Craving crispy fried shrimp that tastes like summer on the coast, any night of the week? These beloved spots keep the fryers humming, the hushpuppies hot, and the lines stretching out the door for good reason. You will find dockside views, paper plates, and baskets piled high with golden shrimp that crackle when you bite. Bring an appetite, some patience, and a fondness for salt air and simple pleasures.
Fish Tales – Richmond Hill, Georgia
At Fish Tales, the marsh breeze carries a salty whisper while baskets of fried shrimp arrive crackling hot. Each bite delivers that perfect snap under a thin, peppery crust, with a squeeze of lemon brightening the sweet meat. You will want extra hushpuppies for dipping into tangy house slaw.
Locals know the line means the fryer is doing its best work. Order at the counter, snag a picnic table by the water, and watch skiffs slide past. Sweet tea glistens with ice, and the tartar sauce leans zesty without masking the shrimp.
Timing helps, but even a wait feels like part of the ritual here. When the basket lands, it is always worth it.
Desposito’s Seafood – Thunderbolt, Georgia
Desposito’s feels like the kind of place where time pauses so the shrimp can fry just right. The batter is whisper thin, seasoned simply, and fried to a calm crunch that respects the sweetness beneath. Grab a cold beer and dunk into house tartar, then chase with a hushpuppy.
You will hear stories at the bar about shrimp boats and high tides. Families share baskets, locals trade tips, and the staff keeps refills rolling without fuss. The vibe is Thunderbolt easy, all smiles and warm lighting.
Lines form nightly because consistency is king. Whether you add hot sauce or not, these shrimp sing. Sit back, exhale, and let the coastal rhythm steady your appetite.
Shellring Ale Works – Port Royal, South Carolina
Shellring Ale Works pairs a pint with a platter of fried shrimp that crunches like good conversation. The batter clings thin, letting the briny sweetness do the heavy lifting, while lemon wedges and house pickles brighten the edges. You will want a citrusy IPA to match the fryer’s heat.
Even though it is across the river in South Carolina, Lowcountry cravings do not observe borders. Picnic tables, string lights, and dock breezes make the wait glide by. The kitchen keeps sides classic, from salty fries to slaw with a gentle bite.
When the basket lands, steam curls up, inviting that first decisive squeeze of lemon. Sip, dip, repeat. It is simple, satisfying, and worth the drive.
LOVE’S SEAFOOD & STEAKS – Savannah, Georgia
LOVE’S serves fried shrimp with old school confidence, the kind that fills a platter and the room with aromas. The crust is golden, pepper flecked, and shatters lightly to reveal juicy sweetness. You will taste tradition in every dip of tartar and bite of buttery hushpuppy.
Savannah families have celebrated here for decades, and the staff keeps the rhythm smooth and friendly. Tables overflow with classics, from baked potatoes to slaw that balances richness with crunch. The marsh views glow at sunset like a promise kept.
People line up because the kitchen respects the shrimp. Nothing fancy, just precision and care. Come hungry, order the basket, and let the evening slow into comfort.
A-J’s Dockside Restaurant – Tybee Island, Georgia
At A-J’s Dockside, the marsh paints the mood while baskets of fried shrimp arrive piping hot. The batter is lightly salted and crisp, letting the shrimp stay plush and sweet inside. You will want to sit outside where herons stalk and boats nudge the pilings.
Order extra lemon and a side of fries that soak up every last drip of tartar. The staff moves with a practiced island calm, keeping refills coming as the sky turns cotton candy. Music hums, laughter carries, and the baskets never stop.
Lines are part of the sunset ritual here. When your turn comes, the first bite feels like vacation, no matter the day. Tybee makes it taste better.
Huc-a-Poos – Tybee Island, Georgia
Huc-a-Poos surprises folks who come for pizza and stay for the fried shrimp. The crust crunches loud, then melts into sweet, briny meat that begs for hot sauce. You will find lemon wedges, slaw, and fries crowding a tray that feels like a party.
Everything here is colorful, from the murals to the stories traded between sips. The line moves fast, and the team knows how to keep baskets flying without losing quality. Music bounces, and conversation spills out onto the deck.
This is a locals plus visitors hangout, easygoing and delightfully unpolished. Grab napkins, share bites, and let the night run long. The shrimp keep pace beautifully.
Skippers’ Fish Camp – Darien, Georgia
Skippers’ Fish Camp sits where shrimp boats rest, so freshness is spoken here. The fryer turns out baskets that are crisp but never heavy, with seasoning that nods to pepper and a whisper of garlic. You will want to sit on the deck and watch the river slide by.
Darien knows seafood, and this spot proves it daily. Sides arrive fast, drinks stay cold, and the staff keeps things moving without rush. The hushpuppies are fluffy inside and perfect for swiping the last crumbs.
Lines form as boats come home, a ritual as steady as the tide. One bite of those shrimp, and patience pays. It tastes like the river, only crunchier.
The Wyld – Savannah, Georgia
The Wyld feels like a secret that Savannah has agreed to share. Fried shrimp here is light, delicately seasoned, and paired with sauces that brighten rather than bury. You will sip a cocktail as the marsh shifts from green to gold, waiting for your name.
When the basket arrives, steam curls and the crust crackles. Fries keep their structure, lemon tastes sun-caught, and the slaw puts a clean crunch beside the richness. Staff glide, smiling, never hurried.
It is the kind of place where conversation deepens between bites. The line gives you time to breathe salt air and forget emails. Then the shrimp remind you why you came.
Oakie’s Deli and Delights – Tybee Island, Georgia
Oakie’s Deli and Delights keeps it cheerful and straightforward, which suits a fried shrimp craving perfectly. The batter is golden and thin, flecked with spice that nudges rather than shouts. You will find tartar on standby and lemon slices ready to brighten every bite.
Grab a seat by the window and watch sandy flip flops shuffle past. The team works fast, refilling drinks and swapping baskets with a sunny grin. Fries arrive hot, and the coleslaw balances crisp cabbage with a gentle tang.
Expect a line during beach rush hours, but do not worry. The reward is generous portions and dependable crunch. Tybee energy makes everything taste happier.
Sunbury Crab Company – Midway, Georgia
Sunbury Crab Company may be famous for crabs, but the fried shrimp demands equal attention. The crust gives a gentle crackle, sealing in sweet brininess that loves a lemon kiss. You will sit under live oaks, feeling the breeze tug at napkins as boats drift.
Everything moves at coastal tempo, unrushed and friendly. Sides stay classic, and cold beers sweat in the warm air. Staff share tips on tides and specials, easy and welcoming.
Lines coil along the dock on weekends, a sign that dinner will be memorable. When the basket lands, it promises comfort with every bite. This is Lowcountry relaxation, crisped and served hot.
B & J’s Steaks & Seafood – Darien, Georgia
B & J’s proves that Darien does everyday seafood better than most. The fried shrimp arrives with a thin, even crust that crunches once and gets out of the way. You will appreciate generous portions, hot fries, and slaw that stays bright.
It is family friendly, quick moving, and lined with folks who know what they are here for. Refills come fast, and the team keeps baskets steady across busy nights. The hushpuppies are tender and lightly sweet.
Expect a wait at peak hours, but turnover is smooth. The shrimp keep their snap even after a chat. Simple, satisfying, and exactly what a coastal craving needs.
The Crab Shack – Tybee Island, Georgia
The Crab Shack is a Tybee legend where seafood feasts spill across paper covered tables. Fried shrimp arrive fast, crunchy, and plentiful, ideal for sharing with a squeeze of lemon. You will drizzle hot sauce, pass baskets, and dip into zippy tartar between laughs.
The atmosphere is pure island carnival, gators nearby and string lights overhead. Staff hustle but never lose the smile, even when the line snakes long. Sides are classic, fries hot, and hushpuppies disappear quickly.
People travel for this mix of spectacle and comfort. When your basket hits the table, the night loosens immediately. It is messy, fun, and exactly the point.
Russo’s Seafood – Savannah, Georgia
Russo’s doubles as market and cafe, which means the shrimp starts fresh and stays honest. The fryer yields a delicate crust that highlights sweetness without grease. You will grab a counter seat, watch orders move, and taste Savannah’s seafood roots in every bite.
Menu boards change with the catch, but the fried shrimp basket holds steady. Fries stay crisp, lemon does its bright work, and the tartar keeps balance. Staff keep things efficient and kind.
Lines form because the value is clear and the quality consistent. Take a basket to go, or linger a minute and savor. Either way, the shrimp speaks for itself, perfectly crisp.