11 All-You-Can-Eat Spots in North Carolina You Absolutely Must Try

Hungry for a North Carolina adventure that comes with limitless seconds and zero regrets? This list rounds up the best all you can eat spots across the state, from smoky barbecue temples to seafood feasts and cozy Southern buffets. You will find local favorites worth a road trip and hidden gems you will wish you discovered sooner. Bring an appetite, because you will want to taste everything twice.

1. Casey’s Buffet and BBQ (Wilmington)

Walk in and the scent of hickory smoke tells you everything. Casey’s spreads out North Carolina comfort classics like pulled pork, fried chicken, chopped barbecue, and smoky ribs. Load up on collards, mac and cheese, yams, and hushpuppies, then plan room for banana pudding.

You can build plates that mirror childhood Sundays or assemble a sampler tour. Staff keeps pans hot and full, and you never feel rushed. It is the kind of buffet where seconds happen naturally, and thirds feel inevitable.

2. Golden Corral (Multiple Locations)

Golden Corral is the dependable, bring everyone option. You get carving stations, made to order grilled items, a sprawling salad bar, and plenty of comfort sides. The chocolate fountain alone can win over picky eaters.

Come hungry on weekends when slow roasted meats shine. You can pace yourself with salads before tackling fried shrimp or pot roast. Finish with soft serve and brownies, then swear you will be good tomorrow.

3. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant (Kill Devil Hills)

If seafood calls your name, this Outer Banks giant answers loudly. Captain George’s line of crab legs, peel and eat shrimp, oysters, and fried fish makes pacing essential. Sides like hushpuppies and slaw give you that beach town comfort.

Start with lighter cold bar items, then graduate to hot platters of buttery crab. The nautical dining room feels festive without being fussy. You walk out planning your next coastal weekend.

4. Grady’s BBQ (Dudley)

Whole hog fans, this is your pilgrimage. Grady’s keeps the focus simple: beautifully seasoned pork, tangy slaw, and sides that taste like someone’s grandmother still stirs the pot. Expect boiled potatoes, green beans, and corn sticks that crunch just right.

The buffet is not flashy, but every tray sings authenticity. Vinegar sauce brightens each bite without overwhelming. Bring friends so you can compare plates and argue about bark versus tender bits.

5. Nakato Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi (Charlotte)

When sushi cravings hit hard, Nakato’s all you can eat format keeps the rolls coming. Mix crisp tempura, nigiri, and playful specialty rolls with hibachi steak or chicken. Miso soup and seaweed salad help you reset between plates.

Order in rounds so nothing gets warm or soggy. It feels indulgent without being chaotic, especially if you stick to favorites you love. Save room for a final roll you almost skipped.

6. Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet (Raleigh)

This place is a crowd pleaser with range. You can build a hibachi plate exactly how you like, then chase it with sushi, dumplings, and stir fry. The variety makes it easy to eat adventurous and safe in one sitting.

Grab small portions and explore. Citrus chicken, spicy shrimp, and lo mein rotate in and out, so repeat visits stay interesting. Dessert is simple but hits the spot.

7. Raleigh Crab House (Raleigh)

All you can eat seafood boils feel like a celebration. At Raleigh Crab House, gloves on means business. Choose your seasoning heat, then dig into crab legs, shrimp, corn, and potatoes that soak up buttery spice.

Cracking shells slows you down just enough to savor. You will find yourself comparing sauces and arguing which blend hits hardest. It is messy, joyful, and worth every napkin.

8. The Pit Authentic Barbecue (Raleigh)

The Pit is famous for sit down barbecue, but special buffet events and group spreads are where you can sample wide. Think chopped pork, ribs, brisket, and fried chicken, with collards and cornbread anchoring the table. Sauces lean tangy and balanced.

Gather a group so you can justify rounds of everything. The vibe mixes modern polish with old school flavors. You leave smelling like smoke and smiling.

9. China Buffet (Greensboro)

Greensboro’s China Buffet scratches that nostalgic itch. You know the hits will be there: General Tso’s, sesame chicken, egg rolls, fried rice, and lo mein. There is usually sushi and a small hibachi station too.

It is the kind of place where comfort outweighs trendiness. Pile on broccoli beef and grab a few sugar doughnuts for dessert. Affordable, reliable, and easy to love.

10. J&S Cafeteria (Charlotte)

While not always labeled all you can eat, J&S does hearty plates and refills during specials that feel bottomless. Fried chicken, meatloaf, country steak, and vegetables taste like church social fare. The pies are worth plotting for.

You set the pace, going back for sides like mac and cheese or cabbage when available. It is comfort without pretense. Friendly staff makes it feel like a weekly ritual.

11. Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q Buffet (Selected Locations)

Some Smithfield’s locations run buffet nights that turn a quick meal into a feast. Expect crispy fried chicken, chopped pork, slaw, green beans, and signature hushpuppies. Sweet tea pairs perfectly, though lemonade hits great after salty bites.

Because it is limited, call ahead to confirm times. When you catch it, you can try everything you usually debate ordering. Simple, fast, and super satisfying.