Craving a Christmas spread that feels like a warm hug and a grand celebration all at once? Missouri still goes big, from Ozark views to hometown carveries, with buffets that overflow with festive flavor. Consider this your cheerful guide to plates piled high, twinkling lights, and traditions worth the drive. Bring your appetite and a little wonder, because these holiday feasts are ready to sparkle.
Grand Country Buffet — Branson
Step into Grand Country Buffet and you can smell cinnamon rolls, sage stuffing, and slow roasted turkey before you even see the carving board. The Christmas spread is generous and unfussy, with prime rib sliced to order, buttery mashed potatoes, and pans of green bean casserole bubbling under heat lamps. If you love a classic feast without pretension, this one feels like a hometown hug.
Save room for desserts because the pie table is a small miracle. Think pecan, pumpkin, and cherry, plus soft serve crowned with hot fudge and crushed peppermint. Breakfast lovers can even start early, piling on biscuits, country gravy, and crispy bacon while carol playlists chime in the background.
Lines move quickly, but reservations help during peak hours. Bring the whole crew and expect friendly staff who never let your tea go empty. It is simple, cheerful, and satisfyingly old school, the way holiday buffets should be when you want comfort first and sparkle second.
Osage Restaurant — Ridgedale
Osage at Top of the Rock brings the holiday buffet into special occasion territory, with Ozark views that seem painted just for your table. Expect refined regional touches like smoked trout, hickory roasted meats, and stone ground grits presented with polish. The carving station gleams, and the staff helps you pace the feast so you can savor every bite.
Vegetable sides receive real care here. Honey glazed carrots, charred Brussels, and rosemary potato gratin balance the richness of prime rib and turkey. Breads arrive warm, butter curls ready, while an herb scented gravy quietly steals the show.
Save time for dessert and the balcony. Mini tarts, flourless chocolate, and gingerbread with dollops of cream pair perfectly with the mountain twilight. Make reservations early because this one books up quickly.
Devil’s Pool Restaurant — Ridgedale
Devil’s Pool at Big Cedar Lodge wraps you in lodge warmth the second you walk in. The Christmas Day buffet leans into southern comfort with roasted turkey, prime rib, and smoke kissed ham, plus cornbread dressing and skillet green beans. Add a ladle of peppered gravy and you are instantly home for the holidays.
The sides are soulful and deeply satisfying. Sweet potato casserole arrives with a toasted pecan crumble, while deviled eggs vanish faster than the rolls. Do not skip the tangy cranberry relish and buttered corn, simple but perfect.
Desserts offer that just one more bite temptation. Pecan pie squares, chess pie, and spice cake invite a second trip, maybe a third. Reservations are essential, and the staff keeps things flowing with big smiles and hot refills.
Reunion Hall — Silver Dollar City (Branson)
Inside Silver Dollar City, Reunion Hall feels like a bustling holiday barn filled with music, lights, and the perfume of roasted meats. The buffet lineup leans hearty, with turkey, ham, and thick cut pot roast next to creamy potatoes and golden cornbread. Carafes of hot cocoa and apple cider keep hands warm between parade strolls.
There is plenty for picky eaters and adventurous plates. Mac and cheese, skillet corn, and fresh baked rolls sit beside tangy slaw and sweet glazed carrots. You can slip back out to see the parade, then return for a second round before the final carol.
Desserts lean nostalgic. Bread pudding with vanilla sauce, cookies tucked with red sprinkles, and slices of pumpkin pie make easy work of cravings. It is cheerful, crowded, and full of sparkle, exactly how a theme park Christmas should taste.
Molly’s Mill Restaurant — Silver Dollar City
Molly’s Mill is the cozy corner of Silver Dollar City where comfort food reigns. During the holiday season, the buffet mixes beloved fried chicken with carved turkey, gravy, and buttery mashed potatoes. The smell of yeast rolls signals you are close to the line, and it is worth every minute.
What makes this stop shine is balance. Lighter options like green beans, salad fixings, and fruit trays sit beside casseroles and cornbread dressing, so everyone gets a plate they love. You can warm up, recharge, and slip right back out for more lights and music.
The desserts channel grandma energy in the best way. Apple cobbler, chocolate cake, and sugar cookies disappear fast, so grab dessert early. Staff keeps cocoa and coffee topped, smiling through the rush while the band outside plays carols.
Casa Don Alfonso — Clayton
Casa Don Alfonso turns Christmas into a sunny Italian celebration, even when Missouri air is crisp. The buffet leans Mediterranean: antipasti with marinated artichokes, ribbons of prosciutto, and bright citrus olives. Fresh pasta twirls from a live station, dressed with porcini, lemon butter, or a velvet tomato sugo.
Roasted meats keep things festive. Think rosemary kissed beef, herb roasted chicken, and flaky sea bass when offered, alongside roasted potatoes and garlicky greens. A drizzle of olive oil with sea salt makes everything sing.
Dolci are irresistible. Tiramisu, zesty ricotta cheesecake, and almond cookies dusted with sugar ask for espresso and conversation. Reservations help, and the service is graceful without stuffiness, perfect for a dress up holiday meal that still feels warm and welcoming.
The Elms Hotel & Spa — Excelsior Springs
The Elms sets a glamorous scene for a Christmas buffet in a historic space that glows under chandeliers. Expect a polished spread with a seafood display, carving stations, and sides that lean elegant. You might find herbed salmon, prime rib, and delicate salads dotted with pomegranate and chevre.
Service is attentive without hovering. Plates are cleared swiftly, drinks refreshed, and timing feels relaxed so you can savor every course. The ballroom energy whispers classic holiday movie, which makes even a second plate feel celebratory.
Desserts elevate the finale. Petite pastries, chocolate mousse cups, and fruit tarts sparkle under powdered sugar. Book early, dress comfortably festive, and enjoy a buffet that proves refinement and comfort absolutely belong on the same plate.
Springfield Tavern — Springfield
Springfield Tavern keeps Christmas low key and delicious, the kind of buffet where regulars swap cookie recipes at the bar. The carving board often features turkey, ham, and a smoky brisket, while trays of cheesy potatoes and roasted vegetables anchor the comfort. Expect bright cranberry sauce and buttery rolls that vanish fast.
There is a local pride vibe here. Chalkboard signs list Missouri brews that pair with the feast, and staff offer honest suggestions if you are torn. It is come as you are, yet the plates still feel holiday worthy.
Dessert skews classic. Think brownie bites, warm cobbler if you time it right, and a bowl of peppermint candies by the register. Friendly, unfussy, and priced for families, this is a great stop when you want tradition without the fuss.
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill — Columbia
In Columbia, Golden Corral goes holiday big with a carving station that never seems to slow down. You can build a classic plate with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing, then slip over to the salad bar for something crisp. The chocolate fountain is a magnet for kids and nostalgic adults alike.
What it lacks in pretense, it makes up in sheer variety and easy pricing. Choose a cozy booth, refill your drink, and take another lap to find yeast rolls, mac and cheese, and roasted veggies. Managers hustle to keep pans hot and lines moving.
Desserts are playful and plentiful. Cupcakes, pies, and soft serve with candy toppings keep spirits high. It is an approachable, no stress option when schedules are packed and everyone is craving a familiar holiday plate.
Ameristar / Casino Buffets — Kansas City
Kansas City casino buffets know how to stage a spectacle, and the holiday version turns the dial to festive. Open kitchens carve prime rib and turkey while chefs sear shrimp and ladle bisques. You can build a luxe plate fast, then return for sushi, salads, or a custom pasta toss.
Energy is high and lively. Expect quick seating, stacks of warm plates, and attentive drink service so you can stay focused on the feast. The seafood display is a crowd magnet, shimmering with ice and lemon wedges.
Dessert islands look like gift boxes exploded. Macarons, cakes, and glossy tarts sit beside bread pudding with bourbon sauce. It is perfect when you want glitz with your gravy and a long stroll between bites.
Monroe Family Restaurant — Monroe City
Monroe Family Restaurant feels like a community potluck you did not have to cook for. The Christmas buffet brings carved turkey, ham, creamy potatoes, and a line of casseroles that taste like someone guarded the recipe card. There is warmth in the room that goes beyond the steam from the pans.
Service is neighborly. Coffee mugs stay full, kids get extra whipped cream, and the specials board often hides a surprise soup or side. It is easy to linger and trade stories with folks at the next table.
Desserts are pure Midwest comfort. Think mile high meringue pies, pumpkin slices with real whipped cream, and a humble pan of brownies. Affordable, friendly, and festive enough for photos, this stop makes Christmas feel wonderfully small town.
Pierpont’s at Union Station — Kansas City
Pierpont’s sets a holiday scene inside Union Station that feels timeless and grand. The buffet reads like a celebratory menu: prime rib, delicate fish, and seasonal salads jeweled with citrus and nuts. Dark wood, soft lighting, and the echo of the station create an occasion even before the first bite.
Staff guides you gracefully. Plates are cleared with a nod, wine suggestions arrive without fuss, and the pacing lets you breathe between courses. Sides like truffle potatoes and roasted Brussels bring balance to the carvery.
Desserts carry a classic rhythm. Cheesecake slices, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate pots share space with fruit tarts. Come ready to dress a touch festive, snap a photo by the tree, and savor a buffet that understands tradition and polish.