The Absolute Best Charleston Restaurants on the Water
There’s nothing like sipping on a chilled wine while tucking into a classic “low and slow” Southern boil at any of Charleston’s best waterfront restaurants. Classic Lowcountry plates merge with yacht-club fare on the Chuck Town food scene. Take a look at the eight best places to eat by the water in Charleston, with everything from rooftop wine sipping to crab-shack vibes.
photo credit: blog.resy.com
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-8100
Believe the hype about this Lowcountry favorite. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar makes diners feel like they’re eating at the best boat club in town with one glance at its spacious interior, fun deck, and gorgeous views. While the views and ambiance are enough to draw diners in, the menu here is what keeps them coming back. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar’s menu includes a fusion of classic Southern comfort foods and coastal favorites. Shrimp and grits, crispy flounder, fresh seafood pasta, and Carolina lump crab cakes satisfy every seafood craving. You can also join them for Sunday brunch where you can choose from items like quiche, pulled pork, crab cakes, and crème brûlée French toast.
photo credit: opentable.com
The Charleston Crab House
145 Wappoo Creek Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-1963
A staple on the Chuck Town waterfront dining scene for almost 30 years, The Charleston Crab House has downtown, Shem Creek, and James Island locations. The James Island location on Charleston’s Wappoo Creek Drive offers incredible waterfront dining with bridge views. The menu at Charleston Crab House is short and sweet for good reason – they focus on doing a few items incredibly well. The ahi tuna, bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp, soft-shell-crab sandwich, and steamed muscles are strong enough to carry the menu without tons of bells and whistles. Crowds keep coming to the crab house to specifically experience its world-famous steam pots.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Magnolias
185 E Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-7771
While Magnolias isn’t directly on the water, this wine bar that’s considered a staple of the city is just a short walk to the waterfront. Many people credit Magnolias with beginning Charleston’s culinary renaissance when it opened in 1990 – the eatery has inspired the opening of many of the restaurants that have helped to make the waterfront area what it is today! The three-page wine list is enough to demonstrate why this restaurant is the classiest place to dine near the water. The upscale menu features signature dishes like “Down South” egg rolls, blackened catfish, Lowcountry bouillabaisse, and New York strip.
The Wreck of Richard and Charlene
106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-0052
Can chaos bring forth something beautiful…and delicious? The Wreck of Richard and Charlene is one the area’s best spots for fried fish, shrimp, scallops and oysters. Named after a chaotic trawler wreck during 1989’s Hurricane Hugo, the restaurant stands directly on the spot where the eye passed and the nearby dock was destroyed. Now, under more pleasant circumstances, you can have a great food – look out for their low country boil nights – before going on a stroll through old town Mount Pleasant under the Pitt street bridge. it’s one of the Charleston area’s best hidden gems, with tons of covered outdoor seating and beautiful views of the river and sunset . Stay for the sunset and watch the beauty of the wreck while you get yourself a little wrecked with a local craft beer from Edmund’s Oast or a chilled rose.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-2757
Situated on a 13-acre island, Bowens Island offers views of the river, marshes, and islands just minutes away from Folley Beach. One of the menu highlights are the locally harvested oysters. Crowds also come to enjoy the Frogmore Stew, a classic Lowcountry sausage boil. Another popular dish – their huge fried fish platters with French fries, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. Don’t miss Bowen Island’s draft beer list, either – they’ve got local favorites and microbrews from around the country.
photo credit: afar.com
Salty Mike’s Deck Bar
9 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 937-0208
If you ask locals where to eat on the waterfront, they’ll say Salty Mike’s Deck Bar. There’s no better place to tuck into a basket of popcorn shrimp and hand-cut fries. The great food, cold drinks, laid-back atmosphere, and sensational views make this what many people consider to be one of the best coastal dive bars in South Carolina.
photo credit: Yelp
The Rooftop at the Vendue
19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 414–2337
Rooftop seating at this French-meets-Southern wine bar provides perfect water views. Unlike other waterfront restaurants, this one also offers sparkling views of the harbor, Waterfront Park, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and other sparkling city scenes. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, The Rooftop at the Vendue offers an extensive wine, beer, and cocktail menu. Sip a cranberry mule while digging into crack fries, fish tacos, or a Greek mezze plate.
photo credit: elliscreekfishcamp.com
Ellis Creek Fish Camp
1243 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 297-8878
Enjoy dog-friendly dining on the water in Charleston at this gorgeous marsh-adjacent eatery. It always feels like a party on the camp-inspired deck with outdoor seating. While the seafood plates at Ellis Creek Fish Camp can be blackened, grilled, or fried based on preference, they are always served with a hushpuppy side. Sandwiches, burgers, and fish tacos round out the cool and casual menu. The canned, draft, and tall-boy beers on the drink menu really bring it all home for an authentic Lowcountry experience of dining on the creek.
Savor the distinct charm of Charleston, SC, as we explore the culinary wonders that define the city’s top restaurants.
Featured Blog Posts
Essential Sports Bars in Charleston, SC
The big game calls for cold beverages, great food, and plenty of seating near a big screen. So when we want to cheer along our team or just catch up with the latest sporting events, we love to snag a barstool at one of these awesome sports bars in Charleston!
The Best Hot Dog Spots in Charleston, SC
Hot dogs are one of the most American foods you can possibly want. We’ve discovered some amazing hot dog spots in Charleston, many of which have put a unique spin on the classic hotdog. Whether you’re looking for a vegan dog, a chili-topped dog, or a pretzel bun, you’ll find a delicious hot dog in Charleston with this list.
The Absolute Best Bars and Nightlife on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina
A night out on the town in the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina means a visit to famous King Street. The bars on King Street are known for their fun atmosphere, delicious food and tasty drinks in their historic locations. Let’s take a look at the bars on King Street that you should visit when you have a free night in Charleston.
13 Absurdly Delicious North Charleston Restaurants
Home to a wide variety of restaurants, North Charleston is a veritable foodies paradise. From low country favorites to the freshest seafood around, let’s take a look at 9 of the best spots to grab a bite when you are just north of this stunning southern coastal city.