16 Pennsylvania All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Where Dessert Is The Star
In Pennsylvania, buffets aren’t just about piling your plate with savory favorites, they’re about saving room for that sweet finale.
From towering cakes and pies to endless trays of cookies, puddings, and ice cream, these all-you-can-eat spots turn dessert into the main attraction.
Locals know that the sugar rush is just as important as the hearty dishes, and once you taste what’s waiting at the end, you’ll understand why dessert steals the spotlight here.
1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord (East Earl)
Sweet dreams are made of Shady Maple’s legendary dessert bar stretching nearly 200 feet long.
The bakery team arrives at 3 AM daily to create over 40 homemade pies, sticky buns, and their famous warm shoofly pie.
Locals whisper about the rotating soft-serve machine with eight different flavors and more toppings than you can count.
Many visitors admit they’ve skipped main courses entirely just to sample more of the 30+ dessert offerings.
2. Miller’s Smorgasbord (Ronks)
Family recipes dating back four generations grace Miller’s dessert section, where Amish bakers craft treats that would make grandma jealous.
Their bread pudding with warm vanilla sauce has customers literally planning trips around it. Weekends bring chocolate fountains cascading over fresh strawberries and homemade marshmallows.
The signature coconut cream pie disappears so quickly that servers now announce when fresh batches arrive, causing a polite Pennsylvania stampede to the dessert counter.
3. Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet (New Holland)
Handwritten recipe cards from 1962 still guide Yoder’s dessert makers, who refuse to cut corners with pre-made ingredients.
Their peanut butter cream pie has developed something of a cult following among locals who claim it’s worth the trip alone.
Apple dumplings emerge from the oven hourly, filling the restaurant with cinnamon-scented steam.
The modest exterior hides what many consider Pennsylvania Dutch dessert heaven, complete with warm whoopie pies that somehow remain perfectly soft in the center.
4. Dienner’s Country Restaurant (Ronks)
Hidden behind the savory buffet stations lies Dienner’s secret weapon: a rotating seasonal dessert selection that changes twice daily. Summer brings fresh peach cobbler that locals start lining up for around 11 AM.
The unassuming grandmother who makes their rice pudding has turned down multiple cookbook deals.
Fall visitors rave about pumpkin rolls with cream cheese filling that somehow remain impossibly moist. Pro tip: regulars know to grab dessert first before the famous chocolate shoofly pie vanishes.
5. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord (Bird-in-Hand)
Miniature desserts are the genius innovation at Bird-in-Hand, allowing guilt-free sampling of everything from traditional wet-bottom shoofly pie to avant-garde lavender honey ice cream.
Their banana pudding recipe hasn’t changed since 1968. Kids squeal with delight at the build-your-own sundae bar featuring locally-sourced dairy.
The restaurant’s namesake bird-shaped cookies aren’t just adorable but packed with butter and brown sugar. Dessert trays are replenished every 15 minutes, ensuring everything tastes freshly made.
6. Dutch-Way Family Restaurant (Myerstown)
Butter is practically its own food group at Dutch-Way, where the dessert section features hand-churned ice cream made on premises.
Their cinnamon sticky buns require three days of preparation and feature a secret ingredient the owners refuse to reveal even under pressure.
Seasonal fruit pies use produce from farms within a five-mile radius.
The restaurant’s famous “whoopie pie bar” lets customers build custom creations with six different cake flavors and eight filling options, creating mathematical possibilities that would make your high school teacher proud.
7. Manor Buffet (Lancaster)
Fusion desserts make Manor Buffet a standout, where traditional Pennsylvania Dutch treats meet international flavors.
Their green tea-infused rice pudding converts skeptics into believers, while chocolate-dipped bacon on the dessert bar raises eyebrows then earns fans.
Weekend brunches feature made-to-order crepes with housemade fillings.
The pastry chef’s background in French cuisine elevates humble classics like apple crisp with unexpected touches of cardamom and orange zest. Regulars know to arrive early when the warm brownie pudding with salted caramel sauce is served.
8. Regal Buffet (Reading)
Breaking buffet traditions, Regal positions their dessert section front and center, tempting you before you’ve had a single savory bite.
Their chocolate fountain stands over four feet tall and flows with three different types of Belgian chocolate.
Fresh fruit sorbets are made hourly in small batches.
The chef’s signature dessert egg rolls filled with cheesecake and served with raspberry dipping sauce create lines that snake through the restaurant.
Smart visitors know Thursdays bring the expanded dessert selection with over 25 different cheesecake varieties.
9. Ocean Buffet (Allentown)
Surprisingly, this seafood-focused restaurant houses one of Pennsylvania’s most creative dessert stations.
Their coconut mochi ice cream balls sell out nightly, while the fresh mango pudding transports you straight to Southeast Asia.
Weekends bring chocolate-covered strawberries dipped to order. The pastry chef’s daily creations feature unexpected combinations like lychee and chocolate or green tea tiramisu.
Despite the oceanic theme, locals know Ocean Buffet as the place where sweet tooths find satisfaction in waves of delightful confections.
10. Gourmet Buffet & Grill (Allentown)
Chocolate lovers pilgrimage to Gourmet Buffet for their legendary seven-layer chocolate station featuring everything from white chocolate bread pudding to dark chocolate fondue.
Their signature chocolate lava cakes emerge from the kitchen every 30 minutes, causing a gentle commotion among guests. Seasonal fruit cobblers change weekly based on local harvests.
The pastry chef’s background in sculpture becomes evident in the hand-carved chocolate decorations adorning each dessert platter. First-timers often gasp audibly when turning the corner to discover the illuminated dessert room.
11. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (Harrisburg)
Fresh-fried donuts emerge continuously from the open-kitchen dessert station, where chefs create miniature works of art.
Their famous green tea ice cream is made in-house using traditional methods that the owner learned in Japan.
Weekends bring chocolate-dipped fortune cookies with custom messages. The dessert section bridges cultures with flan sitting comfortably next to red bean mochi and Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie.
Children delight in the DIY cotton candy machine while adults secretly take just as many turns creating fluffy sugar clouds.
12. Golden Corral (Lancaster)
Quantity meets quality at Lancaster’s Golden Corral, where the chocolate wonderfall fountain has achieved local landmark status.
Their bread pudding recipe comes from a longtime employee’s grandmother and uses day-old yeast rolls for perfect texture.
Fresh-baked cookies emerge every 20 minutes, filling the restaurant with irresistible aromas. The weekend chocolate-dipped cheesecake bites disappear faster than servers can replenish them.
Insiders know to visit during “Dessert Rush Hour” between 7-8 PM when the selection doubles and includes flaming bananas foster prepared tableside.
13. Hershey Farm Grand Smorgasbord (Ronks)
Chocolate naturally dominates at Hershey Farm, where their 25-foot dessert bar features no fewer than 12 chocolate-based creations daily.
Their whoopie pie selection has achieved legendary status with eight rotating flavors including seasonal specialties like pumpkin chocolate chip.
Fresh strawberry pie appears within hours of local berry picking during summer months. The smorgasbord’s signature dessert, chocolate shoofly pie, combines Pennsylvania Dutch tradition with chocolate decadence.
Insiders recommend the warm rice pudding served in individual crocks and topped with cinnamon whipped cream made throughout the day.
14. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord (Old Philadelphia Pike)
Nestled in the heart of Amish Country, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord offers a hearty dining experience. The dessert section stands out with homemade pies and cakes, crafted with traditional recipes.
Families gather around to indulge in treats like shoo-fly pie and apple dumplings. Each bite offers a taste of local culinary heritage. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere, it’s a sweet escape for all ages.
Known for its Amish-inspired confections, the buffet ensures dessert is a memorable highlight. Perfect for those eager to taste authentic local flavors.
15. Infinito’s (Harrisburg)
Infinito’s, a chain with locations in Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and more, delights dessert aficionados with its abundant offerings.
The sweet section shines with ice cream, pastries, and a tantalizing chocolate fountain.
A modern vibe pervades the eateries, where families and friends gather to savor sweets amid laughter and joy. Each location adds its unique local flavor to familiar desserts.
Known for its variety, Infinito’s ensures that even the most discerning sweet tooth leaves satisfied, making it an ideal spot for a dessert-centric outing.
16. The Restaurant & Buffet at Oregon Dairy (Lancaster)
Set against the pastoral backdrop of Lancaster County, The Restaurant & Buffet at Oregon Dairy offers a rustic dining experience with an emphasis on desserts.
Cakes, cookies, and more fill the buffet, drawing guests into a world of sweetness.
The charm of the countryside adds a unique flavor to the rich, decadent treats. Patrons enjoy their desserts in a cozy, inviting setting, ideal for a leisurely visit.
Known for its farm-fresh ingredients, the buffet ensures each dessert is as delightful as the serene surroundings. Perfect for those seeking a sweet rural retreat.