Unearth The Voyage
South Carolina’s coast has always been famous for fresh seafood, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the state’s beloved fried-fish restaurants. While national chains serve up their own versions, locals know the real treasures are homegrown spots that have perfected the art of crispy, golden-fried seafood over decades. From the Grand Strand to the Upstate, these regional favorites dish out platters piled high with flounder, catfish, and shrimp that keep South Carolinians coming back for more.
1. Bennett’s Calabash Seafood (Myrtle Beach & North Myrtle Beach)
Since opening its doors in 1978, Bennett’s has become the go-to spot for tourists and locals craving mountains of fried seafood. Three buffet locations across the Grand Strand serve up endless platters of Calabash-style cooking—a North Carolina tradition that drifted south and found a permanent home here.
Calabash-style means lightly breaded fish and shellfish fried to a delicate crunch, never heavy or greasy. Fried flounder, popcorn shrimp, and deviled crab share space with Southern sides and baskets of warm hushpuppies. The all-you-can-eat format turns dinner into an event, perfect for hungry families fresh off the beach who want variety without breaking the bank.
2. Charleston Crab House (Charleston area)
Family-run and fiercely local, Charleston Crab House anchors three prime spots: Market Street downtown, scenic Shem Creek, and laid-back James Island. Each location keeps the same promise—reliable Lowcountry seafood without the fuss.
Their fried seafood platters are straightforward classics: flaky white fish encased in a thin, crunchy coating, paired with coleslaw and fries. Nothing fancy, just consistent quality that satisfies every time. Grab a waterside table at Shem Creek and watch shrimp boats glide by while you crack into a basket of hot, crispy fish. It’s the kind of dependable meal that turns first-time visitors into regulars.
3. Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant (Charleston area & Beaufort)
With multiple locations hugging the South Carolina coast, Gilligan’s has mastered the art of hand-breaded flounder. Their signature dish—lightly fried flounder paired with plump shrimp—draws crowds who refuse to settle for frozen, pre-breaded substitutes.
Every fillet gets individual attention, dipped in batter and fried to order, which means you’re always biting into something fresh and hot. The golden crust shatters under your fork, revealing tender, flaky fish underneath. Whether you’re in Charleston or Beaufort, the menu stays consistent, but the waterfront views change with each spot. Locals often say Gilligan’s flounder rivals anything you’d catch and cook yourself at home.
4. Silver Bay Seafood & Blue Ocean Seafood (Upstate)
Sister restaurants Silver Bay and Blue Ocean blanket the Upstate with family-style seafood that feels like Sunday dinner. Silver Bay holds down Simpsonville and Greenville, while Blue Ocean serves Clinton, but both kitchens follow the same fried-seafood playbook.
Fish and chips anchor the menu alongside combo platters that pile fried fish, shrimp, and oysters onto one plate. The portions lean generous, designed for sharing or taking home leftovers. Recent menus confirm the commitment to classic preparations—nothing trendy or experimental, just solid fried seafood done right. Upstate families treat these spots like neighborhood staples, the kind of place where servers remember your usual order.
5. Mayflower Seafood Restaurant (Darlington & regional)
A longtime fixture across the Carolinas, Mayflower keeps at least one active South Carolina location in Darlington, with historical roots stretching to Rock Hill and beyond. This chain has survived decades by sticking to what works—simple, affordable fried seafood.
Fried catfish takes center stage here, crispy outside and mild inside, served alongside the famous Fried Mayflower Special combo that mixes fish and shellfish on one platter. The no-frills dining rooms and straightforward menu appeal to folks who want good food without gimmicks. Employment listings and local memories confirm Mayflower once dotted more of the state, making it a nostalgic favorite for older South Carolinians.
6. Fatz Southern Kitchen (statewide) + Fatz Fish To-Go
Born in Spartanburg, Fatz built its reputation on Calabash chicken but never forgot about fish. The Fatz Famous Fish Platter holds its own on menus statewide, delivering crispy fried fillets with Southern sides.
Recently, the brand launched Fatz Fish To-Go, a spinoff concept laser-focused on seafood for customers who want quality fried fish without the full sit-down experience. The move shows Fatz understands South Carolinians’ deep love for fried seafood, whether they’re dining in or grabbing takeout. With locations across the state, Fatz makes it easy to satisfy a fried-fish craving no matter where you are—from the mountains to the coast.
7. Lizard’s Thicket (Columbia area)
Columbia’s beloved meat-and-three chain might not scream seafood, but locals know better. Lizard’s Thicket rotates Southern-fried catfish and flounder among its daily protein options, nestled between fried chicken and pot roast.
The fish arrives with that perfect Southern-style coating—cornmeal-based, crunchy, and well-seasoned—accompanied by your choice of three vegetables from the cafeteria-style line. It’s comfort food through and through, the kind of meal your grandmother would approve of. While tourists flock to dedicated seafood houses, savvy Columbia residents know Lizard’s Thicket delivers honest, delicious fried fish without pretense. Sometimes the best fried catfish hides in plain sight at your favorite down-home restaurant.
