Ranking Virginia’s 12 Buffets for Coastal Comfort
Virginia’s coastline offers a seafood paradise that’s tough to beat, but not all buffets deliver on that promise.
During my five years as a food blogger exploring the Old Dominion’s eateries, I’ve encountered both spectacular spreads and disappointing displays.
Some places charge premium prices for mediocre fare, while others serve up authentic coastal flavors that transport you straight to the Chesapeake Bay.
1. George’s Seafood Restaurant & Buffet: Frozen Fare Masquerading As Fresh
Last summer, I walked into George’s with high hopes and an empty stomach. Big mistake! The crab legs looked promising from afar but turned out to be waterlogged and tasteless. What a letdown! The buffet trays held an assortment of seafood that clearly took a detour through the freezer section before landing on my plate. Even the hushpuppies—usually a foolproof comfort food—were dense as golf balls.
Staff seemed more interested in chatting among themselves than refilling the empty mac and cheese station. At $35 per person, you’d expect at least one dish to shine, but everything fell flat. Save your money and your appetite for somewhere that respects seafood enough not to overcook it.
2. Golden Corral (Winchester): Chain Restaurant Mediocrity
Grandma always said, “You get what you pay for,” and nowhere is this more true than Winchester’s Golden Corral. Their attempt at Virginia coastal cuisine is like watching someone who’s never seen the ocean try to describe a beach. The seafood section features rubbery shrimp and mystery fish drowning in butter sauce to mask their questionable freshness.
My fork literally bounced off what was labeled as “fresh catch of the day.” While their non-seafood options might satisfy hungry teens or budget-conscious families, don’t come expecting anything remotely resembling authentic coastal flavor. The chocolate fountain might be the highlight, which tells you everything you need to know about a place advertising itself as having seafood specialties.
3. King’s Buffet (Sterling): A Royal Disappointment
My cousin raved about King’s Buffet, claiming it was “fit for royalty.” Either she’s never met actual royalty, or her taste buds went on vacation that day! The crab rangoon had more cream cheese than a bakery, with barely a hint of crab to justify its name. Their attempt at seafood pasta featured overcooked penne swimming in a watery sauce that tasted suspiciously like it came from a powder mix.
The so-called “steamed clams” had the texture of pencil erasers—chewy, rubbery, and oddly sweet. Even their non-seafood options missed the mark, with lukewarm General Tso’s chicken sitting sadly under heat lamps. The only saving grace was the ice cream machine, which worked perfectly—unlike most of their cooking equipment.
4. CP Shuckers: All Style, No Substance
The name CP Shuckers promises oyster excellence, but boy, was I bamboozled! Their weekend seafood buffet costs a small fortune yet delivers all the coastal authenticity of a kiddie pool in a parking lot. The oysters—supposedly their specialty—arrived lukewarm and suspiciously gritty. I found myself wondering if they’d been shucked last Tuesday.
Their crab dip contained more filler than a cheap mattress, and the seafood pasta salad tasted like it had been marinating in the fridge since Obama’s first term. Fancy lighting and ocean-themed décor can’t disguise food that’s clearly been prepared without passion or attention to detail. When the complimentary hush puppies are the highlight of your seafood experience, something has gone terribly wrong with the captain’s navigation.
5. Oceans 27: Lost At Sea
The irony of naming a restaurant “Oceans 27” when its seafood tastes like it’s never seen water isn’t lost on me. My birthday dinner here last April still haunts my dreams—and not in a good way! Their all-you-can-eat seafood bar featured shrimp cocktail so tiny I needed a magnifying glass to find them. The crab legs required Olympic-level strength to crack open, only to reveal meat that tasted vaguely of chlorine.
Even their clam chowder—usually hard to mess up—had the consistency of wallpaper paste. Service moved at the pace of a seasick snail, with empty stations remaining barren for 30+ minutes. When I mentioned the lukewarm temperature of the steam tables to our server, she shrugged and said, “That’s just how it is on busy nights.” Apparently, food safety is optional here.
6. Olive Garden (Lynnhaven Mall): Seafood Impersonators
Who goes to Olive Garden for seafood? This girl did, after seeing advertisements for their “Seafood Extravaganza” buffet special. My Italian grandmother would have thrown her wooden spoon at what they called “frutti di mare.” Their seafood buffet addition featured shrimp that had clearly been frozen since the Renaissance, calamari rings with the texture of rubber bands, and a seafood alfredo that tasted primarily of salt and disappointment.
The mussels were so microscopic I wondered if they’d harvested them prematurely. For a coastal state with abundant seafood access, serving this landlocked interpretation of marine cuisine is almost offensive. Even the unlimited breadsticks couldn’t make up for seafood that tasted like it had been described to the chef over a bad phone connection. Stick to their regular pasta dishes and save your seafood cravings for somewhere that respects the ocean.
7. Captain George’s Seafood Buffet: The Gold Standard
Holy mackerel! The first time I visited Captain George’s, I thought I’d died and gone to seafood heaven. Their crab legs snap with that perfect freshness that makes you close your eyes and sigh with happiness. Unlike other buffets that treat seafood as an afterthought, Captain George’s makes it the star of the show. Their deviled crab practically dances with spices without overwhelming the delicate meat.
The she-crab soup deserves its own fan club—creamy, rich, and loaded with actual crab instead of fillers. What really sets them apart is consistency. I’ve visited their Virginia Beach location twelve times over three years, and they’ve never disappointed. Yes, it’s pricier than some options, but when you’re consistently leaving with a happy belly and seafood dreams, it’s money well spent.
8. Yukai Buffet: Asian Fusion Meets Coastal Treasures
Surprises come in unexpected packages, and Yukai Buffet is the gift that keeps on giving! This unassuming spot tucked behind a strip mall blends traditional Asian cuisine with Virginia’s coastal bounty in ways that made me rethink fusion food entirely. Their seafood section features butter-poached local oysters alongside perfectly executed sushi rolls. The steamed snow crab legs crack open to reveal sweet meat that needs nothing more than a quick dip in their housemade drawn butter.
My personal addiction? Their tempura shrimp with a spicy mayo that I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home. The staff remembers regular customers, even recalling my shellfish-allergic husband’s preferences. At $26.99 for dinner, it’s not the cheapest option, but considering the quality and variety, you’re getting coastal comfort at a reasonable price.
9. Catch 31: Small Batch Excellence
Technically, Catch 31 isn’t a traditional buffet, but their weekend seafood brunch spread deserves a special category of its own. My first visit happened by accident during a rainy Sunday morning walk, and now it’s my go-to celebration spot. Unlike massive buffets where quantity trumps quality, Catch 31 prepares small batches that rotate frequently. Their mini crab cakes contain actual lumps of crab—imagine that!—instead of mysterious seafood-adjacent filling.
The raw bar features oysters harvested within 24 hours, with knowledgeable staff explaining the subtle differences between Virginia regions. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between upscale and comfortable, with oceanfront views that remind you exactly where your delicious meal originated. Though pricier at $45 per person, the craftsmanship behind each dish makes every bite worth the splurge.
10. Swan Terrace Restaurant: Military Precision Meets Culinary Excellence
Located within the historic Founders Inn, Swan Terrace surprised me with seafood so fresh I checked for gills! Their Sunday brunch buffet combines Southern hospitality with coastal cuisine in a way that makes me want to stand up and salute. The made-to-order omelet station features lump crab meat that’s sweet and delicate, not those suspicious shreds many places try to pass off as crab.
Their shrimp and grits would make any Charleston chef nervous about the competition. Even simple offerings like the smoked salmon display show attention to detail, with housemade capers and dill cream cheese. The military precision of the operation (likely influenced by their proximity to several bases) means trays are never empty and everything maintains perfect temperature. The elegant garden views don’t hurt either, making this my top recommendation for special occasions.
11. Masala Bites: Coastal-Indian Fusion Magic
Who would expect an Indian restaurant to nail Virginia seafood? Not me, until a friend dragged me to Masala Bites’ weekend buffet. Their coastal-meets-curry approach creates flavor combinations that made me want to lick my plate (I refrained, but barely). The star attraction—Chesapeake crab curry—features local blue crab in a coconut sauce that’s simultaneously familiar and exotic. Their tandoori shrimp arrive sizzling on cast iron, perfectly charred outside while remaining juicy inside.
Even traditional dishes get coastal upgrades, like the fish pakora made with fresh flounder instead of the usual tilapia. The chef often circulates through the dining room, explaining how he adapts traditional Indian techniques to local ingredients. This educational aspect adds depth to the experience, transforming a simple meal into a culinary adventure. At $32 for the weekend seafood buffet, it’s a reasonable price for such creative cuisine.
12. Ocean Grill & Seafood Buffet: No-Frills Freshness
Sometimes the best seafood comes from places without fancy tablecloths or Instagram-worthy décor. Ocean Grill looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1982, but what they lack in ambiance, they more than make up for in seafood quality. Family-owned for three generations, this place serves seafood that was swimming just hours before it hits your plate. Their steamed spiced shrimp had me questioning all other shrimp I’d eaten previously. Were those even shrimp, or just shrimp imposters?
The crab imperial uses a recipe the owner’s grandmother developed, with a perfect balance of seasoning that enhances rather than masks the delicate meat. The dessert section won’t win any awards, consisting mainly of store-bought pies and puddings. But you’re not here for dessert—you’re here for seafood that tastes like it jumped straight from the Chesapeake onto your plate. At $29.95 for dinner, it’s honest food at an honest price.