Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Since the weather is incredibly warm, we want to help you get out there and take advantage of all that the Lowcountry has to offer! We offer guided tours of the beautiful Lowcountry by kayak, paddleboard, ferry, boat, and private charter. We also have hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, and camping. Anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. In our last post, we discussed some of the best places to get dinner before or after a guided tour in Isle Of Palms. Today, we’ll be talking about our favorite places to grab a bite to eat before or after a tour in St. Phillips Island and Beaufort! We host a handful of guided eco-tours in this area, including day trips and tours that only last a few hours. What better way to explore the Lowcountry than to experience the unique cuisine as well? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in the area that you should check out when you come on a tour with one of our naturalist guides!
Saint Phillips Island is an undeveloped island off the coast of Beaufort, near Hilton Head. It’s a great spot for nature lovers, as it provides a habitat for wildlife such as alligators, sea turtles, bobcats, bald eagles, and more! Beaufort is a city on Port Royal Island, which is one of the Lowcountry’s coastal Sea Islands. It is known for its rich history and scenic beauty. Coastal Expeditions offers cruises and tours dedicated to dolphin watching, learning about the history of the area, birding, and adventure!
You can’t go home without grabbing some local cuisine, so we’ve compiled a list of recommendations for your dinner plans!
If you’re on the hunt for southern delicacies or gourmet dining, Breakwater Restaurant serves up some of the best seafood in the area. They specialize in serving bold, southern, and global flavors with a diverse menu. Start with fried oysters, ceviche, or crab fritters for the table, then choose from entrees such as braised short ribs, sauteed local shrimp and scallops, or a grilled filet. They also have a vast selection of wine and specialty drinks and a spacious dining room, making it great for a date night!
If you’re looking for something more laid back and casual, stop by The Fillin’ Station for great views, drinks, and food. This place is known as Beaufort’s five star dive bar, serving up burgers, hot dogs, tacos, chicken sandwiches, and more! Stop by in the evenings to hear some live music while you dine. They also serve waterfront brunch on weekends, so if you’re in the mood for eggs and mimosas, you may want to check this place out.
Located on Factory Creek, this casual establishment offers waterfront dining and boasts an innovative menu with fresh ingredients. They are known for their She Crab Soup, New England-style clam chowder, and a great selection of seafood. Start with coconut fried shrimp, hushpuppies, or jalapeno stuffed shrimp, then move on to southern-style seafood, featuring fresh seafood, lightly battered with a seasoned breading. If you’re not a seafood lover, don’t worry– The menu also features ribeye steak, honey bourbon chicken, and salads. Indulge in the wonderful tastes of the Lowcountry while observing the beautiful views of the water and boats!
In the mood for mouth-watering barbeque? Q On Bay is a local favorite, known for its smoked, award-winning BBQ and friendly staff. With high-quality, local ingredients, their menu features sliders, tacos, wings, ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. If you’re a fan of the crispy ends of a smoked brisket, you can get it as an appetizer. Yeah, you read that right. They also have delicious, homemade sides such as mac ‘n cheese, coleslaw, grits, and collard greens. Yum!
Plums Restaurant has been a staple in the Beaufort community since 1986, thanks to its local ingredients and sustainable, delicious food. They combine coastal cuisine with classic fare in a casual, Lowcountry atmosphere. Plums has an outdoor patio overlooking the Beaufort River so you can enjoy the views as you dine on their specialty Lowcountry gumbo, shrimp and grits, and po-boys. This is a great place to dine before or after our Beaufort Sunset Cruise– The departure location is located on the same street!
If you’re looking for a good spot for breakfast or lunch before one of our guided tours, we recommend checking out Blackstone’s Cafe! It has been a local staple since 1991, serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. Blackstone’s is the place where locals come to eat and chat and tourists come to grab a bite before exploring what the Lowcountry has to offer. This cafe offers a casual, informal atmosphere with dining options downstairs, upstairs, or on a pet-friendly patio. Choose from specialties like Cajun shrimp and grits or corned beef hash brisket, or the classics like pancakes or French toast. You can also opt for fresh, bakery items like bagels, croissants, and muffins. For lunch, enjoy a tuna melt, burger, Philly cheesesteak, or a selection of soups and salads. Fill up and then come see us for a guided tour!
Another great spot for breakfast or lunch, you can’t miss out on a visit to the Red Rooster Cafe. They offer classic brunch items such as shrimp and grits– A Lowcountry classic– and French toast. But Red Rooster Cafe features unique items as well, like a ciabatta bread boat with ham, bacon, eggs, and cheese, or jumbo lump crab cakes with a poached egg. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking for brunch in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. No wonder the locals love it!
There are so many great restaurants in the St. Phillips and Beaufort area, it’s impossible to list them all. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet, or you’re looking for something outside of traditional cuisine, here are a few other places to check out:
If you want to make the drive to Hilton Head, you may want to check out these restaurants:
Once again, these are just a few of the many wonderful restaurants in the St. Phillips and Beaufort area! The Lowcountry is truly home to endless delicious cuisine. We hope this helped you plan your day in the beautiful, historic area of St. Phillips or Beaufort. And if you haven’t started planning yet, be sure to check out our current tours and trips! As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon! If you have any questions about our guided tours, reach out to us! At Coastal Expeditions, we are committed to introducing people to the wonders of the ecosystems of the Charleston area by providing guided tours and educational opportunities. If you’re looking to explore all that the Lowcountry has to offer, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We also offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids’ programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our St. Phillips Island & Beaufort tours.
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.