Eat in James Island and Folly Beach, Charleston

Bowens Island Restaurant ★ 4.6

Bowens Island Restaurant near Folly Beach has shovel-fed steamed Lowcountry oysters since 1946. James Beard America's Classics winner in 2006.

OrderA bushel of steamed oysters opened table-side and a bowl of Frogmore stew.

TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Cash and card; no reservations. Tide-line tables fill at sunset.

Carolina Cookery: Classic Gullah Cooking ★ 4.6

Carolina Cookery in Charleston runs hands-on Gullah-Geechee cooking classes from a James Island studio under chef Rashaunda Grant. Two-hour class.

TipClasses run Thursday to Saturday. Note allergies at booking; Chef Grant adjusts each menu accordingly.

Jack of Cups Saloon ★ 4.6

Jack of Cups in Folly Beach runs a seasonally evolving Center Street menu of Asian and Indian inspired comfort food. Located in James Island.

TryGlobally inspired comfort food, Asian and Indian flavored plates

TipClosed Tuesdays. Vegetarian and vegan options run alongside the omnivore menu; sidewalk seats out front, courtyard in back.

Kwei Fei ★ 4.5

Kwei Fei in Charleston runs David Schuttenberg's Sichuan kitchen from a James Island room next to the Pour House. Lamb dumplings, dry-rubbed wings.

OrderLamb dumplings, dry-rubbed Four Rivers wings, mapo tofu

Why locals goJames Island Sichuan-only restaurant next to the Charleston Pour House, the city's longest-running serious Chinese kitchen and far off the King Street circuit.

TipWalk-in, reservations on Resy for parties of 4 or more. Open Tue-Sat dinner only; the chili oil dessert always sells out.

Charleston Pour House ★ 4.5

The Charleston Pour House on Maybank Highway is the James Island music room with two stages, free local sets on the back deck nightly and ticketed indoor shows that run after the deck closes.

TipDeck shows are free and start around 17:00 or 18:00; the indoor stage takes over around 21:00 or 22:00 with the ticketed bill. Sunday afternoon farmers market on site.