When I visited Beaufort as a guest last fall, I was happily surprised to discover that restaurants in Beaufort SC are serving creative, exceptional meals! Beaufort might be a small town, but it rivals any of the big cities when it comes to its culinary scene.
Since living on the water is such a huge part of Beaufort life (#BFTLife), it stands to reason that fresh-caught seafood is a menu favorite, and the area’s Gullah-inspired flavors have also contributed to Beaufort’s wildly delicious lowcountry cooking.
Saltus River Grill
(802 Bay St., Beaufort, S.C.) Facebook
This upscale eatery overlooking the river is one of the finest in town and specializes in seafood, steak and sushi. Chef Brian Waters has created a modern lowcountry menu with locally sourced ingredients, cutting-edge flavors and sophisticated presentations.
I started with a bowl of split pea soup that blew my mind. The server told me it was unlike any split pea soup out there, and he was right. Delicious! My entree was the Keegan-Filion Farms roasted chicken with mashed potato puree, house bacon, brussels sprouts and apple cider jus, and it was sensational. For seafood lovers, don’t miss the shrimp and grits. My table mates absolutely loved it.
Dessert is the perfect finishing touch, and if it’s a chilly evening, the outdoor fire pit on the stone patio is a cozy spot to sit and enjoy the water view.
Lowcountry Produce Market and Café
(302 Carteret St., Beaufort, S.C.) Website
In what was once the Old City Hall, you’ll now find this popular neighborhood market and café, and it’s an absolute treat. The menu is full of regional Southern dishes, and they’re so appealing that it’s hard to decide what to order. The building itself is open, airy and filled with freshly made baked goods, local produce, artisan foods and more.
My comfort food is grilled cheese, and the Oooey Gooey might have been the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had. The garlic pepper jelly (which I’ve since purchased) was incredible!
Old Bull Tavern
(205 West St., Beaufort, S.C.)
This European-style gastro pub is so popular that it doesn’t even need a traditional sign, and the ever-changing menu ensures you can try something new every time you visit. And when I say an ever-changing menu, I mean there’s a new menu every day. With an emphasis on homemade, seasonal and local ingredients, and an impressive line-up of specialty cocktails, craft beers and wine, it’s a foodie’s delight.
We began by ordering bruschetta with fresh mozzarella and tomato salad, which was ridiculously good. For my entree I chose the house-made pappardelle with marinara sauce — sublime! A dessert of fresh berries with whipped cream capped the meal to perfection.
Scout Southern Market
(709 Bay St., Beaufort, SC) Facebook
It wouldn’t be a proper visit to Beaufort without trying one of the Sweet Tea Floats at Scout Southern Market. Two scoops of either peach or lemon sorbet are topped with iced tea in a tall glass, and it’s as refreshing as it is delicious. I highly recommend it!
Although I only had a chance to try a few of the best restaurants in Beaufort SC, it’s clear that the culinary scene is exploding there, and visitors will not be disappointed. Lowcountry cuisine is on the rise!
For more information on these Beaufort SC restaurants and the area in general, check out www.beaufortsc.org.
Comments & Reviews
I think I’ve only been to South Carolina once, and that was at Carowinds where you can stand in two states at the same time. I need to add it to my list of places to visit!
Everything here looks so good! I’m a major foodie, so one of my favorite parts of any trip is finding amazing places to eat. Thanks so much!
Oh wow. Beaufort has some amazing dining options. One of my favorite things about traveling is finding new and wonderful eating establishments. Thanks for sharing this!
Everything looks divine! I would love to drive there just to try all of these places out. The food is definitely worth the trip.
So we have already added Beaufort to our travel list and I just Pinned this. Now we will know where to find the best food. That grilled cheese sounds quite yummy!
The grilled cheese was great. LowCountry Produce had a lot of great sandwich options.
Beaufort is a foodie paradise! We’ve been talking about taking a trip to South Carolina, and Beaufort JUST made the short list.
South Carolina had some great eats when we were there. These look delicious, looks like I need to go back.
I am thinking if I visited South Carolina I would come back a few pounds heavier after eating all this great food.
We had neighbours once that came from South Carolina, we mentioned to them years ago that we would love to come for a visit but never had a chance to go. I would love to add this to my list of places to see… the food looks delicious!
Wow, I would love to eat at any of these places. The bruschetta with fresh mozzarella and tomato salad looks so perfect. And the iced tea with scoops of sherbet inside sound so refreshing!
I have never been to South Carolina, but would love to visit. The Old Bull Tavern looks like a fun place to eat. I want that bruschetta with fresh mozzarella and tomato salad to get into my belly!
Beaufort had so many great restaurants. They were all good, but LowCountry Produce Market has such a fun vibe to it. And the desserts at Saltus were great.
I have never been to South Carolina before although I would love to! This all looks so great I would LOVE to try those Sweet Tea floats they look and sound incredible!
I have never been to South Carolina. I would love to go though and check this place out. I love the feel of it!
Oh so much to enjoy and eat. Loving your list of restaurants to enjoy in Beaufort, SC. I am not sure I could just pick one place!
Everything looks so amazing. I have my eyes on that dessert though.
Love Low Country! I’m adding these to my list for our next trip to South Carolina!
I have never been to Beaufort before. It looks like there is a lot of great places to eat there. I love to try new restaurants when I travel.
I am hoping to be in South Carolina this summer. I will have to check out a few of these places if I get to Beaufort. All the food looks so delicious.
All that food looks so delicious. What a lovely place to enjoy a meal.
Oh my goodness this is like a foodies dream!!!! Everything looks amazing! Beaufort sounds like a city I should see.
Now I really want to go there. Those pictures make me so hungry! I can’t wait to try out some fun new restaurants!
OMG what delicious food. I so what to come visit and try all these places out.
We go to SC every Summer and need to see if this is along the way. The papparadelle and dessert look amazing!
I’d have to start with the Old Bull Tavern. I love the idea of an ever changing menu so it’s like a new experience every time you dine there!
These food pictures are making my mouth water. I love the fire pit at ambiance at Saltus and the produce market looks too adorable. We’ve driven through SC but have yet to make it our destination. Hopefully we can check it off our list soon!
This is foodie heaven! Everything looks so good and that iced tea with two scoops of sorbet is so refreshing. I wish I could not only visit Beaufort but I wish I could live there!
These food look amazing! I would love to visit each restaurant next time we visit Beaufort!
Oh that tavern!! That food looks absolutely scrumdiliuptious!! The sign is cute. 🙂
OMG! I would love to visit these restaurants! I wish I can visit South Carolina one of these days!
I’ve never visited South Carolina, but after seeing some dining options I need to add this to my must visit list! The Saltus River Grill’s food looks delicious!
Beaufort SC restaurants and the area in general looks like a neat place to visit.
You do an excellent job describing some of its allure.
I need to add this place to my bucket list. And then I want to visit each of these restaurants. Everything looks scrumptious.
All those meals look very delicious! I’ve never thought about visiting South Carolina, but I can tell they’re on the same page as me as far as the meals go 🙂
Liz! You are killing me with all this great food! I want to go to SC!!!!!
If I am ever in that area I would love to visit those places. The food looks amazing.
Low country food is some of the best around. When we have spent time in South Carolina, I have always enjoyed the food. I am sure Beaufort is no exception.
Oh yum!!! I love grilled cheese, so I would love that.
Old Bull Tavern looks like my spot. I love taverns and the food they have.
These are some awesome eats for sure! That grilled cheese looks perfect.
The Saltus River Grill catches my attention, i am thinking to visit this place this year! the ambiance looks so calm!
The restaurants in Beaufort SC look amazing. I would love to sample the food from all of them.
I would love to check out a couple of these when I make it to SC someday! the 2nd choice ‘the Cafe’ that looks so charming with nice tasting food. thanks for the heads up on where to eat : )
The one time I visited South Carolina I feasted like a queen…all of the food is so fresh and delicious. Looks like you found some great spots that are not just a feast for your belly, but also for your eyes. Such beauty!
I love that outdoor fire pit and the food looks amazing!
I’ve never been to Beaufort, but the food looks incredible! The Saltus Grille looks phenomenal. The only places in SC I’ve been are Charleston and Columbia.
Now that looks like a place my family would enjoy. We haven’t been in SC but hopefully soimeday.
How do you even pick what food you want? It all looks so good. I think I’d devour bruschetta with fresh mozzarella and tomato salad first. Nom Nom!
I would be in food heaven out there! I’ve never been to South Carolina, but we have some friends that moved there recently and want us to visit. Might have to take them up on that now 😉
I didnt realize Beaufort was such a mini foodie city. I would love to try a ice tea float that is different!