6 Pennsylvania Buffets That Locals Swear By & 6 That Are Always Worth The Detour
Pennsylvania takes “all-you-can-eat” seriously. You’ll find buffets that dish up everything from homemade comfort food to endless trays of seafood favorites.
If you’re ready to loosen your belt and savor some unforgettable meals, these 12 buffets deserve a spot on your list.
1. Dienner’s Country Restaurant – A Lancaster County Gem
Tucked away in Ronks, this family-owned establishment serves up the quintessential Pennsylvania Dutch experience without the tourist crowds. The broasted chicken practically falls off the bone, while the mashed potatoes are whipped to cloud-like perfection.
Regulars know to save room for the homemade desserts that rotate seasonally. The warm, rustic atmosphere complements the hearty comfort food that keeps locals coming back for generations.
2. Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet – New Holland’s Comfort Food Paradise
Flavor explosions await at every turn of this beloved New Holland institution. Their legendary corn fritters – golden, crispy, and sweet – disappear from the buffet trays faster than staff can replenish them.
The potato filling, a regional specialty, strikes the perfect balance between creamy and savory. What truly sets Yoder’s apart, though, is their commitment to rotating seasonal vegetables harvested from surrounding Amish farms.
3. The Restaurant & Buffet at Oregon Dairy – Lititz’s Farm-Fresh Feast
My grandma swore nothing beat Oregon Dairy’s weekend breakfast buffet. She’d arrive at opening, claiming the scrambled eggs were fluffier at 7 AM sharp. Thirty years later, I still follow her tradition!
This farm-market-attached restaurant emphasizes locally-sourced ingredients in their rotating buffet options. Their soup and salad bar features garden-fresh produce year-round, while dinner offerings showcase hearty Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at its finest.
4. Dutch-Way Family Restaurant – Myerstown’s Hidden Treasure
Budget-conscious foodies flock to Dutch-Way for their unbeatable value-to-quality ratio. The weekday lunch buffet satisfies with homestyle classics, but savvy diners plan their visits for Friday and Saturday evenings.
That’s when the prime rib appears, glistening and perfectly cooked to your preference at the carving station. The rotating hot buffet staples change seasonally, ensuring even regular patrons discover new favorites with each visit.
5. York Buffet – All-You-Can-Eat Asian Fusion
Crab legs disappear faster than magic tricks at this Concord Road hotspot. The made-to-order hibachi station transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals through the skilled hands of experienced chefs.
Families appreciate the kid-friendly options alongside sophisticated Asian specialties. The spacious layout prevents the crowded feeling common at lesser buffets, while the party room accommodates celebrations with custom-tailored service packages not advertised on their regular menu.
6. College Buffet – State College’s Student-Approved Feast
Hungry college students and professors alike converge on this N. Atherton mainstay for quick, satisfying meals between classes. The hot food line features both Americanized Chinese classics and more authentic regional specialties rarely found in central Pennsylvania.
The sushi selection, while not extensive, consistently earns praise for its freshness. Smart diners know the best strategy: arrive early for lunch to catch everything at peak freshness and avoid the midday rush that can sometimes deplete popular items.
7. Shady Maple Smorgasbord – East Earl’s Legendary Feast
Pennsylvania’s buffet crown jewel spans a mind-boggling 200 feet of continuous food stations. First-timers often stand momentarily paralyzed by the sheer magnitude of options before them.
The grill stations sizzle with made-to-order omelets at breakfast and hand-cut steaks at dinner. Dessert devotees plan strategic plate space for the massive sweets selection featuring whoopie pies, shoofly cake, and fresh-churned ice cream.
No wonder busloads of tourists make pilgrimages here daily!
8. Miller’s Smorgasbord – Ronks’ Time-Honored Tradition
Since 1929, this Lancaster County institution has defined Pennsylvania Dutch dining excellence. The soup bar alone merits the journey, featuring eight homemade varieties daily – including their famous chicken corn soup that customers attempt to recreate at home without success.
I remember my father’s expression when he first tasted their pot roast in 1985 – speechless appreciation that turned into a family tradition spanning four decades.
The carving stations showcase succulent meats while the dessert area tempts with warm fruit cobblers.
9. Hershey Farm – The Grand Smorgasbord Experience
Nestled between Ronks and Strasburg, this sprawling complex delivers Pennsylvania Dutch dining with theatrical flair. Weekends bring prime rib and ham carving stations that draw appreciative crowds from across state lines.
The soup and salad selections could stand alone as a satisfying meal. During strawberry season, my aunt drives two hours just for their strawberry bread pudding that appears for a few fleeting weeks.
Their famous smoked sausage recipe remains a closely guarded secret despite countless customer inquiries.
10. Manor Buffet – Lancaster’s Asian Food Adventure
Seafood lovers rejoice at the extensive offerings that won’t break the bank at this Lincoln Highway establishment. Crab legs, mussels, and shrimp dishes rotate throughout the week, with weekend selections particularly abundant.
The hibachi station transforms your chosen ingredients into personalized stir-fry creations. Sushi options range from beginner-friendly California rolls to more adventurous specialty combinations that surprise even experienced Japanese cuisine enthusiasts with their authenticity and careful preparation.
11. UMI Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet – Philly’s Premium Feast
Seafood quality reaches astonishing heights at this Northeast Philadelphia standout. Snow crab clusters, jumbo shrimp, and raw oysters maintain restaurant-quality freshness despite the all-you-can-eat format.
The hotpot experience elevates dining into interactive entertainment as you cook ingredients in simmering broth at your table.
Sushi chefs craft artistic rolls visible from the dining area, ensuring transparency in preparation that food-safety-conscious diners appreciate.
The weekend seafood selection expands to include seasonal specialties.
12. Hibachi Grill Buffet – Bethlehem’s Culinary Melting Pot
Families flock to this Nazareth Pike establishment where picky eaters and adventurous diners alike find satisfaction.
The sprawling buffet features surprising international sections beyond the expected Asian offerings – including American comfort foods and surprisingly authentic Mexican dishes.
The hibachi chefs entertain with spatula tricks while cooking your custom selections. Parents appreciate the kid-friendly options while still enjoying sophisticated flavors themselves.
Their weekend seafood upgrades include surprisingly fresh options rarely found at this price point.