Charleston, known for its historical sites, stunning coastal views, and of course, seafood! Are you wandering downtown, exploring West Ashley, or traveling through John’s Island? There’s no shortage of places to indulge in fresh, local seafood, whether that be in a laid-back fish shack or in an upscale, refined restaurant! This guide dives into some of the best seafood stations across Charleston’s neighborhoods, each being unique and special.
Looking for a seafood eatery in a specific neighborhood? Simply click a link below!
James Island
1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Dive into all the southern seafood classics with Bowen’s Island! Walk the pier and dine over the glistening Atlantic and lowcountry marshes! The close-knit staff promises top-notch southern hospitality to bring your dining experience to life. Choose from a Lowcountry boil, shrimp and grits, crab, and fish! Feeling adventurous? Fresh, raw oysters await you! There are even chicken options for carnitarians. They also offer classic lowcountry sides and appetizers, such as boiled peanuts, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, huspuppies, grits, and more! Visit Bowen’s Island today for the ultimate Charleston seafood dining experience.
James Island
765 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412
As one of the most beloved seafood joints on James Island, CudaCo. offers a laid-back coastal dining experience with an exquisite cuisine. With an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced sustainable ingredients, the seafood house is a haven for those seeking a coastal eatery. CudaCo. captures the magic of James Islands’ suburban coastal paradise with their beach atmosphere.
CudaCo. doesn’t stop at serving mouthwatering seafood. They also know how to keep the excitement going with regular events! The restaurant frequently hosts seafood boils, oyster roasts, and live music nights, bringing together the community. If you’re looking for exclusive offers, consider joining CudaCo.’s loyal customer rewards program for access to specialty dishes and discounted meals!
James Island
1023 Harbor View Road, Charleston, SC
Looking for a seafood fare with a tex-mex flair? At Grumpy Goat Seafood Cantina, choose from innovative dishes that combine the best of nautical and latin cuisine, such as shrimp ceviche, classics such as tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas with a seafood filling, or a salsa-marinated shrimp platter! Be sure to check out their webpage for exclusive events and specials, such as margarita Mondays and taco Tuesdays!
Grump Goat encourages community closeness and offers options for customers looking to host a party in the restaurant. If you’re looking to host a large group, be sure to visit Grumpy Goat’s webpage so they can work with you to host the best party of the year!
Mount Pleasant
508 Mill Street, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Shem Creek Crab House, located on the scenic waters of Shem Creek, offers a quintessential lowcountry dining experience with stunning waterfront views. With ingredients sourced from local fisherman, they serve southern favorites like she-crab soup, crab legs, shrimp boils, and a side of Charleston’s charm.
Whether you plan to dine indoors with family and friends, relaxing on their outdoor deck, or watching boats drift by in the creek, you’re sure to enjoy your visit. Be sure to check out their instagram page for restaurant updates, new specialty drinks and dishes, and upcoming events in the creek!
Mount Pleasant
1407 Shrimpboat Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Water’s Edge’s promise is in the name – an exceptional dining experience on the edge of Charleston’s beautiful waters! This spot is a gem for those seeking a tranquil, yet upscale place to dine with family and friends! Enjoy the eatery’s close proximity to boutique shopping and outdoor activities, all just minutes away.
Water’s Edge is a seafood-lover’s haven with a diverse range of dish options, from calamari, fresh oysters, salmon, and boom boom shrimp, which features a spicy sauce crafted in-house. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a specialty beverage such as the Thunderstar Margarita or a “Shipfaced!” Feel the music by visiting when live bands are welcomed, and be sure to invite your loved ones!
Mount Pleasant
32 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Elevate your next meal and experience waterfront dining at its finest with Charleston Harbour Fish House, where stunning harbour views meet fresh and locally sourced seafood. With large windows exposing the beauty of the Atlantic, enjoy lunch on the rooftop bar, savor a sunset dinner, or gather for a refined evening with friends for drinks.
Whether you’re looking for some hearty breakfast tacos, a lobster ravioli lunch, or a filling filet mignon for dinner, everyone’s taste buds will be satisfied, all with unmatched views of the iconic Ravenel Bridge and Charleston coastal skylines!
West Ashley
630 Skylark Dr Suite I, Charleston, SC 29407
Cod Tail Seafood and Chicken in West Ashley is all about serving up comfort food with a powerful punch of flavor. Made for lovers of dishes from both sea and land, visitors can choose from a fish or chicken dinner! Whether chicken breast, wings, or gizzards, flounder, catfish, or tilapia, suits your fancy, the options are endless! Feeling a little more adventurous? Check out Codtail’s “Get Your Hands Dirty” menu for shrimp, crawfish, crab legs, mussels, lobster tail, and more!
Codtail knows how important plate presentation is, which is why they’ve uploaded a gallery on their website featuring all of their most tasty dishes! Visit Codttail Seafood and Chicken today and experience it for yourself!
West Ashley
1734 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
Eat like a king with King Claw in West Ashley! Specializing in seafood boils, they encourage you to roll up your sleeves, dive into perfectly seasoned shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, and more! Whether you like your seafood mild or spicy and adventurous, King Claw promises to bring flavor to the table. Whether you’re meeting up with family, catching up with friends, or looking to treat yourself to some tasty grub, King Claw is the perfect location for anyone looking for a fun, laid-back, and maybe even messy meal!
West Ashley
1119 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC 29407
If you’re in West Ashley and craving fresh, flavorful sushi, King’s Sushi is your answered prayer. Known for its all-you-can-eat sushi menu, this spot offers an unbeatable variety of rolls, sashimi, and Japanese favorites that are sure to keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re looking for a creative specialty roll like the Dragon or Volcano to simple, yet delicious salmon sashimi, every bite is sure to pack a powerful and flavorful punch.
King’s Sushi doesn’t care if you are new to sushi or a lifelong fan – they promise you’ll leave with a full belly and happy attitude. Invite family and friends to dine in their sleek, yet inviting joint!
Downtown
252 Coming Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Tucked away in a cozy spot on Coming Street, Chubby Fish brings you the freshest local catch with a creative twist that is sure to both surprise and satisfy your cravings! With an ever-changing menu based on what dishes best fit the season, each visit feels like a new adventure, tailored to you! With dishes like butter-poached fish, seafood pastas, and inventive crudos, you’re expectations with be blown out of the water! Gather with friends, enjoy an amazing meal, and soak in Charleston’s coastal culinary scene with Chubby Fish!
Chubby Fish is close-knit and intimate, which also means their venue is small – having only 40 seats. Be sure to book a reservation so you can enjoy marine dining at its finest!
Downtown
215 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Serving you since 1890, Hyman’s Seafood is so much more than just a restaurant – it’s an ultimate culinary institution. Ranked 6th among the most legendary restaurants in the whole world, it is safe to say they bring a refined taste to marine cuisine. Celebrities, from Oprah to The Commodores, Sandra Bullock to Lynard Skynard, have traveled to visit this tastebud heaven.
With beautiful, rich, historic architecture paired with top-notch Southern hospitality, unbeatable seafood classics, you’re sure to have an elegant evening at this refined eatery. Take a little Hymen’s home after picking up their Secret Sauce or Sweet Bourbon Glaze from the general store!
Downtown
99 S. Market Street, Charleston, SC
Raw Lab in downtown Charleston is more than just a restaurant—it’s an ultimate experience for true seafood adventurers. As a next generation eatery, Raw Lab features marine cuisine, “delicaseas,” presented via an omakase styled service in a private or semi-private dining location.
Aside from delicious dishes, Raw Lab promises value through chef experience, culinary education, entertainment, theatrical elements, and novel approaches to healthy dining. With a whopping 11-rounds of specialty, innovative, and high quality dishes, no one will leave hungry!
In addition, the restaurant hosts farm tours, where customers can get their hands dirty and dive into the world of oyster farming! This is all apart of their approach of delivering an interactive and informative adventure for Lowcountry seafood lovers!
Raw Lab makes it clear that this is not a typical dining experience and hence, may not be the best choice for all diners. It is important that you check out their website before making a reservation, and familiarize yourself with their atypical policies, culinary value, and general flow of the establishment.
John's Island
1804 Crowne Commons Way, Johns Island, SC 29455
At Blu Oyster Sushi and Seafood, they prioritize keeping dining fun and fresh on John’s Island. It isn’t your typical seafood joint – they love to mix local favorites with creative sushi rolls that are sure to surprise and satisfy all tastebuds. Whether you’re looking to kick back with some oysters, share unique sushi with friends, or to simply unwind with a drink, Blu Oyster has you covered with a laid-back, yet upscale experience. Come and experience deliciousness!
John's Island
3005 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455
Discover the Royal Tern, Johns Island’s premier destination for seafood lovers. Offerring a refine dining experience, The Royal Tern prides themselves on serving the freshest seafood, locally sourced produce, or even hand-cut steaks in a curated coastal environment. The diverse menu, offering halibut, scallops, shellfish, along with many others, tailors to locals and visitors alike. With expertly crafted cocktails, exceptional service, and a chic, Lowcountry setting, The Royal Tern, promises and unforgettable evening.
Walk in availability is limited, so be sure to make a reservation, especially if you plan to dine with a large party, to make sure everyone gets a taste of heaven!
Folly Beach
Are you looking for a place to experience fine dining on the water? At Blu Beach Bar and Grill, your expectation will be blown way out of the water with their extensive and top notch breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. With creative dishes, such as salmon avocado salad, strawberry and feta salad, crawfish, scallop, salmon and shrimp cream sauce, blu crab cake, and so much more, everyones taste buds will be satisfied!
Blu also frequently hosts live music events for you to enjoy while sipping a cocktail at sunset with friends! Some of their most common specialty drinks include Charleston Tea, mai tai, devious cucumber, beach water, and more! Enjoy fine coastal dining with Blu on your next friendly outing!
Folly Beach
11 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Looking for a place to grab a drink with friends or a bite to eat with family? At Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill, their mouth-watering menu features island-inspired dishes, such as coconut shrimp, fish tacos, delicious burgers, and more! Aside form the large selection of seafood favorites, Coconut Joe’s has a wide range of craft beers, cocktails, margaritas, and specialty drinks specific to the restaurant, such as the dirty banana, Coconut Joe’s lager, and the flirty flamingo!
Want a view of the beautiful Atlantic while enjoying a beverage with friends? Visit the rooftop bar for the best view of the Folly coastline on the whole island! Additionally, Coconut Joe’s knows how to get the party started, hosting regular events such as live music to enjoy on the water!
31 J.C. Long Boulevard, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Discover Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, a coastal gem on Isle of Palms, that combines the best of southern cuisine with fresh, locally sourced seafood. Whether you’re looking for a quick brunch before a day in the sun, a classic family dinner, or a stop for happy hour, Acme welcomes you to join them for an unforgettable dining experience. With signature dishes like crab cakes, Southern cornbread, and gouda grits fries, and handcrafted cocktails, you’ll be coming back for more, whether you’re a local or just visiting!
Isle of Palms
1515 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC
Since first opening its doors in 1986, Long Island Cafe has been a hidden gem for locals and tourists alike, tucked within a strip mall on the Isle of Palms. Over its decades-long history, this beloved restaurant has become a staple of the Charleston community. Offering brunch, lunch, and dinner, dining is as convenient as ever, and tailored to you!
Choose from crab soup and cakes, clam chowder, shrimp and grits, and fresh oysters, flounder, and shrimp! For a more refined taste, their dinner menu features delicacies such as filet mignon, various salmon, and crab meat crusted grouper. Feeling adventurous? Check out their RAW menu to satisfy your acquired taste!
Explore Charleston's Marine Cuisine
Find fresh, locally sourced, and top-tier eats among the streets of Charleston! Each spot is a true reflection of the city’s coastal heritage and culinary talent. Next time you’re exploring the Holy City, we’ve got you covered on finding the South’s freshest and tastiest catch!
