15 Tennessee All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Where The Dessert Spread Is The Real Showstopper
Definitely, Tennessee does buffets right, but some places take their dessert game to a whole different level.
Sure, you could fill up on fried chicken and mashed potatoes, but that would mean missing out on the real reason people keep coming back: those towering cake displays, bubbling cobblers, and ice cream stations that could double as playgrounds.
I’ve spent more time than I care to admit hunting down the best all-you-can-eat spots across the state, and trust me, the dessert spreads at these 15 places are worth every single calorie.
Grab a fork and loosen your belt.
1. Emma’s Family Restaurant – Manchester
True country cooking meets a dessert lineup that feels like someone raided their grandmother’s recipe box in the best way possible.
Peach cobbler, cakes, and creamy puddings get laid out like a church social, and the presentation is charmingly unpretentious.
Everything tastes homemade because it actually is, and you can tell the difference in every bite. I once watched a regular fill an entire plate with just desserts, and honestly, I respected the commitment.
Emma’s keeps things simple and delicious, which is exactly what a good buffet should do.
2. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store – Jackson
Cobbler and banana pudding show up every single day at this Jackson landmark, and they’re the kind of sweets that make you rethink your entire meal strategy.
Most people load up on the country cooking first, then realize they’ve made a terrible mistake when they see the dessert bar.
The banana pudding alone has a cult following, with layers so creamy you’ll want to take a photo before digging in. Cobbler comes out warm and bubbly, begging to be topped with a scoop of vanilla if you’re feeling fancy.
Brooks Shaw’s has been feeding folks since 1965, so they know a thing or two about keeping dessert lovers happy.
3. Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet – Knoxville
Steaks might get top billing here, but the regulars know the real secret is the dessert bar that seems to go on forever. Cakes, brownies, and a scoop-your-own ice cream setup turn the end of your meal into a full-blown sugar adventure.
The variety is honestly ridiculous, with enough options to make decision-making nearly impossible. I’ve been here three times and still haven’t tried everything on the dessert side.
Austin’s clearly understands that a great buffet needs a knockout finish, and they deliver every single time.
4. Home Folks Family Restaurant – Soddy-Daisy
Old-school vibes meet an endless dessert bar that makes saving room for sweets feel like the smartest decision you’ll make all week.
Banana pudding and pie dominate the lineup, but there’s usually a rotating cast of other treats that keep things interesting.
The buffet itself is generous, but the dessert section is where Home Folks really shows off. Everything tastes like it came straight from a home kitchen, which is exactly the point.
This place has been a local favorite for years, and one bite of their banana pudding will tell you exactly why.
5. Chow Time Buffet & Grill – Memphis
Multiple hot bars and a hibachi station set the stage, but the chocolate-heavy dessert area becomes the grand finale that everyone pulls out their phones to photograph.
Brownies, chocolate cakes, and chocolate-dipped everything create a sweet lover’s paradise.
I visited on a random Tuesday and still found myself impressed by the sheer amount of dessert real estate. The variety goes way beyond what you’d expect, with enough options to satisfy even the pickiest sweet tooth.
Chow Time clearly believes in ending every meal on a high note, and they’ve mastered the art of the dessert station.
6. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet – Johnson City
Sprawling barely begins to describe this buffet, but the real magic happens at the dessert counter, where a full ice cream station lets you build sundaes exactly how you want them.
The ice cream setup alone is worth the trip, with all the classic toppings and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Kids go absolutely wild here, and honestly, so do most adults.
Hibachi Grill knows that a great buffet needs a memorable finish, and they’ve nailed it.
7. Western Sizzlin – Athens
Locals pile up plates with the main course, then make a beeline back to the dessert and sundae bar that anchors the sweet side of this family-friendly spot. Soft serve, cakes, and pies create a classic lineup that never goes out of style.
The sundae bar gets especially busy during weekend lunch rushes, with families building towering creations that barely fit in the bowls.
Western Sizzlin keeps things straightforward and satisfying, focusing on the desserts people actually want to eat.
It’s comfort food in every sense, right down to the last spoonful of ice cream.
8. Western Sizzlin Steak & More – Jasper
Country sides and hearty mains get you started, but the dessert bar steals the show with warm peach cobbler that tastes like it came straight from a neighbor’s oven. The cobbler arrives fresh throughout the day, ensuring you get it at peak deliciousness.
I made the mistake of filling up on the main buffet once and could only manage a small serving of cobbler, which I still regret. Regulars know to pace themselves because the dessert selection deserves serious attention.
Western Sizzlin in Jasper has perfected that homestyle sweetness that keeps people coming back week after week.
9. Golden Corral (various TN locations)
Count on the classics at any Tennessee location: soft-serve machines, pies, cakes, and that big rotating dessert case that keeps families lingering long after they’ve finished their main plates.
The variety is consistent and reliable, which is exactly what you want from a chain buffet.
Kids love the soft-serve station, while adults tend to gravitate toward the pie selection that changes with the seasons. Golden Corral might be everywhere, but their dessert game remains strong across all locations.
It’s the kind of dependable sweetness that turns a regular dinner into a full dessert experience.
10. Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery – Pigeon Forge
Resort elegance meets Southern comfort at this Pigeon Forge spot, where rich desserts feel tailor-made for lingering over coffee and conversation. The presentation is a step above typical buffet fare, with desserts that look as good as they taste.
Cakes, pies, and specialty sweets rotate regularly, giving repeat visitors something new to try each time. I spent way too long debating between three different options before just getting all three, which turned out to be the right call.
Song & Hearth proves that buffet desserts can be both abundant and refined.
11. Aunt Granny’s Restaurant (Dollywood) – Pigeon Forge
All-you-care-to-eat platters keep arriving at your table, and then the sweets hit the scene, turning a regular lunch into something that feels like a holiday feast.
The family-style service means desserts come right to you, eliminating the need to waddle back to a buffet line.
Located inside Dollywood, this spot feeds hungry theme park visitors with serious Southern hospitality and even more serious desserts.
The portions are generous, and the variety changes seasonally, keeping things fresh and exciting.
Aunt Granny’s understands that good dessert makes every meal memorable, especially when you’re already having a fun day.
12. Mama’s Farmhouse – Pigeon Forge
Family-style, all-you-can-eat entrées set the stage, but rotating desserts like banana pudding and seasonal cobblers are what guests gush about in reviews and recommendations.
Everything arrives at your table in big serving bowls, encouraging sharing and second helpings.
The banana pudding has achieved legendary status among regulars, while seasonal cobblers bring in fresh flavors throughout the year.
I visited during peach season and nearly cried over how good the cobbler was, which sounds dramatic but was completely justified.
Mama’s Farmhouse nails that comforting, home-cooked feeling right down to the last sweet bite.
13. The Farmer’s Daughter – Chuckey
All-you-can-eat country cooking arrives at your table instead of requiring trips to a buffet line, and desserts so homey that folks swap bites like actual family members.
Cobblers and cakes dominate the sweet selection, with recipes that taste like they’ve been passed down for generations.
The family-style service creates a communal vibe that makes the meal feel special, and the desserts seal the deal. Warm cobbler served in generous portions tastes even better when you’re sharing it with your table.
The Farmer’s Daughter keeps things authentic and delicious, focusing on quality over quantity.
14. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – Pigeon Forge & Nashville
Endless platters of Southern staples close with your choice of dessert, a built-in sweet promise that comes with every meal. The family-style service means you get to try multiple desserts without feeling guilty about going back for more.
Both locations in Pigeon Forge and Nashville serve up the same commitment to over-the-top Southern hospitality and seriously good sweets.
Desserts change regularly, but always deliver on that rich, indulgent flavor profile Paula Deen is known for.
It’s comfort food at its finest, with dessert playing a starring role in the whole experience.
15. Sitar Indian Cuisine – Knoxville
A beloved daily lunch buffet switches things up with a finish that might include kheer, gulab jamun, or kulfi, giving the spread a fragrant, festival-night ending that stands out from typical buffet desserts.
The flavors are bold and unapologetically different, offering a refreshing change of pace.
I tried kulfi for the first time here and immediately wondered why more buffets don’t serve it. The sweetness is balanced and complex, with spices that linger pleasantly on your palate.
Sitar proves that buffet desserts don’t have to be predictable, and sometimes the best way to end a meal is with something completely unexpected.