love our Japanese cuisine and I’m glad we came across Katsura as we simply can’t fault the fresh sashimi and delicious hot food including the teppanyaki. We reserved the early slot so lots of items were available and often topped up if they were running low. We would definitely be back for sure.
- Eugene T | Google Review
