Buffet City in Clive, IA

3.8(1,195)Clive, IA
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Mixed feedback

3.8-star rating from 1195 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Quick service
  • Many diner reviews

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Large groups
  • Quick meals

Not ideal for

  • Quiet atmosphere

At a glance

Clive, IA • 3.8★
Experience the ultimate Chinese buffet in Clive, Iowa at Buffet City. This beloved eatery has been a staple in the Des Moines area for a long time, serving up a wide variety of delicious dishes to satisfy any appetite. With a focus on freshness and quality, the buffet is constantly replenished to ensure that every bite is a delight. From seafood to vegetarian options, there's something for everyone at Buffet City, making it a top choice for those seeking an all-you-can-eat dining experience. Whether you're in the mood for savory or sweet, Buffet City has got you covered with its impressive selection of dishes and desserts. Don't miss out on the fun at the claw machine, and be sure to leave room for a cup of coffee or a sweet treat.
This family-friendly Chinese buffet welcomes diners of all ages.
Address
8801 University Ave, Clive, IA 50325, USA, Clive, Clive, Iowa
Phone
(515) 222-0888
Today
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Rating
3.8 (1,195 reviews)

What stands out

✨Fresh, quality food

Multiple reviewers mention the freshness

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

🧹Clean, comfortable

Well-maintained dining area

📋Huge selection

Lots of options to choose from

View reviews →

Before you go

🅿️Parking available

Convenient parking for customers

🥡Takeout available

Order to go

🍽️Dine-in available

Eat in the restaurant

🚚Delivery available

Delivery service offered

Photos

10 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
Monday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM ��� 9:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more

Amenities

Available facilities and features
Good For GroupsGood For KidsCurbside PickupDogs Allowed

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
Noise: Noise level

Dining Options

Food and beverage choices

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
TakeoutDine-inDeliveryReservations

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Parking

Parking availability
Parking

Parking is available for customers.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
Business Accepts Credit Cards

Reviews

1,195 reviews

Reviews

Customer reviews available

Loading full reviews...

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

How would you describe the variety of food at Buffet City?

Reviewers praised the wide variety of tasty foods, including seafood, sushi, and Asian and American dishes.

What is the quality of the service at Buffet City?

Reviewers found the staff to be friendly, helpful, and attentive, with one reviewer appreciating the minimal but prompt service.

How clean is the dining area and buffet at Buffet City?

Reviewers consistently reported that the dining area and buffet were clean and well-organized.

Is the food at Buffet City fresh?

Some reviewers found the food to be fresh, while others noticed that some dishes didn't look or taste fresh, especially at certain times.

What time of day is best to visit Buffet City for the freshest food?

Reviewers had mixed experiences with food freshness at different times of day, with some noting that the food didn't look or taste fresh at certain times.

What is the atmosphere like at Buffet City?

One reviewer described the atmosphere as 'nice and same themes', suggesting a consistent and pleasant environment.

Is Buffet City a good option for those looking for a high-quality buffet experience?

One reviewer strongly recommended Buffet City, calling it 'arguably the best buffet in Iowa' with 'nothing dried out or under heat or steamed too long'.

What can you expect from the seafood selection at Buffet City?

Reviewers praised the seafood selection, with one reviewer noting that it was 'properly done' and including a variety of options like crab legs, shrimp, and scallops.

Show 4 more questions

Are there activities for kids at Buffet City?

One reviewer mentioned a 'claw machine' that they found to be 'fun', suggesting that there may be some entertainment options for kids.

Is Buffet City a long-standing establishment in the Des Moines area?

One reviewer noted that Buffet City has been 'a Des Moines staple for a very long time', suggesting that it is a well-established restaurant in the area.

What types of dishes can you expect to find at Buffet City?

Reviewers mentioned a wide variety of dishes, including Asian and American options, as well as seafood and sushi.

Is the buffet at Buffet City well-organized?

One reviewer noted that the buffet area was 'nicely organized and clean', suggesting that the buffet is well-organized and easy to navigate.

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

88 places nearby (arts & culture, finance, food, government, healthcare)

Theaters & performance venues

Last Laugh Comedy Club

Theatre

1701 25th Street

~0.3 mi

Museums & galleries

Artwork

Artwork

~0.3 mi
Artwork

Artwork

~0.3 mi

Libraries & archives

Harbach Public Library

Library

~0.5 miMo,We,Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Website

Money services

Advance America

Money Lender

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 miMo-Th 09:30-17:00; Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:00-12:00
+1-515-440-3016Website

Insurance

State Farm Helps Insurance Agency

Insurance

8814 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi

Restaurants

Buffet City

Restaurant

8801 University Avenue

~40 ftSu-Th 10:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 10:30-22:30
+1-515-222-0888Website
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Restaurant

8801 University Avenue

~430 ft
+1-515-457-8900Website
Smashburger

Fast Food

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 miMo-Su 11:00-22:00
+1-515-661-6666Website
Eat Thai

Restaurant

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 miTu-Fr 11:00-14:00,17:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-14:30,16:00-20:00; Su 16:00-20:00
+1-515-440-2075Website
Ohana Steakhouse

Restaurant

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi
+1 515-225-3325Website
Waterfront Seafood Market

Restaurant

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 miMo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30
+1-515-223-5106Website
China Garden

Fast Food

1679 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
+1 515-255-5115Website
Mi Patria

Restaurant

1410 22nd Street

~0.5 miMo-Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa 11:00-15:00
+1-515-222-2755Website
Chuck E. Cheese

Restaurant

1431 22nd Street

~0.6 mi
Website

Bars & Pubs

The Rack Billiard Club

Pub

8803 University Avenue

~430 ft
Vision

Bar

2700 University Avenue

~0.3 mi
Miss Kitty's

Bar

8800 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi
Pally's Bar & Grille

Pub

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.5 mi

Cafes & Coffee

Friedrichs Coffee

Cafe

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 mi
+1 515-223-5203Website
PerKup Cafe

Cafe

2700 University Avenue

~0.3 mi
Website

Grocery & Markets

Fresh Thyme

Supermarket

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi
Website
Mexican Market

Convenience

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi

Bakeries & Desserts

Lara's Bakery

Bakery

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi

Waste management

Waste bin

Waste Basket

~510 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~590 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~710 ft
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.5 mi
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.5 mi
Waste bin

Waste Basket

~0.5 mi

Public facilities

Drinking water

Drinking Water

~740 ft
Public restroom

Toilets

~0.5 mi

Postal services

The UPS Store

Post Office

2800 University Avenue

~0.3 mi

Specialists

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses

Optician

2700 University Avenue

~0.2 mi
Dentist

Dentist

2001 Weston Pkwy

~0.4 mi
+1-515-221-2228
Valley Optical

Optician

2001 Weston Pkwy

~0.4 mi

Pharmacy & medical supplies

Any Lab Test Now

Chemist

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 miMo-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-13:00
+1-515-225-1050Website
Cedar Valley Mobility

Medical Supply

8832 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi
Website

Alternative medicine

HW CBD

Alternative

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 mi
+1-515-223-2370Website
Total Body Chiropractic

Alternative

8814 Swanson Boulevard

~0.2 mi
Website

Other healthcare

Nutrition Marketplace

Nutrition Supplements

8812 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi

Primary care

Allergy Institute

Doctors

2001 Westown Parkway

~0.4 mi
+1-515-223-8622Website

Other services

Vacant

Vacant

8801 University Avenue

~210 ft
Glazed Expressions

Glaziery

8814 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi
Website
Nielsen Flower Shop

Florist

1600 22nd Street

~0.4 mi
The Fog & Plume

E Cigarette

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
Michaels

Craft

1404 22nd Street

~0.5 miMo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-19:00
+1 515-223-8877Website

Beauty & spa

Best Ever Beauté Salon

Beauty

8801 University Avenue

~450 ft
Eli’s Beauty Salon

Beauty

1649 Northwest 86th Street

~0.3 mi
Aloha Nails

Beauty

1669 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
Eren's Nails & Spa

Beauty

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
T & D Nails

Beauty

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
+1 515-336-4651Website
Mary's Beauty & Salon

Beauty

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi

Hair services

Salon Zaza

Hairdresser

8814 Swanson Boulevard

~0.3 mi
Website

Other personal care & beauty

Sally Beauty

Hairdresser Supply

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi

Body art

5 Point Studios

Tattoo

1800 Northwest 86th Street

~0.4 mi
Website

Financial & accounting services

H&R Block

Tax Advisor

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 mi
+1-515-223-3588Website
Jackson Hewitt

Tax Advisor

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi

Employment & recruitment

Remedy Intelligent Staffing

Employment Agency

1776 22nd Street

~0.2 mi
Website
A-1 Medical Staffing

Employment Agency

8355 University Boulevard

~0.4 mi
+1-515-274-9525

Gaming & arcades

Escapology Clive

Escape Game

8801 University Avenue

~60 ft
Website

Parks & amenities

Bench

Bench

~500 ft
Picnic area

Picnic Table

~550 ft
Bench

Bench

~580 ft
Picnic area

Picnic Table

~590 ft
Bench

Bench

~590 ft
Picnic area

Picnic Table

~590 ft

Clothing & fashion

SAS Shoes

Shoes

8801 University Avenue

~50 ftMo-Sa 10:00-18:00
+1-515-223-0653Website
Glam

Clothes

8801 University Avenue

~160 ft
Skeffington's Formal Wear

Clothes

2700 University Avenue

~0.2 mi
K. Renee

Clothes

2700 University Avenue

~0.2 mi
Brown's Shoe Fit Co.

Shoes

1821 22nd Street

~0.2 miMo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 12:00-17:00
+1-515-381-1696Website
Fitness Sports

Clothes

8814 Swanson Boulevard

~0.2 mi
Website

General retail

The Looney Bin Store

Department Store

8801 University Avenue

~440 ftSa-Tu 10:00-19:00
+1-515-223-5642Website
TJ Maxx

Department Store

2900 University Avenue

~0.4 mi
Dollar Tree

Variety Store

1618 22nd Street

~0.4 miMo-Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 09:00-20:00
Website

Specialty stores

Bluegroove Hobbies & Raceway

Hobby

2700 University Avenue

~0.2 mi
Website
Merle Norman

Cosmetics

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi
Letter Perfect

Stationery

2900 University Avenue

~0.3 mi

Martial arts studios

Two Rivers Martial Arts Clive

Dojo

8801 University Avenue

~460 ftMo-Th 18:00-19:30, Sa 10:15-11:45
+1-515-650-3808Website

Gyms & fitness centers

Burn Boot Camp

Fitness Centre

8801 University Avenue

~480 ftMo-Fr 05:00-10:30, 16:00-18:30; Sa 08:00-10:00; Su off
+1-515-205-9038Website
Gold's Gym

Fitness Centre

1550 22nd Street

~0.4 mi

Parking facilities

Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~880 ft
Bicycle parking

Bicycle Parking

~0.5 mi

Vehicle services

Tires Plus

Tyres

2800 University Avenue

~0.3 mi

Visitor information

Visitor information

Information

~580 ft
Visitor information

Information

~590 ft
Central Iowa Trails

Information

~0.6 mi