Unearth The Voyage
North Carolina’s food scene offers more than just legendary barbecue and seafood. For hungry folks looking to get the most bang for their buck, all-you-can-eat restaurants across the Tar Heel State deliver satisfaction by the plateful. From down-home Southern cooking to international fare, these beloved buffets and unlimited-serving restaurants have earned loyal followings among locals who know where to go when they’re seriously hungry.
1. Casey’s Buffet, Wilmington — Southern BBQ & Soul Food
Southern comfort radiates from every steam table at this beloved Wilmington institution. Locals line up daily for heaping helpings of slow-cooked pork barbecue, crispy fried chicken, and collard greens swimming in pot likker.
The mac and cheese achieves that perfect balance of creamy and crusty, while the banana pudding has ended many a meal on a sweet high note. Casey’s doesn’t try to be fancy – it simply excels at what matters most: authentic Southern cooking made from scratch.
Multi-generational families gather here regularly, testament to food that tastes like grandma’s Sunday dinner, just with unlimited refills.
2. Granny’s Kitchen, Cherokee — Country-Cooking Buffet
Mountain hospitality flows as freely as the sweet tea at this Cherokee mainstay. Family recipes passed down through generations form the backbone of a buffet that changes with the seasons but always satisfies.
Morning visitors discover fluffy biscuits smothered in sawmill gravy alongside farm-fresh scrambled eggs. Lunchtime brings out country-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans cooked with fatback. The restaurant’s seasonal schedule mirrors the ebb and flow of tourism in the Smokies.
After a day exploring Cherokee or trying your luck at Harrah’s casino, nothing refuels quite like Granny’s home cooking served in bottomless portions.
3. Dan’l Boone Inn, Boone — Family-Style (Seconds Included)
History seeps from the walls of this 1959-established restaurant housed in a building dating back to the 1800s. Unlike traditional buffets, servers here bring overflowing platters directly to your table – and keep bringing them until you surrender.
The legendary fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed in decades, creating perfectly seasoned, crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside pieces that disappear quickly. Country ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, stewed apples, and buttermilk biscuits round out the feast.
Appalachian State students bring visiting parents here, continuing a tradition that spans generations of mountain families.
4. Gauchinho Brazilian Steakhouse, Asheville — Rodízio + Salad Bar
Carnivores rejoice when gauchos circle the dining room with skewers of flame-kissed meats at this Asheville churrascaria. The ritual begins at the abundant salad bar featuring fresh vegetables, imported cheeses, and traditional Brazilian sides like farofa and feijoada.
Turn your table marker to green, and the parade begins – picanha (sirloin cap), linguiça (sausage), frango (chicken), and more, each carved tableside until you signal mercy. The meats arrive in waves, perfectly cooked and seasoned with rock salt or house marinades.
Between the mountain views outside and the meat sweats inside, this dining experience transports you straight to southern Brazil without leaving North Carolina.
5. KPOT, Raleigh — AYCE Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
Sizzling grills built into each table transform diners into chefs at this interactive feast spot. The all-you-can-eat format lets you sample unlimited marinated meats – from bulgogi beef to spicy pork belly – grilled exactly how you like them.
Can’t decide between Korean BBQ and hot pot? No problem! Many tables feature split surfaces for simultaneous grilling and simmering. Bubbling broths await your selection of fresh vegetables, noodles, and proteins from the ingredient bar.
First-timers receive guidance from attentive servers, while K-pop music videos create an energetic backdrop for this hands-on dining adventure that’s become a Raleigh favorite for group celebrations.
6. KPOT, Durham — AYCE Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
Steam rises from bubbling hot pots while meat sizzles on tabletop grills at Durham’s interactive Korean feast headquarters. College students, families, and food enthusiasts gather around tables equipped with both cooking surfaces, creating customized meals from unlimited ingredients.
The meat selection ranges from thinly sliced brisket to premium pork belly, all marinated in house sauces. Seafood lovers load hot pots with shrimp, fish, and squid alongside vegetables and udon noodles.
Located in New Hope Commons, this KPOT location offers the same unlimited format as its Raleigh sibling but draws a diverse crowd from Duke, UNC, and surrounding Durham neighborhoods for affordable group dining adventures.
7. Estampa Gaucha, Raleigh — All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Steakhouse
Tucked inside the Westin near Brier Creek, this upscale churrascaria elevates the unlimited dining experience. The ritual begins at an impressive salad bar featuring imported cheeses, cured meats, and traditional Brazilian sides like hearts of palm and farofa.
When ready for the main event, flip your coaster to green and watch as gauchos appear tableside with sword-like skewers holding various fire-roasted meats. The signature picanha (top sirloin) arrives medium-rare and seasoned simply with sea salt, allowing the beef’s natural flavor to shine.
Business travelers and special occasion diners particularly appreciate the refined atmosphere that balances abundance with elegance.
8. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, Raleigh — Classic Chinese/Seafood Buffet
Quantity meets variety at this massive Raleigh buffet where steam tables stretch seemingly to the horizon. The sheer selection overwhelms first-timers – Chinese classics like General Tso’s chicken and lo mein share space with crab legs, sushi rolls, and American comfort foods.
The hibachi station draws lines as chefs flip and sear your chosen ingredients with theatrical flair. Regulars know to save room for the dessert section featuring both Chinese treats and American favorites like chocolate pudding and soft-serve ice cream.
Families appreciate the kid-friendly options and budget-friendly pricing, making this a go-to spot for feeding hungry groups without breaking the bank.
9. Let’s Meat KBBQ, Charlotte (South End) — AYCE Korean BBQ
Smoke and sizzle create a sensory symphony at Charlotte’s original all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue spot. Recently reopened after a 2024 fire, this South End hotspot limits dining to two-hour windows – plenty of time to sample every marinated meat on the menu.
Thinly sliced brisket, pork belly, and bulgogi beef cook quickly on built-in grills while servers continuously refresh banchan side dishes. The marinade-soaked galbi (short ribs) emerges as a fan favorite, with its perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Weekend warriors should plan ahead – the no-reservations policy can mean hour-plus waits during peak times, but regulars insist the meat sweats are worth it.
10. Gyu-Kaku, Charlotte (Uptown) — Premium All-You-Can-Eat Yakiniku
Japanese barbecue gets the unlimited treatment during special hours at this sleek Uptown Charlotte destination. Unlike the everyday à la carte menu, the Premium All-You-Can-Eat option unlocks access to high-quality cuts like harami skirt steak and toro beef alongside classic favorites.
Each table features a smokeless grill where diners cook bite-sized morsels to their preferred doneness. House-made dipping sauces – from sweet soy to spicy miso – complement the clean flavors of the premium meats.
Smart diners check ahead for AYCE availability and arrive hungry for this timed experience that transforms dinner into an interactive social event perfect for date nights or friend gatherings.
11. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Charlotte — Rodízio Experience
Elegance meets abundance at this Uptown Charlotte landmark where the rodízio tradition receives white-tablecloth treatment. The experience begins at a gourmet salad bar featuring imported cheeses, cured meats, and house-made Brazilian sides that could easily make a meal themselves.
When you’re ready for the main event, flip your coaster to green and watch as formally dressed gauchos arrive with gleaming skewers. Premium cuts like filet mignon wrapped in bacon and leg of lamb appear alongside traditional favorites like picanha top sirloin.
The upscale atmosphere and attentive service make this a popular choice for business dinners and special occasions where impression matters as much as unlimited portions.
12. Jasmine Buffet, Charlotte — Huge Pan-Asian Buffet + Hibachi
Food court variety meets all-you-can-eat abundance at this Charlotte buffet destination. Eight separate food stations create a culinary world tour where Chinese classics like General Tso’s chicken share space with sushi rolls, Mongolian BBQ, and American comfort foods.
The hibachi station draws the longest lines as chefs transform your selected ingredients into customized stir-fry creations with theatrical flair. Seafood enthusiasts make beelines for the crab legs and coconut shrimp during dinner service.
Families appreciate the kid-friendly options like chicken nuggets and pizza, while dessert lovers finish with everything from traditional Chinese almond cookies to chocolate pudding and soft-serve ice cream with toppings.
13. Leblon Churrascaria, Greensboro — Unlimited Rodízio
Meat lovers have made pilgrimages to this Greensboro institution since long before Brazilian steakhouses became trendy nationwide. The traditional rodízio service begins with the generous salad bar featuring both Brazilian specialties and American favorites.
When ready for the main event, flip your card to green and prepare for the parade of meats. Gauchos in traditional attire circle continuously with skewers of perfectly grilled beef, pork, lamb, and chicken – each carved tableside until you surrender.
The house specialty picanha (seasoned sirloin cap) arrives with a caramelized exterior giving way to a juicy pink center, exemplifying the simple but perfect preparation that’s made Leblon a Triad favorite for celebrations.
14. Ichiban Grill Supreme Buffet, Greensboro — All-You-Can-Eat Asian Buffet
Budget-friendly abundance awaits at this Greensboro staple where quantity and variety reign supreme. The sprawling buffet features over 100 items across multiple stations – from made-to-order hibachi to fresh sushi rolls and traditional Chinese favorites.
Seafood enthusiasts load plates with crab legs and coconut shrimp during dinner service, while the hibachi station lets you customize stir-fry creations from fresh ingredients. Hot food lines offer everything from General Tso’s chicken to beef with broccoli and lo mein.
The dessert section completes the experience with both Eastern and Western treats – from fresh fruit to chocolate pudding and fortune cookies. Families appreciate the something-for-everyone approach that satisfies picky eaters and adventurous diners alike.
15. Pier 41 Seafood, Lumberton — Calabash-Style (Buffet nights vary; check ahead)
Fresh-caught treasures from North Carolina waters shine at this I-95 corridor seafood haven. Famous for its lightly-breaded Calabash-style preparation, Pier 41 offers both à la carte dining and buffet service on select nights – calling ahead prevents disappointment.
During buffet evenings, steam tables overflow with golden-fried flounder, shrimp, oysters, and deviled crab alongside Southern sides like hush puppies and coleslaw. The seafood arrives hot, crispy, and never greasy – hallmarks of proper Calabash preparation.
Road-trippers traveling the East Coast make special detours for this seafood feast, while locals treat it as their special occasion go-to when only unlimited seafood will satisfy coastal cravings.
16. Golden Corral (Multiple NC Cities) — The Classic American Buffet
North Carolina pride runs deep at this homegrown buffet chain that launched in Fayetteville in 1973 and still keeps its headquarters in Raleigh. The massive food bars feature over 150 items spanning breakfast favorites, carved meats, comfort foods, and the famous chocolate fountain.
The Bourbon Street Chicken develops a cult following among regulars, while the made-from-scratch yeast rolls emerge warm from the oven throughout service. Weekend brunch draws crowds for the made-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles.
Though now a national chain, Golden Corral maintains its strongest presence in its home state, where North Carolinians from mountains to coast have made it a reliable choice for family gatherings and post-church Sunday meals.
