50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Charleston

“The best, freshest seafood! Best fish taco i ever put in my mouth. And love the atmosphere!“

“Hipster joint in the North King area. Hipster who handed us menu’s at the bar “We’re a Rum forward bar”. Absolutely need the oyster sliders in your life. We had 6 between the two of us.“

“We enjoyed oysters, yellowfin tuna, clam chowder, steak and the fish basket plus some delicious drinks! Service was amazing as well as the entire experience. Highly recommend!“

“Simply perfection! The oyster selection is otherworldly. The chargrilled oysters the best Ive had in my life. (Florida born an culinary chef.) The peel & eat shrimp so plump and served ice cold I have craved them since I had them. The service was above and beyond. The atmosphere encouraged private chatter but also conversation with next table easily. Friendly and cheerful and above all excellent food served with smiles, suggestions, and ease. I will never visit Charleston again without making sure to dine here. (Do not eat the soup. I actually sent it back to the kitchen. Never have I had to do that. ) Highly recommend again and again for everything else.“

“OMG, The food, service and overall experience was amazing. Dan and the guys behind the bar made sure it was an excellent experience. Will be going back every year on St. Patrick’s day.🍀“

“Charming southern fare in a beautiful Victorian setting! The shrimp dumplings are a standout—perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor. The cozy, historic ambiance adds to the experience, making it a must-visit spot in Charleston. Great service and a menu that truly captures the essence of Southern cuisine. Highly recommend!“

“Amazing food and awesome staff. Highly recommend.“

“Great creative seafood. One of my favorites every Charleston visit.“

“It was our first time to M&F. The atmosphere was classy but not stuffy. The steak options covered a wide-ish range of options and price ranges... nothing out of range. I preferred the KC-strip, but others had ribeye options that were just as delicious.

The wine options were good. Many high-end wines, but the sommelier was able to keep us within a reasonable price point (ask for sommelier if you think the prices are too high for your palette. They were able to keep us from selling a limb) .

The sides were rich and authentic.

The cocktails were original, and the desert and espresso were spot on... just the right amount of caffeine and just enough desert to leave some behind.

We'll be back.“

“Was absolutely mazing… but the little nibbles are over priced. You can come as you are to this place and I love that the champagne and whites are right there and ready to serve. Caviar cone; sooooo good, but a single bite for 13…..Oysters were soooo fresh and I am picky, but the vinaigrette they have is yummy!!!“

“Alex was just as superb as the food. Recommend this restaurant without a doubt!“

“Had brunch today. Food was good. The chicken and waffle was really tasty.“

“It was an unplanned visit to High Cotton. Our party was very underdressed. The hostess was quite pompous and gave the impression we should go elsewhere. Obviously if it was a planned dinner we would have been well dressed. The food was exceptional. The staff were incredible. But our waiter, Jamal, made our experience very memorable. He made sure we were welcome despite our attire. Jamal and my 11 year old grandson became good friends for the evening. Jamal was impressed with my grandson's order of a pot of mussels in garlic sauce, smoked duck, lobster mac and cheese and strawberry shortcake. Jamal was the highlight of our evening. Our family highly recommend you ask for Jamal if you visit High Cotton. The next visit we will look our finest and definitely ask for Jamal.“

“We stopped by for brunch as walk-ins and were told there’d be a 30-minute wait. True to their word, our table was ready right on time. We ordered a Bloody Mary with pepper vodka (cucumber vodka was also an option), the crab soup, and the brunch burger. The flavors were outstanding, and the portions were generous—so much so that we didn’t have room for dessert. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was vibrant, and the turnover of tables kept the energy fresh. No complaints—just a fantastic brunch experience!“

“Love coming here for the Catfish Sandwich and frozen Cin and Tonic!“

“Dinner was very good & everyone was so very nice. Had reservations & they seated us at 5. It was Mothers Day& graduation week so they were really busy BUT no one made us feel rushed. We will definitely come back..“

“Service, ambiance, and cuisine all extraordinary! Now one of my favorite restaurants of all time! Thank you Shane and your expert staff!!“

“We were In Charleston for a quick 2 day visit and wanted to eat great food. After eating at Amen Street for dinner the first night we knew this was the BEST in town so didn’t venture any further the second night. The oysters 🦪 were fabulous whether in shooters or baked! Great fresh fish and shrimp and even the salads were delicious. Highly recommend! We even went to their sister restaurant while staying in Isle of Palms.“

“all around great experience! we were seated immediately outside with no reservation and even though it was chilly out the heaters kept us perfectly warm! the food was so delicious and came out so quickly and the little touch at the end with the free brandy tasting and flower was lovely! highly recommend!!“

“We were at Halls Chop House on April 12th for our 50th Anniversary. We have been to a lot of great restaurants in our time together but none compare to Halls! The level of kindness and service is unmatched. Our meal was outstanding! Brooke, our server was an absolute delight!“

“It is the best! I am a southern woman born and raised in Charleston! It is locally owned too!“

“Excellent service and great food! The scenic views are amazing! would definitely recommend to anyone if you've lived here all your life or just visiting/touring Charleston! Prices really aren't that bad either!“

“Best restaurant in Charleston! It really is a must!“

“Good southern seafood casual atmosphere and super fast.“

“I have mixed feelings. Our first visit was over a decade ago and it was wonderful. Our anniversary was yesterday and it was an ok experience. We sat in the courtyard AB’s was placed under the above heater. We started smelling gas and the heat never reached the table area. So we were freezing. The appetizers were wonderful. The couple got seated next to us ten minutes after us and received their food first. Was told about different and best food options and a dessert menu. We were not given either. Bbq in the shrimp and grits was over powering any other flavor. Husband got fish and grits and it was excellent. Not a 0 but I’m in no hurry to go back or recommend to anyone else. Ruined my anniversary to be honest….“

“Went here for a bachelorette party and had dinner and also came back for drinks later. Our server and later bartender Anna was AMAZING. She made our trip to Charleston great by not only her friendly and personable service but also recommending things we could do and see while we were there. 10/10 would recommend going there for not only the great atmosphere, food and drinks but also the staff for making our trip a memorable experience.“

“First time in Charleston, SC and the first spot to eat while here and what a great first choice!! Shawn was our server and he was great and friendly!! We had the bookmaker sandwich which was fantastic! The Guinness beef stew was amazing! Definitely try the shepherds pie which was so freaking good! We came on an open mic night and all the entertainers were great. All in all great place for sure, if you are in the area make sure you stop in and enjoy the food and atmosphere. Next time I’m in town I will most def be back! Thanks Shawn for a great experience!“

“Food was excellent! Our server was excellent as well. We will be back!“

“Outstanding meal from the drinks to the she crab soup to the delicious entrees. The key lime pie was a great ending to the meal. Sara was fantastic and made wonderful suggestions for food - she had perfect timing and had just the right amount of conversation with us. Truly a memorable meal and reasonably priced, especially for Charleston. Will be back next time we are in town.“

“I've been here a few times now and the food is always delicious. Drinks too! Prices are fair and the vibe is good. Our servers have been great, but I bumped it down a star for the hostesses unwelcoming attitude both times we've visited. They seem bothered by doing their job.“

“Food is amazing, service is fantastic, atmosphere is so fun!“

“Great food, excellent atmosphere and great service“

“Beautiful restaurant with Fabulous food and service! Look forward to our next visit.“

“Truly an experience unlike any other. From the caviar pairings, the variety of mignonettes & wines from all over the world, the learning experience behind each & every course - it’s as if Kevin has put you & 11 strangers on a rollercoaster that he somehow is navigating for hours. Never having tried caviar before, I’m so happy this place was my first. The amount you learn in just this experience alone is worth the price in my opinion. Not to mention Kevin’s got the best music selection on this side of the Mississippi. Put Raw Lab on your bucket list, you won’t regret it!“

“Oak has a great reputation for Charleston's best steaks and sides, atmosphere and service. Dining in the heart of downtown Charleston is the crowning gem! Hands down, Charleston's best!“

“Disappointed today, again. Went there specifically to have PrimeRib. Not available at 1145 am. Multiple times they have run out of PrimeRib, but if it’s not available for lunch, you need to tell your customers. Have had many good experiences, but today was out last visit during lunch. Jeremy, our server was great.“

“Our server was amazing, she was very attentive, friendly, and gave us recommendations for us during our travels to Charleston.

We got the brunch buffet and a mimosa and after 20% tip our bill was $200. For this price, the taste of the food could have been better. About 70% of the food was good, but the breakfast potatoes, egg bake, prime rib roast, and chicken apple sausage were all lacking. The roast and sausage were very dry and tough and the egg bake was flavorless and watery. The potatoes were lacking in flavor aside from drowning in rosemary. We had the crème brûlée and you can tell it had been sitting for a period of time as the Carmel used sugar crust was soggy, but the flavor was still delicious. The grits were also pretty bland in my opinion.

The bacon was amazing as well as the roasted pork shoulder. All of the pastries were delicious as well as the assorted jams. The individual pure maple syrup bottles were a nice and cute touch. They also had local honey comb which was delicious!

The restaurant itself is beautiful and the ambiance is 10/10!“

“Delicious food! Can’t even describe how good the food and service were, in a very nice atmosphere!“

“Food is amazing, service is fantastic, atmosphere is so fun!“

“Great place to stop and have a drink or two with great seafood!“

“Great all the way around. Last minute decision to try this place and we don't regret it. Everything we had (shrimp, Philly, fries, burger) was fresh and delicious. Such a sweet employee took our order, delivered our food and even brought the kids cookies when we were done eating. Will definitely be back!“

“Sure! Here’s a polished and more engaging version of your review:

Absolutely fantastic spot!
The food was incredible—especially the fish, which was perfectly fried to golden, crispy perfection. The rice, surprisingly, ended up being one of the standout highlights of the meal. And the price? Unbeatable. It’s a refreshing change from the sometimes outrageous restaurant bills you find elsewhere. A perfect hidden gem worth every penny.“

“Yesterday treated my parents to what they both said was the best restaurant meals they have enjoyed in the wider Charleston area - soft shell crab and grilled seafood trio in many attempts. Outside on the patio with an incredibly gracious and attentive server (Kathy Lynn? - a recent transfer from Phoenix) made the experience all the more remarkable. We’ll be back and as this review attests - will recommend to others. Thanks for your successful efforts.“

“My daughter lives on Folly so every time we visit, we eat at Randall’s…best burger and fries on the island. His hours are the best too…open LATE so it’s the perfect place to stop otw home after a night out. And the Mac and cheese is outta this world!“

“This place has a nice neighborhood bar vibe. Our server (Ben) was really personable and attentive. I have a shellfish allergy, but my whole family really wanted to have seafood, so we came here. Ben really worked with me to find something I could eat from the (mainly shellfish) menu.
The food was pretty good; my son loved the Lobster roll, but the fried fish basket and the hush-puppies were everyone'spick for the win! Drinks hit the spot with the House-made bloody Mary being our family's fave!“

“Great food and perfect service!!“

“Buckets are amazing loved the atmosphere“

“We stopped in since we drove past so many times before. Wow it was just wow it as just wonderful! The key lime pie was home made and melted in your mouth. The shrimp and grits were buttery and creamy and the seasoning was delicious. My visit was fantastic and I will come again to try the crabcakes next“

“This is my favorite CD location. You can't beat the view. The is always so good. My favorites are the CD salad and fried crab claws for an appetizer. Last night I tried something new with the crab cake sinner. It was so good. I loved the sauce and the crab meat was fresh lump crab. You must try it. Oh, and the espresso martini was awesome as well. Their servers are a cut above.“

“We have dined at Easterby’s for as long as I remember. They never disappoint. The food is the best in town, reasonably priced, the service is impeccable, and it’s a family friendly restaurant. Chuck is the most amazing guy! He is good at what he does, he pays attention , never an empty drink, always keeps up with the customers tables, and is always smiling. Out of the 20 years I’ve been dining there, 15 of those have always been with him . The staff is just so welcoming, it’s definitely a laid back atmosphere. I highly encourage everyone to go hang out and get some good food with some of the best people in town!!“