Bowen's Island Restaurant
Seafood Restaurant and Scenic Lookout$$$$
James Island, Charleston
The experts at Travel + Leisure and Eater recommend this place
"Steamed oysters are a unique and delicious experience -..."(4 Tips)
"simple secret of making frogmore stew"(3 Tips)
"best oysters in Charleston...actually best seafood in Charleston."(2 Tips)
"Seafood low country style"(2 Tips)
44 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- oysters
- frogmore stew
- scenic views
- lively
- casual
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This Is My SouthOctober 23, 2013This dive is one of our favorite seafood spots anywhere, serving up steamed oysters and fried seafood fresh from the ocean. Remember that it's cash only and bring a pen to write your name on the wall! Read more
Laura WJune 15, 2017$30 all-you-can-eat steamed oysters. This Charleston institution is off the beaten path right on the edge of James Island. Be sure to visit right at sunset - some of the best views in Charleston.
Liz TanMay 11, 2017The bar is first come - first serve, so if the line is too far out the door, survey the bar! Food was amazing, we got way too much food b/c we wanted to try it all! Save room for pie.
Mary KennedyAugust 23, 2017Skip the fish just get shrimp fried and steamed it was some of the best shrimp I have ever had! No frills place you place your order at a counter and they bring it out to you. Beautiful setting- Chrys RJuly 16, 2012Besides excellent seafood, there's beer here - 16 taps to be exact. At last visit, all beer was from local breweries, making this the best local tap selection in Charleston. Cheers!
Karen GreeneJanuary 9, 2014No question about it-best seafood in the lowcountry. non-peak times for fast service, but even at the slow dinner pace of summer tourist season, roasted oysters and fried shrimp are worth the wait!
Chris NixonAugust 9, 2014Fresh oysters, raw or fried! Watch them dump them them fresh off the boat and hose the mud off them. Eat them by the bucket!- Travel ChannelAugust 10, 2011On Man v Food, Adam learns how to harvest oysters and the simple secret of making frogmore stew, which includes shrimp, potatoes, sausage and corn, in a boiling pot of seasoned water.
EaterJuly 30, 2012The menu is limited, but you are going to Bowens for seafood. Order the shrimp or the oysters and you can’t go wrong. [eater 18 Member]
Allison LoveNovember 9, 2013There's no better place for oysters in the area! Enjoy beautiful sunsets in a wonderfully casual atmosphere! Love it!
Nash PleasantJuly 11, 2020The Frogmore Stew (low country boil) is a bit bland. Could use some more spice to add flavor. Steamed shrimp are a solid choice.
- David BanOctober 11, 2016Steamed oysters are a unique and delicious experience - don't miss them here.
Connor ToomeyJuly 18, 2012This restaurant has really good food and a great view of the beautiful marshes outside of Charleston and Folly Beach
Rob JohnsonAugust 3, 2013Order shrimp, sit outside, and watch the sunset from one of the best spots in the lowcountry.
Bridget_NewGirlJune 26, 2022Over priced fish camp. Great view but dirty atmosphere, hot tartar sauce, over salted frog more stew, workers needed showers, haircuts & clean shirts to wear, was pretty much a stinky hippie commune.
- Hutto Veterinary ClinicOctober 9, 2010The best local seafood in Charleston. Definitely have the oysters when they are in season. Split up when you come - some order food, others grab seats.
Travel + LeisureOctober 7, 2014A local favorite, on the water near Folly Beach—order the Frogmore stew.
Naptown 💪 LarryFebruary 18, 2011Go for the all you can eat oysters roasted in an open fire pit Low Country Style. Mmmmmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmm GOOD !!!
Caroline EubanksMarch 30, 2012Order a bucket of oysters. Chat with local legend Robert Barber. Enjoy the blues on the dock. Read more
Nina ZhangSeptember 1, 2013Wait for food is 1 hr, at a min (70min for us, after a 30min wait to order). Food = not worth it. Hush puppies may have been the best (yeah). Shrimp=overcooked. Frogmore = meh. Picture is deceiving.
K.April 29, 2012As a local, I want to love this place, but don't come here if you're in any kind of hurry to eat on a weekend, the service is slowww!
Julie WalasOctober 15, 2010If you're from out of town, ask owner Robert to teach you proper technique... it made the experience awesome for us Yankees.
Doris kSeptember 17, 2013No oysters tonight.... Because of the water temperature.... WAH WAH !!!!! Having the frog stew instead
Colleen HartmanApril 28, 2010Oysters only in months with R's. Be sure to not dress up for this must-see-in-your-lifetime dive.
Chris CoomesJune 18, 2011Same food as Long John Silver's, just 5x more expensive. Whiting and frozen to fried food. This place is awful. Great view though.
- Travel ChannelMarch 2, 2012Andrew Zimmern headed farther down the coast to this restaurant for an oyster roast. Andrew ate steamed oysters. As seen on Bizarre Foods America.
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Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Welcome to Bowens Island! Whether you're a first-time guest or a long-time regular, our aim is to serve you simple, excellent seafood.
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Tue–Sat
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
(843) 795-2757
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
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