The Best Seafood Buffets Near North Myrtle Beach, Ranked
You hear the crack before you see it — the guy two tables over just snapped a snow crab cluster, and a ribbon of steam curls up from the break. Butter drips. The dining room smells like garlic, broiled fish, and Old Bay. A kid walks past with a plate so loaded it defies physics — crab legs, fried shrimp, hush puppies, and a slice of baklava wedged in the corner. You haven’t even made your first trip to the buffet yet, and you already know tonight is going to be good.
The Grand Strand’s seafood buffets are a rite of passage, but choosing between half a dozen contenders can feel impossible at 5 PM when everyone’s hungry. Here’s the definitive ranking of the best seafood buffets near North Myrtle Beach, based on years of eating at all of them.
1. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant — The Gold Standard
1401 29th Ave N, Myrtle Beach | ~20 min from the condo
Captain George’s is the buffet every other buffet is measured against. Family-owned since the late 1970s, this is the Grand Strand’s premier seafood buffet experience, and it earns the title on every visit.
What’s on the buffet: Over 70 items. Snow crab legs (the star attraction — one crack and the meat slides out), steamed shrimp, blackened mahi, fresh oysters, scallops, clams, broiled fish, prime rib, BBQ ribs, beef brisket, chicken, a pasta station, seafood casseroles, salads, and a full dessert bar with authentic Greek pastries.
The setting: Upscale ship-themed decor that feels like dining inside an elegant vessel — polished brass rails, nautical lanterns, and enough dark wood to make you forget you’re at a buffet. The dining room smells like melted butter, Old Bay, and broiled fish, and the constant low murmur of satisfied diners tells you everything you need to know. Immaculately clean — multiple reviewers single out the cleanliness as best they’ve seen. Beautiful holiday decorations in season.
Price: ~$49.99/adult, ~$24.99/kids
Insider tips:
– Sunday “First Catch Special”: Discounted pricing from 12-4 PM on non-holidays. This is the best deal at Captain George’s.
– Two separate lines at the door — parties of 4 or fewer vs. larger groups. The smaller party line moves significantly faster.
– Expect a 15-minute wait at peak dinner times (6-7:30 PM). Arrive at 4:30 or after 8 PM for shorter waits.
– The crab legs are always cooked perfectly — this is the dish to fill your plate with.
The verdict: 2,265+ Yelp reviews and consistently the highest rated. If you’re doing one seafood buffet this trip, this is the one. “Our favorite of all the seafood buffets at Myrtle Beach and we have tried them all.”
2. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood
Restaurant Row, Myrtle Beach | ~20 min from the condo
Benjamin’s is the other heavyweight, and plenty of locals will argue it deserves the #1 spot. The Calabash-style seafood — lightly battered and fried golden — is the signature here, and it’s done to perfection.
What sets it apart: The sheer scale. Benjamin’s is massive, with multiple themed dining rooms — one decked out like a captain’s quarters, another like a tropical atrium — that make each visit feel different. The fried seafood selection is arguably deeper than Captain George’s: golden shrimp with batter so thin it shatters like glass, fried flounder that’s sweet and flaky beneath the crunch, and deviled crab that’s rich with mustard and bell pepper. The Calabash preparation style is unique to this region. Crab legs, steamed options, a carving station where prime rib slices pink and juicy under the heat lamp, and a dessert bar round out the spread.
Price: Comparable to Captain George’s (~$45-50/adult)
The verdict: If you love fried seafood done the traditional Calabash way, Benjamin’s is your buffet. If you prefer steamed and broiled, Captain George’s has the edge. Both are worth the trip.
3. Captain Jack’s Seafood Buffet (The Giant Crab)
~15-20 min from the condo
You’ll know you’ve found it when you see two enormous red crabs — one on the building, one on a yellow van parked outside. Captain Jack’s leans into the spectacle, and the buffet backs it up.
What’s on the buffet: Hot buffet bar with a dedicated crab station, shrimp, scallops, calamari, fried seafood of every variety. Cold raw bar with peel-and-eat shrimp, mussels, crawfish, and raw oysters. DIY pasta station where you pick your ingredients. Carved prime rib. Salad and fruit bar. And the mac & cheese — “rich, creamy, and addictive.”
Price: ~$49.99/person
The verdict: The raw bar is the differentiator here. If you love oysters on the half shell and peel-and-eat shrimp alongside your cooked buffet, Captain Jack’s has the strongest cold bar of the group. The raw oysters are fresh and not overly briny. Kids love the giant crabs outside.
4. Bennett’s Calabash Seafood
Restaurant Row area, Myrtle Beach | ~20 min from the condo
Bennett’s holds a special place in Grand Strand history — it was the very first all-you-can-eat seafood buffet in Myrtle Beach. Over 40 years later, it’s still going strong. And unlike some of the bigger names, Bennett’s has actual roots in Calabash, NC — the “Seafood Capital of the World.”
What’s on the buffet: Alaskan snow crab legs with that satisfying crack and slide of warm meat, shrimp scampi glistening in garlic butter, stuffed crabs with a breadcrumb crust browned to a crisp, flounder, and homemade crab cakes that actually taste like crab — not filler. Nautical theme throughout, with nets and lanterns along the walls. Always fully stocked — they don’t let pans sit empty, and the steam rising from fresh trays tells you the rotation is constant.
Price: Slightly lower than Captain George’s and Captain Jack’s
The verdict: Bennett’s is the heritage pick. It’s not the biggest or the flashiest, but the Calabash roots give it authenticity, the staff is friendly, and the food is consistently good. A solid choice if the other buffets have long waits.
Quick Comparison
| Buffet | Drive | Price | Best For | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain George’s | 20 min | ~$50 | Best overall experience | Crab legs, Greek pastries |
| Benjamin’s | 20 min | ~$48 | Calabash-style fried seafood | Massive themed rooms |
| Captain Jack’s | 15-20 min | ~$50 | Raw bar lovers | Oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp |
| Bennett’s | 20 min | ~$42 | Heritage, shorter waits | First MB seafood buffet |
General Buffet Tips
- Go early or late. The 6-7:30 PM window is the worst for waits. Arrive at 4:30 or after 8 PM.
- Start with crab legs and raw bar. These are the most expensive items — maximize your value.
- Don’t fill up on bread. Hushpuppies are tempting but save the real estate for seafood.
- Check for specials. Captain George’s Sunday First Catch, early bird pricing at others.
- Wear stretchy pants. I’m only half joking.
After Captain George’s Crab Legs, You’ll Want Stretchy Pants and a Good Couch
You just cracked your way through a mountain of snow crab legs, demolished a plate of Greek pastries, and questioned every life decision that didn’t involve all-you-can-eat seafood. The last thing you need is a cramped hotel room. Our 3BR/2BA condo at 601 Hillside Dr N in Ocean Keyes has a full living room for that post-buffet recovery, a full kitchen for the lighter meals in between, and a 0.65-mile walk to the beach to work off the damage tomorrow morning. Captain George’s is 20. Your couch is waiting.
Check Availability & Book Your Stay
When you need a break from buffets, walk to Main Street for sushi, pizza, and Southern cooking — or see the full dining guide.
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