8 South Carolina Soul Food Buffets Worth Experiencing
South Carolina’s soul food scene is a delicious journey through history, flavor, and tradition. From the Lowcountry’s Gullah-inspired dishes to the Midlands’ famous barbecue spreads, buffets across the state serve up authentic Southern cooking that warms both belly and soul.
I’m taking you on a tour of some incredible spots where generous portions meet generations-old recipes. Get ready to discover places where every plate tells a story.
1. Bertha’s Kitchen
Family recipes passed down since 1979 make this North Charleston landmark a must-visit destination. Bertha’s earned a James Beard Award for keeping Gullah cooking traditions alive through dishes like okra soup and perfectly seasoned fried pork chops.
You’ll taste the difference when cooks prepare food with love and respect for heritage. The atmosphere feels like visiting a relative’s home for Sunday dinner, where everyone’s welcome at the table.
2. Hannibal’s Kitchen
Operating since 1985 on Charleston’s East Side, this spot proves fancy decorations can’t compete with incredible flavor. Specialties include crab rice that locals crave and shark steak sandwiches you won’t find anywhere else.
I love how the straightforward setting lets the food do all the talking. Seafood and soul food blend perfectly here, creating combinations that keep customers returning decade after decade.
3. Big Mike’s Soul Food
Chef Big Mike transforms turkey wings into something magical at this Myrtle Beach treasure. His macaroni cheese has built a following so loyal that people plan beach vacations around visiting his restaurant.
Friday seafood platters draw crowds from across the Grand Strand. You might drive past without noticing, but once you taste the food, you’ll never forget where to find it again.
4. Gullah Grub Restaurant
St. Helena Island preserves centuries of Gullah culture, and this restaurant serves as a delicious history lesson. Red rice cooked in cast iron the traditional way connects diners to West African cooking methods brought here generations ago.
Every bite carries stories of resilience and creativity. The menu honors ancestors while feeding modern appetites, making cultural preservation taste absolutely wonderful.
5. Dukes Bar-B-Que
Mustard-based barbecue defines South Carolina’s Midlands region, and Dukes has perfected it over many years. Hash and rice sit alongside fried okra, creating the kind of buffet spread that makes choosing just one plate nearly impossible.
The buffet setup encourages sampling everything, which I highly recommend. You’ll understand why Orangeburg residents consider this place a community treasure worth bragging about to visitors.
6. Doc’s Barbeque & Southern Buffet
Barbecue meets soul food classics at this Columbia favorite where the buffet line stretches with options. Pulled pork and fried chicken share space with perfectly seasoned collard greens, giving you the best of both worlds.
Save room for the dessert section because peach cobbler this good deserves its own stomach space. I appreciate how they balance smoky barbecue flavors with traditional Southern sides beautifully.
7. Shuler’s Bar-B-Que
Since 1954, Shuler’s has been cooking whole hogs over hickory wood the old-fashioned way. That commitment to tradition shows up in every tender, smoky bite on your plate.
Collard greens and cornbread complete the experience perfectly. When a restaurant survives nearly seven decades, you know they’re doing something right, and one meal here explains their longevity completely.
8. Little Pigs Barbecue
Weekend lines wrapping around the building tell you everything about Little Pigs’ popularity since 1985. Both mustard and vinegar sauces let you experience different South Carolina barbecue traditions on one visit.
I suggest arriving early because crowds grow quickly, especially on Saturdays. The wait proves worthwhile when you finally reach that buffet loaded with authentic Columbia-style barbecue and fixings.
