Mr B's Food and Spirits in Beaufort: Low Country Cooking and Craft Cocktails

What Mr B's Offers

Mr B's Food and Spirits is a New American restaurant in Beaufort's historic downtown that focuses on Low Country ingredients and techniques. The menu centers on seafood, locally raised proteins, and seasonal vegetables prepared in ways that honor the region's culinary traditions while adding contemporary touches. The bar program emphasizes craft cocktails built around bourbon, rye, and spirits that pair with the food.

The restaurant occupies a restored historic building on Bay Street, the main thoroughfare that runs along the Beaufort River. The dining room has exposed brick, wood beams, and large windows overlooking the water and the Spanish moss-draped oaks that define Beaufort's character. The atmosphere is upscale but not formal—the kind of place where you can wear jeans or a blazer and feel equally at home.

Key Takeaways

• Mr B's specializes in Low Country seafood and locally sourced proteins prepared with contemporary techniques, not heavy traditional versions.
• The bar offers craft cocktails built on bourbon and rye, with a wine list focused on American producers.
• The restaurant is located on Bay Street in downtown Beaufort, within walking distance of shops, galleries, and the waterfront.
• Dinner is the main service; the restaurant is closed Mondays and typically opens at 5 p.m. other days.
• Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak tourist seasons like spring and fall.

The Food and Cooking Style

The kitchen treats Low Country cooking as a starting point rather than a rulebook. You will find shrimp and grits on the menu, but prepared with stone-ground grits from a regional mill and topped with Gulf shrimp and a sauce that changes with the season. Oysters appear raw on the half shell and also roasted or fried, depending on the night. The she-crab soup—a Beaufort staple made with female crabs and their roe—shows up in a refined version that tastes like the dish itself rather than a reinterpretation.

Beef and pork dishes rotate based on what local farms have available. The restaurant works with suppliers in the Lowcountry and nearby regions, which means the menu changes with the seasons and what is in season. Vegetables are treated as main components, not sides—a plate of roasted root vegetables or seasonal greens might be the most memorable part of your meal.

Desserts are made in-house and tend toward classics: bread pudding, chocolate cake, seasonal fruit tarts. The kitchen does not chase trends; instead, it focuses on technique and ingredient quality.

The Bar and Drinks

The cocktail program is built around spirits that pair with Low Country food rather than chasing novelty. Bourbon and rye cocktails dominate the menu, often with additions like house-made syrups, bitters, or fresh citrus. The bartenders know the menu and can suggest drinks that work with what you are ordering to eat.

The wine list emphasizes American producers, with a particular focus on wines from the Southeast and California. Beer selections include local South Carolina breweries alongside national craft options. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, though the bar's identity centers on spirits and wine.

When to Go and How to Reserve

Mr B's serves dinner only, opening at 5 p.m. most nights. The restaurant is closed Mondays. Weekends—particularly Friday and Saturday—fill up quickly, especially during spring and fall when Beaufort sees the most visitors. Summer can be quieter, and winter brings a different crowd of locals and off-season travelers.

Reservations are not optional; they are necessary. You can call ahead or reserve through OpenTable or similar platforms. Walk-ins are turned away on busy nights, and even on slower evenings you may wait 30 minutes to an hour without a reservation. If you are visiting Beaufort and want to eat at Mr B's, plan your reservation before you arrive in town.

Location and Parking

Mr B's sits on Bay Street in the heart of downtown Beaufort, directly across from the Beaufort River. The address is easy to find if you are walking the historic district—Bay Street is the main drag, and the restaurant's storefront is visible from the street. If you are driving, street parking is available along Bay Street and in nearby lots, though it fills during peak hours. A municipal parking garage is two blocks away on Lady's Island if street parking is full.

The restaurant is within walking distance of Beaufort's other attractions: the Beaufort History Museum, the John Mark Verdier House, galleries and antique shops, and the waterfront park. Many visitors park once and walk to multiple restaurants and venues in the same evening.

Price Range and What to Expect

Dinner entrees typically range from the mid-$20s to the mid-$30s, with seafood dishes on the higher end and some meat and vegetable options lower. Appetizers run $8 to $16. Cocktails are priced in line with upscale restaurants in the region, usually $12 to $15. The wine list has bottles at various price points, starting around $35 and going well above $100 for premium selections.

The meal is not rushed. Plan for two to three hours if you are ordering multiple courses and drinks. The service is attentive but not hovering—staff will check in regularly but give you space to enjoy your meal and conversation.

Why Mr B's Matters to Beaufort's Food Scene

Mr B's represents a particular approach to Low Country cooking: respectful of tradition but not bound by it, focused on local sourcing but not dogmatic about it, and committed to technique without pretension. In a town where tourism drives much of the restaurant economy, Mr B's has maintained a reputation among both visitors and locals as a place where the food and drink justify the price and the reservation requirement.

The restaurant opened in the early 2000s and has remained relatively stable in ownership and direction, which is unusual in the restaurant business. That stability shows in consistent execution and a kitchen that knows what it does well and does not chase every trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in?

Reservations are strongly recommended and necessary on weekends and busy seasons. Walk-ins are seated only if there is immediate availability, which is rare. Call ahead or book online through OpenTable before you arrive in Beaufort.

What time does Mr B's open and close?

The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. for dinner and is closed Mondays. Closing time varies but is typically around 10 p.m. Call ahead if you are planning a late dinner.

Is there a dress code?

No formal dress code exists. Business casual or nicer casual clothing is appropriate. Jeans are fine; beachwear and athletic wear are not.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Mr B's is a family-friendly restaurant, though the atmosphere and menu are geared toward adults. Children are welcome at all hours.

Does Mr B's have vegetarian or dietary accommodation options?

The menu includes vegetable-forward dishes and seafood options. The kitchen can accommodate most dietary restrictions if you mention them when you reserve or when you arrive. Call ahead if you have specific concerns.