A buffet inside a mountain resort that opened in 1913 has its own Bananas Foster station. I love that detail, because it turns a simple dessert run into a little show.
Out near the coast, one seafood spread tops 70 items, with snow crab legs leading the charge. A soul food favorite runs on recipes handed down from the founder’s mother and grandmother.
North Carolina clearly takes all-you-can-eat dining seriously. Hibachi grills, sushi bars, fried chicken, eastern Carolina barbecue, and buttermilk pie all show up on this list.
Even a pizza place sneaks in with a lunch buffet of ribs and lasagna.
I find the mix surprising, in the best possible way. Resort views and plastic trays share the same stage here.
Which line would you join first, and how many dessert trips would you allow yourself?
1. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
More than 70 items sit on this seafood buffet, which means a lot of big decisions before dessert. Snow crab legs lead the parade, so plan your first lap with care.
Steamed shrimp shows up prepared more than one way, and oysters and fresh fish round out the catch. Oysters Rockefeller and she crab soup add a little extra coastal flair.
Not a seafood person? You can still eat like royalty with sirloin steak, prime rib, pork barbecue ribs, and chicken.
Classic sides fill the gaps, from macaroni and cheese to rice and vegetables. A salad bar and fresh fruit give you a lighter breather between crab runs.
The dining room leans into a seafaring theme, which suits the Outer Banks setting perfectly. This family-owned spot opened its current location in 2009 and has grown into a true beach-trip tradition.
Hours shift with the season, so check before you head over. Sundays start at noon year-round, which makes an early crab feast very possible.
Save room for the huge dessert bar, because skipping it feels like visiting the beach without seeing the ocean. Reservations are accepted, a smart move on busy weekend evenings.
Address: 705 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
2. Casey’s Buffet
Family recipes from a mother and grandmother power this Wilmington favorite, and you can taste the history on the plate. The buffet opened in 2005 and quickly turned into a hometown habit.
Barbecue gets top billing here, and it has earned that spot. Fried and baked chicken sit nearby, ready to tempt you into a second plate.
Seafood fans can reach for catfish, whiting, or shrimp. Fried pork chops and cabbage keep the Southern spirit going strong.
Feeling adventurous? Chitterlings and pigs’ feet appear on the spread, true old-school soul food you rarely spot on a buffet line.
Macaroni and cheese and a rotating lineup of sides fill out the rest of the room. Nobody walks away from this setup wondering where the comfort food went.
The dessert bar deserves its own lap, with banana pudding and pecan pie among the sweet options. Pace yourself, because the sugar finish line comes fast.
Doors open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 11 a.m., and Monday and Tuesday stay closed. Reservations aren’t taken, but takeout and catering make it easy to feed a crowd at home.
Address: 5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
3. Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ
Two buffets beat one, and this Fayetteville stop proves it with separate hot and cold spreads. Call it a smart system for people who like options.
Barbecue sits at the heart of the place, just like the name promises. Ribs and BBQ chicken share space with crispy fried chicken on the hot line.
Southern-style vegetables come in a big lineup, so your plate can look balanced even if your motives aren’t. Seafood joins the party too, adding another reason to grab a fresh plate.
The cold side brings a salad bar for anyone craving crunch. It also makes a handy reset button between rounds of barbecue.
Desserts close the show, and they’re a solid reason to linger. Not in a buffet mood?
A regular menu of steak, chicken, and seafood gives you another route, including a catfish plate.
Fuller’s is a long-running name in eastern North Carolina dining, and the old-fashioned label fits. The feel is casual and easygoing, perfect for family lunches or a big group dinner.
Hours run later Thursday through Saturday, until 9 p.m. Reservations, takeout, and catering are all available for bigger plans.
Address: 113 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301
4. Blue Ridge
Mountain views come free with your pancakes at this buffet inside The Omni Grove Park Inn. The historic resort opened in 1913 and sits on the National Register of Historic Places.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you may forget about your plate for a moment. Only for a moment, though.
Breakfast runs daily from 7 to 10:30 a.m., with an omelet bar, pancakes, waffles, bacon, grits, and pastries. Homemade donuts and cinnamon buns make early wake-up calls much easier.
Friday nights bring an award-winning seafood buffet loaded with crab legs, BBQ shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, and oysters. Saturday switches gears to prime rib, and Sunday brunch runs from noon to 2:30 p.m.
A full carving station and an expansive salad bar keep the main lineup interesting. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on hand too.
Then comes the dessert bar, complete with a Bananas Foster station and an ice cream sundae station. Yes, you’re allowed to visit both.
Kids 5 and under eat free with a paying adult, which is a sweet bonus for families. Reservations are recommended for dinner and brunch, so book ahead.
Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
5. Robbins Nest
Buttermilk pie might be the quiet star of this Selma buffet, and that’s saying something next to eastern Carolina barbecue. Dessert lovers, consider yourselves warned.
The spread sticks to old-school country cooking, and it does it with confidence. Catfish, fried chicken, and barbecue anchor the line like a classic Sunday supper.
Shrimp and other fish add variety for seafood fans. Plenty of Southern sides and fixings mean you can build a plate as big as your ambitions.
A salad bar offers something fresh and crisp. It’s also a nice excuse to tell yourself the second trip was for vegetables.
Homemade desserts get real attention here, not an afterthought tucked at the end. Bring a friend so you can split a few and compare notes.
Timing matters, because the doors stay closed Monday through Wednesday. You can stop in Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so arrive with patience on weekend afternoons. Takeout is available if you’d rather enjoy that pie on your own couch.
Address: 121 U.S. Hwy 70, Selma, NC 27576
6. Jasmine Buffet
Seasoned crawfish and salt pepper blue crab on the same buffet? Charlotte’s south side keeps things interesting at this roomy spot.
Sushi, seafood, Chinese dishes, and American fare all share the floor. That means picky eaters and adventurous eaters can finally agree on dinner.
The sushi bar includes favorites like the dragon roll. Grab a few pieces, then decide if you’re feeling brave enough for round two.
A grill station adds made-to-order energy, with chicken hibachi among the options. Watching your food sizzle somehow makes it taste even better.
A salad bar offers lighter picks, and the dessert selection gives you a sweet way to wrap things up. Hot tea fans will find plenty to sip as well.
Hours are easy to remember, running daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free Wi-Fi is available, handy if you need to post your plate before eating it.
Reservations aren’t taken, so weekend crowds may mean a short wait. Takeout and delivery are also offered for nights when the couch wins.
Address: 2305 Westinghouse Blvd Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28273
7. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet
Plastic gloves at the buffet bar tell you this Greensboro spot takes its serving lines seriously. Multiple bars stretch across the room, so bring a game plan.
Everyday Asian dishes form the base, with Chinese and American favorites mixed in. Coconut shrimp, steak, and soups are part of the lineup.
Shellfish lovers get crawfish, and the sushi bar offers rolls and nigiri. You can easily build a whole seafood meal before touching anything fried.
Then there’s the hibachi grill, where you pick exactly what goes into your dish. It’s the closest thing to being your own chef without washing a single pan.
Fresh fruit gives your plate a bright, juicy break. Dessert waits nearby, ready for the inevitable last lap.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. most days, and Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 p.m. That late close helps when dinner plans run behind schedule.
Reservations are accepted, a nice perk for birthdays and team dinners. Takeout works too if you’d rather eat your hibachi at home in North Carolina comfort.
Address: 3020 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403
8. Spiros Family Restaurant
Early birds, this one’s for you, since the doors open at 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
A breakfast buffet is waiting before most people find their car keys.
Spiros keeps things simple and unpretentious, with Southern comfort food front and center. The vibe is easygoing, family-friendly, and clean.
Later in the day, the large buffet brings a mix of hot and cold dishes. An extensive salad bar gives you more than a sad scoop of lettuce.
Country fried steak stands out as a hearty favorite. Pair it with macaroni and cheese and you’ve built a classic High Point plate.
The dessert bar adds one more reason to stay a little longer. Banana pudding shows up among the sweets, and it’s hard to say no.
Plan around the schedule, because Mondays are closed and Sundays wrap up at 4 p.m. Saturday starts at 7 a.m., good news for weekend breakfast fans.
Reservations are accepted, and catering is available for bigger gatherings. Takeout lets you bring that comfort food home when sitting down isn’t an option.
Address: 2814 S Main St, High Point, NC 27260
9. Milton’s Pizza & Pasta
BBQ ribs on an Italian lunch buffet sounds like a plot twist, and that’s exactly why this Raleigh spot made the list. Lasagna and ribs, side by side, no apologies.
The lunch buffet covers pizza, pasta, and spaghetti for the classic crowd. Wings, fish, and salads widen the menu in fun directions.
Wing fans get choices, including fried wings in yum yum sauce and big bone-in wings with tangy BBQ sauce. Napkins are strongly recommended.
A salad bar keeps things fresh between pizza slices. It also helps you feel responsible before the dessert table calls your name.
Sweet options include strawberry pie and key lime pie, a bright finish after all that cheese. You might need a second fork, just in case.
Dinner brings the regular menu, with dishes like Chesapeake shrimp pasta. Outdoor seating is available when North Carolina weather cooperates.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday until 8 p.m. Mondays are closed, and the place even welcomes kids’ birthday parties.
Address: 8853 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
10. Bamboo Garden Asian Buffet
Quiet and spacious aren’t words you often hear about buffets, yet both fit this Winston-Salem stop. Room to breathe makes the hunt for sushi much more relaxing.
Made-to-order hibachi is a big draw here. You choose what goes on the grill, and the cooks handle the sizzle.
A sushi bar adds a cool, fresh contrast to the hot food. Mix a few rolls with your hibachi and you’ve got a well-rounded plate.
Vegetarian choices are available, so meat-free diners aren’t stuck with plain rice. Lighter options help balance out the heavier picks too.
Desserts get plenty of love, giving you a sweet reason to save a little space. Tea lovers will find good options to sip between bites.
Watch the calendar, because Tuesday is the one day the doors stay closed. Most days run from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with Friday and Saturday open until 10 p.m.
Reservations are accepted, which helps with big family dinners. Takeout is an option when you’d rather enjoy your hibachi in pajamas.
Address: 333 Summit Square Ct, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
