Some of the best meals happen when you stumble onto a spot you never planned to visit. Tucked along the coast of South Carolina sits a nautical-themed buffet where crab legs get refilled faster than you can crack them open.
Picture more than 200 dishes spread across steaming trays, cold bars, and two dessert stations. If you love seafood and a plate that never seems to empty, this place deserves a spot on your list.
A Landmark Buffet On South Kings Highway
Right at 401 S Kings Hwy in Myrtle Beach, Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet has become one of those names locals point tourists toward. It’s an enduring, all-you-can-eat spot known for piling plates high with seafood and Southern comfort food.
What sets it apart is the sheer scale. Regulars mention a buffet topping 200 items, running from fried and steamed seafood to salad bars, soups, and cold selections.
It isn’t a tiny neighborhood joint that you might miss.
Many visitors discover it while walking over from nearby hotels along Ocean Boulevard, and plenty of them return before their vacation ends. The reputation as one of the area’s top seafood buffets keeps drawing curious first-timers who leave already planning their second trip.
For a seafood lover, it’s an easy place to fall for.
Crab Legs That Never Stop Coming
Ask anyone what makes this buffet special and the answer arrives fast: crab legs, mentioned by the thousands. The unlimited snow crab is the headline act, and folks say the trays get refilled constantly, so waiting is rarely part of the deal.
Guests describe the crab as hot, fresh, and cracked open the right way, without that watery mess some other buffets serve. A little Old Bay and butter, and you’ve got a plate worth the trip.
Several people admit the crab legs alone can justify the price if you arrive hungry enough. One regular even compared it favorably to a nearby competitor, saying the crab here didn’t come out waterlogged.
For crab lovers, this is the whole reason to show up. Just be ready for a growing pile of shells your server will happily clear.
More Than 200 Items Across The Line
Beyond crab, the spread stretches wider than most people expect. Visitors count fried and steamed seafood, baked options, two soups, a cold bar with fruit and pastas, and a salad bar loaded with vegetables and toppings.
The fried section earns steady praise, with several kinds of fish, calamari, and coconut shrimp that one guest called awesome. Buffalo shrimp and fried shrimp also get thumbs-up from happy diners.
There’s a raw bar too, featuring Gulf oysters on the half shell served with horseradish and cocktail sauce. Frog legs and crawfish show up in the mix, giving adventurous eaters something new to try.
Families note plenty of kid-friendly choices, so seafood skeptics won’t go hungry either. With so many stations, the hardest part is pacing yourself and saving room for whatever catches your eye next.
Two Dessert Bars And A Chocolate Fountain
Save some space, because the sweets here are no afterthought. Two dessert bars anchor the end of the meal, stocked with handheld treats, baked goods, and items made for dipping in a flowing chocolate fountain.
People rave about the desserts even when they’re picky about everything else. One guest who felt lukewarm on the main dishes still called the desserts delicious, and the chocolate cake gets shout-outs on its own.
There’s real ice cream and fondue too, which makes it a hit with kids and anyone with a sweet tooth. Several diners point out the dessert selection here beats what they found at other nearby buffets.
That chocolate fountain becomes a bit of a centerpiece, turning a simple after-dinner moment into something a little playful. It’s a fitting, indulgent finish to a plate-piling meal.
Servers Who Keep The Table Running
Here’s the surprising twist at a buffet: the service still matters, and this crew delivers. Time and again, guests single out servers who greet them, explain where everything lives on the line, and keep drinks filled without being asked.
One thoughtful touch comes up repeatedly: servers clearing away growing piles of crab shells before they take over the table. It sounds small, but diners say it lets them actually relax and enjoy the feast.
Names like Cheryl, Spencer, Radu, Diana, and Yulia surface again and again as favorites who made the visit better. Even during a packed holiday rush, one guest praised how hard the entire staff worked without slowing down.
Front-desk help gets credit too, with staff happy to arrange window tables and a nice view. That attentiveness turns a big, busy buffet into a warm experience.
A Bright, Nautical Space For The Whole Family
Walking in, you’re met with a bright, spacious room dressed in calming blue tones and nautical touches. Guests describe the atmosphere as relaxing from the moment they step through the door.
It’s built for groups. Diners mention ample seating for larger parties, with one table of eight praising how smoothly their meal went.
Families especially appreciate the variety that keeps both seafood lovers and picky eaters content.
Cleanliness comes up constantly, with visitors calling the place well kept and tidy even during peak crowds. Window tables offer a pleasant view that makes lingering easy.
The vibe suits vacationers, big families, and anyone celebrating a night out on the coast. It’s the kind of positive, welcoming setting where you settle in, spread out, and let the crab shells pile up while the kids hunt for the chocolate fountain.
Hours, Pricing, And Getting There
Planning your visit is simple once you know the schedule. The buffet opens at 3 pm Monday through Thursday, closing at 9:30 pm, and stays open later on Friday until 10:30 pm.
Weekends start earlier, with Saturday running 11 am to 10:30 pm and Sunday 11 am to 10 pm.
Pricing sits in the premium range for a buffet, with guests reporting figures around $52.99 to $54.99 per person, and a lower rate offered before 5 pm. A family of four might spend near $250, so arriving hungry helps you get your money’s worth.
Getting there is a breeze for beach visitors. Located at 401 S Kings Hwy, it’s within walking distance of many Ocean Boulevard hotels.
You can call ahead at +1 843-418-9839.
Is It Worth The Trip?
So does it live up to the hype? For most visitors, the answer leans strongly yes, especially if crab legs top your wish list and you show up ready to eat.
Fans call it worth every dollar, pointing to endless fresh crab, a raw bar, generous fried selections, and dessert stations that outshine the competition. The friendly, hardworking staff seals the deal for many returning guests.
A few diners felt the price ran high for what they got, or noticed certain trays cooling during slower stretches, so timing your visit matters. Arriving right at opening or early in a meal service tends to bring the freshest results.
Bottom line, it’s a landmark for a reason. If a plate-piling seafood feast sounds like your idea of a good vacation night, this buffet delivers the goods.
Share this story
