Sarasota eatery ranks as No. 2 buffet restaurant in US

An Amish staple in Sarasota has earned national acclaim for its all-you-can-eat offering. Der Dutchman on Bahia Vista Street ranked No. 2 on USA Today’s list of the 10 best buffet restaurants in the United States.

“This recognition is a special honor for our Der Dutchman family,” General Manager Manuel Aguilar says in a statement. It “reflects the heart of who we are as a company: sharing made-from-scratch Amish kitchen cooking, offering genuine hospitality and creating a place where guests, staff and our communities can gather around the table like family.”

Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, Der Dutchman has two types of buffets. Its breakfast buffet showcases Amish favorites like biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheesy potatoes, hash browns, pancakes, French toast, fresh fruit and pastries. The restaurant's lunch and dinner buffets feature stuffing, real mashed potatoes, creamed corn, homemade noodles, broasted chicken, ham, turkey and roast beef as well as a salad bar.

Der Dutchman has been in Sarasota’s Pinecraft neighborhood since 1985. The Amish eatery is part of Dutchman Hospitality Group, which includes restaurants, inns and gift shops in Ohio, Indiana and Florida. 

Photo by Greg Wilson

This year's No. 2 ranking for Der Dutchman is up one spot from its place on the 2025 list.

Each year, USA Today highlights the best offerings in lifestyle and travel categories through the 10 Best readers' choice awards. An expert panel nominated various buffet restaurants around the country, which were then voted on by readers to determine the best.

These are the 10 best buffet restaurants in the country, according to USA Today:

1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pennsylvania
2. Der Dutchman in Sarasota
3. Miller’s Smorgasbord in Ronks, Pennsylvania
4. Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store in Jackson, Tennessee
5. Jeong Won BBQ Buffet in San Diego, California
6. Terra Mediterranean in Fort Worth, Texas
7. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mt. Hope, Ohio
8. Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, Virginia
9. Tomato Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico
10. Cinzzetti’s Italian Feast in Overland Park, Kansas