8 South Carolina All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffets That Feel Like A Lowcountry Tradition
There’s something magical about the Lowcountry way of eating—piles of fresh shrimp, crab legs stacked high, and hushpuppies so good you’ll want to cry.
South Carolina knows how to do seafood right, especially when it comes to all-you-can-eat buffets that make you feel like you’ve been invited to the best family reunion ever.
I remember my first visit to a Calabash-style buffet years ago, walking in hungry and leaving in a happy food coma, vowing to return every summer.
These eight spots capture that same spirit, serving up ocean treasures with Southern hospitality that’ll have you coming back for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths.
1. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
Captain George’s has been feeding hungry beachgoers since the 1980s, earning its reputation as a Myrtle Beach institution. The all-you-can-eat buffet here isn’t just about quantity—though there’s plenty of that—it’s about maintaining quality while serving hundreds of guests nightly.
Their snow crab legs deserve their own fan club, seriously. Pair them with the steamed shrimp, fried flounder, and an impressive salad bar that actually makes you consider eating vegetables. The nautical decor transports you straight to the coast, even if you’re already there.
What impressed me most was how fresh everything tasted, even during peak dinner rush. They’re constantly replenishing trays, so you’re never stuck with sad, dried-out seafood. That’s the mark of a buffet that truly cares about your dining experience and your stomach’s happiness.
2. Crab Daddy’s
When someone tells you they’ve got over 100 items on their buffet, you might think they’re exaggerating. Crab Daddy’s proves they’re serious about variety. Located in the Myrtle Beach area on the South Carolina side, this place embodies the Calabash tradition—a cooking style born in nearby North Carolina that focuses on lightly breaded, perfectly fried seafood.
Walking through those doors feels like stepping into a seafood lover’s fever dream. Mountains of fried shrimp, scallops, oysters, and fish stretch as far as your eyes can see. The crab legs alone could make you weep with joy.
I’ve watched grown adults plan their attack strategy before hitting the buffet line, mapping out which stations to visit first. Smart move, because pacing yourself here is an art form you’ll want to master.
3. Crabby George’s Seafood Buffet
Over 120 items sit waiting for you at Crabby George’s, and honestly, that number should come with a warning label. How does anyone choose between that many delicious options without experiencing serious decision fatigue? The answer: you don’t choose, you sample everything.
This buffet takes the Calabash tradition and runs with it like a kid with a kite on a windy day. Fried shrimp? Check. Crab in seventeen different preparations? You bet. Sides that would make your grandma proud? Absolutely.
My strategy involves making multiple smaller trips rather than one plate piled dangerously high. Nobody needs to witness the Leaning Tower of Shrimp collapsing onto the carpet. The dessert section alone could justify the visit, with sweet treats that perfectly cap off your seafood feast without being too heavy.
4. Hook’s Calabash Seafood Buffet
Hook’s understands that sometimes simple done right beats fancy done wrong every single time. Their buffet focuses on classic Calabash-style cooking—light breading that lets the seafood shine through, fried to golden perfection that crunches satisfyingly with each bite.
The fried shrimp here could convert a landlocked vegetarian into a seafood enthusiast. I’m not saying it would happen, but I wouldn’t bet against it. They also serve up tender scallops and oysters that taste like they were swimming that morning.
What makes Hook’s special is their commitment to that traditional preparation method. No weird fusion experiments or trendy twists—just honest, delicious seafood cooked the way coastal families have been doing it for generations. Sometimes tradition exists because it’s genuinely the best way to do something, and Hook’s proves that theory daily.
5. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood
Claiming over 170 items on their buffet sounds like Benjamin’s might be showing off, but when you walk in, you realize they’re just stating facts. All-you-can-eat crab legs anchor this massive spread, drawing crab lovers from miles around like moths to a delicious, buttery flame.
I’ve never seen such variety outside of a food festival. They’ve got everything from traditional fried seafood to prime rib for the landlubbers in your group. Even picky eaters find something they love here, which makes it perfect for family gatherings where everyone has different tastes.
The Original Benjamin’s has earned its name through decades of service, building a reputation that brings people back generation after generation. Grandparents bring their grandkids here, creating food memories that’ll last a lifetime and probably inspire future road trips down to South Carolina.
6. Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood
Captain Benjamin’s combines the best of both worlds—incredible seafood paired with Southern comfort food that’ll make you want to call your mama. Their buffet stretches on seemingly forever, loaded with classics that honor Lowcountry cooking traditions while satisfying modern appetites.
Beyond the expected seafood stars, you’ll find fried chicken that could compete with any landlocked restaurant, collard greens cooked low and slow, and mac and cheese that’s basically a religious experience. This variety means everyone at your table leaves happy, even that one person who claims they don’t like seafood.
The atmosphere feels authentically coastal without being kitschy or overdone. Captain Benjamin’s strikes that perfect balance between casual and special, making it ideal whether you’re celebrating something or just celebrating the fact that it’s dinnertime and you’re hungry enough to eat a small whale.
7. Giant Crab Seafood Restaurant
Giant Crab doesn’t just claim to be the best seafood buffet in town—they back it up with a spread that’ll make your seafood-loving heart sing opera. Their focus on quality over gimmicks sets them apart in a region packed with competition.
The crab selection alone justifies the visit, with legs so meaty you’ll wonder if they came from some mutant super-crab. But don’t sleep on their other offerings—the shrimp comes prepared multiple ways, and their fish is fresh enough to make coastal grandmothers nod approvingly.
I appreciate restaurants that don’t try to be everything to everyone, instead perfecting what they do best. Giant Crab knows their strength lies in seafood, so that’s where they focus their energy and resources. The result? A buffet experience that feels curated rather than chaotic, delicious rather than just filling.
8. Crabby Mike’s Calabash Seafood Buffet
Crabby Mike’s built its reputation on all-you-can-eat crab legs, and they defend that reputation fiercely with every perfectly steamed leg they serve. Locals know this spot as the place to go when you’re serious about your crab consumption and not interested in messing around with inferior buffets.
The Calabash-style preparation extends across their entire menu, ensuring consistency in quality whether you’re grabbing shrimp, oysters, or fish. Their extensive selection means you could visit weekly for months and still discover new favorites you’d somehow missed before.
What I love about Crabby Mike’s is the unpretentious vibe—nobody’s judging how many times you return to the crab leg station or whether your plate arrangement looks Instagram-worthy. Come hungry, eat until you’re happy, and waddle out satisfied. That’s the Lowcountry way, and Mike’s honors it perfectly with every meal served.