11 All-You-Can-Eat Spots In North Carolina You’ll Wish You Tried Sooner

North Carolina knows how to feed a hungry crowd, and its all-you-can-eat spots prove it with huge portions, bold flavors, and tables that never seem to empty.

Across the state, beloved buffets, family-style kitchens, and sizzling grills draw loyal locals and curious travelers eager to sample it all. Fried chicken that tastes like it came out of grandma’s cast-iron skillet, seafood piled high, pizzas straight from the oven, and sizzling meats carved tableside, it’s all waiting on this delicious road trip.

These 11 AYCE hotspots deliver the kind of must-try meals you’ll be thinking about long after the last plate.

1. Casey’s Buffet (Wilmington)

Wilmington’s favorite buffet destination has been feeding hungry families for years with their massive selection of Southern comfort classics. The fried chicken alone could make you weep tears of joy, and that’s before you even spot the seafood station.

Casey’s knows how to pile on the flavor without emptying your pockets. Their dessert bar is basically a sugar-lover’s paradise, complete with homemade pies and cakes that’ll have you loosening your belt halfway through dinner.

2. Dan’l Boone Inn (Boone)

Family-style dining reaches legendary status at this Boone institution where strangers become friends over shared platters of country cooking. Servers bring out endless bowls of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits until everyone waves the white napkin of surrender.

The communal tables create a cozy mountain vibe that feels like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. Everything is made from scratch daily, and the all-you-can-eat price makes this North Carolina gem an absolute steal for hungry hikers.

3. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant (Outer Banks)

Outer Banks visitors flock to this seafood palace where crab legs flow like the Atlantic tide. Captain George’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to ocean bounty—we’re talking mountains of shrimp, oysters, and fish prepared every way imaginable.

The nautical-themed dining room sets the perfect beachy mood for your seafood feast. Sure, it’s pricier than your average buffet, but when you’re elbow-deep in premium crab legs with ocean views nearby, nobody’s complaining about the bill.

4. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (Raleigh)

Raleigh’s go-to spot for Asian cuisine variety delivers everything from sushi rolls to Mongolian barbecue under one roof. The hibachi station lets you customize your stir-fry while chefs work their wok magic right before your eyes.

With over 200 items rotating through the buffet line, boredom is literally impossible here. The sushi is surprisingly fresh for a buffet, and the dessert section includes both American sweets and Asian treats like mochi ice cream that’ll end your meal perfectly.

5. Ichiban Grill & Supreme Buffet (Greensboro)

Greensboro’s Ichiban takes the Asian buffet game seriously with their sprawling selection that could feed an army twice over. From General Tso’s chicken to fresh sashimi, the variety here makes decision-making nearly impossible.

The live cooking stations add entertainment value to your dining experience as chefs prepare custom dishes on demand. Families love the affordable pricing, especially on weekends when everyone can stuff themselves silly without breaking the bank or regretting their life choices later.

6. Western Sizzlin Steakhouse (Dunn)

Old-school steakhouse charm meets all-you-can-eat convenience at this Dunn location that’s been satisfying carnivores for decades. The buffet includes all your steakhouse favorites, but you can also order a fresh-grilled steak to complement your buffet selections.

Their salad bar actually has more than just iceberg lettuce, which is refreshing. The homestyle sides like mac and cheese and cornbread remind you why Southern cooking became famous, and the prices keep this North Carolina spot packed with locals who know quality.

7. Pizza Inn Buffet (Asheboro)

Pizza lovers rejoice at this Asheboro spot where pies rotate through the buffet faster than you can say extra cheese. Pizza Inn keeps the classics coming while also throwing in creative specialty pizzas that surprise your taste buds.

Beyond pizza, they offer pasta dishes and a decent salad bar for anyone pretending to eat healthy. The dessert pizzas topped with cinnamon and icing are dangerously addictive, making this buffet perfect for families with picky eaters who all agree on one thing: pizza rules.

8. Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet (Asheville)

Fancy pants buffet alert! The Omni Grove Park Inn elevates unlimited eating to an art form with locally-sourced ingredients and chef-crafted stations. This isn’t your typical buffet—expect seasonal vegetables, artisan cheeses, and proteins cooked to perfection.

The mountain views through massive windows make the splurge-worthy price tag easier to swallow. Sunday brunch here is legendary among Asheville locals who appreciate quality ingredients and Instagram-worthy presentations that taste even better than they photograph.

9. China Buffet (Charlotte)

Charlotte’s China Buffet keeps things straightforward with a massive selection of Chinese-American favorites that never disappoint. The crab rangoons alone deserve a standing ovation, crispy and cream-cheesy in all the right ways.

Lunch specials make this spot perfect for office workers seeking maximum food at minimum cost. The Mongolian grill station lets you play chef for a minute, and the soft-serve ice cream machine ensures every meal ends on a sweet note that won’t wreck your budget.

10. Gauchinho Brazilian Steakhouse (Asheville)

Brazilian rodizio-style dining brings meat lover dreams to life at this Asheville steakhouse where gauchos parade around with skewers of perfectly grilled proteins. The green-means-go, red-means-stop card system gives you complete control over your meat marathon.

The salad bar is actually spectacular, featuring gourmet ingredients that could be a meal themselves. From picanha to lamb chops, the rotating meat selection justifies the higher price point for carnivores seeking an unforgettable protein-packed experience worth every penny.

11. The Barn Dinner Theatre (Greensboro)

Dinner and a show combine at this one-of-a-kind Greensboro venue where buffet dining meets live theater entertainment. The all-you-can-eat spread features Southern comfort foods that fuel you up before the curtain rises on Broadway-style productions.

Performers literally sing for their supper while you eat yours, creating a uniquely entertaining dining experience. The buffet quality surprises first-timers who expect theater food to be mediocre, but The Barn proves you can have great performances and great mashed potatoes simultaneously.