50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Charleston

“The best, freshest seafood! Best fish taco i ever put in my mouth. And love the atmosphere!“

“We enjoyed oysters, yellowfin tuna, clam chowder, steak and the fish basket plus some delicious drinks! Service was amazing as well as the entire experience. Highly recommend!“

“Simply perfection! The oyster selection is otherworldly. The chargrilled oysters the best Ive had in my life. (Florida born an culinary chef.) The peel & eat shrimp so plump and served ice cold I have craved them since I had them. The service was above and beyond. The atmosphere encouraged private chatter but also conversation with next table easily. Friendly and cheerful and above all excellent food served with smiles, suggestions, and ease. I will never visit Charleston again without making sure to dine here. (Do not eat the soup. I actually sent it back to the kitchen. Never have I had to do that. ) Highly recommend again and again for everything else.“

“What a great spot. We sat at the raw bar and had a fully curated experience led by Nick. He shucked his way through the various oyster options while giving us a description of all the varieties. Not only did he shock close to 300 oysters while we sat there but multitasked a thorough description of the options while we sipped on some of the best cocktails in town. The Bad John is something all patrons need to try. To chat with a Nova Scotian local who can talk up the best oysters in the Carolina’s was such a fresh surprise.11/10. Would recommend to anyone visiting the area.“

“Charming southern fare in a beautiful Victorian setting! The shrimp dumplings are a standout—perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor. The cozy, historic ambiance adds to the experience, making it a must-visit spot in Charleston. Great service and a menu that truly captures the essence of Southern cuisine. Highly recommend!“

“The Darling Oyster Bar was wonderful. From the stylish decor to the food and service— everything was of the highest quality. I tried oysters for the first time, and they were better than I anticipated. The blue crab tagliatelle was delicious and so was the key lime pie. Zach and Robert were so friendly and helpful and made our dining experience very enjoyable and memorable.“

“The food is absolutely amazing, the staff is exceptional. nothing on the menu disappoints. so glad we stopped in that we came back a second time before we left town. anytime we come to Charleston we'll be back for dinner!“

“Great creative seafood. One of my favorites every Charleston visit.“

“It was our first time to M&F. The atmosphere was classy but not stuffy. The steak options covered a wide-ish range of options and price ranges... nothing out of range. I preferred the KC-strip, but others had ribeye options that were just as delicious.

The wine options were good. Many high-end wines, but the sommelier was able to keep us within a reasonable price point (ask for sommelier if you think the prices are too high for your palette. They were able to keep us from selling a limb) .

The sides were rich and authentic.

The cocktails were original, and the desert and espresso were spot on... just the right amount of caffeine and just enough desert to leave some behind.

We'll be back.“

“The atmosphere, food and service were phenomenal. We sat upstairs and enjoyed the unique cocktails before being sat which was in a timely manner. Mark/Bark was our server who was “knowledgeable, charming, and funny.” Would definitely recommend. It won’t disappoint.“

“Alex was just as superb as the food. Recommend this restaurant without a doubt!“

“Had brunch today. Food was good. The chicken and waffle was really tasty.“

“It was an unplanned visit to High Cotton. Our party was very underdressed. The hostess was quite pompous and gave the impression we should go elsewhere. Obviously if it was a planned dinner we would have been well dressed. The food was exceptional. The staff were incredible. But our waiter, Jamal, made our experience very memorable. He made sure we were welcome despite our attire. Jamal and my 11 year old grandson became good friends for the evening. Jamal was impressed with my grandson's order of a pot of mussels in garlic sauce, smoked duck, lobster mac and cheese and strawberry shortcake. Jamal was the highlight of our evening. Our family highly recommend you ask for Jamal if you visit High Cotton. The next visit we will look our finest and definitely ask for Jamal.“

“Love coming here for the Catfish Sandwich and frozen Cin and Tonic!“

“Dinner was very good & everyone was so very nice. Had reservations & they seated us at 5. It was Mothers Day& graduation week so they were really busy BUT no one made us feel rushed. We will definitely come back..“

“We have celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries and special events at the Establishment. Never once had an experience short of excellent. The staff is always top shelf and the kitchen has never missed a beat. You won't be disappointed!“

“The food, cocktails, atmosphere, and service were a 10/10 for my wife and I. The oysters were perfect and the specials were interesting and delicious. Will definitely be coming back next time we’re in Charleston!“

“all around great experience! we were seated immediately outside with no reservation and even though it was chilly out the heaters kept us perfectly warm! the food was so delicious and came out so quickly and the little touch at the end with the free brandy tasting and flower was lovely! highly recommend!!“

“It is the best! I am a southern woman born and raised in Charleston! It is locally owned too!“

“I cannot express how great this establishment is. Best meal I have ever had. Normally would not write a review but this place was unforgettable.“

“Excellent service and great food! The scenic views are amazing! would definitely recommend to anyone if you've lived here all your life or just visiting/touring Charleston! Prices really aren't that bad either!“

“Best restaurant in Charleston! It really is a must!“

“Good southern seafood casual atmosphere and super fast.“

“I can't say enough good things about my birthday dinner at 82 Queen. The cocktails were creative and delicious. The food, nothing short of amazing! I highly recommend the short ribs. Awesome appetizers and desserts. Wonderful service from our server which included a birthday card from the restaurant waiting on me at the table and a birthday drink from the server. 82 Queen will always be a favorite of mine! It is a Charleston classic that has stood the test of time.“

“Went here for a bachelorette party and had dinner and also came back for drinks later. Our server and later bartender Anna was AMAZING. She made our trip to Charleston great by not only her friendly and personable service but also recommending things we could do and see while we were there. 10/10 would recommend going there for not only the great atmosphere, food and drinks but also the staff for making our trip a memorable experience.“

“The BEST Reuben sandwiches my family and I have EVER had and the most delicious asparagus as well!! 10/10 recommend!!! Also amazing service!“

“Food was excellent! Our server was excellent as well. We will be back!“

“We stopped by for brunch as walk-ins and were told there’d be a 30-minute wait. True to their word, our table was ready right on time. We ordered a Bloody Mary with pepper vodka (cucumber vodka was also an option), the crab soup, and the brunch burger. The flavors were outstanding, and the portions were generous—so much so that we didn’t have room for dessert. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was vibrant, and the turnover of tables kept the energy fresh. No complaints—just a fantastic brunch experience!“

“I've been here a few times now and the food is always delicious. Drinks too! Prices are fair and the vibe is good. Our servers have been great, but I bumped it down a star for the hostesses unwelcoming attitude both times we've visited. They seem bothered by doing their job.“

“Great food, excellent atmosphere and great service“

“Great customer service ! My favorite restaurant in charlesotn and the owners are amazing!!! This time the waitress said they stopped serving the okra which was one of my favs well the owners son victor said we keep it for sometimes and so he made me a plate complimentary and was so nice!!! Love hymans and how it is family oriented!“

“Middleton Place restaurant is lovely. Experience the historical restaurant in the daytime as night time it is pretty darn dark. Long driveway, go in the direction of the small sign that says restaurant and it is the building that is not clearly marked restaurant except for on the front of the building. The atmosphere is beautiful inside. We felt like we walked right into 1717. Food was delicious, service was top notch, and the restaurant was clean.“

“Truly an experience unlike any other. From the caviar pairings, the variety of mignonettes & wines from all over the world, the learning experience behind each & every course - it’s as if Kevin has put you & 11 strangers on a rollercoaster that he somehow is navigating for hours. Never having tried caviar before, I’m so happy this place was my first. The amount you learn in just this experience alone is worth the price in my opinion. Not to mention Kevin’s got the best music selection on this side of the Mississippi. Put Raw Lab on your bucket list, you won’t regret it!“

“Oak has a great reputation for Charleston's best steaks and sides, atmosphere and service. Dining in the heart of downtown Charleston is the crowning gem! Hands down, Charleston's best!“

“Our server was amazing, she was very attentive, friendly, and gave us recommendations for us during our travels to Charleston.

We got the brunch buffet and a mimosa and after 20% tip our bill was $200. For this price, the taste of the food could have been better. About 70% of the food was good, but the breakfast potatoes, egg bake, prime rib roast, and chicken apple sausage were all lacking. The roast and sausage were very dry and tough and the egg bake was flavorless and watery. The potatoes were lacking in flavor aside from drowning in rosemary. We had the crème brûlée and you can tell it had been sitting for a period of time as the Carmel used sugar crust was soggy, but the flavor was still delicious. The grits were also pretty bland in my opinion.

The bacon was amazing as well as the roasted pork shoulder. All of the pastries were delicious as well as the assorted jams. The individual pure maple syrup bottles were a nice and cute touch. They also had local honey comb which was delicious!

The restaurant itself is beautiful and the ambiance is 10/10!“

“Everyone was really nice and accommodating. The prime rib on my sandwich (Tbonz Texas Melt) had a decent flavor but was chewy, disappointing. The drinks were good. $5.00 Manhattans were pretty good. The fried pickles were delicious! Worth the stop just for them!“

“Great place to stop and have a drink or two with great seafood!“

“A True Soul Food Gem – The Best Southern Cooking

Dave’s Carryout is the epitome of what southern soul food should be. Their family’s roots in the Gullah Geechee community shine through in every bite, and I feel so fortunate every time I eat here—it reminds me of my grandmother and great-grandmother’s cooking.

Every visit is met with a warm smile from the family who owns this incredible spot, and I come back every week. The turkey wings are hands-down the best I’ve ever had in my life, and the red rice is unmatched. Honestly, everything I’ve tried here has been incredible. I’m so grateful to continue experiencing this treasure of Charleston!“

“Great all the way around. Last minute decision to try this place and we don't regret it. Everything we had (shrimp, Philly, fries, burger) was fresh and delicious. Such a sweet employee took our order, delivered our food and even brought the kids cookies when we were done eating. Will definitely be back!“

“Great customer service ! My favorite restaurant in charlesotn and the owners are amazing!!! This time the waitress said they stopped serving the okra which was one of my favs well the owners son victor said we keep it for sometimes and so he made me a plate complimentary and was so nice!!! Love hymans and how it is family oriented!“

“Stopped in for drinks and ended up coming back for dinner later! Staff were super nice, food was excellent! Highly recommend the Fried Green Tomatoes! Our server, Ms. Beatrice (MsB)was THE best!!!“

“My daughter lives on Folly so every time we visit, we eat at Randall’s…best burger and fries on the island. His hours are the best too…open LATE so it’s the perfect place to stop otw home after a night out. And the Mac and cheese is outta this world!“

“This place has a nice neighborhood bar vibe. Our server (Ben) was really personable and attentive. I have a shellfish allergy, but my whole family really wanted to have seafood, so we came here. Ben really worked with me to find something I could eat from the (mainly shellfish) menu.
The food was pretty good; my son loved the Lobster roll, but the fried fish basket and the hush-puppies were everyone'spick for the win! Drinks hit the spot with the House-made bloody Mary being our family's fave!“

“We stopped in since we drove past so many times before. Wow it was just wow it as just wonderful! The key lime pie was home made and melted in your mouth. The shrimp and grits were buttery and creamy and the seasoning was delicious. My visit was fantastic and I will come again to try the crabcakes next“

“We have dined at Easterby’s for as long as I remember. They never disappoint. The food is the best in town, reasonably priced, the service is impeccable, and it’s a family friendly restaurant. Chuck is the most amazing guy! He is good at what he does, he pays attention , never an empty drink, always keeps up with the customers tables, and is always smiling. Out of the 20 years I’ve been dining there, 15 of those have always been with him . The staff is just so welcoming, it’s definitely a laid back atmosphere. I highly encourage everyone to go hang out and get some good food with some of the best people in town!!“

“Buckets are amazing loved the atmosphere“

“Great food and perfect service!!“

“This place was recommended by a nurse from the VA in Charleston. I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner and that's exactly what I recieved. I ordered the California Dreaming salad and it is by far one of the best salads I've ever had. The bar tender was super friendly and was even able to make me a mocktail. The atmosphere was quaint, quiet, and the views are exceptional. If you ever visit Charleston, SC this is definitely a place you want to check out!!!“

“I took my kiddos to Cod Tail Seafood & Chicken in West Ashley for it's the closest seafood restaurant to the American Red Cross (I had just finished donating that morning) and I want to inform the local community that we had THE TASTIEST seafood boil from there. We ordered the garlic and butter pan with 2 sizeable snow crab legs and a pound each of: shrimp, sausage, crawfish (replaced with shrimp), mussels, potatoes and corn. They served it in a heaping 9" x 13" pan. It was amazingly good! I'm from the Philippines and I can put down some seafood, and my kids can eat! That last photo shows our leftovers, good for 3 more family dinners for this coming week.

Kid-friendliness: Kids' TV was up so it was entertaining for my 8 year old.“

“Had the best dinner there last night - service was outstanding!“