Where to Eat at Lowcountry Beaches

Many of those visiting Charleston know that downtown is a hot spot for restaurants, but where should folks visiting one of the local beaches eat? From barbecue to noodle bowls, these island eateries can offer a wealth of choices for the hungry wave jumper or sunbather.

Note: Map points are not listed by rank

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, roasted summer squash with mozzarella, and more comforting dishes.

Eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood by the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson and chef de cuisine Will Fincher, The Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan’s Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

After a stint working for Tom Colicchio in New York, chef Air Casebier returned to Charleston and in 2015 to launch her catering business Feast. In 2016, she opened a cheery spot of the same name on Isle of Palms. The menu offers a daily baked egg dishes, roast cauliflower and kale salad, farm egg sandwich with spiced tomato jam and bacon, avocado tartine, roast pork sandwich with arugula pesto, and more.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling ramen, dahl, and a highly-addictive red curry macaroni and cheese. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines, including nods to the South, to make guests feel good while sipping a few craft beers.

The ‘Wich Doctor is a funky little shack on Folly Beach serving some serious pizza and sandwiches with pho and ramen on constant rotation. Where else carries a carbonara pie with bacon, sweet green peas, parmesan, white sauce, and eggs? This eatery also ofers one of the few clam pies around.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are open and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings. Korean beef tacos are stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak and the sautéed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for “the ugly boy,” Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Before a day at Folly Beach, hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The café has something for everyone on their menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.