Plums Restaurant

Plums sports a raw oyster bar and a menu of seafood and sandwiches, but its greatest asset is location. Huge windows look out across a wide porch and Beaufort’s Waterfront Park. Order a cold drink and one of the chef’s specialties, like curried scallops, and take in the boating action along the river. It’s the town’s best dining option with a view.

Beaufort lies on the intercoastal waterway, just in from the Atlantic Ocean. Downtown is an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Though several restaurants look across a park to the Beaufort River, this is the one not to miss. A couple of years ago, Plums renovated and installed a raw bar. The oysters are great but it is the other bar that peaks my interest. Looking out huge windows across a wide porch and manicured park, Plums has the best view of the river, docks, boats and bridges of the lowcountry. Some might sit at the bar to watch TV, I sit peaking out at the natural beauty and the bustle of people enjoying the park. Enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or challenge the bartender to craft a memorable cocktail. just don’t call it “Bo-fert” that is in North Carolina. “Byoo-fort” is the lowcountry. Locals will come an go. If you listen long enough, you will quickly learn the best local gossip. Don’t stop with a drink. Lunch and dinner here are a coveted affair. For lunch, the salads and sandwiches are each perfect, just in the way you would hope they would be. Dinner, well, specials are special but the regular menu keeps everyone coming back. Highlighted by seafood, the selection is broad enough to satisfy the most finicky among us. My tip: Do not miss the Greek salad. But, order it with balsamic dressing - - trust me. Second, try the Plums Nachos. Add chicken and you have a meal. We routinely each have a salad, split the nachos and share a cold bottle of white wine. Enjoy!