Six Amazing Restaurants in Isle of Palms, SC
The Isle of Palms, South Carolina, is among the most cherished beach retreats in the greater Charleston area. This Lowcountry barrier-isle haven, nestled within the long Atlantic necklace of the Sea Islands, which runs from South Carolina down through Georgia and into northeastern Florida, offers some six miles of plush surfside sands. Along with ready access to the Intracoastal Waterway, these are undoubtedly the main attractions.
But the definitive “IOP” experience also means combining all of that sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, boating, and sportfishing with some soul-nourishing eats and drinks, best enjoyed with an ocean or estuary view and maybe a little live tune-making, to boot.
When you’re kicking back in style at one of the outstanding local vacation rentals that our 100 Collection™partner Island Realty oversees, we definitely recommend checking out some of the following establishments, which we rank (in no particular order) among the very best Isle of Palms restaurants!
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
31 J.C. Long Blvd.
A fixture of the Isle of Palms dining scene, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen serves up daily breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with fast and friendly service and a dedication to providing the freshest local seafood as well as “turfier” eats. Start your day with a beignet, omelet, Eggs Benedict, or Biscuits & Gravy, make a midday stop for the Fried Haddock Sandwich or Scallops & Truffle Grits, or tuck into a dinner that might kick off with Fried Green Tomatoes or Gouda Grits Fries and culminate with Braised Short Ribs, Creole Seafood, Succotash, or Crab Cakes.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen takes ocean sustainability seriously, too: The eatery’s part of the James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Program and has been an official Smart Catch partner of the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston.
Long Island Cafe
1515 Palm Blvd. Ste. A
Another fine choice for seafood, Long Island Cafe has been doing its thing since 1986, thoughit’s changed ownership a few times all while retaining a strong focus on fresh, locally sourced bounty from the brine.
The expansive menu indeed features plenty of that: from the Traditional She Crab Soup, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, and Fried Flounder Sandwich to the Peel & Eat Shrimp, Grouper Bites, and Grilled Lobster Tails available on the “Isle of Palms Raw Menu.” But you can also nab yourself a burger or steak here, or fuel up with a Greek Omelette.
Just keep in mind this place can get pretty packed! (Although, of course, that's a good sign.)
The Longboard
2213-B Middle St. Sullivan’s Island, SC
The Longboard’s technically over on neighboring Sullivan’s Island, but that puts it mere minutes from Isle of Palms and, furthermore, this place is a favorite of Alex Stone, founder and CEO of Island Realty. This seafood-dominated establishment boasts one of the more unique culinary slants in the area: part of a small family of restaurants that includes two sister locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the original Longboard on Saint John, as well as The Easterly on Saint Thomas. The Longboard brings Caribbean stylings to the Lowcountry.
Indeed, there’s a genuinely global slant to the cuisine here, as evidenced by such plates as sushi wraps, poke, tacos, Local Fish Tostadas, Street Corn Salad, and Fresh Catch Ceviche.
Another highlight of The Longboard’s offerings? The Caribbean-inspired cocktails, definitely worth a try!
Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill
1120 Ocean Blvd.
Arguably the biggest draw at Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill is the ambience. This casual eatery sits right on the beach, serving up lovely ocean views, and the vibe is very much of the laidback, fun-focused, and family-friendly variety. Established in 1997, Coconut Joe’s offers inside seating, a covered outdoor deck, and perhaps most enticing of all, Tequila Ted’s Rooftop Bar, which combines the Atlantic vistas with live seasonal music.
Out front, meanwhile, Island Joe’s serves up street-side coffee, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, and more.
The main Coconut Joe’s menu, which straddles breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is a crowd-pleasing, beach-shack/pub-grub spread: everything from Grouper Bites, Coconut Shrimp, and Crab Dip to Jerk Chicken Tacos and various steakburgers. The adult beverages here, needless to say, also have a dedicated following.
The Windjammer
1008 Ocean Blvd.
Another popular option for oceanside good times, The Windjammer is Island Realty’s Alex Stone’s go-to Isle of Palms watering hole. An institution and locals’ hangout since 1972, this beachfront div ”Always a Jam Good Time,” as the tagline says, offers indoor and outdoor bars as well as regular live music, including outside against an ocean backdrop.
Many come here just for drinks, tunes, and atmosphere, but there’s a decently wide-ranging bar-eats menu on offer: from appetizers such as wings, Red Chili Poppers, and chicken tenders to burgers, sandwiches, peel-and-eat shrimp, and fish-and-chips.
Papi’s Taqueria
1012 Ocean Blvd.
Another of the top-rated restaurants in Isle of Palms, Papi’s Taqueria consistently hits the spot with its thoughtful, down-home and very generously portioned Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes. The stars among them are some absolutely topnotch Lowcountry tacos: from fish and shrimp to carnitas and beef. The nachos alone are showstoppers as well.
Other menu highlights include the Mexican Street Corn, the Mexican Sushi Burrito Roll, the tortas, and the Mexican Cuban Sandwich along with some of the finest margaritas to be found in Isle of Palms!
You can enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating at Papi’s, including a rooftop bar delivering ravishing looks out over the ocean.
Relish Topnotch Dining on an Isle of Palms Getaway With The 100 Collection™
You’ll find some of the finest coastal eateries in SC at your disposal on a getaway to Isle of Palms and the best-curated vacation rentals around thanks to our local 100 Collection™ partner: family-run Island Realty.
From private pools to ocean vistas, these luxurious homes which include Ocean Point 46, Port O Call A101, and Fishers Alley 2 come well-accounted indeed and boast prime locations within striking distance of the IOP beachfront.In other words, they hit all of the high standards of quality we specialize in here at The 100 Collection™.
We therefore couldn't be prouder to collaborate with Alex and his team to make your Sea Islands escape in the South Carolina Lowcountry an unforgettable one.
Explore the full Island Realty collection of Isle of Palms vacation rentals right here!
