A whole pig foot shows up on the menu at one of the buffets on this list. Yes, the entire thing.
That was the moment I knew this roundup needed to happen.
Another spot tops its salad bar with boiled shrimp. A third, up in the mountains, opens at 7 in the morning and keeps Southern classics rotating into the evening.
That’s a lot of hours of gravy.
I love that North Carolina does unlimited eating in so many accents. You’ll find Indian lunch spreads with lassi, sushi counters beside hibachi grills, and country lines loaded with eastern Carolina barbecue.
Most of these spots stay friendly on the wallet, too. The only real challenge is pacing yourself before dessert.
1. Granny’s Kitchen
Breakfast at 7 AM, a full Southern spread by lunch, and still going at dinner. Granny’s Kitchen in Cherokee basically refuses to let you leave hungry.
The buffet rotates its Southern classics, so the lineup can shift from visit to visit. That keeps things interesting if you’re in town for more than one meal.
Expect country staples like roast, chicken, fish, shrimp, and mac and cheese. Homemade mashed potatoes and cornbread round out the comfort side of your plate.
There’s also a salad bar and plenty of vegetables, including okra. Vegetarians get real options here, which isn’t always a given at a country buffet.
Save some room for dessert, because the sweet end of the line gets creative. Chocolate mousse and cooked apples make a pretty great pairing.
Coffee and tea are strong points too, if you like a mug beside your plate. Groups and families fit in easily, and high chairs are on hand for little ones.
Plan around Monday, since the doors stay shut that day. Sunday runs until 7 PM, and Tuesday through Saturday stretch to 8 PM.
Address: 1098 Paint Town Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
2. Mehfil
Multicolored parasols and scarves set the mood before you even grab a plate. Downtown Asheville gets a splash of color, and your lunch gets a lot more exciting.
Mehfil serves an Indian lunch buffet with a wide range of vegetarian and meat dishes. Lamb, chicken, and biryani share space with naan for scooping up sauce.
Chicken tikka masala is one of the standout dishes on the menu. If you’ve never tried it, a buffet is the easiest way to test it without committing.
Okra shows up too, along with rice pudding for a sweet finish. The buffet also comes with drinks like tea, coffee, and lassi.
A mango lassi with spicy food is a smart move, by the way. It cools things down while you go back for more curry.
Vegan and vegetarian diners have a full menu to explore. Families are welcome, and there’s a kids’ menu for picky eaters.
Lunch runs from 11:30 AM, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are accepted, which helps if you’re bringing a crowd downtown.
Address: 5 Biltmore Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801
3. Ginza Buffet of Gastonia
Neon lights and room for over 400 guests make this place feel more like an event than a lunch stop. Gastonia doesn’t do small when it comes to buffets.
The sushi bar features more than 20 kinds of nigiri, sushi, and sashimi made daily. That’s a serious lineup for a buffet counter.
Crab legs are unlimited at dinner and on weekends. Mussels, jumbo shrimp, clams, crawfish, and fish keep the seafood side busy.
A hibachi station lets you pick your ingredients and watch them get cooked fresh. Chicken and beef dishes, dumplings, egg rolls, soups, and even pizza fill the rest of the line.
Dessert brings soft-serve ice cream, fresh fruit, and cakes like strawberry and mango. Pies are part of the sweet finish, too.
Need space for a big celebration? A private party room holds more than 100 people.
Here’s a handy bonus for leftovers lovers. Buffet items are also sold to-go by the pound.
Weeknights tend to be the calmer option if you want to skip the weekend rush. Hours run until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 212 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28054
4. Jasmine Buffet
Salt and pepper blue crab and seasoned crawfish on one plate? Southwest Charlotte makes that combo very easy.
Jasmine Buffet is a roomy spot packed with sushi, seafood, Chinese dishes, and American fare. A grill station adds another way to build your meal.
The Dragon Roll is one of the menu highlights worth grabbing early. Crab and crawfish fans will want to scout the seafood section right away.
Not into seafood at all? A salad bar and full vegetarian options give you plenty of other paths.
Servers stay on top of drink refills here. That means fewer trips away from the food and more time for round two.
Dessert is a strong point, so plan your stomach space wisely. A good tea selection helps wash it all down.
Free wi-fi is available, and the place is a decent pick for catching a game. Families and groups fit in easily, with high chairs for small diners.
Doors open at 11 AM and close at 9:30 PM seven days a week. Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up hungry.
Address: 2305 Westinghouse Blvd Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28273
5. Spiros Family Restaurant
Boiled shrimp on a salad bar is a power move. That’s one of the reasons Spiros Family Restaurant in High Point earns a spot here.
The buffet covers hot and cold dishes with a Southern comfort lean. An extensive salad bar loaded with veggies sits right alongside it.
Early birds, this one’s for you. Doors open at 7 AM Tuesday through Friday, and a breakfast buffet helps kick off the day.
The dessert bar deserves its own lap. Great desserts and good coffee make the last stop of your meal easy to enjoy.
The setting is casual and unpretentious, so no need to dress up. Bring the family, since there’s a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Planning something bigger? A private dining room is available, and reservations are accepted.
Hours shift a bit through the week, so check before heading out. Sunday wraps up at 4 PM, and Mondays are closed.
Price-wise, this spot sits in a budget-friendly range for a buffet this size. Your drink comes included with the meal, which is a nice little bonus.
Address: 2814 S Main St, High Point, NC 27260
6. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet
Plastic gloves at the buffet bar might be the most practical detail on this whole list. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet in Greensboro clearly thinks about the little things.
This large, straightforward buffet serves everyday Asian dishes plus sushi rolls and shellfish. American options mix in too, so mixed groups won’t argue much.
Dinner tends to bring the strongest spread. Coconut shrimp, steaks, and soups are among the items worth looking for.
The hibachi grill lets you choose exactly what goes into your meal. You pick it, they cook it, and you skip the guesswork.
Fresh fruit and seafood balance out the heavier choices. Vegan and vegetarian diners have full options, which is a welcome surprise.
Servers keep your drink topped off while you eat. College students, families, and big groups all show up here.
Bringing a baby? Changing tables and high chairs are available.
A private dining room and reservations make bigger gatherings simple. Doors open at 10:30 AM most days, so an early lunch is totally doable.
Address: 3020 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403
7. Robbins Nest
Buttermilk pie is reason enough to point your car toward Selma. Robbins Nest backs it up with a whole lineup of country cooking.
The buffet leans hard into Southern comfort. Catfish, fried chicken, and eastern Carolina barbecue headline the hot line.
Shrimp and fish join the party, along with all the classic fixings and sides. The chicken salad is a standout worth a scoop.
A salad bar gives you something crisp between bites of barbecue. Vegetarian options are available if you’re skipping the meat.
Desserts are homemade, and they’re a big part of the appeal here. That buttermilk pie should be on your plan before you even park.
Families will feel right at home with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. A private dining room works well for bigger crews.
Timing matters at this spot. It’s closed Monday through Wednesday, then open Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM.
Sunday hours run from 11 AM to 3 PM, perfect for an after-church plate. Reservations aren’t taken, so arrive early on busy weekends.
Address: 121 US Hwy 70-A East, Selma, NC 27576
8. Sylvia’s Restaurant Buffet
Lemonade and tea alongside a homemade Southern spread feels a lot like Sunday at Grandma’s. Sylvia’s Restaurant Buffet in Wilson leans right into that feeling.
This family-owned spot keeps things simple. You get an all-you-can-eat buffet of homemade Southern-style cooking and comfort food.
The atmosphere is casual and quiet. That makes it a nice choice if you want to actually hear the people at your table.
Dessert is a highlight here, so don’t load up too fast. Leave a corner of your plate, or better yet, a whole second plate.
Coffee is on hand for anyone who needs a lift after a big meal. Kids are welcome, and high chairs are available.
Here’s the catch you need to know. Sylvia’s runs on short hours, so plan ahead.
Tuesday through Friday, the buffet is open from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Sunday stretches a little longer, until 4 PM.
Mondays and Saturdays are closed. Takeout is an option if you’d rather enjoy your plate at home in North Carolina comfort.
Address: 618 Ward Blvd, Wilson, NC 27893
9. Fuller’s Old Fashion BBQ
Old-fashioned barbecue platters are great, but a buffet means you don’t have to choose. Fuller’s Old Fashion BBQ in Fayetteville gives you both options.
Order a platter or a sandwich if you know exactly what you want. Or head to the buffet for a full lap of home-cooked Southern food.
Ribs are part of the lineup, along with country sides like black-eyed peas. The food comes out fresh and hot.
A salad bar and a dessert bar bookend the meal nicely. Greens first, barbecue in the middle, sweets to finish.
Coffee and tea are both strong picks here. The room stays relaxed and unpretentious, so you can take your time.
Families have a kids’ menu and high chairs to work with. Reservations are accepted, which is handy for groups.
Hours vary across the week, so check before you go. Fridays and Saturdays run latest, until 8 PM.
Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday close at 5 PM. Catering is available too, if you’d like Fuller’s food at your next party.
Address: 113 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301
10. Casey’s Buffet
Pig feet, served as the whole foot, make the menu here. Casey’s Buffet in Wilmington isn’t shy about real soul food.
This family-owned spot has served Southern comfort food, soul food, and barbecue since 2005. The buffet is sprawling and no-frills, which is exactly the point.
Fried chicken and barbecue pork lead the way. Baked chicken, pork ribs, hamburger steak, and chicken and pastry keep the meat section deep.
Seafood fans can grab catfish nuggets, fried shrimp, deviled crab, and whiting. That’s a strong coastal North Carolina touch.
Sides go big with mac and cheese, collard greens, string beans, and sweet potato souffle. Homemade cornsticks, hushpuppies, and cheese biscuits fill any empty corners.
Dessert might be the main event for some of you. Banana pudding, peach cobbler, apple cobbler, and pecan pie are all on the list.
The buffet is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 AM to 9 PM. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed.
Takeout and catering are available for your next cookout. Just don’t blame us if the banana pudding never makes it home.
Address: 5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
