12 North Carolina All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffets Worth The Drive
I hit the road across North Carolina like a seafood-obsessed Lorelai Gilmore on a mission, chasing buffets that promised buttery crab legs and stories worth retelling.
By the second bite of garlicky shrimp, I knew this was not just a list. It was a full-blown pilgrimage, and yes, it got deliciously messy. Every stop had its own personality.
From sleepy beach-town charm to the sizzling heat of hibachi flames, I leaned into it with a plate stacked precariously like a Jenga tower of fried, buttery goodness.
I laughed at my own lack of restraint, took notes (mostly in napkins), and occasionally questioned my life choices while dunking hushpuppies in hot sauce. If you’ve ever thought about planning a trip around crab legs, shrimp boils, and hushpuppies, buckle up!
Because I’ve already test-drove the second lap for you, napkins in hand and nap-inducing satisfaction guaranteed.
1. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet
I rolled into Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet already plotting my strategy, because the line out front told me I was in for a treat. It sits at 4117 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949, and that address basically translates to bring stretchy pants.
Inside, the energy felt like a beach day with better lighting and a faint chorus of crackling butter.
I started with the steamed crab legs, sweet and briny, then moved to peel-and-eat shrimp that snapped with freshness.
Their fried oysters had a delicate crust that refused to get soggy, even when I wandered off to snag hushpuppies and collards. The mac and cheese leaned creamy, perfect against the tangy cocktail sauce.
By plate three, I made room for blackened mahi, a bright counterpoint to the heavier bites. The dessert bar tried to flirt but I stayed loyal to the savory, finishing with a final heap of crab.
Jimmy’s is the Outer Banks buffet experience that whispers one more plate while the ocean hums outside. The second lap felt inevitable, and I was happily complicit.
2. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
I walked into Captain George’s with the focus of someone who knows a sprawling buffet is both adventure and test. The address at 705 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, puts it squarely in Outer Banks feast territory.
High ceilings and ship-shape decor set the tone, but it is the steam rising from trays of crab that steals attention.
I paced the islands like mapping a treasure, starting with broiled salmon and buttery scallops that tasted cleaner than expected for a buffet.
Then the crab legs, cracked with that satisfying pop, dipped in drawn butter that clung just right. Their she-crab soup was velvety, peppery, and quietly addictive.
Fried shrimp wore a crisp coat that stayed light, and the seasoned green beans won their corner on my plate. I loved finding hushpuppies that were golden but not heavy, perfect alongside slaw and a squeeze of lemon.
Captain George’s nails consistency at scale, which feels like a magic trick. I left full, salty-aired, and perfectly convinced the wait is worth it.
3. River Buffet & Grill
River Buffet & Grill surprised me by being bigger on the inside, like the seafood version of a time machine where hours vanish. You will find it at 8215 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213, tucked into a bustling corridor of food options.
The moment I stepped in, the grill sizzled and the buffet islands glittered with chrome and steam.
I zeroed in on the seafood selections first, building a plate with peppery crawfish, garlicky mussels, and buttery shrimp.
The sushi bar offered simple rolls that balanced the heavier bites, a welcome intermission between trips for hot crab dishes. I grabbed sautéed green beans and rice to anchor the feast.
The hibachi station sealed the deal, tossing shrimp with a flick and a flourish, sliding it onto my plate with smoky edges.
Dessert tried to woo me, but I circled back for more mussels because they stayed tender, not rubbery.
River is the kind of spot where friends become plate consultants and strategy advisors. I walked out happy, a little shell-shocked, and already plotting a reroute for next weekend.
4. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (Raleigh)
I met my match at Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet in Raleigh, where abundance is a sport and I trained accordingly. It sits at 3131 Capital Blvd Ste 109, Raleigh, NC 27604, in a strip that hides surprisingly excellent surf.
The dining room buzzed like a weekend market, and the hot trays never stayed empty for long.
I built a first plate with salt-and-pepper shrimp, black pepper clams, and a spoon of seafood soup that warmed right through.
The sushi line delivered bright salmon and avocado rolls that refreshed the palate between buttery bites. Then came hibachi shrimp, seared to a faint char that made the garlic sing.
Vegetables carried their weight too, with broccoli and mushrooms getting a glossy stir-fry treatment beside the seafood.
I loved that turnover stayed quick, so everything tasted lively rather than loungey. This spot is equal parts comfort and show, perfect for a family table of enthusiastic eaters.
I left telling myself I set a personal best, then smiled when I realized there was still room for one last shrimp.
5. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (Goldsboro)
Goldsboro’s Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet felt like a neighborhood secret with a loyal fan club and no pretense. You will find it at 403 N Berkeley Blvd, Goldsboro, NC 27534, where the parking lot stays convincingly full.
I started with steamed mussels and spicy shrimp, each bite clean and unfussy, then balanced it with pineapple from the fruit bar. The hibachi shrimp got a quick sear, tossing in a whisper of soy and garlic that made the rice feel celebratory.
I liked the fried fish, light-battered and crackly without overdoing the oil.
Sushi added a cool counterpoint, and I found myself returning for the seaweed salad because texture is everything.
The vibe is friendly, the price kind, and the seafood selection stays reliably satisfying. It is the kind of place that turns a regular Tuesday into a mini victory lap.
6. Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (Fayetteville)
In Fayetteville, the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet greeted me with the comforting hiss of a well-seasoned griddle. The address is 3308 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303, convenient enough to make spur-of-the-moment cravings a reality.
The layout is generous, with seafood holding a prominent corner that practically waves you over.
I piled on hibachi shrimp, bell peppers, and onions, letting the smoky edges play against plump meat. Then I went for baked salmon, flaky under a citrusy glaze that felt like a reset button.
The fried shrimp held a crisp shell that stayed perky even after a detour to grab lo mein and greens.
There is a serotonin boost that comes from a buffet doing the little things right, like hot plates and quick restocks.
I found it here, plus a sushi section that proved simple but reliable. It is a solid choice when you want momentum on your side and seafood that shows up ready.
I left with a satisfied pace, convinced I had orchestrated my plate like a minor symphony.
7. Hibachi Buffet & Grill (Matthews)
I pulled into Hibachi Buffet & Grill in Matthews with a plan that quickly unraveled when I saw the seafood spread. You can map it to 9925 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105, where the dining room hums with steady locals.
It feels easygoing in the best way, with gleaming stations and a steady sizzle from the grill.
My first plate wore hibachi shrimp, bok choy, and noodles, tossed together with just enough char to keep me chasing bites.
Then came buttery mussels, garlic-forward and satisfying beside buttery corn and a fresh cucumber salad. The fried fish stayed golden and delicate, the kind of crunch that makes you smile without thinking.
I liked how quickly the staff turned over trays, keeping the seafood bright and the options wide. Sushi leaned classic and clean, with cucumber rolls offering a nice reset.
This is a dependable stop when you want a friendly price and a lot of delicious decisions.
8. Asian Delight Buffet
Asian Delight Buffet pulled me in with a name that promised variety and delivered more than I expected. It is at 4424 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603, tucked among shops that promise lunch to dinner without fuss.
The dining room is casual, comfortable, and full of families who clearly know the drill.
I started with buttery shrimp and a scoop of seafood soup, then drifted toward baked fish dressed with herb butter.
The sushi counter kept things cool and steady, with tuna and cucumber rolls that refreshed my appetite for round two. I liked the green beans and mushrooms, sturdy support players that kept the plate balanced.
By the third pass, I leaned into mussels and crab mix dishes that tasted better than the price tag suggests. Dessert tried to tempt, but I slipped back for one last ladle of soup because it genuinely soothed.
Asian Delight gives you a steady hum of good choices and hot trays. I left relaxed, full, and convinced it deserves a spot on any Raleigh seafood circuit.
9. Umi Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet
Umi Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet felt like a choose-your-adventure story I happily co-wrote with my appetite. You will find it at 1237 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, where the energy is lively and the choices sprawling.
The hotpot option is the clincher, letting you simmer seafood exactly the way you like it.
I built a broth with ginger and spice, then added shrimp, clams, and bok choy until the steam smelled like victory.
Between simmer sessions, I slipped to the sushi bar for salmon and crunchy rolls that reset the palate. There were cooked trays too, with garlicky mussels and crisp fish for instant gratification.
Hotpot taps into a cozy rhythm, like a table-side ritual that makes dinner feel personal.
Umi nails the balance of interactive and abundant without tipping into chaos.
10. Backfins Crab House
Backfins Crab House felt like a friend’s coastal kitchen that just happened to take crab legs very seriously. It lives at 1009 Stadium Dr (Unit 100), Wake Forest, NC 27587, with a cozy vibe that leaned neighborhood hangout.
The menu is not a traditional buffet, but the steady flow of crab and sides made it feel bottomless in spirit.
I cracked into snow crab legs first, sweet meat sliding free with that lovely snap of success. The crab fries hit in a different lane entirely, salty, indulgent, and perfect with lemon.
Hushpuppies arrived hot and airy, the kind that practically ask for a second basket.
What I loved most was the timing and warmth, plates arriving quick and cheerful, like the staff was rooting for my feast.
The seasoning stuck without overpowering, and the sides felt deliberate rather than filler. Backfins is proof that abundance can be curated and still feel generous.
I left with buttery fingers and a grin that lasted through the drive home.
11. Cary Crab House
Cary Crab House welcomed me with newspaper-lined tables and that telltale aroma of Old Bay drifting like a promise. It is at 220 Crossroads Blvd #2460, Cary, NC 27518, easy to spot when your cravings get loud.
While not a classic buffet, the boil-style service feels like waves of seafood arriving in generous succession.
I built a combo with shrimp, crab legs, and corn, then let the garlic butter do its hypnotic thing. The spice level played nice, nudging without overpowering, and the potatoes anchored the chaos with comforting heft.
I loved the crack of shells and the unbothered joy of getting a little messy.
Refills moved fast, and the portions leaned celebratory, delivering that same second-lap satisfaction. The staff offered thoughtful tips, like lemon before butter for brightness, which changed the rhythm of my bites.
Cary Crab House brings the coastal feast inland without losing the fun. I left happily dazed, a little splattered, and absolutely ready to bring friends next time.
12. Mr. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Mr. Tokyo gave me sushi momentum and seafood focus, the kind of combo that makes pacing both crucial and pointless. It is at 8334 Pineville-Matthews Rd (Ste 109), Charlotte, NC 28226, where the all-you-can-eat model feels polished.
The dining room stays lively, and plates arrive with a speed that keeps your curiosity fed.
I ordered rounds of shrimp tempura, salmon nigiri, and crispy gyoza, then doubled back for eel rolls and seaweed salad.
The cooked items were steady winners, with teriyaki salmon flaking beautifully and grilled shrimp carrying a light char. I slipped in miso soup between plates to keep the seafood front and center.
Service was on-point, clearing and resetting my runway for the next wave.
Seafood with focus, no buffet lines in sight, Mr. Tokyo nails the vibe. Satisfaction hits immediately, with a hint of triumph and a mental plan already forming for round two.
North Carolina really knows how to win you over.
Even if you’re not usually a seafood fan, after visiting these spots, you definitely will be!