Restaurants Charm Travelers to Downtown Beaufort, SC
There are lots of things that rank as awesome in Downtown Beaufort, SC—but most travelers are enamored with the restaurants and general breezy, Lowcountry atmosphere. Situated on the waterfront, Downtown Beaufort offers the best in scenic views, with docks to dangle your feet over and plenty of places to shop, dine, and stroll. The historic city, considered the second biggest in South Carolina, is both charming and welcoming with a thriving local arts scene, old-world southern hospitality, and old-fashioned shops and boutiques that put big chain stores to shame.
The General Eats and What to Expect
Downtown Beaufort offers a mix of cultural cuisines, from American and daily fresh-caught Seafood, to Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean. There are over a dozen restaurants in the area, and many of them are available for your pleasure on Bay Street. This street is well-known for its well-worn sidewalks and beautiful seaside sceneries. There is a small boardwalk where you can stroll along and satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicious swirl of handmade ice cream in a warm, homemade waffle cone. Or, pick up a well-salted pretzel from a street vendor.
What should you expect?
Good times and great vibes. The locals are pleasant and friendly, and many of them are from generations of Beaufort families. Therefore, you can expect long conversation with lots of stories, local legends, and a ghost tale or two. In a nutshell, you are getting the absolute best that Beaufort has to offer in a convenient, gorgeous downtown location.
Quick Bites and Homemade Desserts Await
One of the most popular restaurants in Downtown Beaufort, Panini’s on the Waterfront lies on Bay Street—the aforementioned boardwalk stroll that provides visitors with amazing views of the Broad River. The restaurant has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere, with a clean, friendly presentation. Their outdoor dining area is comprised of a patio and the River Deck Bar—a full bar that serves up scrumptious cocktails with live music and late-night weekend hours. Their indoor seating arrangement is spacious and comfortable, providing families with plenty of menu options for both lunch and dinner.
With Panini’s on the Waterfront in Downtown Beaufort, you are getting authentic, homemade Italian cuisine. And that comes with the pride of famed local chefs. Some of their most popular menu items are homemade desserts and pasta dishes, but local signature faves, the paninis, are what this restaurant is named and known for. In a hurry? No worries, you can grab a quick bite with a speedy lunch to go. Want to linger while you dine? Again, no worries. You can stay, talk, laugh, and eat to your heart’s [and your stomach’s] content.
What TripAdvisor Reviews Have to Say About Panini’s on the Waterfront
Panini’s on the Waterfront, as established, is a well-known restaurant where families, couples, singles, and basically everybody, comes to chill, dine, and watch the waves. With their popularity comes awesome, positive reviews from reputable TripAdvisor reviewers. For instance—
Miriam S. writes, “We happened in to this spot looking for a light meal. The wood-fired pizzas were just what we had in mind.” She means delicious! “The bartender/manager was great too.”
Ken V. of Bluffton, South Carolina has this to say, “What a pleasant surprise. We had a small brick oven basic pizza to start. I'm a pizza snob & don't like tons of "things" on it. This was a tomato sauce base with the most wonderful pesto mixed in, and cheese. Simple but wonderful! It's obvious the dough is homemade.”
SM Moore of South Carolina added their two cents too with, “Enjoyed the music and the food. Pizza was freshly made and really good. Liked that it wasn't the conventional round pizza but oblong shape. Yummy. Staff was very friendly, prompt and professional.”
The Overall Hype about Downtown Beaufort, SC
Downtown Beaufort is the ultimate unwind place. It’s a bit old-fashioned but in that warm and welcoming way that reminds you of your favorite old sitcom, like I Love Lucy or The Brady Bunch. Wholesome would be the right word, but with sea breezes that ruffle your hair, relax your nerves, and make you wonder why you ever worried about anything at all.