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Boathouse at Breach Inlet
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Canadian (New) Seafood, Canadian (New) [Edit]
101 Palm BlvdIsle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 886-8000
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 2 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
30 reviews for Boathouse at Breach Inlet
Review Highlights
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"The Spicy Shrimp and Grits were quite good." In 3 reviews -
"...we eat a lot of seafood, which is always well prepared here." In 4 reviews -
"...the love of all things holy, try the gouda mac 'n cheese." In 3 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Bill R.
Richmond, VA
We visited in late April and sat outside on the deck for dinner and enjoyed a dolphin show in the harbor too.
My wife had the swordfish, which she said was excellent and I had the "always off the menu but always available" crabmeat stuffed tilapia. It too, was excellent and perfect for a beach dinner watching the sun set.
Service was attentive and prompt but not intrusive.
Make your reservations on Open Table through their website because this place fills up quickly. -
Review from Asails F.
Manhattan, NY
I am writing this review for an old relic that is now gone. I stopped at this restaurant in search of an old dive across the bridge. The old crab shack that I was looking for served the BEST SHE CRAB SOUP I ever had. I had nine bowls in a weeks time and I should say lived off that soup for my visit to the islands.
Looking again for the little bar without seats and Harley bikes outside was fruitless as it was washed away in a hurricane shortly after my 82 visit. In the boathouse I found someone fond of the old place and we traded stories while slurping on She Crab Soup without the She Crab as it was now illegal to eat crabs carrying eggs. We slurped silently wishing for days gone by before the malling of Mount Pleasant when one could stop on the side of the road and get all the oysters he could eat out of the canal.
We sadly ate knowing those days were never going to return again. -
Review from Dawn C.
Charlotte, NC
We dined there this past Saturday. After reading many good reviews we decided to go for dinner. We had about a 20 minute wait but in the end decided to eat at the bar below the restaurant. The bartender (didn't get his name) was very professional, attentive and overall a nice guy. The food was not as great. We ordered the mussels and the clams for an appetizer. The mussels were good. The chef was a little heavy with the chopped tomato's though and the clams would have been good if there wasn't so much bacon in the dish. We did ask for the bacon to be omitted but that didn't happen. Overall the first course was good. We decided to try the seafood fettuccine per the MANY recommendations and reviews we read online. This was by far a very poor entrée. There was very little seafood (1 scallop, a few shrimp and a few pieces of unknown chunks of fish, that were overcooked IMO) The sauce was heavy and gummy with little to no taste. The food was also extremely HOT which tells me they probably microwaved it before it came out. Needless to say we did not order another entrée.
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Review from Julia M.
The Boathouse is a nice place for a meal when you are staying on IOP or Sullivans Island and don't feel like venturing too far from home. I heard that they have a second location somewhere in the Charleston area as well, but this is the one closest to were I usually stay. They have a nice deck & enclosed porch with a view of the waterway.
The place gets busy at dinner time during peak tourist season, so keep that in mind when you are making your dinner plans. One downside to going at a really busy time is the parking situation - there are never enough parking spaces. But, once you are inside with an appetizer & beverage, it's all good.
I love good seafood and just about everything I've ordered here has hit the mark for me. I usually like to go with whatever is on the fresh catch of the day menu. You can select how you would like it prepared (grilled, seared, fried) and you can select from a variety of sauces if you would like. The catch of the day comes with your selection of 2 sides ( you can select from Collard Greens, Stone Ground Grits, Veggie of the Day, Stewed Tomatoes & Okra, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese 0r Steamed Asparagus).
The Boathouse is a little pricey, but not outrageous - especially compared to some of the really expensive places down in the historic district. I have not yet tried their Sunsday brunch - but on my next visit, I'd like to check it out! -
Review from Craig G.
Kansas City, MO
Complimentary valet parking makes getting into the restaurant a breeze. The host and hostess are very friendly and have great personalities. They chatted with us for a while and felt like old friends.
Even though the restaurant was starting to get crowded, we were promptly seated. They had a high chair in place for my son in no time.
I had the Toby's Breach Inlet Littleneck Clams, Roasted Corn and Crab Soup, and the Spicy Shrimp and Grits. All of these were winners. The Littleneck Clams were cooked in garlic butter sauce with the bacon and spinach. Every clam was a tasty morsel. I was very sad when I finished them. Roasted Corn and Crab Soup was very like a lobster bisque. It wasn't what I expected when I ordered it, but it was none the less delicious. The Spicy Shrimp and Grits were quite good. The grits reminded me of a high quality polenta. My wife had Grilled Grouper. That was excellent as well. The crusty artisan bread that they served was flavorful and tasty.
The restaurant itself is a fun place. Dark wood combined with white paint gave the distinct feeling of a old school golf club house with a rich history. While we were there, the place was alive with energy. The constant ebb and flow of the waiters and customers walking through the pathways between the tables; the hundreds of conversations that provided a nice background noise without being intrusive. The majestic view of the river behind the restaurant makes it easy to see the rapidly moving current as it winds out of sight..
The waitress serving us was extremely busy, yet she was always attentive to us without being overly so. Just glance at her across the room, and she would come over to see what we needed.
The food, service, and ambiance were all top notch at the Boathouse. I would definitely recommend a visit to this restaurant. -
Review from Nicole W.
Yesterday was my third visit to Boathouse and I have yet to be disappointed. Its name is fairly eponymous - a big old "boat" house with plenty of sea worthy paraphernalia. Eats are pretty straightforward here - a sampling of just about every fish cooked every way with a smattering of tasty apps and specials. Think crab stuffed tilapia and jalapeno grouper bites.
Most recently I enjoyed the spicy shrimp and grits - a true Southern meal...and Boathouse does it right. Thick, creamy grits smothered and covered with an ample portion of fresh shrimp, spicy sauce, veggies and tasty sausage. It was a hefty portion and I really tried to make a solid dent in it. And please, for the love of all things holy, try the gouda mac 'n cheese. It's outstanding. Creamy and delicious topped with a crispy blanket of breadcrumbs.
Other things to note - the service is friendly and efficient and the bar upstairs is a great place to grab a few cocktails before you start your evening. Valet is complimentary but be sure to tip the nice young men who take care of your car. Thanks boathouse - we get along swimmingly. -
Review from Burbalicious X.
Elburn, IL
We thought this was pretty good - and were pleasantly surprised given so many mixed reviews on Yelp. We were able to get a table on the "patio" area and could see the water (granted, through some very thick plastic sheets) so the ambiance was nice. Husband started with a shrimp, scallop & she crab bisque that was really tasty and fresh. For dinner I had the blackened mahi with grits and blue cheese slaw, all delicious. Hubby had the shrimp & grits which was spicy and good. We shared a piece of key lime pie for dessert. I've had better but it wasn't bad. They also had Kim Crawford unoaked chardonnay by the glass, big plus! We would go back. We went to Morgan Creek Grill the next night on a couple of recommendations from friends and were sorely disappointed...despite slightly nicer setting at MCG, would definitely choose Boathouse for the food!
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Review from Lindsey B.
Lexington, SC
Was 4 star but has slipped in recent years, the bar on top was a great place to watch the sun to down, and get cool breezes.. food is what you expect, but maybe a tad too pricey for the overall dining experience.
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Review from Nicole D.
Lexington Park, MD
The food was worthy of the price. Other seafood restaurants will have better dishes, but they don't have the view that the Boathouse at Breach Inlet boasts. If for no other reason, go for the view and get dessert. We had the Key Lime Pie, which was incredible. (I read another review indicating otherwise and that it was decorated with cool whip, but my Key Lime Pie was purely homemade.)
The view is the reason to visit, and the food is pretty good. -
Review from Brian S.
Stanford, CA
We hit the Boathouse a second time last night, and were just as impressed as our first time. It seems they've made the crabcake-stuffed tilapia a standard off-the-menu item, although they've changed the sauce that is on top of it. (I believe he called it a chipotle cream sauce -- it didn't taste very chipotle to me, but it was still quite good.) I ordered the broiled seafood platter. I was initially worried this might be boring and low on flavor, but the tarragon butter topping was amazing. The gnocchi appetizer, while good and well prepared, was probably the only disappointing part of the meal. It just felt like it was missing some extra bit of flavor. Our tab, with a bottle of inexpensive Zinfandel, and the two entrees and two appetizers, came to just under $110 plus tip.
I'll go back the next time we're here. Of note: they are currently doing half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So, if you're looking to imbibe on a budget, that's definitely something to keep in mind.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/10/2010
The Boathouse gets one of my coveted five stars (as of August 2010, still the only 5-star review… Read more »
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3/10/2010
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Review from Courtney R.
Houston, TX
We found The Boathouse advertised in a tourist booklet and decided we would give it a try. We are personally very glad we had stopped. My companions and I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi, and Crab-stuffed Tilapia. All three dishes were cooked expertly and the flavors just popped. The mussels were delicious.
There's only three complaints we really had, the first was dealing with the speed of getting our food, it took about 30-45 minutes after we received our appetizers. The second issue we had was there was a large party next to us in which several of the people had probably drank a little too much and felt it necessary to scream and bang on the table. The third issue is that the food is quite costly.
But if you want to treat yourself to a savory meal and want to enjoy the coastal surroundings then this is the place for you. -
Review from Michael G.
Mt Pleasant, SC
We checked out the Boathouse after a few recommendations on here. Generally the place is just OK. Very popular. It seems to be a place that regular visitors to the area like to gather, but honestly the place had the feel of a middle-aged yuppie meat market. Food was ok, nothing special. Service was ok, but rough on the edges. No one seemed to bend over backwards to be pleasant. Generally, we prefer places that are old stand-bys and popular with the locals, like the old raw-bar kind of places off the beaten path. The Boathouse had the appearance of this, but fell short of our expectations.
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Review from Heidi S.
Washington, DC
We visit the Charleston area twice a year and drive all the way from Kiawah to get to this restaurant. We really enjoy the food and service and particularly the view from the rooftop bar -- a view we just can't get over! We live in a landlocked state, so we eat a lot of seafood, which is always well prepared here.
This place is a little dressier than beach attire, but I'd definitely go here for a date if I lived in the area! -
Review from Rachel R.
Boca Raton, FL
I'm from Chicago and was vacationing in Isle of Palm over the summer with family and they raved about the fried green tomatoes here and I couldn't wait to try them. My father took me to watch the sunset on the rooftop and have a taste of the tomatoes and a few cocktails before dinner. I couldn't say more about how nice it was!
A storm was rolling in so big, black clouds were nearing us but they kept away due to the sea breeze. The clouds made the sunset look that much prettier and the water was completely calm. It was such a pretty sight to watch from the rooftop. The bartender up top was extremely(!) nice to us. He has been in the area for a long time and gave us a few good things to go see. He kept up with conversation and was polite and witty without ever imposing on a family moment. It was great. And the fried green tomatoes, yummo! So good! I've never had anything close to that, and I can't wait to eat it again. I don't even like tomatoes usually!
A very cute place. Wonderful atmosphere, very polite people working, and a great rooftop. I plan on visiting again this summer and I am absolutely positive we will be back here. -
Review from Traci C.
Woodbridge, VA
I recently attended a wedding held at the Boathouse and must say, I have rearranged my favorites in Charleston after our visit! The setting is beautiful and really provides that casual beach feel that so many restaurants strive for and fail. The service was outstanding, with the waiters and bartenders attending to all the guests needs and wants in a friendly and responsive way.
Now the food! The bride and groom selected from some of their favorites. From the friend green tomato topped with crabcake, to the low-country antipasto---it was fresh and well-prepared. The dessert (which instead of wedding cake) was the most amazing key lime and bourbon pecan pies we've ever tasted.
For the setting, food, and service you really can't beat the Boathouse. They have other locations as well, but the IOP location is really what coastal dining is all about. -
Review from Nina B.
Charleston, SC
In all the years I've lived in the Charleston area, I've always wanted to try the Boathouse, partially due to its idyllic location on the water and also because it seems to be an iconic place to eat in the area.
This year I decided not to cook for Thanksgiving and wanted to go out to eat instead. After asking around which restaurants were open on the holiday and hearing the Boathouse mentioned I thought what better time to try the restaurant than now.
I easily made the reservations online - received a confirmation email and a reminder email the day before with extra information that Thanksgiving would be a four course meal at $26.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. I thought that sounded reasonable and was looking forward to dinner.
The four course menu offered a choice from 3 soups, 3 salads, several entrees and sides and desserts. Let me say the soups were all good (I had a wild rice and chicken soup and the rest of the party all ordered the corn and crab chowder; the 3rd option was a butternut squash bisque that nobody ordered). Unfortunately, the soups were the highlight of our meal and it all went downhill from there.
I ordered a Spinach salad that was served tossed in a "champagne vinaigrette." The dressing was "okay" but nothing spectacular. The strawberries and grapes were sparse and the salad was pretty much nothing but the spinach, but I didn't really mind it. Everyone else had a House salad (the 3rd option was a Caesar). The salads were all good aside from the tomatoes - I was informed they were mushy.
For the third course, three people ordered the turkey, one the fish (Washoo) and I the crab cakes. After the turkey was eaten I was informed that it was cold but nobody wanted to send it back. It was supposedly "free range" but my father-in-law said there were no tendons or muscle to be seen and appeared to be processed. (I didn't examine the meat and am not sure if this is true, but I have no reason not to believe him.) My crab cakes were good. The wahoo was good.
For my sides I ordered "sauteed vegetables" and "green bean casserole." The sauteed vegetables were Brussels sprouts. I have no problem with Brussels sprouts and in fact I like them, however they should have written Brussels sprouts on the menu and not vegetables. The description made it sound like there would be multiple types of vegetables so I ordered them for one of the kids. Needless to say, the kids don't eat Brussels sprouts. The green bean "casserole" was nothing but green beans out of a CAN (they were definitely not fresh) that had an inkling of sauce poured over them with some of those fried onion crisps on the side. Hardly a casserole and not anything better than my child's cafeteria food. The stuffing was "eh" the mashed potatoes were cold and even those who didn't order the sauteed vegetables got an extra portion of the Brussels sprouts. One of them were rotten. (BLACK).
Despite the fact that we had bread plates on the table no bread every came out. When asked if we needed anything else I requested the bread and also the cranberry sauce that two of the turkey meals didn't come with. The bread was not completely baked but the flavor was good...seemed to have nuts/seeds in them but it was still very doughy.
We then ordered dessert - 3 chocolate mousse cakes with oreo cookie crusts and 2 apple crisps. The cakes came out about 5-10 minutes before the apple crisps, apparently because it took a while to microwave them to heat them up. Even so, they were still somewhat frozen in the center. They were clearly frozen desserts from the store. The mousse cakes were tasty but appeared to be frozen.
3 adults, 2 children, NO ALCOHOL and 20% gratuity included came up to roughly $150. On the bill our waitress put a star next to the line item where the 20% gratuity was included, which I thought was fine. A lot of people overlook included gratuity so it was nice she brought it to our attention. But then she had the gall to put a star next to the line item for EXTRA tip! Quite frankly 20% is already a nice tip and there was no way we were going to spend another nickel on that shoddy meal.
NOW - I was patiently waiting to be asked how the meal was which is pretty customary after meals in a restaurant. After all, I always asked those types of questions when I waited tables. The question was never asked so I never gave them my opinion of the food. We ate some of it and we weren't looking for a handout and I'm not one to complain but am honest in my feedback when asked.
The service was just "okay."
I will not return to the Boathouse. -
Review from Brian D.
San Francisco, CA
Good food and very romantic if you eat indoors. The back patio has thick foggy plastic curtains and doesn't suit the place well. Please ask for a corner booth if you're on a date. You won't regret it or the fried oysters.
On a down note, the place is a bit snobby for a beach restaurant. Its mostly filled with southern country club "folks" in boat shoes. -
Review from Sean C.
Charleston, SC
Always one of my favorite jaunts. Had guests in from Houston recently and we enjoyed the most delicious dinner. Go for the raw oysters and enjoy a little brine while waiting on the arrival of the large seafood platter (add a lobster tail). You won't have room for dessert unless you are really smart and share - we did and another delicious treat. Great wine selection, or bring your own and pay a corkage fee.
Reservations are a must during the season. (If you're one or two, and arrive without a reservation, enjoy food with drinks at the bar.)
Valet parking easily available.
And a roof top bar make sunsets really special.
Three dining areas - though the main room is my favorite (across from the inside bar and near the hostess station). A little pricey - but worth every penny. And, it's fun to dress a little more island casual to enjoy.
Enjoy! -
Review from Shaughn H.
Charlotte, NC
The food is overpriced. We waited for over an hour for our entrees, too bad we didn't order appetizers. When the food finally did come the fish was overcooked, the grits were dry and looked like they were scraped from the bottom of the pan and the linguine was just sitting in butter. The bread was good though. Go for a drink but eat somewhere else.
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Review from Mark C.
Baltimore, MD
While the location is wonderful nothing else is. The service from the waitstaff is below par and they desperately need a new expediter one who can read tickets. Most of the food for our table was flat out wrong and the food auction by the runners was terrible. Now the food complaints: When you order fish "Just Grilled" that doesn't mean blacken it or over salt it (as was the case with two of the entrees at the table). Don't serve Caesar salad as a do-it-yourself meal where you have to cut up your own lettuce. If you're going to advertise Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee two things: The base for Creme Brulee normally has vanilla bean it in, and if you emphasize the vanilla it should taste of real vanilla not the fake stuff in a bottle, a little vanilla speck would be nice. As a result I won't be back anytime soon.
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Review from Scott H.
Charlotte, NC
Worn out from day at the beach and quasi-sunburned but compelled to write about The Boathouse, which is Long John Silver's masquerading as a high-end restaurant. After all, I won't be able to sleep knowing some other poor unsuspecting sap falls for this tourist trap. I literally think they've got a cadre of college kids on summer break manning Microwaves that crank out frozen seafood claiming it's fresh and local. Think Applebee's/Chili's quality with prices resembling [Name your City's] best steak house. It gives me no pleasure to write such a scathing review, but the Boathouse deserves every bit of it. In fact, I'd give it 0 stars if that was an option.
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Review from Christie R.
Kansas City, MO
We stayed at Wild Dunes and the Concierge AND the Valet BOTH independently suggested this restaurant. We had just arrived and did not want to go off the "island" and into Charleston. Most of the 1 to 3 star reviews of this place are spot on. The food is average and the facilities are small and hot. The AC went out about half way through our meal and the staff couldn't get it back on. This apparently was the second night in a row this happened. My husband had the seafood fettuccine (mostly an unknown white fish, one scallop and a couple of shrimp) and I had the spicy shrimp and grits. Both were just fair, nothing unusual or special. The crab fritter appetizer was pretty tasty as were the Little Neck Clams. The Key Lime pie for dessert was also good, nothing special and served with a dollop of cool whip. (YUK) If you want a close by place for dinner and basic food is all you need or want, go for it. We really hoped for something a little more unusual and reflective of South Carolina.
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Review from Tracy G.
Los Angeles, CA
One of the things i look forward to when coming to the Isle of Palms for the family vacation is the first meal of trip ... always at the Boathouse. The atmosphere is causal beachy. The staff are friendly and attentive. The food ... just like coming home, good, comforting, something I look forward to. There is a reason we come here every trip, sometimes twice. We had a reservation, and the only wait for our table was due to our early arrival.
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Review from Betty R.
This restaurant cashes in on its lovely setting, for sure - it is a beautiful place to eat and watch the sunset. The service was friendly, though a bit slow (we had a big group, so that might explain some of that). Lots of seafood options, only some of which are local (a little surprising). The crab and corn soup had WAY too much going on - particularly thyme - so you couldn't taste the named ingredients. Southern/seafood egg rolls were tasty and not too greasy. The fried seafood was done nicely, and the sides were fine - a couple of folks who ordered more complicated dishes were a little disappointed, so I definitely think that simpler is better. Might end up as our new vacation tradition...
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Review from Mojo J.
Charlotte, NC
It's gone downhill. It used to be the place to go, but now it's just overhyped and overpriced. You can find better food at way more reasonable prices elsewhere... if you feel the need to watch Breech Inlet, go have a drink at the bar, then hop in the car to eat somewhere else.
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Review from Blake W.
Chicago, IL
I've been here a few times and I've never really been impressed. I love the view at the Breach Inlet and the roof top bar is alot of fun when you've got to wait for a table (seems to happen no matter when we make a reservation). On our most recent trip, we came here to celebrate our few hour old engagement since it was close to the house and celebration was sure to happen so driving to Charelston was out. We waited for our table for about 20 minutes past our reservation (Tuesday night before the 4th). We got down to our table only to wait another 20 minutes for a server to talk to us. We tried to order a bottle of Champagne, but some friends from out of town had already beat us to it. A waiter told us he had a bottle already picked out for us and he would be bringing it right out.... another 20 minutes go by and the Champagne comes -- Not even cold, just slightly chilled Veuve. I tell him to go ahead and pore it beucase I'm damn thirsty and hungry. So moving on to the food.....
I had the Duck Confit App, it was cooked perfectly althought the presentation was quick boring -- a leg with a Mango (or peach I can't remember) The Lobster and Crab cake was alrgiht. I was really excited about the Gouda Mac N Cheese but that was really mild and the Noodles where mushy. I wasn't unhappy with the experience but it definitely wasn't the best.... -
Review from thomas t.
Long Beach, CA
I went there with co-workers and friends during a business trip to Charleston, SC. Their seafood selection is decent. I ordered the steak and lobster plate, with 2 included side items (broccoli/cauliflower and mashed potatoes). When I received my dish, the steak was smaller than a deck of playing cards and the lobster tail wasn't that great. For a 30 dollar dish I should have gotten more steak and a great piece of lobster and better side dishes. I wasn't that impressed with my food. The parking is valet, which is somewhat of a turn off for people coming out-of-town on a budget. Their beer selection wasn't that good; they only had fat tire, blue moon and two other "so-so" beers on tap. I ordered the fat-tire in a 16 ounce glass; the glass was not poured to the top and had about 1-inch of empty space at the top. During my dining experience here, the service was okay. Towards the end of the meal, I kindly asked the server if he could take a picture of all us at the table, but instead, he recommended that we take one as we leave the restaurant. I did not appreciate that lack of effort, for a simple picture, and for that, my generosity towards him (i.e. - TIP) was reflected upon his own efforts and attitude towards us. This place is, in my opinion, highly over rated. Hank's Seafood in Downtown Charleston (On Haynes Street) is 1000 times better than this place and their prices are nearly identical to the Boathouse. Also, the service is better at Hanks and the atmosphere was a lot more lively than the Boathouse.
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Review from Rich G.
Arlington Heights, IL
We ate here on our last night on Isle of Palms and we're glad we did. The view from the enclosed porch at sunset was FANTASTIC! The food was very good. We each got one of the specials and the fish was fresh and well prepared. The food here is easily as good as any meal we had in downtown Charleston.
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Review from Thomas S.
Charleston, SC
Many many years ago we had been to the Boathouse Downtown. I think I remember it being pretty good. Had never been to the one at Breach Inlet...When my Mom came to town we decided to go to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet for dinner one evening. We started off with Fried Calamari (you'd think this would be hard to ruin) BLAND BLAND BLAND. First off...I never order "Shrimp & Grits" at any restaurant because I know they can NOT compare to Tommys Shrimp N Grits...so it was my fault I didn't like the Boathouses version. They were WAY over seasoned..onions, bell pepper, spices, the whole kitchen sink was in my dish. Just WAY too much "flavoring" We also got the Triggerfish - Only about 1/4 of the fish was eaten IF that much. My mom got the Scallops, and honestly her dish was the only one that looked worth eating. At least we can say we've been there.
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Review from Michelle S.
Plymouth, MI
Food was really good! I had the lobster and crab cake entree with collard greens and stew tomatoes and orka as sides. Our server was super nice and was up front about all prices. The environment was wonderful and teh location is really great. If it hadn't started storming we would have sat outside.
