If there’s one thing discerning tastebuds around the state have learned it’s that when it comes to restaurants you simply can’t judge a book (or eatery) by its cover. Here are nine of the best unsuspecting restaurants in South Carolina that prove just that. They may not look like much from the outside, but inside there’s a surprisingly tasty world (or at least a plate) awaiting discovery. Check them out.
- Wen Lily’s Cafe and Gift Shop, Summerton
Facebook/Wen Lily’s Cafe and Gift Shop
Facebook/Wen Lily’s Cafe and Gift Shop Summerton’s Main Street is home to this hidden Palmetto State gem. Both a cafe and a gift shop, Wen Lily’s is the perfect destination deli for a girls’ day out. For more information, visit the Wen Lily’s website. Address: 112 Main St, Summerton, SC 29148
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, Charleston
TripAdvisor/David B
Facebook/Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit For breakfast or lunch, a hot little biscuit from Callie’s is all the rave. Stopping into Callie’s is not unlike stumbling onto a quaint, super tiny bakery in Manhattan where every available space is used. You’ll agree when you arrive at Callies and realize it’s literally built in an enclosed walkway that used to run between a Charleston single house and a commercial building. There is a second Charleston location in City Market. For more information, visit the Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit website. Address: 476 1/2 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Address: 188 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
- No Name Deli, Columbia
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/citallwic One of the most unassuming restaurants in South Carolina is located in the heart of everything on the corner of Marion and Elmwood Streets. No Name Deli has a Greek salad some say is the most authentic available outside of the Mediterranean. Soups and sandwiches round out the fare on the menu at this unassuming spot in the Capital City. For more information, visit the No Name Deli website. Address: 2042 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201.
- Fiddlers Seafood, Ridgeland
Yelp/Red Z
Yelp/Julianne S. Big things come in small town packages and that’s definitely true of Fiddlers Seafood. The fish is fresh and the food is delish. Try the Lowcounty Boil (above) or lock your chops on a fish sandwich. You just can’t go wrong at Fiddlers. For more information, visit the Fiddlers Seafood website. Address: 7738 W Main St, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
- Cyclone Drive-In, Chester
TripAdvisor/GamecockHeavy
Yelp/Bill R The Cyclone opened in Chester in 1976. Over 45 years later, they’re still dishing up food that keeps ’em coming back for more. You’ll find some Greek favorites on the menu, like this Chicken Athena shown here. For more information, visit the Cyclone Drive-In Facebook page. Address: 249 Columbia St, Chester, SC 29706
- Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken, Hartsville
Yelp/TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yelp/Lee A. Folks in Hartsville will admit the nicest thing about the outside of Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken is the cool neon sign. But don’t let the building fool you into passing this one by. Inside, there’s a (honey) fried chicken experience everyone should have multiple times in their life. For more information, visit the Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken website. Address: 514 S 5th St, Hartsville, SC 29550
- Donzelle’s Restaurant, Conway
Facebook/Donzelle’s Restaurant
Facebook/Donzelle’s Restaurant Donzelle’s Restaurant first opened in 1962 and it plates up a hearty country breakfast, all at a reasonable price! This may be one of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina. Check them out in Conway asap! For more information, visit the Donzelle’s Restaurant Facebook page. Address: 1703 Main St, Conway, SC 29526
- Eddie’s Italian Restaurant, Longs
Facebook/Eddie’s
TripAdvisor/Jack H Eddie’s is located along busy SC-9 so it could be easy to miss them in the small plaza where they’re located. If you love Italian, for the real thing you have to visit Eddie’s. For more information, visit the Eddie’s Facebook page. Address: 82 Cloverleaf Dr Unit 101 Longs, SC 29568
- Castillo’s Pizzeria, Walterboro
TripAdvisor/JanConover
TripAdvisor/EMcQ Just look at that slice of pizza. That pretty much says it all. Located in the heart of the town of Walterboro known for its stellar antiquing opportunities, Castillo’s Pizzeria doles out pies that are to die for. For more information, visit the Castillo’s Pizzeria website. Address: 334 E Washington St, Walterboro, SC 29488
Food, fun, and fellowship make for a great dining experience and so does discovering a new hidden favorite place to eat. Have you tried any of the best unsuspecting restaurants in South Carolina yet? We’d love to hear all about your experience in our comments!
Facebook/Wen Lily’s Cafe and Gift Shop
Summerton’s Main Street is home to this hidden Palmetto State gem. Both a cafe and a gift shop, Wen Lily’s is the perfect destination deli for a girls’ day out. For more information, visit the Wen Lily’s website. Address: 112 Main St, Summerton, SC 29148
TripAdvisor/David B
Facebook/Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
For breakfast or lunch, a hot little biscuit from Callie’s is all the rave. Stopping into Callie’s is not unlike stumbling onto a quaint, super tiny bakery in Manhattan where every available space is used. You’ll agree when you arrive at Callies and realize it’s literally built in an enclosed walkway that used to run between a Charleston single house and a commercial building. There is a second Charleston location in City Market. For more information, visit the Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit website. Address: 476 1/2 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Address: 188 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/citallwic
One of the most unassuming restaurants in South Carolina is located in the heart of everything on the corner of Marion and Elmwood Streets. No Name Deli has a Greek salad some say is the most authentic available outside of the Mediterranean. Soups and sandwiches round out the fare on the menu at this unassuming spot in the Capital City. For more information, visit the No Name Deli website. Address: 2042 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201.
Yelp/Red Z
Yelp/Julianne S.
Big things come in small town packages and that’s definitely true of Fiddlers Seafood. The fish is fresh and the food is delish. Try the Lowcounty Boil (above) or lock your chops on a fish sandwich. You just can’t go wrong at Fiddlers. For more information, visit the Fiddlers Seafood website. Address: 7738 W Main St, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
TripAdvisor/GamecockHeavy
Yelp/Bill R
The Cyclone opened in Chester in 1976. Over 45 years later, they’re still dishing up food that keeps ’em coming back for more. You’ll find some Greek favorites on the menu, like this Chicken Athena shown here. For more information, visit the Cyclone Drive-In Facebook page. Address: 249 Columbia St, Chester, SC 29706
Yelp/TheHungryDad Jeff C.
Yelp/Lee A.
Folks in Hartsville will admit the nicest thing about the outside of Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken is the cool neon sign. But don’t let the building fool you into passing this one by. Inside, there’s a (honey) fried chicken experience everyone should have multiple times in their life. For more information, visit the Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken website. Address: 514 S 5th St, Hartsville, SC 29550
Facebook/Donzelle’s Restaurant
Donzelle’s Restaurant first opened in 1962 and it plates up a hearty country breakfast, all at a reasonable price! This may be one of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina. Check them out in Conway asap! For more information, visit the Donzelle’s Restaurant Facebook page. Address: 1703 Main St, Conway, SC 29526
Facebook/Eddie’s
TripAdvisor/Jack H
Eddie’s is located along busy SC-9 so it could be easy to miss them in the small plaza where they’re located. If you love Italian, for the real thing you have to visit Eddie’s. For more information, visit the Eddie’s Facebook page. Address: 82 Cloverleaf Dr Unit 101 Longs, SC 29568
TripAdvisor/JanConover
TripAdvisor/EMcQ
Just look at that slice of pizza. That pretty much says it all. Located in the heart of the town of Walterboro known for its stellar antiquing opportunities, Castillo’s Pizzeria doles out pies that are to die for. For more information, visit the Castillo’s Pizzeria website. Address: 334 E Washington St, Walterboro, SC 29488
Love discovering new things in the Palmetto State? There’s A Bakery On This Beautiful Farm In South Carolina And You Have To Visit.
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Address: 112 Main St, Summerton, SC 29148, USAAddress: 476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, USAAddress: 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USAAddress: 2042 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201, USAAddress: 7738 W Main St, Ridgeland, SC 29936, USAAddress: 249 Columbia St, Chester, SC 29706, USAAddress: 514 S 5th St, Hartsville, SC 29550, USAAddress: 1703 Main St, Conway, SC 29526, USAAddress: 82 Cloverleaf Dr, Longs, SC 29568, USAAddress: 334 E Washington St, Walterboro, SC 29488, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Unsuspecting Restaurants In South Carolina April 03, 2021 Melissa Mahoney What are good hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina? The Palmetto State is home to some incredible eateries, ones which don’t seem like much from the outside but when you step through the doors, you will be treated to some of the best food of your life. An old log cabin in Conway that Luvans Old Fish Camp inhabits is one that you may drive past if you weren’t looking for it. Order one of their reasonably-priced fried seafood meals you are sure to love and don’t forget to bring cash since this place doesn’t take credit cards. If you are in the mood for a hot dog or hamburger, head to Big Daddy’s Cafe in Gaffney. This joint serves some tasty American cuisine that won’t cost a fortune. For a few more places you may want to order a meal at, visit our previous post, These 10 South Carolina Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Serve Up Surprisingly Tasty Fare. What South Carolina diners should I visit? The rustic Red Shed Diner in Graniteville is a surprisingly gourmet diner that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients from area farms and butchers in its cuisine. They also make a delightful buttermilk pie that you will want to save some room for. If you are in the mood for a themed diner based on “The Andy Griffith Show,” head the Mayberry Diner in Cross Hill. Menu items are named after characters in the show and the diner’s decor also reflects the theme. What South Carolina restaurants should I add to my bucket list? Your bucket list could be endless with the number of excellent restaurants to visit in the Palmetto State, but we are here to help you out. Vangeli’s Bistro in the lakeside community of Seneca is a hidden gem that should definitely go on your list of places to try. This upscale eatery uses the freshest ingredients in its flavorfully satisfying entrees. Another place not to be missed is Halls Chophouse for some mouthwatering steaks, she-crab soup, and other signature dishes. Luckily, there are several locations throughout the state so you shouldn’t be too far from one.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Unsuspecting Restaurants In South Carolina
April 03, 2021
Melissa Mahoney
What are good hole-in-the-wall restaurants in South Carolina? The Palmetto State is home to some incredible eateries, ones which don’t seem like much from the outside but when you step through the doors, you will be treated to some of the best food of your life. An old log cabin in Conway that Luvans Old Fish Camp inhabits is one that you may drive past if you weren’t looking for it. Order one of their reasonably-priced fried seafood meals you are sure to love and don’t forget to bring cash since this place doesn’t take credit cards. If you are in the mood for a hot dog or hamburger, head to Big Daddy’s Cafe in Gaffney. This joint serves some tasty American cuisine that won’t cost a fortune. For a few more places you may want to order a meal at, visit our previous post, These 10 South Carolina Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Serve Up Surprisingly Tasty Fare. What South Carolina diners should I visit? The rustic Red Shed Diner in Graniteville is a surprisingly gourmet diner that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients from area farms and butchers in its cuisine. They also make a delightful buttermilk pie that you will want to save some room for. If you are in the mood for a themed diner based on “The Andy Griffith Show,” head the Mayberry Diner in Cross Hill. Menu items are named after characters in the show and the diner’s decor also reflects the theme. What South Carolina restaurants should I add to my bucket list? Your bucket list could be endless with the number of excellent restaurants to visit in the Palmetto State, but we are here to help you out. Vangeli’s Bistro in the lakeside community of Seneca is a hidden gem that should definitely go on your list of places to try. This upscale eatery uses the freshest ingredients in its flavorfully satisfying entrees. Another place not to be missed is Halls Chophouse for some mouthwatering steaks, she-crab soup, and other signature dishes. Luckily, there are several locations throughout the state so you shouldn’t be too far from one.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Palmetto State is home to some incredible eateries, ones which don’t seem like much from the outside but when you step through the doors, you will be treated to some of the best food of your life. An old log cabin in Conway that Luvans Old Fish Camp inhabits is one that you may drive past if you weren’t looking for it. Order one of their reasonably-priced fried seafood meals you are sure to love and don’t forget to bring cash since this place doesn’t take credit cards. If you are in the mood for a hot dog or hamburger, head to Big Daddy’s Cafe in Gaffney. This joint serves some tasty American cuisine that won’t cost a fortune. For a few more places you may want to order a meal at, visit our previous post, These 10 South Carolina Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Serve Up Surprisingly Tasty Fare.
What South Carolina diners should I visit?
The rustic Red Shed Diner in Graniteville is a surprisingly gourmet diner that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients from area farms and butchers in its cuisine. They also make a delightful buttermilk pie that you will want to save some room for. If you are in the mood for a themed diner based on “The Andy Griffith Show,” head the Mayberry Diner in Cross Hill. Menu items are named after characters in the show and the diner’s decor also reflects the theme.
What South Carolina restaurants should I add to my bucket list?
Your bucket list could be endless with the number of excellent restaurants to visit in the Palmetto State, but we are here to help you out. Vangeli’s Bistro in the lakeside community of Seneca is a hidden gem that should definitely go on your list of places to try. This upscale eatery uses the freshest ingredients in its flavorfully satisfying entrees. Another place not to be missed is Halls Chophouse for some mouthwatering steaks, she-crab soup, and other signature dishes. Luckily, there are several locations throughout the state so you shouldn’t be too far from one.
