Unearth The Voyage
North Carolina’s food scene offers some incredible all-you-can-eat experiences that showcase the state’s diverse culinary heritage. From coastal seafood feasts to down-home Southern cooking, these buffet-style restaurants let you sample the best flavors without limits. Whether you’re craving barbecue, fresh-caught seafood, or country-style comfort food, these generous establishments promise a satisfying meal that won’t leave you hungry.
Casey’s Buffet & BBQ — Wilmington
Soul food heaven awaits at this beloved Wilmington institution. Casey’s has earned its reputation as North Carolina’s premier buffet through decades of serving authentic Southern classics.
The slow-smoked pork practically falls apart on your fork, while the fried chicken delivers that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside bite. Don’t miss their legendary sides—collard greens simmered with ham hocks, creamy mac and cheese that’s pure comfort, and hushpuppies that’ll make you forget counting calories.
Save room for the dessert bar featuring homemade banana pudding and peach cobbler. Regulars know to arrive early on weekends when locals pack the place for their Southern food fix.
Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet — Kitty Hawk
Seafood enthusiasts flock to this Outer Banks treasure for an oceanic feast that captures the essence of coastal Carolina. Walking in, you’re greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of steamed crab legs and buttery shrimp.
The buffet stretches impressively with stations dedicated to various seafood preparations. Crack into snow crab legs, sample the freshly shucked oysters, or pile your plate with golden-fried flounder. Beyond seafood, Jimmy’s offers carved prime rib and Southern sides that complement the marine bounty.
Family-owned since 2003, this seasonal restaurant (open May through September) creates the perfect backdrop for Outer Banks vacation memories. Their homemade key lime pie provides the perfect finale to your seafood adventure.
Captain George’s Seafood Buffet — Kill Devil Hills
Housed in a distinctive nautical-themed building, Captain George’s transforms dining into an oceanic adventure. The moment you step inside, the impressive 70+ item buffet beckons with maritime treasures.
Their signature she-crab soup deserves its legendary status—velvety and rich with delicate crab flavor. Steamed Alaskan snow crab legs disappear quickly, so time your trips to the buffet strategically! Blackened mahi-mahi, coconut shrimp, and fresh local catches rotate through the hot stations.
Between seafood expeditions, cool down at the salad bar featuring marinated seafood salads and fresh vegetables. The staff’s attentiveness makes this massive restaurant feel surprisingly personal. For the full experience, visit during dinner service when their seafood selection reaches its peak.
Grandma Hoyt’s Country Buffet — Bessemer City
Stepping into Grandma Hoyt’s feels like walking into your Southern grandmother’s Sunday dinner—if she happened to cook for an entire town. This unassuming roadside restaurant has been serving stick-to-your-ribs comfort food since 1990.
The star attraction? Golden-brown fried chicken that locals swear rivals any grandma’s secret recipe. Alongside it, find bubbling casseroles, country-style steak smothered in gravy, and at least a dozen vegetable sides harvested from nearby farms. Their fluffy biscuits practically demand to be drizzled with sorghum molasses.
Breakfast buffet fans should visit weekend mornings for made-to-order omelets and country ham with red-eye gravy. The dessert station features rotating cobblers, banana pudding, and seasonal pies that make saying “I’m too full” impossible.
Fuller’s BBQ — Fayetteville
“Come hungry, leave happy” could be the unofficial motto at this family-owned barbecue institution. Fuller’s smokers work overtime producing the hickory-smoked pork that’s chopped to perfection and lightly dressed in their tangy vinegar sauce—pure Eastern Carolina tradition.
The buffet goes far beyond barbecue, featuring succulent ribs with meat falling off the bone, crispy fried chicken, and weekend specials like smoked turkey legs. Military families from nearby Fort Bragg appreciate the hearty portions and Southern hospitality.
Don’t overlook the sides—Fuller’s Brunswick stew has achieved local legend status. Their banana pudding, topped with perfectly browned meringue, has converted many a dessert skeptic. During busy weekends, the line may stretch out the door, but regulars insist the wait is absolutely worth it.
Grandsons Buffet — Hope Mills
Family recipes shine at this community favorite where three generations of cooking knowledge create Southern magic daily. The moment you walk in, the scent of freshly fried chicken and slow-cooked collards tells you you’ve found authentic country cooking.
Weekday lunch buffets feature rotating specials like country-fried steak smothered in peppered gravy on Mondays and hand-breaded pork chops on Wednesdays. The seafood selection expands impressively on Friday nights with coastal Carolina favorites like crispy fried flounder and deviled crab.
What truly distinguishes Grandsons is their commitment to scratch cooking—even their cornbread and dinner rolls emerge fresh from the oven hourly. Their sweet tea, brewed strong and sweetened generously, has become the standard by which locals judge all others. Arrive early for Sunday lunch to avoid the after-church rush.
Meadow Village Restaurant — Benson
This roadside gem has been serving travelers along I-95 and loyal locals since 1973. Unlike flashier buffet chains, Meadow Village focuses on consistent quality rather than overwhelming quantity.
Wednesday’s fried chicken special draws crowds from neighboring counties for perfectly seasoned, crispy-skinned birds. The seafood buffet on Fridays features surprisingly good fried shrimp and flounder that would make coastal restaurants jealous. Their rotating selection of Southern vegetables—like stewed okra and tomatoes or rutabagas with fatback—reflects what’s fresh from nearby farms.
A small but mighty dessert section showcases old-fashioned favorites like warm peach cobbler topped with melting vanilla ice cream. The restaurant’s paneled walls and vinyl booths haven’t changed much over the decades, and that’s precisely what keeps generations of families returning.
Ginza Buffet — Gastonia
Craving variety? This pan-Asian buffet shatters expectations with over 200 items spanning multiple culinary traditions. The sushi station alone features more than 20 freshly made options, from classic California rolls to creative specialty combinations.
Hibachi chefs prepare made-to-order stir-fries using ingredients you select, while the Mongolian grill sizzles with customized meat and vegetable combinations. Hot stations feature Chinese-American classics like General Tso’s chicken alongside authentic regional specialties.
Surprisingly, their seafood selection rivals dedicated seafood restaurants—snow crab legs, salt and pepper shrimp, and whole steamed fish appear during dinner service. Unlike many buffets, dessert here goes beyond the standard fare with green tea ice cream, fresh fruit, and Chinese egg tarts. The modern, spacious interior makes this an ideal choice for large groups with diverse tastes.
Golden Corral — Multiple NC Locations
While chain restaurants sometimes get overlooked, North Carolina-based Golden Corral deserves recognition as the homegrown success story that started in Fayetteville in 1973. Their “endless buffet” concept has expanded to over 30 locations across the state.
The Chocolate Wonderfall fountain captivates kids and adults alike, while the carved-to-order sirloin satisfies serious appetites. Their weekend breakfast buffet features made-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles that draw early morning crowds. Seasonal promotions showcase regional favorites like North Carolina BBQ and fresh summer vegetables.
Each location maintains consistent standards while incorporating local touches. The Fayetteville original displays memorabilia from the chain’s humble beginnings. For families with varied tastes or diners with hearty appetites, Golden Corral remains a reliable option with something for everyone.
Dale’s Indian Cuisine — Charlotte
Spice enthusiasts rejoice at Charlotte’s premier Indian buffet where authentic flavors meet all-you-can-eat abundance. The lunch buffet has become a midday tradition for downtown professionals seeking an escape from ordinary sandwich fare.
Butter chicken with its velvety tomato-cream sauce consistently earns raves, while vegetarians delight in the rotating selection of plant-based specialties like chana masala and saag paneer. The tandoor oven produces freshly baked naan bread throughout service—pillowy, slightly charred, and perfect for scooping up aromatic curries.
Unlike many Indian buffets, Dale’s doesn’t dial down spice levels; instead, they offer mild and spicy versions of popular dishes side by side. Their weekend brunch buffet expands to include South Indian specialties like dosas and idli sambar. First-timers receive friendly guidance from staff eager to introduce newcomers to Indian cuisine’s diverse regional styles.
