14 Tennessee All-You-Can-Eat Buffets People Will Happily Drive For
Road-trip hunger hits different in Tennessee, where plates are big, flavors are bold, and seconds are basically mandatory. You bring the stretchy pants, I’ll bring the shortlist of buffets that truly earn the miles.
Syrup-drenched breakfasts, sushi runs, and seafood feasts come together at these spots, delivering crowd-pleasing variety with heaps of hospitality. Buckle up, save room for dessert, and let’s eat our way across the Volunteer State.
1. Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
There is comfort in seeing a carving station gleam under warm lights, and Golden Corral nails that familiar glow. You get a little of everything here, from buttery yeast rolls to pot roast that yields with the nudge of a fork.
The salad bar is massive, the chocolate fountain is a magnet, and the fried chicken stays crisp long enough to tempt extra helpings.
Find this dependable spread at 3610 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, where vacation energy meets Sunday supper vibes. Hit the grill section for steak cooked to your preference, then swipe some mac and cheese to round it out.
Pro tip for dessert lovers: swirl soft serve into a bowl, then add warm brownie bits for a do-it-yourself sundae that tastes like childhood and road-trip victory combined.
2. Wood Grill Buffet
Mornings hit different when cinnamon rolls are the size of baseball mitts and bacon snaps like a good joke. Wood Grill Buffet brings that joyful breakfast chaos, with omelets folded to order and pancakes soaking up butter like sponges.
Lunch leans hearty with roasted meats, vegetables cooked Southern style, and yeasty rolls you will absolutely reach for twice.
Set your GPS to 2301 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and come ready to graze. Start at the fresh fruit to feel virtuous, then pivot to biscuits and gravy because balance matters.
If you like strategy, build a plate with eggs, grits, and country ham, then finish with a cinnamon roll torn into pieces to catch the icing. It is the kind of buffet that makes a morning walk feel necessary but totally worth it.
3. Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet
Some buffets feel like a hug, and this one delivers with steak nights, a salad bar stacked high, and sides that taste like family recipes. You will want to pace yourself, but the mashed potatoes and brown gravy argue convincingly.
The fried catfish has a gentle crunch, and the cornbread leans sweet enough to pair with greens.
Make your way to 900 Merchant Dr, Knoxville, TN 37912, where locals arrive hungry and leave smiling. Start light with cucumber salad, then ask for steak at medium with a pat of butter melting across the top.
Round your plate with green beans, creamy mac, and a scoop of coleslaw for bright crunch. Save space for peach cobbler, because the warm fruit and soft crust make a perfect last bite, especially with vanilla soft serve drifting into the corners.
4. Brickhouse Buffet
Variety rules the day here, with carving stations, scratch sides, and desserts that wink at you from the corner. The roast beef slices beautifully, and the chicken dressing has that sage-forward aroma that calls for seconds.
There is always something bubbling, something sizzling, and something sweet cooling near the end of the line.
Head to 2861 Bartlett Blvd, Bartlett, TN 38134, and bring an appetite big enough for options. Build a plate with roast beef, glazed carrots, and buttered corn, then add a spoonful of broccoli casserole because you are here to taste.
The yeast rolls come soft and steamy, perfect for sandwiching leftover meat. Finish with banana pudding crowned with vanilla wafers, the kind that softens just enough to feel nostalgic without turning mushy.
5. Xiaos’ Buffett Hibachi & Sushi
Plates fly fast here, and that is half the fun. You will rotate between the sushi line and the hibachi counter, waving hello to sizzling steak and shrimp as flames flare.
Nigiri is simple and fresh, while rolls lean playful, with spicy mayo zigzags and crunchy toppings that keep bites exciting.
Drop a pin at 2808 S Rutherford Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, and plan on multiple rounds. Start with miso soup to warm up, then snag seaweed salad for brightness.
Watch the hibachi cook toss vegetables, chicken, or steak with quick wrists, and ask for extra garlic butter if you like bold. Pair sushi with lo mein for a happy crossfade of textures.
Finish with a light fruit plate or one more crispy dumpling, because restraint can wait for tomorrow.
6. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet
Big appetite, bigger selection. This place keeps trays replenished, slipping from pepper steak to honey chicken to salt-and-pepper shrimp without losing momentum.
The grill counter brings heat and theatrics, while the dessert section answers every sweet tooth whisper with cakes, fruit, and soft serve crowns.
Find it at 205 E Mountcastle Dr, Johnson City, TN 37601, and time your visit for peak freshness. Start with hot and sour soup, then build a plate of green beans, fried rice, and sesame chicken for that crunchy glaze.
Ask the grill cook to toss shrimp with extra scallion, then add noodles for slurpable satisfaction. A scoop of lychee or orange slices clears the palate before round two, because you will want another pass at the crispy wings.
7. Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet
Seafood fans, this one is your siren song. Steam rises from crab legs, shrimp pile high, and hushpuppies wait to be dunked into tartar sauce.
The batter is light enough to keep bites crisp, and the sides do their job well, especially buttery corn and garlicky green beans.
Roll into 3985 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and plan for patience when crab legs are hot. Start with a cup of clam chowder, then move to peel-and-eat shrimp before committing to the main event.
Crack shells, dunk in clarified butter, and chase with coleslaw for snap. If you want a stealth winner, grab a slice of lemon pie.
It is a bright, creamy finish that speaks softly but stays in your memory all the way home.
8. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Family-style service with buffet spirit makes this spot feel generous from the jump. Dishes land in the middle of the table, and you keep refilling until the conversation slows and plates shimmer with butter.
Comfort classics headline the show, from crispy fried chicken to ultra creamy mashed potatoes and broccoli casserole.
Settle in at 131 The Island Dr #8101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and pick your lineup from the set menus. Choose fried chicken, Georgia fried catfish, and spare ribs, then add sides like creamed potatoes and black-eyed peas.
Cinnamon rolls arrive warm and icing glazed, so do not skip them. Dessert might be banana pudding or seasonal cobbler, both happily bottomless.
It is an eat-with-your-people kind of place, where seconds are expected and third helpings are cheered.
9. Reagan’s House Of Pancakes Buffet
Breakfast lovers will feel seen here, especially those who think pancakes should outnumber decisions. Syrup flows, eggs hit griddles, and bacon meets that ideal salty snap.
The buffet rotation changes with the morning, but expect biscuits, gravy, grits, and fruit to keep steady company.
Look for their multiple Pigeon Forge locations, with one long-running spot along Parkway drawing early birds daily. Swing by and mix strategies: two pancakes with whipped butter, a scoop of cheesy eggs, and a side of country ham for balance.
If you like sweet-savory harmony, drizzle just a touch of syrup over sausage links and thank me later. Coffee refills come fast, which is exactly how a Tennessee morning should move when your day starts delicious.
10. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store Buffet
History and hospitality ride together at this Jackson favorite, where classic Southern recipes line up like a family reunion. Fried chicken brings peppery crunch, while turnip greens and pintos add earthy comfort.
The cornbread comes skillet kissed, and desserts might include chess pie, banana pudding, or cobbler warm enough to melt a scoop.
Point your wheels to 56 Casey Jones Ln A, Jackson, TN 38305, and wander the museum-style displays before you sit. Start with a small plate of salads to keep pace, then go hard on the mains.
If you see sweet potato casserole, surrender. It has that caramelized top that cracks into velvet.
Finish with chess pie for a not-too-sweet finale and you will understand why locals treat this place like a tradition worth repeating.
11. Aunt Granny’s Restaurant Buffet
Theme-park days demand fuel, and Aunt Granny’s answers with plates that taste like home. You sit down, order family-style, and the refills keep coming until rides are calling again.
Chicken and dumplings steal the show, closely followed by fried chicken and green beans that bring real snap.
Walk in at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, and trust the staff to guide your picks. Choose a trio of hearty mains and sides, then let the biscuits do their buttery thing.
Mac and cheese lands creamy and rich, while the dumplings are soft but not mushy. Save a corner for cobbler, because theme-park magic hits different when dessert tastes like grandma’s recipe box.
Long communal tables keep the mood lively, with families swapping ride stories between bites and passing bowls without ceremony. It feels less like a restaurant stop and more like stepping into a busy Sunday kitchen where everyone leaves happily full.
12. Sakura Japanese Buffet
Fresh fish meets small-town charm at this Sevierville stop, where sushi rolls cycle quickly and hot dishes stay lively. Expect salmon, tuna, and cucumber rolls along with hibachi noodles and teriyaki chicken.
The tempura is light and crisp, the seaweed salad clean and bright, and the desserts kindly portioned for one-more-bite decisions.
Slide over to 624 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862, and aim for peak hours when turnover keeps flavors popping. Begin with miso and a few nigiri, then build a hot plate with hibachi vegetables, lo mein, and sesame chicken.
A drizzle of spicy mayo wakes everything up. Finish with orange slices or a petite cheesecake square if you lean sweet.
It is a reliable fix when you crave sushi variety without committing to a single roll.
13. China King Buffet
This Clarksville favorite wins on value and dependable variety. There is always a comforting parade of fried rice, lo mein, General Tso’s, and pepper steak, with rotating extras like coconut shrimp or black pepper chicken.
The salad bar is simple but useful when you need crunch between saucy bites.
Head to 3441 Fort Campbell Blvd E, Clarksville, TN 37042, and time your visit for lunch deals that stretch a dollar. Start with wonton soup, then build a plate heavy on vegetables to keep room for round two.
Add a few crab rangoon for creamy crunch, and save space for a sesame ball or two. You will leave full, happy, and convinced that everyday buffets still have their wins when done with care.
Regulars tend to drift in at off-peak hours, swapping tips on which trays are freshest and which dishes disappear fastest. That easy rhythm keeps the room relaxed, proving that consistency can be just as satisfying as spectacle.
14. Log Cabin Pancake House Buffet
Gatlinburg mornings feel right with flapjacks and butter pooling into warm stacks. This Sevier County staple leans into nostalgia: country ham, biscuits, grits, and fruit compotes ready for spooning.
When buffet features are on, you can make quick work of multiple pancake flavors without committing to a single plate.
Visit the cozy log-sided spot near downtown Gatlinburg and let the syrup flow freely. Pair pecan pancakes with a side of hash browns for contrast, then add apples in cinnamon for a pie-adjacent finish.
Coffee stays hot, service is neighborly, and the room smells like maple and stories. It is exactly the kind of breakfast you plan the day around when the mountains are calling and your appetite is leading.
Families linger over second rounds while hikers fuel up before hitting the trails, giving the room a gentle morning hum. Even on busy weekends, the rhythm stays easy, reminding you that breakfast here is meant to be savored rather than rushed.