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Dining on the Isle of Palms A Complete Guide to Every Restaurant on IOP, SC Updated March 2026 |
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Six miles of pristine Atlantic shoreline, a laid-back island vibe, and easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Isle of Palms, South Carolina has long been one of the Lowcountry's most beloved barrier island retreats. But IOP is not just a beach destination. It is a dining destination, too. From old-school breakfast joints to upscale Italian seafood, from beachfront rum shacks to nationally recognized sustainable kitchens, the dining scene on this small sea island punches well above its weight. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning local, here is your complete guide to every restaurant on Isle of Palms.
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Breakfast & Brunch Start your beach day right. IOP's morning dining scene ranges from a beloved cash-only cafe to a full-service brunch destination. |
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Address: 21 J.C. Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-4079 Website: seabiscuitcafeiop.com Meals Served: Breakfast & Lunch Cash and checks only. No credit cards. A true IOP institution, Sea Biscuit Cafe is the kind of bright, cozy, nautical-touched spot that locals have been returning to for decades. The menu is refreshingly simple: classic homestyle breakfast and lunch done with care and consistency. Think fluffy omelets, hearty biscuit plates, and comforting lunch staples. Don't let the no-credit-card policy catch you off guard. Stop by the ATM before you go. The wait is almost always worth it. |
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Address: 31 J.C. Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-0024 Website: acmelowcountrykitchen.com Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is one of the most beloved all-day dining destinations on the island. Morning options include beignets, Eggs Benedict, and biscuits and gravy, while lunch brings standouts like the Fried Haddock Sandwich and Scallops & Truffle Grits. Dinners lean into Lowcountry tradition with Fried Green Tomatoes, Braised Short Ribs, Crab Cakes, and Creole Seafood. Acme is a proud member of the James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch Program and a partner of the South Carolina Aquarium, reflecting a deep commitment to sustainable seafood sourcing. |
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Address: 1517 Palm Blvd A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 242-8934 Website: therefugeiop.com Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner | Weekend Brunch Menu Available The Refuge is a family-owned gem that doubles as both a coffee bar and a full-service restaurant. Start your morning with fresh bagels, pastries, and locally roasted coffee, or settle into the dining room for heartier fare. Weekend brunch is a highlight, featuring creative dishes like baked avocado and egg alongside stacks of buttermilk pancakes. With a modern coastal aesthetic and an upscale feel that never turns stuffy, The Refuge is one of the most versatile spots on the island, open from 7 AM to 10 PM. |
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Address: 1515 Palm Blvd, Suite 110, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 242-8366 Website: thecoopsi.com/location/isle-of-palms Meals Served: Breakfast & Lunch | Mon-Thu 8am-4pm, Fri-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-6pm The Co-OP is a beloved island cafe serving gourmet sandwiches, $1 coffee, and their world-famous frose (frozen rose). Tucked into the Harris Teeter shopping center right next to The Refuge, the IOP location is one of several across the Charleston area. The breakfast menu includes whipped ricotta toast, breakfast burritos, and avocado toast, while lunch brings creative sandwiches, salads, and a flight of rotating frose flavors. There are even smoothies and a kid-friendly menu for the little ones. |
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Beachfront & Casual Dining When you want your feet in the sand and a cold drink in hand, these IOP spots deliver laid-back beachfront fare with ocean views to match. |
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Address: 1120 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-0046 Website: https://www.coconutjoesbeachgrill.com/isle-of-palms Meals Served: Brunch (Sat), Lunch & Dinner | Seasonal Coconut Joe's is the quintessential IOP beachfront experience. Perched right on the oceanfront with a covered deck facing the Atlantic and a rooftop that hosts live music, this is the kind of place that makes a beach vacation feel complete. The menu is casual and crowd-pleasing: seafood baskets, sandwiches, tropical cocktails, and cold beers. The rooftop is especially popular with families and groups, making it a lively gathering spot on warm evenings. |
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Smugglers Island Eats & Rum Shack Address: 1122 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 885-7009 Website: smugglersiop.com Meals Served: Lunch & Dinner | Daily 11am-11pm Opened in June 2021, Smugglers Island Eats & Rum Shack has quickly become one of the liveliest spots on Front Beach. The concept is simple: unique rum cocktails and seriously good food in a chill, open-air beach shack setting with live music. The signature Smugglers Smashburger, stacked with pickles and their house sauce, has earned serious fans. The rum daiquiris, dark and stormys, and tropical frozen drinks are equally popular. Indoor and outdoor seating, live music on weekends, and a true island atmosphere make this a must-stop on any IOP visit. |
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Address: 1130 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 242-8470 Website: lawrencesseafood.com Meals Served: Lunch & Dinner Mon-Fri, Brunch & Dinner Sat-Sun | Brunch Sat-Sun 10am-3pm Lawrence's Seafood Company is a beachfront gem located right on Ocean Blvd, offering fresh, coastal-inspired seafood with stunning ocean views and live music. Top sellers include the double smash burger, a generously-portioned lobster roll, and the signature lobster mac and cheese. The weekend brunch menu is a standout, featuring creative dishes like the island omelet loaded with grilled shrimp and the Lawrence's breakfast sandwich piled high with lobster and shrimp. With an outdoor patio and deck steps from the water, Lawrence's brings together great food, great service, and great beach vibes. |
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Address: Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Website: longislandcafesc.com/ Meals Served: Lunch & Dinner IOP Raw is the island's go-to spot for fresh raw bar fare. Expect classic raw bar offerings including peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters, and other straight-from-the-coast shellfish alongside casual seafood plates. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal: beach dining at its most elemental, focused squarely on fresh, local seafood. |
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Address: 8 J.C. Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 242-8310 Website: dinghyiop.com Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night | Mon-Thu 11:30am-1am, Fri-Sun 11:30am-1:30am The Dinghy is one of IOP's most beloved local hangouts: a taproom and kitchen with a laid-back Key West vibe, a short walk from the beach. Born from the creative vision of Windjammer owner Malcolm Burgis, The Dinghy occupies a historic building that has served as a post office, art store, and surf shop before settling into its current life as a neighborhood bar. Twelve beers on draft, live music on weekends, oyster roasts every Thursday from November through March, giant Jenga on the patio, and a full menu featuring crowd favorites like the Dirty Elvis Fries (sweet potato fries topped with peanut butter, bacon, and fried plantains) and tender alligator bites. The Dinghy is also dog-friendly on the patio, making it a great stop for four-legged visitors. |
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Seafood & Waterfront Dining IOP's prime location on the South Carolina coast means fresh seafood is never far away. These restaurants showcase the Lowcountry's best ocean-to-table and waterfront traditions. |
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Address: 1515 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-8809 Website: longislandcafesc.com Meals Served: Lunch, Sunday Brunch & Dinner A mainstay of Isle of Palms and the greater Charleston dining community since 1986, Long Island Cafe has earned its place as a beloved local institution. The menu features an extensive array of fresh, locally sourced seafood: from Traditional She Crab Soup and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes to Fried Flounder Sandwich and Grilled Lobster Tails. A new Raw Bar has only added to its appeal. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer weekends. |
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Islander 71 Fish House & Raw Bar Address: 80 41st Ave, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (877) 420-9558 Website: islander71.com Meals Served: Lunch & Dinner | Wed-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-9pm | Closed Mon-Tue Voted Best Waterfront Restaurant in the Charleston area for 2024, Islander 71 is nestled along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway beside the IOP Marina. The concept is a loving nod to the easygoing beach life of the Isle of Palms in the 1970s, when afternoons were spent crabbing on the dock and dinners were languid gatherings of friends and family. The chef-driven menu brings together fresh Southern-inspired seafood, a raw bar, and handcrafted cocktails designed for long, leisurely evenings. Highlights include She Crab Fries, Baked Crab Dip, Ahi Tuna Bruschetta, Shrimp and Pimento Cheese Grits, and an all-you-can-eat oyster option during special events. The turf area for kids and marina views make this a great family destination, too.
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Address: 101 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-8000 Website: boathouserestaurants.com Meals Served: Dinner & Sunday Brunch Perched at the dramatic waterway where the Intracoastal meets the Atlantic, The Boathouse at Breach Inlet offers one of the most spectacular dining settings in the Charleston area. The menu is rooted in fresh Southern seafood, drawing from family recipes and the modern locavore movement. The rooftop bar is a must for sunset cocktails before dinner. This location also carries a rich piece of history: Breach Inlet was the launching point of the H.L. Hunley, the world's first combat submarine. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Address: 50 41st Ave, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-0209 Website: theoutpostiop.com Meals Served: Breakfast & Lunch | Daily 7am-6pm The Outpost is the store and deli at the Isle of Palms Marina, and it is one of the island's best-kept secrets. Situated directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with views of boats, palm trees, and Morgan Creek, it offers a breakfast and lunch menu that far exceeds what you might expect from a marina shop. Specialty coffees, classic breakfast sandwiches, the GOAT breakfast bowl, and avocado toast draw the morning crowd, while lunch brings rotating daily specials, fish tacos, Fried Flounder Sandwiches, and the IOP Shrimp Roll. Quick service, kid-friendly vibes, free short-term parking, and a thoughtfully curated shop stocked with local brands make The Outpost well worth the trip.
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Live Music & Bar DiningIOP's bar scene is defined by live music, beach vibes, and cold drinks served steps from the ocean. |
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Address: 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 886-8596 Website: the-windjammer.com Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night | Daily 11:30am-2am Founded by the Burgis brothers in 1972, The Windjammer is Charleston's premier live music beach venue and the beating heart of Isle of Palms nightlife. For over 50 years, it has hosted everything from local cover bands to nationally known artists, all with an outdoor deck overlooking the Atlantic and a beach volleyball court out back. The food menu is classic bar fare done well: buffalo wings, cheeseburgers, fish and chips, peel-and-eat shrimp, and Alaskan snow crab legs. The Windjammer is 21 and up during shows (with a parent present otherwise), and if you are staying on IOP for any stretch of time, a night at the Windjammer is simply non-negotiable.
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Fine Dining & Upscale When the occasion calls for something more elevated, Isle of Palms delivers with two standout restaurants that pair upscale cuisine with striking coastal settings. |
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Coda del Pesce Address: 1130 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone: (843) 242-8570 Website: <a href="https://codadelpesc |