10 South Carolina Soul Food Buffets Locals Always Recommend

South Carolina’s soul food scene is legendary, filled with buffets that serve up comfort food with a side of genuine Southern hospitality. From crispy fried chicken to buttery mac and cheese, these buffets offer all-you-can-eat spreads that’ll make your taste buds dance.

I’ve gathered the best spots locals swear by for an authentic soul food experience you won’t forget.

1. Martha Lou’s Kitchen

Since opening its doors in 1983, this Charleston gem has been serving soul food that makes locals feel right at home. Martha Lou herself created recipes that remain unchanged, featuring perfectly seasoned fried chicken with a golden, crispy crust.

The lima beans cook slowly until they’re tender and flavorful. You’ll find okra soup that warms you from the inside out, made just like grandma used to prepare it.

2. Big Mike’s Soul Food

Myrtle Beach visitors and residents pack this restaurant for good reason—the buffet stretches with endless Southern favorites. Generous portions of fried chicken sit alongside juicy pork chops and tender turkey wings that fall off the bone.

Classic sides steal the show, including creamy mac and cheese, slow-cooked collards, and sweet candied yams. Every dish tastes homemade, prepared fresh daily with care and traditional cooking methods.

3. Simply Southern Smokehouse

Walking into this Myrtle Beach favorite feels like stepping into a family reunion where everyone’s invited to eat. Their buffet-style setup lets you pile your plate high with smoky pulled pork and crispy fried chicken.

Sweet potato casserole arrives topped with melted marshmallows and brown sugar. Collard greens simmer with just the right amount of seasoning, complementing every main dish perfectly for a complete Southern meal.

4. Shealy’s Bar-B-Que

Family ownership since the late 1960s means recipes here have been perfected through generations of cooking experience. The buffet line moves quickly, but you’ll want to take your time choosing between pulled pork, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and crispy chicken.

Hash served over rice is a South Carolina specialty done exceptionally well here. Sweet tea flows freely, and banana pudding provides the perfect sweet ending to your savory feast.

5. Duke’s Bar-B-Q

Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe this Orangeburg institution that’s been feeding hungry souls for decades. Their all-you-can-eat buffet represents authentic Southern barbecue at its finest, with pulled pork that’s smoky and tender.

Fried chicken comes out hot and crunchy every time. Hash ladled over fluffy white rice is a must-try regional specialty that locals grew up eating and still crave regularly today.

6. Hannibal’s Kitchen

You’ll discover comfort food that tastes exactly like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house. Fried catfish arrives perfectly seasoned with a cornmeal crust that crunches with every bite, paired beautifully with hush puppies.

Green beans cook low and slow with chunks of ham for incredible flavor. Red rice, a Lowcountry staple, gets prepared using time-honored methods that bring out its distinctive color and taste perfectly.

7. Mama’s Kitchen

Homestyle cooking reaches new heights at this beloved spot where every dish tastes lovingly prepared from scratch. Meatloaf comes glazed with a tangy-sweet sauce that keeps customers coming back week after week.

Black-eyed peas simmer until creamy and delicious. Cornbread arrives warm and buttery, crumbling just right when you break it apart to soak up pot liquor from the greens on your overflowing plate.

8. Sweatman’s Bar-B-Que

Whole hog barbecue prepared over wood coals makes this restaurant a must-visit destination for serious barbecue lovers. Mustard-based sauce, a South Carolina trademark, adds tangy flavor that complements the smoky meat beautifully.

The buffet includes traditional sides like butter beans and coleslaw. Peach cobbler finishes your meal with sweet, fruity goodness that captures the essence of Southern desserts in every spoonful you savor.

9. Bertha’s Kitchen

Charleston locals know this unassuming spot serves some of the most authentic soul food you’ll find anywhere in the state. Fried chicken gets seasoned with a secret blend of spices that creates unforgettable flavor in every crispy bite.

Collard greens cook down with smoked meat until silky smooth. Rice smothered in rich brown gravy becomes the perfect base for piling on more delicious items from this incredible buffet spread.

10. Lizard’s Thicket Restaurant

Family traditions run deep at this Columbia establishment that has been feeding hungry South Carolinians since 1977. Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a neighbor’s kitchen, where the aroma of fried chicken and fresh biscuits greets every visitor.

The buffet line stretches with colorful vegetables and hearty meats that change daily. Smothered pork chops sit alongside golden fried chicken livers, while squash casserole and black-eyed peas offer classic Southern sides. Every dish reflects recipes perfected over decades.