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Getting out on the lake is great, but it takes a lot of prep work and responsibility.

So, if you just want to enjoy a little of the lake life without having to buy a boat, get a bunch of licenses and limit the friends who can go to five, that's where lake restaurants come into play. 

For the number of lakes around the Upstate, there aren't a huge number of restaurants resting on or near them. Lake Jocassee has none (mostly due to zoning) and Lake Keowee has only two. Lake Hartwell has the most with around 10 restaurants, but even that is a small number for the amount of coastline that surrounds each lake. 

Thankfully, all these restaurants serve a different need.

There are pubs, seafood, sushi, fine dining and casual eateries throughout and each has a different clientele and different offerings.

Lake Hartwell

The Local Pub and Eatery

1500 Providence Church Road, Anderson

Contact info: 864.844.9244

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

Since opening this past April, The Local Pub and Eatery has attracted a whole lot of diners curious about the newest restaurant on Lake Hartwell. The owners also run Uptown Lounge and brought a few favorites from that long-standing restaurant in downtown Anderson, but it's their seafood, steaks, veggie and dessert specials that are getting folks excited to come all the way out to Stone Creek Cove for dinner and drinks. 

Put that together with expansive outdoor dining, planned special events like pop-up art shows and stand-up paddleboard yoga and online ordering for dockside delivery and The Local stands to change the way lake lovers enjoy the water and the food. 

The Galley

Address: 1629 Marina Road, Anderson

Contact info: 864.287.3215

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Without a doubt, The Galley is the most popular restaurant on Lake Hartwell.

Located at Portman Marina, this fine-dining experience brings in residents, tourists, visitors and just about anyone who has ever stepped foot in Anderson County.

The Hearth Room is a highlight offering small plates directly from the one-of-a-kind hearth oven. And the rest of the menu includes seafood and steak options prepared in unique ways. 

Nami

Address: 1629 Marina Road, Anderson

Contact info: 864.287.3219

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Sushi is big around the Upstate and Nami is really the restaurant that kicked it off for Anderson County.

The master sushi chef who brought the place to prominence has retired, but continues to collaborate and counsel those who are carrying on the tradition. The sushi is some of the most popular in the Upstate with diners coming from the tri-county area to enjoy masterfully created rolls. 

Outdoor dining is always popular during the spring and summer seasons, and the ability to cruise right up off the water and dine is a great feature. 

More: Quick facts about Portman Marina on Lake Hartwell in Anderson

More: Portman Marina reopens on Lake Hartwell as recovery from fire begins

Creekside BBQ

Address: 320 Big Water Road, Starr

Most people know of Creekside BBQ and their location on Salem Church Road in Anderson. But for the lake season, they will also be serving up some smoked meats at the beaches of Big Water Marina in Starr. 

The menu is slightly abbreviated as they are doing everything out of their mobile kitchen, but the flavors remain and that means pulled pork sandwiches, a few bones of ribs and plenty of comforting sides while enjoying the outdoors at Big Water. 

The Swamp Bar and Grill

Address: 1615 Reed Creek Highway, Hartwell, Ga.

Contact info: 706.376.5105

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday

Classic bar food is the name of the game at The Swamp Bar and Grill in Hartwell, Ga.

Fried shrimp, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, onion rings and baked potatoes are the popular choices, but they also offer some specials on the weekends to keep regulars on their toes.

The prices are affordable, and the full bar and large menu of seasonal cocktails make it a hang out for residents and travelers alike. Plus, enjoy live music most weekends as the sun sets on the water.

Tilly's Tiki Bar and Grill

Address: 1476 Harbor Light Marina Road, Lavonia, Ga.

Contact info: 706.356.0727

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Sunday

This former spot for Catfish Johnny's, Tilly's Tiki Bar and Grill filled the empty restaurant space in April and hasn't looked back. Featuring a waterside deck, live music on the weekends and a combination of classic bar food and specialty dishes like shrimp and grits and grilled salmon, Tilly's Tiki Bar will be a summer favorite for anyone looking for a different dining experience. 

Try the various flavors of burgers or simply grab a "Happy-tizer" like wings and the "Knot-chos" featuring a craft beer queso dip. Or just get a few specialty cocktails or a craft beer from the full bar menu. 

83 Degrees West New Orleans Seafood

Address: 3288 Rock Springs Road, Lavonia, Ga.

Contact info: 706.356.8300

Hours: 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

Being just far enough away from New Orleans to make it a hard trip to take, it's nice to know that Lavonia, Ga. has a creole-style restaurant that can fill in the gaps. 83 Degrees West New Orleans Seafood is just what is offered at the eatery on Rock Springs Road from low country boil treats like shrimp and sausage to more New Orleans grub like gumbo and jambalaya.

The place is casual and elegant, and the full bar and views of the lake give diners all kinds of reasons to make the trek to Lavonia.

Tiger Cove Campground and Grill (private)

Address: 4023 Whitehall Road, Anderson

Tiger Cove Grill at the campground will open around Memorial Day and be open on weekends until it gets cold.

This is a private club, so a membership fee must be paid to enjoy the burgers, fries, onion rings, seafood and more offered there.

It offers live music on weekends along with special events happening all summer long. And if you are coming off the water, look for the flag "Drink Outside" flying off the deck. That means they are open for business.

More: 50 years later, man-made Lake Keowee 'did change lives around here'

The Grill

Address: 150 Clemson Marina Dr., Seneca

Contact info: 864.653.6767

Hours: 4-9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday

The Grill at Clemson Marina bills itself as the alternative to bringing in fried foods from fast food places to eat while on the lake.

Instead, you can roll up to the restaurant, order what you want and be on your way. Or hang out for a bit with a drink from the full bar and just take in the lake life while sitting on shore on the large, partially covered deck outside. 

Offering fast casual food and drinks in an open air, relaxed environment, The Grill at Clemson Marina is the answer to many boaters' requests for food accessible by boat. Plus, there is cornhole to pass the time and a playground for the kids to get a little energy out after lunch or dinner. 

Lake Keowee

The Lighthouse Restaurant

Address: 1290 Doug Hollow Road, Seneca

Contact info: 864.888.4446

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Fine dining on Lake Keowee doesn't get much better than The Lighthouse.

The picturesque views of the lake coupled with the gorgeous restaurant setting in the evening makes for a culinary experience you often only get around Charleston or Hilton Head. The Lighthouse offers Southern staples as well as more refined dishes and will offer a special Sunday menu when warranted. 

Also at The Lighthouse is The Cabana, a more laid back atmosphere that focuses on crafted cocktails, beer and wine while overlooking the lake or just trying to relax after a day on the boat. 

The Tiki Hut Lakeside Grill (private)

Address: 156 Keowee Marina Dr., Seneca

Contact info: 864.882.0800

Far and away, The Tiki Hut Lakeside Grill is known as a cool place to hang on Lake Keowee.

It is a private club, so you have to pay a membership to enjoy everything it offers, but it's also a place where you can get your groove on in the evenings, rock out to some karaoke in the late night, or just do a little day chilling with friends coming off the boat.

There is a full bar and a menu that seems to grow bigger each time you see it. Favorites include street tacos, burgers, quesadillas and even some skewers for a quick snack.