You can smell the brine, hear the fryers hiss, and spot baskets of golden oysters vanishing the second they hit the table. South Carolina’s coast hides shacks where locals swear the first bite is the best bite.
If crispy, briny, just-shucked oysters are your love language, you’re in the right place. Grab a seat, order fast, and get ready to chase the crunch before it’s gone.
Bowens Island Restaurant – Charleston, South Carolina
Perched over the marsh, Bowens Island Restaurant feels like a secret you want to share but also keep to yourself. The fried oyster basket arrives hot, salty, and wildly fresh, often shucked just steps away.
You get crunchy edges, tender centers, and a view that makes you linger, even after the last crumb disappears.
Expect picnic tables, local chatter, and a menu that rewards simplicity. Dip oysters in tartar, hit them with hot sauce, or just squeeze a lemon and go.
The hushpuppies are sweet and golden, perfect for scooping up stray flakes and juices.
Arrive before sunset and bring patience, because lines happen. Trust me, it is worth every minute, and every napkin.
The Crab Shack – Folly Beach, South Carolina
Folly Beach has a laid-back vibe, and The Crab Shack matches it perfectly. The fried oyster basket here is piled high, seasoned just right, and disappears suspiciously fast.
You will love the crisp snap, then the briny pop that says these oysters did not travel far.
Grab a cold drink, snag a breezy patio seat, and watch beachgoers wander by. The Shack’s fries soak up every bit of flavor, and the coleslaw cuts through the richness like a pro.
Do not skip their house sauce, a tangy little secret.
Come sandy, come hungry, and do not overthink it. Order the oysters first, always, then build your meal around whatever space is left.
Seewee Restaurant – Awendaw, South Carolina
Seewee Restaurant is a time capsule where you can taste Lowcountry history one crispy bite at a time. The fried oyster basket is both humble and heroic, with cornmeal breading that crackles and a clean, ocean-sweet center.
It is the kind of straightforward perfection that makes you nod after the first bite.
Inside, mismatched chairs and old photos set the scene while platters fly out of the kitchen. Hushpuppies come golden and whispering with onion, and the collards lean savory.
Everything says slow down, eat well, smile.
Bring friends, because sharing keeps the next basket coming quicker. And if you leave without a to-go box, you probably timed it exactly right.
Wreck of the Richard & Charlene – Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
Dockside charm meets legendary crunch at the Wreck of the Richard & Charlene. The fried oyster basket here is lightly dusted, fried fast, and served with a view that steals your attention.
You will hear boats knock against pilings while hot baskets land at neighboring tables.
Expect old-school service, simple sides, and seafood that speaks for itself. The corn fritters and red rice join the oysters like old friends, balancing salty with sweet and smoky.
Add lemon, add heat, and keep going.
Arrive early if you want a waterside table. The line moves, but those oysters move faster, so order first and ask questions later.
Hyman’s Seafood – Charleston, South Carolina
Hyman’s is a Charleston institution, loud, bustling, and fun in the best way. The fried oyster basket nails that delicate balance between airy crunch and juicy interior.
You will get plenty of pieces, each one tasting like the harbor, without the fuss.
Servers move fast and everything pops with seasoning, including the fries and the signature sauces. The hushpuppies are slightly sweet, a perfect counter to the brine.
Add a sprinkle of vinegar if you like a sharper edge.
Yes, it is touristy, but locals still sneak in for the classics. Bring your appetite, claim your basket, and let the buzzing dining room soundtrack your feast.
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Raw Bar – Charleston, South Carolina
Set in a sleek, waterfront space, Fleet Landing brings polish to the classic fried oyster basket. The oysters are light, shatteringly crisp, and finished with a subtle seasoning that lets the freshness shine.
You will find yourself looking out at the harbor between bites, happily distracted.
Pair them with a citrusy cocktail or a cold beer, and add the slaw for texture. The hushpuppies arrive piping hot with a tender crumb.
Dipping sauces lean bright and herbal, perfect for layered bites.
Reserve ahead, especially at sunset, because the view is magnetic. Order oysters first, then build on with peel-and-eat shrimp if you are feeling ambitious.
Lee’s Inlet Kitchen – Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Family-run and beloved, Lee’s Inlet Kitchen keeps traditions alive one golden basket at a time. The fried oysters are gently breaded, fried to a crisp shell, and steaming inside.
You get clean flavors, no heavy grease, and a portion generous enough to share, if you must.
Expect classic sides done right, like onion rings with serious crunch and creamy slaw. The staff treats regulars and newcomers the same, which is to say kindly.
Lemon wedges and hot sauce land without asking.
Come early during peak season, because the line can surprise you. When your basket arrives, take a second for that first crunch.
It will set the tone for everything else.
Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Captain George’s is big, bold, and built for seafood cravings. While known for a sprawling buffet, the fried oysters still feel crafted, not mass produced.
Each bite gives that crisp shell and briny center you want, with steady quality plate after plate.
Come hungry and pace yourself. Hit the oyster station first, then circle back for hushpuppies and tangy slaw.
The dining room is lively, with families trading favorites and planning round two.
If buffets are your guilty pleasure, this place makes it feel proudly intentional. You set the pace, your basket stays hot, and the crew keeps things moving so you can focus on the crunch.
The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The Original Benjamin’s is a Myrtle Beach legend where Calabash-style frying reigns. The oysters come thinly battered, light, and perfectly seasoned, so you can eat more than you planned.
You will taste that coastal sweetness with a crisp finish that keeps you reaching back.
Expect a festive, family atmosphere with nautical decor and servers who move with purpose. Pair oysters with hushpuppies and a squeeze of lemon, then add vinegar if you like punch.
The sides are simple but reliable.
It is easy to get distracted by the huge selection, but oysters should be your first stop. Load your plate, find a corner, and let that crunch do the talking.
Sun City Cafe – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sun City Cafe might surprise you because it leans eclectic, but the fried oyster basket still steals the show. The breading is crisp and airy, and the seasoning hints at Southwestern flair without losing coastal roots.
You will get bold flavors and a playful vibe that keeps things lively.
Colorful walls, friendly service, and creative sides make it feel like a local’s hangout. Try the oysters with a squeeze of lime and a dash of hot sauce for a twist.
The fries are sturdy enough to carry the load.
Come curious and hungry, especially if you like a little fusion. Order oysters first, then explore the rest once you are hooked.
Nance’s Restaurant – Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Nance’s sits right on the inlet, which means the seafood tastes like it belongs here. The fried oyster basket arrives hot, crisp, and brimming with that clean, briny sweetness.
You will catch views of the marsh while your plate steadily empties.
Order a cup of she-crab soup to start, then go straight for oysters and hushpuppies. The staff keeps refills coming and offers extra lemon without asking.
Sides stay classic and comforting.
Time your visit with sunset and bring someone who eats fast. Those oysters will not wait for slow decisions, and neither should you.
It is simple coastal joy in a basket.
Bubba’s Fish Shack – Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Bubba’s Fish Shack is pure beach-town comfort, all weathered wood and friendly grins. The fried oyster basket comes out fast, crunchy as promised, and seasoned with a light hand.
You will get generous portions that seem to vanish among friends.
Expect sturdy fries, zippy slaw, and plenty of sauces for experimentation. The vibe says flip-flops welcome and napkins required.
Grab a cold beer, claim a table, and settle in for round two.
When the crowd swells, the kitchen keeps its rhythm. Order oysters, then add a shrimp basket if you are chasing variety.
Either way, your first plate will not be your last.
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Raw Bar – Charleston, South Carolina
End the crawl at Fleet Landing when the harbor lights flicker. The fried oyster basket still crackles, but the mood shifts to sleek and calm.
You will watch boats drift by while that clean, crisp batter stays perfectly intact.
Order a final round with citrusy cocktails and a side of warm hushpuppies. The staff is smooth and unhurried, letting you linger without pressure.
Lemon, herb sauce, and sea breeze make an easy trio.
When you think you are done, one more bite proves you wrong. The basket empties predictably fast, every time.
Call it a night when the last crumb is gone.