Where to Eat on Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Charleston is a city full of historic landmarks, stunning views, and delicious restaurants.
But less than 15 minutes away lie two iconic beach towns: Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. While you may think of beach towns as mere places to kill some time between visits to the water, both of these spots have a lot to love, especially on the culinary side. They have best-in-show BBQ, fresh and fabulous seafood, the tastiest burger you’ll ever eat, and so much more.
Whether it’s warm outside or in the dead of winter, here are some of the finest restaurants in Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.
Home Team BBQ
2209 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 225-7427
Take one step onto Middle Street and it will be impossible to ignore the enticing aroma of smoked food coming from Home Team. It’s also impossible to decide what to order.
Fiery Ron’s Smoked Chicken Wings are a favorite, whether served dry or with their tart and creamy Alabama White Sauce. The BBQ Nachos are phenomenal, whether you top them with pulled pork, pulled chicken, or black beans. The Pork Cracklins are crunchier and tastier than anything you could dream of as well as a perfect vessel for their homemade Pimento Cheese. No matter what you order, make sure you pair it with their renowned Carolina Mustard Sauce to elevate your meal even more.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
31 J C Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-3474
Nothing says South Carolina like lowcountry, and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is one of the most beloved spots in Isle of Palms, no matter the time of day.
If you’re brunching it up, the Holy City Hash is a hearty blend of house-braised corned beef, crispy roasted potatoes, red onions, and fried eggs, smothered with a robust smoked gouda cream. If it’s dinner time, you can’t miss the Fried Pecan Chicken with maple mustard BBQ or the Braised Short Ribs with a red wine thyme demi glace. They’re perhaps best known for their various iterations of shrimp and grits, however, like the Isle of Palms (blackened shrimp and smoked sausage over truffle cheese grits) and the Whistle Stop (sauteed shrimp and fried green tomatoes over pimento cheese grits).
Poe’s Tavern
2210 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-0083
Quoth the raven: “Poe’s is delicious!” Poe’s Tavern is inspired in many ways by the dramatic life of Edgar Allan Poe: the gothic decor, the names of the burgers, and its location (Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie at the western end of Sullivan’s Island for a little over a year). While Poe’s life was one of tragedy and disappointment, you won’t experience either of those when you grab a bite here.
The half-pound burgers are their trademark; two of the favorites are the Amontillado (guacamole, jalapeno jack cheese, pico de gallo, and chipotle sour cream) and the Black Cat (grilled onions, Edgar’s Drunken Chili, bacon, and pimiento cheese). Their fish tacos are a revelation of their own, whether you’re getting the Citrus Marinated Mahi Mahi or the Buffalo Shrimp (topped with bacon bleu cheese slaw and pico de gallo). You should also make sure you start your meal with Edgar’s Nachos: tortilla chips topped with chili, cheese, pico, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, and green onions.
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Sea Biscuit Cafe
21 J C Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-4079
Sea Biscuit Cafe is known for its biscuits (duh) and is situated right by the sea (double duh), but you’ll still be unprepared for how big, fluffy, and tasty their homemade biscuits are. You can get yours topped with sausage gravy, country ham, or another breakfast meat with egg and cheese. But they also do some magic with crab, including the Crab Cake Benedict, Crab Cake Biscuit, and Crab Omelet.
The Obstinate Daughter
2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 416-5020
The Obstinate Daughter is perhaps the pride of Sullivan’s Island’s dining scene…and maybe even the finest restaurant in the entire Charleston area. It’s a Southern restaurant with inspiration from French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine, a culinary marriage that yields a remarkable result.
A scan of the menu will treat you to surprises everywhere you look. Where else will you find yourself torn between ordering Farro Piccolo (brussels sprouts, peanut, balsamic, and black truffle) or Ricotta Gnocchi (short rib ragu, horseradish, and pine nut gremolata)? You also can’t miss with the pizza options like The Rutledge: ricotta, Italian sausage, red onion, local greens, mozzarella, and provolone picante. There are also some fantastic dessert options, or you can walk downstairs…
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Beardcat’s Sweet Shop
2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 416-5025
Every beach town needs an ice cream shop.
Beardcat’s Sweet Shop not only has a fantastic selection of ice cream flavors, espresso drinks, and other sweet treats, but the ice cream sandwiches are some of the best you’ll ever eat. If you’re in town for a few days and have access to a freezer, do yourself a favor and buy several so you can enjoy them throughout the week.
The Refuge
1517 Palm Blvd Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 242-8934
Consider The Refuge your own refuge from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world, whether you’re in for Morning Tide, Day Tide, or Evening Tide.
The Crab Cake Sandwich is hard to beat, though the Blackened Triggerfish Sandwich certainly gives it a run for its money. The Breakfast Burrito is also fantastic, though if you’re more of a sweet breakfast person, the Mixed Berry Buttermilk Pancakes should make you very happy. The Lobster Mac and Cheese is another indulgent treat, and we’d say you’ve earned it!
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Sullivan’s Fish Camp
2019 Middle St Unit A, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-2100
Sullivan’s Fish Camp has been a Sullivan’s Island staple since 1988, and it still serves fresh seafood and cold beer.
The name of the game here is seafood, but you can choose your own adventure as far as what kind you want and how you want it prepared. The fresh Daily Oysters and Truffle Parmesan Fried Shrimp with roasted garlic aioli are great places to start, though the Tuna Poke Nachos (wonton chips topped with a Maui marinated tuna, cucumber, cabbage, sesame, cilantro, and dynamite sauce) and Nashville Grouper Cheek Slider are both exciting wild card orders. And no matter what you order, end your meal right with Sullivan’s Soft Serve.
Long Island Cafe
1515 Palm Blvd Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-8809
Are you ready to get your seafood on?
Long Island Cafe serves up IOP’s freshest seafood, an impressive achievement for a seafood-driven beach town! The Traditional She Crab Soup and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes will start off your meal with a bang. Then move on to the Local Flounder, Parmesan Crusted Salmon, or (get ready for this) the Crab Meat Crusted Grouper. You read that right…the only thing tastier than a piece of fish is a piece of fish coated with more seafood.
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
2205 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 882-8172
Sometimes after a long day at the beach, Mexican food is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Start off with the Street Corn Queso: queso topped with roasted corn, cotija cheese, baja rub, and jalapenos. Then move right into the main attraction: tacos! They’re all winners, but our current favorites are Baja Fish (lightly fried Mahi Mahi, shredded cabbage, lime crema, and cilantro-onion relish), Pork and Pineapple (slow-braised pork, pineapple salsa, and lettuce), and the Bangin’ Shrimp (lightly-fried shrimp, spicy bangin’ sauce, shredded cabbage, and Mex 1 sweet heat sauce). And do we even need to say that a margarita (or two) is a must?
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