14 South Carolina Carryout Fish Fry Windows Known For Their Golden, Crisp Lowcountry Fillets
South Carolina’s coastline is dotted with more than shrimping docks and lighthouses—it’s a treasure map for anyone chasing the ultimate fish fry.
I’ve driven these backroads, chasing the sound of sizzling oil and the hush of locals whispering, “You have to try this place.”
From small-town diners to bustling markets, these 14 windows serve up Lowcountry magic: fillets that crackle like autumn leaves but melt like clouds on the tongue.
It’s a journey where every turn brings a new flavor, a new story, and a plate that reminds you why food is the original way we say, “Welcome home.”
1. Dave’s Carry-Out
Downtown Charleston hums with tourists and traffic, but locals know where to find the real deal.
Dave’s Carry-Out has been flipping fish from a tiny counter window for decades, serving up classic fried plates that never disappoint.
Forget white tablecloths and waiters-this is seafood at its most honest and delicious.
The fish arrives hot, golden, and ridiculously crispy, with that perfect crunch that only comes from years of perfecting the fry technique.
Portions are generous without being wasteful, and the prices remind you why neighborhood joints like this deserve your loyalty.
Standing at that little window, watching your order come together, feels like being let in on Charleston’s best-kept culinary secret.
The location on Spring Street keeps things convenient for downtown workers and visitors alike.
Simple, satisfying, and utterly Charleston-Dave’s proves that sometimes the best meals come from the smallest spaces.
2. Roadside Seafood
Folly Beach draws surfers, sunbathers, and folks who know good fried fish when they taste it.
Roadside Seafood lives up to its name with a hole-in-the-wall setup that puts all the focus on what’s coming out of the fryer.
Big portions are the standard here, not the exception, making it a favorite for hungry beachgoers who need serious fuel.
The crispy coating on the fish has that satisfying snap that tells you it was fried at exactly the right temperature.
Everything about this place screams takeout-friendly, from the quick service to the easy packaging that travels well back to your beach blanket.
Regulars know to call ahead during peak summer hours because word has definitely gotten out about this spot.
The casual vibe matches the laid-back Folly Beach atmosphere perfectly.
No pretense, no fuss-just excellent fried seafood served the way coastal Carolina intended.
3. Ellis Creek Fish Camp
James Island keeps things real, and Ellis Creek Fish Camp fits right into that easygoing island mentality.
This local fish camp serves fried fillets with a laid-back atmosphere that makes picking up dinner feel like visiting an old friend.
Counter pickup keeps things moving smoothly, even during the Friday evening rush when everyone’s craving something crispy.
The fish camp vibe here isn’t manufactured-it’s authentic Lowcountry through and through, with that comfortable, unpretentious approach to seafood that locals appreciate.
Fillets arrive perfectly golden, with a coating that stays crispy even on the drive home.
One regular swears she’s been coming here since her kids were little, and now she brings her grandchildren for the same perfectly fried fish.
The James Island location makes it convenient for Charleston-area residents looking for quality without crossing bridges.
Ellis Creek proves that sometimes the best seafood spots are the ones that feel like home.
4. The CODfather Proper Fish & Chips
British-style fish and chips might seem out of place in the Lowcountry, but North Charleston embraced this crispy import enthusiastically.
The CODfather takes cod fillets seriously, battering and frying them to ultra-crispy perfection that would make any London chippy jealous.
Counter ordering keeps the process quick and efficient, while the carryout setup means you can enjoy proper fish and chips wherever you please.
That thick, crunchy batter creates an almost audible crunch with every bite, protecting tender, flaky cod inside.
The playful name might make you smile, but the quality of the fried fish is no joke.
Portions are substantial enough to satisfy even the hungriest customers, and the consistently high quality keeps people coming back week after week.
North Charleston diners appreciate having this unique option that delivers something different from traditional Southern-style preparations.
Sometimes crossing culinary cultures creates something truly special-this spot proves that delicious fried fish speaks every language.
5. Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Hilton Head Island sparkles with upscale resorts, but Hudson’s keeps things authentically Lowcountry right on the working docks.
This classic seafood spot has been frying local fish to golden perfection for years, offering takeout baskets that capture everything great about coastal Carolina cooking.
Being located directly on the docks means the fish couldn’t be fresher if you caught it yourself.
Takeout baskets arrive loaded with crispy fried fillets that taste like the sea in the best possible way.
The setting adds something special-picking up fried fish while watching shrimp boats unload creates a connection to where your meal actually comes from.
Visitors love the authentic dock atmosphere, while locals appreciate having a reliable spot that hasn’t changed with Hilton Head’s development.
The fried fish here represents old-school Lowcountry seafood traditions done right.
Hudson’s proves that prime waterfront location and excellent fried fish make an unbeatable combination.
6. The Sea Shack
Small spaces can hold big flavor, and The Sea Shack on Hilton Head Island proves this delicious truth daily.
Counter service keeps things simple at this no-frills icon, where generous fried seafood baskets have earned legendary status among islanders and visitors alike.
The name perfectly captures the unpretentious approach-this is a shack in the best possible sense.
Fried fish baskets here don’t skimp on portions, giving you serious value alongside serious crispiness.
The streamlined carryout setup means you’re never waiting long, even when half the island seems to have the same dinner idea.
Regulars have their usual orders memorized, and the staff often knows what you want before you finish ordering.
That kind of familiarity creates a neighborhood feeling that’s increasingly rare in touristy Hilton Head.
The Sea Shack reminds us that sometimes the smallest restaurants serve the biggest hearts—and the crispiest fish.
7. Lowcountry Fish Camp
Summerville might sit inland, but Lowcountry Fish Camp brings coastal flavors to this charming town with impressive authenticity.
Fried platters and fillets come hot from the fryer, offering easy takeout that makes weeknight dinners feel special.
The cozy fish-camp vibe creates an atmosphere that’s welcoming without being stuffy, perfect for families grabbing dinner on the go.
Fillets arrive with that ideal ratio of crispy coating to tender fish, showing real skill in the kitchen.
Local residents consider this spot a Summerville treasure, praising both the consistent quality and the friendly service.
The takeout operation runs smoothly, with orders packaged carefully so everything arrives home in perfect condition.
Prices remain reasonable, making it easy to feed a crowd without breaking the budget.
One teacher mentioned treating herself every Friday after a long school week, and that crispy fish has become her favorite way to celebrate surviving another five days.
Lowcountry Fish Camp brings the coast to Summerville, one golden fillet at a time.
8. Islander 71
Isle of Palms living means beach days, sunset walks, and knowing where to grab the crispiest fried fish around.
Islander 71 serves reliably crisp fried fillets that taste even better after a long day in the salt and sun.
The coastal restaurant atmosphere captures that relaxed island feeling while maintaining quality standards that keep locals coming back.
Takeout options make this spot perfect for beachgoers who want restaurant-quality fish without leaving the sand too early.
The fillets maintain excellent texture, with breading that doesn’t get soggy even on humid coastal evenings.
Families appreciate the consistent quality-you know exactly what you’re getting every time, which matters when feeding hungry, sandy kids.
The Isle of Palms location puts it right in the heart of beach activity without the chaos of more touristy areas.
Whether you’re renting a beach house or living here year-round, Islander 71 becomes part of your island routine, delivering golden fried goodness whenever the craving hits.
9. Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
Consistency matters when you’re craving perfectly fried fish, and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen on Isle of Palms delivers every single time.
Known for Lowcountry seafood classics prepared with care and respect for tradition, this spot has built a reputation on reliably good fried fish available for carryout.
The kitchen clearly understands that golden, crispy coating requires attention to temperature, timing, and technique.
Carryout orders arrive hot and properly packaged, showing the same care given to dine-in meals.
The Lowcountry classics menu offers familiar favorites done right, without unnecessary fanciness that might distract from the main event-that perfectly fried fish.
Island residents know they can count on Acme when hosting guests or simply treating themselves to quality takeout.
The name might sound industrial, but the food tastes homemade in the best way.
Acme proves that doing classic dishes consistently well never goes out of style, especially when those dishes involve golden fried fillets that crunch just right.
10. Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Company
Markets that cook what they sell offer unbeatable freshness, and Crosby’s on Folly Beach understands this advantage perfectly.
This market-meets-kitchen serves fresh fried fish from a walk-up window or to-go counter, creating a direct line from boat to fryer to your hands.
The setup might be casual, but the quality rivals any fancy seafood restaurant in the area.
Watching your fish get fried right after being selected from the market case creates confidence in what you’re eating.
That golden coating protects moist, flaky fish that tastes like it just came off the boat—because it basically did.
Folly Beach locals treat Crosby’s like their personal seafood headquarters, stopping by for both raw ingredients and ready-to-eat fried goodness.
The combination of market and kitchen makes it a one-stop shop for all things seafood.
Crosby’s proves that cutting out the middleman between ocean and plate results in fried fish that simply tastes better, fresher, and more authentically coastal.
11. The Shack
North Myrtle Beach’s Cherry Grove neighborhood holds onto its old-school beach town charm, and The Shack fits right in.
This cozy Southern eatery serves classic fried fish plates with fast takeout that respects your time without sacrificing quality.
The name says it all-this is comfortable, unpretentious seafood served the way beach towns have done it for generations.
Fried fish plates arrive loaded with golden fillets that have that satisfying crunch everyone craves.
Fast takeout means you can grab dinner and get back to enjoying your beach vacation without spending half the evening waiting for food.
The Southern eatery vibe creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels authentic to the Carolina coast. Cherry Grove regulars consider
The Shack essential to their beach routine, returning year after year for the same reliable fried goodness.
Sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that keep things simple, focusing on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
12. Mr. Fish Market & Grill
Myrtle Beach offers countless dining options, but Mr. Fish Market & Grill stands out by combining market freshness with grill expertise.
Part seafood market, part grill, this unique spot serves fresh fried fillets to go that showcase whatever came in that morning.
The dual identity means you’re getting fish that was swimming recently, not sitting in a freezer for weeks.
Fried fillets here taste noticeably fresher than typical restaurant fish, with that clean ocean flavor that only truly fresh seafood delivers.
The to-go setup works perfectly for beach visitors who want quality meals without formal dining time commitments.
Market customers often grab fried fish on impulse after seeing the daily catch, unable to resist the temptation of golden, crispy perfection.
The grill operation stays busy because word spreads quickly about places that do fried fish this well.
Mr. Fish proves that combining market and restaurant creates something greater than either could offer alone-freshness meets flavor in every crispy bite.
13. Lamar’s Fish & Chips
Georgetown holds tight to its maritime heritage, and Lamar’s Fish & Chips honors that tradition with every golden fillet served.
This local favorite specializes in crisp, golden fried fish with simple counter service that keeps the focus where it belongs-on the food.
The straightforward approach means no unnecessary complications between you and excellent fried seafood.
Counter service moves quickly, with friendly staff who clearly know their regular customers by name and order.
That crispy coating achieves the perfect golden color that signals ideal frying technique and proper oil temperature.
Georgetown residents show fierce loyalty to Lamar’s, defending it passionately in any conversation about the area’s best fried fish.
The simplicity of the operation allows for consistency-they do one thing really well rather than spreading efforts too thin.
Local favorites earn that status through years of delivering quality, and Lamar’s has certainly put in the time, creating countless satisfied customers one crispy fillet at a time.
14. Fleet Landing
Charleston’s waterfront dining scene includes plenty of fancy options, but Fleet Landing balances quality with accessibility beautifully.
This waterfront favorite offers takeout options for fried flounder and other crispy seafood dishes that taste just as good eaten on a bench overlooking the harbor.
The location provides stunning views, but the food stands strong on its own merits.
Fried flounder arrives delicate and flaky inside that golden, crispy exterior, showing real kitchen skill.
Takeout packaging preserves the texture remarkably well, meaning you can enjoy waterfront-quality seafood wherever you choose to eat it.
The restaurant’s popularity means calling ahead for takeout orders during peak times saves waiting, especially on beautiful weather weekends.
Fleet Landing manages to feel both special and approachable, perfect for celebrations and casual Tuesday dinners alike.
Waterfront dining with excellent takeout options creates the best of both worlds-you get restaurant-quality fried fish with the freedom to enjoy it wherever Charleston’s beauty calls you.