10 North Carolina Eateries Where No One Worries About Counting Plates
In North Carolina, some eateries take generosity to a whole new level, serving plates so hearty and satisfying that counting bites becomes impossible.
From steaming bowls of comfort food to overflowing platters of local favorites, every meal feels like a feast made to be enjoyed without limits.
Diners leave full, happy, and often amazed at the portions. Here, abundance meets flavor, and every visit is a delicious reminder that indulgence can be part of the experience.
1. Dan’l Boone Inn — Boone
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this legendary spot has been serving family-style feasts since 1959.
You’ll sit elbow-to-elbow with strangers who quickly become friends as bowls of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans make their rounds.
The menu changes daily, but the concept never does: eat until you’re stuffed, then eat a little more. No menu to order from means no decisions to stress over, just pure Southern comfort on heavy platters.
2. Captain George’s Seafood — K*ll Devil Hills
Right on the Outer Banks, Captain George’s turns seafood lovers into wide-eyed kids at a candy store.
The buffet stretches seemingly forever, loaded with crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, and fresh oysters that taste like the ocean breeze.
Locals know to pace themselves, but tourists always overload their first plate anyway.
Fun fact: this place has been a beach vacation tradition for families since 1983, and the nautical decor hasn’t changed much since then either.
3. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet — Kitty Hawk
Another Outer Banks gem, Jimmy’s keeps things casual and the portions generous. Fried flounder, hush puppies, and clam chowder disappear from plates faster than sandcastles at high tide.
The vibe here is pure beach town: flip-flops welcome, sunburns expected, and second helpings encouraged.
Kids love the soft-serve ice cream station, while parents appreciate the reasonable prices for unlimited seafood. Everyone leaves happy, full, and probably needing a nap on the beach.
4. Granny’s Kitchen — Cherokee
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains near the casino, Granny’s serves up comfort food that actually tastes like your grandmother made it.
Biscuits so fluffy they practically float, fried chicken with a perfect golden crust, and gravy thick enough to stand a spoon in.
The buffet line moves fast, but nobody rushes through their meal. After hiking or losing a few dollars at the slots, this place hits the spot like nothing else in Cherokee.
5. Casey’s Buffet — Wilmington
Wilmington locals have been filling up at Casey’s for decades, and for good reason. The buffet offers everything from crispy fried chicken to tender barbecue, plus enough side dishes to make your head spin.
What sets Casey’s apart is the variety: seafood one night, pot roast the next.
The dessert bar alone could be its own restaurant, with banana pudding that’s become somewhat legendary. Bring your appetite and maybe some stretchy pants for good measure.
6. The Barn Dinner Theatre — Greensboro
Dinner and a show? Yes, please! The Barn combines unlimited comfort food with live musical theater in a converted barn that oozes charm.
Before the curtain rises, you’ll feast on fried chicken, roast beef, and all the fixings from a buffet that never seems to run out.
The performers are local talent with big-city skills, and the whole experience feels wonderfully old-school. It’s date night and family outing rolled into one delicious, entertaining package.
7. Mike’s Farm — Beulaville
Out in rural Duplin County, Mike’s Farm serves country cooking on a scale that would make any farmer proud.
This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a full farm experience with a petting zoo, seasonal attractions, and a buffet that celebrates North Carolina agriculture.
Everything tastes fresher here because much of it comes straight from the surrounding fields. The fried chicken is legendary, and the sweet tea flows freely. Worth the drive from anywhere in the state.
8. Moose Cafe — Asheville
Breakfast lovers rejoice! Moose Cafe in Asheville serves up morning feasts that’ll fuel you through an entire day of mountain adventures.
While not technically a buffet, the portions here are so massive that one plate feels like three.
Pancakes the size of hubcaps, omelets stuffed to bursting, and biscuits that could double as pillows. The wait can be long on weekends, but regulars say it’s absolutely worth every minute spent in line.
9. Abele’s Family Restaurant — Morganton
In the foothills, Abele’s has been a Morganton institution since way back when. Family-style service means bowls and platters arrive at your table, and you pass them around until everyone’s satisfied.
The menu rotates, but favorites like country-fried steak, butter beans, and cornbread show up regularly.
There’s something special about sharing food this way; it slows you down and makes the meal feel like a real gathering. Plus, nobody’s stingy with the butter here.
10. Milton’s Pizza & Pasta — Raleigh
Who says all-you-can-eat has to be Southern? Milton’s brings Italian comfort food to the buffet game with pizzas, pastas, and garlic knots that disappear faster than you can say “mangia.”
The pizza bar offers rotating specialty pies, while the pasta station lets you load up on spaghetti, fettuccine, and lasagna.
Kids go wild for the unlimited breadsticks, and parents appreciate the reasonable prices. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s exactly what Raleigh families need.