9 Alabama Buffets Serving Southern Comfort By The Plateful
Alabama knows a thing or two about good eating, especially when it comes to all-you-can-eat buffets. Nothing beats the satisfaction of filling your plate with delicious Southern cooking until you can’t eat another bite.
Crispy fried chicken, buttery cornbread, and sweet potato casserole headline these nine Alabama buffets, serving comfort food that makes every visit feel like home.
1. City Market Grill (Pell City)
Located in the heart of Pell City, this family-owned gem has been satisfying hungry locals for decades.
Mouth-watering fried chicken, collard greens swimming in pot likker, and homemade banana pudding keep folks coming back. You’ll find yourself wanting seconds of their famous mac and cheese that tastes just like grandma’s recipe.
2. Magnolia Blossom Cafe (Robertsdale)
Charming doesn’t begin to describe this quaint eatery nestled in Robertsdale.
Visitors rave about the Sunday buffet featuring Gulf shrimp and grits that’ll make your taste buds dance. Hand-rolled biscuits practically float off your plate while the peach cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream, provides the perfect sweet ending to your feast.
3. Annie Pearl’s Home Cooking (Taylor)
Walking into Annie Pearl’s feels like entering your favorite aunt’s kitchen on Sunday afternoon.
Aromas of slow-cooked pot roast and freshly baked cornbread waft through the air, making decisions difficult. Country-fried steak smothered in pepper gravy sits alongside sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, creating the ultimate comfort food experience.
4. Fried Tomato Buffet (Montgomery)
Just off the interstate, hungry travelers discover this Montgomery institution serving up Southern classics daily.
Fried green tomatoes, the namesake specialty, achieve the perfect balance of tangy and crispy. Regulars swear by the rotating daily specials, especially Thursday’s meatloaf and Tuesday’s chicken and dumplings that fall apart with just a touch of your fork.
5. Nelson’s “Barnyard” Buffet (Saraland)
Step into a country-themed wonderland where farm-to-table isn’t just a trend but a way of life.
Massive buffet tables groan under the weight of cast iron skillets filled with bubbling cobblers and casseroles. Regulars line up early for Sunday lunch to secure a plate of their famous fried chicken, which manages to stay crispy outside while remaining juicy inside.
6. The Gift Horse Restaurant (Foley)
Since 1986, locals and beach-bound tourists have flocked to this Foley landmark for authentic Southern hospitality.
Seafood gumbo simmering with Gulf treasures starts your journey through regional specialties. Crispy catfish, hush puppies light as air, and bread pudding soaked in bourbon sauce round out a meal that showcases Alabama’s diverse culinary heritage.
7. Martha’s Place (Montgomery)
Soul food reigns supreme at this Montgomery institution where Martha herself might still greet you at the door.
Oxtails so tender they fall off the bone share space with creamy butter beans and corn muffins. Vegetable selections change with the seasons, featuring the freshest produce from nearby farms, all cooked with that unmistakable Southern touch.
8. Golden Corral (Various Locations)
Familiar comfort awaits at this national chain that maintains a special place in Alabama’s buffet scene.
Endless options span from breakfast favorites to dinner classics, with the chocolate fountain drawing dessert lovers of all ages. Kids particularly enjoy creating their own cotton candy while parents appreciate the value and variety that satisfies even the pickiest eaters.
9. David’s Catfish House (Atmore)
Venture to Atmore for a taste of what many consider Alabama’s best catfish buffet experience.
Farm-raised catfish, perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection, steals the spotlight here. Accompaniments include creamy coleslaw, pickled green tomato relish, and hushpuppies so good you’ll be tempted to fill your plate with them alone.
