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Softie on a doughnut
Bar George

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Soft Shells in Charleston, 2021

An extensive list of every restaurant offering the seasonal softie

by Erin Perkins Updated
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Softie on a doughnut
| Bar George
by Erin Perkins Updated

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, along with a description of the dish. These specials won’t last for very long, so double check with the eatery to see if they’ve sold out. Go forth and crunch into a few crabs around town — legs and all.

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

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Fat Hen

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Chef Fred Neuville will sauté a soft shell for you at the Fat Hen.

3140 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-9090
(843) 559-9090
Fat Hen/Facebook

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The Royal Tern

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Johns Island seafood eatery Royal Tern has a fried softie with snow peas, peppers, onions, and a ginger garlic sauce.

3005 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 718-3434
(843) 718-3434

Bar George

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Hip James Island bar/restaurant Bar George has its supply of softies in. Look for the crabs served pan fried with rouille, broiled asparagus, and a splash of lemon. The kitchen also makes a sandwich with softies on a sourdough doughnut with rouille, spring onion, and lettuce.

1956 Maybank Hwy UNIT E, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 793-2231
(843) 793-2231
a sleek looking cocktail bar Leslie Ryann McKellar

Also featured in:

Jackrabbit Filly

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Jackrabbit Filly offers a tempura soft shell crab served on fried rice with short grain rice, Sea Island red peas, local green tomatoes, sweet soy, peanuts, and crispy shallots. 

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 460-0037
(843) 460-0037

Also featured in:

Florence's Lowcountry Kitchen

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Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen serves a buttermilk-fried crab, with tomato, lettuce, and lemon dill aioli on a brioche bun, served with slaw and red rice.

90 Folly Rd Blvd Suite B-4, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 507-8285
(843) 507-8285

Rebel Taqueria

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Rebel Taqueria puts its deep-fried sofites in a taco with crema and slaw.

1809 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 619-0104
(843) 619-0104

Gillie's Seafood

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Soul food spot Gillie’s announced that it has soft shell crabs.

805 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 297-8615
(843) 297-8615

Also featured in:

Bohemian Bull

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Burger spot Bohemian Bull has a fried soft shell crab with a roasted garlic aioli, arugula, and fried green tomatoes served on a toasted sesame bun.

1531 Folly Rd, James Island, SC 29412
(843) 225-1817
(843) 225-1817

Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.

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Instead of beef patties, Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. uses soft shell crabs in its ode to the McDonald’s Big Mac with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. 

1505 King St #115, Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 718-3224
(843) 718-3224

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Estadio

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Tapas restaurant Estadio offers a softie on the menu.

122 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Estadio Robert Donovan

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Xiao Bao Biscuit

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Asian comfort food spot Xiao Bao Biscuit plates up springtime softies.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Xiao Bao Biscuit

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Home Team BBQ

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Home Team serves a softie on a Hawaiian bun with red chili remoulade with tomato and lettuce.

126 Williman St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 225-7427
(843) 225-7427
fried crab on a bun Home Team BBQ of Charleston, SC/Facebook

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Bistronomy By Nico

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French/Asian restaurant Bistronomy has a softie with sambal and lemongrass ratatouille.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

Pink Bellies

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Open Thursday through Sunday for takeout, Pink Bellies offers a soft shell bun mi served on a house-made milk bun, shrimp pate, tartar sauce, bread and butter pickles, and dill.

595 King St Suite 1, Charleston, SC 29403

The Grocery

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The Grocery is the king of the soft shell preparation. There’s sandwiches, plus the three-way set up that the restaurant is known for.

4 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 302-8825
(843) 302-8825

Also featured in:

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Felix Cocktails et Cuisine

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French restaurant Félix currently offers a buttermilk-fried soft shell crab from Abundant Seafood. The special changes daily. Yesterday, the lunch special came with lemon herb aioli, arugula, and tomato on a toasted bun, with a side of truffle fries.

550 King St #100, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-6297
(843) 203-6297

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The Ordinary

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Oyster emporium the Ordinary serves a softie with ramp scampi, celery root, and capers.

544 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 414-7060
(843) 414-7060
The Ordinary
The Ordinary
Audra Rhodes

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Indaco

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Italian eatery Indaco serves a crispy softie with black maltagliati pasta, Calabrian chili, Castelvetrano olive, caper, lemon, and basil.

526 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1228
(843) 727-1228
Indaco (not the location of the ramen)
Indaco
Provided

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The Darling Oyster Bar

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Popular King Street eatery the Darling has its shipment of softies.

513 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0821
(843) 641-0821
The Darling
The Darling
Erin Perkins

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Halls Chophouse

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There have been reports of soft shell sandwiches at fancy steakhouse Halls.

434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-0090
(843) 727-0090

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Le Farfalle

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Italian restaurant Le Farfalle offers a fried soft shell with a broccoli rabe panzanella, spring onion, and tomato vinaigrette.

15 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 212-0920
(843) 212-0920
Le Farfalle Brian Stetson

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Charleston Grill

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At Charleston Grill, the kitchen fries the seasonal delicacy in a light batter made with Pellegrino and espelette pepper, then they serve it with ramps and sea beans, dressing it with a sauce made from brown butter.

224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-4522
(843) 577-4522
charleston grill

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Delaney Oyster House

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At high-end fish house Delaney, there’s a honey walnut soft shell crab on the menu with grilled broccolini, sour garlic, and orange.

 

115 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 594-0099
(843) 594-0099

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FIG

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At fine dining restaurant FIG, soft shell crabs are sautéed with turnip velouté, asparagus, and grenobloise.

232 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 805-5900
(843) 805-5900
Leslie McKellar

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Cru Cafe

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Southern restaurant Cru Cafe features buttermilk-fried soft shell with a warm vichyssoise and a blistered heirloom cherry tomato salad with arugula, red onions, and charred corn tossed in a basil dressing.

18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 534-2434
(843) 534-2434

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Slightly North of Broad Restaurant

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Classic restaurant SNOB serves fried soft shell crabs with curried butter beans, kale, tomato, and Carolina Gold rice middlings.

192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3424
(843) 723-3424

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

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The softie BLT is back at Fleet Landing. There’s views of the water and a crunchy crab here.

186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-8100
(843) 722-8100

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The Kingstide

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The soft shell at the Kingstide is served with Vietnamese salsa verde and chorizo carrots.

32 River Landing Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492
(843) 216-3832
(843) 216-3832

Also featured in:

Nico | Oysters + Seafood

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Of course Mount Pleasant seafood restaurant Nico has soft shell crabs. These guys are served in a sandwich.

201 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 352-7969
(843) 352-7969
Nico/Facebook

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Kanpai Japanese Restaurant

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Sushi restaurant Kanpai has its shipment of soft shells.

1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd suite b-9, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-8001
(843) 388-8001

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High Thyme Cuisine

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Sullivan’s Island eatery High Thyme serves soft shell crab over corn and an arugula salad.

2213 Middle St C, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3536
(843) 883-3536

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Savi Cucina + Wine Bar

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Italian eater Savi Cucina + Wine Bar has its supply of soft shell crabs.

1324 Theater Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 606-1856
(843) 606-1856
Savi Cucina + Wine Bar/Facebook

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Pier 41

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At Pier 41, chef Brannon Florie tempura fries the soft shell crab and serves it with coconut red curry, boiled peanuts, broccoli, fingerling potatoes, Thai basil, and cilantro. 

1039 SC-41, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 388-4229
(843) 388-4229

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Fat Hen

3140 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Chef Fred Neuville will sauté a soft shell for you at the Fat Hen.

3140 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-9090
(843) 559-9090
Fat Hen/Facebook

The Royal Tern

3005 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Johns Island seafood eatery Royal Tern has a fried softie with snow peas, peppers, onions, and a ginger garlic sauce.

3005 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 718-3434
(843) 718-3434

Bar George

1956 Maybank Hwy UNIT E, Charleston, SC 29412

Hip James Island bar/restaurant Bar George has its supply of softies in. Look for the crabs served pan fried with rouille, broiled asparagus, and a splash of lemon. The kitchen also makes a sandwich with softies on a sourdough doughnut with rouille, spring onion, and lettuce.

1956 Maybank Hwy UNIT E, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 793-2231
(843) 793-2231
a sleek looking cocktail bar Leslie Ryann McKellar

Jackrabbit Filly

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405

Jackrabbit Filly offers a tempura soft shell crab served on fried rice with short grain rice, Sea Island red peas, local green tomatoes, sweet soy, peanuts, and crispy shallots. 

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 460-0037
(843) 460-0037

Florence's Lowcountry Kitchen

90 Folly Rd Blvd Suite B-4, Charleston, SC 29407

Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen serves a buttermilk-fried crab, with tomato, lettuce, and lemon dill aioli on a brioche bun, served with slaw and red rice.

90 Folly Rd Blvd Suite B-4, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 507-8285
(843) 507-8285

Rebel Taqueria

1809 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Rebel Taqueria puts its deep-fried sofites in a taco with crema and slaw.

1809 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 619-0104
(843) 619-0104

Gillie's Seafood

805 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Soul food spot Gillie’s announced that it has soft shell crabs.

805 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 297-8615
(843) 297-8615

Bohemian Bull

1531 Folly Rd, James Island, SC 29412

Burger spot Bohemian Bull has a fried soft shell crab with a roasted garlic aioli, arugula, and fried green tomatoes served on a toasted sesame bun.

1531 Folly Rd, James Island, SC 29412
(843) 225-1817
(843) 225-1817

Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.

1505 King St #115, Charleston, SC 29405

Instead of beef patties, Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co. uses soft shell crabs in its ode to the McDonald’s Big Mac with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. 

1505 King St #115, Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 718-3224
(843) 718-3224

Estadio

122 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

Tapas restaurant Estadio offers a softie on the menu.

122 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Estadio Robert Donovan

Xiao Bao Biscuit

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Asian comfort food spot Xiao Bao Biscuit plates up springtime softies.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Xiao Bao Biscuit

Home Team BBQ

126 Williman St, Charleston, SC 29403

Home Team serves a softie on a Hawaiian bun with red chili remoulade with tomato and lettuce.

126 Williman St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 225-7427
(843) 225-7427
fried crab on a bun Home Team BBQ of Charleston, SC/Facebook

Bistronomy By Nico

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

French/Asian restaurant Bistronomy has a softie with sambal and lemongrass ratatouille.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

Pink Bellies

595 King St Suite 1, Charleston, SC 29403

Open Thursday through Sunday for takeout, Pink Bellies offers a soft shell bun mi served on a house-made milk bun, shrimp pate, tartar sauce, bread and butter pickles, and dill.

595 King St Suite 1, Charleston, SC 29403

The Grocery

4 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Grocery is the king of the soft shell preparation. There’s sandwiches, plus the three-way set up that the restaurant is known for.

4 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 302-8825
(843) 302-8825

Related Maps

Felix Cocktails et Cuisine

550 King St #100, Charleston, SC 29403

French restaurant Félix currently offers a buttermilk-fried soft shell crab from Abundant Seafood. The special changes daily. Yesterday, the lunch special came with lemon herb aioli, arugula, and tomato on a toasted bun, with a side of truffle fries.

550 King St #100, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-6297
(843) 203-6297