15 Ohio Buffet Restaurants Locals Recommend Without Hesitating
Ohio has a way of turning the phrase all you can eat into a personal challenge, and I learned that the hard way somewhere between my first plate and my third quiet return to the line.
I still remember pulling into a small-town parking lot, telling myself I would keep it reasonable, then realizing the locals around me were already mapping out second and third rounds like seasoned professionals.
This state does buffets with confidence, from Amish Country dining rooms where comfort rules the table to city spots where variety is the main attraction. Ask an Ohio local where to eat, and these places come up fast, no debating, no hesitation, just knowing nods and directions.
If you enjoy variety, familiar flavors, and the thrill of deciding what deserves space on your plate next, this Ohio buffet list is about to earn a permanent spot in your saved posts.
1. Dutch Valley Restaurant, Sugarcreek
There are buffets, and then there are those glorious moments when you step into Dutch Valley and quietly accept that your day now belongs to mashed potatoes and pie. The first time I walked into this Sugarcreek favorite, I remember thinking the buffet looked less like a restaurant line and more like a greatest hits album of Amish comfort food.
Platters of broasted chicken, slow-cooked roast beef, noodles over mashed potatoes, and a huge salad bar make it very easy to “sample a little of everything” until your plate looks like a food pyramid in 3D.
Fresh bread and dinner rolls keep arriving, and the dessert table loaded with pies and cakes makes it nearly impossible to pretend you are here to eat light.
Dutch Valley sits right in the heart of Ohio Amish Country, and it feels like it.
ADDRESS: Dutch Valley Restaurant, 1343 Old Route 39 NE, Sugarcreek, OH 44681.
2. Der Dutchman, Plain City
Some buffets feel like a quick stop, but my visits to Der Dutchman in Plain City always feel like tiny holidays with gravy. I still remember my first time pulling into the busy parking lot and realizing that half of central Ohio had apparently decided to eat here the same night I did.
Inside, the dining room hums with families, church groups, and travelers working their way through plates of broasted chicken, ham, dressing, noodles, and all the classic sides you would expect from Amish cooking.
You can order off the menu, but the hot buffet and salad bar are what pull people back in, along with the bakery case that stares at you as you leave.
This is one of those places locals recommend without even thinking about it, because they know you will leave full and happy.
ADDRESS: Der Dutchman, 445 S Jefferson Ave, Plain City, OH 43064.
3. Berlin Farmstead Restaurant, Berlin
If you want to understand why people fall in love with Holmes County buffets, Berlin Farmstead is a pretty persuasive lecture on a plate. I remember standing at the edge of the buffet line here, doing quiet mental math about how many different sides I could fit on one plate without losing structural integrity.
The spread leans into hearty Amish cooking, with fried chicken, ham, real mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, vegetables, a big salad bar, and a dessert table that feels like it might have its own gravitational pull. The dining room is bright and lively, filled with visitors and locals who treat this place as a dependable standby.
It is the sort of spot where people bring out-of-town relatives when they want to show them “how we eat around here,” and that reputation is well earned.
ADDRESS: Berlin Farmstead Restaurant, 4757 Township Road 366, Berlin, OH 44610.
4. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, Mt Hope
There is something wonderfully dangerous about walking into Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen right around lunchtime. I still remember telling myself I would “keep it simple” here, then immediately surrendering to the buffet once I saw the spread.
Depending on the day, you can find broasted chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, stuffing, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, and an inviting salad bar that almost tricks you into thinking you are being responsible.
The atmosphere feels like a small-town gathering place, with farmers, families, and travelers all sharing the same long tables and the same satisfied look.
When the dessert options appear, especially the pies, all thoughts of moderation politely exit the building. This is one of those spots locals mention quickly when you ask where to eat in Amish Country.
ADDRESS: Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, 8101 State Route 241, Mt Hope, OH 44660.
5. Das Dutch Haus Restaurant, Columbiana
Every time I pull into the parking lot at Das Dutch Haus, I feel like I am arriving at a big family gathering where someone wisely outsourced the cooking. My first visit started as a road trip stop and quietly turned into a full afternoon because I kept “going back for one more taste” of something.
The buffet leans into homestyle Amish and country dishes, with fried chicken, roast beef, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, soups, salad bar, and a dessert counter lined with pies and cakes. The dining room is warm and relaxed, and it is the kind of place where you hear people talk about how long they have been coming here.
Between the bakery, the attached shops, and the comforting food, it is easy to see why this restaurant has anchored local dining in Columbiana for years.
ADDRESS: Das Dutch Haus Restaurant, 14895 South Avenue Ext, Columbiana, OH 44408.
6. Amish Door Restaurant, Wilmot
There is a very specific feeling that hits when you walk into Amish Door, smell the buffet, and realize you might need to pace yourself like it is a competitive sport. On my first visit, I thought I would just grab a plate or two, then promptly lost track of how many times I circled the line.
The Grand Buffet here features traditional Amish favorites, including broasted chicken, roast beef, potatoes, noodles, vegetables, and a generous salad bar, along with a dessert selection that rewards every extra mile you walked that week.
The restaurant sits inside Amish Door Village, so the whole experience feels like a little trip, not just a meal.
Locals treat it as a dependable go-to for big family occasions and church groups, and travelers find it because word keeps spreading that the buffet is worth the drive.
ADDRESS: Amish Door Restaurant, 1210 Winesburg St, Wilmot, OH 44689.
7. Der Dutchman, Bellville
Some buffets feel big; Der Dutchman in Bellville feels almost like its own little food town. The first time I stopped here on a road trip along I-71, I remember planning for a quick meal and instead lingering long enough to need a second coffee just to stay awake.
The buffet is loaded with the kinds of comfort dishes that make this group of restaurants so beloved: broasted chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, noodles, vegetables, an all-you-can-eat salad bar, plus a strong lineup of pies and baked goods.
It is a handy halfway stop between Cleveland and Columbus, which explains why you see license plates from all over the state in the lot.
Inside, it feels calm and familiar, the sort of place that becomes a tradition without anyone ever officially declaring it one.
ADDRESS: Der Dutchman, 720 State Route 97 W, Bellville, OH 44813.
8. The Barn Restaurant, Smithville
There are restaurants with nice themes, and then there is The Barn, which is literally a restored 19th century barn serving up homestyle food. The first time I climbed the stairs and looked over the big dining room, I felt like I had stepped into a postcard from rural Ohio.
The buffet and salad bar here keep things focused on hearty country cooking, with dishes like fried chicken, carved meats, potatoes, vegetables, and a loaded salad selection that can easily become a meal on its own. Desserts and pies sit nearby, patiently waiting for you to admit you are not finished yet.
It is the kind of place people remember from childhood and then return to with their own families, which is exactly the sort of quiet recommendation that matters more than any advertisement ever could.
ADDRESS: The Barn Restaurant, 877 W Main St, Smithville, OH 44677.
9. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Columbus
If you like the idea of a buffet built around sausage, Schmidt’s in German Village is basically a very happy dream made real. I still remember my first pass through the Autobahn Buffet here, trying to decide which sausage to start with and realizing that “all of them” was the only reasonable answer.
The buffet focuses on German favorites like their Bahama Mama sausage, bratwurst, hot German potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut, and other rotating sides, along with access to that famous cream puff if you decide dessert is non-negotiable.
The building itself is historic, and the whole neighborhood adds to the charm, so it feels like a destination as much as a meal.
Locals recommend Schmidt’s easily, not just because of the buffet, but because the place has been feeding Columbus for generations.
ADDRESS: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206.
10. Brazilian Grill & Bakery, Columbus
Sometimes a buffet reminds you that “all you can eat” can also feel fresh and vibrant rather than heavy. My first trip to Brazilian Grill & Bakery at Columbus Square turned into a full-on exploration of their Brazilian comfort dishes, and I kept returning to the line just to see what I had missed the first time.
Here you will find a rotating Brazilian buffet with items like rice, beans, stews, grilled meats, salads, and warm pão de queijo that somehow disappear faster than good intentions. The attached bakery is a temptation all by itself, loaded with sweets and breads that locals scoop up to take home.
This spot has a loyal following in north Columbus, especially among people who grew up with these flavors and smile the moment they taste them again.
ADDRESS: Brazilian Grill & Bakery, 5818 Columbus Square, Columbus, OH 43231.
11. New Taj Mahal, Columbus
When I want a buffet that leans spicy and fragrant instead of purely buttery, I find myself thinking about New Taj Mahal in the University District. I still remember my first lunch buffet here, when I realized that “just a small plate” was going to be a complete lie.
The buffet features a rotating lineup of Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, curries, biryani, vegetarian options, rice, naan, salads, and simple sweets. Students from Ohio State mix with neighborhood regulars, and you can hear people trading tips on which tray they liked most that day.
It is informal, busy, and very easy on the indecisive diner who wants to taste a little bit of everything. If you ask locals for a buffet near campus, this place comes up regularly, and once you eat here, you understand why.
ADDRESS: New Taj Mahal, 2361 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202.
12. Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet, Parma
There are moments when you want a salad, and there are moments when you want a long row of sushi rolls staring back at you. My first visit to Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet was one of those sushi row moments, and I happily leaned into it.
Kumo’s all-you-can-eat spread includes a large assortment of sushi rolls, hot Chinese and Japanese dishes, hibachi-style options, seafood, soups, and desserts, all set up in a busy Giant Eagle shopping center that hides just how big the dining room feels inside.
Locals from around Cleveland’s south side know it as a convenient spot for groups, especially when everyone likes something a little different.
It is one of those buffets where you promise yourself you will “stick to sushi this time,” then end up wandering toward the hot trays anyway.
ADDRESS: Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet, 1975 Snow Rd, Parma, OH 44134.
13. Fuji Grill Buffet, Parma
Right across Snow Road, Fuji Grill Buffet quietly makes its case as another big-time option for buffet fans. I remember visiting on a Sunday evening and being surprised at how large the dining room felt once we walked past the front counter.
Fuji offers an all-you-can-eat Chinese and Asian buffet with trays of stir-fries, noodles, seafood, sushi, soups, appetizers, and a full dessert area. The line moves quickly, and it is the kind of place where families can spread out, fill plates, and still go back for “just one more egg roll” without anyone judging.
The location in Midtown Plaza Shopping Center keeps it easy to find, and locals mention it regularly when you ask for a straightforward, no-nonsense buffet on Cleveland’s south side.
ADDRESS: Fuji Grill Buffet, 1930 Snow Rd, Parma, OH 44134.
14. Kintaro All You Can Eat Sushi & Hot Pot, Brooklyn
If variety is your love language, Kintaro in Brooklyn speaks it fluently. I still remember sitting down here for the first time, looking at the all-you-can-eat menu, and realizing I needed a strategy more than a simple order.
Guests pick from an enormous list of sushi rolls, appetizers, tempura, grilled items, and hot pot options, all folded into one price that rewards a hearty appetite. The modern space fills with couples, families, and big friend groups who treat ordering as a team sport, sending different rolls and dishes around the table to sample.
It feels like a cross between a sushi bar and a shared feast, and the steady stream of plates makes time move very quickly. For sushi lovers who like to graze, locals often nudge this place to the top of the list.
ADDRESS: Kintaro All You Can Eat Sushi & Hot Pot, 7325 Northcliff Ave, Brooklyn, OH 44144.
15. The Farm, Cincinnati
Some buffets are restaurants; The Farm in Cincinnati feels more like an event that happens to involve a lot of very good food. I remember my first public buffet night here, walking into the big hall and feeling like I had just crashed a huge family reunion where nobody minded.
This long-running banquet venue opens to the public on select days with an all-you-can-eat country buffet that has become a west-side tradition. You will find fried chicken, carved meats, potatoes, vegetables, salads, and simple desserts, served in a relaxed, communal setting where people linger and talk between trips to the line.
It feels old-fashioned in the best way, and locals recommend it quickly when you mention you want a classic Cincinnati buffet experience with plenty of character. Once you have eaten here, you understand why it keeps showing up in local conversations.
ADDRESS: The Farm, 239 Anderson Ferry Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45238.