Seafood lovers, get ready for a mouthwatering adventure across America! From coast to coast, seafood buffets offer an incredible variety of ocean delights that satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Whether you’re craving buttery lobster, fresh shrimp, or perfectly seasoned crab legs, these all-you-can-eat havens deliver the best seafood experiences money can buy. Grab your bibs and prepare your taste buds as we explore the 16 most outstanding seafood buffets in the United States.
1. The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood In Myrtle Beach, SC
Holy crab legs, Batman! This 170-buffet-item wonderland has been stuffing happy bellies since 1986. Locals whisper that you haven’t truly experienced Myrtle Beach until you’ve conquered Benjamin’s legendary seafood spread.
While waiting for a table (and you will wait during peak season), feast your eyes on the nautical museum scattered throughout the restaurant. Ship models, maritime artifacts, and aquariums create an underwater vibe that perfectly complements your meal.
2. Cafe Sierra At Hilton Universal In Los Angeles, CA
Forget Hollywood celebrities – the real stars in LA are the seafood towers at Cafe Sierra. This upscale hotel buffet transforms Friday and Saturday nights into seafood extravaganzas that leave diners speechless (except for the occasional ‘mmm’ between bites).
Fresh sushi stations operated by skilled chefs slice perfect pieces of sashimi before your eyes. The lobster station serves these delicacies bathed in drawn butter or transformed into creamy lobster bisque.
3. The Nordic In Charlestown, RI
Grandma’s kitchen meets ocean bounty at this Rhode Island institution! The Nordic has been serving no-frills, spectacular seafood since 1963 in a setting that feels like a maritime family reunion.
Don’t expect fancy décor or Instagram-worthy plating here. What you will find are heaping trays of locally harvested shellfish, New England clam chowder that could make a sailor weep with joy, and the freshest catch from Rhode Island waters.
4. Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant (Multiple Locations)
Ahoy, seafood fanatics! Captain George’s nautical-themed empire stretches across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, creating a seafood armada that’s conquered thousands of appetites.
Walking into any location feels like boarding a luxurious ship, complete with wooden beams, fishing nets, and maritime artifacts. The buffet spreads across multiple stations like a treasure map of deliciousness.
5. Crab Daddy’s Calabash Seafood Buffet In Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach might as well rename itself Seafood Buffet Central, and Crab Daddy’s stands tall among fierce competition. This family-friendly feeding frenzy offers over 100 items with a focus on Calabash-style seafood – lightly battered, quickly fried, and utterly addictive.
Smart visitors develop a strategic approach: reconnaissance lap first, then tactical plate-filling. Veterans know to pace themselves through multiple rounds rather than overloading the first plate.
6. Whale Harbor Seafood Buffet In Islamorada, FL
Smack in the middle of the Florida Keys, Whale Harbor serves seafood so fresh it practically jumps onto your plate! This waterfront wonder offers panoramic ocean views that complement the maritime feast laid before you.
Florida stone crab claws (when in season) steal the spotlight here. These sweet, meaty delicacies alone justify the trip. The buffet proudly showcases Florida’s multicultural seafood heritage – from Cuban-style whole fried fish to Bahamian conch fritters.
7. Seafood World Calabash Seafood Buffet In Myrtle Beach, SC
Seafood World throws subtlety overboard and goes all-in on oceanic excess! This Myrtle Beach heavyweight features over 160 items including a jaw-dropping 24 types of crab alone – from Alaskan king to local blue crab prepared multiple ways.
The atmosphere buzzes with energy as servers constantly replenish steaming trays. Regulars swear by the she-crab soup, a rich, creamy concoction loaded with crab roe that’s worth the trip alone.
8. The Boiling Crab (Various Locations)
Bibs required! The Boiling Crab might be the messiest, most hands-on seafood experience in America – and that’s exactly its charm. This rapidly expanding chain brings Louisiana-style seafood boils to the masses with a formula that’s wickedly simple yet irresistible.
Rather than traditional buffet lines, you order by the pound from various seafood options. Everything arrives in plastic bags swimming in your choice of sauce – from “The Whole Sha-Bang” (all spices combined) to lemon pepper or garlic butter.
9. Shady Maple Smorgasbord In East Earl, PA
Pennsylvania Dutch country hides an unexpected seafood paradise! While Shady Maple built its reputation on hearty Amish cooking, Friday and Saturday nights transform this massive smorgasbord into a seafood lover’s dream that spans nearly 200 feet of buffet space.
The contrast is delightful – plain-dressed Amish families dining alongside tourists eagerly cracking crab legs. Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch sides like buttered noodles provide perfect complements to the seafood stations.
10. Bacchanal Buffet At Caesars Palace In Las Vegas, NV
Vegas baby! Bacchanal redefines buffet luxury with a $100 million design and culinary firepower that makes other spreads look like highway rest stops. This isn’t just eating – it’s a gastronomic spectacle worthy of Sin City.
The seafood section alone features more than 15 daily selections. Alaskan king crab legs thicker than your wrist. Oysters shucked before your eyes. Lobster presented multiple ways – from classic steamed to unexpected lobster laksa soup.
11. The Bonfire Restaurant In Ocean City, MD
Crab cakes, crab cakes, and more crab cakes! The Bonfire celebrates Maryland’s seafood heritage with a laser focus on the state’s signature dish – served alongside an impressive supporting cast of ocean delights.
Unlike flashier buffets, The Bonfire maintains a cozy, family-restaurant feel with wood paneling and nautical touches. The unpretentious setting lets the seafood take center stage.
12. Old Mill Crab House In Delmar, DE
Newspaper-covered tables set the scene for serious crab picking at this Delaware institution! Old Mill Crab House isn’t about pretense – it’s about getting elbow-deep in perfectly seasoned blue crabs in a setting that feels like a backyard crab feast.
The all-you-can-eat format here works differently: servers continuously bring trays of steaming hot crabs until you surrender. The house spice blend (similar to Old Bay but with secret tweaks) penetrates every crevice of the shell.
13. Catfish Deweys In Fort Lauderdale, FL
Forget South Beach glitz – Catfish Deweys keeps it real with Florida’s most outrageous all-you-can-eat seafood deal! This no-frills joint has been serving mountain-sized portions since 1984 in a setting that screams “authentic Florida” (the kind locals know, not tourists).
Their namesake catfish deserves attention – farm-raised, sweet-fleshed, and perfectly fried. But the real showstopper is the unlimited golden garlic crabs – blue crabs sautéed in a garlicky butter sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly.
14. Brown’s Catfish In Little Rock, AR
Landlocked Arkansas might seem an unlikely seafood destination, but Brown’s Catfish proves geography is no barrier to seafood excellence! This Southern institution serves Mississippi Delta-style catfish in unlimited quantities that have locals lining up before doors open.
The buffet showcases catfish prepared multiple ways – from traditional cornmeal-crusted and deep-fried to blackened with Cajun spices. The supporting cast includes hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens cooked with smoked turkey instead of traditional pork.
15. Whale Harbor Restaurant In Islamorada, FL
Catch your dinner from the restaurant’s own boats! Whale Harbor takes the farm-to-table concept to sea level with their fleet that supplies the buffet daily. The waterfront location offers stunning views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.
The signature offering is the “Fisherman’s Choice” – the day’s catch prepared multiple ways, from blackened to coconut-crusted. Their conch fritters and smoked fish dip represent authentic Keys flavors rarely found in chain restaurants.
16. Crab House In New York, NY
Manhattan’s seafood surprise! Tucked away from tourist hotspots, Crab House delivers big-city seafood variety with none of the pretension. This hidden gem combines the best elements of Chinatown seafood markets with traditional American crab house abundance.
The buffet features fascinating East-meets-West creations: Dungeness crabs with black bean sauce, New England clam chowder, ginger-scallion lobster, and Maryland-style crab cakes peacefully coexist. Weekend dim sum stations add another dimension to the seafood experience.