Here are the places to grab lunch on Sullivan's Island during a Charleston beach day (2024)

Weekend beach days in the Lowcountry are an opportunity to swim in the ocean, get a suntan and destress from a long work week. There's nothing quite like sprawling out, sun-kissed in the summer breeze, listening to the relaxing crash of waves along the shore and forgetting all your problems.

But when you start to get hungry and the bag of chips from your beach bag isn't enough to satiate in the draining heat, restaurants abound with a variety of lunch options that also come with refreshing beverages and indoor AC to cool you down.

Here are eight places to grab lunch on Sullivan's Island, from an Irish pub to a BBQ joint to a fish camp.

Poe's Tavern

Founded in 2003, Poe's Tavern is an island staple named after famed horror author and one-time Sullivan's Island resident Edgar Allan Poe. Here, you'll find themed Poe decor throughout, from the gold bug mosaic on the sidewalk out front to the framed mustached depictions inside. The menu is also themed, with a bevy of burgers named for Poe's classic short stories. You can't go wrong with any burger on the menu, as this place is known for its burgers, paired with some tasty shoestring fries. A few favorites are the Tell-Tale Heart with bacon, cheddar and a fried egg on top, and Black Cat with grilled onions, Edgar's drunken chili, bacon and pimiento cheese.

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

I'm a taco lover through and through, so my favorite stop on Sullivan's Island to give me energy after a morning spent scouring for seashells and reading in the sun is Mex 1 Coastal Cantina. With colorful stairs leading up to this second-story restaurant, you have the option to sit on the covered outside porch, at the long bar or in a variety of tables and booths inside.

All of the margaritas here are made with quality tequila that will leave you refreshed and happily buzzed instead of more tired and sloshed. My current favorite is the pineapple habanero, though the strawberry skinny is also revitalizing. I usually opt for two or three tacos, and you can choose from classics like carne asada, carnitas or cantina chicken, or go for the roasted cauliflower, bangin' shrimp or fresh-catch fish.

The Obstinate Daughter

For a more upscale dining option on the island that still feels relaxed, The Obstinate Daughter is a great choice with an upper-story restaurant and cozy bar. Plus, there's nothing quite like a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza to bring some life back into you. But you could also opt for a shrimp roll, raw oysters, a Caprese or meatball sandwich, or a variety of pastas. Finish up with a frozen chocolate and salted caramel mousse with espresso cream and hazelnut crunch or a key lime and cream cheesecake for dessert.

If you hit the window between 3-4 p.m., pizzas are the only thing on the menu as the staff shifts from lunch to dinner, but you can choose from options that include a classic Miss Carolina with green and red tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil; the Porky Peach with peach, prosciutto, mozzarella, gorgonzola, red onion, vincotto and Parmesan; or my personal favorite, The Rutledge with ricotta, Italian sausage, red onion, local greens, mozzarella and provolone.

Sullivan's Fish Camp

A new favorite of mine on the island is the vintage chic Sullivan's Island Fish Camp, where brunch or lunch are both options on the weekends. With either, I recommend a drink from their fantastic co*cktail list, which includes a Pool Boy with vodka, coconut water, pineapple, lime and yuzu; the Bella Donna Daiquiri with rum, amaretto, disaronno and lemon; and the Blush Baby with blood orange, coconut milk, tequila, cointreau, lime juice and agave (you can also get this last option as a mocktail). If you want to opt for one of the frozen drinks swirling in a machine behind the bar, you can try the Piña Colada or Paloma with a pineapple rum or mezcal floater.

But as for the food, I'd go with that brunch menu, where you can choose from a watermelon and tomato salad, lemon and ricotta pancakes, a smoked salmon platter and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. The jerk fish sandwich, swordfish tacos and burger are other great selections as well. Pair with a side fruit bowl.

Dunleavy's Pub

Bring your cash for Sullivan's Island's longstanding Irish pub, founded back in 1992, and a no-frills watering hole to celebrate annual events like the New Year's Polar Plunge and, of course, St. Patrick's Day. On a given day around lunchtime, you can cozy on up in a wooden booth under a dizzying display of old beer cans, license plates, sports memorabilia, flags and other knickknacks filling up every empty inch of wall and shelf space.

You'll start out with a free bowl of popcorn, perhaps my favorite free opening appetizer in town (I'm a popcorn lover, what can I say?) and then can choose from a list of hearty sandwiches and burgers or go for the "famous grilled wings." When you close out your tab, you'll have to pay the old-fashioned way, but don't worry, there's an ATM if you need it.

Home Team BBQ

Something about the salty ocean paired with some salty BBQ just makes sense. Home Team BBQ has a restaurant on Sullivan's Island, smaller than its downtown and West Ashley counterparts but still enough to fit guests in and outside with a stage in the corner for live music.

A favorite lunch order here is the Home Team salad with either pulled pork or chopped brisket. It's huge. You could easily split it between two people. But there are also sandwiches, tacos, nachos, platters and sliders to be had. And don't skimp on the sides, which include the mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, collard greens, hash and rice, Brunswick stew, cucumber and tomato salad, brisket chili and potato salad. You can even pick four for "The Side Plate," which comes with grilled bread and house pickles. Pair with the best and booziest frozen drink in town, a Gamechanger.

The Co-op

Frosé all day? This sandwich, salad and frosé stop is a favorite on the island with to-go options if you're looking for a quick pickup to bring with you back to the shore. A sea of sloshing machines are working behind the scenes to bring you a smorgasbord of frosé flavors, though the classic might just be your best bet. As for the food, gourmet sandwiches like the California turkey, cowboy chicken, tuna salad and Cubano will certainly fill you up and leave you satisfied.

The Longboard

A casual but trendy sit-down option on the island is The Longboard, where the aesthetic is breezy but refined, the bar winds around with teal barstools under a surfboard centerpiece and the seafood dishes are forefront. Like Sullivan's Fish Camp, you can opt for brunch or lunch on the weekends here.

From the brunch menu, the ricotta toast with a honey drizzle is a good kick-start, while healthy features include a tropical acai bowl, Caribbean chopped salad and vegetable hash. On the sweeter side, you've got the blueberry waffle or baked French toast. Or for the larger plates, choose from shrimp and grits, the wood-grilled avocado bowl, a shrimp roll or steak and eggs. For lunch, you've got a full poke and raw bar menu along with sushi wraps and handhelds like the burger and seared tuna sandwich.

A refreshing co*cktail or mocktail should pair nicely. Last time, I opted for the Not So Jaded with light and coconut rum, matcha tea, falernum and a vanilla foam on top, followed by the Anonymous Unanimous mocktail with lemon, spied honey, lemongrass and ginger beer. The Floor is Guava is another refreshing co*cktail option with vodka, cachaca, guava puree, lime and rose water, or the Smooth Sailing with light rum, banana liqueur, coconut cream, strawberry soda and toasted coconut.

Bonus Sweet Treat Spots

If you need to follow up your lunch with a pick-me-up sweet treat to kick-start that sugar rush before headed back to the beach, you've got a couple ice cream options.

Beardcat's Sweet Shop, beneath The Obstinate Daughter, has tubs of gelato to choose from, including dairy-free options that include a dark chocolate, coconut and acai blueberry. Or, opt for some ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes or an affogatto.

Republic Ice Cream & Custard is near the park along the main strip with a cow statue on the front lawn and light-up retro neon sign. Here, you can select your cup, cone, shake or other sweet treat option and enjoy it outside on the porch or inside in the AC.