By Chef Nico Romo
Chef Nico Romo
French-born chef Nico Romo of Nico in Mt Pleaseant, SC is a highly-trained Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and the Sustainable Seafood Ambassador of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The focus of his oyster bar is wood-fired seafood and French cuisine.
Chef Romo gives you his favorite places for oysters and seafood in Charleston.
Photographs courtesy of The Ordinary
The Ordinary
The quality here is just the best. Chef Mike Lata opened this restaurant a few years ago and I always send people here when they're looking to have a big night out with great seafood. I love to sit at the bar and have oysters. They also have a great wine list and awesome cocktails. If you really want to blow it out, get the large seafood tower... it will totally impress your friends.
544 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
T: 843.414.7060
eattheordinary.com
Photograph courtesy of 167 Raw
167 Raw
This spot is sometimes hard to get into because the space is so small, but if you go early or late you can usually grab a table without too much trouble. The quality here is outstanding. I love their oysters, but don't miss the lobster roll. It's the best one I've had outside of New England.
289 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
T: 843.579.4997
167raw.com
Photograph courtesy of Hank's
Hank's
Hank's is a fun, lively restaurant and one of the Charleston classics. They're very consistent, so you always know what you're going to get. This is another great place to go sit at the long, old school bar, but I also like to come here with a crowd. The dining room is large and lively and the service is always exceptional. The shrimp and grits are a classic.
10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401
T: 843.723.3474
hanksseafoodrestaurant.com
Photograph courtesy of Pearlz Oyster Bar
Pearlz Oyster Bar
Pearlz is an unassuming neighborhood restaurant and watering hole. It's very casual so you can go on the weekends to catch a game while having beer and great oysters, but my favorite time to go is for happy hour. There's a great, affordable happy hour menu. You can go in and grab a few dozen oysters, some fried shrimp, and drinks without breaking the bank. It's also kid-friendly, so I like to take my entire family here on the weekends. Pearlz also does oyster roasts on the first Sunday of the month during oyster season – less than $20 for all you can eat oysters is one of the best deals in town.
153 E Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401 | T: 843.577.5755
9 Magnolia Road, Charleston SC 29407 | T: 843.573.2277
www.pearlzoysterbar.com
Photograph courtesy of Leon's Oyster Shop
Leon's Oyster Shop
Leon's brought chargrilled oysters, a New Orleans classic, to Charleston. The atmosphere is super cool and they have great cocktails, like the elderflower gin and tonic, and a fantastic wine list that pairs beautifully with seafood as well as their signature fried chicken. This is a spot where you can hang out all day long.
698 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401
T: 843.531.6500
leonsoystershop.com
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