11 South Carolina Restaurants to Try Off the Beaten Path

Homey SeeWee Restaurant in Awendaw is known for golden-fried catfish and hush puppies. Daily specials showcase South Carolina signatures such as Lowcountry boil, a one-pot wonder of shrimp, corn and potatoes, and homemade desserts.

Juniper in Ridge Springs stays cozy while giving farm-fresh ingredients an upscale twist. Flash-fried local collard greens accent crab cakes, and whiskey gravy is drizzled over pan-seared South Carolina beef.

In Latta, reserve a seat for the prix-fixe dinner at elegant Abingdon Manor. Menus change nightly, featuring specialties such as Vidalia onion soup, coq au vin and champagne sorbet.

Two accomplished chefs turned an old country store into Grits & Groceries, praised for its Southern specialties. Try a sandwich of house-made pimento cheese, savory tomato pie and any of the fresh-baked desserts at this favorite in Belton in South Carolina's Upstate region.

Near the boardwalk in Myrtle Beach, Peaches Corner serves hot dogs and burgers piled with flavorful toppings – just as they have since 1937.

Since 1932, Harold’s Restaurant has been the spot in downtown Gaffney for chili burgers and hot dogs. Order yours all the way with mustard, chili and onions.

Combining Southern and soul dishes with seafood, Buckshot’s Restaurant in McClellanville tempts three times over with its carry-out menu. Watch for shrimp, whiting, crabs and chicken, too.

Off the Charleston coast, between Folly and James islands, a road ends at Bowens Island Restaurant. Upstairs, order golden-fried seafood and hush puppies with ice-cold beer. Downstairs, sample the briny delicacies created by the restaurant’s oyster roast.

Surrounded by the mountains of Travelers Rest, Restaurant 17 in Hotel Domestique is a haven for impeccable food. Savor local ingredients, such as trout and artisanal cheeses, and Tuesday night Italian-inspired suppers.

The Mill Pond Steakhouse in Rembert serves high-quality steaks, aged and cooked to perfection. But don’t overlook the shrimp and grits featuring Stone Ground Boykin Mill Grits, ground nearby.

Pawleys Island Tavern serves just what a Southern beachfront diner should: golden-fried seafood and juicy burgers. Try the Psycho Burger, spiced with Pawley’s Island Sunburn Sauce of hot peppers.