Restaurants on Shem Creek
Shem Creek is home to a diverse species of marine plants and animals, and, at the same time, a popular waterfront dining destination in Mount Pleasant. No matter the time or day, there’s always a place for visitors to enjoy excellent Lowcountry food. This guide to every restaurant on Shem Creek reveals why the Shem Creek food scene is thriving.
The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
A seafood restaurant with a mysterious name will always pique anyone’s curiosity. It makes you wonder what sort of tragedy has befallen the place. As it turns out, The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is named after a derelict trawler that was destroyed by the ferocious Hurricane Hugo on that fateful day in 1989. The Richard & Charlene never sailed again, but its memory lives on at The Wreck.
Easily one of the best spots on the creek to enjoy South Carolina food, The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is a family-owned restaurant that serves only fresh local seafood. When they say “fresh”, they’re not lying. Shrimp, crab, oysters, scallops, crabs, and fish are sourced locally, which gives credence to the “sea to table” dining concept.
Seafood is the star of the show, and the shrimp and scallops shine the brightest. Whether fried or grilled, the freshness shines through. Oysters are perfectly fried with a satisfying softness-to-crunch ratio. Fish options come down to grouper, flounder, mahi-mahi, or the catch of the day. Platters and combos come with hush puppies, red rice, coleslaw, and fried hominy square. She crab soup or clam chowder make for a great starter and the next thing you know, you’d be eating fried jalapeno grits, boiled, peanuts, and fried green tomatoes.
The menu is not overwhelming. The Wreck sticks to the classic seafood fare that’s simple but cooked tremendously well. Even the dessert choices are simple Southern favorites like key lime pie and banana pudding. What makes The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene a great place to eat is its simplicity and the stunning view of the dock. You may even witness the mesmerizing Wreck Sunset on Shem Creek.
Vickery’s Bar & Grill
A delightfully casual eatery located at the end of Shrimp Boat Lane, Vickery’s Bar & Grill features gorgeous seaside décor that gives off a warm hometown pub atmosphere. Its strategic location gives the best view of the Shem Creek sunset.
Vickery’s beginnings can be traced back in Atlanta, but they settled swimmingly well in Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant where picturesque locations are aplenty. That’s why there’s never a bad table at Vickery’s; everywhere you look, there’s a stunning view of the iconic creek. Vickery’s seafood offerings are as fresh as they come. The menu consists of Cuban-inspired dishes but with a touch of Southern cuisine flair. Traditional Southern favorites are given a Cuban spin and the result is a Lowcountry-Cuban fusion of flavors that elevate the quality of food tenfold.
Vickery’s has a diverse menu that will appeal even to the most discerning foodies. You can order Southern staples like shrimp and grits and fried chicken and, at the same time, you have exciting options like Cuban black bean cakes, pesto & parmesan encrusted salmon, seafood jambalaya, and jerk chicken plate. The beverage menu is a sundry of drinks that include soda, wine, draft beer, craft beer, big-brand beer, energy drinks, and cocktails. Just a stone’s throw away is Muddy’s Dockside Bar where the drinks and bar food are overflowing. With live entertainment and a fun crowd at night, it should be on top of your bar crawl bucket list.
Water’s Edge
Waterfront dining always means there’s fresh seafood to devour and Water’s Edge serves up some of the best seafood dishes on this side of Shem Creek. Dining at Water’s Edge gives you a spectacular view of the shimmering waters as well as the picturesque sunset whether you’re inside or dining al fresco. With its proximity to the dock, fishermen unloading their catch of the day is a regular sight.
Water’s Edge features Lowcountry dishes with fresh local seafood as the main attraction. But that doesn’t mean that pork, beef, and chicken options are non-existent on the menu. You’d be happy to know that Southern fried chicken, applewood smoked bacon, and sausages are available at their brunch buffet. You can still order filet mignon, rib-eye, and gourmet burgers from their regular menu if you want a heartier meal.
Specialty cocktails, premium craft beer, and happy hour liquors are overflowing at the Cabana Bar. But Water’s Edge’s claim to fame is its extensive wine list with more than 450 selections of wines sourced from the best wine-producing countries in the world. That’s a lot of wine pairing combinations you can try with your food. It’s the only restaurant in Shem Creek to be given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since it opened to the public.
With a diverse food and wine menu, Water’s Edge, the dining experience is unmatched. There’s always something new to try on every visit.
Tavern & Table
Tavern & Table features Lowcountry food and dishes inspired by other cuisines. It stays true to Southern food traditions but also continues to offer inventive and creative dishes that will amaze the palates.
Executive Chef Ray England’s imaginative menu honors the flavors of the Lowcountry by incorporating ingredients and produce from as many local vendors, fisherman, and farmers as possible.
Tavern & Table serves up a rustic and familiar cuisine with a modern twist. Italian flatbreads, bison burger, ahi tuna bowl, brick chicken, and grilled swordfish are some of the exciting and inventive dishes that you can sink your teeth into.The bartenders are just as creative as the chefs in the kitchen. Both the indoor and waterfront bars serve craft beer, select wines, and housemade barrel-aged cocktails. They go well with cheese and meat board or small plates meant for sharing.
Tavern & Table on Shem Creek is a local gathering spot where friends and family can enjoy classic cocktails and exceptional homemade food in a casual and laidback atmosphere. It reminds you of neighborhood taverns of old where local food is the star of the show.
Red’s Ice House
On Shem Creek stands a laid-back beachfront restaurant with one of the best sunset views in Shem Creek. Red’s Ice House has a fascinating backstory. Lewis Hughes “Red” Simmons’s vision for the family’s old fish and ice house was to transform it into a public gathering place at the water’s edge where locals and visitors of all ages, wealth, and culture could come together to watch the boats go by and help celebrate, preserve, and protect Shem Creek’s rich and storied traditions. The result is Red’s Icehouse that the locals and visitors have come to know and love over the years.
At Red’s Ice House, rustic and modern cuisine co-exist and complement each other. Indoor and outdoor seating gives a stunning view of the creek. The menu features classic Lowcountry cuisine and some adapted dishes inspired by other regions. Fish and chips, Po’Boy, shrimp plate, she crab soup, and burgers, pasta, and other Lowcountry favorites are just some of the dishes you can enjoy at Red’s.
You’ll adore Red’s Ice House if you’re searching for a nice place to enjoy a refreshing drink and fresh local seafood in a relaxed setting.
Saltwater Cowboys
Having opened its doors in 2017, Saltwater Cowboys is the new kid on the Creek. The delectable seafood and BBQ offerings are making some noise in Shem Creek’s food scene. Right off the bat, the casual atmosphere will make you feel at home. There’s an outdoor spot where you can enjoy the view and live entertainment on the deck.
Saltwater Cowboys does two things right: Fried and BBQ. Whether it’s shrimp, oysters, grouper, or flounder, it will have that Southern fried seafood crunch. Their house smoke BBQ is something that regulars keep coming back to. The 2-meat plate of brisket and ribs is a great way to sample their signature BBQ flavor. But if you want the works, get the Whole Smoker. Pork, chicken, pork belly, and turkey are slowly smoked with hickory and oak, so you’ll get that real BBQ flavor.
What really makes the difference at Saltwater Cowboys is that the seafood and produce are sourced locally, so there’s the freshness factor every single time. Everything else is made fresh daily—from bread to sauces to dressings to jams to pimiento cheese.
At Saltwater Cowboys, you’ll get a great view of Shem Creek, a delicious meal, a thirst-quenching drink, and electrifying live music. It’s truly an enjoyable dining experience.
The Mill Street Tavern
Located along the banks of Shem Creek, The Mill Street Tavern offers an indoor and outdoor space where you can enjoy the scenery and the food. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the site of the Greenwich Mill, the world’s first tide mill. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a replica of a mill.
The main dining area has a wall-to-wall window view of Shem Creek as well as period mill artifacts that are fascinating conversation pieces. The design of the tavern seamlessly connects the indoor and outdoor spaces, so there’s not a bad seat in the tavern. You’ll get a picturesque view of the creek and the local marshes anywhere you sit, more so if you’re at the rooftop dining area.
The Mill Street Tavern menu features sushi, burgers, sandwiches, and shareable snacks. It’s an eclectic mix of food with various culinary influences. With such a diverse offering, the Southern-inspired dishes shine through—fried chicken waffle, chicken & biscuits, pulled pork, shrimp & grits, and mac & cheese. But if you want to try out something different, the sushi rolls are an amazing option. And with their exciting list of cocktails and spirits at the bar, the dining experience is blissfully elevated.
Shem Creek Crab House
Seafood is the single-minded focus of Shem Creek Crab House. This means it’s a haven for seafood lovers who want nothing more than to eat succulent crab meat, crispy calamari, ahi tuna, steamed mussels, grilled shrimp, and chilled raw oysters.
Southern fried seafood of all shapes and sizes are the go-to comfort food, but it’s the world famous steampots that bring all the boys and girls to the creek. You can go for the Lowcountry Shrimp boil if you want something light, but no one leaves without trying the Crab House Crabpot. Alaskan snow and Dungeness crab are the stars of the steampot with shrimp, mussels, and smoked sausage as delicious sidekicks.
All the seafood goodness can be enjoyed on the deck where there’s a great view of the creek and marshes. Needless to say, Shem Creek Crab House is the place where you can get your seafood fix.
