Poe's Tavern

There always seems to be a boisterous crowd on the front porch of this quintessential beach hangout, located two blocks from the ocean on the small commercial strip on Sullivan's Island. Inside, the casual décor and menu both celebrate the life and times of author Edgar Allen Poe, who was stationed at nearby Fort Moultrie for 13 months, beginning in November 1827. Poe's is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and is the local go-to for a burger and a beer. Juicy half-pound burgers are made from Angus beef, ground in-house and cooked to order. Variations, many honoring the namesake author's stories, range from The Raven (a plain burger) to the Tell-Tale Heart (topped with a fried egg, applewood-smoked bacon and cheddar cheese).