photo from @donniewhitaker
Isle of Palms isn’t just touristy shops, cafes, and ice cream stands. Many folks call the IOP home year-round and they have a few go-to’s with neighborly vibes and food that stands up to even the best of downtown Charleston offerings. Here are 5 eateries on Isle of Palms locals just cannot live without.
photo from @therefugeiop
The Refuge | 1517 Palm Blvd.
Whether you’re looking for a workspace with coffee, bagels, and free wifi or a night out complete with live music, expertly crafted cocktails, and meals made with fresh, local ingredients, you’ll find refuge at the Refuge. It’s also a stellar spot for lunch. There are several soup and salads options, but the sandwich menu is where it’s at — hot, cold, signature sammies, or build your own. Our favorite? The Refugee Burger: bacon and fig jam, brie, arugula, and fried egg on brioche.
photo from @codadelpesce_
Coda Del Pesce | 1130 Ocean Blvd.
Sunshine spills into the adorable, contemporary dining room of Coda Del Pesce located on Ocean Boulevard. Serving up homemade pasta and Italian seafood dishes, Coda is known for its fare as well as its splendid ocean views. Sit on the patio and enjoy both raw and cooked specialties, like oysters, octopus, smoked salmon, crab ravioli, triggerfish, and grouper. Primi pasta courses are all imaginative masterpieces, but our favorite has to be the Tagliolini with blue crab, anchovies, lemon, and bread crumbs.
photo from long_island_cafe
Long Island Cafe | 1515 Palm Blvd.
Long Island Cafe has been an IOP staple for 30 years, surviving countless storms, including Hurricane Hugo. Inside, a simple but elegant dining room awaits along with everything from delicious bottles of wine to grits to creatures fresh from the sea. The walls are decorated with local art, while dishes are created with ingredients from places like Toby’s (clams) and GrowFood Carolina (veggies). Even if you’re just hungry for dessert, LIC has you covered with key lime pie, pecan pie, hummingbird cake, and mud pie, just to name a few!
photo from @morgancreekgrill
Morgan Creek Grill | 80 41st Ave.
There’s nothing not to love about Morgan Creek Grill — it has personalities and moods covered: a casual, down-home outdoor bar that gets festive most nights, a quiet, beautiful dining room perfect for date nights, and an upstairs bar / dining area for folks needing a beer, a good appetizer, and a TV for watching the big game. On many evenings, there’s also live music from artists who hang their hats on the IOP, or not too far from it.
photo from @boathouseatbreach
The Boathouse at Breach Inlet | 101 Palm Blvd.
The Boathouse at Breach Inlet has been a Charleston tradition for 20 years now. The mahogany interior and ceilings lined with vintage row boats sets the scene, as does the breathtaking views (top tip: best sunset on the island!). As for the food, it’s all Southern and the menu’s full of seafood greatness, like lobster, crab cakes, lobster tails, mussels, clams, and more. There’s even a raw bar. And if you find yourself at IOP on a Sunday, don’t miss the brunch, which includes our favorite: the Boathouse Benedict with crab cakes.
What’s your favorite meal on IOP?