Unearth The Voyage
Tennessee is serious about its food, and nowhere is that more obvious than at its incredible buffet scene. From smoky Southern comfort classics to global flavors, the Volunteer State serves up plates that demand a return trip.
Whether you’re a road-tripper hunting the best all-you-can-eat deals or a local looking for a new dinner spot, this guide has you covered. Pull up a chair, grab a plate, and prepare to eat like you mean it.
Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet — Knoxville, TN
Knoxville locals have been lining up at Austin’s for years, and one visit tells you exactly why. Steaks sizzle, fried chicken crackles, and mashed potatoes sit fluffy and buttery in big serving trays.
This place doesn’t do things halfway.
The buffet is stocked and restocked throughout service, so you’re never stuck with picked-over leftovers. Homestyle sides like green beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread round out every plate perfectly.
Comfort food fans will feel right at home here.
Road-tripping through East Tennessee? Austin’s is the kind of stop worth building your schedule around.
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store — Jackson, TN
Cracklin’ cornbread alone is enough reason to stop at Brooks Shaw’s, but thankfully the rest of the buffet is just as legendary. Catfish, fried chicken, and rotating seasonal vegetables fill the trays with down-home goodness that tastes like a Sunday family dinner.
The restaurant itself feels like stepping back in time.
Travelers passing through Jackson on Highway 70 have made this a must-stop for decades. The portions are generous, the staff is friendly, and the sweet tea flows freely.
Locals treat it like a second dining room.
Few buffets anywhere carry this much regional character and soul.
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill — Hermitage, TN
You already know Golden Corral, but the Hermitage location brings its A-game with a well-stocked spread that satisfies every craving in one trip. Carved meats, creamy soups, a loaded salad bar, and a dessert section that could double as a bakery — it’s all here.
Family dinners here are practically stress-free.
Groups love it because everyone finds something they enjoy without debate. Kids go straight for the mac and cheese and soft-serve ice cream.
Adults appreciate the carved roast beef and fresh-baked rolls.
For a reliable, crowd-pleasing all-you-can-eat experience, this Hermitage spot delivers every single time.
The Manor at Dickson — Dickson, TN
Something about The Manor at Dickson just feels like home — the kind of place where you slow down, fill your plate, and actually enjoy the meal. Hearty comfort food anchors the buffet, with rotating selections that keep regulars coming back to see what’s new.
The welcoming atmosphere makes every visit feel relaxed.
Dickson sits right along a popular stretch of Tennessee travel routes, making this buffet a smart mid-trip fuel stop. Portions are generous without being wasteful, and the food quality is consistently solid.
Friends and families gather here like it’s their own kitchen table.
Honest food, honest prices — what more do you need?
Home Folks Restaurant — Soddy Daisy, TN
Since the 1980s, Home Folks has been doing exactly what its name promises — feeding people like family. Fried chicken with a perfect golden crust, slow-cooked greens, creamy mashed potatoes, and fresh cornbread make up the soul of this buffet.
It hasn’t changed much, and that’s the point.
Regulars here don’t need menus because they already know what they’re getting, and they love every bite. Newcomers are quickly converted after their first plate.
The staff treats everyone like a returning neighbor rather than just another customer.
Soddy Daisy might be a small town, but Home Folks puts it on the culinary map.
The Depot Cafe — Monteagle, TN
Perched on the Cumberland Plateau, The Depot Cafe in Monteagle is one of those unexpected finds that makes road trips worth taking. The buffet leans into classic homestyle cooking — think hearty mains, comforting sides, and desserts that are impossible to skip.
The atmosphere is warm and unhurried.
Travelers driving along I-24 often stumble upon this gem and end up lingering far longer than planned. Lunch here is especially popular, with fresh-cooked dishes that rotate and keep things interesting.
The dessert table alone earns its own return trip.
Small-town charm and big-flavor cooking make The Depot Cafe a true Tennessee hidden treasure.
House of India — Franklin, TN
Not every Tennessee buffet is about biscuits and gravy — House of India in Franklin proves that beautifully. Rated 4.6 stars, this highly celebrated Indian buffet dishes out rich, aromatic curries, warm naan, fluffy basmati rice, and a rotating selection of vegetarian options that genuinely excite.
Seconds here feel mandatory, not indulgent.
Franklin’s growing food scene has embraced this restaurant enthusiastically, drawing regulars who plan their weeks around the lunch buffet. The flavors are bold but approachable, making it a solid introduction for Indian food newcomers too.
Spice lovers and curious eaters alike will leave thoroughly satisfied and already planning their next visit.
Sami’s Brick Oven Pizzeria — Murfreesboro, TN
Wood-fired crust, bubbling cheese, and a buffet table loaded with rotating pizza varieties — Sami’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Murfreesboro is a crowd-pleaser through and through. Pasta dishes and Italian sides join the pizza lineup, giving diners plenty of options beyond just slices.
The smell alone when you walk in is worth the trip.
Groups especially love this spot because everyone customizes their plate without arguments. Kids pile up the cheese pizza while adults explore the specialty pies and pasta.
The casual, relaxed vibe makes lingering over multiple rounds feel totally acceptable.
For an Italian-style buffet with real brick oven quality, Sami’s stands out in Middle Tennessee.
The Dinner Table — Shelbyville, TN
Meatloaf done right is an art form, and The Dinner Table in Shelbyville has clearly mastered it. Classic American comfort food fills the buffet here — mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, hearty mains, and the kind of sides that remind you of grandma’s kitchen.
Every plate looks like it was made with real care.
Shelbyville locals rely on this restaurant for dependable, filling meals that don’t require a second mortgage. The buffet rotates enough to keep things fresh without abandoning the comfort food formula that works.
Portions are satisfying without being excessive.
Solid, unpretentious, and genuinely delicious — The Dinner Table earns its loyal following one plate at a time.
Marvin’s Family Restaurant — Fayetteville, TN
Down in Fayetteville, Marvin’s Family Restaurant has quietly earned a devoted local following with its no-nonsense Southern buffet and seafood offerings. Fried fish shares the buffet line with classic chicken dishes, hearty sides, and Southern staples served with genuine hospitality.
The smiles from the staff are completely authentic.
This isn’t a flashy destination, but that’s exactly the point — Marvin’s is about good food and good people, full stop. Regulars fill the dining room at lunch and dinner, catching up with neighbors over heaping plates.
Generous portions mean no one walks out hungry.
Fayetteville locals call it a staple, and first-timers quickly understand why.
Mama’s Farmhouse — Pigeon Forge, TN (popular buffet)
Somewhere between Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains, Mama’s Farmhouse stands as one of Pigeon Forge’s most beloved food destinations. Fried chicken, fluffy biscuits, chicken and dumplings, and a rotating cast of hearty sides practically dare you to stop at one plate.
The farmhouse setting adds serious charm to every visit.
Tourists and locals alike pack this place, and the all-you-can-eat format means nobody leaves with regrets — except maybe skipping that last biscuit. The food tastes genuinely homemade, not mass-produced.
Service is fast, friendly, and perfectly tuned for busy Smoky Mountain crowds.
If you visit Pigeon Forge and skip Mama’s Farmhouse, you’ve made a serious tactical error.
Aunt Granny’s All-You-Can-Eat Buffet — Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
Inside one of America’s most beloved theme parks, Aunt Granny’s All-You-Can-Eat Buffet holds its own as a legit culinary destination — not just a convenient park meal. Golden fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, and rotating Southern sides fill the buffet line with the kind of food that earns its own applause.
Dollywood’s charm spills right into the dining room.
Families appreciate having a proper sit-down, all-you-can-eat option after hours of rides and shows. The food quality exceeds typical theme park expectations by a significant margin.
Hearty portions ensure even the hungriest park-goers leave fully satisfied.
Adding Aunt Granny’s to your Dollywood itinerary isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Chow Time Buffet & Grill — Memphis, TN
Memphis knows soul food, and Chow Time Buffet & Grill brings that tradition straight to the buffet line without cutting corners. Fried chicken with serious crunch, slow-cooked greens, and classic sides fill trays that get replenished before they even have a chance to run low.
The rhythm of this place feels perfectly Memphis.
Diners who discover Chow Time tend to become regulars fast — the value is exceptional and the flavors are deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of buffet that makes you rethink your lunch plans for the entire week.
Soul food fans especially will find this spot hard to top.
Memphis deserves a buffet this good, and Chow Time delivers it proudly.
Red Ginger Buffet — Elizabethton, TN
Over 100 buffet items sounds like a bold claim, but Red Ginger in Elizabethton backs it up without breaking a sweat. Sushi rolls, steaming soups, fresh seafood, grilled chicken, and stir-fry dishes fill a buffet line that seems to stretch endlessly.
Adventurous eaters will feel like they’ve hit the jackpot.
Northeast Tennessee doesn’t always get credit for dining variety, but Red Ginger changes that conversation completely. The sheer range of options means picky eaters and food explorers can share the same table happily.
Every return visit offers something new to try.
For maximum variety per dollar spent, Red Ginger is genuinely tough to beat in the region.
Farmer’s Family Restaurant — Columbia & Murfreesboro, TN
Two locations, one unstoppable mission — Farmer’s Family Restaurant serves up homestyle buffet food that hits every comfort food note perfectly. Barbecue, chicken and dumplings, roast beef, and meatloaf share the buffet line in generous, well-seasoned portions.
Choosing what to put on your plate is the hardest decision you’ll make all day.
Columbia and Murfreesboro regulars treat Farmer’s like a weekly ritual, not just an occasional outing. The consistency across both locations is impressive, keeping the quality high regardless of which one you visit.
Prices stay reasonable even as the food quality stays excellent.
Tennessee comfort food doesn’t get more satisfying or more reliable than this beloved local chain.
