Guide to Isle of Palms & Wild Dunes Restaurants

Dining at Isle of Palms Restaurants or Wild Dunes Restaurants on your next trip? This guide has everything you need to know to enjoy the local cuisine including seafood, beachfront restaurants, Lowcountry cuisine, family dining, and fine dining. Whether you are looking for the best IOP dining for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, you'll find all the local SC favorites here.

Planning your trip? Also, read my Top 20 Things to Do on Isle of Palms & My Top 15 Favorite Moments from Isle of Palms.

Isle of Palms Restaurants & Wild Dunes Restaurants

Isle of Palms Restaurants are unique, tasty, and delicious! Whether you are staying on Isle of Palms SC or on the resort on the large resort community on the island, Wild Dunes Resort, you will not be disappointed in the delicious food options available. Locals and visitors alike dine well on this island about 20 miles away from the historical city of Charleston.

Nearby Charleston is well-known to be a foodie destination, and the love of food travels out the connector bridge and extends to the waterfront. The island has everything from family-friendly restaurants, beach bars, taco shops, fine dining, and even beachside pizza. Plus, most places are serving a healthy dose of the local favorites seafood. IOP is a great spot to eat well at local restaurants..

In this guide, I'm sharing your top picks for the best Isle of Palms Restaurants AND Wild Dunes Restaurants plus notes on my favorites. You'll find everything you need to eat well for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. Plus how can you go wrong with a view like this one? Keep reading to learn the best restaurants in Isle of Palms and Wild Dunes.

Best Isle of Palms Restaurants Share on X

Isle of Palms Restaurants

Coda de Pesce

Looking for one of the best Isle of Palms restaurants? Try Coda de Pesce. This fine dining restaurant is right on the beach and has incredible food and an incredible waterfront view. They feature Italian food melted with local ingredients, South Carolina seafood, for a culinary experience that will surprise anyone. This hidden gem is a delightful and true experience. If you are looking for a special occasion spot on the island, this is also it! I would recommend a reservation here because it gets busy.

A few of my favorite dishes are the Crudo of Snapper.

The Ricotta Gnudi is also pillowy and delightful.

Plus the Triggerfish is incredible.

Finally, you can't go wrong with their Malpeque Oysters with a Barolo Mignonette.

For dessert try the chocolate cake for a meal you will remember for a long time.

Long Island Cafe

Long Island Cafe is another spot on the list of best Isle of Palms Restaurants. This restaurant is hidden in a strip mall but has been around for over 30 years and is a local favorite for residents and visitors. They change their menu often which keeps things interesting. They feature fresh seafood, chicken, fresh pasta, and more with a coastal French flare. The interior is cute and coastal.

You can't go wrong with their Crab Meat Encrusted Grouper.

The Sesame Crusted Tuna is also incredible!

Plus, the Island Calarmai is tender and delicious. You'll love the dipping sauce duo.

Coconut Joe's

If you are looking for a fun beachfront beach bar-type Isle of Palms restaurants, Coconut Joe's is it. This popular spot is right on the main drag through Isle of Palms, Ocean Boulevard, and has a spectacular oceanfront restaurant and deck.

This view from their rooftop bar and outdoor seating is incredible!

You can't go wrong with their beachy cocktails, fish tacos, and crab dip, which is my family's favorite.

Acme Lowcountry Kitchen

Looking for Isle of Palms restaurants that are perfect for a group? Try Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. They serve brunch and dinner with a casual menu with a southern flare. They feature lots of fresh local seafood plus extras for those who don't like seafood. Their specialty is Lowcountry favorites like local shrimp and grits. They also use sustainable seafood.

The Refuge

The Refuge is a fun Isle of Palms restaurant with a beautiful indoor dining room and delicious food. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus have an attached coffee shop. Try their buttermilk pancakes for breakfast!

For lunch, a few of my favorites are the Crab Cake Sandwich. Their menu is elevated and classy!

You also can't go wrong with the Blackened Triggerfish Sandwich.

Boathouse at Breach Inlet

The Boathouse at Breach Inlet is a Charleston institution with gorgeous marsh views and local seafood. You can't go wrong with this popular spot for drinks and dinner. They serve seafood prepared to your taste and have a delicious special menu nightly.

This is another fabulous spot for families or special occasions.

Lawrence's Seafood Company

Lawrence's Seafood Company is another delicious addition to the list of Isle of Palms restaurants. The menu is filled with a lot of seafood including shrimp, oysters, calamari, and beach baskets served with a view and a super casual vibe. This is another spot located right on Ocean Blvd, making it a great spot to enjoy a waterfront seafood dinner.

Try their famous Lawrence's Famous Lobster Roll.

Sea Biscuit Cafe

Looking for a local's favorite? Sea Biscuit Cafe is one of the top Isle of Palms restaurants for breakfast. They feature homestyle breakfast with classics like omelets, pancakes, eggs benedicts, and local favorites like Shrimp and Grits and Crab Cake biscuits. It's a charming spot with memorable and tasty food. They also serve lunch.

The Co-op on Palm

The Co-op is best known for its wine-sized bottles of Frose, which is the well-beloved frozen rose. Get one for your party for a fun night, it's delicious. They also have a simple menu with easy online ordering gin including breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, and salads. It's a great spot to pick up lunch for takeout or to go to the beach. Their cute flamingo theme will have you smiling.

Luke 'n Ollie's Pizzeria

Looking for a local Isle of Palms Restaurant for pizza? Luke 'n Ollie's Pizzeria is the best spot. Located on Ocean Blvd, this pizza restaurant is close to everything making it a great option for takeout or carryout. Get cheese or one with lots of toppings.

Ben & Jerry's

You can't go to the beach without getting ice cream! Ben & Jerry's is a classic spot with a location on Isle of Palms in the cluster of shops right on Ocean Blvd. It's a great spot to take the family after nearby tacos, pizza, or Coconut Joe's.

Charleston Bagel Company

While not technically on the list of Isle of Palms restaurants, you'll find local bagels at Charleston Bagel Company in nearby Mt. Pleasant. It's a family tradition of mine to get fresh local bagels on beach trips, and the closest we have found is the Charleston Bagel Company.

They did the trick with lots of fresh choices.

You also can't go wrong with their bagel sandwich.

The Main Squeeze

Right next door to Charleston Bagel Company is The Main Squeeze which has fresh juices, smoothies, and acai bowls. If heading in this direction, you've got to try them.

Other Isle of Palms Restaurants:

Those are just some of the best Isle of Palms Restaurants, but this list rounds out the other options on the island. There are so many delicious options.

IOP Raw - IOP Raw is part of Long Island Cafe and features a small and delicious menu of raw bar favorites like oysters, tuna, shrimp, and lobster.
Papi's Taqueria - You can't go wrong with tacos at the beach! Papis Taqueria is a great easy spot to get some tacos, chips, and dips.
Island 71 Fish House and Deck Bar - Overlooking the intracoastal waterway, Island 71 is a fun spot with great drinks, a pretty view, and seafood.
Smugglers Island Eats and Rum Bar - This super casual bar-like spot, Smugglers, is right on Ocean Blvd and is great for drinks (lots of fun rum beach drinks) and casual beachfront food.
The Windjammer - The Windjammer is an Isle of Palms beachfront spot best known as a live music venue, but they also have dining including bar favorites like chicken wings, cheeseburgers, and seafood. If you are looking for an eclectic unpretentious spot with a water view, this is it.
Saltwater Dockside Deli - Need a sandwich to take to the beach? Try Saltworks Dockside Deli for your Isle of Palms Restaurant. This spot is the perfect location for local fast food.
The Dinghy - The Dinghy is another Isle of Palms restaurant with a casual island atmosphere and bar vibe with drinks, beer, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Wild Dunes Restaurants

Look no further for the best Wild Dunes Restaurants on Isle of Palms. Wild Dunes is the huge gated resort community at the end of IOP, which takes up a large chunk of the island. The resort includes several hotels, plus vacation rentals and has many restaurants of its own, which are open to eating at whether you are staying at the resort or not. If you happen to be staying on Wild Dunes, it's easy to hop in and out of many of their restaurants for good food. In fact, they have enough food for you to stay on the property to eat. Many of these restaurants are more geared to tourists, but they are still tasty.

You can also, of course, drive out of the resort and enjoy any of the Isle of Palms restaurants above.

Coastal Provisions

Coastal Provisions is one of the top Wild Dunes Restaurants and Isle of Palms Restaurants. Located in the Boardwalk Inn, their signature restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and dessert.

Try their octopus off the dinner menu.

Their Catch of the Day is also really tasty. If you are looking for a more upscale dining option on the resort, this is it. They also offer steak.

Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar

Laughing Gull Restaurant & Bar is my favorite Wild Dunes Restaurant. This super charming open-air spot with casual dining is right off the huge Sweetgrass pool and has a delicious menu. My boys love their fish tacos and fries!

Here's a better shot.

This poolside spot is super delicious and has really beach and pool cocktails. They are open for lunch.

Oystercatcher Restaurant and Bar

Oystercatcher Restaurant and Bar is the restaurant inside the Sweetgrass Inn on Wild Dunes Resort. This dinner spot is one of the higher-end Wild Dunes Restaurants and features a chef driven menu with oysters and seafood.

Try the Baked Oysters.

The Hamachi Crudo is also incredible.

This fun spot is another favorite on my list of Isle of Palms Restaurants.

Woody's Eatery

Woody's Eatery is located near the Harbor Golf Course Pro Shop and Swim Center, this casual eatery is great for grab-and-go or dine-in breakfast and lunch. You'll find sandwiches, burgers, and beverages.

Hudson's Market & Cafe

Hudson's Market and Cafe is right on the newly redesigned Sweetgrass Plaza, which is super charming.

This spot is the place to pick up essentials without leaving the resort.

They also have a tasty grab-and-go breakfast menu, a coffee shop, and sweets.

Huey's Southern Eats

Huey's Southern Eats is another great pick on the list of Wild Dunes Restaurants and Isle of Palms Restaurants. This spot is located right off the Links Clubhouse with views of the famous course. They have a casual lunch menu with hot dogs, pizza, and salads.

Beachside Burgers & Bar

Beachside Burgers & Bar is the spot to come in off the beach and get lunch. Located on the Grand Pavilion, this spot has an incredible view. They are open for lunch.

They have a super casual menu with grilled burgers and wraps but another highlight is their frozen and beach drinks.

Coastal Crust

Coastal Crust is the place to get pizza on Wild Dunes. This great family-style restaurant also has anti-pasta, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and desserts.

Taco's and Tequila

Taco's and Tequila also makes the list of best Wild Dunes Restaurants and Isle of Palms restaurants. This food truck-style venue is charming and fun. Enjoy the selection of tacos and margaritas. They are open for a late lunch and dinner.

The Nest Bar

The Nest Bar is a fun rooftop bar on top of the Sweetgrass Inn. Super fun, charming and unique with creative cocktails! They have a few small plates as snacks, but not a spot for an entire meal. Watch the sunset from here.

Duney's Ice Cream Shop

Duney's Ice Cream Shop is the spot to stop for ice cream on Wild Dunes. This adorable spot is right off the boardwalk.

The Best Isle of Palms Restaurants & Wild Dunes Restaurants

The list of Isle of Palms Restaurants and Wild Dunes restaurants is tasty, unique, and fun. You can't go wrong with any of these dining options on the island.

My personal favorites and most memorable experiences are at Coda del Pesce, Long Island Cafe, and Laughing Gull. However, try out all of these because they are fabulous.

If I missed one of your favorites, let me know in the comments below!