7 Must Try Buffets in Pennsylvania You’ll Want to Visit Twice

You know that moment when you swear you’ll never eat again, yet somehow, three days later, you’re still thinking about the roasted chicken from a certain buffet? That’s the magic of Pennsylvania’s all-you-can-eat shrines. If you’re hungry for comfort, nostalgia, and a little bit of adventure (with stretchy pants in tow), this state’s got you.

Below, I’ve rounded up 7 buffets that don’t just fill your plate; they linger in your memory, in the best way. Whether you crave Amish classics, a seafood tidal wave, or late-night hot pot, these spots will have you plotting your next return before you even reach dessert.

Let’s get specific, shall we? Here are seven iconic buffets across Pennsylvania you will absolutely want to visit twice; somewhere between your heart and your stomach, you’ll know why.

1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord, Lancaster

Ever stood in front of a buffet so huge you considered bringing a map? Welcome to Shady Maple, the self-proclaimed largest buffet in America, where 200 feet of food is not exaggeration but destiny. Whether you grew up eating shoofly pie or you have no idea what it is, you’ll find something to obsess over here.

Their fried chicken is the stuff of whispered family arguments; so crispy, so juicy, it’s been causing jealousy since 1985. The salad bar could make a dietitian weep with joy, but let’s be real, you’re here for the carved roast beef and syrupy sweet corn.

Bring your aunt who swears nothing beats her potato salad. Watch her try not to smile after three helpings. Pro tip: show up hungry and wear shoes with give. You’ll thank me after round three of dessert.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord doesn’t just serve food; it serves up stories.

2. Miller’s Smorgasbord, Lancaster

Some places feel like a family reunion, even if you’re not related to anyone there. Miller’s Smorgasbord, open since 1929, is that kind of place. The dining room feels like your grandma’s house, if she ran a buffet and had a secret pie recipe for every day of the week.

The chicken pot pie here is legendary; no crust, just buttery noodles and rich broth, the way Lancaster County intended. Their apple butter? Velvety, sweet, and possibly illegal in three states.

Miller’s isn’t flashy, but neither is comfort. If nostalgia had a flavor, it would taste like their warm, pillowy rolls. You’ll find yourself planning family visits just to have an excuse to return. You may leave with a pie or two for the road (zero judgment).

3. Nine Ting – Chinatown, Philadelphia

You ever had a meal so fun you forgot your phone at the table? Nine Ting’s Korean BBQ and hot pot buffet in Philly’s Chinatown pulls you into the kind of dinner that feels like a celebration, even on a random Tuesday. Every table buzzed with laughter and sizzle from the built-in grills.

Half the thrill is picking your own raw seafood and watching scallops hiss and curl before your eyes. The other half is competing with your friends to craft the perfect dipping sauce from their frankly intimidating condiment bar.

Try the marinated short ribs. Thank me later. You’ll probably eat more than you meant to, but that’s what stretchy jeans are for. Nine Ting isn’t just a meal; it’s an event you’ll want to relive.

4. United Buffet, Philadelphia

The first time I went to United Buffet, I told myself I’d be good and stick to the salad bar. Spoiler: I did not. Their fresh seafood selection; plump shrimp, icy oysters, and even snow crab legs on weekends; taunted my best intentions immediately.

The place hums with cheerful chaos. You’ll hear Spanish, Mandarin, and English debates about the best sauce for clams, and everyone’s right, honestly. Sipping their won ton soup, you get why people keep coming back for family birthdays and “just because” Saturdays.

Dessert is unapologetically over the top, with a chocolate fountain that drips with temptation and nostalgia. United Buffet is proof you can have it all, at least for one deeply satisfying meal.

5. Golden Corral, Monroeville

Golden Corral is the friend who shows up with a casserole and stays to help clean up after. Sure, it’s a national chain, but in Monroeville it feels like a hometown favorite. The fried chicken comes out crisp, juicy, and somehow never dry.

One night I watched a kid try to pile his dessert dish higher than his dinner plate. That’s the spirit. The salad bar offers honest-to-goodness fresh veggies, but the yeast rolls are the real reason people sneak back for seconds (and thirds).

If you ever doubted whether comfort food could be this democratic, Golden Corral’s Sunday line will change your mind. Everyone’s welcome, no one leaves hungry, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch someone’s birthday song three tables over.

6. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, Lancaster

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in Lancaster is a choose-your-own-adventure with a sizzling soundtrack. I watched a chef flip shrimp with one hand and nod along to a dad’s dad joke with the other; multitasking at its finest.

The made-to-order hibachi is the real draw, but the rest of the buffet holds its own. Sushi, stir fries, and a sneaky-good dessert table keep even picky eaters engaged for multiple rounds.

People show up early for lunch, linger for dinner, and swap stories over sesame chicken. If your idea of fun includes watching your food leap and sizzle, this one’s for you. The only thing you’ll regret is not saving more room.

7. Dutch-Way Family Restaurant, Myerstown

Every town deserves a secret that everyone sort of knows. In Myerstown, it’s the Dutch-Way Family Restaurant; a buffet where regulars are greeted by name and newcomers leave as friends. The broasted chicken is famously crisp, and their chicken corn soup could convince even the most stubborn skeptic.

Their dessert station is a sugar-fueled wonderland, with whoopie pies and sticky buns to spare. On Friday nights, the line for soft-serve ice cream wraps around the salad bar.

It’s the kind of place where you wave to strangers because someone’s grandma insists. Dutch-Way captures the best parts of small-town life: warmth, food, and a good reason to come back soon.