Folly Beach is known for its friendly locals, great dining and bar scene and of course its breathtaking seaside scenery. From the rooftop venues we love to spend our afternoons on, down to the shoreline sunsets we love to end our days with. We’ll be highlighting some of our favorites from around our beautiful little town. Handpicked by staff members and recent guests, this will be sure to help you plan a memory filled future stay with us at The Regatta Inn.
Let’s start in the same way that any fun and adventure filled day would; breakfast and brunch. The most important meal of the day should be, in our opinion, the tastiest. Luckily for us there’s abundance of places for you to check out. We’ll start on Folly Beach where you’ll be beginning your trek. The Regatta Inn provides its own breakfast for you. We provide an assortment of baked goods from muffins to bagels, cereals and parfaits with of course some freshly cut fruit. Alongside that we always include a hot entrée for you to enjoy. At The Regatta Inn, breakfast in bed is always an option.
Outside of the quaintness of the Inn, we make your way into town for a crowd favorite in Lost Dog Cafe. Renowned for its large and eclectic menu, there’s always a little something for everyone. Some of our personal favorites are their shrimp and grits, French toast, and Lost Dogs huevos rancheros. Bring lots of room to fill because servings are fairly large and you will probably even need a doggie bag to take with you. Mondays are special at Lost Dog as well with their Mimosa Mondays special of $3 mason jar filled mimosa, it’s not a deal you want to let get away. Located at 106 W Huron Ave, street parking is available but with your stay with us, our front desk member will gladly shuttle you down and pick you up when ready.
Another Folly favorite is without a doubt: Rita’s Seaside Grille. Located on 2 Center St, it’s a definite go to from visitors and locals alike. With their crowd favorite Eggs Benedict or Belgian Waffles, Rita’s Fried Chicken and Pancakes, it’s not hard to see why. Their drink menu is just as tasty and satisfying with an assortment of mimosas (the Berry-Basil Mosa is one of our favorite), margaritas and Bloody Mary’s to go along with whatever amazing dish you choose from their menu. Parking is tricky with street parking not as accessible but there is paid parking as well and as with most locations on Center St, a front desk staff member can be available to bring you to and from on our golf cart shuttle.
Lastly, we can’t forget about Low Life Bar. The new kid on the block has come with a lot of flavor to really cement itself as a staple on the island for good eating and drinking. Brunch here is every day from 10am-3pm. More than enough time to get your satisfactory fill. Their Fried Chicken Sandwich is by far the best on the island (according to front desk staff member Danny) and its accompanied with some beautifully seasoned and crispy waffle fries, this item is perfect for any time of the day. Not in a sandwich for breakfast kind of mood? Get rid of the bun and try their Fried Chicken and Waffles, a combination that rarely misses. Keeping it lite? Their avocado toast is ready to step in as well. A large drink menu will also provide you with any thirst quenching combination you desire. Located on 106 E. Huron Ave, behind the Circle K, they do have front lot parking available and street parking is accessible as well. Also shuttle accessible.
Its 2pm now…you’ve walked and or swam off that fulfilling breakfast at one of our aforementioned favorites and your stomach is starting its midday rumble. What do you do? Where can you go?
Don’t worry. You have options.
Starting with a hands down favorite for us here is Chico Feo. Sitting under a canopy of trees is this special little gem. Mixing its taste with different flavors from Latin America and Asian cuisine, you won’t walk away dissatisfied. Their famous Street Tacos coming in Chicken, Mahi or Pork are so finger licking good that you’ll have to try all 3 or at the very least 3 of one. Topped off with a little siracha and accompanied by their wonderfully refreshing homemade beverage, the Samurai Sling, you’re ready to keep the day rolling. Weekly specials are always changing but whatever it may be it will be sure to spark your interests to maybe try something new. I just hope you’re in town when they whip up their tummy bursting Latin style Torta. Partnered with their beautifully seasoned Cuban style black beans, you might think you’re lunching in Havana. Located on 122 E Ashley Ave, tucked nicely besides Bert’s Market, there is onsite parking as well as accessible street parking. Also shuttle accessible.
Right down the street from Chico is another Folly staple: Taco Boy. One of the big dogs on the block, its found its new home in a bigger 3 story location with a beautiful new roof top bar. Its eye popping aesthetics is visible even before you step into its doors and will be sure to draw you in to get your fill on tacos and margaritas to your hearts content. With a full menu of their specialty tacos, there’s an option for everyone. Taco favorites include their tempura shrimp, buttermilk fried chicken and their new addition queso birria. Taco’d out? Their Nachos(coming in full or half servings) are guaranteed to not only fill you up but keep you smiling. Top that off with their famous margaritas or sangria and keep up la fiesta! Located on 106 E Ashley Ave, they do not have any on site parking but street parking is nearby and it is shuttle accessible.
Now before we head out for dinner we will have to make our way back to The Regatta because of course every evening from 5-7 we host our completely complimentary Happy Hour! With various choices of beers and wines, make your own charcuterie and of course our very special quesadillas or homemade pizza rolls, adding something hot and fresh to. In addition we’ve expanded our cocktail choices. The guest favorite Folly Punch has competition for that very title with our new Dixie Punch making its way in and the refreshing Basil and Mint Vodka lemonade
all gunning to dethrone the Punch. We cant wait to hear your feedback. So grab a plate or just a glass as you get yourself ready to head back down to Center St for dinner.
Dinners on Folly are in a class of their own especially if you’re spending it at Blu Beach Bar and Grill. Located in the Tides hotel(1 Center St), its main view point from the inside is the Atlantic ocean. Or maybe you’ll want to sit on their outside patio to get a closer look? Either way you’re in for a delight. Start with some cocktails at their well shaded outdoor bar before setting your sights on some crispy calamari whenever you make your way your table. Service is top of the line and always ready to answer any questions you may have about their wonderful menu. Serving everything from seafood pasta(scallop risotto is a must try), juicy 12oz NY strip and the only place on the island offering Caribbean spiny lobster, you’re at the right place for the perfect shore side experience. Blu is known around not just Folly but all the way to the peninsula for its views and dining so make sure to place it at the top of your list. Onsite parking is available and street parking close by as well. Shuttle is also accessible.
Adding to our favorite dinner spots is the newly renovated and relocated Wiki Wiki Sandbar now on 15 Center St. A beautiful ode to the south Pacific region, this beautiful and eccentrically decorated has its details highlighted down to a tee. With the food to match, everything has a flare of color and vibrancy that really sucks you in like a wave on a Hawaiian beach while making you feel right at home. Beautiful hanging lantern fixtures shine down on you while you choose from their very spot on menu options. Offering fresh Catch of the day on anything from salad, pasta or sandwich, there really isn’t a wrong choice here. You can show love to the South Pacific without some scrumptious SPAM sliders seasoned with brown sugar and slapped in between a Hawaiian king roll sambal aioli and pickles….I mean, nuff said, right? There’s a reason why this place has skyrocketed to the tops of everyone’s list and you’ll have to stop in and see why. Street parking available right in front and near by as well as shuttle accessible.
Last but definitely not least is The Washout. It really doesn’t get much more Folly than this. With a grand menu of all your seafood favorites like their delicious crab cake sandwich, lobster roll and grilled shrimp tacos, you’ll get your fill in shrimp and crabs while meeting some of Folly’s finest(Looking at you, Roger) and enjoying some crowd moving live music(Wed-Fri) or even fierce competition in their weekly cornhole tournament(Mondays). There’s always something happening down at The Washout. Make sure you come and join in on the fun at a place you’re sure to be greeted and taken in like one of our own. Located on 41 Center St, there’s parking on site as well as street parking nearby. We can shuttle you down as close as possible on Center St but not as far the actual venue.
After all this good eating there’s no way you’ll have enough space for anything else right? Wong! Because who can deny something cold and delicious on these smoldering summer days and evenings? So to satisfy that sweet tooth we’ll point you to another Folly favorite in Dolce Banana Café. Froyo, milkshakes and ice cream are all under one roof at Dolce. Located on 18 Center St, there’s street parking accessibility and our shuttle can take you to center and its a 3 min walk from the drop off point before sunset.
Our resident Irish pub on Folly, St James Gate is now also serving Three Monkeys Ice Cream. Hours are limited to 4-9 every day so don’t miss out on their creamy deliciousness and be sure to visit their Instagram to see what’s in store. Located on 11 Center St, they do not have any on site parking but street parking is nearby and it is shuttle accessible and usually where we make our drop offs on Center.
What a day! So many new and exciting places to try around the town it can be a tad overwhelming I’m sure, and for that the best place to unwind and get cozy is on our beautiful terrace over looking the peaceful Folly river and and staring directly at the breathtaking sunset. The pictures while beautiful, cant even begin to accentuate how wonderful it truly is and you get it all whenever you come enjoy the magic of our little beach. We hope that highlighting some of our favorite stops around town was helpful in making your plans whenever you decide to come join us. Our staff is always available 7 days a week for any other suggestions on the island or surrounding areas to add to your itinerary. In the meantime we’ll be waiting for you at your home away from home, The Regatta Inn.