I Wandered South Carolina’s Lowcountry Coast To Visit 14 Fish-And-Chips Stands (And 5 Were Oceanfront Perfection)
Fried fish has a funny way of hijacking my itinerary and turning “one quick stop” into a full-blown coastal quest.
Over a few weeks, I let my appetite chart the route through the Lowcountry in South Carolina, hopping from Folly Beach to Hilton Head Island with a notebook that smelled suspiciously like salt and batter.
Some spots hid in quiet marinas where the boats did the gossiping, while others sat right on the sand with waves providing the kind of background noise that makes every bite feel dramatic.
The mission stayed delightfully simple: chase the crispiest crust, the saltiest fries, and a view so good it makes you stop pretending you are “just here to eat.”
A handful of stands became instant favorites, and I still remember one oceanfront basket arriving so hot and crunchy that I paused like it was a standing ovation moment for cod.
By the end, what started as casual curiosity had turned into a full coastal tour, and these fourteen fish-and-chips stops make it easy to plan your own Lowcountry loop without guessing where the crunch and the scenery truly deliver.
1. Loggerhead’s Beach Grill – Folly Beach, South Carolina
There are days on Folly Beach when I barely shake the sand from my shoes before wandering straight up to Loggerhead’s Beach Grill.
The place sits just steps from the beach, with a big deck that keeps the sea breeze moving while live music drifts over plastic baskets of food.
Their fish and chips lean on flaky white fish tucked inside a light batter that stays crisp even after you douse everything with lemon.
I always end up stealing extra fries from whichever friend is slowest, mostly because the chips soak up every last bit of flavor from the fish.
Loggerhead’s Beach Grill is easy to track down at 123 W Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439, practically at the edge of the sand.
If you time it for late afternoon, the combination of salty air, guitar riffs, and hot fish and chips turns into its own kind of beach ritual.
2. Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar – Folly Beach, South Carolina
I knew my Lowcountry wanderings were paying off the second I stepped onto the Folly Beach pier and caught the scent of frying fish drifting from Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar.
Waves were rolling underneath the boards while gulls circled above, and the whole place felt perfectly set up for a fish and chips feast with an ocean soundtrack.
The kitchen leans into crispy fried seafood, and their take on fish and chips arrives with a golden crust, hot fries, and tangy sauce that disappears from the plate faster than I like to admit.
I like to grab a table along the rail so I can watch surfers lining up for the next set while I work my way through the basket.
You will find Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar at 101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439, right on the Folly Beach Fishing Pier with wide open Atlantic views all around.
Staying long enough to see the sun sink behind the pier while finishing the last fry feels like completing a personal Lowcountry mission.
3. The Washout – Folly Beach, South Carolina
On another Folly morning, I followed a trail of sandy flip-flops and surfboards straight to The Washout, where it feels completely normal to show up still damp from the ocean.
The scene is half surf hangout and half casual neighborhood joint, with big televisions tuned to sports inside and people drifting in from Center Street outside.
I gravitate toward their fish and chips, which arrive as generous fillets fried to a deep crunch with a pile of fries that never seems to last long enough.
There is always at least one table comparing notes on the day’s waves while casually polishing off every last crumb of batter.
You can roll up to The Washout at 41 Center St, Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439, an easy stroll from the surf breaks that made this stretch of beach famous.
When I walk back toward the water carrying leftover fries, it feels like I have cracked the code on post-surf recovery.
4. Folly Beach Crab Shack – Folly Beach, South Carolina
I kept hearing locals tell me that a proper Folly Beach evening had to include a stop at Folly Beach Crab Shack, so of course I listened.
Located on Center Street just two blocks from the sand, this spot buzzes with beach-town energy, paper-lined baskets, and the constant clatter of seafood heading out to the patio.
The menu leans heavily into fried seafood plates, and I always zero in on the fried fish with fries, which delivers the same comfort as classic fish and chips with a little extra Southern swagger.
Hush puppies have a way of sneaking onto the table, too, and I never pretend to resist them.
Folly Beach Crab Shack sits at 26 Center St, Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439, right in the middle of the island’s compact downtown.
Finishing dinner and then wandering back toward the beach with a to-go box in hand feels like the most relaxed kind of beach homework.
5. Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill – Isle of Palms, South Carolina
I knew I had stepped into full vacation mode when I climbed up to Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill and saw the Atlantic stretching out past the railings.
This colorful beachfront restaurant has a deck and rooftop where the breeze moves constantly, and every table seems to point toward the waves rolling in on the Isle of Palms.
Their fish and chips plate features crisp fried fish that stays light instead of heavy, partnered with a proper mountain of fries that always disappears during long, chatty lunches.
I like to sit long enough to watch beachgoers shuffle back and forth below while I pick at the last stray crumbs of batter.
Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill is found at 1120 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451, right along the water with sweeping ocean views from its decks.
Every time I leave, I end up brushing salt from my skin and wondering if this is how beach days are supposed to taste.
6. Water’s Edge Restaurant – Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
One of my favorite detours off the main road is down to Shem Creek, where Water’s Edge Restaurant sits facing shrimp boats and a parade of paddleboards.
The atmosphere here feels a little more polished but still relaxed, with a deck that lets you watch the marsh light shift while servers weave between tables.
Their take on fish and chips uses flaky fried fish, fries, and a creamy sauce that feels custom-built for lingering over a long conversation.
I like to time it for early evening, when the sky goes soft, and the creek turns reflective enough to feel like part of the show.
Water’s Edge Restaurant is at 1407 Shrimp Boat Ln, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, tucked right along the water on Shem Creek.
Leaving with the smell of marsh air still clinging to my clothes always reminds me why I keep finding excuses to return.
7. Tavern & Table – Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
I wandered a little farther down the Shem Creek boardwalk one night and found myself at Tavern & Table, glowing gently over the water.
This spot feels like the kind of place where someone thought carefully about every detail, from the cozy interior to the patio that opens onto the creek with boats bobbing nearby.
Their fish and chips plate leans slightly upscale, with crisp fried fish, seasoned fries, and house sauces that make it far too easy to forget portion control.
I usually end up dragging out dessert just to keep my seat while the last light slides off the marsh.
You will find Tavern & Table at 100 Church St, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, sitting right on the water at the bend in Shem Creek.
Walking back along the boardwalk afterward with the taste of salt and vinegar still lingering feels like a small reward for choosing the scenic route.
8. The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips – North Charleston, South Carolina
Somewhere between marsh crossings, I decided I needed a classic British-style chippy, which is how I ended up at The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips.
This North Charleston spot trades beach views for unapologetically straightforward charm, with chalkboard menus, a steady hum of conversation, and baskets that arrive at tables with impressive speed.
The star is thick North Atlantic cod dipped in a proper batter and fried until the crust shatters gently over pillowy flakes of fish.
Chips come hot and chunky, perfect for dragging through tartar sauce or a puddle of vinegar, which I take as seriously as the locals do.
The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips is located at 4254 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405, an easy hop from the main routes into Charleston.
Whenever I leave, I feel like I have briefly stepped into another country without losing that familiar Lowcountry friendliness.
9. FISH Casual Coastal Seafood – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
By the time I reached Hilton Head, I was ready for a spot where I could go straight from the beach to a plate of fish and chips, and FISH Casual Coastal Seafood answered that craving.
This laid-back restaurant sits just steps from Coligny Beach, close enough that I sometimes show up with damp hair and a pocket full of shells.
Their cod fish and chips come hot and crisp, with a batter that stays light and fries that somehow stay crunchy even while cooling.
I like to sit on the patio and watch beachgoers wander through Coligny Plaza while I map out whether I have room for dessert.
FISH Casual Coastal Seafood is located at 1 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928, a short stroll from the sand at Coligny Beach Park.
Taking the last bite and then walking straight back to the shoreline makes the whole meal feel like an extension of the ocean itself.
10. The Sandbar Beach Eats – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Afternoons around Coligny Beach tend to end with me drifting toward The Sandbar Beach Eats, thanks to its bright facade and steady patio chatter.
Situated right across from Coligny Beach Park, the restaurant gives you that easy beach rhythm where you can rinse off the sand and be seated in minutes.
The menu features a standout fish and chips plate with a generous fillet, well-seasoned fries, and sauces that encourage enthusiastic double dipping.
I love stretching out the meal on the outdoor tables, listening to the low rumble of beach traffic, and occasionally spotting someone still balancing a surfboard under one arm.
The Sandbar Beach Eats sits at 101 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928, in the heart of the Coligny area.
Finishing up there and crossing back toward the dunes feels like closing the loop on a perfect Hilton Head day.
11. British Open Pub – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
On evenings when I start missing proper British comfort food, I head to British Open Pub on Hilton Head and let the framed golf prints greet me at the door.
The interior feels snug and familiar, with dark woods, sports murmuring from televisions, and regulars who clearly know the staff by name.
Their Piccadilly fish and chips deliver thick, fried fillets with a fluffy interior, served alongside proper chips and traditional sides that make the plate feel satisfyingly complete.
I usually linger longer than planned, picking at the last pieces while eavesdropping on debates about tournaments and local gossip.
British Open Pub is located at 1000 William Hilton Pkwy Suite D-3, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928, in the Village at Wexford.
Walking back out into the humid island air after such a classic pub meal always makes the palm trees feel slightly out of place in the best way.
12. Reilley’s Grill & Bar – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
There is a particular kind of comfort that comes from walking into a place that locals have loved for decades, and Reilley’s Grill & Bar has that feeling down to a science.
This Hilton Head institution has been serving steaks, seafood, and hearty pub favorites since the early eighties, with a lively bar area and a patio that fills up quickly on warm nights.
Fish and chips might share menu space with plenty of other dishes, but the version here still lands with crispy fillets, well-seasoned fries, and enough portion size to satisfy even after a busy beach day.
I like to sit outside, listening to conversations drift across the plaza while the sky shifts through its last colors of the evening.
Reilley’s Grill & Bar is at 7D Greenwood Dr, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928, in Reilley’s Plaza near the island’s southern end.
Finishing that basket and heading back toward the resort always feels like wrapping up a day with a familiar friend.
13. Skull Creek Dockside – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
As soon as I turned into the drive for Skull Creek Dockside, I knew this stop was going to be all about the view.
The restaurant sits right on the water with wide decks, big windows, and a boardwalk that stretches into the creek, making the whole place feel built around sunsets.
Their fish and chips keep pace with the scenery, pairing battered cod with fries, coleslaw, and the kind of crunch that holds up even while you get distracted by the sky.
I like to arrive a bit early just to watch boats gliding past as families pose for photos along the railings.
Skull Creek Dockside is located at 2 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926, overlooking Skull Creek on the island’s north side.
When the sun finally drops, and the string lights take over, it feels obvious why this place keeps ending up on local must-visit lists.
14. Crazy Crab Harbour Town – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
I wrapped up my Lowcountry fish and chips tour in Harbour Town, where the Crazy Crab sits with a perfect view of the marina and the lighthouse.
The dining room opens out toward the docks, and there is always a steady mix of vacationers, boat crews, and families studying souvenir maps while they wait for dinner.
Their battered fish and chips come to the table hot and crisp, matched with fries that stay addictive all the way to the bottom of the basket.
I like to pause between bites and watch the masts sway gently against the sky, which seems determined to join the show.
Crazy Crab Harbour Town is found at 149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928, right on the waterfront inside Sea Pines.
Walking out past the lighthouse after that meal feels like signing off on a Lowcountry itinerary built entirely around fried fish and salt air.