Shrimp and grits have long since been a staple in Lowcountry kitchens. Ask a local who has the best, and they are likely to answer that they, or their mother, makes it best. Restaurants eventually adopted the combination of sea and land and can now be found in almost every establishment that claims to serve Southern fare. Some menus keep it simple with just crustaceans and grains, but others fancy it up with peppers, sausage, tomatoes, or tasso ham.
12 Best Stops for Shrimp and Grits in Charleston
With bacon, gravy, or sausage?
12 Best Stops for Shrimp and Grits in Charleston
With bacon, gravy, or sausage?
Shrimp and grits have long since been a staple in Lowcountry kitchens. Ask a local who has the best, and they are likely to answer that they, or their mother, makes it best. Restaurants eventually adopted the combination of sea and land and can now be found in almost every establishment that claims to serve Southern fare. Some menus keep it simple with just crustaceans and grains, but others fancy it up with peppers, sausage, tomatoes, or tasso ham.
Nigel's Good Food
Start with some Geechie wings at Nigel’s Good Food and then go for Grandma Fred’s shrimp and grits with onions, bell peppers, bacon, and sausage.
The Grit Counter
Of course a restaurant named the Grit Counter will have a shrimp-topped option — this one comes with smoked gouda grits, peppers, onions, scallions, and tasso ham red-eye gravy.
Page's Okra Grill
Mount Pleasant staple Page’s puts Ashleigh’s “famous” shrimp and grits on the dinner menu. Chef Ashleigh Page makes her plate with lightly fried grit cakes and an andouille cream sauce.
The Darling Oyster Bar
Step into the stunning dining room at the Darling for brunch on Sunday and order the shrimp and grits with cheddar grits, crispy Brussels, country ham, and fennel — add a fried egg for $1.
Early Bird Diner
Perpetually packed diner Early Bird gives patrons a choice of shrimp sautéed with tomato bacon gravy or fried with sweet and spicy jelly — that is, if customers can resist the famous chicken and waffles.
Delaney Oyster House
Seafood stop Delaney Oyster House offers shrimp and grits at brunch on the weekends. This version offers blackened crustaceans over cheesy Jimmy Red corn grits.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
Using only East Coast seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers multiple variations of shrimp and grits on the menu. Choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.
The Glass Onion
The Southern food masters at the Glass Onion provide a substantial plate of shrimp and grits with Creole tomatoes on the regular and brunch menu. For those feeling extra hungry, start with one of the restaurant’s signature deviled eggs before the main course hits the table.
The Glass Onion/Provided
Marina Variety Store Restaurant
Cozy up in a booth and stare at the water at Marina Variety Store, as you wait for your fried green tomatoes and shrimp over creamy grits with two eggs.
Erin Perkins
Husk
The Husk menu changes every day, so check before heading in for a plate of shrimp and grits (it’s on heavy rotation though, so you’ll likely find it). Recently, the dish was shrimp in a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce and collards.
Husk
82 Queen
Plan a nap after eating 82 Queen’s bowl of creamy, buttery grits topped with shrimp tossed in barbecue sauce and sprinkles of cheese and bacon — it’s more than hearty.
Millers All Day
Popular brunch spot Millers All Day serves its Jimmy Red corn grits with shrimp, tasso ham, local mushrooms, scallions, and toasted benne seeds.
