Charleston, South Carolina · Family Owned Since 1890
Hyman’s Seafood
#2 Most Reviewed Restaurant in America#1 Most Reviewed Seafood Restaurant in America
No reservations · Walk-in only
About Hyman’s Seafood
Hyman’s at a Glance
Hyman’s Seafood is a family-owned seafood restaurant at 215 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. The Hyman family has run a business on this block since 1890, and Eli and Aaron Hyman opened Hyman’s Seafood here in 1986. Today it is run by the fourth and fifth generations of the family.
Hyman’s is known for its whole crispy flounder, award-winning Charleston she-crab soup, Chilean seabass croquettes and hush puppies. With 51,074 reviews and a 4.9-star Google rating, it is the #2 most reviewed restaurant in America and the #1 most reviewed seafood restaurant in America. It is walk-in only and open every day from 11am to 9pm.
- Address
- 215 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
- Hours
- Daily, 11am–9pm
- Phone
- (843) 723-6000
- Seating
- Walk-in only — no reservations
- Cuisine
- Seafood · Southern
- Price
- $$ · most entrées $19–$39
- Known for
- Whole crispy flounder, she-crab soup
- Groups
- Party menus for 20+
Hyman’s Family History · A Hyman’s Establishment Since 1890
Five Generations on One Block of Meeting Street
- 1890
W. M. Karesh
Founded Southern Wholesale on this block — one of the first distributors of Union & Hanes underwear in the Southeast.
- 1924
Herman Hyman
Karesh’s son-in-law took over the business and renamed it Hyman’s Wholesale Company.
- Third Generation
Wolf Maier Hyman
Carried the wholesale dry goods business forward until 1986.
- 1986
Eli & Aaron Hyman
The great-grandsons opened Hyman’s Seafood and Aaron’s Deli in these same buildings.
This historic block was Charleston’s wholesale district in the 1800s. The floors are heart pine and the bricks are Old English, laid with the original oyster mortar. The wrought iron staircase was built in Kenton, Ohio in 1887 and shipped to Charleston when this building went up.
If you happen to see Eli, Victor, Tobias, or Laurie, please say hello. For those who are curious, we employ between 185–200 GREAT people!
The Family Today
Musicians, Movie Stars & Other Celebrities
All the brass plaques on the tables and plates hanging on the walls are real, concerning famous celebrities who have dined with us over the years. To name just a few…
AC/DC (the band), Neil Armstrong, Mikhail Baryshnikov, The Beach Boys, Governor David Beasley, Tom Berenger, Michael Bolton, Erma Bombeck, David Brenner, Matthew Broderick, Jimmy Buffet, Sandra Bullock, Pat Conroy, Kevin Costner, Timothy Dalton, Alan Dershowitz, Neil Diamond, Tony Dorsett, Frederick Douglass IV, Dr. Ruth, Governor Jim Edwards, Patrick Ewing, Rick Flair, Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Senator Lindsay Graham, Steve Gutenberg, Jasmine Guy, Marvin Hamlisch, Sister Hazel, Hulk Hogan, Lou Holtz, Hootie and the Blowfish, Anthony Hopkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Dan Jansen, Billy Joel, Judge Wapner, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Vicki Lawrence, Sam Lender, Senator Joe Lieberman, Cleavon Little, Andie McDowell, Blind Melon, Metallica, New York Knicks, Colonel Oliver North, Sarah Jessica Parker, Governor Paul Patton, Itzhak Perlman, Michael Phelps, David Lee Roth, George Seifert, Martin Sheen, Raven Simone, Sinbad, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mike Mayock, Martha Stewart, Steel Pulse, Barbara Streisand, Strom Thurmond, Tanya Tucker, Vanilla Ice, Bob Vila, Lindsay Wagner, Adam West, Oprah Winfrey, Neil Young, Sen. John McCain, Bruce Pearl, Brendon Gleason, The Eagles, Earth Wind & Fire, Kyle Bush, Steve Harvey, Stephen Lang, Harry Hamlin, Tara Lipinski, Rick Pitino, Wendy Williams, Malik Yoba, Carl Long, DJ Drama and Charlamagne, Dolly Parton, Jesse McCartney, James Brown, Matt Hardy, Leo Howard, and Corey in the House, Alice Cooper.
Explore Hyman’s
Pull Up a Chair — Pick a Room
MenuSoups, platters, po-boys, shrimp dinners, drinks & desserts — every dish, written out.Open →
Images88 photos from the dining room, the kitchen line, Meeting Street and the plate.Open →
General StoreSecret Sauce, Sweet Bourbon Glaze, hats, tees & gift cards to take a little Hyman’s home.Open →
Large GroupsParties of 20 or more: three set party menus at $34, $38 and $42 per person.Open →
Hyman’s General Store
Take Hyman’s Home — Best Sellers
Why Hyman's
Not Chasing Michelin. Setting the Standard.
Charleston has no shortage of chef-driven tasting menus competing for a Michelin star. Hyman's isn't one of them, and it isn't trying to be. It's the restaurant that's fed this city's tourists, families, and regulars for longer than almost anyone else in Charleston — the most-reviewed seafood restaurant in America, not the newest one.
1890
Critical Acclaim
On the Record
TasteAtlas
Southern Living Readers’ Poll
The New York Times
“If you are touring and shopping on busy Meeting Street, Hyman’s Seafood Company is a diverting place to stop for some oysters, crab cakes, she-crab soup, simply prepared fresh fish or a fist-thick po’ boy sandwich.”
“Hyman’s Seafood Company is a bustling, three-story, wood-and-brick fish house with a big chalkboard listing about a dozen specials of the day.”
“[Servers] could not be nicer or more eager to please.”
Charleston Post & Courier
Readers’ Poll: Best Seafood, Best She Crab Soup, Best Crab Cakes & Best Hush Puppies. Runner-up Best Service and Best Shrimp & Grits.
“Hyman’s is part of Charleston as Charleston is part of Hyman’s. A definite must stop.”
“When a good seafood dinner is in order, there’s no doubt Hyman’s Seafood is the place.”
Delta Sky Magazine“One of the top 5 best seafood restaurants in the nation.”
Food NetworkListed in the Top 5 in “The Best of Seafood” category.
Harvard Business SchoolHyman’s was used as a case study on how to run a successful service-oriented business.
America’s Best RestaurantsFeatured on the show in 2021.
The Charlotte Observer“When in Charleston, you’ve missed out if you don’t find the opportunity to try Hyman’s Seafood and Aaron’s Deli.”
Travel + Leisure“One of the more fascinating eating establishments in our trip through the Southeast.”
The News & Observer“Hyman’s is the exception to the rule that seafood must be pricey to be good — excellent food in a casual atmosphere.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution“Definitely tops in town. No fancy sauces or the likes, just great food at even better prices.”
A warm shout-out from JD Nicholas of the famed Motown group during their CHS Music Hall performance.
Plan Your Visit
We Never Take Reservations. Here's What to Expect.
Hyman's is walk-in only, and that's not changing. What can change is how much a visitor knows before they show up.
- Early or late, you can avoid the wait — right at 11am open or after 8pm are the shortest waits, most days.
- Bringing 20 or more? See our large group party menus — and call ahead so we can tell you what to expect.
- Browse the General Store next door while your table's being set.
Frequently Asked
Questions Worth Answering in Text
Does Hyman's Seafood take reservations?+
No. Hyman's is walk-in only — put your name on the list and grab a spot at the General Store while you wait.
How long is the wait at Hyman's Seafood?+
It depends on the season and time of day. Weekday lunches move fastest; weekend dinners in peak tourist season run longest. Arriving right at open or after 8pm usually means little to no wait.
What is Hyman's Seafood known for?+
Its whole crispy flounder (the #1 selling dish), award-winning Charleston she-crab soup, broiled Chilean seabass croquettes and hush puppies — and a family business that has been on the same block of Meeting Street since 1890.
Is Hyman's Seafood family-friendly?+
Yes. It's a full-menu, all-ages seafood house with a casual dining room, a General Store to browse, and plenty of simple dishes like chicken tenders, burgers and mac & cheese.
What are the most popular dishes at Hyman's Seafood?+
The whole crispy flounder — a 20oz bone-in flounder, scored and fried — is Hyman's #1 selling dish. Other favorites are the award-winning Charleston she-crab soup, the Most Popular Platter (flounder, oysters and shrimp), broiled Chilean seabass croquettes, the Carolina Delight and the shrimp dinners.
Is Hyman's Seafood one of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston?+
Hyman's has 51,074 reviews and a 4.9-star Google rating, is ranked No. 6 on TasteAtlas's list of the 150 Most Legendary Restaurants in the World, and has been voted Best Seafood, Best She Crab Soup, Best Crab Cakes and Best Hush Puppies in the Charleston Post & Courier readers' poll.
How much does a meal at Hyman's Seafood cost?+
Most entrées and shrimp dinners are about $19–$39, soups start at $6.95 a cup, and sandwiches and po-boys run about $14–$23. Shareable signature platters range up to $139.95 for a platter that serves four.
Can Hyman's Seafood host large groups?+
Yes. Groups of 20 or more can choose from three set party menus at $34, $38 or $42 per person (tax and tip not included). Call (843) 723-6000 to plan your party.
Does Hyman's Seafood have kosher or vegetarian options?+
Yes. Hyman's offers a Glatt Kosher dinner menu, and vegetarian options include three-cheese mac and cheese, fettuccine Alfredo, salads and fried green tomatoes.
Where do I park for Hyman’s Seafood?+
Parking is available at the city-owned parking garages in downtown Charleston. The closest is the Charleston Place parking garage, right behind the restaurant.
Where is Hyman's Seafood located?+
215 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, in the Ansonborough / Market area of historic downtown Charleston.
Reviews
The Second Most Reviewed Restaurant in the USA
From 51,074 reviews across every review site. We’d love to hear what you have to say — pick a site and tell us what you think.
Read Our Google Reviews ↗