Top Best Seafood Restaurants in Kiawah Island

"A brewery, beer destination and restaurant in one, Edmund’s Oast turns out house-made charcuterie and quality dishes in a massive outdoor beer garden and indoor restaurant space alongside house beers, guest beers, cocktails and spirits (heavy on American whiskey but including everything from amari to gin). Head bartender Jayce McConnell ensures spirits drinkers won’t suffer for choices alongside the beer crowd. What to Drink: Go the vacation-like, savory Thai route with the likes of Pad Thai Mai Tai (rum, curaçao, lime, peanut, cilantro and a Charleston gold rice “orgeata”—an orgeat-horchata mix) or focus on whiskey with a drink like The Cowboy Song (Wyoming whiskey, huckleberry, mint, Peychaud’s bitters).http://edmundsoast.com"

"Like all other assets of Edmund's Oast, the dessert list is killing it these days. Be sure to save room for the chocolate toffee custard with brown butter and caramel popcorn ice cream."

"Opening on trendy Upper King Street in 2012, The Ordinary jump-started the raw bar craze that seemed to hit Charleston after this former 1920s bank became a seafood and rum cocktail destination (including also The Darling, Rappahannock Oyster Bar and the great 167 Raw, another trendsetter since 2014). Ordinary’s oysters (from raw to broiled), crudo, caviar and fish-head gumbo still shine, as does their rum-centric focus with cocktail classics like an Air Mail alongside orange wines and local beers. What to Drink: Though you can get a proper classic Daiquiri or Mai Tai here, don’t overlook fun, changing house cocktails like Beau Thai (white rum, tomato, carrot, red curry) or a simple but bracing Crooked Rain No. 1, mixing rum and Carpano Bianco vermouth with a verjus bite.http://eattheordinary.com"

"Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow created an homage to all things from the ocean with the Ordinary. Housed in a 1920s bank on Upper King, the dining room retains much of the charm of the era with vintage sea decorations, bistro tables, white marble, and a sparkling mezzanine overlooking the space. During the pandemic however, the restaurant added a petite patio alongside the building."

"A James Beard nominated convivial seafood hall and oyster bar, helmed by award-winning Chef Mike Lata. Lata supports local and regional fisherman, farmers and producers."

"From the moment you walk down the ivy-lined alleyway into the restaurant, you’ll understand why Fulton Five has been voted Charleston’s “most romantic restaurant” for 17 years running. The food is delicious, especially the antipasto spoleto (romaine lettuce stuffed with mozzarella and tomato, wrapped in prosciutto and grilled, and topped with cauliflower puree… come on). So if you really want to impress your Tinder date, this is the place to take 'em."

"Tuck into the bar at this lunch counter on East Bay for top-notch seafood and super-friendly service. You can’t go wrong with co-owner Jesse Sandole’s hunka chunka lobster rolls, served on buttery brioche buns."

"Best oysters and lobster roll I’ve ever had, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!. The wait is totally worth it. —katherinel4cf65c833"

"Opened in 1990, this Charleston classic is a beloved favorite for many Holy City locals, as it is consistently delivering top-notch lowcountry dishes as well as attentive and welcoming service. Seafood dishes are a highlight of the Magnolias menus, with such items as Lowcountry Bouillabaisse, Spicy Shrimp and Sausage over grits, Blackened Catfish, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast serving as authentic representatives of lowcountry style cuisine. For a cheaper Magnolias dining option, opt to visit this East Bay Street restaurant for lunch or Sunday brunch; each of these menus shares at least a few options with the regular dinner menu."

"Wooden shutters, white tablecloths, and really good Southern food are all things that come to mind when we think of “classic Charleston restaurants.” Really though, we’re just describing Magnolias in the French Quarter. This beloved spot serves upscale takes on fried green tomatoes, crab bisque, and shrimp and grits and is great for special occasions when you want to eat somewhere just slightly fancy. Much like Charleston itself, it’s the kind of place where dressing up isn’t required, but you won’t feel out of place if you do."

"For over 25 years, Magnolias has served upscale Southern cuisine with traditional ingredients and a modern twist. This longtime favorite has even earned press from the Food Network and Food and Wine. Visitors enjoy brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m."

"O-Ku, located on bustling King Street, offers an upscale dining experience that celebrates authentic, Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Using the freshest fish from the world’s finest markets, O’Ku’s menu is comprised of signature starters, soups and salads, Japanese entrées and sushi specialties of the season. They also serve specialty cocktails, premium sake, red and white wines, and unique beers."

"This salad is the perfect combination of healthy and delicious, and it’s an O-Ku fan-favorite. The Carrot Ginger Vinaigrette is a unique dressing that puts an interesting flavor on this entree that will have you feeling satisfied and just the right level of full."

"Part of a sushi restaurant chain, O-Ku Charleston serves a wide variety of Japanese temptations, including toban yaki, nigiri, sashimi, sushi, and rolls. O-Ku doesn’t open for lunc..."

"If you’re craving a tender prime porterhouse or a ­succulent New York strip, head to this three-story love song to steak. The ­super-hungry will salivate over the 36-ounce rib-eye, while those leaving room for dessert might want to try a melt-in-your-mouth filet. Sides are served à la carte, and there’s a delicious appetizer selection."

"Another upscale steakhouse, this carnivore’s dream is set inside a 150-year-old building oozing with historic character and offers outstanding locally-sourced beef dishes, an impressive wine list and lively environs both classy and comfortable at the same time."

"For fans of breathtaking views and climate-controlled environments, Harbor View Restaurant & Lounge offers both atop the Holiday Inn on the Ashley River. Neither the gnats nor the humidity can get to customers from the enclosed rooftop bar. Bonus: house liquors are only $4 during happy hour."

"Strategically located, this restaurant will offer you an astonishing view of Ashley River and the Charleston skyline. Have a one-of-a-kind sunrise breakfast or sunset dining as you enjoy their rich dishes. They also offer catering services and hold events like weddings and business meetings."

"The Harborview Restaurant & Lounge located on the top floor of the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview can accommodate up to 150 ppl. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner & cocktails."

"Chubby Fish’s takeout menu changes daily, but when the tagliatelle is on the menu, you should definitely order it. The mouth-watering dish consists of homemade pasta with blue crab, brown butter, green garlic, and bread crumbs. It’s ideal for quarantine because no one cares how your breath smells."

"Come to this neighborhood corner establishment for the seafood, but don’t overlook the beef tartare, complemented by radish, nori, and ranch (and don’t be ashamed to order two if you’re with a party of three or more)."

"Bold flavors and local seafood are the hallmarks of this neighborhood café that gets creative with dishes like smoked fish curry and tempura...Read More"

"Chez Nous, meaning "Our Home" in French, is as cozy inside as you would expect from the name. But don't let that fool you--the team at Chez Nous serves up a three course menu (two options for app, entree, and dessert) each day that commands the attention of locals and visitors alike. The presentation of each dish is lovely, guaranteeing a top-notch experience before you've even take your first bite."

"Each day, Chef Jill Mathias writes out the menu by hand: two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts. The menu is the same at lunch as it is at dinner, and what ensues is a daily dinner party of sorts. It's seasonal, elevated, European comfort food."

"French style café & bar offering the best in Brasserie cuisine. Indoor/outdoor seating, cocktails & robust wine list. Sun brunch 10a, lunch daily 11:30a, dinner nightly 5:30p."

"When you’re looking for things to do in Charleston SC with kids, Fort Sumter is a no-brainer!. I love an activity where kids are learning and they don’t even realize it!. You and your family will learn about the history of Fort Sumter and the pivotal role it played in the Civil War, but I think it’s most fun for families to get out and explore the grounds of Fort Sumter."

"Taking a Fort Sumter tour is pretty fun, more for the ride out to Fort Sumter. This is a great opportunity to cruise the harbor and see the city from a different perspective. Famed Charlestonian writer Pat Conroy described the city as a jewel perched on the harbor, and it’s easier to get that picture from the water."

"In the midst of Christian churches stands one of the United States’ oldest Jewish congregations. The Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim is the country’s second oldest Synagogue and the oldest in continuous practice."

"The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, part of the College of Charleston, is based around the huge collection of fossils, mostly from South Carolina, donated by local businessman and fossil enthusiast Mace Brown. The museum displays around 1000 of the specimens from Brown’s collection, including fossilized remnants of prehistoric megafauna such as the giant sloth, giant beaver, saber-toothed cat, and cave bear; extinct species of whale; dinosaur bones; sharks’ teeth (and a megalodon jaw) and more. The museum is located inside of the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building at 202 Calhoun Street, in downtown Charleston."

"When it comes to fun and free things to do in Charleston, the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History should be at the top of your list. This paleontology museum is hosted by the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences at the College of Charleston. When you visit, you’ll find dinosaur bones, crinoids, cave bears, fossils, extinct mammals native to the Carolinas, and more."