13 North Carolina Soul Food Buffets That Deliver True Flavor And Full Plates
Soul food has deep roots in North Carolina, where generations have passed down recipes that warm the heart and fill the belly.
These buffets offer mountains of fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and sweet tea that tastes like home.
I’ve rounded up the best spots across the state where you can load your plate without breaking the bank.
1. Granny’s Kitchen – Cherokee
Cafeteria-style dining brings back memories of Sunday suppers at this beloved Cherokee spot.
Located at 1098 Paint Town Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, the restaurant serves breakfast through dinner with portions that’ll have you loosening your belt.
You’ll find crispy fried chicken piled high next to creamy mashed potatoes and gravy that tastes like it simmered all day.
The green beans are cooked Southern style with plenty of seasoning.
Cornbread comes out warm and crumbly, perfect for soaking up pot liquor from the collards.
Banana pudding sits in the dessert section calling your name with layers of vanilla wafers and whipped cream.
The staff keeps the trays filled so you never see an empty spot.
Prices stay reasonable even when you go back for seconds or thirds.
2. Casey’s Buffet – Wilmington
Families have been filling their plates here for years, and the line out the door proves it’s worth the wait.
The address is 5559 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, where the aroma of home cooking hits you before you even walk inside.
Their fried chicken has a golden crust that crunches with every bite while staying juicy underneath.
Mac and cheese gets baked with a crispy top layer that people fight over.
The collard greens simmer with smoked meat that adds depth to every forkful.
Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows melts in your mouth like candy.
You’ll spot at least six different desserts including peach cobbler that arrives bubbling hot.
The welcoming atmosphere makes strangers feel like family at the next table.
3. Mama Dip’s Kitchen – Chapel Hill
Country cooking meets college town charm at this Chapel Hill institution that’s been feeding hungry folks since 1976.
The restaurant sits ready to welcome you with recipes that Mama Dip herself perfected over decades in the kitchen.
Fried catfish comes out crispy on the outside and flaky inside, seasoned just right so you taste the fish not just the breading.
Candied yams get cooked down with butter and brown sugar until they’re almost like dessert.
The okra and tomatoes stew together in a tangy sauce that’ll convert even skeptics.
Biscuits arrive fluffy and tall, begging for a drizzle of honey or a pat of butter.
Chicken and dumplings sit in a thick gravy that sticks to your ribs.
Students and locals alike consider this place a treasure.
4. Lexington Barbecue – Lexington
Barbecue might be the star, but the sides at this Lexington spot deserve their own standing ovation.
Located in the heart of barbecue country, this restaurant has been smoking meat and cooking sides since 1962 with methods passed down through generations.
Red slaw gets tossed with a vinegar-based dressing that cuts through the richness of the pork.
Hush puppies come out golden and slightly sweet with a crispy exterior that gives way to soft cornmeal inside.
The baked beans simmer with bits of pork mixed in for extra flavor.
Green beans cook low and slow until they’re tender and seasoned perfectly.
Their barbecue slaw sits on top of chopped pork sandwiches adding crunch and tang.
Even people who come for the meat leave raving about the sides that complete the meal.
5. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey – Raleigh
Modern meets traditional at this downtown Raleigh spot where fried chicken gets elevated without losing its soul.
Chef Ashley Christensen created a space where you can enjoy elevated comfort food that still feels like home cooking at its finest.
The fried chicken arrives with a drizzle of local honey that adds sweetness to the savory crust.
Collard greens get cooked with care and seasoned so well you’ll want a second helping.
Mac and cheese comes baked until bubbly with a cheese blend that stretches with every spoonful.
Buttermilk biscuits tower high and flake apart when you pull them open.
The chicken skin shatters when you bite down, revealing juicy meat underneath.
Everything tastes like Sunday dinner but with a chef’s touch that makes each bite special and memorable.
6. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen – Chapel Hill
Breakfast soul food might sound unusual, but this Chapel Hill gem proves morning meals deserve the same love as dinner spreads.
The tiny building serves up biscuits from dawn until early afternoon when they sell out and close for the day.
Each biscuit gets made from scratch and comes out of the oven fluffy with layers that pull apart easily.
Country ham sits salty and thin between the halves, or you can order fried chicken for breakfast if you’re feeling adventurous.
The gravy comes thick and peppered, perfect for smothering everything on your plate.
Fried pork chops make an appearance on the breakfast menu alongside eggs cooked however you like them.
People line up before opening because these biscuits are that good.
Cash only keeps things simple and prices low for this beloved breakfast spot.
7. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q – Multiple Locations
This North Carolina chain started small and grew because people couldn’t get enough of their chicken and sides combo.
With locations scattered across the state, you’re never too far from a plate of their famous fried chicken and barbecue offerings.
The buffet line stretches long with fried chicken that stays crispy even under the heat lamps.
Brunswick stew bubbles away with chunks of meat and vegetables in a tomato-based broth.
Collard greens sit next to green beans, giving you options for your vegetable sides.
Hush puppies come sweet and crispy, perfect for munching between bites of chicken.
The banana pudding disappears fast from the dessert section because it’s that creamy and delicious.
Families pack the dining room on Sundays when everyone craves comfort food without the cooking hassle.
8. Keaton’s BBQ & Catering – Cleveland
Small-town soul food shines at this Cleveland spot where the buffet changes daily but the quality never wavers.
Locals know to check what’s cooking before heading over because each day brings different specials alongside the regular favorites.
Fried chicken appears most days with a coating that’s seasoned so well you’ll lick your fingers clean. Meatloaf gets sliced thick and topped with a tangy glaze that caramelizes on top.
The mashed potatoes come real, not instant, with lumps that prove they’re homemade.
Butter beans simmer in their pot liquor until they’re creamy and rich.
Cornbread dressing shows up on weekends, reminding everyone of Thanksgiving dinner year-round.
The small dining room fills up fast during lunch when workers from nearby towns make the drive for a proper meal.
9. Stamey’s Barbecue – Greensboro
Operating since 1930, this Greensboro institution knows a thing or two about feeding people food that satisfies the soul.
The restaurant has stayed in the same family for generations, keeping recipes and cooking methods exactly as they were decades ago.
Chopped barbecue comes dressed with their signature sauce that’s tangy without being too vinegary.
The slaw gets made fresh daily with a dressing that complements rather than overpowers.
Fried okra arrives hot and crispy, seasoned perfectly so each bite crunches.
Green beans cook with ham hock until they’re tender and flavorful.
Their hush puppies have a slight sweetness that balances the savory main dishes.
Peach cobbler bubbles away in the dessert case, topped with a crust that’s flaky and golden brown from the oven.
10. Bullock’s Bar-B-Cue – Durham
Politicians and regular folks sit side by side at this Durham landmark that’s been serving soul food since 1952.
Located at 3330 Quebec Dr, Durham, NC 27705, the restaurant maintains its reputation as a place where everyone’s treated like family regardless of status.
The buffet spreads out with cornbread that crumbles just right when you break it apart.
Fried chicken sits alongside barbecue, giving you options for your protein choice.
Collard greens get cooked down with the right amount of vinegar and spice.
Sweet potato casserole arrives topped with pecans that add crunch to the creamy sweet potatoes underneath.
Black-eyed peas simmer with onions and seasoning that makes them addictive.
The dining room buzzes with conversation as people enjoy plates piled high with food that tastes like home cooking should taste.
11. Skylight Inn – Ayden
Whole hog barbecue might be the claim to fame, but the sides at this Ayden spot complete the soul food experience perfectly.
The distinctive dome-shaped building at 4618 S Lee St, Ayden, NC 28513 has become an iconic landmark in eastern North Carolina barbecue country.
Chopped pork gets seasoned with nothing but salt, pepper, and vinegar, letting the smoke flavor shine through.
Cornbread comes out in squares that are slightly sweet and perfect for soaking up barbecue juice. The coleslaw provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the rich pork.
Boiled potatoes show up on the side, simple but satisfying when mixed with barbecue.
Everything gets served on paper plates because fancy presentation isn’t the point here.
The focus stays on food that’s been cooked the same way for generations without shortcuts or compromises.
12. Crook’s Corner – Chapel Hill
Shrimp and grits might have made this place famous, but the soul food sides keep locals coming back week after week.
Located at 610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, the restaurant blends coastal Carolina flavors with traditional soul food in ways that surprise and delight.
Collard greens get cooked with a lighter touch than traditional methods but still pack plenty of flavor. Hoppin’ John combines rice and black-eyed peas with seasonings that make this simple dish shine.
The cheese grits come creamy and rich, perfect as a base for anything you pile on top.
Fried green tomatoes arrive with a crispy cornmeal crust that gives way to tangy tomato underneath.
Sweet tea flows freely, brewed strong and sweetened just right.
The casual atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome whether dressed up or dressed down.
13. Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant – Raleigh
Country cooking takes center stage at this downtown Raleigh breakfast and lunch spot where the buffet never disappoints hungry diners.
The restaurant operates at 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601 in the historic City Market area, serving up soul food that fuels workers through their day.
Biscuits tower high and flaky, ready to be filled with country ham or sausage gravy.
Fried chicken appears at lunch alongside meatloaf and other comfort food favorites.
The collard greens cook down with ham hock until they’re tender and flavorful.
Mashed potatoes come real with gravy that’s thick and peppery.
Sweet potato casserole gets topped with brown sugar and pecans that caramelize in the oven.
The no-frills atmosphere keeps prices low while the quality stays high, making this a favorite among state workers and tourists alike.
