Shrimp and grits started as a simple fisherman’s breakfast along the South Carolina coast. Today it is the dish that locals argue about, travelers plan trips around, and chefs love to reinvent.
Some kitchens keep it classic, while others add scallops, sausage, pimento cheese, or even a fried grits patty. The seven spots below stretch from the mountains of Greenville to the marshes of St Helena Island, and each one earns its place on the map for a different reason.
Fill up the tank, because these bowls are worth every mile.
1. Magnolias, Charleston, SC
Some restaurants follow Charleston traditions, and a few help shape them. Magnolias sits at 185 E Bay St #200, Charleston, SC 29401, right in the heart of the historic downtown district.
The menu gives shrimp and grits two starring roles. The classic Shrimp and Grits keeps things simple, while the Shellfish over Grits adds scallops to the bowl for anyone who wants a little extra from the sea.
A spicy shrimp and sausage version also shows up as an appetizer. It is hearty enough that many people treat it as a full meal.
The dining room feels historic, upscale, and romantic, which makes it a natural pick for date nights and special trips. Fried green tomatoes and buttermilk fried chicken round out a menu built on refined Lowcountry cooking.
Plan ahead here. Reservations are recommended for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and weekday evenings plus Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the busiest.
Dinner runs from 4 PM until 9 PM most nights, stretching to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Paid lots and street parking are nearby, so leave a few extra minutes to find a spot before your table is ready.
2. Sassafras Southern Bistro, Greenville, SC
Who says you need an ocean view to find great shrimp and grits? Up in the Upstate, Sassafras Southern Bistro at 103 N Main St #107 in Greenville proves the dish travels well.
Exposed brick and wine displays give the room a warm, upscale bistro look. It still stays quiet and cozy enough for easy conversation.
The shrimp and grits here come in generous, well-seasoned portions. Even diners trying the dish for the very first time tend to leave converted.
Grits also appear in other creative ways on the menu. Blackened salmon arrives with blue crab, and tuna comes with wasabi and grits for a fun twist.
The Sassafras Seafood Trio pairs catfish, scallops, and shrimp for anyone who cannot pick just one. Save space for beignets or crème brûlée at the end.
This is strictly a dinner stop. Doors open at 5 PM Monday through Thursday and at 4:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and the bistro closes on Sundays.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. Parking is usually easy to find downtown, with free and paid options close by.
3. Blue Marlin, Columbia, SC
The capital city has its own claim to fame when it comes to Lowcountry cooking. Blue Marlin, at 1200 Lincoln St in Columbia, puts the word “Famous” right in front of its Shrimp and Grits on the menu.
That is a bold move, and the kitchen backs it up. The restaurant focuses on classic Southern seafood with locally sourced, sustainable fish.
The building itself adds to the experience. It has a historic feel inside, and a large outdoor seating area gives diners room to spread out on nice evenings.
Beyond the signature bowl, the menu leans coastal. Charleston crab cakes, pecan dusted calamari, and a fried seafood platter all make strong companions, and key lime pie closes things out.
Dinner starts at 4:30 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on Saturdays, running until 10 PM. Sunday brunch fills up fast, and Friday and Saturday nights usually come with a wait.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Free and paid parking options nearby make this an easy stop for anyone passing through the middle of the state.
4. Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks, Hilton Head Island, SC
Back in 1912, this building was a working seafood factory. Part of it still processes fish today, which tells you just how close to the source dinner gets at Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks, 1 Hudson Rd, Hilton Head Island.
Dockside seating puts the water right beside your table. The rustic-chic space mixes coastal history with a relaxed, family-friendly mood.
The shrimp and grits here come loaded. Blackened shrimp sit over smooth grits with collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn relish, and scallions, turning one bowl into a full Lowcountry plate.
Portions are big enough to call for a slow walk afterward. The sauce and the quality of the shrimp are the parts people remember most.
She crab soup, raw oysters, and a Lowcountry boil make great additions for a table that likes to share. Live music also adds to the island atmosphere on some nights.
Hudson’s does not take reservations, so expect a wait during evening hours. Arriving earlier in the day helps, since mornings and lunch tend to be calmer.
The kitchen serves daily until 9 PM, opening at 10 AM on Sundays for brunch.
5. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen, Murrells Inlet, SC
History runs deep at this spot. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen is known as the oldest restaurant in Murrells Inlet proper, and it still sits on the main drag at 4460 US-17 BUS.
The mood is casual and cozy, with a fireplace and a friendly, family-first spirit. Kid and senior menus make it easy to bring everyone along.
Shrimp & Grits holds a spot on the menu, but the grilled shrimp and scallops over pimento cheese grits might steal the spotlight. That cheesy twist gives this stop its own identity on the list.
The Grand Strand loves its fried seafood, and Lee’s delivers there too. Hushpuppies, the famous onion rings, and fried and broiled seafood platters all have loyal fans.
Finish with cobbler if you can. It is a classic ending to a classic coastal dinner.
Hours are simple: 4:30 PM to 9 PM, Monday through Saturday, with Sundays off. Friday evenings get the busiest, so a reservation helps.
Free on-site parking is usually plentiful, which is a welcome break during beach season.
6. Foolish Frog, St Helena Island, SC
Out on the sea islands, the marsh does a lot of the decorating. Foolish Frog, at 846 Sea Island Pkwy on St Helena Island, offers a patio and deck with wide views of the salt marshes and some memorable sunsets.
The vibe is laid-back and easygoing. Live music, a casual crowd, and dogs welcome outside keep things relaxed.
Shrimp and grits here comes saucy and paired with a fried grits patty, which adds a crunchy spin to the usual bowl. The grits themselves are known for being especially creamy.
Fans of bold starters should look for the seafood yum yum ya ya. It stacks crawfish, andouille sausage, shrimp, and garlic on a fried grits patty.
Crab cakes, fish tacos, gumbo, and the Frogmore Pot fill out a menu rooted in island seafood. The frogmore burger is a hit with younger diners.
Plan around the schedule, since the restaurant closes Monday and Tuesday. It opens at 11 AM the rest of the week, serving until 9 PM Wednesday through Saturday and 8 PM on Sunday.
Aim for a table before sunset for the best view of the marsh.
7. Grace & Grit, Mt Pleasant, SC
With “Grit” right in the name, you can guess where the focus lands. Grace & Grit, at 320 Wingo Way #100 in Mt Pleasant, treats grits as the main event rather than a side.
The Grits Flight is the fun part. It lets diners sample several creatively flavored versions in one sitting.
Two shrimp and grits dishes share the menu: Sea Island Shrimp & Grits and Local Shrimp & Grits. Both lean on area-sourced seafood, and the grits come out creamy with well-cooked shrimp.
Other plates keep the theme going in clever ways. Blackened salmon pairs with fried oysters and spinach grits, and pan-roasted shrimp comes with pickled black-eyed peas.
The room is stylish and a little jazzy, making it a favorite for date nights. Families and groups fit in easily too.
Dinner starts at 5 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and weekend brunch brings biscuits, gravy, and a mostly traditional Benedict. The restaurant closes Monday and Tuesday.
Reservations are recommended, especially for Sunday brunch. It is a fitting final stop, since this kitchen shows just how far a humble bowl of grits can go.
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