50 Best American Restaurants near Folly Beach

“Cute place. Very packed. Went by myself and waited 40 minutes after being told it would be a 15 minute wait. I guess it took longer because I told them I had a preference to sit outside. They were very nice ladies, but the place is just overwhelmed by a lot of people on a Saturday (understandable). The hostesses prioritize larger groups first as they said they don't have single-top tables and they are usually seated at the bar, and she stressed that I could take my food to go (I really wanted to dine in). So if you come here, bring a larger group because if it's just you, you'll be waiting a bit. Another two strangers and I actually joined forces and became a party of 3 and were seated shortly after. The coffee was great! The bloody Mary was a watery pre-mix and it was mediocre but did the job. I ordered the eggs Benedict which would've been 10 out of 10, but the fried green tomatoes were pretty tough to cut through so 8:10. Otherwise, I highly recommend the dish. The fruits were really fresh. It's definitely a good stop, but don't go there during peak times or if you're looking for quick service. This is a place to relax and take your time. Skip the cocktails and go for the coffees- the barista made a d*mn good chai latte“

“It was pretty good. The grouper was a little salty for me but to the point i couldn't eat it and the texture was great. The fries were some of the best I've had in a while and I liked the coleslaw, but my table mates didn't seem too keen on it. The server wasn't the best, seemed a little scatterbrained but did apologize and the place was pretty busy. Over all still a decent stop for a bite to eat.“

“First of all I absolutely love the vibe of this place it is so decorative with all this beach memorabilia and such. Everything was just perfect for a nice sunny beach day. I got the fried flounder (comes with fries+coleslaw) Loved the flounder however it was pretty heavily breaded for such a thin fish but the fries and coleslaw were very good. However I think the best thing here was the service, Our waitress was totally chill and made sure that we were having a comfortable experience. However this is the cherry on top, I forgot my hat inside of the restaurant on the table and I left and was walking down the street and our waitress rushed over and returned the hat to me. A little tip, There is a super cool farmers market behind the restaurant starting at 5pm on Thursdays. Would definitely recommend going to the market and restaurant!“

“Stopped by because of the vibes. Nice dining atmosphere. They have a good mix of indoor and outdoor type of seating.Some items were great. And some of the items were ok. Seems like it can be hit or miss with their food offerings.Service was good.Tenders = 5/5Crab cakes = 3.5/5Grouper bites = 5/5“

“This is a hotel restaurant right on the beach so the view is amazing. There has been a menu change and one of my favorites is gone, but my salmon salad was very good. The vibe is modern and clean, and the service was excellent. I sat indoors so I could work a bit. In the past, have also enjoyed the outdoor bar area with beach access (you place your order at bar), and like that too. I recommend it!Parking: There's parking available if you're a guest at the hotel, but I wasn't so paid for parking on the street.Wheelchair accessibility: It's available.“

“My daughter and I dined here on a girls weekend to Charleston. We tried the she crab soup, very creamy and flavorful. She had the filet and crab mac n cheese. I had the goat cheese gnocchi with short rib ragu. Everything was prepared exceptionally and the portion sizes were perfect. Neither of us had dessert, we were way too full. Lovely dining experience!“

“The restaurant seems to be showing its age. The gnocchi is still great. The atmosphere, service, and other dishes are in decline. At the price point there are better options in Charleston. They have removed the lime cream puff from the menu, if you are/were a fan of it.“

“Our server Kayla was phenomenal! She was extremely knowledgeable about the menu offerings and was able to answer all of our questions! The food was absolutely delicious. The drinks were spot on. This was our second time dining here and will definitely be returning again.“

“This review is LONG overdue. My sister & I visited Charleston July 2023. The night we flew in from Seattle we had Chasing Sage for dinner - what a delight! From the atmosphere to the food to the incredible staff and chef, it was an amazing experience. My sister and I still randomly bring up our experience at Chasing Sage, and how delicious the food was. Honestly, we'll probably be back to SC and this place is a decent part of the reason why. Cannot express enough how much we enjoyed this place! *edit to add that at the time there was some sort of a seasonal drink on the menu that included peas and my sister thought it was to die for!“

“Went here for brunch. This place has great service and atmosphere. The menu is fantastic but the execution just wasn’t 100% ie the portions are small for the price as some other reviews mentioned. We had the fried rice with short rib and maybe six small pieces of short rib and then 95% rices. The flavors were good but why skimp on the meat. So nice place overall but food it hit/miss for the price so just be ready for that“

“This is a down home funky southern restaurant serving primarily oysters and fried chicken in a converted garage. So for that reason they get 5 stars. The food was good, the roasted oysters were great, beer was cold, sides were enough to share service was attentive. They don’t take reservations for party less than six so you can expect to wait if you go at prime time. It a pretty popular place.Parking: Primarily a residential neighborhood so parking can be sparse. They do have a free parking lot but it’s small. Neighborhood not the best so be aware walking at night“

“This was an incredible find on our East Coast trip. The best gumbo we've ever had. I'm glad this was my first shrimp and grits It was a perfect balance of creamy and toothy with delicious pink shrimp. The service and attention to detail was spot on.“

“We sat at the bar for lunch on a Tuesday and had a wonderful gentleman bartender making our drinks and taking our orders. My boo said it was “the best Ruben” he’s ever had. I enjoyed my chicken medley! Def high class place. Delivered on food. Would assume they know how to party.“

“A qaint lil cafe we discovered while visiting Charleston...Reservations are recommended,eat in or outside dining....I had the Cru burger and my spouse had Gen Tao's chicken....Both were very good,service was excellent....We'd go there again the next time we visit!!!“

“If you're near the pineapple fountain at the waterfront park in Charleston and in the mood for some good food and drinks, this is the place to go. The food here is always fresh and delicious; especially the fish and chips. The place is covered in dollar bills left by prior guests with lots of interesting drawings on them so your eyes will never get bored. The bar itself is a little small, but most go here for the food and dining area anyways. The only thing that was lacking was the absence of any air conditioning, so it was quite humid and warm inside. Other than that, I would definitely recommend coming here for a quick bite to eat and some beers along with it.Parking: Free street parking around the neighborhood.“

“Wow where do I even start, this place was amazing! Food was delicious. I had the shrimp and grits and ate every bit of it. My girlfriend's pasta dish was also phenomenal. The view from our table was breathtaking. We got to watch the sunset over the harbor. Had to wait about an hour for the table; would definitely recommend a reservation especially on the weekend, but it was definitely worth the wait. You can sit at the bar and have drinks while you're waiting for your food. Andrew our server was awesome. He gave us great recommendations. We ended up here the next day for an appetizer as well; strongly recommend the spinach artichoke dip.“

“A beautiful little restaurant that has it all. The service was fantastic and the ambiance perfect.The sourdough was fenominal. Flounder was amazing but many bites were over salted. Same issue with the rabit pasta being good but much too salty.The dessert - flourless cake was perfect! So glad we ordered it!Really only issue was the saltiness. I would definitely return though, its a lovely spot“

“Many of the local restaurants are overrated, but not Charleston Grill. Great ambiance, service, and the food is fantastic. The knowledgeable staff will help with a wine or cocktail selection to add to your experience. I recommend a jacket for men as this is an upscale venue. Go here, it's worth it.“

“BEST restaurant I have ever been to and this is not an overstatement! The service was very professional and I felt like I was attending a classy dinner 138 years ago with my partner. World class chef who is very creative with his menu. The food is on the pricy end but the caliber of the food and service trumps it! The staff puts a lot of effort into what they do- I love their passion. Highly recommend!“

“I could not write this review fast enough. We had the pleasure of having Eric as our server last night. What an incredible guy. He greeted us by name, went over the entire menu page by page, offered recommendations for food and drink. We did the chef’s experience tasting menu and it was incredible. Eric went over each course and explained how it was prepared. Our bill after some drinks and tip was a bit over $400 but truly the best money I have ever spent for food and experience. Again, thank you to Eric for making our time in Charleston so memorable and if we are ever back we will be requesting him by name, he was truly wonderful. -The Fees“

“Absolutely delicious food. We started with the s'mores and carrot cake and were not disappointed. So rich and delicious. We moved on to the fried sweet potato skins, topped with an arugula salad blend. So well balanced and fresh. The main course was the tomato pie. Honestly the best meal I've ever had in Charleston! Highly recommend!“

“Out of this world. If you are looking for the best spot in Charleston for a wonderful dinner with your partner, this is the only option. The varied dining locations provide plenty of reason to go back for round 2 as well.All of the staff are super professional and knowledgeable. We were greeted with champagne, a rose, and a card since it was our first anniversary. We dined on the back patio which was nice and secluded with only three tables. Every course was top notch and we paired it with a different one of their phenomenal cocktails for each.Seriously this place can't be beat. Stay at 86 Cannon and go here for as many meals as you can.“

“The food was as good as my Nana and Cousin Odessa's cookin' - delicious! Gabe was our hostess and her service was excellent! The ambiance included good music, beautiful wall art, pictures and of course our joy and laughter shared with everyone. Our drink will always be the "Dirty Obama!" Celebrating three birthday's, we were serenaded with Stevie Wonder's HBD song sung by everyone in the place! Thank y'all for the best dining experience of our SC visit!“

“Swig and Swine has the best barbecue in Charleston! The food and the service are amazing. I usually get the brisket or pork and it is delicious. The staff are very hospitable as well. I’d definitely recommend trying it out if you’re in the area.“

“Restaurant is a lot nicer on the inside than how it looks from the outside, it's kind of at the end of a street. There's a public parking garage a block over. Inside, there's a bar to the right and then seating to the left and there's an upstairs. We made reservations which highly recommend cause they look busy. I don't think there is a dress code but from looking around people were dressed nice. It is very loud just a heads up. We got seated but our assigned waitress never came. Another waitress came and checked on us and asked if we'd been helped at all and she was very apologetic and said she would serve us. She was very nice and attentive. For drinks, I did the blueberry mint passion cocktail which was delicious and then my husband did a glass of the Prisoner, which is one of their red wines. When I checked in on Yelp, I got a free glass of house wine coupon and showed it to our waitress. The Prisoner doesn't count but she took it off our receipt anyways which was very nice! For food, I did the hanger & filet lava stone appetizer and a side of fries because it was enough for a meal and I wanted to do it for the experience. It's 8 oz. total so it was enough food for me for sure. My husband got the filet entree so it comes cooked already with a side of asparagus and mashed potatoes. He said it wasn't bad.“

“The James is a throwback to great American eateries of the past, and it nails it! Great ambiance, stellar service from our waitress Sommer, and a menu that says these things are good so we’re going to serve them just like they should be.Lisa and I had a post vacay decompress date, so we decided to knock this James place off our list of recommended restaurants. I will say after visiting once we will definitely go back. Being so conveniently located for us, and with such an enticing menu how could we not?I had a Hemingway daiquiri and tuna tare tare to start, and Lisa had the mushroom soup with a cloudesque puff pastry atop it. The soup was delicious but could have had a pinch of salt to take it to the best ever level. The tuna was so good I considered ordering more.With starters behind us we popped a bottle of Cab and tucked into a Spicy Caesar salad, Chicken Piccata, Parker house rolls, and Prime Rib with whipped potatoes. Classic right!? The salad dressing was perfect, the prime rib was excellently seasoned and the Parker house rolls were better than rolls from the actual Parker house in Boston!Finished with a creme brûlée and commenced to loosen belt one notch lolDefinitely give it a try next time your on JI!“

“I don't think we could've found a better coffee shop in Charleston! This was a local recommendation for us, and I am so happy that we got to stop in here. The baristas were super friendly and the atmosphere was perfect. I ordered an iced chai, we both got the quiche, and I also got a peach pop tart on my way out. We decided to sit outside since the weather was beautiful. They had the cutest outdoor seating which really tied the whole experience together. There is also indoor seating but we couldn't pass up sitting outside on such a nice day. The iced chai was delicious and the quiche was cheesy and yummy too! Parking was a bit of a scavenger hunt but it's totally worth it!“

“I had Saturday brunch with my parents here while visiting Charleston. It was a lovely spot that felt very hip and had a cool vintage aesthetic to it. The food was amazing and tasted very fresh! We ordered the lamb burger, surfer delight, cauliflower wings, and a cocktail. I loved the cauliflower wings and the lamb burger came with sweet potato fries which were my favorite! The service was great!! Our waiter was so friendly and helpful with choosing dishes. We were also sat very quickly despite it being a Saturday and a busy crowd. The ambiance is so cute and I loved the vibe. It's a bright space with nice windows, a bar, and outdoor seating. Great spot that I'm glad we came across while visiting!!“

“An old quaint building in Charleston that was beautifully updated. I would recommend to sit at the bar with a view of the kitchen! The food was creative and balanced…everything was excellent. The wine pairing was amazing and exceeded the value of what we paid! Definitely will be back!“

“No Way You Leave Hungry! Petite portions are the last thing you're going to find at this John's Island establishment. So loosen those belts, get your taste-buds ready, and prepare to carbo load on the best sandwiches and sides this side of Charleston! The restaurant is surrounded by a gravel lot. Motorcycle riders will be glad to find a thin strip of cement at the front of the parking lot. Tattoed Moose regularly hosts live music throughout the week and on the weekends. These bands can set up outside under the oaks trees or inside on a small wooden stage. The inside of Tattoed Moose looks likes a hunting cabin designed by post-frat Harley riders. Hey that's not a bad thing! There are no preconceived notions that you have to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or act a certain way to enjoy this establishment. Just sit back, sip a good beer, listen to some tunes, and uhhh.....oh yeah, eat! Begin your meal with some of the fries cooked in duck fat. The fries are unsalted but they are paired with a great dipping sauce that compliments the flavor of the fires nicely. The fries can also be topped with blue cheese and garlic OR a healthy heaping hopped-up serving of gravy. You'll definitely want to continue poutine these in your mouth! The Mexican street corn caught my eye, so I had to give it a try. I am happy to say that it does not disappoint. It is absolutely slathered in lime aioli, then rolled in cajita cheese, and chili powder. Now on to the main event. SANDWICHES. You get your money's worth when it comes to the portion sizes of the sandwiches at Tattoed Moose. You'll find the menu filled with tasty options like the falafel pita sandwich pictured above. Every sandwich is served with house made pickles and cajun pork rinds. You can, of course, swap out the pork rinds for another side like baked beans, short rib chili, cauliflower casserole, Caesar salad, brunswick stew or the aforementioned street corn and duck fat fries. The sandwich that caught my attention was the Pork Belly and kimchi sub. This was some of the thickest, tastiest pork belly I have ever had. Pair that with spicy kimchi, sliced veggies, and a sweet sauce, all wrapped in a super soft role, yes people, yes. The most popular sandwich is the Mike's Famous Duck Club. Hawaiin sweet bread is toasted and topped with duck confit, applewood smoked bacon, hickory smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, and garlic aioli. Need I say more??? There's a reason people around Charleston rave about this sandwich. It's damn good. By now your stomach gremlin should be thoroughly satisfied. Per our servers recommendation, we decided to wash down the meal with a Raspberry Creamsicle Blender from Hopfly Brewing Company out of Charlotte, NC. Absolutely delicious and the perfect drink after a long day and a great meal.“

“I really appreciated this place! Cute little spot you wanted even notice if you were driving over the speed limit. I got a burger and fries and girlfriend got chicken salad sammy and side of pickles. I hate mentioning a side item first but these were some of the best fries I have ever had. The crisp was phenomenal! The burger was very good and the toppings were very fresh. The burger was "clean" in the fact the bun stayed in tact and the burger and toppings didn't just crumble off. The chicken salad was super flavorful and had big chunks of chicken! The service was ELITE. Just two youngins in there but super attentive and very kind. Made ya feel important. As for inside this place, it's so cool. Wine bottles to buy, and coffee beans and tea to purchase. Overall a really cool spot that I hope sticks!“

“This place was fun diner with all kinds of stickers and decor, great service, and good food. My wife and I are on our honeymoon and we heard great things and we were not disappointed. We ordered the chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits and the chicken was juicy and the grits was creamy and satisfying! Must try!“

“Really great Chicken Caesar salad and great outdoor area for a balmy evening bite. The Salmon BLT was solid too. Hidden favorite was their house honey mustard which we used on our fries. Service was great and the porch as I said, was lovely.“

“Wow, what an incredible restaurant! From the service to the atmosphere to the food, gee, it really hits all the marks! I want to express my gratitude to the incredible staff for making my visit absolutely incredible. I’ve talked so highly of this restaurant, and I haven’t even mentioned the incredible, high quality cups. From top to bottom, this may be the best restaurant ever!“

“Great place, excellent food, reasonably priced, and fantastic service. It's an absolute gem on James Island worthy of downtown Charleston. Never had something I didn't like. From a fine Charcuterie board to an Italian BLT... steak to chicken and waffles. Lovely outdoor seating area and an elegant yet comfortable bar. It's definitely worth a visit.“

“WOW!!! YUM! YUM! YUM! Not only does Wes and his crew make some OUTSTANDING food, but their service is top notch as well! I got in touch with Wes at Brown Dog Deli months ago to cater a 200 person conference and I am so glad I did!! Everyone LOVED the food and Wes was on time and delivered everything as promised! I fortunately had the chance to stop by the deli the day before my conference. I told Wes that after viewing their menu so many times online, I couldn't wait until Saturday! So, I went by (and the space itself is so cool......old metal lunchboxes hanging on the wall....old games......such nostalgia!) and ordered the Paradise Panini along with their fries. OH MY GOODNESS!!! So much food (enough for two meals, but I ate all of it at once!) and it was absolutely perfect!!! And those fries?!?! WOW!!! I'm just glad I don't know the calorie count on those! :0) I had the "Folly Beach Crunch Wrap" in my bag lunch at the conference and that was just as delicious! I was able to grab a spare "Rosemary's Baby Daddy" for later and AGAIN.......absolute perfection!! THANK YOU, Wes for working with me and making my conference lunch a success! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE open a Brown Dog Deli in Greenville, SC! I think it would be a HIT!“

“Great food and service. Our waiter offered suggestions and was attentive. We ordered the smoked fish dip and bread as appetizers, she had the pasta and I had the rice dish. We also had cocktails and wine. All were terrific.I only have one suggestion, to expand or add more variety to the beer list. Not a big deal as everything else was amazing.“

“Great bar/lounge in a relaxed setting on King's St. Nice ambiance to kick back with friends over modern cocktails. They take pride in their house made infusions and unique cocktail recipes. Over the top mixtures and formulas make up some of their wild flavorful concoctions! Bartenders are nice as well as the wait staff.“

“Talk about a great time with amazing eats and even better hospitality. The gang at Bedford Falls are just stellar! Bar tender Roscoe is a top notch lad and the owner Brendan made us feel right at home. Can’t say enough about the food…just perfection. Try the Fried Chicken Sandwich! Hands down a place to visit if you are in town.“

“We visited multiple times during our visit last week to Charleston from out of state. The food and drinks were the best that we had while in town there! The service each time was fast and friendly. Duncan was great on our first stop in and made sure our time was awesome. The mac and cheese was some of the best that I've ever had!“

“Visited Coleman Public House on Sunday afternoon. Great burger and Beet Salad. Great beer selection.Service was great too.I like a clean restaurant but my eyes were watering from the cleaning solution they use and the smell of it made it hard to enjoy the meal.Also, I can't help but mention that the silverware was what you might expect at Golden Coral not at an upscale Public House.“

“Izzy was the best!! The entire time, she checked on us many times, came by after we settled up to see if we changed our minds and gave us multiple options for the most popular drinks and her favorites. Izzy is the kind of server you want every time you go ANYWHERE!!!The owner also came by numerous times to ensure we were comfortable and cared for.My family and I will 100% be back to see her and the staff again next time we come to Charleston! Best bar in the C-Town!!“

“Although I have never stayed at one of the PH rooms, I have dined there a number of times since they’ve been open. Each time has been such a memorable experience. Staff always goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome, at home, and catered to. The environment of PH (both indoor and outdoor) is immaculate. PH is curated with beautiful southern decor which makes you feel right at home in The Old Village. But I have to say, I experience just as good of hospitality at their Basic Kitchen location. Basic Projects seemingly always go the extra mile in training their staff to deliver the true southern experience. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough to anyone local or visiting Charleston.Nearby activities: Walking distance of Old VillageSafety: In safe Mt. Pleasant, Old Village neighborhood.Walkability: Walkable to Shem Creek.Food & drinks: Clean and upscale eats.Noteworthy details: Curated southern decor.“

“Big shoutout to the guys here we had so much fun they were so nice and created an amazing experience for us!! This is really excellent value because wine is included in the price of 70 USD for 5 courses!! The courses were good like home cooked meals that they prepare in front of you. Don’t expect fine dining because that’s not the purpose but just good dishes prepared by great people!“

“Our son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Red Drum was truly exceptional, and I can't praise it enough. Every aspect of the evening exceeded our expectations. The staff was not only professional but also warm and friendly, ensuring that every guest felt welcomed. The food was outstanding, receiving numerous compliments for both its variety and quality. The manager went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, making us feel at ease throughout the entire event. Words can't express how pleased we were with our experience. Red Drum has certainly won us over as lifelong patrons, and I'll confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.Parking: Not a ton of parking at the restaurant, but plenty of on street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.“

“I went to the Charleston Crab House as part of a food tour. I am grateful I went as part of the tour because this isn't a place you dine solo. We sat at a very long table - several tables pushed together - and were served a steaming bowl of shrimp, potatoes, and sausage. It was delicious! They did not skimp on the shrimp providing enough that everyone had several. Some of the tour members ordered the Charleston drink special while I stuck to wine. All in all it was a very tasty experience!“

“This place is a gem! Awesome local taproom. Great selection of beers - IPAs, stouts, sours, they have it all. The bartenders really know their stuff, and is a Bills fan, who helped me pick out some winners. The vibe is chill and friendly. Definitely a cool spot to kick off a night on King Street! ??“

“Food left me speechless. I can sit here and go over but I want to talk about the innovation that was put into the food. Of course it was good but you can't even put a number on it. You will just have to try it. Worth every penny plus a tip. I didn't really get alcohol but if you want to pair things they have a Somme there for you. The service was top notch even got to speak to the owner. The ambiance matched everything. This was an experience while eating and being served. Just go.“

“Dillan was an amazing waiter. He recommended the halibut entree and the Elvis dessert. We also ordered shrimp and grits and a side of squash. Everything was beyond our expectations. Honestly the best meal this trip. We’re staying at the Vendue as well. Honestly, the hotel (Allyson- curator) and the restaurant, AND the service ,AND the people , do not disappoint. And, and, and ,and, and….. go there an experience the Vendue!!!!“

“I showed up at 7 minutes before closing time with a special needs adult and a toddler. Server Kelly looked at us as we poked our heads in, looked at the clock, and said "sure, come on in." She proceeded to serve us like we were VIP's and the best thing to happen to her all day. What's more, the food is awesome. Really good. Huge menu for a breakfast place. I'm a fan.“