Seafood Restaurants in Charleston
Being a major port city, you can reasonably assume that the seafood in Charleston is second to none. And if you make that assumption, you would absolutely be correct.
Here is our list of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston you should dive into to get the full Lowcountry dining experience.
Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is a bustling restaurant with great food and great service in a turn-of-the-century rustic warehouse at the north end of Church Street in Charleston. If you’re visiting Charleston and at a loss for where to eat, this will be at the top of the locals’ recommendations. Hank’s focuses on excellent fresh local ingredients, upscale dining, and a passion for South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine.
You must try the Charleston Oyster Stew, shrimp & grits, and of course, Hank’s signature sautéed lump crab cakes. If you want to dip your toe into dining like a local, then Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is one of the best choices for you.
Bowens Island Restaurant
You just can’t talk about Lowcountry cuisine without talking about Bowen’s Island. They’ve been serving quality, fresh seafood overlooking the calmness of King Flats Creek since the ’40s. Bowen’s Island Restaurant may look simple and homespun from the outside, but come in, and you’ll be welcomed by the atmosphere of simple Southern hospitality.
Bowen’s Island serves no-frills Southern seafood that doesn’t need any bells and whistles to stand out, like their flavorful Frogmore Stew (that’s a seafood boil, for you non-Southern folk). It’s the perfect spot to relax, grab a cold one, and eat as many oysters as you could want. If you’re a foodie looking for a spin, then the food experience that’s called Bowen’s Island is the one for you.
Charleston Crab House
Charleston Crab House is a mirror of great seafood — simple, flavorful, and fresh. They serve simple yet savory Southern seafood staples from she-crab soups, shrimp and grits. They also offer all the oysters your heart desires, be it raw or cooked. Speaking of, you should try their delectable Grilled Oyster McClellanville.
Charleston Crab House has three locations ready to serve you. If you’re looking for the waterside experience where you can watch fishermen and ships come and go, then their Wappoo Creek location is the place for you. If you want just to sit back and relax, then you might want to check them out at Shem Creek. However, if you want to be in the heart of Charleston, then dine at their downtown location on Market Street.
Hyman’s Seafood
Hyman’s Seafood is a landmark when it comes not only to the city of Charleston but to the Charleston seafood scene as well. The Hyman’s brand has existed for over a century, but they opened their doors as a restaurant only in the late ‘80s. Nevertheless, the restaurant can guarantee your satisfaction with its knowledge of Charleston hospitality, food, and fishery.
They serve fresh local seafood specials daily, which they get straight from the coast. If you want a great seafood dinner to cap off your day, then Hyman’s is the place to be. They’re located at the corner of Meeting and Hayne, and there is no way you’ll miss them — they’re the large wood-and-brick fish house with a huge board for Specials that just exudes history and refinement. Give their Carolina and Wadamalaw Delight a try to get a taste of the special Southern touch we’re talking about.
167 Raw Oyster Bar
167 Raw Oyster Bar is a modern seafood dive located at the corner of King and Clifford. They’re a New England-style oyster bar that serves a selection of fresh oysters that they get from the local waters of Charleston. Their oyster selection changes daily, so you’re sure that you’re getting what’s fresh and tasty.
They also serve fantastic po’ boys and tasty tacos. You must try the Pastrami’d Swordfish if you’re going to dine here. Filled with life and activity, 167 Raw Oyster Bar is the ideal pick for you if you want to find modernity in the center of the piece of history that is Charleston.
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
If Joe Riley Waterfront Park is one of the Charleston destinations on your list, Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar is another stop you might want to add to that list. They have solid seafood offerings that will leave you satisfied and yet hungry for more. They serve Southern classics from fresh seafood like shrimp and grits to a must-try she-crab soup.
Fleet Landing has a wrap-around patio that lets you enjoy your meal with a beautiful Southern Carolina sunset. A quick heads up, though. While Fleet Landing has many seats, they are so popular that those seats tend to be booked most nights. It’s better to make a reservation ahead of time so you can save yourself the wait — but even if you do wait, it’s going to be worth it.
Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar
Amen Street is one of Charleston’s treasured seafood restaurants when it comes to Lowcountry and Southern cooking. It’s conveniently located right around the corner of Waterfront Park and the iconic Charleston Market. If you find yourself looking for something good to eat on East Bay Street, then Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar is one of, if not the top, choices.
Amen Street serves over 20 varieties of locally sourced oysters that you can enjoy the way you want it, be it raw, fried, stuffed, or baked. They also offer fish specials and other seafood sourced fresh from local waters, like the heavenly grilled Mahi Mahi and tuna tacos. If you find yourself wanting all of it, then it’s best to try their divine Amen Platter to get a taste of the core flavors of Amen Street.
Leon's
Preserving history is an important thing in the south, and Leon’s is a testament to that. The restaurant is named in homage to Leon Ravenel, the Charleston mechanic whose old body shop houses Leon’s restaurant today. Leon’s body shop was an industrial core to Charleston, as Leon’s Restaurant is part of Charleston’s culinary core today.
Leon’s serves an honest-to-goodness selection of fine seafood from the waters of Charleston. Their Chargrilled Oysters are a must-try while downing a glass from their wide and diverse selection of wines, beers, and cocktails. Leon’s is a true neighborhood fixture, and like a good neighbor does, they are open to you throughout the week for lunch and dinner. Leon’s is a must if you’re looking to feel the downtown history of Charleston.
Magnolias
If you want to class it up for the night, then Magnolias is the joint for you. This upscale restaurant on East Bay Street serves leveled-up Southern cuisine. Magnolias’ food is a feast not only on the hungry tummy but on the eyes as well. Imagine beautifully plated dishes that highlight local and fresh ingredients, executed with refinement and technique — that’s what Magnolias is about.
They serve jazzed up Lowcountry and Southern cooking that’s worth every penny. Their Catch of the Day is always something to look forward to, along with their Down South Egg Roll stuffed with the finest ingredients and the Shellfish over Grits that’s decked with local seafood goodness. Magnolias is perfect for a date night or as the final stop for your Charleston trip.
The Ordinary
Once you try The Ordinary, you’ll realize that this critically-acclaimed restaurant is anything but. The Ordinary is situated on King Street at a building that used to be a bank. Now, it’s a classy joint that holds the treasure of extraordinary food that comes along with an unbelievably serene ambiance and delightful service.
It would be a sin not to try their oyster offerings, sourced fresh from the waters of Charleston. You must also try the exquisite Oeufs Tonnato and the delicious Red Snapper Ceviche. We recommend finishing your night off in The Ordinary with their decadent and satisfying Chocolate Hazelnut Budino. If you want to eat fresh and extraordinary dishes with a classy ambiance, then The Ordinary is the place to be.
