clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

13 Essential Coffee Shops in Charleston

7 Standout Barbecue Spots in Charleston

11 Stops for Excellent Tacos in Raleigh

Shutterstock

Where to Find Soft-Shell Crabs in Charleston

Softie season is here.

by Erin Perkins
View as Map
by Erin Perkins
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.

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. FIG

Copy Link
232 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 805-5900
(843) 805-5900
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

2. The Grocery

Copy Link
4 Cannon St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 302-8825
(843) 302-8825
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

3. Peninsula Grill

Copy Link
112 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0700
(843) 723-0700
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

4. Cypress

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

Also Featured in:

5. Barony Tavern

Copy Link
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

Copy Link
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.

Also Featured in:

7. Michael’s on the Alley

Copy Link
39-E John Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 203-3000
(843) 203-3000
Visit Website
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

Copy Link
1081 Morrison Dr
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1145
(843) 727-1145
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

9. Halls Chophouse

Copy Link
434 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-0090
(843) 727-0090
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

10. Cru Cafe

Copy Link
18 Pinckney St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 534-2434
(843) 534-2434
Visit Website
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

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

Also Featured in:

12. O-Ku

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

Also Featured in:

13. The Ordinary

Copy Link
544 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

14. Poe's Tavern

Copy Link
2210 Middle St
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-0083
(843) 883-0083
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

15. Hometeam BBQ

Copy Link
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.

More in Maps

16. On Forty-One

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

Also Featured in:

17. Bacco

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

Also Featured in:

18. Brasserie Gigi

Copy Link
102 N Market St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-6393
(843) 722-6393
Visit Website
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

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

Also Featured in:

20. Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen

Copy Link
218 President St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 822-5337
(843) 822-5337
Visit Website
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

Copy Link
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.

Also Featured in:

22. The Park Cafe

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

Also Featured in:

23. Warehouse

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

Also Featured in:

24. Closed For Business

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

Also Featured in:

25. Marvin's Seafood

Copy Link
4224 Dorchester Rd
Charleston, SC
(843) 529-1764
(843) 529-1764
Visit Website
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

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

Also Featured in:

27. Thoroughbred Club

Copy Link
in Charleston Place
Charleston, SC
Visit Website
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

Copy Link
207 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930
Visit Website
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.

Also Featured in:

29. The Macintosh

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

Also Featured in:

30. Social Restaurant + Wine Bar

Copy Link
188 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-5665
(843) 577-5665
Visit Website
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

Copy Link
199 E Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-3815
(843) 724-3815
Visit Website
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

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

33. Cannon Green

Copy Link
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.

Also Featured in:

34. Star's Rooftop & Grill Room

Copy Link
495 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-0100
(843) 577-0100
Visit Website
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

Copy Link
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

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

Also Featured in:

37. Amen Street

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

38. Charleston Grill

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

Also Featured in:

39. Five Loaves

Copy Link
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

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

41. Monza

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

Also Featured in:

42. Old Firehouse Restaurant and Pizza

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

43. Stacks Coastal Kitchen

Copy Link
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

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