Beaufort Shopping and Dining

Beaufort Restaurants and Shops Compliment the Beaufort Lifestyle

Beaufort Shopping
Beaufort shopping is an eclectic experience of finding specialty items such as regional arts, crafts and various gift selections that fill the numerous Beaufort shops.

Check out Fordham Market in the Historic District of Beaufort for jewelry, original art, pottery and even a selection of hammocks in this collaboration of several merchants under one roof.

Also in Beaufort’s Historic District are the Beaufort Clothing Company, which carries Lacoste and Lily Pulitzer, Bay Street Outfitters, an adventure gear and apparel dealer, and Lulu Burgess, a source for home accessories for your Beaufort home, in addition to fashion accessories.

Among the specialty shops in Beaufort are Doodlebugs children’s store and Rhett Gallery, a favorite stop for Beaufort artwork that includes hand carved items.

Palmetto Antiques on Highway 280 offers a plethora of antiques from Victorian and Empire to English and French. They even have a 1920’s New York City hotdog cart just waiting for the perfect customer.

Nearby St. Helena Island, which is also known as Frogmore, is the place for local folk art crafted by Gullah artisans. The Gullah community is comprised of African-Americans who for many years have embraced a culture and melodious language that reflects English and West African heritage. Beaufort locals and visitors alike enjoy perusing the soulful creations of the Gullah people, which include sweetgrass baskets, folk painting and carved walking sticks.

Beaufort SC is best known for small, independent galleries and boutiques rather than large scale mall shopping. For those big shopping excursions, many residents drive 45 minutes north to Hilton Head, where Tanger Outlets offers more than 100 brand name stores, or 20 minutes south to Bluffton, where a variety of independent and chain retail stores await.

Beaufort Restaurants
Dining options in Beaufort begin with Barbara Jeans Restaurant and Bar located on nearby Lady’s Island. The restaurant draws diners from hours away to enjoy a selection that includes dirty rice, pot roast, soups and salads. Southern Living Magazine named their crab cakes “the best,” but Beaufort locals also rave over the she-crab soup.

Casual Beaufort dining can be found at a variety of independent Beaufort restaurants, including Cheeburger Cheeburger, which is reminiscent of the 1950’s soda fountain diners. Savannah Jazz and Bistro is also another favorite among Beaufort real estate owners, offering live entertainment, food and drinks.

Among Beaufort’s fine dining options is A Matter of Taste, located on Boundary Street. This tapas-style upper crust hangout is where diners enjoy upscale contemporary cuisine in an elegant setting. Another favorite among Beaufort locals is The Veranda, located in the Beaufort Inn. The Veranda has a Four Diamond ranking with AAA and has been featured on the PBS special Great Chefs of the South and Food Network's Dining Around. The Veranda specializes in seafood, beef, lamb, veal and seasonal vegetables from local Beaufort farms.

Beaufort fine dining often includes fine wine and Beaufort’s Lowcountry Winery, located in the Historic District of Beaufort, which offers daily wine tastings. Several wines are made from local fruits while other more traditional selections of Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay line the shelves.

Beaufort SC is also the home of Italian, Mexican, seafood, steak and southern restaurants. Delicatessens, buffets and barbecue restaurants are among the family choices and several establishments offer catering services. //