Inlet Crab House Restaurant & Raw Bar: Fresh Seafood and Lowcountry Flavor in Calabash

What you'll find at Inlet Crab House

Inlet Crab House sits in Calabash, North Carolina, just across the South Carolina border—a working fishing village where the restaurant sources much of what lands on your plate the same day. The menu centers on crab, shrimp, and fish prepared in the Lowcountry style: steamed, fried, broiled, or raw at the bar. You can order a single crab cake or a full seafood platter, sit at a table overlooking the water, and watch fishing boats come and go while you eat.

The raw bar serves oysters, clams, and shrimp on ice, shucked to order. The kitchen handles the classics—she-crab soup, deviled crab, fried flounder—without pretense. Calabash has built its reputation on casual, abundant seafood restaurants, and Inlet Crab House operates in that tradition: straightforward food, generous portions, and prices that reflect the working-waterfront setting rather than resort markup.

Key Takeaways

• Inlet Crab House is located in Calabash, North Carolina, about 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach and just over the state line from South Carolina.
• The restaurant sources fresh crab, shrimp, and fish daily from local boats and serves them steamed, fried, broiled, or raw at the bar.
• The menu includes Lowcountry staples like she-crab soup, crab cakes, deviled crab, and full seafood platters alongside lighter appetizers and sides.
• The dining room overlooks the water and the working docks, giving the meal a sense of place tied directly to the catch.

The raw bar and oyster selection

The raw bar is the first stop for many regulars. Oysters arrive on ice, shucked fresh, and you can order them by the half-dozen or dozen. The sourcing changes with the season and the boats—the staff can tell you where that day's oysters came from. Clams and shrimp on ice round out the raw offerings, and the bar itself is a good place to sit if you want to watch the shucking and talk to the staff about what's running.

If raw isn't your preference, the kitchen will steam oysters, roast them, or fry them. Many people order a mix: some raw, some cooked, to sample the range. The raw bar also serves cocktails, beer, and wine, and the bartenders know the regulars by name.

Crab dishes and house specialties

Crab is the restaurant's namesake and its anchor. The crab cakes are made with lump meat and minimal filler, fried until golden, and served with a remoulade or cocktail sauce. She-crab soup—a Lowcountry classic made with crab roe and cream—appears on the menu year-round. Deviled crab, steamed whole crabs, and crab-stuffed flounder give you options depending on how much work you want to do at the table and how much you want to spend.

The full seafood platters combine several proteins: typically crab, shrimp, flounder, and scallops, fried or broiled, with hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fries. These platters are designed for sharing or for a single person with a serious appetite. The portions are large enough that many people take leftovers home.

Sides, appetizers, and what to order first

Hushpuppies—fried cornmeal balls—come with most entrées and are worth ordering extra. Coleslaw is tangy and fresh. Fries are standard. The menu also includes fried pickles, steamed shrimp, and fried calamari as starters, and most cost under $10.

If you're unsure where to start, order the crab cakes as an appetizer and a steamed whole crab or crab platter as your main. That combination gives you a sense of what the kitchen does well and what the restaurant is about. The she-crab soup is also a reliable first course, especially in cooler months.

Atmosphere and timing

The dining room is casual and unpretentious. Tables are close together, the walls are decorated with fishing memorabilia and local photographs, and the noise level rises as the room fills—it's a working restaurant, not a quiet one. The view of the docks and the water is the real decor. On clear days, you can see fishing boats unloading their catch while you eat.

Inlet Crab House is busiest on weekends and during the summer season. Dinner service runs into the evening, and the bar stays open late. Lunch is quieter and a good time to go if you want a table without a wait. The restaurant is closed some Mondays and Tuesdays; calling ahead is wise if you're making a trip specifically to eat there.

Getting there from South Carolina

Calabash is about 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach, just over the North Carolina border. If you're staying in the Myrtle Beach area or visiting South Carolina's Grand Strand, Inlet Crab House is a short drive. From Charleston, it's roughly two hours. The restaurant has its own parking lot, and the location is easy to find on the main road through town.

Calabash itself is worth a half-day visit. The town has a working waterfront, several other seafood restaurants, a small maritime museum, and a quiet beach access. Many people make it a day trip from Myrtle Beach or combine it with a visit to nearby state parks or nature preserves along the North Carolina coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not required, but the restaurant fills up on weekends and summer evenings. Calling ahead to ask about wait times is a good idea if you're coming at peak hours. Walk-ins are welcome, and the bar is a good place to wait if there's a line for tables.

What's the price range?

Appetizers and sides run $8 to $15. Entrées—crab cakes, steamed crabs, fried platters—typically cost $18 to $35 depending on what you order and how much protein is included. Raw bar oysters are priced by the dozen and vary by type and season. A meal for two with drinks usually costs $50 to $80.

Are there non-seafood options?

The menu is seafood-focused, but the kitchen can usually prepare chicken or steak if you ask. Hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fries are available as sides for anyone who doesn't eat fish. It's best to call ahead if you have dietary restrictions or strong preferences outside the seafood menu.

Can I bring my own wine or beer?

The restaurant has a full bar and a wine list. Outside alcohol is typically not permitted, but it's worth asking when you call. The bar staff can recommend pairings with your meal.

Is there parking?

Yes, the restaurant has its own parking lot. Parking is free and usually available, even on busy weekends. The location is easy to access from the main road through Calabash.