
The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood
A world-famous, 170-item seafood buffet with a unique nautical theme, offering an all-you-can-eat experience.

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The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A world-famous, 170-item seafood buffet with a unique nautical theme, offering an all-you-can-eat experience.
"Step inside a ship for an endless seafood feast, from perfectly steamed crab legs to unique Calabash-style delights!"
Enhance Your Crab Legs
Ask servers for Old Bay seasoning to perfectly complement your crab legs.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid overcrowding, consider visiting during less busy times or making a reservation.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood Buffet
Price
$$$
Phone
(843) 449-0821
Address
9593 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, USA
Website
theoriginalbenjamins.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

All-You-Can-Eat Crab Legs
Indulge in an endless supply of perfectly steamed crab legs, a crowd favorite that keeps diners coming back for more.

Nautical Ship Ambiance
Step aboard a unique dining experience with decor reminiscent of a ship, featuring mounted sharks and nautical relics.

Expansive 170-Item Buffet
Explore a vast array of seafood and more, from Calabash-style fried favorites to carving stations and a pasta bar.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Enhance Your Crab Legs
Ask servers for Old Bay seasoning to perfectly complement your crab legs.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid overcrowding, consider visiting during less busy times or making a reservation.
Value for Crab Lovers
If you love crab legs, the $50 price is well worth it for unlimited portions.
Don't Fill Up on Hushpuppies
While delicious, Benjamin's famous hushpuppies are best enjoyed in moderation.
Tips
from all over the internet
Enhance Your Crab Legs
Ask servers for Old Bay seasoning to perfectly complement your crab legs.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid overcrowding, consider visiting during less busy times or making a reservation.
Value for Crab Lovers
If you love crab legs, the $50 price is well worth it for unlimited portions.
Don't Fill Up on Hushpuppies
While delicious, Benjamin's famous hushpuppies are best enjoyed in moderation.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood is celebrated for its immense buffet, particularly its consistently well-prepared crab legs and lively, ship-themed atmosphere. While the vast selection and quality are highlights for many, some note that the restaurant can feel overcrowded during peak times, and the price point may be high for those not focused on seafood. Overall, it's a popular destination for a hearty and engaging dining experience.
"This was our first time at the restaurant, and we were warmly greeted by the kind staff right away. Our waitress was excellent—very attentive and made sure all our needs were met. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. While we initially weren’t sure what to expect, we ended up really loving the flavors and quality of everything we ordered. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with great service and food."
Jason Jordan
"Excellent Seafood Buffet! Great location and overall top service! The atmosphere feels like stepping inside a ship with the waitresses formally dressed as sailors. The food is fresh and amazing selection of everything you can think of. Highly recommended and will come back again! A+"
Ronald Cabanillas
"Came at 4pm, left at 6pm. Food was hot, lots of variety, and crabbb legggssss!! I pretty much went for crab legs and ate sooooo much. They kept it stocked and had no issues keeping up with the crowds. Restaurant is quite large and very creative and unique dining rolls. The calabash (fried) seafood was quite tasty and some of the sides like Mac and cheese, crab something, and green beans were yummy. The tuna and salmon were not great. But the crab legs and fried shrimp were on point so I was happy! Felt like a Vegas buffet. $50 for unlimited crab legs was worth it!"
David Morrison
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It offers a 170-item buffet with a unique ship-themed atmosphere, featuring nautical decor and a wide array of seafood.
Yes, reviews consistently mention that crab legs are kept stocked and are a highlight of the buffet.
Absolutely, the buffet includes a carving station, pasta bar, various sides, and desserts, catering to diverse tastes.
The price is around $50 per person, which is considered upscale but worthwhile for the quantity of seafood.
It's advisable to visit during off-peak hours or make reservations to avoid potentially crowded conditions.
Yes, they provide a dedicated list of gluten-free options for diners with dietary restrictions.
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The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway on the north end of Myrtle Beach along restaurant row. Grab a plate and keep filling it, because the 170-item buffet is award-winning and world-famous, with fresh seafood, a crab leg bar, pasta station, carving station, homemade soups, and in-house bakery for fresh-made desserts and more. And, not only will you feast like a king, but you’ll also be treated to unique exhibits at the restaurant, like its collection of nautical antiques, mounted fish and large-scale ship models, built by Benjamin’s master shipwright, Jimmy Frost.
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Original Benjamin's is a Myrtle Beach stalwart, loved as much for its gargantuan seafood buffet as for its eclectic nautical decor. Each of the nine dining rooms has plenty to occupy your eyes, including an 800-gallon saltwater fish tank with sharks and eels, museum-quality nautical relics and an impressive collection of model ships. And the buffet is overflowing with Calabash-style (fried) seafood, broiled fish, crab cakes and snow crab legs - about 170 items in all, plus impressive salad and dessert bars, a carving station, on-site bakery and more.
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The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood boasts 170 items on its buffet with just about every living thing in the ocean. Hot Fish Club in Murrells Inlet offers from-the-menu options like a fried golden brown medley of flounder, shrimp, oysters, and crab cakes. At Captain Archie’s on North Myrtle Beach, you can choose from app-sized fried white fish or shrimp bites, or enjoy generous helpings of crispy fishes like flounder, oysters, shrimp, or crabcakes—or, go for the gusto with the Captain’s Platter, which includes them all.
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What it's known for: Benjamin's has been serving up seafood - much of it locally sourced - to hungry families since 1986. Folks love the Calabash-style offerings, which are lightly breaded and fried to golden, crispy goodness. Bring the whole crew and head to the buffet, because they really mean "all you can eat." It's also tons of fun for kids who will be amazed to see one of the world's largest nautical collections and enjoy climbing aboard the seafaring dinghy, getting their pic taken in the pirates' corner and more!
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One of the top-rated seafood buffets in Myrtle Beach is The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood.This iconic establishment has been serving up mouthwatering seafood dishes for years and is renowned as the best and largest seafood buffet in the area. At The Original Benjamin’s, you can expect to find a vast selection of seafood, including crab legs, shrimp, and fish. The freshness and quality of the seafood are highly praised by customers, making it a must-visit for seafood enthusiasts.
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To prepare food Calabash-style means to coat fresh shrimp, fish, oysters, clams, or crabs with a light, flavorful batter, then give them a dip in a searing hot fryer until they are lightly golden. Repeatedly voted “Best on the Beach” for seafood buffets, this award-winning spot lives up to its reputation in a big way!. Get ready to indulge in unlimited fried flounder and scallops, fried oysters, fried calamari, creamy clam chowder, and their famous house-made crab cakes.
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There are eleven unique dining rooms at Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood restaurant, including an open-air deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. This massive eatery features impressive hand-built ship models, a children’s adventure area, and a bar with a Dry Sea Aquarium overhead. Not only is this one of the best seafood restaurants in the area, it’s a destination in and of itself—and one of the top things to do in Myrtle Beach.
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Original Benjamin’s: Boat-loads of fresh seafood are served Calabash-style at this Restaurant Row establishment. Famous for its lightly battered and deep-fried seafood, Original Benjamin’s feeds the masses exactly what they are looking for – shrimp, crab and fresh catch cooked to a crispy finish outside yet still juicy on the inside. Original Benjamin’s is known for its hot hushpuppies dipped in honey butter, but don’t fill up on them.
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It wouldn’t be a trip to Myrtle Beach without a visit to one of the area’s seafood buffets, and if you are looking for the absolute best in town look no farther than Original Benjamin’s. This restaurant row favorite boasts an impressive 170-item buffet stocked with everything from fresh seafood and crab legs to hot carving stations, build your own pasta stations, and so much more. Call (843) 449-0821 for more information.
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With 170 items on their extensive buffet, it would be nearly impossible to not find something to like at The Original Benjamin’s Seafood Buffet. With a wide array of fresh, local seafood, hot carving stations, salad and pasta bars, and much more, this decadent display is sure to please the whole group. Gather a plate full of local seafood like mussels, clams, oysters, crab cakes, shrimp, scallops, and even crab legs.
What is Calabash seafood, and who does it best in Myrtle Beach?
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood claims to be the first restaurant to introduce Calabash-style seafood to Myrtle Beach, and the restaurant’s notoriety has only grown since it opened in 1986. The restaurant has garnered over 12,000 Google reviews averaging 4.3 stars. Diners at The Original Benjamin’s move from station to station at the buffet beneath mounted sharks, and among the sails and ropes of ships.
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If you’re in the mood for an all-you-can-eat seafood feast, head to The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood. This Myrtle Beach classic has been serving locals and visitors alike for decades, offering a wide variety of seafood in a family-friendly atmosphere. With its extensive buffet options, it’s perfect for those looking to indulge in a seafood feast while experiencing a fun and lively dining setting.
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Take for instance The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood (9593 North Kings Highway), which provides over 100 different foodie options to enjoy. I made sure to not eat all day in preparation for this which turned out to be the smartest thing to do as I was able to dine on all kinds of cuisines. The space is also fabulous to look at as it goes on and on with each room having a different theme to it.
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Located in the heart of Restaurant Row, The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood has been serving all-you-can-eat crab legs on their endless buffet for years. It’s just one of the tasty items that brings busses to them year after year!. The restaurant itself is a sight to be seen with 11 different dining rooms, a model ship collection and a fun nautical experience for your little sailors.
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The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood: Choose from over 170 items on the buffet when you eat at Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood. The restaurant overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, giving guests a peaceful and beautiful view. Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood includes all of the favorites like oysters, shrimp, crab legs, clams, fish, scallops and other southern favorites.
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Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood could arguably be the best seafood buffet in town!. Not only do they source most of their seafood and produce from the surrounding farms and fisheries, but they also honor the local cuisine. From the nearby town of Calabash, NC, comes the “Calabash” method of using a light batter and deep-frying seafood.
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The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood is pretty iconic around here. They serve local seafood, Calabash-style (lightly battered and fried), and honestly, this place helped make that style famous in the area. The restaurant itself is a bit of an experience, with huge handcrafted model ships and all kinds of nautical history on display.
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Admittedly, it’s not fresh, but no list of Myrtle Beach’s best seafood restaurants is complete without a buffet, and The Original Benjamins, which claims to have introduced Calabash-style seafood to the area, is the best. The buffet features more than 170 items, including crab legs, so if it’s quantity you desire, this is your spot.
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For a world-famous treat, try The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet boasts 170 items, including fresh seafood, an in-house bakery, homemade soups, and a carving station. They also have a dry aquarium which features the world’s largest collection of nautical antiques, large scale ship models, and mounted sea creatures.
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A true Myrtle Beach classic, The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood offers one of the largest seafood buffets in the country. This massive restaurant also features nautical décor, model ships, and a friendly atmosphere that adds to the experience. With over 170 items to choose from, everyone is sure to find a favorite dish.
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The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood in South Myrtle Beach is a delightful seafood buffet that will leave you craving for more. Their extensive selection of succulent seafood options will make your taste buds dance with joy. From the mouthwatering crab legs to the flavorful shrimp, every bite is a burst of oceanic bliss.
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The Original Benjamin’s is a family-owned restaurant and many locals will tell you it’s the area’s best. The nautically themed dining room has a 170-item smorgasbord with, as always, crab legs as the centerpiece. Throw-in a dry sea aquarium and the Original Benjamin’s is 1 or 1A on every list of Myrtle Beach’s best buffets.
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Another staple in Myrtle Beach is The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood. They’re most famous for their seafood buffet, where you can pick and choose what you want to eat and how much. This is a massive restaurant with roughly 1,000 seats, so you normally shouldn’t have a problem getting a table for you and your group.
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When it comes to Calabash-style seafood,Original Benjamin’s is the place to be. This restaurant offers a massive buffet filled with fresh seafood, steaks, and even chicken tenders for those who prefer land over sea. The quality of food and the variety make it a good restaurant choice for any meal.
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Myrtle Beach’s first standout seafood buffet remains its best and largest (170 items). A nautical theme complements excellent food. Located on restaurant row, Benjamin’s serves Calabash style seafood (i.e. fried) along with crab legs, shrimp and a full buffet of Southern cuisine.
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The Original Benjamins delivers, with food stations and mounted sharks above the food. It has eleven dining rooms and a master model ship collection for your enjoyment!. This is one of the Grand Strand’s most beautiful buffets of any cuisine, with stellar service to boot.
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- A true Grand Strand landmark featuring 170 savory items such as Crab Legs, Carving Station of Prime Rib, Ribeye Steaks, Ribs and Baked Chicken and more. Save room for Delicious Homemade Dessert Bar and Ice Cream. Make your own Sundae
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If you thought you knew a seafood buffet before the Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood, you’re way out of your league. This buffet has no fewer than 170 Calabash style seafood. Are you excited for some fried seafood?!
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Embark on a flavorful voyage to the best calabash in Myrtle Beach at Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood. Here, they embrace a unique Calabash-style preparation that results in crispy, delicately flavored seafood.
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A diner in Myrtle Beach has a plethora of Calabash seafood buffets to choose from — 11 to be exact — Original Benjamin’s, Captain Benjamin’s and Bennett’s, to name a few.
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Bring your appetite to the world’s largest calabash buffet with crab legs, steaks, pasta and Lowcountry cuisine that offers 170 items .
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit