Some people will drive forty minutes just for a plate of crab legs, and in Murrells Inlet, that drive usually ends at Crab Daddy’s. This seafood buffet has earned a 4.6-star rating from more than 20,000 reviewers, which is a huge number for any restaurant.
Families, couples, and birthday groups keep coming back for hot crab leg clusters, prime rib, and sea creatures that move above their heads. Here is what makes the trip worth it and what to know before you go.
A Seafood Buffet on Business 17
Head down US-17 Business in Murrells Inlet and you will find Crab Daddy’s Seafood Buffet Restaurant at 3043 US-17 BUS. It sits in the stretch of coastline south of Myrtle Beach, close enough for vacationers and locals alike to swing by for dinner.
At its heart, the place is an all-you-can-eat spot serving down-home American food and seafood. Crab legs are the main attraction, but the spread goes well beyond shellfish.
Steak, prime rib, frog legs, and desserts all share space on the buffet line.
The setting leans casual and nautical, so nobody needs to dress up. Flip-flops and beach tans fit right in here.
That relaxed feel is part of why it works so well for families coming off a day on the sand.
Reviewers from Pawleys Island, North Myrtle Beach, and farther away mention making the trip specifically for this meal. One couple staying in North Myrtle said the 40-minute drive was completely worth it, and they would recommend it no matter where in the Myrtle Beach area you are staying.
Twenty Thousand Reviews and a 4.6 Rating
Numbers tell part of the story before you even walk in. Crab Daddy’s holds a 4.6-star average across 20,194 Google reviews, which puts it among the most talked-about restaurants on the Grand Strand.
Crab legs come up in about 1,800 of those reviews. The seafood buffet earns hundreds more mentions, and so do prime rib, lobster, and polite staff.
Those topics paint a clear picture of what people care about most.
Plenty of reviewers are repeat guests. One diner called it their second visit and promised it would not be their last, while another said they had been several times and planned to return.
First-timers often write the same thing after a single meal.
Not every visit is perfect, of course. A few guests mention lukewarm items or a loud room, which we will cover later.
Still, the overall mood in the reviews is happy, full, and ready to come back.
The Crab Leg Clusters Everyone Talks About
Cracking open a hot crab leg and pulling out one long, clean piece of meat is a small victory. Visitors at Crab Daddy’s say that happens a lot here.
One reviewer noted the crab is cooked well enough that it comes apart easily and stays intact. Another described the legs as hot and easy to crack.
Several guests simply called them fresh and amazing.
The birthday couple who drove from North Myrtle Beach admitted they mostly focused on the crab leg clusters and skipped a lot of the rest. They praised the staff for keeping them loaded up all night.
A mom visiting for the first time joked that her husband ate his weight in crab legs.
Since it is all you can eat, pacing yourself is the real challenge. Grab a manageable pile, enjoy it while it is hot, and go back for more.
The servers also keep shell buckets emptied, so your table does not turn into a mountain of scraps.
Lobster Feasts and Off-Menu Choices
Feeling extra hungry? Crab Daddy’s offers more than the buffet line, including an All You Can Eat Lobster specialty that some guests swear by.
One husband dining with his wife called that lobster deal the best bang for your buck for any seafood lover. He kept ordering, and by the end of the night he had finished four.
His server also suggested a pineapple mimosa special, which he said tasted great.
Lobster comes up in more than 230 reviews, so he is far from alone. A family with kids mentioned enjoying both the buffet and items ordered off the menu, which makes it easy for a group to mix and match.
If you are torn between options, ask your server how things work. First-time guests say staff take time to explain the buffet process, which helps a lot when the choices feel overwhelming.
Prime Rib, Steak, and Frog Legs Beyond the Shellfish
Not everyone at the table loves seafood, and that is fine. Prime rib shows up in about 240 reviews, making it one of the most praised items after crab.
Guests describe the prime rib as tender. One diner said the steak was some of the best they had eaten, and another raved that even the mashed potatoes beat most buffets.
Onion rings got a shout-out too.
Then there are the frog legs. They earn dozens of mentions, and one happy guest called them probably the best frog legs he had ever had.
If you have never tried them, a buffet is the perfect low-risk place to take a bite.
Reviewers also say the meats have good flavor and the food feels seasoned just right. That variety means picky eaters and adventurous eaters can both leave happy.
Chocolate Strawberries and Birthday Cake
Save a little room. Dessert at Crab Daddy’s has its own fan club, and chocolate-covered strawberries pop up in more than 40 reviews.
Birthdays get special treatment here as well. One guest celebrating her birthday thanked her servers for a song and cake.
Another couple with birthdays close together said their server brought each of them a slice so nobody had to share, and the whole staff came out to sing.
Moments like that turn a buffet dinner into a memory. If you are planning a celebration on the Grand Strand, it is clearly a place where the team likes to join in on the fun.
So whether your sweet tooth wants fruit dipped in chocolate or a candle on a cake, the final course is worth the wait.
Animatronic Sea Creatures Overhead
Look up during dinner and you might catch a shark coming to life. Crab Daddy’s has life-size ocean creature animatronics hanging from the ceiling, and they move every so often.
Kids adore them. Parents mention their children were thrilled by the moving sea animals, and one mom said her daughter loved them.
Adults seem to enjoy the show too, with one guest calling the atmosphere really cool.
Upbeat music adds to the energy. A first-time visitor said the songs helped create a fun evening alongside great service.
It is a little like eating inside an aquarium cartoon. That playful underwater theme sets this place apart from a standard buffet, and it gives little ones something to watch between bites of mac and cheese or crab.
Servers Who Remember the Refills
Polite staff earns nearly 300 mentions, and it is easy to see why after reading a handful of reviews. Guests name their servers again and again, praising quick refills, frequent check-ins, and a warm welcome.
Diners describe staff who anticipate needs before anyone asks. One server helped a guest clean up after a spilled drink, while another explained the buffet to first-timers.
Several reviewers said tables stayed tidy, with no dishes piling up or overflowing shell buckets.
Some guests even said they would request a certain server’s section next time. That kind of loyalty usually comes from feeling truly cared for.
Fairness matters, though. One unhappy visitor reported a frustrating night with slow service, communication trouble, and a billing dispute over discounts.
Most reviews lean strongly positive, but experiences can vary.
Who Will Love It and Who Might Not
Picture a busy room, music playing, kids pointing at a moving shark. If that sounds fun, you will probably feel right at home.
Families with young children are a natural match. Birthday groups, couples on a beach trip, and serious crab fans all seem to have a great time.
Quick seating gets a few mentions too, which helps when everyone is hungry.
On the other hand, a guest looking for something calm found the space loud and kid-focused, with decor that felt overstimulating. That same reviewer felt variety was lacking and noticed warm fruit placed near hot stations.
Another said some buffet items were cold, and one early-afternoon visitor found the room fairly warm.
Restroom concerns came up in a couple of reviews as well. Management responded that feedback is being shared with the team, but quieter-dining fans may want to keep expectations realistic.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit
Timing your trip is simple. Crab Daddy’s opens at 2:30 PM Monday through Friday and at 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday, closing at 9:30 PM every night.
Price opinions are mixed but mostly positive. Many guests call it fair and well worth it, and one diner suggested picking up a coupon book to stretch your budget.
Another reviewer felt it ran on the pricier side, and one guest mentioned a surcharge on the bill.
Discounts follow restaurant policy and cannot always be combined, according to management, so ask questions upfront if you plan to use one.
You can call ahead at 843-299-1115 or check crabdaddys.net for current details. The address is 3043 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, an easy drive from Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island.
Worth the Drive for a Crab Leg Night
Ask the folks who drove in from North Myrtle Beach and they will tell you the trip paid off. That feeling shows up across thousands of reviews.
Crab Daddy’s delivers what most people come for: hot, easy-to-crack crab legs, tender prime rib, and a fun underwater setting that keeps kids entertained. Attentive servers and birthday sing-alongs add a personal touch that many buffets lack.
It is not a quiet, fancy dinner, and a few guests have noticed bumps with food temperature or cleanliness. For most visitors, though, the good far outweighs the rest.
If you are craving a crab leg feast on the South Carolina coast, this Murrells Inlet favorite deserves a spot on your list. Bring an appetite, and maybe a friend who likes cracking shells as much as you do.
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