The Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Every State
Updated: Jan. 12, 2024
Pile up your plate with everything from fried chicken and mashed potatoes to sushi and stir fry at the best buffets across the country. Come hungry!
Alabama: Martha’s Place, Montgomery
Everything tastes just like Mama used to make it at Martha’s in Montgomery. Even celebs like Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett and Sissy Spacek have dug into helpings of fried chicken, cornbread and collards cooked by Miss Martha herself. Don’t leave without a slice of her sinfully delicious sweet potato pie either! Don’t forget to check out this guide to the best comfort food in all 50 states while you’re at it.
Alaska: Gold Creek Salmon Bake, Juneau
When in Alaska, do as the Alaskans do. AKA eat plenty of salmon. And there are few better places to do that than at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, which runs from May to September. The open-air buffet, held in the Southeast Alaska rainforest, features Alderwood-grilled salmon, Gold Rush potatoes, wild rice pilaf and baked beans. For dessert, enjoy homemade blueberry cake or roast marshmallows over the campfire. Thinking about an Alaskan move? Check out these delicious recipes from Alaska first.
Arizona: Wandering Horse Buffet, Scottsdale
Even if you don’t book a room at the Talking Stick Resort, you can still enjoy a meal at Arizona’s top buffet. Offering Italian, Asian, Mexican, Mediterranean and American dishes, there’s something for everyone at the Wandering Horse, whether you want sushi or prime rib.
Arkansas: Brown’s Country Restaurant, Benton
You’ll find 100 feet of down-home cooking at Brown’s, where the star of the show is the golden-brown fried green tomatoes. Although according to diners, you also can’t go wrong with the fluffy cornbread, crispy catfish or homemade “chicken n’ dumplins.” The connecting country store even makes its own creamy fudge and chocolate for anyone with a sweet tooth. Don’t miss these 25 old-fashioned general stores across the country.
California: Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, San Diego
Two words: unlimited champagne. That’s reason enough to head to the Sunday seafood buffet at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in southern California. You can enjoy the deluxe $48 brunch spread (which includes features like a raw bar and both a made-to-order omelet and pasta station) while soaking in a stunning view of the bay below. Before you go, learn the strategies to navigating a buffet like a boss.
Colorado: Cinzzetti’s, Northglenn
You don’t need a passport to get an authentic Italian meal, thanks to this themed buffet located just north of Denver. If the bottomless plates of fresh handmade pasta and pizzas aren’t calling your name, “Mama’s Meatballs” or the calamari fritti just might. And of course, no one can turn down one of the 16 different flavors of gelato.
Connecticut: iD Brazil Churrascaria, West Haven
Meat-lovers rejoice! At this Brazilian steakhouse, you’ll be treated to 12 different types of meat, including brisket, ribs, sausage and even bacon-wrapped chicken breasts. Pair your proteins with a piled-high plate (or two) from the salad bar and side dish buffet—we recommend trying the farofa, which is Brazilian stuffing, or the fried plantains.
Delaware: King Buffet, Dover
Come for the food, stay for the service at King Buffet in Dover. Because while the Asian eats are everything your takeout dreams are made of (plus, there’s a Mongolian stir fry bar!), the friendly servers and hosts combined with the quick and attentive service is what will really make your meal great.
Florida: Boston Lobster Feast, Orlando
Disney World isn’t the only magical place that Orlando has to offer. The Florida city is also home to the Boston Lobster Feast, a super-sized seafood buffet featuring over 60 items. While its namesake lobster is a must, there are also plenty of other under-the-sea options, like fish cooked any way you’d like it, oysters and clams on the half shell and giant snow crab legs.
Georgia: Nori Nori, Atlanta
You’ll get both quantity and quality at this all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant. Everything on the menu, including what appears to be an endless sushi spread, is made with the freshest ingredients. You’ll want to make a pass by the Ramen bar, too, and finish off your meal with some green tea ice cream. Also, do you know what wasabi really is?
Hawaii: 100 Sails, Honolulu
At 100 Sails and the Prince Waikiki hotel, we can’t decide which is better: the food or the scenery. With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, customers can enjoy the gorgeous location while basking in the lush elegance that is the Hawaii Prince Hotel. And the cuisine is just as noteworthy, with plenty of regional dishes like fresh sushi and sashimi, hand-carved prime rib and rotating monthly specials which have included lobster tails and grass-fed beef bone marrow. But, here’s what you need to know before you book your Hawaii vacation.
Idaho: Madhuban Indian Cuisine, Boise
You’ll likely have to wait for a table during lunchtime at this popular Indian joint—but the food is well worth it. The buffet features a variety of both traditional and modern eastern eats, from spicy fish curry spooned over fluffy basmati rice to freshly baked naan stuffed with minced lamb. If you’re looking to spice up you’re own food, here’s how to make your own curry at home.
Illinois: Red Apple Buffet, Chicago
A buffet, but make it Polish. That’s the idea behind this Chicago eatery, which brings “old country” cooking to the Windy City. Besides the wildly popular pierogis (stuffed with everything from spinach and cheese to fresh berries), other tasty items include Polish kielbasa with sauerkraut, schnitzel and cabbage rolls. Here’s what’s in a Chicago dog, by the way.
Indiana: Gasthof Amish Village, Indiana
For an authentic Amish meal, stop at this Indiana institution nestled among rolling farmlands. Inside the rustic building (which was also built by the Amish!), you’ll sit down to a table full of stick-to-your-ribs foods, like baked ham and creamy mashed potatoes and mile-high meringue pies for dessert. After eating, browse the gift shop stocked with handcrafted souvenirs and decor. Make sure you also try the most iconic food from every state.
Iowa: Farmer’s Pick, Waterloo
Don’t let the fact that this buffet is located inside a casino fool you. True to its name, Farmer’s Pick features farm-to-table dishes made using locally-sourced produce, meat, eggs and herbs from nearby farmers. Psst: Don’t leave without indulging in one of their renowned chocolate eclairs, oozing with sweet cream.
Kansas: Doo-Dah Diner, Wichita
To take advantage of this laid-back eatery’s buffet, you’ll have to show up in time for brunch on Sunday. There, you’ll get to taste a little bit of everything off Doo-Dah Diner‘s made-from-scratch breakfast menu, like the crispy corned beef hash or crab cake benedict with a side of maple pepper bacon. Want to make your own morning meal at home? Try one of these delicious brunch recipes.
Kentucky: Good Foods Co-Op, Lexington
Good Foods has an amazing hot lunch buffet and salad bar. The best part is that they source many local ingredients. In their online reviews, people rave about the way they cook their kale. That’s when you know it must be really good!
Louisiana: House of Seafood Buffet, Bush
Spicy seafood gumbo and friendly customer service make House of Seafood the best buffet in Louisiana. From a raw bar stocked with fresh oysters and mussels to fried gator and everything in between, it’s every seafood lover’s dream. Be sure to try the crawfish, which the locals swear by, while you’re there. These 20 food fats will change the way you think.
Maine: Southern Maine Community College, South Portland
Open to the public, this college dining hall is more gourmet dining than a school cafeteria. Browse the daily rotating menu online before heading to the campus, where you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner for less than $7 while enjoying a stunning view of the Maine coastline. And a few times throughout the year, the college hosts special luncheons cooked by the culinary arts students.
Maryland: Nepal House, Baltimore
With a motto like “the real taste of the Himalayas,” this Baltimore buffet is a destination for anyone who loves Indian food. The daily lunch spread includes every spicy, savory and sweet specialty you could want, from biryani to kabab. But the ultimate Nepalese must-order is the Thakali Thali, which is rice, curry, mixed lentils, spinach and wild black pepper pickle. Adventurous eaters will also love these healthy recipes from around the globe.
Massachusetts: Henrietta’s Table, Boston
You’ll definitely want to post up close to the dessert table at Henrietta’s Table’s brunch buffet, held every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Because no matter how much you gorge yourself on the restaurant’s “honest to goodness New England cooking,” there’s always room for its renowned bread pudding, too. Check out these wicked good recipes from New England.
Michigan: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
As if the name itself isn’t proof enough of how over-the-top this meal is, the Grand Luncheon Buffet has also won the coveted TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence multiple years in a row. Served daily in the historic Grand Hotel’s dining room, the bar just seems to go on and on…and on. Two highlights are the fresh seafood and the homemade pastries.
Minnesota: Q. Cumbers, Edina
A healthy buffet sounds like an oxymoron but that’s exactly what Q. Cumbers in Edina is. The salad bar, which is over 50 feet long, is full of fresh veggies and fruits and pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s homemade soups if you’re looking for a light lunch. And if you want something heartier, the hot bar offers classics (like lasagna and pot roast) with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
Mississippi: Palace Buffet, Biloxi
The whole family can enjoy the extravagance that is the Palace Buffet in Biloxi thanks to the fact that it’s entirely smoke-free and kid-friendly. There are four different themed bars (Flames, Coastal, Comfort and Wok) plus a dessert station run by the restaurant’s award-winning pastry chef. Here’s the best bakery in every state.
Missouri: Charley’s Buffet, Lincoln
Good old country cooking, including fried chicken and mashed potatoes? Check. Fluffy dinner rolls with whipped butter? Check. A wide variety of desserts? Double check—there are 49 sweet treats to choose from! Keep in mind, however, that Charley’s is only open Friday and Saturday nights so plan your trip accordingly.
Montana: Soup and Such, Billings
At this Montana mainstay, you’ll get the best of both worlds. First, there’s the soup, homemade by owner Antonia Craighill: baked potato chowder, New England clam chowder, tomato basil, chili and chicken noodle, plus two that change daily. And then there’s the “such,” which is a salad bar with veggies, meats and cheeses, along with potato and pasta salads.
Nebraska: Valentino’s Grand Italian Buffet, Nebraska City
Pizza, pasta, parmesan, oh my! If it’s cheesy, doughy or smothered in sauce, you can likely find it on one of the eight different spreads at Valentino’s Grand Italian Buffet. Build your own bowl of pasta, snag a slice of pizza made with a from-scratch crust and sauce or dig into a hearty portion of baked lasagna. Buon appetito! Don’t forget to check out the best Italian restaurant in each state.
Nevada: Bacchanal Buffet, Las Vegas
Trying to choose the best buffet in Las Vegas is like trying to choose a favorite child: it’s nearly impossible. But the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace stands out for both its size (it’s the largest buffet in Sin City) and its selection (over 500 different dishes to choose from!). And among the smoked wagyu and chocolate lava cakes, there are 15 chef’s specials which change daily.
New Hampshire: Country Life Restaurant, Keene
Dining out as a vegan can be tricky, but not at Country Life Restaurant in Keene. Not only is everything on the menu 100 percent vegetarian and organic, but they have an entire bar dedicated just to vegan food. The line-up rotates daily so depending on the day, you could have your pick of anything from vegetable pot pie to tofu cacciatore.
New Jersey: Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet, East Rutherford
With over 250 items on the menu, even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something they love at this New Jersey restaurant. While you’ll find the usual Chinese buffet suspects (including sushi, of course), the crowd favorite is the Teppanyaki-style grill, where you can watch your meal being prepared by a professional chef right in front of you.
New Mexico: Buffet 66 Fresh Market, Rio Puerco
Seafood steals the spotlight at this newly renovated restaurant, nestled inside the Route 66 Casino. The incredible selection includes an all-you-can-eat clam bar and crabs on crabs on crabs. Insider tip: Visit on a holiday to score a two-for-one deal. Do you know what the official food for each state is?
New York: The Door, New York City
NYC is probably one of the only places outside of the Caribbean that can say it has an “elegant Jamaican buffet.” But one trip to The Door and you’ll definitely be wishing your hometown had one, too. Spend a couple of hours noshing on exotic island fare like jerk chicken, curried goat and fried plantains. Wash it all down with sorrel, a sour raspberry drink made from hibiscus flowers. Learn the surprising birthplaces of your favorite foods.
North Carolina: Casey’s Buffet, Wilmington
Leave it to North Carolina to have a barbecue-themed buffet like Casey’s, a family-owned institution known for its Southern soul food. Make sure you come hungry so you can gorge yourself on the all-you-can-eat ribs, chitlins, chicken gizzards, catfish, collard greens and hush puppies. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you might even go for the pigs’ feet, which are popular with the locals.
North Dakota: HuHot Mongolian Grill, Bismarck
Build, eat, repeat. That’s how it works at HuHot Mongolian Grill, a chain of all-you-can-eat stir-fry restaurants where you can create endless combinations of noodles, toppings and sauces. Regardless of what you choose, your last course should definitely be the popular Cookie Dough Conquest: balls of cookie dough wrapped in a wonton and deep-fried.
Ohio: The Farm, Cincinnati
Wedding venue and party hall by day, dangerously delicious buffet by night (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, that is). Sit down for a belly-busting meal of roast beef, baked ham, homestyle meatloaf and more at one of the long tables inside The Farm’s eccentric dining room. Bonus: An endless stream of soft drinks and desserts are included as well. These are the things restaurant owners wish they could tell you.
Oklahoma: Cajun King, Oklahoma City
Are you in the deep South or central Oklahoma? You won’t be able to tell when you step inside Cajun King. Underneath vibrant strands of Mardi Gras beads hanging from the ceiling, you’ll feast like a New Orleans roi (that’s French for king) on traditional Cajun and Creole specialties like red beans and rice, jambalaya and sweet beignets. Learn how to make your very own beignets at home.
Oregon: K-Town Korean BBQ, Portland
There’s a reason Korean BBQ has such a cult following: it’s a little bit spicy, a little bit smoky, and 100 percent flavorful. And at K-Town, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat meat and veggies, which you’ll cook on a stovetop right in front of you at your table. The catch? You only have two hours to eat as much bulgogi and bok choy as you can. Ready, set, go!
Pennsylvania: Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl
Juicy kielbasa, gooey mac and cheese, fluffy homemade dinner rolls… hungry yet? Hopefully, the answer is yes, because that’s exactly what you’ll need to be when you visit this legendary buffet. Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at its best, Shady Maple is known across the state for its hearty portions of classic comfort food. If you’re thinking of cooking yourself, try these comfort food recipes just like Grandma used to make.
Rhode Island: The Nordic, Charlestowne
Meet the restaurant that’s done the unthinkable: created an upscale gourmet buffet. There’s no other way to describe the smorgasbord at The Nordic, where guests feast on all-you-can-eat lobster, prime rib, fresh oysters and clams, and homemade cannolis for dessert. Don’t skimp on your servings, either—after all, your meal will cost you $98!
South Carolina: The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood, Myrtle Beach
A buffet just isn’t a buffet if you don’t leave feeling like you never want to eat again. That’s how stuffed you’ll be after a trip to this Lowcountry landmark, which serves up any and every type of seafood imaginable, straight from the intercoastal waterways (yes, there’s even “crawdaddys” on the menu). Bonus: There’s an attached aquarium for the little ones to wander through. Myrtle Beach is one of the best family reunion locations in North Carolina. Here’s the best spot in the other 49 states.
South Dakota: Jacky’s Restaurant, Sioux Falls
It’s Taco Tuesday every day of the week at Jacky’s. Hit up any of the four locations across Sioux Falls during lunchtime for the tasty taco bar, stocked with chicken, ground beef, refried beans, rice and toppings galore.
Tennessee: Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, Pigeon Forge
In the spirit of true Southern hospitality, Aunt Granny’s isn’t all-you-can-eat but rather all-you-care-to-eat. Located inside of Dollywood, it’s as over-the-top (yet still down-home) as the country crooner herself. We’re talking baskets of buttery biscuits and cornbread, bowls of creamy mashed potatoes smothered in gravy and massive platters of crispy fried chicken. Dollywood has actually won multiple awards for their food!
Texas:Â Kalachandji’s, Dallas
Utah: Chuck-A-Rama, Salt Lake City
What you’re in the mood for will determine when you go to Chuck-A-Rama, where there’s a different theme each day. Here’s the current schedule: Monday is international, Tuesday is Chinese, Wednesday is chuckwagon (think: meat, potatoes and beans), Thursday is Mexican, Friday is fish, Saturday is Italian and Sunday is family dinner. Did you know the largest lobster roll is actually served in Utah?
Vermont: Lucky Buffet, St Albans City
Kid-friendly, clean and a great variety: What more could you ask for from an all-you-can-eat restaurant? Lucky Buffet in Vermont is known for having an incredible array of hot and fresh Chinese eats, with a heavy focus on chicken dishes—everyone swears by the peanut chicken.
Virginia: Heebeen, Alexandria
Bring on the BBQ—the Korean BBQ, that is. And while we’ll never say no to all-you-can-eat meat (and neither should you, especially when you get to cook it yourself right at your table), one of the best features of this Virginia eatery is its super fresh sushi and sashimi bar.
Washington: Araya’s Place, Seattle
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how tasty the lunch buffet is at Araya’s Place. The vegan restaurant has an excellent selection of soups, curries, noodles and many other Thai foods. Yes, even non-vegans will enjoy the array of stir-fries, rice and more. The reviews on TripAdvisor sum up to this: Araya’s Place serves good food that just so happens to be vegan. If you’re vegetarian and looking for fast food, these are the best vegetarian items at fast-food restaurants.
West Virginia: Grand China Buffet and Grill, Clarksburg
The barbecue ribs are one of the best things on the extensive menu at this West Virginia buffet. Other favorites are the honey chicken, noodles and what is essentially the entire dessert section. Plus, this restaurant has a 2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.
Wisconsin: Maharaja, Milwaukee
The next time you’re on your lunch break, head to Maharaja for their daily midday buffet. The Indian restaurant, which has been among the “Best of Milwaukee” for 19 straight years, even includes a take-home box in your meal’s price so you can load up on paneer and samosas to go.
Wyoming: Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, Cody
Experience the wild, wild west with a hearty meat and potatoes meal at the historic Irma Hotel in downtown Cody. Dig into a mouthwatering plate of their specialty prime rib (it isn’t called a “Wyoming legend” for nothing!) while you watch the gunfighters reenact an old-fashioned shootout in the street. Next, read on for the best coffee shop in every state.
Originally Published: November 19, 2019
