13 South Carolina Shrimp Roll Shacks I Traveled The Lowcountry To Try (6 Were Absolute Standouts)
Shrimp rolls might not get the same fanfare as their lobster cousins, but down in the South Carolina Lowcountry, they hold their own with serious swagger.
I spent weeks driving from Charleston to Hilton Head, stopping at every shrimp shack, seafood counter, and casual spot that promised a decent roll stuffed with local catch.
Some places served up masterpieces that made me forget my own name for a few bites, while others were perfectly fine but not exactly worth the detour.
Out of the thirteen spots I tracked down, six of them hit so hard that I found myself plotting return trips before I even finished the last crumb.
If you love shrimp, toasted buns, and the kind of coastal charm that only the Lowcountry can deliver, then this list will point you toward every shack worth your time and appetite.
1. Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, Charleston
If I want shrimp rolls and cobblestones sharing the same afternoon, I head straight for Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar.
You will find it at 205 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, tucked among the historic buildings near the waterfront.
Their shrimp roll keeps things bright and simple, with shrimp, lemon aioli, fresh lemon juice, chives, petite greens, and a pile of fries on the side.
One slow afternoon, I sat at the bar and watched plate after plate leave the kitchen, each roll stuffed so generously that shrimp tried to make an escape.
The lemon aioli gives the whole thing a clean citrus snap that cuts through the richness without feeling fussy.
I like to linger a bit after the last bite, mostly to decide whether I want another roll or just more fries.
Anyone chasing a shrimp roll that stays simple yet feels worthy of a vacation day ends up just as happy as I am at this corner.
2. Leon’s Oyster Shop, Charleston
When a serious shrimp roll craving hits in Charleston, I somehow always end up starting at Leon’s Oyster Shop.
This retro former garage sits at 698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, right in the middle of the city buzz.
Their menu gives me options, with a classic shrimp roll loaded with horseradish mayo, celery, herbs, and potato chips, plus a crispy fried version with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and comeback sauce.
The first time I bit into that toasted brioche, I immediately stopped talking and just focused on the crunch and cool shrimp.
I love how the chips on top add extra texture, so every bite has a salty little surprise.
When the big garage doors are open, and trays of oysters and rolls keep gliding past, the whole place hums in a very easygoing way.
When friends start planning their own Lowcountry shrimp roll itinerary, this is still the first door I tell them to walk through.
3. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Charleston
When I start missing classic New England-style rolls but still want Lowcountry shrimp, I wander over to Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls.
The Charleston shop sits at 36 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401, right by the constant swirl of the City Market.
Alongside all the lobster options, the shrimp roll quietly steals the show, with jumbo shrimp tossed in mayo, celery, and lemon packed into a split top roll.
I remember a humid summer afternoon when I grabbed a shrimp roll to go and ended up eating it on a shaded bench, trying not to drip dressing on my shirt.
The roll itself stays nicely toasted and sturdy, so it actually keeps up with the filling instead of collapsing halfway through.
Portions run satisfying without crossing into food challenge territory, which helps when you are grazing your way through downtown.
As quick counter service spots go, this bright little shop treats its shrimp roll with enough care that I keep circling back.
4. A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack, Charleston
Some days I crave something messier and more sandwich-forward, so I head to A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack and zero in on the shrimp po boy.
The shack sits right on busy King Street at 208 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, making it an easy detour from almost any downtown plan.
Here, the shrimp po boy arrives on a fluffy roll, stacked with fried shrimp and all the classic fixings, and it absolutely scratches the shrimp roll itch.
I still remember trying to look polite while crumbs flew everywhere as I took the first overambitious bite.
The atmosphere stays casual, with counter service energy and a steady stream of people wandering in from the street in flip-flops and sun hats.
I usually pair the sandwich with one simple side and then wonder if I should have just ordered two po-boys instead.
Whenever my shrimp sandwich mood shifts firmly into po-boy territory, this is the counter where I line up.
5. Sena Café, Mount Pleasant
On quiet mornings when I want shrimp in a roll but also need proper coffee, Sena Café quietly saves my day.
You will find this cozy European-leaning cafe at 2170 Snyder Circle, Suite 117, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466, in a small complex away from the tourist crowds.
Their shrimp roll keeps things neat and modern, built on a toasted brioche bun with shrimp, mixed greens, and the chef’s special sauce.
One day, I sat by the window with a shrimp roll and a notebook, intending to write for an hour and instead mostly writing about the sandwich.
The brioche has just enough sweetness to flatter the shrimp without making the whole thing feel heavy.
Portions feel generous but not overwhelming, so I can still walk out and keep my day going rather than hunting for a nap.
On days when I want a slightly dressed-up shrimp roll without giving up a relaxed vibe, I somehow always find myself back at Sena.
6. Blues Local Grill, Mount Pleasant
If I am chasing a shrimp roll with backyard cookout energy, Blues Local Grill is where I go.
The restaurant sits at 1905 SC 41, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466, a short drive from the water but firmly planted in Lowcountry territory.
Their Crispy Shrimp Roll features lightly fried and seasoned local shrimp tucked into a toasted split top roll with red pepper coulis, and it feels tailor-made for messy lunches.
I still laugh about the time I tried to eat one politely during a work call and ended up muting myself just to crunch in peace.
The shrimp come out hot and snappy, and the coulis gives everything a subtle kick instead of a full blast of heat.
Service usually lands in that sweet spot between friendly and efficient, which suits a quick shrimp-focused stop.
If I am craving proof that someone is really standing over a fryer all afternoon, one crispy shrimp roll here usually settles the question.
7. Lowcountry Fresh Market & Café, Bluffton
When I want my shrimp in a roll and my conscience soothed by local sourcing, I spend a little time at Lowcountry Fresh Market & Café.
The market and cafe are located at 303 Bleecker St S, Bluffton, SC 29910, in a bright building that feels part grocery, part community hangout.
Their shrimp plates and sandwiches lean on local shrimp from nearby docks, often served on soft bread with house-made slaw and tartar sauce instead of anything frozen or shipped from far away.
I remember biting into one and immediately noticing how different really fresh shrimp taste when they have not traveled very far.
Between bites, I like to wander the market shelves, pretending I will cook later even though I know I am coming back for another sandwich.
The whole place feels relaxed, with locals picking up produce while visitors chase down lunch at the counter.
For me, this place defines what a Lowcountry shrimp sandwich with true local roots should taste like.
8. Bluffton Family Seafood House, Bluffton
On days when I want my shrimp roll experience attached directly to a working seafood family, Bluffton Family Seafood House becomes the obvious choice.
The restaurant sits at 27 Dr Mellichamp Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910, close to the historic heart of town.
Their menu nods to their own seafood operation, and the fried or grilled shrimp po boy arrives on a hoagie roll with fries and coleslaw.
One evening, I watched a steady line of plates leave the kitchen, each one so packed with shrimp that the bread could barely keep up.
Choosing between fried and grilled shrimp always feels like a small personality test, and I usually fail by wanting both.
The room stays casual, with a mix of regulars catching up and travelers quietly congratulating themselves for finding the place.
Anytime I want my shrimp sandwich to feel directly connected to the day’s catch, I slide into a seat at this table.
9. Island House, Hilton Head Island
Whenever I cross onto Hilton Head and crave a shrimp roll with beach day energy, Island House jumps straight to the top of my list.
You will find it at 1024 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, sharing a busy stretch of the main island road.
Their shrimp roll features grilled or crispy shrimp dressed with homemade ranch sauce in a split-top butter roll, with a choice of sides.
I still remember one late lunch where the roll arrived so warm and buttery that I briefly considered ordering a second one as dessert.
The space feels airy and modern, which pairs nicely with a basket full of shrimp and fries.
I like that the kitchen lets the shrimp stay the star rather than burying everything under too many toppings.
That balance of polished plate and laid-back island mood keeps Island House high on my Hilton Head shrimp roll list.
10. The Sea Shack, Hilton Head Island
When I hear the phrase shrimp shack in my head, The Sea Shack is usually the first place I picture.
The address is 6 Executive Park Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, tucked into a low-key spot that looks exactly right for fried seafood.
Here, the shrimp po boy is a staple, stacked with fried or blackened shrimp on a soft roll that barely survives the journey from counter to table.
I once stood in the line that snakes around the parking lot and spent the whole wait deciding if I should add a side of hush puppies, which, of course, I did.
Inside, the counter service setup keeps things simple, with numbers called out and trays landing on tables covered in seafood and paper napkins.
The menu leans heavily into classic coastal comfort food, but that shrimp-filled sandwich stays the star for me.
Whenever I am craving a shrimp sandwich that feels purely Lowcountry and nicely old school, this is the shack I trust.
11. The Lobster Bar, Hilton Head Island
When I want my shrimp tucked into a roll with a touch more polish, I head to The Lobster Bar.
The restaurant sits at 81 Pope Ave Unit 201, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, close to the island’s busier resort zones.
Their Fresh Crab and Shrimp Roll layers lump crab and shrimp with mayo and spices inside a toasted split top bun, turning the usual shrimp roll into something a bit richer.
I remember sitting by the window and realizing I was eating a roll where every bite had both crab and shrimp, which felt pleasingly indulgent.
The bun stays lightly crisp at the edges while the filling stays cool and creamy, which keeps the balance right through the last bite.
Service leans friendly but professional, and the room feels comfortable without drifting into stuffy territory.
When I want a shrimp roll that feels just a little more special but still clearly coastal, The Lobster Bar fits perfectly into the rotation.
12. Annie O’s Kitchen, Hilton Head Island
When my shrimp roll cravings collide with a strong desire for Southern comfort food, Annie O’s Kitchen makes that decision very easy.
You will find it at 11 Target Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, a little off the main tourist drag but easy to reach.
Their Wild Caught Shrimp Roll Sandwich stacks shrimp on a sub roll with lettuce, tomato, and lemon aioli, and it feels exactly as satisfying as it sounds.
I still think about the first time I tried it and realized the lemon aioli was doing quiet but very important work in every bite.
The rest of the menu leans hearty, so it pairs nicely with a shrimp roll when I am firmly in treat yourself mode.
The dining room feels welcoming in a homey way, which makes lingering over the last few bites almost inevitable.
If I am planning a full Southern comfort spread and want shrimp in a roll to match, Annie O’s is the name that pops into my head first.
13. Pho-nomenal Bowl, North Charleston
To wrap up the circuit with something a little different, I sometimes swing up to North Charleston for shrimp rolls in Vietnamese form at Pho-nomenal Bowl.
The restaurant sits at 7620 Rivers Ave, Suite 350, North Charleston, SC 29406, tucked into a busy stretch of shops and restaurants.
Here, the Fresh Shrimp Roll appetizer wraps shrimp, lettuce, and vermicelli in rice paper, giving me a cooler, lighter take on the Lowcountry shrimp roll theme.
I like ordering a couple of rolls before a steaming bowl of pho, mostly so I can pretend I am eating a perfectly balanced meal.
The rolls arrive neatly packed, with dipping sauce that adds just enough punch without overwhelming the shrimp.
The space stays unpretentious and relaxed, with a steady rhythm of takeout orders and families sharing big bowls at the tables.
It may not look like a beach shack, but it earns its place on my Lowcountry shrimp roll circuit every single time.