11 Tennessee All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Where Classic Southern Dishes Always Win

Big plates, comforting flavors, and the kind of cooking that feels like home are exactly what Tennessee does best. All-you-can-eat buffets across the state lean into classic Southern favorites, serving up fried chicken, slow cooked meats, rich sides, and desserts that never last long on the table.

The joy isn’t just in the generous portions, but in the familiar recipes that keep people coming back with loyal enthusiasm. Each stop offers its own personality, from cosy hometown dining rooms to bustling spots packed with regulars who know exactly what to pile onto their plates.

It’s the kind of food that sparks nostalgia, stretches conversations a little longer, and turns a simple meal into an event.

1. Swett’s Restaurant

Soul food lovers flock here for what many consider Nashville’s most authentic meat-and-three experience turned buffet.

Fried chicken arrives golden and crackling, paired with mac and cheese so creamy it practically melts on your tongue.

You’ll find this beloved institution at 2725 Clifton Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209, where generations have gathered since 1954. The cornbread comes out warm, the greens simmer with smoky ham hock, and the sweet tea flows freely.

2. The Puffy Muffin

Breakfast and lunch collide beautifully at this Nashville treasure where Southern hospitality meets endless comfort. Fluffy biscuits compete for attention with country ham, scrambled eggs, and sausage gravy that blankets everything in rich, peppery goodness.

Located at 229 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027, this spot fills up fast on weekends. Fresh fruit balances the indulgence, while rotating casseroles keep regulars guessing what delicious surprise awaits each visit.

3. Piccadilly Cafeteria

Nostalgia hits hard when you grab a tray and slide it down the line at this classic cafeteria chain with Tennessee locations. Carved roast beef, fried catfish, and chicken pot pie sit alongside twenty-plus vegetable options that would make any grandmother proud.

Find locations throughout Tennessee including 6688 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN 38115. The carrot soufflé tastes like dessert, the yeast rolls deserve their own fan club, and the pecan pie finishes everything perfectly.

4. Alcenia’s

Memphis magic happens daily at this downtown soul food haven where owner Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo greets guests with genuine warmth. Fried chicken achieves crispy perfection while smothered pork chops and candied yams transport you straight to Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.

You’ll discover this gem at 317 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38105, tucked in the heart of downtown. The buffet changes daily, ghetto eggs (deviled eggs with special seasonings) appear frequently, and portions never disappoint.

5. Monell’s Dining & Catering

Family-style service transforms strangers into friends as massive platters circle the communal tables at this Nashville institution. Fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf arrive alongside bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits that beg for butter and honey.

Visit either location: 1235 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208 in Germantown or their Manor location. Everything gets passed, shared, and devoured while conversations flow as freely as the sweet tea refills everyone craves.

6. The Arcade Restaurant

Memphis history lives on at Tennessee’s oldest cafe, operating since 1919 in the same downtown location. Their lunch buffet showcases rotating Southern classics like fried chicken, meatloaf, and turnip greens that taste exactly like home cooking should.

Find this landmark at 540 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103, where Elvis once ordered his favorite peanut butter and banana sandwich. The meat-and-three tradition continues strong, prices stay reasonable, and the vintage atmosphere adds flavor money can’t buy.

7. Shoney’s

Breakfast bars across Tennessee prove this chain understands Southern morning cravings like nobody’s business. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and made-to-order omelets share space with grits, fresh fruit, and a waffle station that draws kids like magnets.

Multiple locations dot the state, including 2405 Andersonville Highway, Clinton, TN 37716.

The legendary hot fudge cake sits waiting at the dessert station, biscuits and gravy flow endlessly, and hashbrowns achieve that perfect crispy-tender balance everyone loves.

8. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

Barbecue brilliance takes center stage at this Memphis legend where the lunch buffet delivers everything pit-smoked and delicious. Pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, and beef brisket come slathered in tangy sauce alongside classic sides like coleslaw and baked beans.

Head to 5259 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119, where smoke and spice perfume the air. The BBQ spaghetti surprises first-timers, cornbread muffins vanish quickly, and banana pudding provides the sweet finish your taste buds demand after all that smoky goodness.

9. Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

Country cooking meets live music at this Tennessee mini-chain where Southern staples shine during their weekend brunch buffet. Expect fried chicken, country ham, cheese grits, and biscuits with sausage gravy that could convert even the strictest diet follower.

Visit locations including 500 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219 in downtown’s historic district. The atmosphere buzzes with energy, local musicians often perform, and the banana pudding tastes like it came straight from a church potluck in the best possible way.

10. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Sunday homestyle buffets at Tennessee locations bring families together over heaping portions of traditional favorites. Fried chicken, meatloaf, carved turkey, and country-fried steak rotate alongside green beans, mashed potatoes, and those famous hashbrown casseroles everyone craves.

Find locations statewide, such as 126 Airport Road, Sevierville, TN 37862 near the Smoky Mountains. The rocking chairs out front invite lingering, the country store tempts shoppers, and the biscuits with apple butter start every meal on an absolutely perfect note.

11. Calhoun’s Restaurant

East Tennessee barbecue pride shows in every item on their lunch buffet, where hickory-smoked meats steal the spotlight.

Ribs fall off the bone, pulled pork melts in your mouth, and smoked turkey surprises with its juicy tenderness and subtle smoke flavor.

Multiple locations serve the Knoxville area, including 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902 with gorgeous river views. The cornbread comes out slightly sweet, coleslaw adds refreshing crunch, and their signature BBQ sauce bottles line the tables for those who want extra tang.