Where to Find Soft Shell Crabs in Charleston, 2019

Spring is here, and soft shell season is finally upon the Lowcountry. Charleston residents and visitors go absolutely mad for softies each year, whether they be fried, pan seared, or on a sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. As the short-season delicacy makes it to local restaurant menus, we’ll put them on this map. These specials won’t last for very long, so double check with the eatery to see if they’ve sold out.

March 27, 2019

• Sichuan spot Kwei Fei goes hot and spicy with its crabs. 1977 Maybank Highway

• Long-standing 82 Queen offers a fried soft shell crab, with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Sriracha remoulade on a brioche bun. 82 Queen Street

• Fine dining restaurant Charleston Grill serves lightly tempura-fried softie with a nuoc cham dipping sauce. 224 King Street

• Southern space Gillie’s Seafood & Soul put soft shells on the menu. 805 Folly Road

• Waterfront eater Fleet Landing has softie BLTs at lunchtime. 186 Concord Street

• The 2Nixons pop-up at Proof will serve soft shell ramen this weekend. 437 King Street

• Market Street eatery 5Church got its supply of soft shells in and recently put them on the menu. 32B N Market Street

• Gullah establishment Nana’s Seafood & Soul has softies on deck. 176 Line Street

• Waterfront eatery Tavern & Table plates up a soft shell crab sandwich with Napa cabbage, pickled fennel, crunchy garlic mayo, on a house-made potato roll. 100 Church Street, Mount Pleasant

• Upper King staple the Macintosh has a soft shell crab sandwich with watercress, pickled onions, and sambal mayo, with a side of fries. 479 King Street

March 25, 2019

• Oaxacan restaurant Pink Cactus offers softies with Mexican influences. 101 Spring Street

• Lowcountry restaurant Parcel 32 plates a beer-battered softie with purple rice, blue crab, Royal Red shrimp, and sofrito. 442 King Street

• Smoked meat depot Home Team BBQ serves a tempura-fried soft shell sandwich with Alabama comeback sauce. 126 Williman Street

• Folly Beach hangout Wiki Wiki Sandbar can serve you a softie by the sea. 106 E Ashley Avenue

• Fancy dining room Zero Restaurant + Bar offers a tempura soft shell crab, with popcorn, and green curry as part of the tasting menu. 0 George Street

• Beer temple Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company offers a soft shell crab “Big Mac” complete with American cheese. 1505 King Street

• Mount Pleasant restaurant Crave Kitchen & Cocktails put soft shell crabs on the menu. 1968 Riviera Drive

• Italian establishment Le Farfalle has a supply of softies for the kitchen to play with. 15 Beaufain Street

• Upper King Italian eatery Indaco puts a semolina-fried softie on top of squid ink pasta. 526 King Street

• Johns Island newcomer the Royal Tern has a crate of soft shells ready to go. 3005 Maybank Highway

• Kiawah Italian spot La Tela Pizzeria offers softies with butter beans. 133 Village Green Lane

• East Bay option Slightly North of Broad brings soft shells to the table this week. 192 East Bay Street

• Farm-fresh restaurant the Grocery always offers a “Trio of Crabs,” which consists of three different preparations of softshells: Old School, Old South, and Old World. 4 Cannon Street

March 22, 2019

• Broad Street stalwart Oak Steakhouse can serve a softie with a side of ribeye. 17 Broad Street

• Westside bistro Purlieu serves softies with a spring salad. 237 Fishburne Street

• Beachy burger spot Poe’s Tavern put a soft shell sandwich on the menu. 2210 Middle Street

• Mount Pleasant restaurant Grace & Grit has a shipment of softies from Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood. 320 Wingo Way

• Seafood master the Ordinary serves a beautiful dish of spring vegetables and cornmeal-dusted soft shell crab. 544 King St.

• Hot spot Chubby Fish plates up softies. 252 Coming Street

• Italian restaurant Bacco gives its customers a soft shell crab sandwich with a lemon caper aioli. 976 Houston Northcutt Boulevard

• East Bay eatery Tradd’s serves pan-roasted soft shell crabs with preserved lemon and a Moscatel purée with a greens salad of radish, beet, apple, fennel, and pistachios. 167 East Bay Street

• Soft shell crabs are in the kitchen at Charleston favorite FIG. 232 Meeting Street

• Hank’s Seafood has a new preparation of soft shell crabs nightly. 10 Hayne Street

• Pier 41 was one of the first restaurants to get a supply of softies. 1039 SC Hwy 41 #100

Serving softies? Send a note to charleston@eater.com; Eater will periodically update this guide throughout the season.