From a Lowcountry shrimp boil to fresh oysters to she-crab soup, a visit to the Charleston coast isn’t complete without enjoying a spectacular seafood dinner. It’s no surprise Isle of Palms has an array of restaurants offering seafood harvested from local waters.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
Locals and visitors flock to Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, a longstanding favorite for fresh seafood and a beer selection to complement each dish. Acme Lowcountry Kitchen serves brunch, lunch and dinner in a casual, chic setting. Enjoy a seafood omelet, shrimp and grits, or delicious crab cakes.
View their breakfast, brunch, dinner, kid’s and drinks menus here.
Islander 71 Fish House & Raw Bar
Take a trip back in time at Islander 71 Fish House & Raw Bar. Opened in May 2022, the Islander is a nod to the easy-going, laid-back lifestyle found on Isle of Palms in the 1970s. The restaurant, located in the former Morgan Creek Grill location, serves casual Southern seafood and cold drinks. What more could you ask? Well, diners also enjoy also find complimentary valet parking and free boat docking with their meal.
View the lunch, dinner and drinks menus on their website to plan your visit.
The Boathouse at Breach Inlet
The Boathouse at Breach Inlet prepares choices of fresh shrimp, scallops, Mahi Mahi, swordfish, salmon and Ahi tuna, prepared grilled, blackened or pan-seared, plus your choice of sauce. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, which offers a scenic waterfront view. This location accommodates group dining and special occasions. Reservations can be made on the website.
To view the the raw baw bar menu, daily specials, rooftop bar offerings and more, visit boathouserestaurants.com.
Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill
Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill at the Isle of Palms Marina boasts some of the best seafood and killer views in a casual yet refined dining space. Order the soft-shell crab sandwich, which isn’t on the menu but is available in season. Start with their cold crab dip, made with fresh claw meat. You can’t go wrong with the Atlantic grouper and shrimp dinner. Coconut Joe's is the spot to order a frozen concoction with your meal.
Dive into their delicious Southern menu here: coconutjoesbeachgrill.com/menu
Long Island Cafe
Long Island Cafe serves a traditional creamy and rich she-crab soup, local flounder, jumbo lump crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and other favorites. Don’t let the strip mall setting fool you. Long Island Cafe has been a staple for locals and tourists since it opened more than 30 years ago. Since then, a new owner in 2012 inspired new iterations of island classics you won’t want to miss.
Brunch, lunch and dinner are served at this Isle of Palms staple. You can view their full menus here.
Coda del Pesce
Even the name of the Italian restaurant Coda del Pesce, translated to “tail of the fish,” shows the influence of the ocean on its menu. Located on the main street of Front Beach, the restaurant offers an impressive backdrop, and almost every dish on the menu features fresh, locally sourced or sustainably caught seafood.
Plan your visit (and your meal) here: codadelpesce.com/isle-of-palms-coda-del-pesce-food-menu
Small Bites: The menu at Smugglers Island Eats & Rum Shack includes a half-pound of chilled peel ’n eat shrimp, fried seafood baskets and a smash burger that is the bomb. And, of course, there are plenty of rum drinks. Smugglers is a walk-up-to-order spot that's perfect for people-watching and chilling with a cold drink.
Bonus: They make the fish tacos at Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island with citrus marinated Mahi Mahi, spiced Yellowfin tuna, Buffalo shrimp and the local market fresh catch. This relaxed watering hole offers a menu of American grub in a spot devoted to author Edgar Allan Poe.