South Carolina's 10 Best Seafood Spots, According to Our Readers

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in South Carolina, find the nearest seafood dive and tuck into a platter of fried shrimp—preferably one served with an ice-cold beer and an unobstructed view of the water. While you can take to Google or a guidebook to determine where to go for steamed oysters or shrimp and grits in the Lowcountry, we decided to consult the folks who care about good Southern seafood as much as we do: Our readers. Here are the 10 best seafood spots in South Carolina, as voted by Southern Living readers. 

Lee's Inlet Kitchen

When you’ve been around for 75 years, you’re bound to be doing something right. At this beloved institution in the fishing village of Murrells Inlet, try not to load up on the hot hushpuppies they bring to the table on arrival, though it's awfully tempting. There's still so much more to savor, like the hand-peeled, cold-boiled shrimp pulled from the waters of nearby McClellanville or the thin and crispy onion rings—Lee’s is as famous for those as it is for the seafood. 

Order: The Shrimp Salad ($26.95), made with boiled fantail shrimp and Duke's mayo, is another house specialty.

4460 US-17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, leesinletkitchen.com

Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks

It doesn’t get much fresher than this Hilton Head Island mainstay, where 90% of the seafood served comes directly from the surrounding waters. Because of its enviable position on the edge of Port Royal Sound, guests can watch a local fishing fleet (one of only two on the island) unload the day’s loot, which could include anything from white shrimp to soft shell crab.

Order: From November through March, opt for the steamed local cluster oysters in the shell ($12 for a half bucket): The restaurant farms and harvests them.

1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926, hudsonsonthedocks.com

Bowens Island Restaurant 

Should you find yourself in the Holy City, make the worthwhile dirt-road detour to this family-owned restaurant that’s been a rambling fixture along Folly Creek since 1946. With its graffitied walls and worn-in wood floors, it doesn’t beg for attention, and it doesn’t need to. Deemed an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2006, the Lowcountry seafood joint shovels fresh-steamed oysters onto trays September through May and dishes fried shrimp and hush puppies year-round. It’s all delicious—and it's made even more so if you snag a seat on the waterside deck.

Order: The shrimp (served boiled or fried) and fried oyster platter is served with the seafood-dive-side-dish trifecta: French fries, hush puppies, and coleslaw.

1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412, bowensisland.com

The Crab Shack

Situated on the main drag of the freewheeling beach town just 12 miles from buttoned-up Charleston, The Crab Shack is as family-friendly and flip-flop casual as its surrounds. Start with the the she-crab soup, but save room: The value seafood baskets—which you can order with flounder, shrimp, or scallops (or a combination of all three)—are generously portioned. 

Order: The marquee offering, The Charleston Steamed Seafood Bucket, includes two snow crab clusters, large domestic shrimp, and steamed oysters (market price).

26 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439; crabshacks.com

Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop 

Housed in a reimagined garage on Upper King Street, the Brooks Reitz-helmed restaurant turns 10 in 2024, but it’s been a neighborhood favorite from the start, thanks to a menu of mouth-watering fried chicken, expectedly fresh oysters, and surprisingly crave-able salads. Add to the clever mix soft-serve ice cream and buckets of Miller High Life ponies, and you’ve found yourself one of the best meals in this restaurant-proud town.

Order: Even the bivalve-averse crowd may develop a taste for oysters after sampling Leon's char-grilled take, which swim in a melty swirl of lemon and butter and are topped with a generous sprinkle of parmesan. The 'old-school' scalloped potatoes are also not to be missed.

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, leonsoystershop.com

The Sea Shack

Don’t let summertime’s line-out-the-door scare you off. This treasured counter-service spot with just 40 seats is an area favorite thanks to its wide array of seafood offerings, from conch fritters to flounder sandwiches. It’s all made to order and to your liking—fried, grilled, or blackened. Wash it down with a glass of what they declare to be the best sweet tea on the island, and finish with a slice of strawberry Key Lime pie (when it’s seasonally available) or a cup of banana pudding.

Order: Hearty appetites should try the Shack Attack Combo ($17.95 for lunch, $19.95 for dinner), which combines a crab cake, fish, shrimp, scallops, and oysters on a giant paper platter. Homemade tartar sauce is the traditional accompaniment, but we think the brandy-infused gator sauce makes an even better platter slather.

6 Executive Park Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, seashackhhi.com

Sullivan’s Fish Camp 

With its lofted ceilings, lacquered-wood booths, and commitment to retro branding, this Sullivan’s Island seafood joint feels like it’s been there forever. In reality, it’s a newcomer—a spring 2022 top-to-bottom overhaul of a restaurant that had called the same spot home for 30 years. And while the nostalgically striped-umbrella-shaded patio is painfully charming, the takeaway window makes a strong case for a to-go shrimp roll savored on the beach just a few blocks away. 

Order: The truffle parmesan fried shrimp ($21) were a menu mainstay before the restaurant changed hands, and the new owners agreed the beloved dish should stick around; the same goes for the Key lime pie ($10).

2019 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482, sullivansfishcamp.com

The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene

So named for the trawler that was tossed ashore on the same spot during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this dinner-only, no-reservations establishment on Shem Creek shrugs off formalities in favor of its dynamite creek views and deliciously simple seafood. The best seat in the house belongs to the wooden dockside bar, where sunset views and local craft beers are just an arm’s length away. 

Order: Complete with red rice, coleslaw, a hushpuppy, and a fried hominy square, the shrimp platter (from $17.95) is a true taste of the Lowcountry. The deviled crab is also worth a try.

106 Haddrell Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, wreckrc.com

Shrimp Shack 

This family-owned lunch spot has been an island institution since it first opened its doors in 1978, and its magic belongs to its simplicity. They're only open for lunch, and you order through a carry-out window—though you don't have to take your food home. Snag one of the picnic tables on the porch for an especially satisfying alfresco dining experience.

Order: Given the restaurant's name, it's obvious you can't go wrong with shrimp here, but the shrimp burger ($9.25), served on a bun with tartar sauce and mayo, is a true crowd favorite.

1929 Sea Island Pkwy Saint Helena Island, SC 29920, facebook.com/shrimpshacksc

Mr. Fish Restaurant

There’s something for everyone on the extensive menu at this landmark Grand Strand restaurant and seafood market owned by a fisherman father and his culinary-school-trained daughter. Choose a South Carolina classic, like the Lowcountry boil, or make the most of the raw bar and order a sushi roll or two. Stretch mealtime into a full-fledged Mr. Fish experience by reserving a ride to and from dinner in the Mr. Fishmobile, a bright blue school bus that hits all the nostalgic high notes.

Order: The seafood tacos ($18) are made with your choice of mahi, tuna, or shrimp and are topped with onions and sweet peppers.

6401 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, mrfish.com