When friends visit the Lowcountry for the first time, there are certain places you immediately want to take them. Fishcamp on 11th Street in Port Royal is one of those places for me.
Three girlfriends and I met there recently for Sunday brunch while they were visiting from out of town for a wedding. The choice was easy. We wanted somewhere that captured the relaxed beauty of the Beaufort area, somewhere with great food, water views, live music, and the kind of atmosphere that makes people immediately understand why locals love living here.
Located overlooking Battery Creek, Fishcamp on 11th Street was absolutely packed when we arrived around 12:30 p.m. The restaurant was operating on a wait, but honestly, it didn’t seem like anyone minded too much. With gorgeous weather, a bustling patio, and live music drifting through the air, waiting for a table felt like part of the experience rather than an inconvenience.
We grabbed our cocktails from the outdoor bar and settled in to enjoy the view while boats drifted across the creek behind us.
Fishcamp was originally inspired by the idea of creating a gathering place where neighbors could come together over good food and conversation, and that spirit still feels very much alive here. The original Fishcamp on Broad Creek in Hilton Head opened in 2016 after the restoration of the historic Simmons Fishing Camp building, a property deeply connected to the area’s Gullah history. The Port Royal location followed in 2018 and has quickly become one of the area’s favorite waterfront dining spots.
Once seated for brunch, again with a beautiful view of Battery Creek, we started with jalapeño hush puppies and raw oysters before moving on to our entrees.
As someone who can never get enough shellfish, I ordered the Prince Edward Island mussels appetizer with garlic, leeks, Calabrese chiles, cream, white wine, and parmesan. They arrived steaming hot alongside thick slices of toasted sourdough bread perfect for soaking up every bit of the rich cream.
More than a week later, I am still thinking about them.
What stood out most about the afternoon was how effortlessly Fishcamp delivers the kind of Beaufort experience visitors hope to find. Great seafood, stunning scenery, live music, and time spent lingering over cocktails with friends as the breeze rolls off the water.
One practical note for future brunch-goers, while Sundays are extremely busy around lunchtime, the crowd noticeably thinned out after 1 p.m.
Fishcamp on 11th Street is located at 1699 11th St, Port Royal, SC 29935 and is open 11am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday and 10am to 10pm on Sunday.
An ExploreBeaufortSC.com contributor, Heather Bruemmer is an author, arts advocate, and travel enthusiast who has called the Lowcountry home since 2001. A mother of six, she enjoys exploring the people, places, food, and culture that make the region unique.
