Long before anyone posted a burger photo online, South Carolina families already had their favorite small-town tables. Pimento cheese has been a Southern fridge staple for generations, and somewhere along the way it landed on top of a hot burger patty and never left.
The seven spots below sit in beach colonies, foothill towns, and historic waterfronts across the state. Each one serves a pimento cheese burger worth the drive, plus a cold one to go with it.
1. Pawleys Island Tavern, Pawleys Island, SC
Pawleys Island has an incorporated population of only about 100 residents, yet its tavern draws a crowd like a much bigger town. Pawleys Island Tavern sits at 10635 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585, right in the relaxed, historic beach-colony stretch of the South Carolina coast.
The room is packed with tchotchkes, and the walls look like decades of collecting finally ran out of space. Live blues music fills the calendar, which gives the place a down-home party feel.
The burger menu is where things get serious. One signature build stacks pimento cheese, jalapeños, bacon, slaw, and an egg on a single patty, and picking it up with two hands is basically optional.
A blue cheese burger rounds out the lineup for anyone who wants a different kind of cheesy.
A great beer selection, cocktails, and happy hour deals keep the bar busy. The kitchen also serves late-night food, which matters when the doors stay open until 2 AM.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM, with Sunday and Monday closed. Reservations are not accepted, parking is free, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating.
Friday and Saturday nights bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the calm play.
2. The Hare and Hound, Landrum, SC
Some burgers earn a nickname, and in Landrum the pimento cheese burger at The Hare and Hound is the one people bring up first. It comes with plenty of melty cheese and bacon, plus a side of well-cooked fries.
The pub fills a vintage brick building at 101 E Rutherford St in this Upstate foothill community of about 2,500 residents. Wood accents run through the interior, and a patio and balcony give outdoor options when the weather cooperates.
The menu leans eclectic American with a British pub streak. Guinness Beef Pie and fish and chips share space with the Carolina burger, an Angus burger, and a plant-based pimento cheese burger.
Portions are generous, and full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody at the table gets left out.
Behind the bar, a great beer selection, a solid wine list, and cocktails cover every preference. Sports on the screens and occasional live music add to the energy.
It is open seven days a week, with Sunday brunch starting at 10:30 AM. Reservations are accepted, and a wait is common on weekend evenings.
Families, groups, and dogs are all welcome here.
3. Poe’s Tavern, Sullivan’s Island, SC
Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island in the 1820s, and the island never forgot him. Poe’s Tavern turns that history into a whole personality, with decor devoted to the author and burgers named after his stories.
Find it at 2210 Middle St in this historic barrier island town of roughly 2,200 residents.
The Black Cat burger is the headliner. It arrives with bacon, pimento cheese, chili, and grilled onions, and the patty can be beef, chicken, or veggie.
The Gold Bug Plus with pimento cheese is the dependable regular order for plenty of island loyalists.
A great beer selection and happy hour drinks keep the bar moving, and a fireplace makes cooler months cozy. Kids have their own menu, and dogs are welcome both inside and out.
Doors open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM. Saturday afternoons get crowded and parking can be tight, so arriving early helps.
Reservations are accepted, which beats waiting nevermore.
4. Tavern In Surfside, Myrtle Beach, SC
Here is a menu that refuses to pick a lane. Tavern In Surfside serves American bar fare alongside Indian dishes, so a pimento bacon cheeseburger and a curry can land on the same table.
The restaurant sits at 8739 US Highway 17 Bypass South, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575, serving the small seaside community of Surfside Beach, home to around 4,000 residents.
The pimento bacon cheeseburger is the reason it earns a spot on this list. It keeps things classic while the rest of the menu wanders off in delicious directions.
A great beer selection and cocktails come from the onsite bar, and sports on the screens make it a good game-day stop. Dessert is a highlight too.
Hours are 11 AM to 9:30 PM every day except Tuesday. Wednesday evening tends to be the busiest stretch.
Reservations are accepted, parking is easy, and there is a kids’ menu for younger diners.
5. Chicora Alley Fire House Travelers Rest, Travelers Rest, SC
Cold beer is right there in the reputation at Chicora Alley Fire House. Quick bites, friendly service, and a frosty glass are exactly what this Travelers Rest stop does well.
The address is 117 N Poinsett Hwy in a scenic foothill town of about 7,500 people with a walkable main-street feel.
The kitchen blends island-inspired flavors with Southern cooking, and crab cakes are a known specialty. Still, the pimento cheeseburger holds its own as a fan favorite.
A separate bakery inside offers treats for anyone saving room.
The patio is a big draw, and live music adds to the easygoing vibe. Full vegan and vegetarian menus, changing tables, and a kids’ menu make it simple for families.
It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with Monday closed. Evenings get busiest, so a weekday afternoon visit is the relaxed option.
Reservations are accepted, and dogs are welcome.
6. Whistle Stop at The American Cafe, Travelers Rest, SC
Back in the 1950s, travelers heading toward Charleston or Savannah paused at this spot, and the name still nods to that history. Whistle Stop at The American Cafe sits at 109 S Main St, just down the road from the previous entry.
The big upgrade is height. A rooftop deck lets diners eat above Main Street, while a fireplace inside handles cooler days.
Holiday decorations get serious attention here too.
The bacon burger with pimento cheese is a solid Southern classic. Fried pickles and the South’s Best Fried Green Tomatoes make strong starters, and a black bean burger wins over even devoted meat eaters.
The bar offers a great beer selection, cocktails, and happy hour specials. Live music and performances fill some evenings.
It is open every day, with shorter Sunday hours ending at 3 PM. Saturday afternoon is the busy window.
Parking is free and plentiful, and reservations are accepted.
7. Plums Restaurant, Beaufort, SC
Beaufort regulars have a simple rule when they come to town, and it usually ends at Plums. This casual spot at 904 Bay St anchors the compact historic waterfront of a coastal town of about 13,000 residents.
The smash burger with pimento cheese is the one to order, especially with fried pickles and fries on the side. The kitchen also turns out a grilled turkey sandwich with pimento cheese and tomato, plus a local shrimp po’boy on excellent bread.
A great beer selection, wine list, and cocktails come from the bar. Some nights the room turns into a live music venue.
Current hours run daily from 11 AM to 4 PM, which makes it a perfect lunch stop. Weekend and Thursday afternoons get the busiest.
Parking is paid, and dogs are welcome inside and out.
Seven towns, seven burgers, and one shared Southern habit. Grandma and Grandpa would approve of every stop.
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