12 North Carolina All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffets Locals Can’t Stop Talking About
I judge a seafood buffet by the state of the napkin holder afterward. A clean one is a bad sign. A towering, grease-spotted monument of crumpled paper napkins? That’s the mark of a truly great feast.
In North Carolina, where the Atlantic meets our plates, the quest for the perfect buffet is a local pastime. We trade tips like secrets, always searching for that next epic haul of fried shrimp, steamed crab legs, and hushpuppies.
These twelve spots are the ones we just can’t stop coming back to-and talking about.
1. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet
Located right in the heart of Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks, this buffet has earned its reputation through decades of serving hungry beachgoers. Fresh crab legs arrive daily, and the steaming trays get refilled faster than you can say “pass the butter.”
The oyster bar alone deserves its own fan club, featuring both raw and steamed varieties that taste like they were pulled from the ocean minutes ago. Fried shrimp piles up golden and crispy alongside hush puppies that practically melt on your tongue.
Every visit feels like a celebration of coastal Carolina living. Pricing stays reasonable considering the endless seafood options available throughout your meal.
2. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant
Captain George’s stands as a Kill Devil Hills institution where over 70 items fill the buffet line on any given night. Snow crab legs stack high next to Alaskan king crab, creating a crustacean paradise for shellfish enthusiasts.
Nautical decorations cover every wall, transporting diners straight into a maritime adventure before they even grab their first plate. Waitstaff keep drinks flowing and empty plates disappearing with impressive efficiency.
My cousin once counted eight trips to the buffet line before admitting defeat. Weekend reservations book up weeks in advance during peak summer season.
3. Corolla Seafood Buffet
Corolla’s northern Outer Banks location means this buffet sources some of the freshest catches along the entire coastline. Wild horses roam nearby beaches while diners feast on calabash-style fried seafood that crunches with every bite.
Salad bars offer lighter options for those pacing themselves between seafood rounds, though most guests skip straight to the good stuff. Dessert stations feature key lime pie and banana pudding that provide sweet endings to salty meals.
Families with kids appreciate the chicken tenders and pizza options tucked alongside seafood selections.
4. Dirty Dick’s Crab House
The name alone gets people talking, but the food keeps them coming back to both Nags Head and Avon locations. Brown paper covers the tables because things get delightfully messy when you’re cracking through piles of steamed crabs.
Seasoning blends here lean toward Old Bay territory with secret tweaks that locals try unsuccessfully to replicate at home. Steamer pots work overtime producing buckets of shrimp, clams, and mussels that arrive at your table piping hot.
The casual vibe means shorts and flip-flops fit right in with the relaxed beach atmosphere. Outdoor seating lets ocean breezes cool you down while you tackle another round of seafood.
5. Lazy Pirate Sports Grill
Carolina Beach locals gather here for the unique combination of sports bar energy and serious seafood selections. Giant screens broadcast games while diners load plates with peel-and-eat shrimp by the pound. The blackened mahi-mahi at the buffet rivals anything you’d order from a fancy menu.
I once watched a regular finish three plates during a single basketball game without missing a buzzer-beater. The laid-back atmosphere encourages lingering long after your stomach signals fullness.
Lunch buffets cost significantly less than dinner service, making midday visits budget-friendly options for big appetites.
6. Ginza Buffet
Gastonia might sit inland, but Ginza Buffet brings ocean flavors to the Piedmont region with impressive variety. Asian fusion meets Southern seafood in unexpected ways that somehow work beautifully together. Sushi rolls sit next to fried catfish, creating cultural crossovers that make every plate an adventure.
The Mongolian grill station lets you customize stir-fry combinations with fresh shrimp, scallops, and squid. Snow crab legs disappear quickly during dinner rush, so timing your visit matters for securing the best selections.
Hibachi chefs perform cooking theatrics that entertain kids while parents plot their next buffet strategy. Pricing remains shockingly affordable considering the sheer number of options available.
7. Madison’s Prime Rib & Seafood
Sneads Ferry’s shrimping heritage shines through at Madison’s, where local boats supply much of the seafood gracing the buffet line. Prime rib carved to order adds hearty protein options for those wanting breaks between seafood courses.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook marshlands where egrets hunt while you dine on their aquatic neighbors. Seasonal specials rotate based on current catches, meaning summer visits differ dramatically from winter spreads.
Servers remember regular customers by name, creating neighborhood restaurant vibes despite the generous buffet scale. Early evening arrivals beat the dinner rush and guarantee freshest selections.
8. Cary Crab House
Triangle area residents no longer need beach trips to satisfy seafood cravings thanks to Cary Crab House locations in Cary and Apex. Dungeness crab joins the usual suspects of snow and king crab varieties for maximum shellfish diversity. Garlic butter flows freely from dispensers positioned strategically along the buffet line.
My coworker celebrated her birthday here last year and declared the coconut shrimp the best she’d ever tasted outside actual island vacations. Corn on the cob and red potatoes round out the low country boil section perfectly.
The restaurant’s inland location means competitive pricing compared to coastal counterparts. Weekend crowds pack the place, so weeknight dinners offer more elbow room and shorter wait times.
9. Full Moon Oyster Bar
Multiple locations across North Carolina mean more people can access Full Moon’s legendary oyster selections without long drives. Raw bars feature oysters on the half shell alongside steamed versions for those preferring their bivalves cooked.
The casual atmosphere encourages messy eating and zero pretension about proper seafood etiquette. Steampots arrive bubbling with shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn for communal feasting experiences.
Outdoor patios at various locations provide perfect settings for sunset dining during warmer months. Happy hour specials make already reasonable prices even more wallet-friendly for budget-conscious seafood lovers.
10. Backfins Crab House
Wake Forest’s Backfins brings Chesapeake Bay crab house traditions to the North Carolina Piedmont with authentic steaming techniques. Maryland-style seasoning coats every crab, creating finger-licking messes that require entire rolls of paper towels.
The all-you-can-eat format encourages experimentation with different preparation styles without commitment fears. Corn fritters emerge hot and sweet from the kitchen, providing perfect textural contrasts to tender seafood.
Coleslaw cuts through rich, buttery flavors while cleansing palates between courses. The restaurant packs weekend nights with families celebrating everything from graduations to Tuesday existing.
11. The Oceanic
Wrightsville Beach’s iconic pier location makes The Oceanic a destination where views rival the food for attention. Waves crash below while diners work through seafood towers that photograph beautifully for social media.
Sunset dining transforms meals into experiences worth planning vacations around, with orange skies melting into blue ocean horizons. Wilmington’s sister location offers similar quality for those staying mainland.
Both spots maintain reputations for consistency that spans decades of service. Reservations become essential during summer weekends when tourists and locals compete for tables overlooking the Atlantic.
12. Carolina Crab House
Wilmington’s Carolina Crab House delivers no-frills seafood abundance without the tourist-trap pricing plaguing some coastal restaurants. Buckets of steamed shrimp arrive at tables still steaming, requiring immediate attention before they cool.
Local families treat this spot like their personal dining room, returning weekly for reliable quality and generous portions. Casual dress codes mean bathing suit cover-ups pass inspection without second glances. The straightforward approach focuses attention where it belongs, squarely on the seafood.