From fried shrimp to fresh oysters, enjoy the best of the coast at these flip-flop-friendly spots.
If you’re near the water, seafood is 100% the move.
Our readers, who are more than familiar with their local stretches of coastline, certainly agree.
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
These are the South’s Best Seafood Dives of 2025 as voted on by our readers.
The survey was fielded from July 10 to August 21, 2024, and had over 10,000 respondents.
middendorfsrestaurant.com; multiple locations
9.
Credit:Katherine Kimball
Order their hugeLow Country Boil, and prepare to get messy.
thecrabshack.com; 40 Estill Hammock Road, Tybee Island, GA 31328; 912-786-9857
8. gnatslanding.com; 310 Redfern Village Saint Simons Island, GA 31522; 912-638-7378
7. seashackseafood.com; 6 Executive Park Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-785-2464
6.
Order a tray of seasonal steamed oysters and Frogmore stew.
Credit:Rachel Lee Studios LLC
bowensisland.com; 1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412; 843-795-2757
5. originaloysterhouse.com; multiple locations
4.
Order the she-crab soup to begin, and follow up with the marquee attraction: piled-high steamed seafood buckets.
crabshacks.com; multiple locations
3. destinseafood.com; multiple locations
2. docsseafoodshack.com; 26029 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561; 251-981-6999
1. thecrabtrapssi.com; 1209 Ocean Boulevard, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; 912-638-3552
Credit:Courtesy of Gnats Landing
Credit:Courtesy of The Sea Shack
Credit:Courtesy of Bowen’s Island Restaurant
Credit:Tad Densen
Credit:Courtesy of The Crab Shacks
Credit:Courtesy of Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant
Credit:Courtesy of Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar
