The Dillard House Menu 2026: Southern Buffet, Dishes & What to Expect

The Dillard House serves an all-you-can-eat family-style Southern buffet in the tradition of Blue Ridge Mountain hospitality. Dishes are brought to the table on platters and in bowls rather than served cafeteria-style. Fried chicken, country ham, biscuits, red-eye gravy, and a rotating spread of Southern vegetables are the staples — supplemented by seasonal items when local produce is at its peak.

The Dillard House does not publish buffet prices publicly on its website, and pricing is updated seasonally. To confirm current meal rates, contact the restaurant directly via dillardhouse.com or call ahead. Expect pricing in line with a family-style full-service Southern restaurant with unlimited refills.

The Dillard House is located at 768 Franklin Street, Dillard, Georgia 30537, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeastern Georgia — near the North Carolina border and Rabun County. It is roughly 90 miles northeast of Atlanta and 60 miles south of Asheville, North Carolina. The restaurant is part of a larger inn and event property.

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends, holidays, and during the fall leaf-peeping season when the Blue Ridge Mountains draw heavy tourism. Walk-ins may be accommodated but wait times can be significant without a reservation. Check availability at dillardhouse.com.

The Dillard House has been a Georgia mountain institution since 1917, making it more than a century old. It was originally established as a boarding house by the Dillard family and evolved into a restaurant and inn over successive generations. The property has remained in or near the original family's stewardship through much of its history.

The Southern fried chicken is universally cited as the signature dish — crispy, juicy, bone-in, and served on platters at the table. Country ham with red-eye gravy and the fresh-baked biscuits are close seconds and together define the Dillard House experience. The rotating vegetable spread (green beans, creamed corn, collard greens) draws strong mentions in reviews as well.

The menu is focused on Southern meat-centric dishes, but the vegetable and side spread includes several items that are vegetarian as prepared: biscuits, cornbread, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, candied yams, fried okra, squash casserole, coleslaw, peach cobbler, and the dessert selections. Fully vegan options are limited — items like apple butter, sorghum molasses, stewed tomatoes, and plain tea are vegan, but many vegetable sides are cooked with ham, fatback, or butter. Call ahead to confirm current preparations if dietary restrictions are important.

Yes. The Dillard House operates as a mountain inn in addition to the restaurant. Overnight accommodations range from classic inn rooms to cabins on the property. The inn is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains with views of the surrounding hills and is a popular destination for weekend getaways, fall foliage trips, and family reunions. See dillardhouse.com for room availability and lodging rates.

Hours vary by season and day of week. The Dillard House is generally open for lunch and dinner, but hours change for holidays and the winter off-season. Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant at dillardhouse.com or by phone before making the drive, especially if traveling from outside the immediate area.