South Carolina’s Shrimp And Grits At This Coastal Café Are Unforgettable And Will Keep You Coming Back
I still remember the first time I tasted real shrimp and grits on the Isle of Palms. It was at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, and honestly, I thought I knew what good comfort food was until that bowl landed in front of me.
Creamy grits, plump local shrimp, and a flavor that tasted like the ocean decided to hug the South – it ruined me for every other version.
Now, every time I visit South Carolina, I find myself plotting a return trip to that same café, because some dishes just burrow into your soul and refuse to leave.
A Coastal Café on Isle of Palms
Meet Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, a breezy, come-as-you-are café on the Isle of Palms where breakfast, lunch, and dinner all lean salty-air Southern.
You’ll find it at 31 J C Long Blvd, a short stroll from the sand, with a porch crowd that looks like vacation but eats like locals.
I love how this place manages to feel both laid-back and intentional at the same time. The location is perfect for grabbing a meal after a morning beach walk or before heading back to your rental.
Parking can get tight during peak season, but the payoff is worth circling the block once or twice.
The Dish Locals Daydream About
Acme doesn’t offer just one shrimp and grits – it offers a whole lineup. Think the classic sautéed shrimp with tasso ham, peppers, and onions, or island-bright riffs like jerk shrimp over coconut-cream grits with pineapple salsa.
There’s even an Isle of Palms version with blackened shrimp, smoked sausage, tomatoes, onions, and truffle cheese grits. I tried the classic first, then came back the next day for the jerk version because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Each variation brings its own personality, so you could visit multiple times and never get bored.
Why It Hits Different: Lowcountry and Local
The kitchen leans hard into Lowcountry tradition and local shrimp year-round, so the bowl tastes like the coast itself – sweet, briny, and butter-glossed. That local seafood first mindset is right in their DNA.
When you source ingredients this close to home, you taste the difference immediately. The shrimp are plump and never rubbery, and the grits have that slow-cooked richness that only comes from patience.
I’ve had plenty of shrimp and grits that felt like an afterthought, but Acme treats the dish like it deserves respect and a standing ovation.
Breakfast Through Dinner, With a Brunch Buzz
Acme serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner – and the brunch rush is real. Crowds form early in peak season, so plan ahead or come on the early side.
I made the mistake once of strolling in at 11 a.m. on a Saturday in July and waited nearly an hour. Now I know better and aim for a weekday morning or right when they open on weekends.
The good news is that the wait gives you time to people-watch and soak in that beachy, vacation energy that makes Isle of Palms so addictive.
Order Like a Regular
Start with a shrimp and grits base you love – classic or one of the riffs – then add a fried green tomato moment. It’s a pairing that the kitchen has even showcased in its own recipe features.
The textural contrast is unreal: creamy, spicy, crispy, and tangy all in one bite. I picked up this trick from a server who’d worked there for years, and now I can’t order it any other way.
It’s Southern nostalgia wrapped in modern execution, and honestly, it should be on every first-timer’s order sheet.
The Vibe: Beach Casual, Family Friendly
Inside feels like a coastal cottage that learned to cook – casual, friendly, and seafood-forward – with a patio that stays lively when the weather’s kind. It’s the sort of place where flip-flops meet date night and everyone’s fine with it.
I’ve seen toddlers in high chairs next to couples celebrating anniversaries, and somehow it all works. The staff is warm without being overbearing, and the space never feels stuffy or pretentious.
You can genuinely show up sandy, sweaty, or dressed up, and nobody bats an eye.
Little Details That Matter
Menus change with the season, but the shrimp and grits roster is the constant draw. Regulars love that there are multiple versions to suit any mood, from comfort-heavy to bright and tropical.
I appreciate that Acme doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel every week, but they’re also not stuck in a rut. You get the reliability of a signature dish with just enough variety to keep things interesting.
It’s that balance between consistency and creativity that keeps people coming back month after month, year after year.
If You Go
Where: Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, Isle of Palms. Why: An unforgettable bowl of shrimp and grits, served several ways in an easygoing beach-town café.
Tip: Peak times mean waits – arrive early or aim off-peak for a faster seat. I’ve learned that Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are your best bet for a quick table and full menu access.
Bring cash for tips if you can, and don’t skip the chance to ask your server which version of shrimp and grits they’d pick. They’ve never steered me wrong.