Chef's Stage Buffet

The Cherokee tourism office's current list of Harrah's restaurants, on the Harrah's Cherokee dining page, does not name Chef's Stage Buffet. It does list Selu Garden Cafe as the resort's all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, plus the Gordon Ramsay Food Market, Brio Italian Grille, Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar, Ruth's Chris Steak House, a noodle bar and a food court. Dining at the resort has changed a lot, so call the resort or check its website before you plan a buffet dinner.

When it opened, the buffet was described as a family restaurant on the casino's second floor. Dinner service started at 4:30 PM, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Interactive stations let guests watch dishes prepared. If a buffet is still part of the resort's offerings when you visit, expect a similar format: a flat price, a wide range of dishes, and a lot of choices for groups with mixed tastes.

If you want a sit-down meal at the resort, Brio Italian Grille and Ruth's Chris are on the same property. For a more local meal, the town has several family restaurants along US-441 and Tsali Boulevard.

From Great Smoky Mountains National Park, take US-441 south from Newfound Gap to Cherokee, about 30 miles. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the last park stop. The park's parking tag is $5 a day for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes, and federal passes do not replace it.

The Museum of the Cherokee People is a good morning visit, and the Oconaluftee Indian Village is nearby. Unto These Hills is a summer drama; the 2026 season ended August 22.

If you are coming from Asheville or Charlotte, I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge is still one lane each way at a reduced speed after Hurricane Helene, with full repairs targeted for late 2029. Allow extra time.