South Carolina is rich in out-of-the-way and unique restaurants. From southern fried chicken to seafood, we really do have it all.  The following are the 14 best local restaurants in South Carolina that should be on everyone’s must-try list!

1. The Trappe Door (Greenville, SC )
Jed Gray
"Food built from the flavors of the land. Beer that knows no boundaries." That's their slogan and it couldn't be said better. Belgian food and Belgian beers on tap. Definitely a night out kind of place with a good atmosphere. Visit the Trappe Door website for more information.
2. Yannis House of Pizza (Barnwell, SC)
The State
Specialty pizzas, calzone, and traditional greek dishes like no where else! Here is a place where you get your money's worth not only in taste, but in portion size. Bring your appetite. P.S. Definitely try the antipasto salad. Visit the Yannis House of Pizza Facebook page to learn more.
3. Bush's Seafood (Granitville, SC)
TBO
This is finger lickin' good food. A close source told me that this is the freshest seafood you can get and the waitresses are the best around. Check out the Bush's Seafood Facebook Page for more information.
4. Hudson's Smokehouse (Lexington, SC)
Robert S.
South Carolina does BBQ like no where else can and we do it different in different regions of the state. At Hudson's you can get smokehouse pork that is so good there is no need for sauce. The Hudson's Smokehouse website has more information.
5. Kickin' Chicken (Charleston, SC)
Fuzzco
Their wings are to die for and even better when you can tip back a local brew to cool off that tongue. With 3 locations to serve you, you can always get to one of them! Visit the Kickin' Chicken website to learn more.
6. SeeWee Restaurant (Awendaw, SC)
Katie McElveen
Think of your Grandmother's house with jaw-dripping good food. The style is casual and the air is sweet with relaxation. Check out the SeeWee Restaurant website to learn more.
7. Pawley's Front Porch (Columbia, SC)
Urbanspoon
Serving up gourmet burgers and cheeseburger dip, this is a place to visit! Unique cuisine for someone who wants to try something a little different. Go and give them some love. Follow this link to the Pawley's Front Porch website for more information.

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8. Orangeland Fish & Seafood Market (Florence, SC)
Catfish.kaaltech
Tucked in a building on Irby Street with a huge orange on the sign, is Orangeland. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but, wow, can they fry catfish reminiscent of what my mom used to. I go there every chance I get and, yes, their catfish is always my preferred choice. Learn more by visiting the Orangeland Fish & Seafood website.
9. Mr. Fish Seafood Market
USA Today
Sushi anyone? Yes, they have a menu that includes the freshest sushi in Myrtle Beach along with all the seafood dishes that South Carolina is famous for. Be prepared for a wait however, because the people line up to get inside. Visit the Mr. Fish website for more information.
10. The Tattooed Moose (Charleston, SC)
Tattooed Moose Rest.
Serving up dishes such as Mike's Famous Duck Club and Duck Fat Fries. A little weird, a little quirky, definitely mouthwatering. Forget your waistline when you visit...those calories are actually worth it! Give the Tattooed Moose website a visit to learn more.
11. Yogi Bear's Honey Fried Chicken (Hartsville, SC)
Chainsaw Crawford
This is a twist on the southern fried chicken of the South with the addition of honey in the batter. Being the only one in existence, it is a must-do on any food crawl you may be planning across the state! Here is a link to the Yogi Bear's Honey Fried Chicken website.
12. Zesto's (West Columbia, SC)
Roadarch
Although not authentic to South Carolina, this restaurant has been here since 1961. You definitely can't beat their hamburgers and don't forget that milkshake! Visit the Zesto's website to learn more.
13. Beacon Drive-In (Spartenburg, SC)
The Hungry Dad
Sadly, the drive-in is a diminishing breed, but Beacon in Spartenburg is still going strong and where you can still get a meal "a plenty" which means you get fries and onion rings! Here is a link to the Beacon Drive-In website.
14. Dukes BBQ (Bamberg, SC)
Travel US 301
Everyone who lives in South Carolina knows that there is a difference in BBQ from the lowcountry to the upstate. Duke's BBQ does it right with mustard-base sauces, slow pit-cooked pork, and homemade hash. Oh My! It's time for me to take a trip back to my roots. Visit the Duke's Facebook page to stay up to date.

With all the unique and must-try’s in South Carolina, this list could be miles long. Instead I took a piece from every corner to give you just a ‘taste’ of what South Carolina had to offer. What are you favorite places to eat?

Now, I do believe it is time for me to create a food crawl list! How about you? Here is a South Carolina restaurant bucket list to get you started.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Local Restaurants In South Carolina

Leah | August 28, 2020

What are the best hidden gem restaurants in South Carolina?

Wondering where to dine in South Carolina that might be easily missed? Uncover these hidden gems and you'll be glad you did. For some tasty seafood, visit Luvan's Fish Camp in Conway, South Carolina. It's a bit out of the way and hard to find, but worth the search. Their food is fantastic and easily worth any miles to reach. Another treasure worth uncovering is The Coast Bar & Grill in Charleston. Tucked away in an alley, this restaurant is in what used to be a warehouse but is now a restaurant serving amazing dishes. They have a menu with seafood and American classics.

Where can I dine at the most beautiful restaurant in South Carolina?

Visit the best restaurants in South Carolina for a great meal and a lovely view. Pumpkintown Mountain is all of that and more. Located along a scenic highway near Pickens, South Carolina, and just a stone's throw from Table Rock State Park, this place is the whole package. The building itself is unique and beautiful to behold, the surroundings are truly magical, and the food is top-notch. Pumpkintown Mountain is also a general store with gifts and treats to take home with you.

What are the most unique restaurants in South Carolina?

Enjoy some truly unique South Carolina dining experiences at some of the state's unique restaurants. If you love all things bacon, visit the Bacon Bros. Public House in Greenville, South Carolina. Along with all the fun bacon-themed meals, their meats are just in general drool-worthy. For a quirky stop, visit Pat's Cash and Carry. This no-frills eatery is out in the country and includes a nice little country store as well as some of the best hotdogs you'll ever try. It's like stepping back in time to when things were simpler.

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Featured Addresses
Trappe Door, 23 W Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601, USA
10456 Ellenton St, Barnwell, SC 29812, USA
409 Main St, Graniteville, SC 29801, USA
4952 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072, USA
1179 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407, USA
Seewee Restaurant, 4808 N Hwy 17, Awendaw, SC 29429, USA
827 Harden St #1001, Columbia, SC 29205, USA
711 S Irby St, Florence, SC 29501, USA
6401 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, USA
1137 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken, 514 S 5th St, Hartsville, SC 29550, USA
504 12th St, West Columbia, SC 29169, USA
The Beacon Drive-in, 255 John B White Sr Blvd #6047, Spartanburg, SC 29306, USA
1178 Main Hwy, Bamberg, SC 29003, USA