A really fun place You have to stand in line for your order but they find you and bring it out to you Staff was fantastic Food was very good They do allow dogs I would recommend the experience... read more

Yikes. I think we ordered the wrong thing!! My husband and I came here for lunch after kayaking next door. We ordered the fish & chips plate to share. We are from the Northeast where ordering a seafood plate of any kind is plenty enough to share with one (or more) people, but NOT this one! The portion size was shockingly small in relation to the price (or it's just not what we're used to) and was not fit for sharing. The fish was flounder, which we've never had before and wanted to try it as we are used to having cod as the fish in "fish & chips." It looked flat and dry, and tasted as such even though it seemed to be fried nicely. After several bites, we decided we didn't like it but I cant figure out if that's because we actually don't like flounder or if maybe we got a bad piece of fish since it was really sad looking?? Anyways, I'm giving two stars as I liked the fries and hushpuppies. Everything seemed to be fried well. The people sitting at the bar next to us got completely different meals and they looked much better than ours. I'd be willing to come back and give this place another try as it was very crowded when we came so I understand any place can be busy and have an off-day! read more

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I was hesitant to make the drive after reading all the negative reviews, but man I'm glad I made it because this is our favorite dinner by far in Charleston - Food: two words - steamed oysters. I repeat. STEAMED OYSTERS. I don't know why anyone will visit this place after 4pm (it's only available then) and not order the steamed oysters. $30 for probably 30-40 the freshest, sweetest oysters you can get. Now, you have to shuck them yourselves and they vary in size. But it's part of the fun, and they're just so, so good. The seafood platter for $33 is a steal too - excellently fried flounder, fresh firmed not-overcooked shrimp, some of the best hush puppies too. - Atmosphere: chill, coastal, laid-back. Live music on Wednesday adding to the vibe. - Environment: hole in the wall. Some comments said it's dirty - it's really not. It's not a fine dining establishment but it's honestly much cleaner than a lot of the ocean shacks I've been to. - Service: yes it's a lot of self-service (you kind of have to clean the table too) and probably not worth 20% tip. But everyone is friendly Anyway, there are a lot of good restaurants in Charleston. But this is the most unique experience. My no.1 recommendation if someone asks. read more

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Bowen's Island Restaurant has amazing oysters and fried seafood with beautiful scenic views. We were a bit disappointed that the menu was limited during our visit since a wedding was being held. It sounds like they have to scale things back for private events, which makes sense, but it did affect our experience. Looking forward to coming back another time to enjoy the full menu. Service was good! read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Scenic views - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We turned off the state highway by a faded blue and white sign and eased down a hard-packed dirt road, oyster shells crushed into the base like a Lowcountry mosaic. The tires hum different out there. Softer. Slower. At the end waits a sliver of island wrapped in sea grass and memory, ringed now by multimillion-dollar homes standing tall on stilts as if waiting on the next big blow. And there she sits. Perched near the island's edge on green poles darkened by time and tide, wrapped in a maze of wooden ramps and weathered boards, this place is less a restaurant and more a reminder. A reminder of when the Carolina coast was family farms, fish camps, and screen doors that slapped shut behind barefoot children chasing lightning bugs under live oaks. You walk in. No maître d'. No velvet rope. Just a counter, a chalkboard, and the kind of greeting that makes you feel like you've been coming there since Reagan was in office. If you're not met with a smile, you may have something better left unspoken tattooed across your forehead. Order your food. Order your drink. That's the ceremony. We took ours to the porch and let the marsh do what the marsh does at sunset -- turn gold, then pink, then something God probably mixed up just for this stretch of coast. The breeze carried salt and fryer oil. Not a bad cologne, if you ask me. Condiments, plastic ware, napkins -- all waiting on the community table. No fuss. No pretense. Just grab what you need and don't be greedy. The food came quick and hot. Start with the fried green tomatoes. Don't argue. Don't overthink it. Just order them. Crisp outside, tender inside, the kind of bite that makes conversation pause mid-sentence. Then dive in. Whatever you picked, you picked right. Excellent food. Decent price. Views worth twice what you paid. And when the hurricanes come -- and they will -- this place will still be there. Weathered. Leaning maybe. But standing. Like it has for years. Some establishments serve meals. Others serve memory. This one does both. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - The menu. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Not bad. Not great. Definitely think of a dive bar you know about and it's pretty spot on. Food was fresh and our boat tour guide told us they fish for their own seafood which I liked. Food was ok it's def an experience to go there! Lots of sauces to choose from and seasonings on the tables. read more

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The food was incredible and the views were amazing. We saw dolphins which was an added special bonus to our visit.

We happened to see this restaurant on a you tube review of eats in Charleston. It was a little out of the way but well worth it. Unfortunately they were out of oysters which grow in the inlet just outside of the restaurant windows We were not deterred. We ordered shrimp fried with hush puppies, Cole slaw and French fries. The platter was a real winner because the batter was light. Fried green tomatoes were quite good. The bloody Mary's hit the spot. We ate on the outdoor patio and got a glimpse of a dolphin playing in the water below. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Restroom sign lol - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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If you like paying very high prices to eat over cooked shrimp, greasy flounder and cold fries in a dirty, messy dump of a dinning room that's hot (no a/c) or outside with flies and if you like waiting over an hour for your very substandard tasteless food and if you enjoy unfriendly, unprofessional service staff and room temperature tartar sauce etc from a dirty messy condiment station Bowen's Island is the place for you. Maybe they were good once but now any other choice is better. Avoid at all cost. read more

Everything about this place is fantastic. The food, the ambience, and the people are great. They handle rushes well so if you see a lot of people here don't worry. Come at sunset for the best views. read more

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The food at Bowens is always top notch. So excited to get an almost 80 degree day at the end of November and a wraparound sunset. She crab soup is back for winter. We agreed that the hushpuppies today were the best they've ever bee read more

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This place is great if you like a bit of an off-dance kind of place, and, oh yeah, freshly opened oysters on the half-shell. A bit hard to find but you will be rewarded! read more

We hadn't been here in a while and it was an absolutely gorgeous day, so we thought we would go enjoy a meal with a view. I have to say, they have one of the best views of any restaurant in the area! Luckily, at mid afternoon, they weren't terribly crowded because there was only one gentleman working behind the counter, taking orders and bartending. The wait wasn't terrible, and when you're sitting in the sunshine watching the dolphins, the time passes quickly. I had the fried oyster plate which was piled high and absolutely delicious! Hubby had fish and shrimp, which he also enjoyed. Their hush puppies are amazing, also! Made for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Definitely worth the trip! read more

ordered the Fish and Shrimp PLATER, seriously? it came in a paper plate and did not look like a plater at all for the price I was expecting a portion to be shared and be a reasonable amount of food for two, that is not a plater, dont be fooled by the menu on the wall. I understand they have to make a buck but their Menu on the wall is misleading in terms of description, not a plater, just a normal lunch paper plate with food for one read more

Rustic, old South feel. On the water with a great breeze. The food is exceptional and plentiful! We both loved it!

It's amazing fresh food, and great ambience. If you want a authentic experience in the low country/Charleston come to this place. Seafood is always fresh and delicious. The only negative, and I mean the only negative, that I could find was in the bathroom. There was no soap or paper towels, but it was very busy at the time we went and I'll give them a pass on that one. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Raw oysters and beer - can there be a better combo????! - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This place is all about the location and not about the food. Wasn't impressed at all - and the space itself is really really dirty. Beautiful view and not good food makes for an ok time - I'm sure there are places with a view and decent view. I'd skip it. The chicken was really tough and dry, crab cakes were ok, nothing special. read more

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We came back on our tenth anniversary and everything we loved about this spot is still there but better! The food was the best we had all week in the Folly Beach area, and the selection of local beer is as good as anywhere on Folly Island or even Sullivan's Island. I love that locals are here as much as tourists and the love for this restaurant shows all over it! I could eat their shrimp and crab cake platter every day and never tire of it. I truly wish I had a second stomach so I could eat lunch and dinner here on the same day. As my bride said, "Worth every dime!" read more

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I cannot say enough good things about Bowen's. I went there for the first time over the summer and was blown away by the absolutely stunning views of sunset along the marsh. The food was a treat from start to finish. We had the crab dip - it was love at first bite, I just wish there was more of it. We also had some cocktails to enjoy. The service at Bowen's was great too! Ordering our food was a breeze and it came out 10/15 minutes later, leaving ample time to enjoy being outdoors and the sights. read more

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Excellent Charleston long term establishment. Great waterfront location. (You can literally rent kayaks and SUP boards on site from COA-depending on day/time) Drive up to the restaurant can feel a bit like an off road experience but just take it slow and steady. Parking is off to the right of the main area. Typically we enjoy the steamed local oysters (served by the bucket) however today we hit the "iin between" the open kitchen so our options were raw or fried. So fried it was, and it was delicious. Definitely recommend the fried shrimp platters. Good serving size, lots of tasty fries and a couple slightly sweet hush puppies. Pro tip, add some Texas Pete to the tarter sauce. Use that with everything, especially the side of slaw. Yum! Crab cakes were a good size but probably would stick with just the shrimp next time. Service from our daytime bartender was quick, knowledgeable and fun. Exactly what you hope for when you sit at the bar. Tks for the good eats and pretty views. We will be back after 4:30pm for those steamed oysters soon! read more

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Out in the middle of no where. Definitely off the beaten path. Kind of like hole in the wall from the atmosphere where locals bring their family & friends that are visiting. At peak times they also have an outside food stand. Pictures look spacious but hard to get a table. Food service is self serve ordering, and pick up when they call your name, so people stay at tables longer than a regular restaurant. Worth it all when sun sets over the water. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Wow! Came here on the recommendation of a friend and glad they rode along with me because this gem is literally off the oyster shell path. Some of the best shrimp I've had in a long time. My friend had the oysters and while they were small they were delicious. read more

Ugh. Can't be happy enough. We recently had our wedding at Bowen's Island Restaurant and it was truly perfect from start to finish. The setting on the water created the most beautiful, relaxed atmosphere and made the whole day feel effortless and special. The food was incredible and exactly what we wanted fresh seafood, amazing oysters, and a true Lowcountry feel that our guests are still talking about. Carol was an absolute dream to work with. She was organized, calm, and genuinely cared about making sure everything felt right for us. From planning details to the flow of the day, she made the entire process feel easy and stress free. You could tell she had done this many times.. lol. So happy to have picked this venue. Our guests were SO happy and well taken care of... which is all we could have asked for. Bowens gave us a wedding that felt authentic, and unforgettable, and we could not imagine having celebrated anywhere else. Thank you!!!!!!!!! read more

Good seafood with a gorgeous view. I highly recommend the fried green tomatoes with pimento and honey. We also ordered oysters, fried oysters, hush puppies, and the frogmore stew. They also offer several local beer and cider options and they have live music on Wednesdays! While the atmosphere was breezy and beautiful, the wait time for our food was extremely slow. Our first item (fried green tomatoes) arrived about 45 minutes after we placed our order. Our second item (oysters) arrived another 30 minutes later. After another hour of waiting, we asked someone about the rest of our order. She was kind and said she would ask the kitchen about it... we waited another 40ish minutes and right when I was about to go ask again, our food arrived. Thankfully, it was a nice day and my cousin and I had a lot to catch up on, however, we both agreed we wouldn't typically wait over 3 hours for our food. The restaurant has several levels and buildings which I imagine makes it difficult for servers to find customers and serve them their food. It was a full house, so I can respect needing to wait a while, however the process from ordering to serving and eating could use some re-organization for increased efficiency and decreased wait times. read more

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Bowen's Island Restaurant Review Bowen's Island Restaurant is a Lowcountry gem that perfectly embodies old-school charm with its no-frills, laid-back atmosphere and unbeatable fresh seafood. The oysters, harvested straight from Charleston's saltwater beds, taste as if they were crafted by Atlantis itself--briny, rich, and full of oceanic depth. The shrimp, hushpuppies, and fried fish are equally fantastic, prepared simply to let the freshness shine. The rustic setting, with stunning marsh views, adds to the experience, making it feel like a step back in time to a place where good food and good company matter most. If you're after authentic, fresh seafood with a side of coastal nostalgia, Bowen's Island is a must-visit. read more

Awesome location really great food but too pricey for lunch. But if you're on vacation not from the area you need to try at least once. read more

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Great service in a nice atmosphere. The menu has a good selection of entrees and the nightly specials are worth a try! Cocktails are good and the sangrias are my favorite. The servers are all like a family and remember their return customers by name. I recommend for a date night or just a good meal with friends. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Sunset - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We used to stop here every time we were in Charleston. We came in for dinner last week and were definitely not impressed. Spent over $150 for four platters. The portion size has shrunk nearly in half from a few years ago. All of the food needed seasoning and was very bland. The hush puppies were overcooked and hard on one side. We waited for over 30 minutes for our food and the restaurant was only half full. We sat at the bar and our drinks remained empty for nearly the whole meal. For roughly $50 a person they're a better choices out there. The view is great here though. read more

Big shack of a truly local place for delicious fresh seafood with great sunset views. In/outdoor seating. Tend to have long lines at peak dinner time. Lots of fried food and the platters are good for sharing. We had fried oysters, steamed shrimps, fried shrimps and fish, hush puppies, fries and coleslaw, all super tasty. Great spot for out of town visitors. read more

What can I say. I love Bowens. Amazing view, great seafood, & cold drinks right on the inner coastal. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Boiled Shrimp & Oyster Shooters - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I would've liked to give this place a try but we waited around and nobody ever came out so we could place and order. It was noon on a Saturday and they were definitely open. One other family was there and had some drinks and apps. The views would've been great but the windows were not clear and you could barely see it. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Restaurant front. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Listen the line was long, it was hot outside, even a little buggy but that's the price you pay to get great seafood. Service was fantastic go early to beat the crowd. read more

Unassuming Seafood restaurant...wonderful fried seafood and French fries. The slaw is not good. Also, sides come with the meal, don't need to order separately. The young man at the register on Friday night was unfriendly, didn't offer to let us know plate came with fries and slaw, so ordered separate sides which were not needed. I watched him wait on other customers at the register, he never welcomed anyone or said anything -he just waits for you to order. Watched him make himself drinks from the tap-THC infused seltzer-maybe that was his issue . Do better at the register. Great job to the kitchen and oyster steamer. read more

I try to judge a place for what it's trying to be, which for this unpretentious spot, I'll give five stars. The Most recent time we were there, they did not have their fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and honey, which was a bit of a let-down. We were so looking forward to them, but settled on the chips with pimento cheese instead. We were unable to determine what the chips were made of. Pita? Some sort of puffy corn chip? Who knows, but they were a decent vehicle for the pimento cheese. Next time, if there's no fried green tomatoes, we'll likely skip the appetizers. We shared seafood platter, which came with great fried shrimp, crab cakes, the best flounder we had on our entire trip, coleslaw, hushpuppies and fries. All really delicious! The view is one of the main reasons we come. We've seen dolphins both times, which was the biggest treat. We will never skip Bowens Island Restaurant when we're in the area! read more

Bowens Island Restaurant is all about the setting. Nestled along the marshes just outside Charleston, it offers some of the most beautiful, dreamy views you'll find in the area--especially at sunset. The scenery alone makes it worth a visit, with a laid-back charm that captures the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. As for the food and atmosphere, they're fairly unremarkable. The menu is a normal coastal selection and the dining experience leans more toward rustic than refined. It's not the kind of place you go for standout culinary experiences or ambiance, but if you're looking to enjoy a cold drink while watching the sun dip behind the marsh, it's hard to beat. Come for the view, stay for the sunset--but manage your expectations when it comes to everything else. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant is a true Lowcountry treasure, offering an authentic, rustic and unforgettable dining experience just minutes from Charleston, SC. Nestled on the waterfront with stunning marsh views, this iconic spot has been serving up some of the freshest seafood in the region for decades. The menu is all about simplicity and quality. The oysters, harvested right on-site, are the stars of the show--whether you enjoy them steamed or raw, they're unbeatable in freshness and flavor. Their fried shrimp, flounder, and crab cakes are equally exceptional, with a perfectly light and crispy batter. Pair your meal with a cold beer or sweet tea, and you've got a classic Southern feast. The atmosphere is laid-back and rustic, with picnic tables and a no-frills vibe that lets the food and views take center stage. Watching the sunset over the marsh while enjoying a plate of oysters is an experience you won't forget. Bowen's Island Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking the true taste of coastal South Carolina. It's more than just a meal--it's a Lowcountry experience that will keep you coming back time and time again. Highly recommended! LOCATION 1870 Bowens Island Road Charleston, SC 29412 HOURS Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00am-9:30 pm *their kitchen is closed 3:00-4:00 pm to prepare for dinner service * Steamed Oysters start at 4:00pm read more

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Oyster selection they had today were some of the best I've had in Charleston worth the 3.5 a shell. Got the seafood plate as well. Shrimp were yummy, crab cakes were good, fries were crispy, flounder was a bit meh. The view and atmosphere is what you come for. read more

I have been to Bowen's twice, once about 20 years ago and this past weekend. The experiences were both great but very different. Twenty years ago it was a cash only place that would bring a shovel full of food and dump it on the table. Now the experience has changed a little (draft beers are available, credit cards are accepted, etc.) but the food is still great and it still has that dive restaurant charm. Oysters is the main staple at Bowen's. Oysters are available in almost every way you can imagine (raw, steamed, chargrilled, etc.). We ordered 18 raw (9 local and 9 from NC) as well as a frogmore stew, fried green tomato and pimento cheese appetizer, she crab soup and chicken tenders. The fried green tomato appetizer was good but I thought they fried the tomatoes a little too much. The chicken tenders were well cooked however they have no flavor whatsoever. I would not recommend them at all. Now the oysters, soup and frogmore stew were all top notch. These are their main staples and you can tell this is why people go. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Door to back deck - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We've been to Bowens many times but this was not good. Not enough employees to take our orders in a long line at 4:30. Drunks at the bar that can hardly walk much less drive. After we placed our orders, the condiment station was horribly nasty and the pumps didn't work . My friend cleaned off the sides of the pumps and had to learn how to get the Tartar sauce out . So this picture is being generous to the restaurant, The server was courteous. The fried shrimp was tough. Flounder was good. We will not be back . read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Yuck. Fried green tomatoes were awesome, hence two stars. Otherwise, I'm not sure why they can't get any color on their fried food, but I learned not to order that long ago. Tonight I ordered shrimp and grits and asked what it was like. The guy asked what I meant. I said well there's no info online, does it have peppers, onions, tomatoes, sausage? He said yes, all that. But no, none of that, except two thin, quartered pieces of sausage. A gelatinous goo for sauce, bland grits, and some pale tiny shrimp--for $25. Oh, and lots of free shrimp shells by accident. Plus it was super hot and they didn't want to open windows (no AC) because it was "cold this morning." Well now it's 80 degrees and 5pm, so.... And don't fall for the big tip suggestions, because no matter what you ask for (plates, silverware...), they point you to where you can get it yourself. There's zero service. So much crappy attitude. I don't get the popularity of this place. read more

Bowen's Island Restaurant - Supposedly shrimp and grits - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina