SC and NC Coastal Restaurants
 

Looking for restaurant suggestions along the SC and NC Coasts. No preference for style or price, just looking for something that's a can't miss local favorite. Some of our best vacation meals have come from suggestions on here.

Trip is coming up quick and short on time to search the forums.

Thanks!

That's hundreds of miles of coastline. Where exactly will you be?

Sue pretty much nailed it.How could I list restaurants in Pawley's/Murrell's Inlet when you'll be at Emerald Isle? Sue knows Charleston in and out.

We are driving from Charleston, SC along Hwy 17, then NC thru Cape Hatteras to Va Beach over the course of 5 days in May. We do not have definitive overnight plans at any location at this point. Our only focus is to see as much coastline as possible and enjoy some great local food.

Are you staying in Charleston?

My favorite places are in no order: FIG, SNOB, 82 Queen, Jestine's, in the HD. Since you're going up 17 stop at Seewee north of Mt Pleasant. Gretchen can help you with the Murrell's Inlet places.

We will likely spend 1 night in Charleston. I have SNOB and Jestine's on the list. :-) Will add your other suggestions as well.

Thanks!

Well, you should go to Calabash, of course. As to what's best there, well, that's up for a huge debate as everyone claims to be the old original. You might like to check out the chowhound forums, too, since your query is primarily about food.

Here's a few places to stop and rest in Murrell's Inlet.

Lee's Inlet Kitchen @ 4460 Highway 17, Murrell's Inlet, SC 843 - 651 - 2881.
http://www.leesinletkitchen.com/
Prossers BBQ @ 3750 U. S. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC. 843 - 357 - 6146.
Salt Creek Cafe @ 4660 Highway 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 843 - 357 - 2433.
http://www.saltcreekcafe.com/

Here's a few in Pawley's Island.

Hog Heaven BBQ, Seafood and Country Cooking @ 7147 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island, SC 843 - 237 - 7444.
http://hogheaveninc.com/
Pawley's Island Tavern @ 10635 Ocean Hwy., Pawleys Island, SC 843 - 237 - 8465.
http://www.pawleysislandtavern.com/

And a few in Wilmington, NC.

Sweet and Savory @ 1611 Pavillion Pl., Wilmington, NC 910 - 256 - 0115.
http://www.sweetandsavorycafe.com/
Le Catalan French Cafe @ 224 South Water Street, Wilmington, NC 910 - 815 - 0200.
http://www.lecatalan.com/

And a couple in Beaufort, NC.

Beaufort Grocery @ 117 Queen St., Beaufort, NC 252 - 728 - 3899.
http://www.beaufortgrocery.com/
Front St. Grill @ 300 Front St., Beaufort, NC 252 728 - 3118.
http://www.frontstreetgrillatstillwater.com/

Beaufort South Carolina, a little shack that is VERY famous for it's INCREDIBLE shrimp burgers! Can someone help me with the name?

Shrimp Shack?

If you want really good dining in Pawley's Island, you should go to Frank's--and reservations would be a must.
And actually, although it sounds plebiean, in Pawley's one of our favorites is Island Deli and Cafe.
For a true True SC oyster roast go to Nance's in Murrell's Inlet. As a matter of fact, just order some on the half shell while you are there. We just were there this week==twice, and I believe the oysters were the best I have eaten anywhere, any time. It is just a big ole seafood restaurant--no decor, but the oysters are outstanding and they do have the best roast.
Also have fried oysters at either Nance's, Island Deli (it's not a deli at ALL), or Inlet Crab House (also in Murrell's Inlet--almost to the end). The fried oysters on the SC coast are like none you will have anywhere else--no breading (that is detectable), and just sweet and lucious. Grouper is also a "fish of choice".
I know "taste is taste", but we find Lee's very ordinary. In that "genre" of dining, Russell's might be better.
Also in Murrell's Inlet the kids like Bubba's Love shack next to Bovine's to be fun and good (and you can sit on the water)--the chef is the chef at Bovine's also.
Creek Ratz is fun and good for lunch also.
Calabash is just a total tourist trap now. Don't bother. And please don't go to any "buffet" on the coast--especially the ones with crab legs--those are SO "local"--yes?

On \Highway 17 just north of Mt. Pleasant, you should stop at SeeWee for a taste of really local seafood, and a darling re-use of a 30's general store. Have a fried dill pickle.

Next to Charleston, the best seafood on the coast is Pawley's/Murrell's Inlet.

You should stop in at Georgetown on your way. It dates frommm the Revolutionary War and is a cute little town to at least take a peek.

Here are some SC suggestions from an old thread -
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m#last-comment

For excellent Carolina fried seafood, I would recommend Riverview in Snead's Ferry, NC, just off Topsail Island and Route 17 fifteen miles south of Jacksonville.

GeorgeW that's so good to know! I love Riverview but I haven't been there in 20 years.

Riverview is not for those fainthearted regarding cholesterol but is still very much a joy to eat at. A plate of fried scallops, fries and hush puppies with an iced cold beer makes me wish I was at Riverview right now.

I am not fainthearted regarding cholesterol. It's hard to do a seafood trek through the Carolinas with that concern, lol.

Awwww...I disagree about Calabash. Of course, you're begging for a heart attack, but the OP said "No preference for style or price, just looking for something that's a can't miss local favorite," and I think Calabash would fit that bill, plus it's a tourist attraction in it's own right. You could certainly find fancier fare elsewhere, but Calabash is an icon of coastal Carolina seafood. We ate at the Seafood Hut last year and enjoyed that. Chowhound forums are a better place to discuss foodie issues, though.

Southport has some nice spots down by the water, too.

Thanks for the great tips-lots of variety and local favorites. Just what we are looking for! I'll check out Chowhound too.