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 talked all about whales, some of the largest marine mammals! Today, we’ll be discussing some of the best places to get dinner before or after one of our guided eco-tours in the Isle Of Palms area! When you’re spending your day exploring a new area of the Lowcountry, you may as well check out some of the food, drinks, and ambiance that local eateries have to offer. With that being said, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best local restaurants that you need to visit when you come along on a tour with one of our knowledgeable naturalist guides! 

Best Restaurants In Isle Of Palms

Isle Of Palms is a city situated on a barrier island of the same name. Thought to be at least 25,000 years old, Isle Of Palms boasts six miles of pristine white beaches with opportunities for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and more. It’s a beautiful area to spot wildlife such as osprey, pelicans, dolphins, and sea turtles. No wonder why we chose this area for one of our outposts! On the edge of ocean wilderness, Isle Of Palms provides the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline on the Eastern seaboard and plenty of opportunities to have a great meal with family or friends.

If you’re joining us on one of our Isle Of Palms tours, here are some of our recommendations for your dinner plans!

Sea Biscuit Cafe

Located in a quiet and cozy area, Sea Biscuit Cafe is the perfect place to get breakfast or lunch before your afternoon tour with us, or after our Sunrise Kayak Tour! This tiny cafe may not look like much from the outside, but it’s a staple for the local community, and it’s only a short walk from the beach. They serve all the breakfast favorites, like omelets, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes. And for those with a more adventurous appetite, a crab cake biscuit, shrimp and grits, and delicious sandwiches and salads. They also have daily specials, so you never know what may be in store for your tastebuds! Since it’s a favorite among locals and tourists, there may be a wait for a table– But we promise it’s worth it!

Coconut Joe’s

Looking for oceanfront dining? Coconut Joe’s Beach Grill has you covered. They are open daily for lunch and dinner, and open for brunch on the weekends, which makes it the perfect place to grab dinner before or after a tour. Coconut Joe’s boasts a pretty diverse menu; From seafood to burgers and salads, there is something for everyone. They also have a rooftop bar, which offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a great place to watch people enjoy the beach, shrimp boats working, and you may even spot some dolphins in the distance! The rooftop bar can be a great way to end your day after our Sunset Kayak Tour! Don’t forget to try their famous coconut shrimp!

Acme Lowcountry Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a neighborhood staple that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is all of that and more– It has been a local favorite for years. Combining both upscale and casual elements, this restaurant showcases local ingredients and sustainable seafood in its dishes. For brunch, take a look at a selection of omelets, grit bowls, or hash. For dinner, choose from broiled seafood, oysters, fried shrimp, or succotash. Or, if seafood isn’t really your thing, try the fried pecan chicken or braised short ribs. This is a great place to experience local flavor before or after a tour!

The Boathouse

A favorite since its opening in 1997, The Boathouse prides itself on serving fresh and delicious food sourced from local farmers, fishermen, clammers, and shrimpers. If you are taking one of our guided tours with a group of family or friends, this may be the place for you to dine afterward! The Boathouse offers a screened-in bar with beautiful views of the dock, a waterfront deck, and a sunroom, all of which can accommodate groups or parties. But don’t worry, you can still dine here alone or with a friend! Their dinner menu boasts daily specials, fresh fish selections, surf and turf, fried seafood, and a great selection of seasonal cocktails and draft beer. If you have to wait for a table, be sure to enjoy the rooftop bar for a great view of the sunset!

Long Island Cafe

This restaurant is located in a strip mall, making it somewhat of a hidden gem in the area. However, it still has a reputation of being a favorite among locals and tourists alike since its opening in 1986. The Long Island Cafe is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch and dinner on weekends, so you can visit any time before or after a tour with us! Indulge in the creamy she-crab soup to start and then move on to an entree such as the sesame-crusted tuna or the crab-stuffed shrimp. They also offer an IOP RAW menu with peel-and-eat local shrimp, a New England-style lobster roll, and blue crab fritters. 

Coda Del Pesce

Looking for an Italian-style restaurant? Coda Del Pesce may be the one for you! Translating to “tail of the fish” in Italian, this restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, giving patrons a gorgeous view of the ocean. Many of the dishes feature fresh, locally, and sustainably caught seafood. Choose from upscale selections such as swordfish “Torcino style”, blue crab over fusilli pasta, and more. This is a great choice for fine dining on Isle Of Palms, and a great way to close out your evening after a tour!

Still not sure where to eat…?

Remember that these are just a few of the amazing restaurants in Isle Of Palms. If you’re still unsure, there are plenty more options out there. We suggest checking out the following restaurants as well:

• The Dinghy
• The Refuge
• Coastal Provisions
• Lawrence’s Seafood Company

And if you’re looking for something other than seafood or American cuisine…

• Luke ‘n Ollie’s Pizzeria
• Papi’s Taqueria

If you’re willing to take a short drive, you can head over to Mount Pleasant or Sullivan’s Island before or after a tour to grab a bite to eat. Here are some local favorites:

• Mex 1 Coastal Cantina – Locations in Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant, and Charleston
• Poe’s Tavern – Sullivan’s Island
• The Longboard – Sullivan’s Island
• Mario’s Peruvian Chicken – Mount Pleasant

Once again, these are just a few of the wonderful restaurants in the Isle Of Palms area– There is so much local cuisine, it’s hard to make an entire list! We hope this helped you plan your day in the beautiful Isle Of Palms. 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!