Charleston has become known across the globe as a top foodie destination. Restaurants open with regularity and buzz with activity. The Charleston Wine + Food Festival draws folks by the thousands, and tickets sell out in minutes. Top Chef filmed here.
The barrier islands around Charleston share in the culinary bounty. You can visit the Isle of Palms, have a terrific meal and enjoy time at the beach all at the same time.
Here are four top places to eat on the IOP:
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Long Island Café
The Long Island Café is an island institution, serving their unique take on seafood since 1986. Visitors who come to the IOP each year make their annual pilgrimage here, often going several times during their stay.
Fun fact: before the island was named the Isle of Palms in the late 1800’s, it was known as “Long Island.” Of the five barrier islands between Charleston Harbor and Bulls Bay, it was the longest one.
The Long Island Café describes itself as “offering a culinary oasis on the Isle of Palms… a modest, inventive hybrid of French classicism with South Carolina taste.” It comes as no surprise that seafood plays a big role in their menu.
People who don’t generally enjoy fried food rave about their shrimp, oysters, flounder or scallops, lightly fried with a delicate cracker meal breading. Other menu favorites are the she-crab soup and lobster bisque, crab-encrusted grouper, and fried oyster Benedict.
They serve local ingredients like Geechie Boy Grits, clams from Breach Inlet (about as local as you can get), shrimp from McClellanville and Mepkin Abbey’s fabulous oyster mushrooms. Pasta is made in house.
The Long Island Café recently opened a raw bar, “IOP RAW” in the neighboring space. It’s the perfect place to get your oyster fix. Why not dive into the shellfish tower with fresh shrimp, lobster tails, oysters, littleneck clams and poached mussels.
The Long Island Café is located in Island Center, right next door to Harris-Teeter. Hours: lunch from 11:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.; and dinner from 5:00 p.m. until. (IOP RAW: 4:00 p.m. until.) Call (843) 886-8809 to make dinner reservations as this place fills up fast.
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The Boathouse at Breach Inlet
For a view that can’t be beat, head to The Boathouse. It, too, has a menu with plenty of seafood and Lowcountry favorites. But – location location location. Perfectly positioned at Breach Inlet, it’s right where the ocean flows toward the Intracoastal Waterway. Plus it offers dramatic sunset vistas over the water and marsh.
First, head upstairs to the Rooftop Bar “Crow’s Nest” for a drink and an appetizer. Watch the boats go by, or better yet the dolphins who regularly catch their own supper in the waters below.
Then work your way downstairs for dinner (or Sunday brunch), which you can enjoy inside or out on the deck. People rave about their vegetables, including Brussel sprouts and greens, as well as Spicy Shrimp & Grits with Andouille made on the premises, Crab Fritters, Seafood Pasta and Sweet Corn Hushpuppies.
The Boathouse is located on the IOP right as you cross over the Breach Inlet Bridge from Sullivan’s Island. They offer complimentary valet parking, which comes in handy as this place is often hopping. Dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. till 10:00, Fridays and Saturdays till 11:00 p.m. Sunday brunch is from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
Make reservations through Open Table or by calling them at (843) 886-8000.
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Coda del Pesce
If you’re wanting something a bit more upscale and perfect for a special dinner, this is your place. Consider it fine dining meets the beach.
Coda del Pesce is run by Executive Chef and owner Michael Vedrinski. It along with his popular downtown restaurant, Trattoria Lucca, have been selected by Zagat as being some of Charleston’s best places to eat.
Its cuisine is Italian, with a décor that is coastal and airy. Floor to ceiling windows let in the light and the sweeping ocean views. If the weather’s nice, opt to sit out on the arch-filled deck with Italian topiaries that overlooks the Atlantic.
Coda del Pesce serves seafood that is fresh and local or sustainably caught. They’re known for their house made pasta and crudo, and they have an astounding selection of Italian wines. Each day’s menu varies based on what’s freshest and best. Insider tip: ask the chef to prepare a three-course “Chef’s Selection” dinner made especially for your table. You won’t regret it.
This past holiday season, they even hosted a very special Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian Christmas Eve tradition.
Coda del Pesce serves dinner only. Bar service begins at 5:00 p.m. and dinner is from 5:30 until. They are located on the upstairs level at 1130 Ocean Boulevard, on Front Beach at the Isle of Palms. Book through Resy, or call them at (843) 242-8570 for reservations.
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The Refuge
The Refuge, a relative newcomer to the IOP dining scene, is located just a few doors down from the Long Island Café.
Unlike any of the others on this list, The Refuge serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. It even has its own adjacent coffee shop with comfortable seating and free wifi. They also have live entertainment in the evenings, host special events and offer catering.
Executive Chef Jason Daly recently unveiled new menus for 2020. The “Morning Tide” or breakfast menu offers items such as Deluxe Avocado Toast – sunny side up eggs with avocado, crabcakes and lemon aioli. The “Day Tide” lunch menu features things such as a Blackened Triggerfish Sandwich, and their answer to Nashville and Popeye’s – their special IOP Hot Chicken Sandwich on Brioche. On the “Evening Tide” dinner menu, check out their Lowcountry Etoufée made with fresh local rock shrimp, or how about some Lushpuppies. Here’s how they describe them: “spicy pastrami-infused stone ground grit hushpuppies with bourbon gorgonzola cream, red cabbage kraut and chive.”
Certain nights of the week they run specials. Tuesday is Steakhouse Night, while Wednesday is Lobster Night.
The Refuge is open from 8:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. On Sundays, they’re open for brunch till 3:00 in the afternoon. Call them at (843) 242-8934 to make a reservation.
So check out the Isle of Palms for some great dining options, stellar sunsets, fresh seafood… and some amazing vacation rentals on Isle of Palms.