A local guest guide from Water's Edge Inn
Where to eat on Folly Beach
A current guide to restaurants, cafes, dessert stops, and drinks—from sunrise coffee and beach lunches to sunset cocktails, live music, and memorable dinners.
Plan the kind of outing you want
Folly's dining scene is casual, compact, and easy to explore at your own pace. Most options cluster around Center Street; west-side favorites are convenient to the inn, while the pier and oceanfront are ideal for sunset drinks and beachside meals.
Whether you're heading out solo, meeting friends, planning a special evening, or grabbing something after the beach, use the quick picks below and then search the complete directory.
QUICK PICKS
Choose your Folly moment
These are mood-based suggestions, not rankings. Menus, entertainment, and operating hours can change seasonally.
Breakfast & coffee
Lost Dog Cafe, Dead Low Cafe, Center Street Coffee, or Roasted.
Sunset & ocean views
Koko's on the Pier or Pinky's on the Beach; Coconut Joe's adds a rooftop option.
Date night options
Pinky's on the Beach, Koko's on the Pier, Taco Boy, or Catch23.
Cocktails & live music
Chico Feo, Loggerhead's, The Washout, or Pinky's; Sand Dollar works as a drinks-first late stop.
Vegetarian-friendly
Jack of Cups, Center Street Coffee, Taco Boy, Chico Feo, Coconut Glen's, and The Pineapple Hut.
Picnic, takeout & delivery
Bert's, Casa Empanada, Playa Baya, Slice, or Woody's.
THE CURATED DIRECTORY
Explore 34 options
Search by mood—try breakfast, seafood, cocktails, sunset, live music, vegetarian, or near the inn.
3 Gulls Creamery
East side · 105 E Huron Ave
A Folly creamery that opened in summer 2026, serving a large lineup of hand-scooped ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, floats, and over-the-top stuffed shakes. It also grills creative hot dogs and offers a few savory lunch options.
BEST FORIce cream after a beach walk, playful desserts, and over-the-top shakes.
Alfredo's On Folly
West side · 106 W Hudson Ave
A compact, counter-service Italian kitchen preparing pasta, meatballs, panini, salads, and rotating specials to order. Its west-side location makes it one of the most convenient full-meal options for inn guests.
BEST FORA cozy Italian meal, takeout pasta, or an easy dinner near the inn.
Bert's Market / The Wooden Spoon
East side · 202 E Ashley Ave
Folly's beloved neighborhood market also functions as a casual food stop, with deli sandwiches, prepared foods, coffee, groceries, snacks, beer, and wine. It is especially useful for assembling a beach picnic, stocking the room with snacks and wine, or covering different cravings.
BEST FORBeach picnics, deli sandwiches, wine, and easy room provisions.
Bounty Bar
Center Street · 15 Center St
A relaxed neighborhood bar and grill with burgers, patty melts, wings, cheesesteaks, seafood plates, and hearty bar snacks. The vibe is casual and social, with food that works well before or after a night out.
BEST FORBurgers, wings, casual drinks, and an energetic start or finish to the evening.
Bowens Island Restaurant
Bowens Island · 1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston
Nearby and just off the island, Bowens Island Restaurant is only a short drive from the inn. This storied, no-frills Lowcountry seafood destination sits directly on the marsh. It is known for locally harvested oysters in season, fried shrimp and fish platters, Lowcountry boil, sweeping sunset views, graffiti-covered walls, and oyster-shell piles.
BEST FORSteamed oysters in season, classic fried seafood, marsh sunsets, and an authentic Lowcountry outing.
Casa Empanada
Center Street · 18 Center St
A grab-and-go counter specializing in fresh-baked Argentinian empanadas, including savory, sweet, and vegetarian flavors, with chimichurri on the side. Its portable format makes it practical for a beach picnic or a casual meal back at the inn.
BEST FORA quick handheld lunch, mix-and-match flavors, or portable picnic snacks.
Catch23
Center Street · 10 Center St
A downtown beach bar and restaurant centered on seafood, sushi, and familiar coastal favorites. Its broad menu and central location work well for a lively dinner before exploring Center Street nightlife.
BEST FORSushi, seafood, cocktails, and a lively dinner close to nightlife.
Center Street Coffee
East side · 103 E Cooper Ave
A bright coffee shop serving locally roasted coffee, espresso drinks, in-house baked goods, and a fully kosher vegetarian menu. Beer, wine, frozen mimosas, frosé, and patio seating extend its appeal beyond the morning.
BEST FORSpecialty coffee, pastries, frozen mimosas or frosé, and a relaxed patio break.
Chico Feo
East side · 122 E Ashley Ave
An open-air local favorite with an eclectic menu that moves among tacos, sandwiches, curries, and island-inspired specials. The casual yard, live music, and easygoing atmosphere are a large part of the experience.
BEST FORAdventurous casual food, live music, open-air seating, and island-style atmosphere.
Coconut Glen's Ice Cream
Beachfront east · 105 E Arctic Ave
A plant-based ice cream shop built around rich coconut-milk flavors and organic ingredients. Rotating tropical and classic choices make it a particularly strong option for dairy-free and vegan guests.
BEST FORPlant-based ice cream and a tropical dessert stop during a beach walk.
Coconut Joe's Beach Grill
Center Street · 11 Center St
A high-energy beach grill with seafood, burgers, salads, tropical drinks, and a rooftop bar. Live music, weekend brunch, and the rooftop setting make it an upbeat choice for brunch, drinks, or a casual meal.
BEST FORRooftop drinks, casual seafood, weekend brunch, and a festive night out.
Cosmic Charlie's Grateful Grill
Center Street · 27 Center St
A Grateful Dead-inspired quick-service stop known for loaded macaroni and cheese, burritos, sandwiches, and other portable comfort food. It is designed for a fast, filling bite rather than a long sit-down meal.
BEST FORA fast comfort-food stop, a late-day snack, or something easy to share.
Dead Low Cafe
East side · 113 E Ashley Ave
A veteran-owned daytime cafe offering locally roasted coffee, breakfast and lunch dishes, smoothies, açaí, and baked goods. The menu is well suited to guests who want a quieter morning stop away from the Center Street bustle.
BEST FORA quieter coffee or breakfast stop away from the Center Street bustle.
Drop In Bar & Deli
Center Street · 32-B Center St
A longstanding deli-bar serving sandwiches, burgers, wraps, fish tacos, and sushi on select days. Its informal, central setting makes it easy to mix deli favorites with bar fare.
BEST FORSandwiches, casual drinks, fish tacos, and a quick meal before a night out.
Folly Beach Crab Shack
Center Street · 26 Center St
A classic seafood stop with crab cakes, fried seafood baskets, steams and boils, sandwiches, and Lowcountry favorites. Porch seating and live music reinforce the casual coastal atmosphere.
BEST FORCrab dishes, Lowcountry classics, porch seating, and a traditional beach-town dinner.
Jack of Cups Saloon
Center Street · 34 Center St
A tiny, creative gastropub with globally inspired, seasonally changing plates and a vegetarian-forward point of view. Craft beer, wine, and sake pair with a menu that stands apart from typical beach fare.
BEST FORA distinctive dinner, vegetarian-friendly choices, and adventurous plates to share.
Koko's on the Pier
Folly Beach Pier · 101 E Arctic Ave
The 2026 successor to Pier 101, Koko's pairs panoramic ocean views with tropical cocktails, coastal comfort food, shareable plates, and live music. The open-air pier setting is the main attraction, especially near sunset.
BEST FORSunset cocktails, shareable plates, ocean views, and a memorable pier experience.
Loggerhead's Beach Grill
West side · 123 W Ashley Ave
A casual beach grill with a large outdoor deck, seafood, oysters, burgers, sandwiches, and regular live music. Its west-side location and roomy deck make it an easy choice for inn guests.
BEST FORA breezy deck, live music, seafood, and a laid-back dinner near the inn.
LoLo's
Folly Road · 2293 Folly Rd, Charleston
Nearby and just off the island, LoLo's is only a short drive from the inn. This laid-back waterfront restaurant serves local seafood, sandwiches, daily specials, and cocktails in a casual setting with marsh views. Its location just before the island makes it an easy addition to a Folly outing.
BEST FORWaterfront seafood, daily specials, cocktails, and a relaxed stop on the way to or from Folly.
Lost Dog Cafe
West side · 106 W Huron Ave
A popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch cafe known for hearty portions, coffee, Benedicts, French toast, sandwiches, and a dog-friendly patio. It is close to the inn, but peak-time waits are common.
BEST FORA full brunch near the inn, dog-friendly patio seating, and classic comfort food.
Lowlife Bar
East side · 106 E Hudson Ave
A chef-driven beach bar where the food receives as much attention as the cocktails. Expect a creative mix of burgers, fried chicken, poke-style dishes, seafood, and rotating specials in an energetic indoor-outdoor setting.
BEST FORCreative bar food, well-made cocktails, and an energetic night out with local character.
Pinky's on the Beach
Oceanfront at Tides · 1 Center St
A bright, retro-surf oceanfront restaurant and bar with pizza, tacos, sandwiches, cocktails, and live entertainment. It is designed for a playful, high-energy beachside experience rather than a quiet dinner.
BEST FOROceanfront cocktails, playful beach energy, live music, and a lively meal by the water.
Planet Follywood
Center Street · 32-A Center St
A longtime local dive and bar-grill serving straightforward burgers, sandwiches, and familiar bar food. Bands, karaoke, and late-night energy are central to the appeal.
BEST FORA true local dive-bar experience, inexpensive bites, karaoke, and late-night entertainment.
Playa Baya
Center Street · 18 Center St
A fresh, light counter specializing in build-your-own açaí bowls and smoothies made with real fruit, without syrups or added ice. Fresh-baked empanadas provide a savory option.
BEST FORAçaí bowls, real-fruit smoothies, and a lighter breakfast or beach-day lunch.
Revelry Brewing - Folly Beach
Center Street · 13B Center St
A courtyard outpost of the Charleston brewery serving its own beer, house-made seltzer cocktails, wine, and a compact menu of casual food. It is primarily a social drinking destination with enough food for a laid-back meal.
BEST FORCraft beer, courtyard seating, and an easygoing afternoon or early-evening stop.
Rita's Seaside Grille
Center Street near beach · 2 Center St
A lively coastal restaurant with seafood, smoked wings, burgers, salads, brunch dishes, and a broad drinks list. The large patio and live music make it an upbeat choice for brunch or a casual meal.
BEST FORBrunch, cocktails, mixed cravings, and a bustling patio near the beach.
Roasted Coffee + Shop
Tides hotel lobby · 1 Center St
A convenient coffee shop inside Tides serving Starbucks coffee and espresso drinks, pastries, breakfast items, and grab-and-go food. It is a practical early start or quick refuel right at the beach.
BEST FORFamiliar coffee drinks, a quick pastry, and an easy start before an oceanfront walk.
Sand Dollar Social Club
Center Street · 7 Center St
A historic, nightlife-first dive bar with live music, pool, and darts. It appears in local dining directories, but guests should not rely on it as a full-service dinner destination.
BEST FORLate-night drinks, live music, pool, and an old-school Folly bar experience.
Schoobies Ice Cream
Center Street · 18 Center St
A classic beach-town ice cream counter with hand-scooped flavors, soft serve, and fresh waffle cones. Its central location makes it an easy dessert stop during an evening walk.
BEST FORA traditional cone, an evening dessert stroll, and an easy Center Street treat.
Slice of Folly
Center Street · 16 Center St
A New York-style pizza shop offering slices, whole pies, and delivery. It is one of the simplest choices for sharing a pie or bringing dinner back to the inn.
BEST FORPizza by the slice, a whole pie to share, takeout, or delivery.
Taco Boy
East side · 106 E Ashley Ave
A colorful, energetic taqueria with tacos, quesadillas, salads, margaritas, and frozen drinks. The large patio and plentiful vegetarian choices work well for a range of preferences.
BEST FORTacos, margaritas, vegetarian options, and a festive patio meal.
The Pineapple Hut
West side · 103 W Erie Ave
A tropical dessert stand specializing in dairy-free pineapple whip, floats, pineapple chunks layered with soft serve, and treats served inside fresh pineapple. The core menu is vegan and gluten-free.
BEST FORA refreshing dairy-free treat to share after dinner or on the walk back to the inn.
The Washout
Center Street · 41 Center St
A casual beach bar and grill serving seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and hearty starters. Patio seating, televisions, cornhole, and live music make it a strong fit for a relaxed, social night out.
BEST FORA lively patio, casual seafood, sports, and an easygoing social evening.
Woody's Pizza
Center Street · 39 Center St
A longtime pizza shop serving slices, whole pies, calzones, salads, wings, and delivery. It is a dependable, low-key option when a whole pie and a relaxed night in sound better than a sit-down dinner.
BEST FORA whole pie to share, delivery to the inn, and an uncomplicated night in.
Try a broader word such as seafood, breakfast, cocktails, outdoor, or vegan.