The Obstinate Daughter

The story

The Obstinate Daughter | French-Italian-Spanish Dining on Sullivan's Island, Mount Pleasant

The Obstinate Daughter

On Sullivan's Island, just outside Mount Pleasant, The Obstinate Daughter has earned a Michelin Recommended designation for 2025, joining the ranks of the American South's most notable dining destinations. The restaurant is also a two-time James Beard Award nominee, a testament to the work of Chef Jacques Larson and his team.

The name honors Miss Carolina Sullivan, whose spirit and determination inspired the restaurant's identity. The space itself is a Lowcountry "Food Fort," where a wood-fired oven, plancha, and island kitchen range drive the cooking. The cuisine draws from French, Italian, and Spanish traditions, with a menu that changes seasonally to reflect what the region's farms and fishermen provide.

Pizza is served all day, with a dedicated pizza-only menu between 3 and 4 pm as the kitchen transitions from lunch to dinner. The lunch menu runs daily from 11 am to 3 pm and includes plates like the Obstinate Flatbread with olive oil and butterbean puree, a Shrimp Roll with Tarvin Shrimp and Marsh Hen Mill frites, and raw oysters on the half shell. Pastas such as Ricotta Gnocchi with short rib ragu and Radiatore alla vodka are available, alongside pizzas like the Miss Carolina with green and red tomato and the Weird Fishes with white anchovy and chili oil.

Dinner service begins at 4 pm, and brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. The restaurant also holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2024 and is Green Restaurant Certified, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices. Local food partners—including Abundant Seafood, Anson Mills, and Barrier Island Oysters—anchor the kitchen's supply chain.

Patio seating, bar tables, and bar cocktail tables are reserved for walk-in waitlist guests. On select days, a few patio reservation slots may be released depending on the weather.