Doolittle's Seafood Restaurant in Charleston: Lowcountry Cooking on the Water

What Doolittle's Offers and Where to Find It

Doolittle's is a casual seafood restaurant on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, just across the bridge from downtown Charleston. The restaurant sits right on the water where working shrimp boats still dock, and the view is part of what you're paying for—the creek moves with the tide, and you can watch the light change across the marsh while you eat.

The menu centers on fried seafood, steamed shrimp, and Lowcountry staples. Fried flounder, fried shrimp, and fried oysters come as platters with hushpuppies and coleslaw. The she-crab soup is thick and orange from crab roe. Shrimp and grits appear on most Lowcountry menus, and Doolittle's version comes with a cream sauce and bacon. Steamed shrimp by the pound is available year-round, though the season and source shift—local shrimp peaks in late summer and fall.

Key Takeaways

• Doolittle's sits on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant with a working waterfront view and casual indoor and outdoor seating.
• The restaurant specializes in fried seafood, steamed shrimp, and traditional Lowcountry dishes like she-crab soup and shrimp and grits.
• Prices are moderate for the Charleston area, with most entrees in the mid-range and platters designed for sharing or taking home.
• The restaurant operates year-round but can be crowded during peak tourist season and on weekends; weekday lunch is often quieter.
• Parking is available on-site, and the creek-side location makes it a good stop if you're exploring Mount Pleasant's waterfront district.

The Waterfront Setting and Atmosphere

The building itself is unpretentious—a low structure with a covered porch and picnic tables outside. On warm days, the outdoor seating fills first. Inside, the dining room has large windows facing the creek, and the walls hold the kind of casual beach-restaurant décor you'd expect: fishing nets, old photographs, and a bar that runs along one side.

Shem Creek is the working heart of Mount Pleasant's shrimping industry. The boats you see from your table are not decoration—they're commercial vessels, and the creek smells like salt, diesel, and the business of making a living from the water. That authenticity is what separates Doolittle's from restaurants that simulate a waterfront experience. You're eating in a place where the seafood actually arrives.

Menu Highlights and Seasonal Availability

The fried platters are the backbone of the menu. Fried flounder comes whole or filleted, and the batter is thin and crisp. Fried shrimp and fried oysters follow the same formula. Each platter includes hushpuppies—cornmeal fritters, fried—and coleslaw. The portions are large enough that many people split a platter or take half home.

She-crab soup is a Lowcountry classic, and Doolittle's makes it the traditional way: cream-based, colored orange by crab roe, and thick enough that the spoon stands up in it. Shrimp and grits comes with local shrimp when available, though the restaurant sources from other regions during winter months. The grits are creamy, and the sauce is built on bacon fat and stock.

Steamed shrimp by the pound is available year-round. Local shrimp—caught in the creeks and sounds around Charleston—peaks from late August through October. Outside that window, the restaurant sources from the Gulf or farther afield. If local shrimp matters to you, call ahead or ask your server what's in the pot that day.

Pricing and What to Expect to Spend

Doolittle's is moderate in price for Charleston. Fried platters run in the mid-range, and a single platter can easily feed two people or provide lunch and dinner for one. Steamed shrimp is priced by the pound, so the final bill depends on how much you order. She-crab soup and shrimp and grits are less expensive than the fried platters.

The restaurant does not take reservations, so you order at the counter or at your table depending on the time of day. Payment is cash or card. Takeout is available and common—many people order a pound of steamed shrimp and eat it at home or at one of the nearby parks.

When to Go and Parking

Doolittle's is busiest on weekends and during peak tourist season (April through October). If you want a quieter experience and a table with a view, go on a weekday at lunch or early dinner. The restaurant is open year-round, though hours may shift seasonally—call ahead if you're planning an off-season visit.

Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the restaurant. The lot fills on busy days, but turnover is usually fast. Shem Creek Road has additional parking if the main lot is full. The restaurant is walkable from other Mount Pleasant waterfront businesses, so you can make an afternoon of it—browse the shops, walk the docks, and eat at Doolittle's.

Getting There from Downtown Charleston

Doolittle's is about three miles from downtown Charleston, a ten-minute drive across the Cooper River Bridge. From downtown, take US-17 East across the bridge into Mount Pleasant. Follow the signs toward Shem Creek or the waterfront. The restaurant is on Shem Creek Road, on the water side of the street.

If you're using GPS, search for "Doolittle's Seafood Restaurant Mount Pleasant" or the street address. The location is well-marked and easy to find. Public transportation from downtown is limited, so a car or ride-share is the practical option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Doolittle's operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You order at the counter or at your table. On busy weekend afternoons, you may wait 15 to 30 minutes for a table, but weekday visits are usually faster.

Is the shrimp local?

Local shrimp is available from late August through October, when the season peaks. Outside that window, the restaurant sources from other regions. Ask your server or call ahead if you want to know what's in the pot on the day you visit.

Can I take food to go?

Yes. Takeout is available and common. Many people order steamed shrimp by the pound and eat it elsewhere. Fried platters travel well if you're heading to a park or back to your hotel.

Is there outdoor seating?

Yes. Picnic tables are available on a covered porch facing the creek. On warm days, outdoor seating fills first. The view of the working waterfront and the boats is one of the main reasons to eat here.

What if I don't eat seafood?

The menu is seafood-focused, and options for non-seafood eaters are limited. Call ahead to ask what's available, or consider eating elsewhere if seafood is not your preference.