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8 South Carolina Spots with Stunning Views and Even Better Food

South Carolina offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Southeast, from coastal shorelines to riverfront vistas. But what makes these views even better? Amazing food to enjoy while soaking in the scenery!

These eight restaurants combine South Carolina’s natural beauty with mouthwatering cuisine, creating unforgettable dining experiences that please both your eyes and taste buds.

1. The Kingstide, Daniel Island

The Kingstide, Daniel Island
© thekingstide

Perched along the Wando River, The Kingstide brings upscale seafood dining to Daniel Island with panoramic water views that captivate from sunrise to sunset. The modern, airy design features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the marshy landscape perfectly.

Chef Kevin Getzewich crafts seasonal menus highlighting locally-sourced seafood treasures. The raw bar dazzles with fresh oysters while the crispy flounder and shrimp and grits represent Carolina coastal cuisine at its finest.

Grab a seat on the rooftop deck where gentle breezes complement handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant’s dock allows boaters to arrive by water, making this truly a destination dining experience worth the journey.

2. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar, Charleston

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar, Charleston
© fleetlanding

Housed in a 1940s naval building jutting over Charleston Harbor, Fleet Landing combines industrial maritime charm with unbeatable waterfront positioning. Watch dolphins play and massive container ships glide by while seated on the wraparound deck that hovers directly above the water.

Southern seafood classics rule the menu here. The she-crab soup arrives velvety and rich with a splash of sherry, while the crispy whole flounder has earned legendary status among locals and visitors alike.

What makes Fleet Landing special isn’t just the postcard-worthy harbor views – it’s how they’ve preserved the building’s naval history. Original port holes, weathered wood, and nautical details create an authentic Charleston dining experience that feels wonderfully timeless.

3. MOMO Riverfront Park, North Charleston

MOMO Riverfront Park, North Charleston
© momoriverfrontpark

MOMO brings unexpected culinary flair to North Charleston’s Riverfront Park, where the Cooper River creates a serene backdrop for outdoor dining. The restaurant’s modern shipping container design perfectly complements the industrial-meets-nature setting of this revitalized waterfront area.

Korean-inspired dishes with Southern twists make MOMO’s menu refreshingly unique. Try the bulgogi cheesesteak or kimchi fried rice topped with a local farm egg while watching river traffic float by.

Kids love exploring the adjacent park spaces between bites, making this a family-friendly spot where parents can relax. The sunset views transform the industrial riverscape into a golden canvas, especially beautiful when enjoyed with one of their craft beers or signature cocktails.

4. Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks, Hilton Head Island

Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks, Hilton Head Island
© hudsonsseafood

A genuine Lowcountry institution since 1967, Hudson’s sits directly on the Port Royal Sound where working shrimp boats still dock and unload their daily catch. This restaurant doesn’t just serve seafood – it shows you exactly where it comes from.

The massive outdoor seating area offers front-row views of Hilton Head’s spectacular sunsets, often accompanied by dolphins swimming past. Family-style seafood boils arrive steaming at your table, piled high with shrimp, crab, corn and potatoes.

Hudson’s special charm comes from its authentic dock-to-dish approach. The restaurant processes over 250,000 pounds of local seafood annually, much of it arriving at their docks each morning. This connection to the water isn’t manufactured – it’s been their way of life for generations.

5. Bowens Island Restaurant, Charleston

Bowens Island Restaurant, Charleston
© bowensislandrestaurant

Hidden down a dirt road beneath ancient live oaks, Bowens Island Restaurant has been serving no-frills seafood since 1946 in what can only be described as gloriously authentic Lowcountry chaos. The weathered building, covered in decades of graffiti, sits on a tidal creek offering stunning marsh panoramas that stretch for miles.

Oysters are the star here – roasted by the shovelful over an open fire, then dumped unceremoniously onto your table. The seafood platters overflow with just-caught shrimp, fish, and frogmore stew.

As the sun sets over the marshes, the screened porch fills with a mix of locals in work boots and tourists who’ve discovered this hidden gem. Plastic chairs, paper towels, and some of the freshest seafood in South Carolina create an experience that’s earned Bowens a James Beard America’s Classic award.

6. Bluffton Oyster Co., Bluffton

Bluffton Oyster Co., Bluffton
© Flickr

Family-owned since 1899, Bluffton Oyster Company stands as the last hand-shucking oyster factory in South Carolina. Their riverside restaurant offers front-row seats to the May River’s pristine waters – the very source of their renowned seafood. The outdoor deck practically hovers over the water, where dolphins regularly surface during high tide.

Simplicity reigns supreme on the menu: just-harvested oysters served raw, steamed or in traditional Lowcountry roasts alongside crab cakes that are almost entirely meat with barely any filler. What makes dining here special is watching the oyster harvesters return with their daily catch while you eat. The restaurant’s connection to these waters spans generations, creating an authentic farm-to-table experience that existed long before the term became fashionable.

7. Liberty on the Lake, Irmo

Liberty on the Lake, Irmo
© libertyonthelake

Breaking away from coastal views, Liberty on the Lake offers a refreshing lakeside dining experience on the shores of Lake Murray near Columbia. The sprawling wooden deck extends right to the water’s edge, providing front-row seats to stunning sunsets over this massive 50,000-acre lake.

Weekend brunches here become all-day affairs as families linger over shrimp and grits while watching boats cruise by. The menu balances Southern comfort food with creative twists – try the pimento cheese fritters or blackened mahi tacos with mango salsa.

What truly sets Liberty apart is how they embrace lake culture. Boat parking means water-loving diners can dock and dine, while the restaurant’s regular live music sessions on the deck create an atmosphere that captures the relaxed, joyful spirit of South Carolina lake life.

8. The Lazy Goat, Greenville

The Lazy Goat, Greenville
© the_lazy_goat

Nestled along the Reedy River in downtown Greenville, The Lazy Goat offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with some of the best urban waterfront views in the state. The multi-level terrace overlooks the picturesque Falls Park on the Reedy, where the Liberty Bridge arcs gracefully over the natural waterfall.

Small plates encourage communal dining – share crispy brussels sprouts with bacon jam, harissa-spiced lamb, and creamy risotto while watching pedestrians stroll the riverfront park below. The restaurant’s wine program showcases Mediterranean vintages perfectly paired with their global menu.

Unlike coastal views that stretch to the horizon, The Lazy Goat offers an intimate river scene framed by Greenville’s revitalized downtown. The combination of rushing water, lush greenery, and urban energy creates a backdrop that changes with each season but remains consistently beautiful.

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