Your Islands Dining Guide

When you're in a place like Charleston, you just know the food's going to be great! The city is known for its diverse cuisine, and the surrounding islands are no different. With all of the different options, it's hard to pick a favorite or even know where to start. On this week's blog, we're giving you the rundown on all of the great restaurants on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island!

If you're reading this when posted, we're also at the tail-end of Charleston Restaurant Week! Participating restaurants in this list will include an asterisk * and a link to their restaurant week menu. 

Isle of Palms (IOP)

• Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
  • Acme is one of the most popular restaurants on Isle of Palms, and it's not hard to see why! This is the perfect spot for the whole family.
  • You have to try: One of their 6 different Shrimp & Grits varieties! Our favorite is the Isle of Palms (of course!)
  • Price range: $20-30 per entree 
• Beachside Burgers & Bar (Wild Dunes)
  • This spot in Wild Dunes is great for grabbing a quick lunch by the pool in Grand Pavilion! They're located at the end of the boardwalk, and you can order to-go on their website.
  • You have to try: Duney's Chicken Sandwich 
  • Price range: all menu items are under $15
• Ben & Jerry's
  • Your favorite grocery store pints are available in cups and cones over on Ocean Blvd.! They're open at 2 PM (1 PM on weekends) and close at 9 PM, so it's perfect for a treat in the middle of your beach day! You can also order take-out on their website.
  • You have to try: Netflix & Chill'd in a waffle cone
  • Price range: all menu items are under $10
• The Boathouse at Breach Inlet
  • Arguably the best place to get fresh seafood on the islands! This restaurant has been a staple on IOP for 24 years and is perfectly situated along the Intracoastal Waterway. 
  • You have to try: Boathouse Crabcakes
  • Price range: $20-40 for entrees 
• Cafe Paname
  • A quaint coffee shop on the main drag of Palm Blvd., close to the Island Realty office! This is the perfect place for your morning cup of joe, and a quick breakfast.
  • You have to try: a Nitro Cold Brew and a BE&C (Bacon Egg & Cheese)
  • Price range: under $10
• Coastal Crust at Wild Dunes (Wild Dunes)
  • While most restaurants in Wild Dunes are owned by the resort, Coastal Crust is a local favorite and are also the people behind Vintage Coffee (a Mount Pleasant favorite!)
  • You have to try: The Islander pizza
  • Price range: $10-20
• Coastal Provisions (Wild Dunes)*
  • Want to experience upscale dining without leaving the resort's gates? Give this place a try! This is a great option for those staying in Wild Dunes and want a night out (also open to the public.) You can also order online!
  • You have to try: 14oz 1855 PRIME NY STRIP
  • Price range: $30-40+ for entrees
  • Restaurant Week: 3 Courses for $40
• Coconut Joe's Beach Grill
  • This classic oceanfront beach joint has been serving the island for 24 years and is conveniently located on the Front Beach access. They also have a beautiful rooftop!
  • You have to try: a Carolina Burger and a Parrot Colada 
  • Price range: $10-15 for drinks and signature cocktails, $10-25 for entrees
• Coda del Pesce
  • This is your destination for upscale dining on Front Beach! Think authentic Italian cuisine and handmade pasta with a view!
  • You have to try: the Triggerfish entree
  • Price range: $25-40 for entrees
• The Co-Op on Palm
  • The Sullivan's Island frosé destination joined the IOP restaurant scene in 2020, and has been serving up a variety of frosé flavors, breakfast, and lunch every day since! 
  • You have to try: On Palm Punch (frosé) and the California Turkey sandwich!
  • Price range: about $10 for sandwiches, $11 for 16 oz. frosé, $18 for a wine bottle of frosé
• The Dinghy
  • A classic island dive bar for beach bites and live music, right in the middle of the action on J.C. Long Blvd.
  • You have to try: Dirty Elvis fries and a Dinghy Cheeseburger
  • Price range: under $15
• IOP Raw Bar
  • Part of the Long Island Café family! Conveniently located in the Harris Teeter shopping center across the street from our office.
  • You have to try: New England Lobster Roll or the Shellfish Tower
  • Price range: everywhere from $12 up to $92
• Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar (Wild Dunes)
  • A newer addition to the Wild Dunes restaurant lineup, Laughing Gull features Caribbean cuisine at the new Sweetgrass Inn. 
  • You have to try: the Terrace Tacos
  • Price range: under $20
• Lawrence's Seafood Company
  • The same people behind Charleston Sports Pub & Coconut Joe's are now bringing a new seafood joint to Ocean Blvd.! It's located right under Coda del Pesce, and you can order online!
  • You have to try: the Spicy Mango Shrimp Tacos and Lawrence's Beach Punch
  • Price range: $10-30
• Long Island Cafe
  • This island favorite has been serving the Charleston community since 1986! Visit here for some of the best seafood around!
  • You have to try: the Sesame Crusted Tuna
  • Price range: $25-35 for entrees
• Luke n' Ollie's Pizzeria
  • A crowd-pleaser on Ocean Blvd., centrally located to souvenir shops and Front Beach condos. Perfect for a casual lunch/dinner with the family!
  • You have to try: Luke's Favorite pizza
  • Price range: $15-25 for pizzas
• Oyster Catcher Restaurant & Bar (Wild Dunes)
  • Another new addition to the Wild Dunes lineup, the Oyster Catcher Restaurant & Bar can be found inside the Sweetgrass Inn. Their menu features small plates and shareable dishes!
  • You have to try: Halibut Ceviche
  • Price range: under $20 for entrees, $79 for the Seafood Tower
• Papi's Taqueria
  • Your oceanfront classic beach taco destination! Visit this spot for the rooftop bar, unique tacos, and craft cocktails. 
  • You have to try: Pelo del Perro tacos and a Papi-Rita
  • Price range: all tacos are under $10
• The Refuge
  • This unique spot on Palm Blvd. features sit-down dining on one side and a coffee shop on the other! You can also place your order online.
  • You have to try: Duck Confit Gnocchi 
  • Price range: $20-40 for dinner entrees
• Saltworks Dockside Deli
  • If you're staying on the Northern end of the island, or if you're about to head out on an eco-tour, Saltworks is the perfect place to grab a bite! This spot serves both breakfast and lunch and is located at the Marina. 
  • You have to try: a Breakfast Bowl or Philly Cheesesteak
  • Price range: under $10 for breakfast, under $15 for lunch
• Sea Biscuit Cafe
  • Open daily until 1 PM, this is a quaint breakfast spot on J.C. Long Blvd. that is a favorite for locals and visitors alike! The restaurant is cash-only, so make sure you have some on hand! They also have an ATM located outside.
  • You have to try: the Blue Crab Omelet
  • Price range: $15 and under
• The Windjammer
  • IOP doesn't have a large nightlife scene like other beach towns, but the Windjammer is the next closest thing! This spot is mostly outdoors for live concerts, beach volleyball, and classic bar bites.
  • You have to try: a Double Cheeseburger and Fried Pickles
  • Price range: under $10

​​Sullivan's Island (SI)

• Beardcat's Sweet Shop
  • Right below the Obstinate Daughter, this spot features gelato, gelato cakes, and breakfast!
  • You have to try: Butterbean Toast at breakfast, and any of their amazing flavors of gelato (some flavors rotate, but our favorite is the Biscoff Almond Crunch)
  • Price range: $10 and under
• The Co-Op
  • If you're staying in one of our Sullivan's Island homes, the Co-Op's original location on Middle St. is for you! Stop here for a quick breakfast, lunch, or of course frosé!
  • You have to try: the $1 coffee and some avocado toast!
  • Price range: $10 and under (a few more for the frosé)
• Dunleavy's Pub
  • Dunleavy's is an authentic Irish pub and the beginning of the commercial district on Sullivan's Island! Fun fact: every year they host the polar plunge on SI!
  • You have to try: the Classic Reuben 
  • Price range: under $15
• High Thyme Cuisine
  • While it's right in the middle of the commercial district, this is more of a hidden gem and more popular with the locals! This is the perfect spot for a nice dinner with the family.
  • You have to try: the Shrimp, Andouille & Chicken Linguine
  • Price range: $20-35 for entrees
• Home Team BBQ
  • This Charleston favorite has some of the best BBQ around! If you're looking for a place to watch the game, catch up with friends, or just want some great BBQ, this is your spot.
  • You have to try: the BBQ nachos and a Gamechanger (frozen cocktail)
  • Price range: about $15-30 for entrees
• The Longboard
  • The Longboard is the newest addition to the Sullivan's Island restaurant scene! This is the restaurant's second location (the first location is on St. John's Island, USVI) Visit this spot for small plates and creative cocktails
  • You have to try: the Drunken Prawns
  • Price range: about $15-30 for share plates
• Mex1 Coastal Cantina*
  • Looking for Mexican cuisine on Sullivan's? Look no further! Mex1 is a Charleston favorite with additional locations in West Ashley and Park West (Mount Pleasant) They also offer online ordering for take-out!
  • You have to try: a Baja Bowl and Roasted Street Corn
  • Price range: $15 and under
  • Restaurant Week: 2 People | 3 Courses for $35
• The Obstinate Daughter
  • Located a little further down on Middle Street, the Obstinate Daughter is a great upscale-dining spot for eclectic Southern cuisine with Italian influences. Reservations are recommended!
  • You have to try: the Obstinate flatbread and the Ricotta Gnocchi
  • Price range: $20-35 for entrees
• Pier 22 Sushi
  • A great sushi spot on the islands is hard to come by, but Pier 22 is here to the rescue! A newer addition to Sullivan's Island, you can find them in the middle of the commercial district, next to High Thyme. 
  • You have to try: the Eye of the Tiger Roll
  • Price range: $20 and under for sushi rolls
• Poe's Tavern
  • Did you know the Edgar Allen Poe was once stationed here on Sullivan's Island? This burger joint commemorates his time here with Poe-themed burgers, tacos, and other beach bites. This spot is very popular, so be prepared to wait (but don't worry--it's worth it!)
  • You have to try: the Annabel Lee
  • Price range: $15 and under
• Republic Ice Cream
  • It's not a beach trip without stopping for ice cream! Republic Ice Cream has another location on King Street in Downtown Charleston, but you can stop here on Middle St. next to Sealand Adventure Sports.
  • You have to try: Thunderstorm Chocolate or Island Vanilla
  • Prices not listed