Reservations are for special occasions. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for a special occasion to eat out in the Palmetto State. Also fortunate: there are plenty of places where we can just show up and be seated immediately, or soon after. Here are 11 of those places, hand-picked just for you, mouthwatering restaurants in South Carolina where you’ll never need a reservation.
- Betsy’s On The Corner - Aiken
Yelp/Fran H
Facebook/Betsy’s On The Corner Wow. Where to start? Betsy’s is a lovely little diner with an old-fashioned family atmosphere. Enjoy hand-patted burgers, skin-on fries and desserts like delicious homemade pies. It’s also a fun place to just sit at the counter and order a giant milkshake. Seating is available inside or out.Betsy’s On The Corner is located at 159 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801.
- Harvest Moon Lowcountry Grille - Ravenel
TripAdvisor/Buffrrepairman
TripAdvisor/Lea A Many people stumble upon this hidden gem by accident and then end up putting it on the list of places to return to again and again. The food is tremendous in every way. The dishes are delicious and the portions are generous; two criteria that keep ’em coming back. Harvest Moon Lowcountry Grille is located at 6165 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470.
- Sweet Catherine’s - Fountain Inn
Facebook/Sweet Catherine’s
TripAdvisor/nonnino Catherine’s is a favorite among locals in Fountain Inn who flock here for lunch every chance they can. The charming restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and while you CAN make a reservation, it’s not required. If there’s a small wait when you get there, it’s totally worth it for the amazing Southern foods Sweet Catherine’s cooks up.Sweet Catherine’s is located at 111 S Main St, Fountain Inn, SC 29644.
- Humble Crumb Cafe & Pizzeria - Georgetown
Yelp/Roger Y
Facebook/Humble Crumb Cafe & Pizzeria Don’t be fooled by the exterior of the Humble Crumb. Your tastebuds will go wild for the pizzas here. All the dough is made fresh daily. And if you’re that one person in your party that doesn’t feel like pizza, they have a variety of other fantastic Italian dishes. Humble Crumb Cafe & Pizzeria is located at 2521 Highmarket St, Georgetown, SC 29440.
- The Grill House - N. Myrtle Beach
TripAdvisor/LR Jean
Yelp/Katrina W The Grill House is located in a shopping center (The Surfwood Shopping Center) and is quite a large space so there’s plenty of room for everyone. Open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday, this restaurant serves an ample variety of dishes so there’s something to please everyone. The Grill House is located at 228 2nd Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.
- Village Bakery and Cafe - Pendleton
Yelp/Bill Y
Yelp/Karen R This fantastic breakfast spot in Pendleton is also open for lunch. You can imagine how good it smells since it’s a bakery. Village Bakery serves up everything from breakfast plates to sandwiches and even Shrimp & Grits. They’re not open on Monday or Tuesday and close at 4:00 p.m. other days.Village Bakery and Cafe is located at 108 E Main St, Pendleton, SC 29670.
- Mamma Mia - Darlington
TripAdvisor/willbike
TripAdvisor/SCAmicus Tucked away in Darlington, (also a location in Bishopville), Mamma Mia throws a mouthwatering pizza pie you’ll be long to forget. And their Cannoli is supreme! Mamma Mia is located at 114 Ward St, Darlington, SC 29532.
- The Retreat at Colonel Creek - Ridgeway
Yelp/Sara D
Yelp/Sara D The Retreat has an authentic cabin atmosphere with sweeping views of Lake Wateree. Enjoy a large selection of menu items including sandwiches and full entrees. This eatery is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call ahead to confirm hours: (803)337-4735.The Retreat at Colonel Creek is located at 83 Doe Run Ln, Ridgeway, SC 29130.
- Shug’s Smokehouse Grill & Tavern - Hartsville
TripAdvisor/Alphene H
Facebook/Shug’s Smokehouse Naturally, Shug’s does ribs that’ll make your mouth water, but this Hartsville eatery also plates up a variety of other beautiful entrees as well. Shown above is a daily special featuring Sheepshead.Shug’s Smokehouse is located at 2404 Kelleytown Rd, Hartsville, SC 29550.
- Nigel’s Good Food - North Charleston
Yelp/Don P.
Yelp/Catherine P Nigel Drayton grew up in the Lowcountry eating all the soul food he now shares with others. Here you’ll find some of the best Seafood Gumbo, Fried Chicken and Collard Greens around. The photo above is Nigel’s Lowcountry Ravioli. Yum. Nigel’s Good Food is located at 3760 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418.
- The War Mouth - Columbia
TripAdvisor/Debbie G
Yelp/Rick T The War Mouth is just quirky enough on the outside to make you HAVE to see what’s inside. And trust us, you won’t be disappointed. The decor is trendy, yet casual and the food is oh, so good! Prepare to be wowed. Their hours are tight so check the link. The War Mouth is located at 1209 Franklin St, Columbia, SC 29201.
Work off some of that food at one of these 15 FREE outdoor activities in South Carolina.
Yelp/Fran H
Facebook/Betsy’s On The Corner
Wow. Where to start? Betsy’s is a lovely little diner with an old-fashioned family atmosphere. Enjoy hand-patted burgers, skin-on fries and desserts like delicious homemade pies. It’s also a fun place to just sit at the counter and order a giant milkshake. Seating is available inside or out.Betsy’s On The Corner is located at 159 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801.
TripAdvisor/Buffrrepairman
TripAdvisor/Lea A
Many people stumble upon this hidden gem by accident and then end up putting it on the list of places to return to again and again. The food is tremendous in every way. The dishes are delicious and the portions are generous; two criteria that keep ’em coming back. Harvest Moon Lowcountry Grille is located at 6165 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470.
Facebook/Sweet Catherine’s
TripAdvisor/nonnino
Catherine’s is a favorite among locals in Fountain Inn who flock here for lunch every chance they can. The charming restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and while you CAN make a reservation, it’s not required. If there’s a small wait when you get there, it’s totally worth it for the amazing Southern foods Sweet Catherine’s cooks up.Sweet Catherine’s is located at 111 S Main St, Fountain Inn, SC 29644.
Yelp/Roger Y
Facebook/Humble Crumb Cafe & Pizzeria
Don’t be fooled by the exterior of the Humble Crumb. Your tastebuds will go wild for the pizzas here. All the dough is made fresh daily. And if you’re that one person in your party that doesn’t feel like pizza, they have a variety of other fantastic Italian dishes. Humble Crumb Cafe & Pizzeria is located at 2521 Highmarket St, Georgetown, SC 29440.
TripAdvisor/LR Jean
Yelp/Katrina W
The Grill House is located in a shopping center (The Surfwood Shopping Center) and is quite a large space so there’s plenty of room for everyone. Open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday, this restaurant serves an ample variety of dishes so there’s something to please everyone. The Grill House is located at 228 2nd Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.
Yelp/Bill Y
Yelp/Karen R
This fantastic breakfast spot in Pendleton is also open for lunch. You can imagine how good it smells since it’s a bakery. Village Bakery serves up everything from breakfast plates to sandwiches and even Shrimp & Grits. They’re not open on Monday or Tuesday and close at 4:00 p.m. other days.Village Bakery and Cafe is located at 108 E Main St, Pendleton, SC 29670.
TripAdvisor/willbike
TripAdvisor/SCAmicus
Tucked away in Darlington, (also a location in Bishopville), Mamma Mia throws a mouthwatering pizza pie you’ll be long to forget. And their Cannoli is supreme! Mamma Mia is located at 114 Ward St, Darlington, SC 29532.
Yelp/Sara D
The Retreat has an authentic cabin atmosphere with sweeping views of Lake Wateree. Enjoy a large selection of menu items including sandwiches and full entrees. This eatery is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call ahead to confirm hours: (803)337-4735.The Retreat at Colonel Creek is located at 83 Doe Run Ln, Ridgeway, SC 29130.
TripAdvisor/Alphene H
Facebook/Shug’s Smokehouse
Naturally, Shug’s does ribs that’ll make your mouth water, but this Hartsville eatery also plates up a variety of other beautiful entrees as well. Shown above is a daily special featuring Sheepshead.Shug’s Smokehouse is located at 2404 Kelleytown Rd, Hartsville, SC 29550.
Yelp/Don P.
Yelp/Catherine P
Nigel Drayton grew up in the Lowcountry eating all the soul food he now shares with others. Here you’ll find some of the best Seafood Gumbo, Fried Chicken and Collard Greens around. The photo above is Nigel’s Lowcountry Ravioli. Yum. Nigel’s Good Food is located at 3760 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418.
TripAdvisor/Debbie G
Yelp/Rick T
The War Mouth is just quirky enough on the outside to make you HAVE to see what’s inside. And trust us, you won’t be disappointed. The decor is trendy, yet casual and the food is oh, so good! Prepare to be wowed. Their hours are tight so check the link. The War Mouth is located at 1209 Franklin St, Columbia, SC 29201.
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