11 South Carolina Buffets Serving True Lowcountry Flavor
South Carolina’s buffet scene offers a delicious gateway to authentic Lowcountry cuisine.
Smoky barbecue joints and seafood havens brimming with fresh catches showcase the state’s rich culinary heritage.
Prepare for a mouth-watering journey through 11 exceptional buffets where Southern hospitality meets unforgettable flavor.
1. Shuler’s BBQ – Latta
Smoke wafts through the air at this family-owned treasure where generations of barbecue expertise shine through.
Farmhouse-style sides complement perfectly smoked pulled pork and ribs that practically fall off the bone. The banana pudding alone justifies the drive to this unassuming roadside spot that locals have cherished for decades.
2. Captain George’s Seafood Buffet – Myrtle Beach
Walking into this nautical-themed wonderland feels like boarding a luxury cruise ship dedicated to seafood lovers.
Mountains of crab legs, steamed shrimp, and fried oysters await hungry visitors. Between trips to the buffet line, guests marvel at the restaurant’s impressive aquatic decor while planning their strategy for fitting in one more plate.
3. Angelo’s Steak & Pasta – Myrtle Beach
Hungry beach-goers flock to this Myrtle Beach institution where Italian comfort food meets Southern hospitality.
Pasta stations overflow with marinara, alfredo, and meat sauce options while the carving station features perfectly seasoned steaks. You have to know to save room for the homemade dessert bar that caps off this value-packed dining experience.
4. Carolina Buffet – West Columbia
Just across the river from the state capital sits this unassuming gem where Southern cooking takes center stage.
Diners load plates with crispy fried chicken, collard greens swimming in pot liquor, and cornbread so moist it barely needs butter. Weekday lunch crowds include everyone from construction workers to office professionals seeking authentic comfort food.
5. Crab Daddy’s Seafood Buffet – Murrells Inlet
Nestled in South Carolina’s seafood capital, this buffet celebrates the Atlantic’s bounty with flair.
Fresh catches arrive daily, transforming into Low Country boil, crab cakes, and buttery lobster dishes. People marvel at how seafood this fresh can be offered in unlimited quantities while enjoying views of the marsh from comfortable dining areas.
6. Palmetto Pig – Columbia
University students and government workers rub elbows at this downtown barbecue institution where hickory smoke perfumes the air.
Mustard-based sauce (the South Carolina signature) adorns tender pulled pork while sweet tea flows freely. First-timers often underestimate how much they’ll enjoy the hash and rice, a regional specialty that steals the show.
7. Coppers Restaurant – Conway
Grandmotherly figures in the kitchen work magic at this small-town favorite where recipes haven’t changed in decades.
Cast iron skillets produce golden fried chicken while simmering pots yield butter beans and okra stew. Regulars time their visits to coincide with specialty days: Wednesday’s fried catfish and Friday’s seafood spread draw the biggest crowds.
8. Blue-checked Shealy’s Bar-B-Que House – Batesburg-Leesville
Politicians campaigning through South Carolina make mandatory stops at this landmark where the mustard-based barbecue has influenced election outcomes.
Photographs lining wood-paneled walls showcase famous visitors who’ve feasted here. Regulars bypass the barbecue line and head straight for the fried chicken, which many whisper is even better than the legendary pulled pork.
9. Crabby George’s Calabash Seafood Buffet – Myrtle Beach
Vacation memories are made at this beachside institution where Calabash-style seafood (lightly breaded and perfectly fried) stars on the buffet line.
Families return year after year, comparing how many crab legs they managed to crack open. Children delight in the ice cream machine while parents appreciate the surprisingly reasonable prices for unlimited ocean fare.
10. BJ Country Buffet – North Augusta
Crossing the state line from Georgia, hungry travelers discover this unassuming buffet where quality trumps presentation.
Meat-and-three traditions shine with rotating daily specials like oxtails on Thursdays and fried pork chops on Saturdays. Regulars chat across tables in this community gathering spot where everyone seems to know everyone else’s name and preferred sweet tea level.
11. Lowcountry Harvest Buffet – Beaufort
Spanish moss-draped oaks frame the entrance to this waterfront gem where seafood meets farm-fresh vegetables.
Local shrimpers deliver their catch directly to the kitchen, resulting in unmatched freshness in every seafood dish. Between plates, guests wander onto the dock to watch dolphins play in the water, working up an appetite for another round of she-crab soup.
