Stono Market & Tomato Shed Cafe is owned by the Ambrose Family. As a team, we work to exceed your expectations with exceptional customer service, quality prepared and unprepared foods, locally made crafts, sauces, grits, honey, jellies, jams, gifts and more. We are located on an oak-tree canopied road that runs from U.S. 17 all the way to the beaches at Kiawah and Seabrook Island. We draw a large following of locals and visitors, especially in the Spring and Summer months.
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café was built on a simple idea: connect people to fresh, local food in a meaningful way.
In 1967, Pete Ambrose began shrimping the Lowcountry waters before expanding into farming on Wadmalaw Island in 1976. What started as a commitment to working the land and sea evolved into a multi-generational family business rooted in quality, integrity, and community.
In 1987, Stono Market opened as a small produce stand and packing shed, bringing fruits and vegetables from Ambrose Family Farm directly to Johns Island. Long before “farm-to-table” became a movement, it was simply how the Ambrose family did business.
The Tomato Shed Café followed in 1992, inspired by Babs Ambrose’s passion for cooking and hospitality. In 2013, Barbara Ambrose stepped in as second-generation co-owner, continuing to grow and refine the vision while honoring the foundation her family built.
Today, the Tomato Shed Café offers thoughtfully prepared Southern cuisine using locally sourced ingredients from across the Carolinas. Our menu highlights timeless classics — from slow-roasted meats and fresh seafood to signature sides like tomato pie and seasonal vegetables — all prepared with care and intention.
We believe great food doesn’t need to be complicated. It should be fresh, flavorful, and served in a space that feels welcoming and genuine.
Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café is more than a restaurant — it’s a place where tradition meets today, where locals gather, and where fresh always comes first.
