In the Palmetto State finding FRESH seafood is no problem. Thanks to South Carolina’s fishing industry and the men and women who make a living fishing along the coast, fresh seafood is abundant. For South Carolinians, this is a double windfall. Firstly, it means you can find fresh seafood almost all of the time and cook it yourself – if you want to. And secondly, it means when you go out to dinner – at a nice restaurant – you can bet the chef is serving nothing but fresh local seafood, or he’s not serving seafood that night.
The lure (no pun intended) of fresh seafood has called many great chefs to the Palmetto State. In fact, there are so many great seafood restaurants it was very difficult to narrow it down to just 10. But here are ten great South Carolina restaurants that have the best seafood EVER.
- Sea Captain’s House - Myrtle Beach, SC
Sea Captain’s House
Sea Captain’s House
Sea Captain’s House Featuring Lowcountry seafood and southern cooking, the Sea Captain’s House offers tremendous views from its waterfront perch on the Atlantic Ocean.
Interesting fact: The restaurant was once scheduled for demolition to make room for more high-rise developments along Myrtle Beach’s valuable oceanfront.
Address: 3002 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: (843) 448-8082
- Skull Creek Boathouse - Hilton Head Island, SC
Facebook/Skull Creek Boathouse
Skull Creek Boathouse
Facebook/Skull Creek Boathouse You’re sure to enjoy the waterfront dining at Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island. In fact, you can admire the view from any of the three seating choices at Skull Creek: inside dining, deck seating, or outside at Marker 13 Raw Bar. Regardless of where you sit, the list of seafood choices is as long as your arm. If you can’t find a way to order them all on your first visit, then you’ll just have to plan to go back another time for more!
Address: 397 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Phone: (843) 681-3663
- The River Room - Georgetown, SC
The River Room
Facebook/The River Room
Facebook/The River Room
The River Room The chef’s speciality at The River Room is the ever-so-popular Shrimp and Grits. But The River Room offers much more; it’s casual dining and seafood at its finest. Enjoy panoramic water views in a venue the extends 50 feet over the Sampit River in the heart of Georgetown’s trendy downtown area.
Address: 801 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Phone: (843) 527-4110
- Rick Erwins Nantucket Seafood - Greenville, SC
Facebook/Rick Erwins Nantucket Seafood
Facebook/Rick Erwins Nantucket Seafood
Facebook/Rick Erwins Nantucket Seafood Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood brings high-style and delish seafood entrees to Downtown Greenville. Pair an early dinner with a show at the Peace Center for a perfect evening with your special someone.
Address: 40 W Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 546-3535
- Drunken Jacks - Murrell’s Inlet, SC
Facebook/Drunken Jacks
Drunken Jacks
Drunken Jacks Great food coupled with a nice presentation makes the seafood at Drunken Jacks extra special. Located on “Restaurant Row” in Murrell’s Inlet, this gem offers panoramic views of the inlet while you savor their fresh seafood entrees.
Interesting fact: Looking over the marsh to the right you’ll see a nice little island. The owners of Drunken Jacks stock it with a goat population in the spring, summer and fall to keep the growth down. The island’s overgrowth provides the goats with fresh food and they have fresh water around the clock. In the winter months, they’re moved inland for safe keeping until springtime. The next time you eat at Drunken Jacks raise your glass and toast the goats who are partially responsible for maintaining that spectacular view!
Address: 4031 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 Phone: (843) 651-2044
- Hank’s Seafood - Charleston, SC
Hank’s Seafood
Hank’s Seafood
Hank’s Seafood Hank’s Seafood has been voted The #1 Seafood Restaurant in Charleston for the last 15 years in a row. Located in a turn-of-the-century warehouse overlooking Charleston’s famous Market, Hanks is a favorite among locals. Their signature dishes always include fresh local ingredients.
Interesting fact: Hank’s Seafood is in the renovated warehouse that used to house Charleston’s trendy “Garden and Gun Club.” Decades ago Garden and Gun was Charleston’s equivalent to the famous disco “Studio 54” in New York City.
Address: 10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: (843) 723-3474
- Hamptons - Sumter, SC
Hamptons
Facebook/Hamptons If you’re looking for Italian with a Southern flair then you’ll find it at Hamptons in Sumter. Located in Sumter’s revitalized downtown area, Hamptons offers a delightful fine dining experience that includes delicious seasonal seafood entrees. Trip Advisor currently ranks them #2 out of the 188 restaurants in Sumter. Enjoy!
Address: 4 W Hampton Ave, Sumter, SC 29150 Phone: (803) 774-4400
- Blue Marlin - Columbia, SC
redefy.com/
Facebook/Blue Marlin
Facebook/Blue Marlin The Blue Marlin is a hip, happening spot in the heart of Columbia’s downtown Vista area. It’s generally packed, but well worth the wait. Blue Marlin specializes in bringing award-winning Lowcountry fare to the state’s capital. They are a 2015 Open Table “Diner’s Choice” Winner.
Interesting fact: The Blue Marlin is located in the old train depot building.
Address: 1200 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 799-3838
- Saltus River Grill - Beaufort, SC
Saltus River Grill
Saltus River Grill
Saltus River Grill Saltus River Grill is located alongside Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and has stunning views of the Beaufort River. Sophisticated and sleek, Saltus offers delicious seafood and a spectacular wine selection to pair with your entree.
Address: 802 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 Phone: (843) 379-3474
- Circa 1886 - Charleston, SC
Facebook/Circa 1886
Circa 1886 is a fining dining restaurant with a delicious extensive menu that features fresh local seafood. Circa 1886 promises to be one of the best dining experiences in the Charleston region. It’s a AAA Four Diamond, Forbes Four Star award-winning restaurant in Charleston’s historic district.
Interesting facts: Circa 1886 is located in what was originally the carriage house for the Wentworth Mansion, once described as the finest home in all of Charleston.
Address: 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 853-7828
You seldom meet anyone in the Palmetto State that doesn’t love seafood. Did we fire up your taste buds with this list? Better start planning your road trip(s) now.
Sea Captain’s House
Featuring Lowcountry seafood and southern cooking, the Sea Captain’s House offers tremendous views from its waterfront perch on the Atlantic Ocean.
Interesting fact: The restaurant was once scheduled for demolition to make room for more high-rise developments along Myrtle Beach’s valuable oceanfront.
Address: 3002 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: (843) 448-8082
Facebook/Skull Creek Boathouse
Skull Creek Boathouse
You’re sure to enjoy the waterfront dining at Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island. In fact, you can admire the view from any of the three seating choices at Skull Creek: inside dining, deck seating, or outside at Marker 13 Raw Bar. Regardless of where you sit, the list of seafood choices is as long as your arm. If you can’t find a way to order them all on your first visit, then you’ll just have to plan to go back another time for more!
Address: 397 Squire Pope Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 Phone: (843) 681-3663
The River Room
Facebook/The River Room
The chef’s speciality at The River Room is the ever-so-popular Shrimp and Grits. But The River Room offers much more; it’s casual dining and seafood at its finest. Enjoy panoramic water views in a venue the extends 50 feet over the Sampit River in the heart of Georgetown’s trendy downtown area.
Address: 801 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Phone: (843) 527-4110
Facebook/Rick Erwins Nantucket Seafood
Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood brings high-style and delish seafood entrees to Downtown Greenville. Pair an early dinner with a show at the Peace Center for a perfect evening with your special someone.
Address: 40 W Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 546-3535
Facebook/Drunken Jacks
Drunken Jacks
Great food coupled with a nice presentation makes the seafood at Drunken Jacks extra special. Located on “Restaurant Row” in Murrell’s Inlet, this gem offers panoramic views of the inlet while you savor their fresh seafood entrees.
Interesting fact: Looking over the marsh to the right you’ll see a nice little island. The owners of Drunken Jacks stock it with a goat population in the spring, summer and fall to keep the growth down. The island’s overgrowth provides the goats with fresh food and they have fresh water around the clock. In the winter months, they’re moved inland for safe keeping until springtime. The next time you eat at Drunken Jacks raise your glass and toast the goats who are partially responsible for maintaining that spectacular view!
Address: 4031 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 Phone: (843) 651-2044
Hank’s Seafood
Hank’s Seafood has been voted The #1 Seafood Restaurant in Charleston for the last 15 years in a row. Located in a turn-of-the-century warehouse overlooking Charleston’s famous Market, Hanks is a favorite among locals. Their signature dishes always include fresh local ingredients.
Interesting fact: Hank’s Seafood is in the renovated warehouse that used to house Charleston’s trendy “Garden and Gun Club.” Decades ago Garden and Gun was Charleston’s equivalent to the famous disco “Studio 54” in New York City.
Address: 10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: (843) 723-3474
Hamptons
Facebook/Hamptons
If you’re looking for Italian with a Southern flair then you’ll find it at Hamptons in Sumter. Located in Sumter’s revitalized downtown area, Hamptons offers a delightful fine dining experience that includes delicious seasonal seafood entrees. Trip Advisor currently ranks them #2 out of the 188 restaurants in Sumter. Enjoy!
Address: 4 W Hampton Ave, Sumter, SC 29150 Phone: (803) 774-4400
redefy.com/
Facebook/Blue Marlin
The Blue Marlin is a hip, happening spot in the heart of Columbia’s downtown Vista area. It’s generally packed, but well worth the wait. Blue Marlin specializes in bringing award-winning Lowcountry fare to the state’s capital. They are a 2015 Open Table “Diner’s Choice” Winner.
Interesting fact: The Blue Marlin is located in the old train depot building.
Address: 1200 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 799-3838
Saltus River Grill
Saltus River Grill is located alongside Beaufort’s Waterfront Park and has stunning views of the Beaufort River. Sophisticated and sleek, Saltus offers delicious seafood and a spectacular wine selection to pair with your entree.
Address: 802 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 Phone: (843) 379-3474
Facebook/Circa 1886
Circa 1886 is a fining dining restaurant with a delicious extensive menu that features fresh local seafood. Circa 1886 promises to be one of the best dining experiences in the Charleston region. It’s a AAA Four Diamond, Forbes Four Star award-winning restaurant in Charleston’s historic district.
Interesting facts: Circa 1886 is located in what was originally the carriage house for the Wentworth Mansion, once described as the finest home in all of Charleston.
Address: 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 853-7828
What other wonderful restaurants with great seafood have you found in South Carolina? In the comments section below go ahead and tell us about them and your favorite dishes. We’re betting you have a treasure trove of food photos on your phone. Who doesn’t, right? Upload a photo or two with your comments here and add your favorite seafood restaurant to our official list.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
