Road tripping through South Carolina with a fork in hand felt like a delicious treasure hunt. Shrimp and grits changed shape from town to town, turning familiar comfort into fresh surprises. You will taste smoke, tang, and cream in every stop, and a few bowls might just hug your soul. Come hungry, because three plates rise to pure comfort you will dream about later.
Red’s Ice House – Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
Red’s sits right on the creek, where shrimp boats bob and pelicans glide like regulars. The plate lands with creamy stone ground grits, thick enough to cradle juicy local shrimp. Bacon adds a smoky snap, while scallions bring a bright pop that cuts through the richness.
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You get that briny whisper from the marsh, the kind you only taste this close to the water. Butter slicks the spoon, and a hint of lemon keeps things lively. If you love unfussy seafood in a breezy setting, this bowl feels like vacation in every bite.
Grab a seat outside, watch the sunset smear orange, and let the tide set the pace. Comfort comes easy here.
Husk – Charleston, South Carolina
Husk treats shrimp and grits like a love letter to Southern history. The grits are milled from heirloom corn, earthy and deeply corny, not shy about character. Tasso ham gravy wraps everything in smoky warmth, while charred scallions add lift and gentle bite.
The shrimp snap with pristine freshness, seasoned assertively but never loud. You taste restraint and intention in every element, a careful balance of salt, sweetness, and heat. The bowl feels elevated without losing its porch swing soul.
Service guides you like a neighbor who knows the back roads. If you crave craft and comfort in one spoonful, this is a must. Expect to leave planning your next reservation.
Tavern & Table – Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
Tavern & Table leans modern coastal, and the shrimp and grits follow suit with playful polish. A tomato bacon jam streaks sweet and smoky across creamy grits. Each shrimp is seared to a gentle char, bringing a satisfying snap and caramelized edges.
There is balance here: richness from butter and cheese, brightness from that jam, and a peppery finish. The texture stays velvety without turning gluey, a small miracle on busy nights. You will keep chasing that contrast bite after bite.
Water views add a soft soundtrack of clinking masts. Settle in, sip something crisp, and let the plate do the talking. It is comfort with a wink and good lighting.
Poogan’s Porch – Charleston, South Carolina
Poogan’s Porch pours hospitality like sweet tea, and the shrimp and grits arrive ready to soothe. Creamy grits lay a soft bed for shrimp and smoky sausage. Bell peppers and onions slide in with sweetness, playing counterpoint to a peppery gravy.
The bowl recalls Sunday suppers where conversation lingers. You get depth from browned bits, a gentle heat that warms without overwhelming. Each spoonful feels honest, like a recipe passed down and polished by time.
On the porch, the city hums while you slow down. Ask for extra gravy if you love a saucy scene. It is the kind of comfort that makes you call friends and say, you need this.
Page’s Okra Grill – Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
Page’s Okra Grill serves portions that do not apologize. The shrimp and grits come heaped, smothered in a creamy andouille sauce that packs smoky punch. Cheddar grits bring a lux thickness, the kind that clings to your spoon in the best way.
There is heat, but it is friendly, coaxed from sausage and pepper rather than shock. The shrimp keep their bounce, never lost in the richness. You will want biscuits on standby to chase every last drop.
This is stick to your ribs comfort, fueled by a lively dining room that hums with locals. Come hungry and pace yourself. It is a hug disguised as dinner, reliably satisfying and easy to love.
The Glass Onion – Charleston, South Carolina
The Glass Onion keeps things seasonal and soulful. Their shrimp and grits swim in a tomato kissed gravy, layered with shrimp stock and smoky bacon. Okra adds a silky pop, lending that unmistakable Lowcountry accent.
The grits are stone ground, tender and toothsome, holding their own against the saucy tide. You taste patience in the simmer, a careful coaxing of sweetness from tomatoes and onions. The dish reads homey but thoughtful, like a favorite record you never outgrow.
Staff steer you toward a smart pairing, maybe something crisp and mineral. It turns spoonfuls into a full conversation. By the last bite, comfort settles in your shoulders, exactly where you want it.
Wreck of the Richard & Charlene – Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
At the Wreck, atmosphere is half the seasoning. You sit beside the marsh, salt in the air, and dig into shrimp and grits that taste like working water. The gravy runs brown and savory, with peppers and onions cooked down to sweet softness.
Grits arrive sturdy and warm, perfect for catching drips. The shrimp are fresh and plentiful, not fussed over, just right. You can hear laughter bounce off the wood as boats slide past.
This is dockside comfort, messy in the good way. Bring napkins, bring stories, bring time. When you leave, the smell of tide clings to your sweater and the memory lingers just as long.
Virginia’s On King – Charleston, South Carolina
Virginia’s On King feels like a grandmother’s table dressed for downtown. The shrimp and grits lean classic: creamy base, buttery pan sauce, ribbons of country ham. Chives brighten the top like confetti, keeping things lively without stealing the show.
The shrimp are tender and seasoned with a gentle hand. You taste restraint and a respect for texture, never overworked. It is the kind of bowl that invites a deep breath and slower conversation.
King Street buzzes outside, but your seat becomes a quiet pocket of comfort. Add a biscuit for sopping and call it therapy. You will leave feeling steadier, like someone ironed the day smooth for you.
Early Bird Diner – Charleston, South Carolina
Early Bird Diner brings a playful wink to comfort fare. The shrimp and grits arrive with a creamy, peppery sausage gravy and often a fried green tomato riding shotgun. Grits come plush and buttery, ready to mingle with that crunchy tang.
It is a breakfast to dinner kind of bowl, equally happy at 8 am or 8 pm. The shrimp stay springy, soaking up just enough sauce to sing. Expect friendly chatter and mugs that never hit empty.
If you chase cozy mornings, this is your refuge. You will scrape the bowl clean without thinking. Some days ask for fireworks, but this plate gives you a soft blanket and a smile.
Bowens Island Restaurant – Charleston, South Carolina
Bowens Island is a ramshackle beauty, the kind of place where sunset steals your words. Shrimp and grits come with a smoky, shell enriched gravy that tastes like the dock at low tide. A squeeze of charred lemon wakes the whole bowl up.
The grits keep their grain, cozy but not heavy, letting sauce do the heavy lifting. You can hear gulls and laughter threading through the breeze. It is simple food with a view that turns you quiet.
Bring a light sweater and time to stare at the horizon. Comfort sneaks in while you watch the marsh breathe. This might be the plate you remember on rainy days.
Magnolias – Charleston, South Carolina
Magnolias sets a polished stage and serves shrimp and grits with graceful confidence. White cheddar grits anchor the dish with creamy depth and a clean finish. Tasso ham cream adds smoky swagger, while scallion butter slides in bright and silky.
The shrimp are perfectly cooked, tender and sweet, catching flecks of pepper and herbs. Every bite feels composed, like a favorite song played live. You taste comfort filtered through fine dining, never stiff, always warm.
Service anticipates what you need before you ask. Pair it with a crisp white and linger. When comfort wears pearls, it tastes like this, and you will think about returning before dessert lands.
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