Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in South Carolina

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in South Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Frank's Outback - Outside Dining

4.8

4.8 (1404)

$31 to $50

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Frank’s Outback has 45 seats inside the building and interestingly, the patrons get to walk through the open kitchen to enter the dining room. Once inside, you sense a warm welcoming atmosphere. The walls are painted in a cool blue with original artwork on the walls. White tablecloths, candle light, hand polished silverware and glassware grace the tables. There are also 100 seats outside, set in a garden setting under a canopy of trees. The outdoor seats are covered and not affected by weather. In the Fall and Winter guests are warmed by infrared heaters and the large outdoor fireplace.

Top review

Susan

Dined 7 days ago

As always, fabulous meal! We had the bursts of the day (peaches) as a starter, delicious! A beautiful combination of ingredients. We went with the small plates, medallions of beef and I had the Mahi over risotto with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes. Just beautiful presented and delicious!

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Popular dish

Blue Crab Ravioli

Popular dish

Whole 14 Layer Caramel Cake

La Rustica

4.8

4.8 (137)

$30 and under

American

Summerville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We LOVE the garlic bread and are always given as much as we request. The food is consistently good and the service is excellent.

Passerelle Bistro

4.7

4.7 (2547)

$30 and under

French

Greenville

About the restaurant

French for "footbridge", Passerelle is an aptly-named casual bistro located at the base of The Liberty Bridge which overlooks beautiful Falls Park in Downtown Greenville. Enjoy chef-inspired fare that"s a little French, a little European and a lot Local. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Join us inside the warm and inviting bistro or dine al fresco on the patio with a view. Signature dishes include Mussels Passerelle, Ratatouille and Steak & Frites. The wine list includes a range of French varietals, from classics to interesting new finds. French cocktails and beers round out the beverage list.

Top review

Jill

Dined 4 days ago

We were immediately greeted by the hostess who saw that it was our Anniversary. She took us to a perfect table on the patio with a beautiful view. She presented us with a nice Anniversary card signed by the staff. We started with the smoked trout bruschetta which was excellent. My husband ordered the pork tenderloin and I the beef burger. Both were very good. We ended with a complimentary cheesecake du jour which was so nice. During our time there, there was a wonderful jazz player providing tunes which further enhanced our experience.

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Quigley's Pint & Plate

4.6

4.6 (49)

$30 and under

American

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Quigley's Pint & Plate, in Pawleys Island, crafts a modern interpretation of elevated pub grub in its relaxing restaurant with English pub-inspired décor and in-house handcrafted brews. The spicy pimento cheese blend and the fried green tomatoes topped with blackened shrimp, goat cheese, and Thai chili glaze are updated and delicious versions of classic Southern dishes. Some of Quigley's Pint & Plate's specialty entrées include the pub steak topped with gorgonzola cheese and red-eye gravy, the beer-battered cod fish tacos, the chicken and waffles with honey-pecan butter and sausage gravy, and the veggie-friendly and hand-made vegan burger. Quigley's Pint & Plate also hosts trivia nights and features daily happy hour specials with discounted drinks and appetizers, making it a great spot for a fun night out!

If you don't see the reservation you wanted call the restaurant to see if we have any openings!
Parties over 8 must call the restaurant to make a reservation!

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The bone in ribeye special was Great! Was seated at the paito and was very pleasant.

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Experience

Happy Hour

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (5379)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Skull Creek Dockside Restaurant, dropped its anchor in the Fall of 2017 and forever changed the culinary landscape of the Lowcountry. In early 2017 the partners of the restaurant began to transform it into their vision for Hilton Head's newest waterfront dining destination. This restaurant, which resembles an old-style river house, is full of authentic architecture, reclaimed wood, and nautical accents that leave you feeling like you've stepped into a Melville novel. The sweeping waterfront view is showcased by full pane glass windows throughout the restaurant which you can enjoy no matter where you dine. The covered patio dining area, and massive outdoor bar, the shark bar, allows patrons to enjoy the Lowcountry climate and serve to further highlight the amazing sunset views over skull creek. If you are concerned about long wait times, the good news is the restaurant accepts reservations and provides a family recreation area between dockside and boathouse. Kids and adults can enjoy a variety of games, the very popular shark bar and 'shrimp boat' playground. Kids can play while families are waiting for a table, or simply enjoying the amazing waterfront views.

Top review

Erica

Dined 4 days ago

Food was good. Bar drinks could use some improvement.

Buffalos - Palmetto Bluff

4.4

4.4 (51)

$31 to $50

American

Bluffton

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Wilson Village, Buffalos is a favorite gathering place for all and a community staple at Palmetto Bluff. Offering Lowcountry coastal dining, Buffalos recently underwent a complete renovation and menu refresh, featuring an oyster bar and rotating daily offerings. Guests can also choose from an extensive wine list or sample signature cocktails to tantalize their taste buds.

Buffalos is walk-in only for lunch and will take reservations as well as walk-ins at dinner. The bar at Buffalos is first come first serve.

Top review

donna

Dined 6 days ago

Food was excellent service great. Only complaint we felt rushed still eating appetizers when dinner came out.

Poseidon-Hilton Head Island

4.4

4.4 (4446)

$30 and under

Seafood

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

From our fresh catch items to our "Coast-to-Coast" entrees, we have the best selection of seafood, steaks and much more! Coastal cuisine highlighting wonderfully realized use of local and seasonal ingredients; with skillful service by an informative staff. Poseidon continues to impress with its phenomenal high-caliber dishes especially the melt-in-your-mouth Grilled Gulf Grouper. Check out our "The World Is Your Oyster" Raw bar, whether you are an oyster aficionado, or not, it is worth it to visit. Pair with a cold glass of white wine and you're in raw bar heaven. Poseidon's unique waterfront site at Shelter Cove Towne Centre overlooks broad creek, allowing for some of the best water and sunset views on Hilton Head. from our outside nautibar to the inside "the world is your oyster" raw bar, and upstairs rooftop bar, Poseidon offers something special for everyone!

Top review

Derek

Dined 3 days ago

The salmon salad was perfectly cooked and was delicious. The cod/stuffed shrimp were great! It was our anniversary and the manager /staff , worked us in so we could celebrate there. We had a great date night and really appreciated the extra effort!

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Popular dish

SEAFOOD CREPE

Core 450

4.4

4.4 (428)

$31 to $50

American

Travelers Rest

About the restaurant

Core 450 is an instagrammable destination, to delight all the senses, from breathtaking views to our expansive outdoor patio complete with a full-service open kitchen just north of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

The restaurant led by owners Matthew and Renee Jennings and Chef Gene Magliaro serves refined, rustic cuisine, innovative libations, and a world class wine list. Known as a “must visit” among the Upstate’s dining scene, Core 450’s professional and passionate team are constantly striving to push the boundaries of excellence with well-rounded menus that feature classic dishes and drinks with contemporary twists rooted in tradition.

Join us for dinner, lunch, brunch, or a casual drink and appetizer with friends and family. Serving our community is at our Core.

Top review

patrickVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Had a wonderful bone in ribeye that was dry aged and love the hot salt stone for tabletop cooking ! Service from Leah was excellent, and we love the creative cooking by the chef… Definitely try the steak with the hot salt rock!

Hurricane Juel's Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (173)

$30 and under

Seafood

Little River

About the restaurant

Hurricane Juel’s 🌀 Established in 1945 sites on the historic little river waterfront. All of our seats have a view of the inter coastal waterway. 3 story location with Patio’s over the water as well as a beer garden with 350 + year old oak trees and live entertainment. Hurricane Juels has a large menu seafood brought in locals daily, many seafood dishes including low country boils and seafood towers. We also offer many steak and chicken dishes. And for the sushi lovers we have a sushi bar or order it to the table. Hurricane Juels has been a landmark for over 78 years. Look forward to seeing y’all here

Top review

RachelVIP

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Waiter was distracted only came to check on us 3 times, forgot salad dressing, could’ve ordered more drinks, potatoes were cold, not busy at all, not thrilled with our experience

Clearwater Oyster Bar & Grill

3.9

3.9 (92)

$30 and under

Seafood

Myrtle Beach

About the restaurant

At Clearwater Oyster Bar & Grill we believe that exceptional seafood should be savored amidst extraordinary surroundings. Come join us for a culinary journey where the flavors of the sea are complemented by the best views in town. It's not just a meal; it's a feast for the senses. Whether you're a seafood connoisseur or a casual diner seeking an exceptional meal, we invite you to savor the ocean's bounty in every bite. Let's embark on a journey of taste with our carefully curated selection of oysters sourced from pristine waters, in a maritime-inspired ambiance that seamlessly blends coastal elegance with a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.

Top review

LANCE

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Awesome service!! Staff was excellent!! Oysters were great and seafood platter was yummy!!

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Experience

Happy hour

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