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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
1 comment / new
Shutterstock

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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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

FIG

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

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The Grocery

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

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Peninsula Grill

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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.
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0700
(843) 723-0700

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Cypress

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

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Barony Tavern

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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.
68 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 297-4246
(843) 297-4246

Roadside Seafood

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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.
807 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC
(843) 754-5890
(843) 754-5890

Michael’s on the Alley

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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.
39-E John Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-3000
(843) 203-3000

Edmund's Oast

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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.
1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1145
(843) 727-1145

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Halls Chophouse

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

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Cru Cafe

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

Xiao Bao Biscuit

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

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O-Ku

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

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The Ordinary

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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.
544 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 414-7060
(843) 414-7060

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Poe's Tavern

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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.
2210 Middle St, Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-0083
(843) 883-0083

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Hometeam BBQ

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

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On Forty-One

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Chef Brannon Florie will feature softies on the dinner menu, starting at 5 p.m.
1055 Highway 41, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 352-9235
(843) 352-9235

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Bacco

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

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Brasserie Gigi

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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.
102 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-6393
(843) 722-6393

The Glass Onion

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

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Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen

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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.
218 President St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 822-5337
(843) 822-5337

The Granary

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

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The Park Cafe

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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.
730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-1070
(843) 410-1070

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Warehouse

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

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Closed For Business

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

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Marvin's Seafood

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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]
4224 Dorchester Rd, Charleston, SC
(843) 529-1764
(843) 529-1764

Slightly North of Broad

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

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Thoroughbred Club

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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.
in Charleston Place, Charleston, SC

Hominy Grill

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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.
207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930

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The Macintosh

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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.
479 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 789-4299
(843) 789-4299

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Social Restaurant + Wine Bar

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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.
188 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-5665
(843) 577-5665

High Cotton Restaurant

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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.
199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-3815
(843) 724-3815

Fleet Landing

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

Cannon Green

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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.
103 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 817-6299
(843) 817-6299

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Star's Rooftop & Grill Room

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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.
495 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-0100
(843) 577-0100

The Rarebit

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

Acme Lowcountry Kitchen

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