If you want to buy fresh oysters or swordfish fillets, Charleston’s seafood markets have all the best local food. Discover our favorite local spots to buy freshly caught fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters, and more.
Charleston is a seafood lover’s paradise known for its delicious Lowcountry cuisine featuring fresh caught shrimp. There’s nothing better than shrimp freshly plucked from the ocean, boiled up with Old Bay seasoning or seared to perfection in a shrimp scampi. But where can you buy the best fresh shrimp in Charleston?
As a Charleston local and seafood fanatic, I’ve scoped out all the places to find premium shrimp straight from the boat. Here are my top recommendations for where to buy fresh, wild shrimp in Charleston and the surrounding areas:
1. Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Company
This is my absolute favorite spot for fresh shrimp in Charleston. Crosby’s is a seafood market located downtown that gets daily deliveries of super fresh seafood straight from the docks.
They carry a great selection of large, jumbo Gulf shrimp in sizes like 16/20, 21/25, 26/30. You can tell their shrimp was just caught – the shells are tight and they have that ocean fresh smell. Prices are fair too at around $12-15/lb.
Ask them to pack your shrimp in ice for the drive home. And pick up some of their addicting shrimp pate while you’re there!
2. Wild Seafood Co.
For fresh off the boat shrimp, check out Wild Seafood Co on Shem Creek. This seafood wholesaler gets shrimp direct from local trawlers.
You can buy Gulf brown, white and pink shrimp freshly caught in Charleston waters. They usually have large 16/20 or 21/25 shrimp available at very reasonable prices, sometimes as low as $10/lb.
Call ahead to see what’s in stock and pack a cooler to take home your shrimp!
3. Charleston Farmers Market
Every Saturday from April to November, the bustling Charleston Farmers Market sets up shop downtown. In addition to tons of local produce and goods, you’ll find vendors selling the freshest Lowcountry seafood.
I recommend stopping by Crosby’s booth – it’s the same great quality shrimp from their seafood market. Another stand called Simply Seafood has excellent shrimp too. Go early for the best selection!
4. Finfish Boat Dock
For straight off the trawler shrimp, head 30 minutes outside Charleston to Finfish Boat Dock on Wadmalaw Island. This is one of the few remaining shrimp docks in the area.
Their shrimp fleet unloads daily, so you can buy large shrimp like 16/20 and 21/25s right at the dock. Nothing beats shrimp this fresh – you’ll taste the ocean in every bite! They also sell fresh caught fish, crab and oysters.
5. Marvin’s Seafood
This combination seafood market and restaurant in North Charleston receives fresh seafood daily. Marvin’s has a solid selection of shrimp in sizes like 16/20, 26/30 and smaller.
Their shrimp is nicely priced too, usually around $12-14/lb for jumbo. You can even get theirs fried up southern style at the restaurant counter!
6. Trader Joe’s
My go-to for picking up smaller amounts of fresh shrimp is Trader Joe’s. Their frozen raw shrimp is surprisingly good – it’s IQF shrimp with the shells still on.
I get the large peeled 26/30 shrimp to use for shrimp tacos, pasta, etc. Thaw what you need and peel the rest. At $8-9/lb, it’s a great value.
What Size Shrimp to Buy
Shrimp are categorized by “count”, which is the number of shrimp per pound. The lower the count, the bigger the shrimp:
- Colossal: U10 or less (10 or under per lb)
- Jumbo: 16/20 (16-20 per lb)
- Extra Large: 21/25 (21-25 per lb)
- Large: 26/30 (26-30 per lb)
- Medium: 36/40 (36-40 per lb)
I recommend U15, 16/20, or 21/25 for the best quality and flavor. Jumbo shrimp are perfect for sautéing, broiling, or throwing on the barbie. Go for medium or large shrimp for shrimp salads, pasta, or scampi.
Tips for Picking Out Fresh Shrimp
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Look for tightly curled tails and clear eyes without discoloration.
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Pick up raw, shell-on shrimp when possible – they’ll have better texture and flavor.
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Fresh shrimp should have a mild ocean aroma, not a strong fishy smell.
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Make sure they are wild caught, not farm-raised.
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Ask when and where they were caught for optimal freshness.
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Have the fishmonger pack your shrimp in ice for the trip home.
Cherry Point Seafood Company
Established in 1933, Cherry Point Seafood Company is a great place to get local seafood right off the boat! Bring a cooler out to the dock and choose from a variety of fresh options at great prices. This family-owned and operated company located on Wadmalaw Island is loved by locals and visitors.
Cherry Point Seafood Company 2789 Cherry Point Road Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
Celebrating over 75 years in the Lowcountry, Mt. Pleasant Seafood has been the go-to place for fresh scallops, shrimp, crab, and fish for decades. This seafood market is located along beautiful Shem Creek in the town of Mount Pleasant. Its the perfect pit stop after a day of shopping or dining in Mount Pleasant.
Mt. Pleasant Seafood 1402 Shrimp Boat Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Co.
With deep Charleston roots, Crosbys Fish and Shrimp has been a fixture in the Lowcountry for over three decades. This family-owned and operated business offers the freshest selection of seafood from across the eastern seaboard. More often than not, youll see the team unloading todays fresh catch from the back dock. Crosbys is located on James Island, just outside of Folly Beach, along the beautiful Folly River.
Head to Crosbys for fresh local fish and shellfish as well as prepared food options. Take it from us and dont miss the on-site food truck, Crosbys Kitchen. Crosbys Kitchen is open Friday-Sunday and serves up fish tacos, platters, and delicious snacks. Like all fresh markets, the menu is ever-changing. However, one thing remains the same; high-quality seafood for a reasonable price.
Crosbys Fish & Shrimp Co. 2223 Folly Road Charleston, SC 29412
Shaun Brian and Chris John launched CudaCo. in late 2020 with the goal to provide quality, sustainably sourced seafood to the Charleston community. James Island spot CudaCo. might be the new kid on the block, but this local seafood market has already made a name for itself.
Youll find CudaCo. in a no-frills building on Folly Road, James Islands main thoroughfare. When you walk in, you’ll see a long counter with fresh seafood, wine racks, and a mural of a fierce barracuda. Fair warning: You might walk out of CudaCo. with more than just tonights dinner. They sell both fresh seafood and ready-made foods, such as ceviche made in-house and crispy oyster po boys.
CudaCo. 765 Folly Road Charleston, SC 29412
The epitome of a hometown market, youll wish you had a Blackbird Market in your neighborhood. In addition to seafood, this popular market sells meats, produce, beer, wine, and delicious prepared foods. Have a sweet tooth? Blackbird Market can help with that! The market offers delicious homemade pies, cookies, and other sweet treats.
A daily special and ever-changing menu keeps locals and visitors coming back again and again. Blackbird Market is conveniently located on Johns Island, just a few minutes from Kiawah Island.
Blackbird Market 1808 Bohicket Road Johns Island, SC 29455
If youre in the market for an authentic, local seafood-shopping experience, check out Capt. Dons Seafood in West Ashley. This family-owned business has been a staple in the Charleston community since its inception in 1977. Pick up crabs, clams, shrimp, and oysters — all at reasonable prices.
Although they are famous for their live blue crabs, dont miss Capt. Dons fresh fish selection. The team will skin fish in the store for you, making meal preparation a breeze!.
Capt. Dons Seafood 1412 Savannah Highway, #A Charleston, SC 29407