Well, it’s in print and on the internet. That makes it official: one of the best restaurants in the world is right here in South Carolina. But just one.
Condé Nast Traveler published a list of 207 of the “greatest restaurants around the globe,” and although the list from many states in the U.S. included a lineup as long as your arm, only one restaurant in South Carolina made the list. One.
But, it’s hard to be on top – and even harder to stay there. Just ask The Wreck of The Richard and Charlene in Mount Pleasant. It’s easy to see why this was named the best restaurant in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Tommy C Perhaps for more reasons than one, “The Wreck” as the locals affectionately call it, is appropriately named. It’s not fancy and upon first encounter some people pull into the parking lot and turn right around and leave - but not because it’s ugly. They just don’t see the place. That’s because The Wreck is deeply hidden in plain sight on Mount Pleasant’s famed restaurant row called Shem Creek.
Yelp/Karin G It’s so deeply hidden that even when you get there you don’t see the hand-crafted sign until you’re almost on top of the entrance.
Yelp/Coralie H But The Wreck proves you don’t have to be pretty to be popular. The eatery has gained a reputation for serving fish so fresh you’ll swear it’s still swimming. It’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the best places to eat in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Jeff D If that doesn’t make your mouth water, nothing will. This is one of the most scrumptious seafood restaurants in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Ken W Regulars and darn near cult followers of The Wreck also know this is not the place for a cocktail dress - or even dress shoes!
TripAdvisor/Tom M Flip flops are fine in this ultra casual atmosphere where some seasons may require you to bring along some mosquito spray to get through dinner.
TripAdvisor/TheNJShore Waterfront seating is available, weather permitting. Your table could even be right alongside the very trawler that brought in that fresh catch you’re scarfing down with a cold beverage.
TripAdvisor/dcknight Nothing fancy, of course. Because “fancy” would take away from the ambiance of this waterfront shabby chic eatery. Order a bottle of wine but don’t be surprised if it’s served in an oyster bucket doused with ice. It couldn’t taste any better if it was poured by a waiter in a tux.
TripAdvisor/Jeff D Not fancy unless you think a brand new paper table covering to help sop up the mess is leaning toward the fancy side of things.
Yelp/Bruce K You’ll appreciate that paper tablecloth about halfway through your peel-and-eat entrée.
Yelp/Christine J If you’re looking for delicious restaurants in South Carolina, head to The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene.
Yelp/Luke B However tongue-in-cheek this article may be, it’s quite an accomplishment to make any list at Condé Nast Traveler. Many of them are compiled by reader votes. But not this one. The publisher claims this list of 207 Best Eats in the World was compiled by “enlisting the impassioned guidance from the real experts, our network of chefs, food writers, and most-in-the-know travelers.”
Yelp/Joseph O Cheers to The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene! If you’ll keep dishing it up, we’ll keep coming!
The Wreck is a bastion of remembrance for a colossal old fishing trawler that, during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, ripped the piling she was tied to right out of the ground. She was swished all over Shem Creek and came to rest on a neighboring dock, where she sat impaled on a piling helpless for nearly a year until a salvage team took her apart piece, by piece.
TripAdvisor/Tommy C
Perhaps for more reasons than one, “The Wreck” as the locals affectionately call it, is appropriately named. It’s not fancy and upon first encounter some people pull into the parking lot and turn right around and leave - but not because it’s ugly. They just don’t see the place. That’s because The Wreck is deeply hidden in plain sight on Mount Pleasant’s famed restaurant row called Shem Creek.
Yelp/Karin G
It’s so deeply hidden that even when you get there you don’t see the hand-crafted sign until you’re almost on top of the entrance.
Yelp/Coralie H
But The Wreck proves you don’t have to be pretty to be popular. The eatery has gained a reputation for serving fish so fresh you’ll swear it’s still swimming. It’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the best places to eat in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Jeff D
If that doesn’t make your mouth water, nothing will. This is one of the most scrumptious seafood restaurants in South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Ken W
Regulars and darn near cult followers of The Wreck also know this is not the place for a cocktail dress - or even dress shoes!
TripAdvisor/Tom M
Flip flops are fine in this ultra casual atmosphere where some seasons may require you to bring along some mosquito spray to get through dinner.
TripAdvisor/TheNJShore
Waterfront seating is available, weather permitting. Your table could even be right alongside the very trawler that brought in that fresh catch you’re scarfing down with a cold beverage.
TripAdvisor/dcknight
Nothing fancy, of course. Because “fancy” would take away from the ambiance of this waterfront shabby chic eatery. Order a bottle of wine but don’t be surprised if it’s served in an oyster bucket doused with ice. It couldn’t taste any better if it was poured by a waiter in a tux.
Not fancy unless you think a brand new paper table covering to help sop up the mess is leaning toward the fancy side of things.
Yelp/Bruce K
You’ll appreciate that paper tablecloth about halfway through your peel-and-eat entrée.
Yelp/Christine J
If you’re looking for delicious restaurants in South Carolina, head to The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene.
Yelp/Luke B
However tongue-in-cheek this article may be, it’s quite an accomplishment to make any list at Condé Nast Traveler. Many of them are compiled by reader votes. But not this one. The publisher claims this list of 207 Best Eats in the World was compiled by “enlisting the impassioned guidance from the real experts, our network of chefs, food writers, and most-in-the-know travelers.”
Yelp/Joseph O
Cheers to The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene! If you’ll keep dishing it up, we’ll keep coming!
When you eat at The Wreck, you’re sitting in the very spot where The Richard & Charlene came to rest. And somehow, it’s more than fitting that the restaurant devoted to keeping the spirit of The Richard & Charlene alive is in a way, a wreck.
The Wreck is located at 106 Haddrell St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. For more information, take a look at the restaurant’s website.
What are your favorite seafood restaurants in South Carolina? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
More in the mood for Italian? The Oldest Restaurant In South Carolina Has A Truly Incredible History.
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Address: Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, SC, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best restaurant in South Carolina December 01, 2019 Elisa Regulski What are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina? Ike’s Korner Grill, located in Spartanburg, is one of the most delicious restaurants in South Carolina. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior. This place is home to juicy and flavorful burgers that’ll make you jump for joy. For more tasty comfort food, head to Your Mommas Restaurant in Bamberg. This tiny eatery sits inside an alleyway, so you’ll have to search for it. Once you locate it, though, you’ll be in hamburger heaven. Learn more about South Carolina’s best hole-in-the-wall restaurants by reading our article here. What are the best seafood restaurants in South Carolina? If you’re looking for fabulous seafood restaurants in South Carolina, there are lots of options. Sea Captain’s House, located on Myrtle Beach, is one of the best. In addition to fresh dishes, you’ll be greeted with the most astonishing waterfront views. This restaurant is perfect for romantic dinners and family outings. Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island is another must-visit seafood restaurant in South Carolina. You can’t miss out on their wonderful raw bar. To learn more about this state’s best seafood restaurants, read our article here. What are the most famous restaurants in South Carolina? Husk Restaurant, located in Charleston, is wildly famous – and for good reason. Almost immediately after it opened, it was named the Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit Magazine. You’ll have to book a reservation in advance, but their scrumptious dishes are worth it. If you’re looking for more famous South Carolina restaurants, read our article here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best restaurant in South Carolina
December 01, 2019
Elisa Regulski
What are the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina? Ike’s Korner Grill, located in Spartanburg, is one of the most delicious restaurants in South Carolina. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior. This place is home to juicy and flavorful burgers that’ll make you jump for joy. For more tasty comfort food, head to Your Mommas Restaurant in Bamberg. This tiny eatery sits inside an alleyway, so you’ll have to search for it. Once you locate it, though, you’ll be in hamburger heaven. Learn more about South Carolina’s best hole-in-the-wall restaurants by reading our article here. What are the best seafood restaurants in South Carolina? If you’re looking for fabulous seafood restaurants in South Carolina, there are lots of options. Sea Captain’s House, located on Myrtle Beach, is one of the best. In addition to fresh dishes, you’ll be greeted with the most astonishing waterfront views. This restaurant is perfect for romantic dinners and family outings. Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island is another must-visit seafood restaurant in South Carolina. You can’t miss out on their wonderful raw bar. To learn more about this state’s best seafood restaurants, read our article here. What are the most famous restaurants in South Carolina? Husk Restaurant, located in Charleston, is wildly famous – and for good reason. Almost immediately after it opened, it was named the Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit Magazine. You’ll have to book a reservation in advance, but their scrumptious dishes are worth it. If you’re looking for more famous South Carolina restaurants, read our article here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ike’s Korner Grill, located in Spartanburg, is one of the most delicious restaurants in South Carolina. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior. This place is home to juicy and flavorful burgers that’ll make you jump for joy. For more tasty comfort food, head to Your Mommas Restaurant in Bamberg. This tiny eatery sits inside an alleyway, so you’ll have to search for it. Once you locate it, though, you’ll be in hamburger heaven. Learn more about South Carolina’s best hole-in-the-wall restaurants by reading our article here.
What are the best seafood restaurants in South Carolina?
If you’re looking for fabulous seafood restaurants in South Carolina, there are lots of options. Sea Captain’s House, located on Myrtle Beach, is one of the best. In addition to fresh dishes, you’ll be greeted with the most astonishing waterfront views. This restaurant is perfect for romantic dinners and family outings. Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Island is another must-visit seafood restaurant in South Carolina. You can’t miss out on their wonderful raw bar. To learn more about this state’s best seafood restaurants, read our article here.
What are the most famous restaurants in South Carolina?
Husk Restaurant, located in Charleston, is wildly famous – and for good reason. Almost immediately after it opened, it was named the Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit Magazine. You’ll have to book a reservation in advance, but their scrumptious dishes are worth it. If you’re looking for more famous South Carolina restaurants, read our article here.
