Seafood Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina

1. Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, Downtown

Hank’s is the best and the most popular seafood restaurant in Charleston. The elegant Old World atmosphere with wood-paneled walls, leather banquettes, original art, and white tablecloths, Hank’s is the place to bring a family for a celebration or business partners you want to impress. There is fresh fish seven days a week and a superb raw bar every evening. Some of the most popular entrees are the Lowcountry Bouillabaisse, Roast Grouper with Lobster Risotto, and Rare Seared Tuna. If you are coming with a bunch of friends, you might want to go for shareables like Fish & Shellfish Ceviche or Tuna Tartare. Hank’s has a respectable wine cellar and a large number of wines are available by the glass.

10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-723-3474

2. Magnolias, French Quarter

Magnolias in the French Quarter has elevated traditional Southern cuisine to a new, refined level. The restaurant has taken classic dishes and reinvented them with modern flair, techniques, presentations, and flavor combinations. Perhaps the dish that guests rave about the most is the simple but refined shellfish over grits. This dish includes shrimp, lobster, and scallops in a butter sauce served with creamy white grits.

On the appetizer menu, the Down South Egg Roll is a Southern twist on an Asian staple. It is a traditional egg roll stuffed with collard greens, chicken, and ham, served with a spicy sauce. Magnolias also sells their very own cookbook for guests who would like to try their hand at replicating the flavors at home.

185 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-577-7771

3. 167 Raw, Downtown

167 Raw is the Charleston version of a long-time Nantucket Island favorite of the same name. The store is small and seating is tight around the open kitchen counter, but the fresh, delicious seafood more than makes up for it. Perhaps the most popular option is the lobster roll, which includes large chunks of lobster meat fresh from the sea, tossed with aioli and topped with chives.

It’s all served in a Butcher & Bee bun. Other favorites include the fried oyster, the shrimp and tuna tacos, and the very tasty ahi poke salsa. For the full experience, wash down your meal with a Mexican coke or sweet tea and finish it off with a slice of Key lime pie. The restaurant does not accept reservations.

193 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-579-4997

4. Bowen's Island Restaurant, James Island

Oyster lovers should certainly add Bowen's Island Restaurant to their bucket list. This oyster haven has a 13-acre island all to itself. It is located a mere five minutes from Folly Beach and provides the perfect stop on the way back from a day at Folly. Dinner is accompanied by beautiful sunset views which can be enjoyed from the restaurant’s wrap-around deck.

The menu includes a variety of seafood favorites, but most people come for the oysters that have made this place famous. Steamed local oysters are delivered to the table by the shovelful, while cheap local beer and hushpuppies round out the meal. The restaurant walls and tables are covered with graffiti and the restaurant has a very casual atmosphere, perfect for its island paradise location.

1870 Bowen’s Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412, Phone: 843-795-2757

5. Charleston Grill

Charleston Grill is one of Charleston’s most upscale and opulent restaurants and is a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award for food excellence. From the moment guests step into the elegant, relaxing dining room complete with pale wood floors and Queen Anne chairs, they realize that Charleston Grill offers more than a meal; it offers a dining experience. Chef Michelle Weaver specializes in New South cuisine with a French influence.

Some of her creations include seared flounder with shrimp and grits, sherry-country ham gravy, or grilled peach salad with country ham and candied pecans. The meal is accompanied by both a live jazz ensemble and wine pairings from the more than 1,300 bottles stocked in the restaurant’s wine cellar. The menu is divided into four sections: simple, lush, cosmopolitan and Southern. The best way to experience all of them is to order from one of Charleston Grill’s nightly tasting menus.

224 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-577-4522

6. Coast Bar & Grill, Upper King

Coast Bar & Grill is a laid-back restaurant located in a former warehouse space on Upper King. The food is Lowcountry style and the atmosphere is relaxed. Most of the fish is sourced locally and served fresh. Each day, chefs from Coast meet with fishermen and local farmers to purchase the freshest possible ingredients, so the menu changes frequently and features special dishes depending on the season and the availability of seafood and produce.

The restaurant features a wood-burning grill custom-made of hickory and oak. Several of the most popular items on the menu are the wood-grilled fish, fish tacos, and selections from the raw bar. The restaurant is also committed to using sustainable seafood, so dining at Coast is a choice you can feel good about.

39 John Street D, Charleston, SC 29403, Phone: 843-722-8838

7. Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar, Downtown

Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar is a traditional raw bar that also serves a full range of fresh seafood choices and Southern favorites. The restaurant is in the middle of downtown Charleston and is conveniently located near many popular tourist attractions. The restaurant’s interior is classy but inviting and features exposed brick and chandeliers made from oyster shells.

The menu emphasizes fresh, local, and sustainable seafood favorites such as fresh fish, oysters, clams, and shrimp. The raw bar features a variety of fresh oysters from several different suppliers, typically from the East Coast. Amen Street also serves Lowcountry and Southern favorites such as she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, and pirlau.

205 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-853-8600

8. Fleet Landing, Downtown

Fleet Landing is one of the most popular waterfront restaurants in Charleston. The outdoor deck offers beautiful views of the sea and many of the inside tables have harbor views as well. The menu features local freshly caught seafood such as fish, shrimp, scallops, and more. Your choice of main can be ordered pan-fried or seared in a selection of homemade marinades.

Several Southern and Lowcountry-inspired dishes, such as fried Southern flounder with apricot glaze and shrimp ’n grits, provide the perfect meal to enhance your Charleston experience. Fleet Landing welcomes families and provides both a family-friendly atmosphere as well as several kid-friendly choices on the kids’ menu.

186 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-722-8100

9. Leon's Oyster Shop, North Downtown

Leon's Oyster Shop is a local favorite on the north side of downtown Charleston. The restaurant’s specialty is oysters and the bivalves appear on the menu in a variety of simple, classic preparations. Whether enjoyed raw with saltine crackers, fried Rockefeller style, or as oysters casino, these oysters are sure to not disappoint.

Other than oysters, some of the more popular items on the menu include fried fish, chicken, and seafood. The popular Fry-Up is a sample platter of fried seafood, including fried fish, served with fried oysters or shrimp. Seating options include intimate indoor tables, a long bar, and an outside patio complete with strings of lights and potted plants.

698 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403, Phone: 843-531-6500