
Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
Experience the authentic taste of Lowcountry seafood at this rustic waterfront gem, famous for its fresh catches and stunning creek views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Wreck of the Richard & Charlene

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the authentic taste of Lowcountry seafood at this rustic waterfront gem, famous for its fresh catches and stunning creek views.
"This is exactly what it claims to be: a wreck. No frills, just dynamite creek views and deliciously simple seafood."
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive early or during non-peak times to avoid long waits and secure a table more easily.
Embrace the rustic charm
Expect paper plates and a casual atmosphere; focus on the fresh seafood and waterfront views.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Lowcountry Fried Seafood
Experience incredibly fresh, lightly battered seafood, including shrimp, scallops, and oysters, served in a no-frills, rustic setting.

Stunning Creek Views & Sunset Ambiance
Dine with picturesque creek views and enjoy breathtaking sunsets, creating a perfect coastal atmosphere.

Filming Location for 'Outer Banks'
Visit the iconic spot featured in the popular Netflix series 'Outer Banks' for a unique celebrity connection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive early or during non-peak times to avoid long waits and secure a table more easily.
Embrace the rustic charm
Expect paper plates and a casual atmosphere; focus on the fresh seafood and waterfront views.
Don't miss dessert
Try the key lime bread pudding or banana pudding for a sweet finish to your meal.
Bring crayons for fun
Ask for crayons to doodle on your paper placemat for a playful dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Arrive early or during non-peak times to avoid long waits and secure a table more easily.
Embrace the rustic charm
Expect paper plates and a casual atmosphere; focus on the fresh seafood and waterfront views.
Don't miss dessert
Try the key lime bread pudding or banana pudding for a sweet finish to your meal.
Bring crayons for fun
Ask for crayons to doodle on your paper placemat for a playful dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh, no-frills fried seafood and stunning waterfront views, offering an authentic Lowcountry experience. However, some diners find the rustic atmosphere and basic service to be a drawback, with occasional complaints about inconsistent seasoning or price point. Despite mixed reviews on ambiance, the quality of the seafood and the scenic setting often win over visitors.
"If you’re chasing the real deal when it comes to fried shrimp, The Wreck of Richard and Darlene is it. No frills, no fuss — just perfectly golden, lightly battered shrimp done right.
• Shrimp: Local, fresh, and fried to crispy perfection without being greasy. Salty, sweet, briny — everything lowcountry seafood should be.
• Atmosphere: Casual waterfront vibes with just enough grit to remind you you’re in a working harbor, not a tourist trap.
• Service: Friendly, fast, and no-nonsense.
• Bonus: Cold beer, hush puppies that slap, and sunsets that feel like a reward.
Come for the shrimp, stay for the vibe. This place delivers exactly what it promises — a five-star local experience."
Ted Skinner
"Only went here to take pictures because of watching the show the Outer Banks. Definitely looks like an Old school local restaurant. And a really cool fishing boat named the Playboy. I wish we could have eaten there but it didn't open until 5:00."
Don Ellesin
"If you’re anywhere near Charleston, you must visit The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene. It doesn’t get more authentic than this — right on the water, laid-back atmosphere, and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
We had the shrimp and scallops, and both were absolutely perfect. Cooked just right, and seasoned with what I can only describe as their signature house herb mix — subtle, aromatic, and spot on. The shrimp come straight from the local fisherman next door, who also sells fresh seafood. Seriously, bring a cooler — eat first, then walk over and grab some fresh-off-the-boat shrimp for home.
The vibe is super relaxed: yes, you’re eating on paper plates, but who cares when the food is this good? Honestly, I’ll take flavorful and real over fancy and forgettable any day. The staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in.
Pro tip: come at sunset. The view is unreal — golden light over the marshes, boats swaying in the harbor… it’s pure coastal magic. Fun fact: several scenes from the Netflix series Outer Banks were filmed right here, and once you’re there, you’ll see why.
Highly recommend. We’d come back in a heartbeat. This is one of those rare spots that gets everything right — from the food, to the setting, to the soul."
Julian Damiano
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, children are welcome, especially if they are well-behaved. The casual atmosphere is generally accommodating for families.
No, the restaurant does not accept reservations. It's recommended to arrive early, especially for dinner, to avoid long waits.
The restaurant is known for its rustic, 'no-frills' sea shanty aesthetic, serving food on paper plates with casual furnishings. It aims for an authentic, laid-back vibe.
The restaurant is named after a trawler that was washed ashore and impaled on dock pilings during Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
Yes, diners and sources consistently praise the freshness of the seafood, with many mentioning that shrimp are sourced directly from local fishermen next door.
While you can have a drink outside, dinner service is typically indoors. However, the creek views can be enjoyed from the dining area.
Yes, several scenes from the Netflix series 'Outer Banks' were filmed at this location, adding to its appeal for fans.
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The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is exactly what it claims to be: a wreck. This is the very definition of “no frills.” All the food is served on paper plates, most of which is a variety of freshly caught seafood (shrimp, scallops, oysters, and a few different kinds of fish). Each is offered fried in peanut oil, grilled, or boiled, and served with red rice, slaw, hushpuppies, and a fried hominy square.
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The sea shanty aesthetic of this landmark restaurant, The Wreck of Richard and Charlene, should be all the indication you need that you’re in for some no-frills fresh seafood. If you’re looking for straight-from-the-dock seafood without all the pomp and circumstance of downtown establishments, this is the place to go. Think fried shrimp baskets, deviled crab, and stone crab claws.
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We eat at very nice places at our beach and have always taken our grands at any age. I believe children are welcome anywhere if they are mannerly. And this comes from a grandmother who also has some grands who indeed were difficult to take out--and I stopped doing it until they were reminded of how to act when out in public.
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Now, for the non-drinkers (but lovers of seafood): The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is a dilapidated-looking restaurant in Mount Pleasant’s Old Village offering good food and a great backstory. On Sept. 21, 1989, the legendary Category IV Hurricane Hugo smashed into a derelict North Atlantic trawler moored next to the Wando dock and lifted the vessel, impaling it onto the dock pilings. The restaurant owners named their place — located on the R & C's final resting place — in honor of that event.
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The Wreck of Richard and Charlene is one the area’s best spots for fried fish, shrimp, scallops and oysters. Named after a chaotic trawler wreck during 1989’s Hurricane Hugo, the restaurant stands directly on the spot where the eye passed and the nearby dock was destroyed. Now, under more pleasant circumstances, you can have a great food – look out for their low country boil nights – before going on a stroll through old town Mount Pleasant under the Pitt street bridge.
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Fred Scott and his wife, Patricia, opened the Wreck in 1991, naming the restaurant after the defiant ship that tore through Shem Creek during Hurricane Hugo. By then, Scott had already wrapped up a pair of professional stints as a poultry farmer and an attorney. He decided to recreate the rustic shrimp shacks he patronized as a boy in Charleston, where his family relocated from Fort Worth, Texas, in the 1930s.
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Put this Charleston hidden gem on the list of While the complete name of this waterfront establishment on Shem Creek is The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, locals know it simply as The Wreck. The atmosphere here is very casual but the seafood is as fresh as can be and prepared with expertise. Diners rave about the shrimp, scallops, hush puppies, fried platters and other specialties.
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So named for the trawler that was tossed ashore on the same spot during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this dinner-only, no-reservations establishment on Shem Creek shrugs off formalities in favor of its dynamite creek views and deliciously simple seafood. The best seat in the house belongs to the wooden dockside bar, where sunset views and local craft beers are just an arm’s length away.
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Probably the most unusual on the list, this bare-bones seafood eatery is named after the fishing trawler that was destroyed at the site by Hurricane Hugo. The Wreck, as the locals refer to it, is only open for dinner and their menu is exclusively seafood indigenous to South Carolina. A favorite of locals, they do not accept reservations and their hours are limited, so call ahead.
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Famous from Outer Banks, The Wreck restaurant (officially The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene) is an authentic Lowcountry gem of a joint with one of the best fried seafood platters around; diners also rave over their scallops, fried green tomatoes, and fried Jalepeño grits. Top it off with their sensational Key Lime Pie or Banana Pudding for dessert.
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Tucked away in Mount Pleasant, The Wreck offers a unique dining experience with its focus on local, fried seafood, and a history tied to Hurricane Hugo. It’s a hidden gem on Shem Creek, providing a true taste of Charleston’s seafood culture. Furthermore, most recently it has caught some publicity from its feature in the popular TV show, Outer Banks.
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Tucked away along Shem Creek, you’d probably miss it if you didn’t know it was there. This casual waterfront spot has been a local favorite for years, and it’s gained some buzz recently as Kiara’s family restaurant in Netflix’s Outer Banks. The menu is all about fresh, no-frills seafood, and it delivers every time.
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This quirky and laid back restaurant has everything you’ll need to refuel and relax after a long day in the sun. Boasting an intentionally casual ambiance, the Wreck of the Richard and Charlene is a favorite among all who visit. Locals like to stop here for a quick bite, a light beer, or an order of fried shrimp.
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A seafood restaurant with a mysterious name will always pique anyone’s curiosity. It makes you wonder what sort of tragedy has befallen the place. As it turns out, The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is named after a derelict trawler that was destroyed by the ferocious Hurricane Hugo on that fateful day in 1989.
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Set at the mouth of Shem Creek, The Wreck has some the freshest seafood in town and is removed from some of the highly visited “packed-with-tourists ” spots on the creek. When you have a shrimping boat docked right outside the restaurant, you know it’s going to be fresh, but don’t expect anything fancy.
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With the scenic backdrop of Shem Creek, The Wreck has some the freshest South Carolina seafood in town. The best part is, it’s removed from some of the other highly visited tourist favorites located on the creek. You know it’s fresh when there’s a shrimping boat docked right in front of the restaurant!.
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Mount Pleasant’s most straightforward barebones seafood establishment!. Named after a trawler boat damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this restaurant is the epitome of “no-frills” seafood with southern hospitality. Reminder, “The Wreck” is first come first serve and only serves dinner.
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The Wreck of Richard and Charlene (106 Haddrell St.) only serves their oysters fried, and with good reason: they’re crispy, delicate, briny, and tender. The oysters are served with coleslaw, red rice, and a hush puppy and fried hominy square, so come hungry and plan to leave stuffed.
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Once you find the inconspicuous driveway and see the view, any frustration dissipates. There is nothing fancy about this place, and most everything offered on the menu is fried. Be sure to walk outside and see/smell the shrimp boats that are docked after a full day on the water.
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Dedicated fans of The Wreck don’t mind waiting in line to eat at the 30-year-old shrimp shack, serving up fresh-caught seafood by the platters. One thing to note: the food will be delicious, but it will be messy. “We’re very rustic,” said owner Ann Warner.
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Named after the trawler wrecked on the very spot on Shem Creek during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this legendary seafood spot boasts an outdoor bar and patio perfect for sunset watching. Outerbanks fans might recognize it as a Pogue hangout from the show.
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One popular spot is The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene, famed for its casual atmosphere and fresh seafood dishes. Diners can also explore options like Crave Kitchen & Cocktails, known for its creative cocktails and award-winning dishes.
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Kiara’s parents’ establishment, The Wreck, is actually The Wreck. This casual Shem Creek spot serves fresh-from-the-dock, Lowcountry-style seafood on paper plates, soda in cans and iced tea in plastic cups, adding to its charm.
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Get ready to get DOWN at this hidden gem in the Old Village (I kind of don't even want to talk about it because I know a bunch of locals that are going to be pissed I’m mentioning The Wreck on a public platform.)
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The restaurant that Kiara’s parents own is, in reality, The Wreck Of The Richard And Charlene. The restaurant is a seafood lover’s dream. The seafood exclusive menu includes shrimp, crab, scallops, and fish.
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106 Haddrell StMount Pleasant, SC 29464(843) 884-0052 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene was named after a boat that Hurricane Hugo sank in 1989.
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Wreck of the Richard & Charlene has been serving fresh local seafood for over twenty-four years. The family-owned restaurant draws in the locals with creek views and fried Lowcountry cuisine.
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The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene – A hidden gem with fried seafood plates and rustic vibes, tucked just off the main drag.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit