The Biggest Buffet In South Carolina Has Dozens Of Dishes And Is The Most Mouthwatering All-You-Can-Eat Spot Around

Choosing what to eat first may be the hardest part of dinner here.

Somewhere along South Carolina’s coast, an enormous seafood buffet turns a simple meal into something closer to an expedition. Rows of steaming dishes seem to keep going, with piles of fried shrimp, crab legs, fish, oysters, carved meats, Southern sides, salads, and enough desserts to make saving room feel almost impossible.

And then you look up.

The dining room itself is part of the spectacle, packed with nautical decorations and larger-than-life details that make the place feel more like a maritime attraction than an ordinary restaurant. Families wander between buffet stations with loaded plates while first-time visitors quickly realize that one trip through the line is not going to cover everything.

That is exactly the point.

This is the kind of South Carolina restaurant where arriving hungry is not simply a suggestion. It is practically a strategy.

So loosen the belt one notch and take a good look around before filling that first plate.

Here are ten things to know about this massive South Carolina seafood buffet before attempting to eat your way through it.

An Address Every Hungry Beachgoer Should Save

Finding dinner in Myrtle Beach is easy, but finding this particular spot is even easier. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood sits at 9593 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572, right along the main road that runs through the north end of town.

That location makes it a handy stop after a long day on the sand. Many hotels, mini golf courses, and shops line the same stretch of highway, so getting there rarely means a long drive across the city.

Keep an eye on the name when you search for directions. The word Original is part of the title, and it helps separate this restaurant from other places along the coast with similar names.

Calling ahead is simple too. The phone number is 843-449-0821, and the official website at originalbenjamins.com shares helpful details before you go.

A large parking lot surrounds the building, which is great news for families arriving in minivans or groups traveling together. Still, the lot can fill up quickly around opening time, so arriving a few minutes early makes the whole evening smoother.

Once you spot the big building, the fun is only beginning, because the inside is where things get truly wild.

Sharks Overhead And Ships Around Every Corner

Most restaurants hang a few pictures on the wall and call it decor. Benjamin’s went a different direction, filling its huge dining space with mounted sharks, model ships, and maritime treasures that make dinner feel like a trip to a seaside museum.

Looking up is half the fun here. Big sharks seem to swim above the tables, and the effect is a little like eating inside a dry aquarium, minus the wet socks.

Model ships sit in display cases in many areas, each one packed with tiny details like ropes, sails, and cannons. Kids can easily spend a few minutes between plates pointing out favorites and inventing pirate stories.

The space is divided into many dining rooms, so the building never feels like one plain giant hall. Each room carries the ocean theme, giving the whole place a feeling of wandering the decks of an old sailing vessel.

Even the walk to the buffet becomes a small tour. Rope details, wood finishes, and nautical lighting keep the coastal mood going from the entrance to the dessert bar.

Bring a phone with plenty of storage. Between the sharks and the ships, the photo opportunities might rival the food.

Crab Legs Steal The Spotlight

Ask anyone heading to Benjamin’s what they plan to eat first, and the answer usually involves cracking shells. Snow crab legs are the headline act at this buffet, and they are part of the all-you-can-eat deal.

The legs arrive at the station steaming hot, with tender, sweet meat tucked inside each section. A gentle bend and snap usually opens them up, and the reward is a long piece of crab perfect for dunking in warm butter.

Here is a smart trick for beginners. Grab a moderate pile instead of a mountain, since fresh batches keep coming and hot crab always tastes better than crab that has been sitting on your plate.

Your server will help keep the table tidy, clearing shell bowls so the mess never gets out of hand. Extra napkins are your friend, and nobody here will judge buttery fingers.

Crab fans should pace themselves wisely. Filling up on bread or fries early can leave less room for the star of the show.

Think of the crab station as home base. Visit, explore other dishes, then circle back for another round when your appetite says it is ready.

Calabash Style Means Light And Crispy

Here is a fun bit of history. Calabash is a small fishing town just over the North Carolina line, and it gave its name to a style of seafood that is lightly breaded and fried quickly until golden.

Benjamin’s carries that tradition right in its name, and the fried section of the buffet shows it off proudly. Shrimp, oysters, and fish come out with a thin, crunchy coating that lets the seafood flavor shine through.

Fried oysters are a special treat for adventurous eaters. Each one has a crisp outside and a soft, briny center that tastes like a little bite of the ocean.

The shrimp make a friendly starting point for younger diners or anyone new to seafood. They are bite-sized, easy to eat, and pair nicely with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.

Portions are completely up to you, which is the beauty of a buffet. Try two or three pieces of each fried item first, then return for more of whatever wins your heart.

Mixing fried choices with broiled ones keeps the meal balanced. Broiled shrimp and scallops offer a lighter taste between crunchy bites.

Dozens And Dozens Of Dishes To Try

Variety is the real superpower here. The buffet stretches across many stations, and the menu reaches well beyond crab, with options for nearly every kind of appetite.

Seafood lovers can sample steamed clams, broiled scallops, salmon patties, crab cakes, oysters Rockefeller, and bang shrimp with a little kick. Shrimp and grits brings a classic Southern touch, and building your own bowl lets you pick exactly how much of each you want.

Not a seafood fan? No problem at all, because the line also includes ribs, wings, pasta, macaroni and cheese, and real mashed potatoes.

Soups make a cozy addition too. Clam chowder and vegetable beef soup often appear, which is perfect on a breezy evening near the ocean.

A salad bar rounds things out with fresh greens and toppings for anyone wanting something crisp and cool. It also gives picky eaters a simple, familiar option.

The best plan is a slow lap around the whole buffet before grabbing anything. Seeing every station first helps you choose favorites and avoid filling your plate with the very first thing in sight.

Small portions of many items turn dinner into a tasting adventure.

Prime Rib For The Land Lovers

Every group seems to have that one person who would rather eat steak than shrimp. Lucky for them, Benjamin’s keeps a carving station ready with prime rib and other tender meats.

Slices of prime rib are juicy with a rosy center and a seasoned outer edge. A spoonful of au jus or a dab of horseradish adds extra flavor for those who like a little zing.

Steak tenderloin may also show up at the carving area, offering a soft, almost buttery texture. It pairs wonderfully with those homemade mashed potatoes found elsewhere on the line.

Surf and turf fans can build a plate that would make any steakhouse jealous. Put a slice of prime rib next to a pile of crab legs, and dinner suddenly feels like a celebration.

The carving station is a great choice for kids who are not sure about seafood yet. Meat, potatoes, and a roll make a comfortable meal while the grownups explore the ocean side of things.

Ask for a smaller slice the first time around. That way, more room remains for trying other stations before heading back for seconds.

A Dessert Bar That Deserves Its Own Visit

Saving room for dessert takes real willpower at Benjamin’s, but the effort pays off. The dessert bar is packed with treats that feel like a sweet finale to a big seafood feast.

Soft serve ice cream is a crowd favorite, and filling a cup yourself is a joy for kids and adults alike. Swirl it high, then add it on top of a warm cobbler for a combination that tastes like summer.

Cakes, pies, brownies, and cookies line the counters in neat little portions. Many sweets come in small cups or squares, making it easy to sample several without feeling overstuffed.

Cookies are a pleasant surprise, with soft centers and plenty of flavor. Ranger cookies, packed with crunchy bits, make a great grab-and-go bite for the walk back to the table.

Hush puppies might sneak onto a dessert plate too. These golden cornmeal bites have a touch of sweetness that fits right in alongside the pastries.

A good tip is to choose three tiny desserts instead of one giant piece. Sharing samples around the table also turns dessert into a fun tasting game.

Uniformed Staff And A Guided Buffet Tour

First impressions matter, and Benjamin’s makes a memorable one. Staff members greet guests at the door dressed in crisp nautical uniforms, giving the entrance a grand, ship-like feeling.

The welcome does not stop at hello. Hosts walk guests to their tables and often give a quick tour of the buffet, pointing out where the crab, desserts, and other stations are located.

That little tour is a big help for first-timers. With so many rooms and stations, knowing the layout ahead of time saves wandering and makes it easier to plan your plate.

Once seated, a server takes care of drink refills and clears empty plates and shell bowls. Unlike many buffets, guests receive table service, so the focus can stay on eating and enjoying the company.

Families with special needs or picky eaters can let staff know what would help. Requests for a quieter seating area are easy to mention at the host stand.

Large groups and birthday parties fit right in too, thanks to plenty of space. Just keep in mind that an automatic gratuity may be added to the bill, so plan for it.

Price, Value, And Smart Money Tips

Planning a budget before heading out makes dinner much more relaxing. The adult buffet price at Benjamin’s has been around the fifty dollar range in recent times, with drinks priced separately at a few dollars each.

Prices can change by season, so checking the official website or calling 843-449-0821 is the best way to get current numbers. Children’s pricing details are also worth asking about before you arrive.

Value really depends on what lands on your plate. Crab legs, prime rib, scallops, and oysters are higher-end items, and enjoying them generously makes the meal feel like a real bargain.

Remember to count tax, tip, and drinks when doing the math. An automatic gratuity may apply, which keeps things simple at the end of the night.

Arriving hungry is the most important money tip of all. A light lunch earlier in the day leaves plenty of room to make the most of the all-you-can-eat spread.

Think of the meal as both dinner and entertainment. Between the sharks, the ships, and the endless stations, the evening offers far more than just food on a plate.

Hours And The Best Time To Show Up

Timing can turn a good night into a great one. Benjamin’s opens every day of the week from 3:30 PM to 9 PM, which makes it a dinner-focused destination.

Early birds have a clear advantage. A line often forms before the doors even open, especially on weekends and busy summer days, but tables are usually filled quickly once service starts.

Showing up around 3:15 PM puts you near the front of the pack. That means first dibs on freshly stocked stations and a calmer room before the evening rush begins.

Later evenings bring a lively, buzzing energy. The dining rooms fill with families, birthday groups, and vacationers, so expect plenty of chatter and excitement.

Weeknights, particularly outside peak summer weeks, tend to feel a bit more relaxed. Those visits work nicely for anyone hoping for a slower pace and easier conversation.

Leave time to browse the gift shop on the way out, since it carries lovely items, including some from local artists. A small keepsake makes a sweet reminder of the trip.

Wear comfy clothes, bring your appetite, and give yourself at least an hour or two to enjoy everything.