8 North Carolina All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffets That Locals Can’t Get Enough Of
North Carolina’s coastline is a paradise for seafood lovers, offering some of the freshest catches you’ll ever taste. From the sandy stretches of the Outer Banks to the bustling city of Charlotte, locals know exactly where to go when the craving hits for endless plates of crab legs, shrimp, oysters, and more.
These beloved all-you-can-eat seafood buffets aren’t just restaurants—they’re traditions, drawing families, vacationers, and lifelong residents alike.
I’ve spent years exploring these hidden gems and celebrated favorites, discovering what makes each one special and why loyal crowds return time and again. So grab your appetite and join me for a tour of North Carolina’s most satisfying seafood feasts!
1. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet: Outer Banks Legend
Last summer, I witnessed a grown man nearly cry when he saw Jimmy’s legendary crab leg station in Kitty Hawk. That’s the kind of emotional response this Outer Banks institution inspires!
Family-owned since 1994, Jimmy’s serves over 100 items daily, including steamed oysters, Alaskan snow crab legs, and their famous hush puppies that melt in your mouth. The seafood arrives fresh each morning from local fishermen.
What keeps me coming back isn’t just the endless seafood options but the stunning ocean views and the staff who remember regular visitors by name. Come hungry and wear stretchy pants – you’ll need them.
2. Corolla Seafood Buffet: Hidden Outer Banks Gem
My first bite of seasoned shrimp at Corolla Seafood Buffet made me forget every buffet disappointment I’d ever experienced. This unassuming spot tucked away in the northern Outer Banks delivers seafood so fresh you’d think they caught it minutes ago.
The local blue crabs steal the show here, perfectly steamed and seasoned with Old Bay. Their homemade cocktail sauce has a secret ingredient even I can’t identify despite my twenty attempts to recreate it at home.
Families appreciate the kid-friendly options alongside sophisticated seafood dishes. Pro tip: visit on Wednesdays when they add extra crab legs to the already impressive spread.
3. Captain George’s: Royal Seafood Experience
Walking into Captain George’s feels like entering seafood royalty territory. The nautical-themed dining room in Kill Devil Hills houses what locals call the “throne of crab legs.”
My aunt once drove three hours just for their broiled scallops – they’re that legendary! Beyond the expected offerings, Captain George’s surprises with specialties like she-crab soup and Outer Banks-style seafood casserole that showcases generations-old recipes.
The dessert station deserves its own zip code, featuring bread pudding with warm bourbon sauce that’s worth saving room for. Reservations are smart during summer months when wait times can stretch over an hour.
4. Ginza Buffet: Seafood Meets Asian Fusion
“You’ve never had sushi at a buffet?” my friend gasped when I confessed my hesitation about Ginza in Gastonia. One visit converted me completely.
Unlike typical buffets, Ginza brilliantly combines traditional seafood offerings with Asian fusion creations. Their hibachi station lets you select raw seafood that chefs cook before your eyes, seasoned exactly to your preference. The sushi selection rotates daily, always featuring at least fifteen varieties.
Weekends bring special additions like whole steamed fish and coconut shrimp that disappear quickly. The modern interior with subtle Japanese design elements creates an upscale atmosphere that belies the reasonable prices.
5. River Buffet & Grill: Charlotte’s Seafood Paradise
Thunder cracked overhead as I dashed into River Buffet during a Charlotte downpour, not expecting to discover my new favorite crab legs in the Piedmont region. This place might look ordinary from outside, but inside awaits seafood paradise.
Snow crab legs emerge from the kitchen continuously, never sitting long enough to lose their perfect temperature. The crawfish étouffée rivals anything I’ve tasted in Louisiana, with a spice blend that warms without overwhelming.
Families appreciate the carving station that offers prime rib alongside seafood options. Friday nights feature live piano music that somehow makes the seafood taste even better – a phenomenon I can’t explain but thoroughly enjoy.
6. Seafood Destiny: Greensboro’s Soul Food Seafood Haven
“Honey, you ain’t lived until you’ve tried our fried catfish,” proclaimed the grandmother working the register at Seafood Destiny. Truer words were never spoken about this Greensboro treasure that blends soul food traditions with seafood abundance.
Their weekend buffet transforms loyal customers into family, with everyone sharing recommendations across tables. The cornmeal-crusted fried oysters maintain impossible crispness even on the buffet line – a culinary miracle I’ve witnessed nowhere else.
Don’t miss their famous seafood mac and cheese loaded with shrimp and crab. The walls display photos of satisfied customers alongside handwritten recipes passed down through generations, creating an atmosphere as nourishing as the food.
7. Hook & Reel: Build-Your-Own Seafood Feast
Seafood boils unlock memories of childhood summers for me, which explains why Charlotte’s Hook & Reel feels like coming home. Their unique twist on all-you-can-eat lets you customize endless seafood boil combinations.
Select your seafood (crab legs, shrimp, mussels, crawfish), sauce (cajun butter remains undefeated), and spice level. Minutes later, a steaming bag arrives at your table. Empty your bag, devour everything, then order another – repeat until completely satisfied!
The walls of the restaurant showcase fishing nets and buoys from actual North Carolina fishing vessels. Between rounds, cleanse your palate with their signature sweet tea that strikes perfect balance between sugar and tannins.
8. Catfish Cove: Sunday Tradition in Belmont
Church bells were still ringing when I joined the line outside Catfish Cove one Sunday morning. This Belmont institution serves their legendary seafood buffet only on Sundays, creating a weekly pilgrimage for seafood lovers across three counties.
Their cornmeal-dusted catfish achieves the impossible balance of crispy exterior and flaky, moist interior. The hushpuppies emerge from the kitchen in constant batches, never sitting long enough to lose their warmth. Beyond catfish, they offer fried shrimp, deviled crab, and steamed clams.
The restaurant sits beside a small pond where actual catfish swim, creating an amusing irony not lost on regular patrons. Arrive before noon to avoid the post-church rush!