seafood

The Best Spots for Fresh Seafood in Charleston

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With Charleston being surrounded by water, it’s no surprise that seafood here is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. With tons of options for seafood restaurants, it may be hard to narrow down just where to go, so here are some of our favorite spots around town.

Crosby’s Fish and Shrimp Co.

Starting off this list is not a restaurant, but Charleston’s premier fish market. Located on Folly Rd., Crosby’s has a long-standing reputation of being one of the finest suppliers of seafood in the Lowcountry. They feature an ever-changing, yet always high-quality, massive selection of fresh seafood from the Charleston area local fishermen for you to take home and enjoy with the family. While you’re there, be sure to order any number of fresh-cooked seafood selections they have on their menu – from soft shell crab sandwiches to fried flounder.

Coast Bar & Grill

Coast is located in the alley off of John St and is widely regarded as one of the best seafood spots in Charleston. Listed by Explore Charleston as one of the 24 best spots to get oysters in the Holy City, Coast also brings its own style and flair to seafood with a wood-burning grill which gives their fresh catch of the day a different and amazing flavor.

Fleet Landing
Located literally on a dock extending into the water in Charleston’s historic district, Fleet Landing has been a local favorite for a number of years. With daily fresh catches, fried seafood platters, and plenty of good ol’ fried Southern food to go around, Fleet Landing is family-friendly and well known as a great place to go where there’s something on the menu for everyone.

167 Raw

One of Charleston’s newest and most popular restaurants, 167 Raw offers up a unique seafood experience. Located on East Bay St., their menu features a selection of oysters, samplers, fish tacos, and plenty more. However, 167 Raw is particularly lauded for its famous Lobster Roll, which many consider to be one of the best in Charleston.

The Darling Oyster Bar

Found on Upper King and one of the newest restaurants on this list is The Darling Oyster Bar. As the name suggests, their raw bar is their main feature and they usually have several different types of oysters from a variety of locations every night. Check them out for happy hour for dollar oysters and $2 Miller High Life ponies. In addition, they also have several hot entrees including a fresh market catch.

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

Right in the middle of downtown Charleston, just a short walk from the Market on Hayne St. is Hank’s Seafood, which has been considered the standard for seafood in Charleston for years. With an expansive menu featuring tons of different options, you can’t go wrong at Hank’s. Their grilled swordfish with fried okra is a particular favorite amongst long-time fans. Hank’s has certainly earned its high reputation and is one of the best places to stop in The Holy City.

The Ordinary

On Upper King sits The Ordinary, a beautiful restaurant with a bar that is always packed with people. The Ordinary is anything but and features an extensive raw bar, both hot and cold appetizers and entrees, a fantastic lineup of daily specials and their signature shellfish tower. The Ordinary has been critically acclaimed as one of the best overall restaurants Charleston has to offer.

Eat & Drink

Oh Shoot! The Five Best Oyster Shooters In Charleston

Featured Image Credit: The Darling Oyster Bar Facebook

Oyster season is here and that means that there will be plenty of shucking to be done at oyster roasts, raw bars, and seafood restaurants. Some people like them raw, some people like them fried, and some people like to slurp them in a shot. If you’re one of the latter, then you need to check out the five pace below for the best oyster shooters in Charleston.

Image Credit: The Darling Oyster Bar Facebook

The Darling Oyster Bar

The Darling is a great place to go if you want fresh seafood of any kind, especially oysters. Take a seat at their raw bar and you’ll have a great people watching view of King Street to go with whatever you’re digging into. We suggest starting with an oyster shot that combines a house-made mix with pepper infused vodka and a raw oyster.

Image Credit: Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar Facebook

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar on East Bay describes their oyster shooters as a combination of the best oysters in Charleston with the best Bloody Marys in Charleston. They start with a fresh raw oyster and a house-infused spicy lemon pepper vodka and add their original Bloody Mary mix to create the shot.

Image Credit: Pearlz Oyster Bar Facebook

Pearlz Oyster Bar

Pearlz has locations in South and North Carolina, so you can get your oyster fix whether you’re in Columbia or Charleston. There are two Charleston locations: one downtown and one in West Ashley. Their signature oyster shooter is a raw oyster, pepper vodka, and spicy cocktail sauce.

Image Credit: Oyster House & O-Bar Facebook

Oyster House & O-Bar

On Market where A.W. Shucks used to be, Oyster House & O-Bar serves fresh seafood and has a classic oyster shot. Their “Southern Belle Oyster Shooter” is made of a raw oyster, infused vodka, and spicy shooter sauce.

Image Credit: Noisy Oyster Seafood Restaurant Facebook

The Noisy Oyster

The Noisy Oyster seafood restaurant has two locations in the Charleston area: one downtown on Market Street and another in North Charleston on Rivers Avenue. They have a plethora of delicious drinks and cocktails to choose from, but visitors like their classic vodka based oyster shooter.

Eat & Drink

The World Is Your Oyster: Here Are The Best Ones In Charleston

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All Oyster lovers are in for a treat when visiting Charleston. The Holy City prides itself on its seafood, especially oysters. Presented in decorative ice dishes whether you prefer fried or on the half-shell, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

Pearlz Oyster Bar

Enjoy a wide variety of oysters at this upscale oyster bar served on the half-shell, steamed, or southern-fried with blue cheese and buffalo sauce. You have to try their famous oyster shooters, a liquor shot with pepper vodka, an oyster, and cocktail sauce.

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Rappahannock Oyster Bar

This fresh and inventive bar is home to some of the best oysters in the Lowcountry. Nestled in a 19th-century cigar factory along the Cooper River, with one of Charleston’s largest copper bars, Rappahannock is somewhere you don’t want to miss.

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167 Raw

There’s a reason why this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant always has crowds of people lining up at its door. With a daily selection of mouthwatering fresh oysters, there’s no wonder this Charleston restaurant has been featured in “Southern Living Magazine” and “USA Today.”

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Hank’s Seafood

Hanks has been named the best seafood restaurant in Charleston for 17 consecutive years. The renovated warehouse is modeled to give its customers a taste of the city’s port history and family roots. Be sure to try Hank’s crowd favorites: the Oyster Stew, the Seafood Tower, and Oysters Casino.

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Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oysters

Located on upper King Street, this renovated gas station bar is a must stop when visiting Charleston. Choose from raw oysters, chargrilled oysters, and oysters casino. Pair your oyster selection with Leon’s house famous frose` or any of their signature cocktails on their large drink menu.

Image Credit: travelandleisure.com

The Darling Oyster Bar

This oyster bar is located in the heart of downtown King Street in a restored, 115-year-old storefront. Their extensive raw bar is hard to beat, and their Sunday brunch is to die for. Start your Sunday off right with an oyster shooter to wash down your shrimp & grits and hushpuppies. It’s the perfect place to get your fix of good southern eating and seafood.