National Buffet Day

National Buffet Day is celebrated annually on January 2. The date for the observance was intentional and chosen in 2011 by food blogger John-Bryan Hopkins. Placed immediately after New Year’s Day, it reflects a short window when holiday-style eating still feels acceptable, but healthier routines are just around the corner. Many people see it as a final pause before dietary resolutions fully begin.

On National Buffet Day, it’s a perfect moment to visit an all-you-can-eat restaurant or set up a buffet at home. 

Here are some examples of the best buffet restaurants in America curated by Mashed:

The concept behind buffet-style dining has European roots.

Early forms appeared in Sweden, where the smörgåsbord emerged in the 16th century as a spread of cold dishes laid out for guests to serve themselves.

The word “buffet” itself comes from France, where it originally referred to a sideboard or table used to display food rather than a style of eating.

Over time, the idea of self-service meals evolved and spread, eventually reaching the United States, where large-scale hotel and casino buffets—especially in Las Vegas during the mid-20th century—turned the buffet into a popular dining format.

When is National Buffet Day Celebrated?

National Buffet Day is observed each year on January 2. The date stays the same annually, but the weekday changes from year to year.

🍽️ Curious about other foods people celebrate throughout the year? Explore the full National Food Days Calendar to see what’s coming up next.

Did You Know?

Buffets reflect centuries of changing eating habits, social customs, and restaurant economics, shaped by both tradition and psychology.

• Buffet-style dining has its roots in 16th-century Sweden. At that time, hosts would set out a small side table called a brännvinsbord, which held spirits along with simple foods such as bread, cheese, or fish. Guests helped themselves before sitting down for the main meal. Over time, this idea expanded. The table grew larger, the number of dishes increased, and it became known as the smörgåsbord—a meal built around choice and self-service rather than a fixed menu.

• The word “buffet” comes from French. In France, a buffet originally meant a sideboard or serving table where food was placed. Only later did the term come to describe a meal where guests serve themselves from a shared spread.

• The modern all-you-can-eat buffet began in Las Vegas. During the 1940s, casino owner Herb McDonald introduced the Buckaroo Buffet at El Rancho Vegas. It was priced cheaply so gamblers would stay inside the casino longer instead of leaving to eat elsewhere.

• Variety causes people to eat more than they expect. When many different foods are available, each new option feels tempting, even if hunger is fading. This is why people often leave buffets feeling fuller than planned.

• Buffets often place filling, low-cost items like bread, rice, or potatoes at the start of the line. Many diners select the first foods they see and build the rest of their meal around those early choices.

• Smaller plates make servings appear larger, which can influence how much people take and how quickly they feel satisfied.

• Large batches of food and self-service reduce the need for servers, allowing buffets to feed hundreds of guests efficiently.

• While food is sold at a low margin, drinks—especially fountain sodas—cost very little to provide and help balance overall costs.

• People who walk through the entire buffet before serving themselves tend to eat less, while those who start filling their plates immediately are more likely to overfill.

How to Celebrate National Buffet Day

National Buffet Day is the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of dishes without committing to just one. You can visit local restaurants, indulge in high-end buffets, or sample international cuisines. From themed buffets to food halls, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this day outside your home:

• Visit a local food hall. While not a traditional buffet, food halls allow you to try small portions from different vendors, some even offering tasting menus or all-you-can-eat options, providing a similar experience.

• Visit a local buffet restaurant. You can indulge in a wide selection of foods at a local spot, including themed buffets like seafood, BBQ, or breakfast, all offering a unique experience.

• Try a hotel or casino buffet. Hotels and casinos are known for their extravagant buffets, often featuring high-end ingredients and a wide array of dishes, from fresh seafood to decadent desserts.

• Explore international cuisines. Buffets that specialize in global fare, like Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, or Brazilian steakhouses, are perfect for sampling flavors from around the world that you might not usually try.