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Where to Find Soft-Shell Crabs in Charleston

Softie season is here.

by Erin Perkins
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by Erin Perkins
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Spring is here, and soft-shell season is finally upon the Lowcountry. As the short-season delicacy makes it to local menus, we'll put them on the map. These specials won't last for long, so double check with the restaurant to see if they've sold out.

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

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. FIG

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232 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 805-5900
(843) 805-5900
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FIG was one of the first downtown restaurants to get their supply of softies. When available, chef Jason Stanhope serves the crustacean with spaghetti, lemon, bottarga, herbs, and bread crumbs.

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2. The Grocery

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4 Cannon St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 302-8825
(843) 302-8825
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Chef Kevin Johnson counts down the days to softie season and this year he wood-roasts them with spring vegetables, baby arugula, and pancetta vinaigrette.

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3. Peninsula Grill

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112 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0700
(843) 723-0700
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Chef Graham Dailey is so excited about soft-shells, he's posting all his creations on Instagram. Peninsula Grill serves a softie BLT when the crabs are in.

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4. Cypress

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167 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 727-0111
(843) 727-0111
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Crispy softies are on the menu at Cypress with cabbage and rice purloo, celery, radishes, carrots, and crab roe cream.

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5. Barony Tavern

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68 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Barony Tavern is in the soft-shell game with a tempura-fried version served with toasted pecan butter, steamed asparagus, and spring onion and Parmesan grits.

6. Roadside Seafood

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807 Folly Rd
Charleston, SC
(843) 754-5890
(843) 754-5890
Roadside Seafood stuffs their soft-shell crabs and fries them up. Continually rated as the best fried shrimp and fish in the Lowcountry, Roadside has perfected their technique.

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7. Michael’s on the Alley

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39-E John Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-3000
(843) 203-3000
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Chef Aaron Lemieux created a soft-shell BLT to serve at Michael's on the Alley and Victor Social Club. The tempura-fried softies are served with Benton's bacon, Creole remoulade, local tomatoes, and house-made pickles.

8. Edmund's Oast

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1081 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1145
(843) 727-1145
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Edmund's Oast should have soft-shells in soon, and when they do, chef Andy Henderson will serve them sautéed in brown butter, with Meyer lemon, cauliflower, creamed cabbage, and parsley.

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9. Halls Chophouse

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434 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-0090
(843) 727-0090
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During softie season, Halls Chophouse offers crispy soft-shell crabs on bed of black-eyed peas, bell peppers, watercress, and finished with a buttermilk peppercorn dressing.

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10. Cru Cafe

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18 Pinckney St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 534-2434
(843) 534-2434
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Cozy dining destination Cru Cafe got a supply of softies from Beaufort recently and will run a buttermilk-fried soft-shell crab BLT special until they run out. Photo: Facebook

11. Xiao Bao Biscuit

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224 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
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Xiao Bao Biscuit serves their crabs with Malay sweet chilis, cumin, and lamb.

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12. O-Ku

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463 King St, Ste A
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 737-0112
(843) 737-0112
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Sushi spot O-Ku features a crispy soft-shell crab with black rice and sweet and sour sauce.

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13. The Ordinary

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544 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
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Seafood masters The Ordinary received their stock of softies on April 8. Knowing chef Mike Lata's skill with crustaceans, the delicacies will probably fly off the menu.

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14. Poe's Tavern

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2210 Middle St
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-0083
(843) 883-0083
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Beach burger place Poe's Tavern received a supply of softies this week. Head to Sullivan's Island if you're looking for a more casual surrounding to crunch into your crabs.

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15. Hometeam BBQ

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2209 Middle St
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
Barbecue joint Hometeam recently added brioche bun sandwich with tempura-fried soft-shell with arugula, radish, and Duke's mayo.

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16. On Forty-One

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1055 Highway 41
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
Chef Brannon Florie will feature softies on the dinner menu, starting at 5 p.m.

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17. Bacco

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976 Houston Northcutt Blvd
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-6969
(843) 884-6969
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Italian eatery Bacco has a batch of softies. Visit to see what chef Michael Scognamiglio creates with the crustaceans.

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18. Brasserie Gigi

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102 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-6393
(843) 722-6393
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French-influenced Brasserie Gigi received its first batch of soft-shells and will run them with a roasted fennel and asparagus risotto and tomato bacon vinaigrette.

19. The Glass Onion

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1219 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-1717
(843) 225-1717
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The Glass Onion will have their supply in on April 10. Expect a Southern take on the soft-shell favorite.

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20. Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen

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218 President St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 822-5337
(843) 822-5337
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Soft-shells hit the Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen menu with a salt and pepper preparation. The crabs will switch to a black bean set-up next week.

21. The Granary

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624 Long Point Rd Unit L
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Corn and soft-shell crabs? Sounds like springtime on a plate. The Granary has its supply of softies.

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22. The Park Cafe

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730 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-1070
(843) 410-1070
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The Park Cafe serves a springy dish of softies over creamy polenta with leeks and peas. Celebrate the season with crustaceans.

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23. Warehouse

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45 1/2 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 202-0712
(843) 202-0712
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Fancy pub food spot Warehouse has a shipment of softies for their specials menu.

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24. Closed For Business

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453 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 853-8466
(843) 853-8466
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Beer bar Closed for Business sandwiches their softies on a baguette with cilantro, roasted pineapple salsa, and fermented chili jus.

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25. Marvin's Seafood

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4224 Dorchester Rd
Charleston, SC
(843) 529-1764
(843) 529-1764
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Marvin's Seafood keeps it simple with a deep-fried softie on white bread — a traditional barbecue setup now used for creatures from the sea. [Photo: Andy Karn]

26. Slightly North of Broad

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192 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-3424
(843) 723-3424
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Lowcountry fare masters at Slightly North of Broad feature a lunch special of soft-shell crabs, butterbeans, goat cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.

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27. Thoroughbred Club

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in Charleston Place
Charleston, SC
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Chef Steven Manall at the Thoroughbred Club will plate soft-shell crabs (locally caught at Saint Helena Island) starting April 14. The first special is a softie sandwich.

28. Hominy Grill

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207 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930
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Southern favorite Hominy Grill offers a sesame-fried softie with tartar sauce and choice of two vegetable sides. You should probably try their famous grits for at least one of those selections.

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29. The Macintosh

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479 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 789-4299
(843) 789-4299
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Chef Jeremiah Bacon crates a soft-shell crab plate with cabbage, radish, carrot, strawberries, black garlic, green onion, ginger, and peanuts.

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30. Social Restaurant + Wine Bar

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188 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-5665
(843) 577-5665
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Social Restaurant + Wine Bar starts their softie special on Thursday, April 16. The dish will feature a fried Carolina soft-shell crab, braised fennel, stuffed piquillo peppers, pickled green tomato chutney and a house tartar sauce.

31. High Cotton Restaurant

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199 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-3815
(843) 724-3815
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East Bay eatery High Cotton lists a tempura-fried soft-shell with a butterbean and benne seed hummus, grilled asparagus, spring onion jam, marinated black bean, and cherry tomato salad.

32. Fleet Landing

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186 Concord St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-8100
(843) 722-8100
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Fleet Landing stacks their softies on a sandwich.

33. Cannon Green

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103 Spring Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Spring Street stop Cannon Green recently got their stock of St. Jude Farms softies. Visit to see what chef Amalia Scatena creates with these beauties.

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34. Star's Rooftop & Grill Room

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495 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-0100
(843) 577-0100
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Fine dining house Stars offers an Old Bay-fried softie special with roasted corn, leeks, potatoes, and asparagus. Reservations aren't required at the bar.

35. The Rarebit

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474 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
The Rarebit has a softie po' boy with apple and chive buttermilk slaw. $15 while it lasts.

36. Acme Lowcountry Kitchen

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31 J C Long Blvd
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-0024
(843) 886-0024
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Acme offers a fried soft-shell crab with sweet green tomato grits, cremini mushrooms, haricot verts, and Sriracha butter.

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37. Amen Street

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205 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-8600
(843) 853-8600
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East Bay seafood restaurant Amen Street will sell you a soft-shell.

38. Charleston Grill

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224 King St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-4522
(843) 577-4522
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See what sort of magical touch chef Michelle Weaver has with the soft-shells on her menu at Charleston Grill.

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39. Five Loaves

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214 North Cedar Street
Summerville, SC 29483
No need to miss out on soft-shell crabs if you're in Summerville — Five Loaves Cafe has them.

40. Halo

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170 Ashley Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 297-8842
(843) 297-8842
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Casual dining dock Halo put softies on the menu recently. [Photo: Vimeo

41. Monza

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451 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-8787
(843) 720-8787
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Monza sells its softies Milanese-style with a refreshing salad.

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42. Old Firehouse Restaurant and Pizza

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6350 Highway 162
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-9512
(843) 889-9512
Yep, they like softies in Hollywood as well.

43. Stacks Coastal Kitchen

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1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd #1107
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
This casual bistro in Mount Pleasant recently received a crate of soft-shell crabs.

44. Graze

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863 Houston Northcutt Blvd
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 606-2493
(843) 606-2493
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Graze features fried soft-shell crabs, with arugula, roasted corn salsa, citrus basil dressing, toasted macadamia nuts, and crispy red potatoes.