The South Carolina coast is filled with mouthwatering restaurants worthy of a stop during your travels. From Bluffton, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and other cities with a view, these 20 places to grab a bite and a cold drink are sure to have just what you’re looking for.
CAHILL’S MARKET & CHICKEN KITCHEN
Healthy comfort food is the focus on this mouthwatering menu featuring fresh produce from the founding Cahill family’s farm. They’re known for their fried chicken, but you won’t be able to resist the temptation of their loaded salads and spicy black bean burger, either.
SORGHUM & SALT
Recently relocated to a larger space, Sorghum & Salt continues to uphold its identity as a locavore restaurant, where chef and South Carolina native Tres Jackson offers an ever-evolving menu of dishes like butter bean panzanella and Royal Red shrimp with butternut squash.
ANDOMIRO
Pawley’s Island
At Andomiro, founders Shemoi and Taneshe Coley, transplants from Jamaica, were inspired to celebrate the culinary techniques and traditions of Asia, and chef Sung Chun serves temaki and ramen alongside dumplings and ssam, plus a wide range of spirits including sake, soju, and Red Stripe.
44 & KING
This Southern pub pairs craft cocktails and draft beer with everything from fried banana peppers with avocado ranch to the pit sampler with smoked sausage, chopped pork, chicken, and ribs—plus live music several times a week.
THE SHACK
North Myrtle
Come hungry for a hearty, no-frills breakfast, lunch, or dinner of country Southern specialties like The Jenerator, a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit topped with housemade gravy, or the Cherry Grove platter with four kinds of fried seafood plus deviled crab.
BIG MIKE’S SOUL FOOD
Inspired by his mother’s wizardry in the kitchen, lifelong local “Big Mike” Chestnut dishes out collard green dip, croissant beignets, chicken sausage gumbo, seafood baskets, and a whole lot of Southern hospitality.
MARBLED & FIN
Charleston
Forget everything you know about a steakhouse—for the better. Marbled & Fin does steaks exceptionally well, but the rest of the menu and the cocktails are worth the trip, too. Don’t miss the wedge salad, served stuffed with Benton’s bacon and Stilton bleu cheese.
LA CAVE/FÉLIX
Charleston
First, Félix gave us a taste of Parisian sophistication in Charleston (all hail the raclette burger). Then, just last year, they expanded with La Cave, inspired by Provence with exceptional petit plats, cocktails, and wines. With new culinary director Alex Eaton at the helm, we expect great things to continue.
HOT FISH CLUB
Murrells Inlet
An institution on the inlet, Hot Fish Club was inspired by the area’s original epicurean club founded in the late 1700s, and has continued the tradition of getting together to appreciate quality and locally sourced food in the oldest existing building on the Grand Strand. Get the shrimp and grits Hot Fish style, with New Orleans tasso.
THE PASS/ITALIAN BOY AFTER DARK
Charleston
Superior sandwich shop by day, chef’s table tasting menu by night, and all Italian (by way of Philadelphia)—you’ll love whatever alter ego you choose from chef Anthony Marini.
KING BBQ
North Charleston
The most recent brick-and-mortar from Top Chef finalist Shuai Wang excels with its menu of Chinese barbecue-inspired dishes—we always order the noodles with five-spice rotisserie chicken and the chili crisp corn pudding. Don’t sleep on the excellent cocktails, either.
ROCKEFELLERS RAW BAR
North Myrtle Beach
Rockefellers is “infamous” for their steam kettles, a creative take on the seafood boil with flavor combos like Old Bay and beer or wine and garlic herb butter. You can also venture away from the southern Atlantic with a whole Maine lobster pot, a deep-fried po’boy, or fish-n-chips.
631 (FRANK’S ON FRONT)
Georgetown
Grab a deck table overlooking the Sampit River and indulge every whim with the local catch and lump crab cake small plates, the Tuscan artichoke and tomato salad, and the bone-in frenched pork chop with Chinese mustard sauce.
THE RESTAURANT AT ZERO GEORGE
Charleston
Set within the boutique Zero George hotel, this upscale restaurant from celebrated chef Vinson Petrillo offers reservations for an innovative, seafood-forward tasting menu or the 90-minute caviar bar experience with access to the a la carte menu.
SULLIVAN’S FISH CAMP
Sullivan’s Island
Chef Jason Stanhope recently brought his talents to this island restaurant with a focus on fresh seafood served, of course, fish-camp style, with regional specialties like Lowcountry boil and Carolina shrimp.
THE GULLAH GRUB RESTAURANT
Saint Helena Island
Chef-owner Bill Green serves what he calls “smilin’ food” because that’s the immediate reaction from diners when they try his seafood boil, shrimp and gravy over grits, barbecue ribs, gumbo, potato salad, fried shark strip, and cornbread.
FISHCAMP ON BROAD CREEK
Hilton Head Island
Enjoy waterside access to a menu full of elegant seafood options, including local oysters and shrimp daily, plus live music on the lawn, all in honor of Charlie Simmons Sr., a sailboat pilot who founded the original Simmons Fishing Camp in the same location.
SUNSET GRILLE
Beaufort
Waterfront views, an award-winning bloody mary, a curated wine selection, and a host of fresh seafood options, plus fabulous homemade desserts, make it easy to see why this family-run spot has attracted locals and visitors for nearly 30 years.
BEEDOS BURGERS
Saint Helena Island
Their name says burgers, but their breakfast is also top-notch: biscuit focused, grits inclusive, and vegan friendly with veggie sausage or tempeh bacon options.
HERBAN MARKET & CAFÉ
Bluffton
Everything from the sausage biscuit to the beet reuben sandwich is available vegan or gluten-free, along with freshly made juices and smoothies. Visit their Insta @herbanmarketandcafe for daily specials.
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