Was your New Year’s resolution to eat less in the coming year? You may want to wait a few days before committing because tomorrow, January 2, is National Buffet Day. In recognition of one of the food industry’s most versatile serving systems, buffets have gained traction and popularity in recent years for their notoriety in providing a vast range of different all-you-can-eat self-serving food options. Buffets make for convenient one-stop dining experiences, catering to everyone in your party regardless of opposing tastes and interests. Alas, they successfully provide something for everyone and as much of it as you want!
While the buffet-style restaurant may appear to be a more modern concept its origins can be traced back to the 16th-century Swedish tradition. Going back further, we can assess that medieval feasting and even those elaborate models depicted in ancient times have always been popular among folks.
Still, we cannot deny that the present-day buffet has emerged as a particularly popular option throughout the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st. Our Mid-Atlantic region alone is now dotted with so many delightful suggestions to pick and choose from.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, may stand out as one of the best examples, though, with its abundance of buffet options per capita. Some are familiar chain favorites, like Golden Coral and Infinito’s Pizza Buffet. Others include casual restaurants boasting all-you-can-eat salad bars, like Ruby Tuesday. Then there are those unique Amish-owned smorgasbords, along with conveniently popular Chinese buffets and other all-you-care-to-enjoy dining establishments housed on location at area inns and hotel destinations.
Because the picks are so plentiful, I’m presenting you with this comprehensive overview guide highlighting all the hottest buffet picks to consider while out and about in Lancaster.
Arthur’s Terrace Restaurant
222 Eden Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
The restaurant serves up American cuisine at Eden Resort & Suites, featuring an à la carte menu and an all-you-can-eat weekend brunch buffet. Click here to learn more.
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
Amish food favorites and familiar American classics can be ordered either à la carte or in all-you-can-eat buffet fashion. Please note that they are currently closed for remodeling following a fire but plan to reopen soon. Additional details are available on the website.
Cicis Pizza Buffet
2405 Covered Bridge Dr, Lancaster, PA 17602
A well-known American chain restaurant, their specialty is providing diners with all-you-can-eat pizza offerings of different toppings and tastes. They also feature American comfort food sides, a salad bar, and desserts. Learn more here.
Dienner’s Country Restaurant
2855 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch-style home cooking and American comfort classics are offered both à la carte and via an all-you-can-eat buffet format. Visit the website to learn more.
Dragon Hibachi & Sushi Buffet
1858 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Located at the Towne Center Mall, they feature Chinese and Japanese cuisine, including sushi, along with American comforts, a salad and dessert bar, and an in-house hibachi. Click the link for more details.
Dutch-Way Farm Market—Myerstown
649 E Lincoln Ave, Myerstown, PA 17067
With three Dutch-Way Farm Markets throughout Lancaster County, the Myerstown location features Amish, family-style dining on location, presented in an all-you-can-eat buffet fashion. Click here to learn more.
Golden Corral
2291 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
This notable American chain restaurant of great acclaim is a contested favorite known for dishing up a bit of everything. Their primary cuisine offerings are those of traditional American comfort selections. They also feature a fabulous salad bar and dessert bar. Learn more on the site link.
Hershey Farm Restaurant
240 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
This lavishly presented grand smorgasbord can be found at the famed Hershey Farm Resort. They are renowned for their authentic provisions of classic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes with modern flavor fusions. Visit the website to learn more.
Infinito’s Pizza Buffet
874 Plaza Blvd, Lancaster, PA 17601
Here’s another American pizza buffet chain known for offering a plethora of pizza in an all-you-can-eat presentation. Other American featured selections include pasta, various sides, salads, and desserts. Click here to learn more.
Lunch Ladle
244 Granite Run Dr, Lancaster, PA 17601
This lesser-known casual American eatery is one of the area’s hidden gems. An excellent option for quick comfort foods, soup, sandwiches, and salads, they too offer an all-you-can-eat option for hungry folks to get their fill. Go to the link to learn more.
Manor Buffet
2090 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602
Enjoy all your favorite Pan-Asian options along with American comforts, sushi, Italian, and more. They also feature a salad bar, fruit bar, desserts, and an in-house hibachi. Discover more by clicking here.
Miller’s Smorgasbord
2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
A community staple for nearly a century, Miller’s is renowned for their deliverance of traditional Amish food classics. They present guests with the option to tuck into either their rightly named “Traditional Smorgasbord” or their “Soup and Salad Buffet” feature. Learn more on the website.
Namaste Restaurant & Bar
2101 Columbia Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
Housed within the Red Carpet Inn Amish Country, they specialize in traditional Indian and Nepalese cuisine, along with other Eastern Asian offerings and some Mediterranean features, all served in a buffet format. Click on the link to learn more.
Norbu Lancaster
38 N Christian St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Family-owned and operated, this buffet operation dishes out Nepalese/Bhutanese cuisine classics, presented in the usual buffet fashion. Visit the website for additional information.
Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
Located at Plain & Fancy Farm, they dish out traditional Amish staples and American comfort classics in a family-style format, catering to large groups of 20 or more people by request via reservation. Visit the website for all additional details.
Restaurant at Oregon Dairy
2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz, PA 17543
Here they feature traditional Pennsylvania Dutch classics alongside well-known contemporary American classics, all divvied up in the usual buffet model. Click here for more information
Ruby Tuesday
1294 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
As a well-known casual American eatery chain, they dish up all the usual, from burgers to steak, seafood, cocktails, and more. They also feature an in-house all-you-can-eat salad bar. Go to the link to learn more.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord
129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519
Here you can enjoy the staples of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch-style comfort foods alongside familiar American favorites. Discover more here.
Sushi Heaven
35 S Willowdale Dr #801, Lancaster, PA 17602
Sushi lovers take note of the all-you-can-eat offerings you can rightfully fill up at this contested establishment. In addition to sushi, they also offer the best in other traditional Japanese specialties. Click here for all additional details.
Taj Mahal
2080 Bennet Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601
Here, you get to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine classics provided in an all-you-can-eat buffet format in an opulent Indian-inspired atmosphere. Go to the link for more information.
Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet
14 S Tower Rd, New Holland, PA 17557
Enjoy the best of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and American comforts alike, with options to order straight from the menu available and even carry out. The lavish buffet setup features hot and cold items alike, endless salad options, baked goods, desserts, and other options. Learn more on the website.
It’s hard to cover every all-you-can-eat option within Lancaster County, but these picks are among the most notable. Whichever optimal option you pick from, the possibilities are plentiful.