The Dish Top 50 Fall 2022
In search of a bite to eat in Charleston could be overwhelming. Simply searching the web for “food in Charleston” can yield inconsistent results. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed down the list to town’s Top 50 restaurants, a not-so-easy task. From steak and scallops to Japanese fried chicken and curry mac and cheese, there’s no shortage of classic and traditional foods you’ll find within the Holy City. But what sets these 50 establishments apart isn’t the value or location, however the dedication each establishment puts into providing a memorable dining experience. That is the list to provide family or friends visiting town; the list to scan through while you’re undecided; the list with options for each budget; and the list that, like Charleston and the seasons, all the time changes.
The list is organized in alphabetical order.
167 Raw Oyster Bar
Seafood
Moderate
Downtown. 193 King St. (843) 579-4997
167raw.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Surrounded by high-end boutiques, swanky inns, antique stores and art galleries, 167 Raw’s King Street home sits along a quiet stretch of storefronts. But fear not, it still boasts the identical lineup of Latest England bivalves and lobstah rolls that were much-lauded at its existing original (and teeny) spot at 289 East Bay St., which now operates as 167 Sushi Bar. The primary floor of 167 Raw’s ever-so-charming nineteenth century constructing is long and narrow, with original brick partitions and a walnut bar. Even with 4 times (not less than) as much seating as its original space, 167 Raw gets packed. Arrive early to tuck into your 10-hour carnita taco and tuna burger.
Baker & Brewer
Pizza
Moderate
Downtown. 94 Stuart St. (843) 297-8233
Bakerandbrewer.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (every day)
Baker & Brewer is the brainchild of two great local joints: EVO Pizzeria and Holy City Brewing, each in North Charleston. The blended restaurant brings two things everyone loves together: pizza and beer. It’s a more casual spot than EVO’s Park Circle location but all of its renowned pizzas remain on the menu, reminiscent of the pistachio pesto pie (named among the best pizzas within the country by Food Network Magazine) and the sinful Pork Trifecta. Pair fan-favorite pizzas with Holy City-brewed and Baker & Brewer-exclusive drafts like Clyde’s Banana Split (a banana milk stout brewed by a College of Charleston student), and also you’ll think you’ve gone to foodie heaven on Earth. There’s nothing like a Baker & Brewer sweet-and-savory meal in the course of the work day. (And nevertheless for supper!)
Basic Kitchen
Cafe
Moderate
Downtown. 82 Wentworth St.
(843) 789-4568
basickitchen.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.), Weekend Brunch
In a city stuffed with hearty Southern cuisine, sometimes it’s tricky to seek out a flavorful, light meal. Not the case at Basic Kitchen. In keeping with co-owner Ben Towill, that has been precisely the goal since opening the restaurant along with his wife Kate in 2017. “We wish to offer massive flavor and a meal that’s hearty but still feels light,” he said. Robin Hollis, who took over as Basic Kitchen executive chef in July 2019, has honed in on this mission by creating more healthful dishes that highlight vegetables from local purveyors. BK’s lunch menu is split into small plates, bowls, salads, sandwiches and sweets. For dinner selections, it offers big plates like market fish with peach salsa, cilantro, avocado and lime or chicken or cauliflower schnitzel.
Bertha’s Kitchen
Soul Food
Inexpensive
Downtown. 2332 Meeting Street Road.
(843) 554-6519
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Fri.)
Head up Meeting Street until you see a two-story robin’s egg blue constructing with purple trim and a line stretching out the door. The Southern soul food platters listed below are so tasty, generous and cheap, that the road starts forming well before it’s open for lunch. Businessmen, laborers and far-flung tourists alike shuffle through the fast cafeteria-style service counter loaded with a smorgasbord of meat and threes, reminiscent of fried pork chops, fish specials, yams, stewed greens, home-style mac and cheese, limas nestled with smoked turkey necks, dark roux okra soup, moist cornbread and fried chicken higher than anyone’s Grandma ever made. Bertha’s constructing was announced on the market earlier this 12 months, but has since been taken off the market.
Bistronomy by Nico
French
Expensive
Downtown. 64 Spring St. (843) 410-6221
bistronomybynico.com
Serving Dinner (every day), Weekend Brunch
One month after getting the keys to 64 Spring St., Bistronomy by Nico co-owners Nico Romo and Dominique Chantepie opened the French bistro after revamping the space previously occupied by Josephine Wine Bar. The cuisine mirrors the colourful atmosphere and draws on celebrated dishes from Romo’s 10 years at Fish, which closed in 2017 after 17 years on King Street. Romo calls Bistronomy’s menu approachable French cuisine with an Asian fusion twist. The menu changes seasonally, but on the time of publishing, it included items like frog legs, 24-hour short ribs, bouillabaisse and escargot rice dumplings. If you should sample Romo’s fare in Mount Nice, his original bistro NICO sits right off of Shem Creek.
Bowens Island Restaurant
Seafood
Moderate
James Island. 1870 Bowens Island Road.
(843) 795-2757
bowensisland.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Don’t expect white tablecloth and maitre d’service at Bowens Island. It’s famously no frills, however it’s price it. The nightly crowds are a testament to the family fish camp. Since its founding in 1946, it’s grown from a grimy, albeit quaint, cinder block outpost to a pluff-mud pantheon that provides up rattling good fried seafood, hushpuppies and cold local beer in its upstairs dining room. Follow your nose downstairs and elbow-out yourself an area on the all-you-can-eat oyster tables and slurp down tasty local oysters by the shovelful that were likely pulled off the marsh that day. Oyster season or not, now we have a tough time passing up the Frogmore Stew, a pot stuffed with potatoes, sausage, corn on the cob and shrimp steamed together as God intended it.
Butcher & Bee
Mediterranean
Moderate
Downtown. 1085 Morrison Drive.
(843) 619-0202
butcherandbee.com
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (every day), Weekend Brunch
Butcher & Bee is an elevated restaurant that belies its hipster hangout roots in its old dark, tiny space on Upper King Street. B&B’s menu contains a range of dishes with all the things from falafel to crispy schnitzels and punctiliously crafted local seafood to veggie-forward dishes. B&B’s mezze selection is a set of small plates with a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influence, a superb feature on the menu for brunch, lunch and dinner. It’s secure to say that just about anything you order from here can be incredibly creative.
Charleston Grill
Modern American
Very Expensive
Downtown. 224 King St. (843) 577-4522
charlestongrill.com
Serving Dinner (Wed.-Thurs.)
Amid ever-shifting culinary fashions, Charleston Grill has remained one in all town’s crown jewels by delivering a consistently flawless dining experience. Executive chef Michelle Weaver’s dishes could be decadently lush, like her beef tenderloin with a red wine gastrique or seared foie gras, spiked with a strawberry jam and balsamic vinegar. The dishes are balanced, ingredient-centric creations, while contemporary spins on Southern cuisine are daring and satisfying. One of the best technique to experience the complete sweep of the cuisine is to select items from each section of Weaver’s menu and sit back to benefit from the house jazz band tucked within the corner.
Chasing Sage
Modern American
Moderate
Downtown. 267 Rutledge Ave. (854) 444-3402
chasingsagerestaurant.com
Serving dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Focused on farm-to-table cuisine, Chasing Sage is all the time a delight since you never quite know what dishes will appear on the menu. The plates rotate commonly, depending on what’s in season and what local purveyors provide. You would possibly take pleasure in small plates like corn dumplings with bacon and chili oil or blue crab lettuce wraps topped with avocado and watermelon. Plates are organized by price and designed to be shared. Dishes are sometimes veggie-forward, but there are many options for meat eaters. For those who’re dining with a big group, go for the chef’s alternative and let the kitchen resolve.
Chez Nous
French
Expensive
Downtown. 6 Payne Court. (843) 579-3060
cheznouschs.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Tues.-Sun.), Sun. Brunch
Most mornings before lunch, the Chez Nous Instagram feed (@cheznouscharleston) contains a picture of the day’s menu, handwritten in black ink on a small white card in executive chef Jill Mathias’ eccentric and highly stylized script. Next comes a separate picture of every dish being served that day, taken from above in flawless light. Admittedly, it’s only seven pictures total, since Chez Nous serves just two starters, two entrees and two desserts, and the choice changes every day. The setting is charmingly old and the cuisine European-inspired, however it’s hardly a throwback to an older mode of dining. Chez Nous stands alone just because it is, an eccentric outlier. With such a dynamic menu, any review of Chez Nous is by necessity a fleeting snapshot.
Chubby Fish
Seafood
Expensive
Downtown. 252 Coming St. (843) 222-3949
chubbyfishcharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Executive chef James London serves a hyper-local, every day changing menu at this vibrant Coming Street restaurant, which opened in June 2018. And while the fish selection may vary, London is thought for a couple of signature preparations. Expect raw oysters, crudos and sure one small plate that includes caviar. We recommend ordering several dishes and sharing with the group before ending off with sweets from Life Raft Treats’ Cynthia Wong, who supplies Chubby Fish with dessert. Chubby Fish doesn’t take reservations, however it’s well well worth the wait for one in all 30 or so seats inside a restaurant that prides itself on turning under utilized sorts of fish into dishes you’ll crave for weeks.
Coda del Pesce
Italian/Seafood
Expensive
Isle of Palms. 1130 Ocean Blvd. (843) 242-8570
codadelpesce.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
With Coda del Pesce, chef/owner Ken Vedrinski of former downtown mainstay Trattoria Lucca headed out to Isle of Palms to create a beachside Italian seafood restaurant. The gorgeous second-story dining room has brick partitions, reclaimed wooden floors and, in a rarity for the Lowcountry, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the Atlantic. It’s a really perfect setting for Vedrinski’s signature high-end Italian fare, which offers loads of vivid flavors and unexpected twists. Masterful pasta anchors the primi selection, which incorporates ricotta gnudi tossed with mushrooms, guanciale (pork jowls) and vacche rosse parmesan cheese. The secondi highlights fresh fish like swordfish and swordfish “marsala.” Pair any of those with an Italian wine from the impressive list, and also you’ll have one splendid fish tale to share with friends.
Dave’s Carry-Out
Soul Food/Seafood
Inexpensive
Downtown. 42-C Morris St. (843) 577-7943
facebook.com/Daves-Carry-Out-111720082197029/
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
This soul food joint offers a real taste of Charleston. For under $10 you possibly can get a takeout box filled to the brim with one of the best of Lowcountry cooking like pork chops, crispy chicken wings and finger-lickin’ ribs. The collection of sides is small but tasty — try the lima beans, thick steak fries or rice. The lunch specials change every day, but your best bet is to go along with a seafood platter, which ranges from $10 for a generous portion of shrimp to $20 for shrimp, fish, scallops and deviled crab. For those who need a true local experience, go for the lima beans and rice. It’s meaty and filling. Just a few tables allow customers to dine in, but most people get their Dave’s to-go, whether for lunch or a greasy late-night snack.
Delaney Oyster House
Seafood
Moderate
Downtown. 115 Calhoun St. (843) 594-0099.
delaneyoysterhouse.com
Serving Dinner (every day)
The Neighborhood Dining Group — owners of Husk — have converted an old single house on Calhoun Street right into a stunner of a seafood restaurant. The raw bar offerings range from local oysters and clams to hackleback caviar, and executive chef Shamil Velazquez’s inventive small plates are stylish and intensely flavored. The menu has featured wealthy poached lobster tossed with mayo and lemon and a golden tilefish served with roasted carrots, apple and collard green salad. Each dish is finished with a precise visual style that befits the picture-perfect setting. Grab a seat out on the second floor piazza, order a glass of chilled red wine and dig in.
Edmund’s Oast
Modern American
Expensive
Downtown. 1081 Morrison Drive.
(843) 727-1145
edmundsoast.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Each day),
This hip gastropub has a laid-back vibe. There are communal tables, in addition to a chef’s counter and an expansive outdoor patio. Chef Bob Cook’s menu highlights include the house-made charcuterie and cheese plates, plus upscale bar food like barbecue escargot, port skirt steak or spicy Korean meatballs with pineapple and Carolina gold rice. The drink menu is every bit as compelling, rife with small batch cocktails, meads and a number of inventive beers brewed on-site. And completely happy hour in The Bower when the weather’s nice, well, the value and vibes can’t be beat.
Estadio
Tapas
Moderate
Downtown. 122 Spring St.
estadio-chs.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Estadio, which opened on Spring Street in October 2019, is technically the second outpost of a successful Washington, D.C., Spanish-style bar and tapas restaurant. The decor and the deep sherry and gin selection echo the D.C. original, but executive chef Alex Lira’s impressive menu is exclusive to Charleston. The pintxos and tapas — grilled shrimp on skewers, deviled eggs and caviar and matriano hashbrowns with black and white anchovies — offer beguiling little bites. Fresh local crudo and flat iron steak cooked with a poblano romesco and served with caramelized leek mashed potatoes are offered on the heavier side. With a slate of sherry cocktails, “gin tonics” made with rare Spanish brands and porróns of wine, Estadio brings a superb taste of Spain to the center of downtown Charleston.
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine
French bistro
Moderate
Downtown. 550 King St. (843) 203-6297
felixchs.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sun.), Brunch (Sat.-Sun.)
For those who’re on the lookout for a vivid, comfortable French bistro during which to calm down with delicious food with small plates and a soothing glass of wine or a cocktail, that is the place. We like loads of what’s on the menu of this French-style bistro and bar, but will direct you to 3 classics that won’t disappoint – French onion soup, lobster deviled eggs and steak frites. “All the pieces is outstanding,” said one patron who returns again and again. “For those who are hungry and wish a burger, get the Raclette Burger. Don’t add any condiments, eat it as served. Be prepared to have a food orgasm.”
FIG
Modern American
Very Expensive
Downtown. 232 Meeting St. (843) 805-5900
eatatfig.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
In 2003, chef Mike Lata got down to prove that “food is nice.” After blazing a trail for the robust local farm-to-table restaurant scene, FIG still stands out, winning awards and creating devotees 12 months after 12 months. Although snagging a reservation could be a challenge, the seasonally inspired cuisine and impeccable service are well worth the effort. Change is a relentless, but stalwart menu standbys, just like the pillowy ricotta gnocchi alla bolognese, never fail to satisfy. Remember to try the wine offerings, as — together with two nods for Best Chef Southeast — FIG can also be a national James Beard award-winner for Outstanding Wine Program.
The Glass Onion
Latest Southern
Moderate
West Ashley. 1219 Savannah Hwy. (843) 225-1717
ilovetheglassonion.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.), Sat. Brunch
Since 2008, the Glass Onion has exemplified the “neighborhood favorite” category — a restaurant less formal and bold than a advantageous dining spot but still delivering seriously delicious meals. The offering blends the house cooking of chef/owner Chris Stewart’s native Alabama with dishes and styles he absorbed while working in advantageous dining kitchens first in Latest Orleans after which in Charleston. Which means hearty, savory gumbo brimming with okra and sausage and Cajun fish cakes made with shrimp and catfish, served with Charleston red rice, collard greens and a red remoulade. Pristine local seafood makes for fresh, satisfying plates, like pan-roasted trout served over tender braised beans and thick mashed potatoes. While some have grow to be staples on the menu just like the shrimp po’boy, others rotate every day, with a recent menu available day by day at 11 a.m. on the web site.
Halls Chophouse
Steakhouse
Expensive
Downtown. 434 King St. (843) 727-0090
Hallschophouse.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Thurs.), Lunch (Sat.-Sun.)
Sure, there are newer and “hotter” restaurants, but Halls Chophouse is an important day classic for a reason. You possibly can’t improve service along with your steak, the wine list includes some unexpected offerings and the cocktails are generous. And the steak, after all, is fabulous. Pro tip: order the large tomahawk cut and split it. One diner told us to order any of the dried aged steaks, especially for those who need a reason to cry tears of joy. “While I actually have only eaten there a couple of times for dinner,” he said. “I dream of the subsequent opportunity to return.”
Hannibal’s Kitchen
Soul Food
Inexpensive
Downtown. 16 Blake St. (843) 722-2256
Hannibalkitchen.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Sun.-Sat.)
Hannibal’s Kitchen is a no-frills soul joint on the East Side of downtown Charleston that has “been feeding the soul of town” for greater than 40 years. After serving the community for therefore a few years, Hannibal’s has grow to be an establishment within the Charleston food scene. It was even listed on The Latest York Times 2021 top 50 restaurants within the country. Try the signature dish “crab and shrimp rice.” Salmon, shrimp and shark steak are three other hot items at lunch time. And don’t skip out on the normal Southern sides including lima beans, okra soup, fried chicken, pork chops and collard greens.
Husk Restaurant
Latest Southern
Expensive
Downtown. 76 Queen St. (843) 577-2500
huskrestaurant.com
Serving Dinner (every day), Sat.-Sun. Brunch
Husk has outposts in Nashville, Greenville and Savannah, but this location — housed in a white mansion on Queen Street — is the unique. Here, the kitchen creates must-try marvels with a steadily changing menu like Southern fried chicken skins, “Kentuckyaki” pigs ear lettuce wraps or the hulking Carolina heritage pork chop, while dessert offerings include such innovations because the savory-sweet cornbread pudding. There’s a welcoming, rustic atmosphere indoors, but when weather permits, sit out on the upstairs porch and luxuriate in what’s, without hesitation, Southern food at its best.
Indaco
Italian
Moderate
Downtown. 526 King St. (843) 727-1228
Indacorestaurant.com
Serving dinner (every day) Sat.-Sun. Brunch
For those who’re on the lookout for classic Italian pizza and pasta in a classy but laid back setting, Indaco is the place to go. Select from classic Italian antipasti like polpette (meatballs) and prosciutto di parma; wood-fired pizzas, including a spicy soppressata; and handmade pastas just like the staple tagliatelle with pork tesa and black pepper, topped with a Storey Farms egg, chives and parmesan. For the complete Indaco experience, order the “for the table” chef’s alternative, which incorporates a three-course meal for $50 per person. One frequent Indaco diner said, “That is comfort food your Italian grandma would make if she kept up with food trends. You possibly can’t go flawed with the pizza, which changes seasonally, or the evergreen tagliatelle.”
Jack of Cups Saloon
International
Inexpensive
Folly Beach. 34 Center St. (843) 633-0042
jackofcupssaloon.net
Serving lunch, dinner (Wed.-Mon.)
Jack of Cups Saloon describes its cuisine as “globally inspired comfort food made with love,” and anyone who has dined here understands why. Jack of Cups co-owner and chef Lesley Carroll puts creativity and care into every dish she develops. And she or he’s all the time quick to supply a smile or share amusing with diners. Menu offerings rotate with the seasons and incorporate unique, unexpected flavor combos just like the ever-popular red curry mac and cheese. Other unusual and delicious offerings which have popped up on the menu include Tom Kha Gai gnocchi, a conventional Vietnamese coconut broth-turned-sauce blended with a classic Italian dumpling, and Cap’N Crunch deviled eggs. Check the menu ahead of time to find the newest Jack of Cups creations. One diner is especially keen on the ever-changing menu. “The seasonal menu brings recent, exciting changes every quarter,” she said. “This summer’s Cashew Korma was hands down one of the best curry I’ve ever put in my mouth. Sweet and savory, I couldn’t get enough. I felt like I died and went to curry heaven.”
Jackrabbit Filly
Chinese
Moderate
North Charleston. 4628 Spruill Ave.
(843) 460-0037
jackrabbitfilly.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Wed.-Sat.), Sun. Brunch
The menu at Jackrabbit Filly — Shuai and Corrie Wang’s brick-and-mortar jump from their popular Short Grain food truck — takes quintessential Asian fare, and adds some vamp. The pork and cabbage dumplings are where Yangtze meets Ganges, with a wealthy mixture of pork, cabbage, ginger and coriander encased inside the peerlessly cooked pasta wrapper. Topped with a pungent chinkiang vinegar and Lao Gan Ma chili crisp sauce, the primary bite is like suddenly finding something in life you hadn’t even realized was missing. Short Grain’s beloved karaage endures — the meat is juicy, the coating crunchy and the drizzle of lemon mayo and ponzu, together with some togarashi-induced heat, ought to be presented with the next disclaimer: “The karaage is a small structure product of chicken. It’s delicious, and also you aren’t ready for it.”
Kwei Fei
Chinese
Moderate
James Island. 1977 Maybank Hwy.
kweifei.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Set round the corner to Charleston Pour House within the space previously occupied by The Lot, Kwei Fei’s interior looks the same-ish, except now the chairs are yellow and also you’ll find some Asian knick knacks scattered about. However the updates are the one understated thing about Kwei Fei. Just about nothing else — from the food to the music to the chef himself — could be described as subtle. Kwei Fei’s menu is an equally wild ride, offering an array of appetizers, entrees and veggie-based sides sorted into blocks labeled “Loud,” “Hot” and “Vibes.” The crescent dumplings are an excellent technique to give your tastebuds a crash course within the events to return. Made with ground pork and redolent Sichuan pepper, the five plump dumplings are served in a soy-based, vinegary sauce and topped with fresh cilantro and chives. Hot, sour, salty, sweet: everyone’s here. On the “vibes” side of things, vegetarians are well-taken care of with the dry-fried green beans. Here some rice is sensible and adds bulk to the dry, fried shiitakes and peppers, that are coated in sichuan peppercorn and fermented bean paste, served with mushrooms and after all, peppers.
Le Farfalle
Italian
Expensive
Downtown. 15 Beaufain St. (843) 212-0920
lefarfallecharleston.com
Serving Lunch (Mon.-Sat.), Dinner (every day), Sun. Brunch
Led by celebrated chef Michael Toscano, Le Farfalle is definite to thrill. The brilliant, upscale space is generously laid out with a chic bar suitable for a fast lunch of agnolotti pasta or a relaxed after-dinner conversation over craft cocktails. Dinner service starts with a slice from the restaurant’s ginormous wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, but matters are then in your personal hands. Seasonal appetizer stand outs have included a veal tartare toast served with shoestring fries and a sublime octopus carpaccio. You possibly can’t go flawed with the housemade pastas, and other memorable dinner selections have included a vibrant whole branzino with pine nuts and a young fried chicken picatta.
Lenoir
Latest Southern
Moderate
Downtown. 68 Wentworth St. (843) 534-9031
Dineatlenoir.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
Chef Vivian Howard’s first restaurants outside Eastern North Carolina opened in Charleston in the primary half of 2021. After PBS’ A Chef’s Life introduced Howard to audiences removed from her first restaurant, Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, N.C., she now has two concepts open within the Wentworth-facing side of the downtown Renaissance Hotel. Handy & Hot checks the boxes because the hotel’s quick-service lobby cafe (with the addition of snackable hand pies and knockout biscuit sandwiches), but Lenoir is where Howard will make her mark. Tables ring the comfy dining room around a central bar, and a gradual stream of reinvented Southern specialties flow from the kitchen. With dishes starting from cornbread fritters and blueberry barbecue chicken wings to the K-town patty melt, Howard’s touch as a chef is obvious without taking things too seriously.
Leon’s High quality Poultry & Oysters
Seafood
Moderate
Downtown. 698 King St. (843) 531-6500
leonsoystershop.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (every day)
The chargrilled oysters at Leon’s embody the restaurant’s approach to food: unfussy and delicious. The “Fry-Up” platter is a alternative of oysters, shrimp, catfish or clams battered and delicately fried and served with a tartar sauce so good we sometimes just dip a fork in it in between bites. If we all know anything about restaurateurs Brooks Reitz and Tim Mink, it’s that they know find out how to design a restaurant that each looks and feels good. That is the form of place that gets in your regular rotation since it’s comfortable, delicious and reliable.
Lewis Barbecue
Barbecue
Moderate
Downtown. 464 N. Nassau St. (843) 805-9500
lewisbarbecue.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (every day)
Lewis’ constructing houses 4 custom-built smokers and a sausage smoker that may cook 1,600 links at a time, all hand-built by Lewis and his father. Once inside, you’ll queue as much as have meat hand-sliced by one in all two meat-cutters stationed behind an extended counter directing you to opposite ends. Lewis’ “life changing” beef brisket is unquestionably the star. The infinitely tender meat has a salty, peppery crust and shines with melted fat. But there’s also juicy smoked turkey, pulled pork, pork ribs and Texas sausage called “hot guts” available and priced by the pound (or hot guts by the link). After your tray is stuffed with your order of meats, select your sides from mustardy potato salad, lemon slaw, cowboy beans and wealthy green chile corn pudding.
Little Miss Ha
Vietnamese
Moderate
Mount Nice. 915 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
(843) 388-7251
Littlemissha.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Janice Hudgins’ elevated fast casual Vietnamese restaurant grew from humble beginnings. What began as a family endeavor, doing private dinners and pop-ups, was a booth at former food court The Workshop, which morphed into the present full-service restaurant Hudgins opened in Mount Nice in early 2020. Hudgins’ brother Ryan is the manager chef but their mother (“Miss Ha”) was the inspiration behind the restaurant. So it goes without saying, “mom’s egg rolls” are a standout on the menu. We have now a special affinity for the dumplings, spicy green curry and beef pho (though you possibly can swap beef for chicken or veggies). But, you possibly can get a taste of authentic Vietnamese from any of the offerings at Little Miss Ha, where every dish tastes like a house cooked meal.
Maison
French
Expensive
Downtown. 708 King St.(843) 990-9165
maisoncharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Maison shares a low, unassuming King Street constructing with a climbing gym, but step inside and also you’ll find an immaculate invocation of a trendy French bistro. There’s a pewter-topped bar, hexagonal white and black floor tiles and Parisian-style bistro chairs with white and black woven backs. The menu options — escargots, steak frites, rabbit en croute — appear to hew to traditional bistro standards at first, but chef Vandy Vanderwarker gives each a creative, flavorful spin. The thick wedge of the monkfish chop has a smooth, buttery bite beneath its golden brown sear, heightened by the unexpected richness of roasted chicken butter sauce. With deep, intense flavors and a playful sensibility, Maison’s daring interpretations of traditional French plates are a welcome addition to the Charleston scene.
Malagon
Tapas
Moderate
Downtown. 33 Spring St. (843) 926-0475
malagonchs.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
Even experienced tapas lovers may find themselves a bit wide-eyed at Malagon — the great menu isn’t playing around. Reasonably, it gets right right down to some sweet tapas tenderness, starting with familiar snacks like marcona almonds and dates wrapped in ham. The mojama (cured tuna belly) is a classic treat. Firm and salty, it’s sometimes called the jamón of the ocean. Accompanied by roughly a dozen baby potatoes, tender chunks of octopus have a silky texture just like that of a rare scallop. The mild flavors of the 2 soft ingredients are dominated by the sprinkling of smoked paprika on top. Despite being “small plates” and possibly owing partly to all of the potatoes, your meal could be surprisingly filling and notably reasonably priced. Malagon will not be only doing something different, it’s doing it extremely well.
Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen
Pakistani
Moderate
Mount Nice. 1333 Theater Drive.
(843) 897-5727
Malikacanteen.com
Serving lunch (Fri.-Sun.) and dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
Owners Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba have taken Charleston by storm with their authentic Pakistani comfort food. First starting out as a pop-up in 2019 as Ma’am Saab (which can be opening within the old Jestine’s Kitchen on Meeting Street), the couple introduced a recent cuisine to the market, bringing to the table dishes like chicken biryani or aloo gobi. When the couple opened up Malika, they expanded their flavors and brought Pakistani street food to the fold, introducing samosa chaats, aloo tikki, dhamaka burger and chicken tikka rolls. Wash down the spices with local beers, chosen wines and house-made cocktails at one in all the few Pakistani restaurants within the country to serve alcohol. But for those who’re on the lookout for something traditional, Malika also offers Pakistani staples like mango lassi, a creamy mango shake or Pakola, a rosewater cream soda.
Melfi’s
Italian
Expensive
Downtown. 721 King St. (843) 513-0307
eatatmelfis.com
Serving Dinner (every day)
Named for the family who once ran a pharmacy in the identical space, Melfi’s menu offers updated takes on Italian staples. The polished, old-school dining room is warm and buzzy, providing a welcome backdrop to get your carbs on. Slip right into a leather booth and proceed to feast on house-made linguine tossed with clams, or “Roman-ish” pizza, just like the Mr. Wally, made with vodka sauce, Fresno peppers, sliced salami and meaty hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. Don’t miss the fragile tuna crudo with buttery pine nuts and Calabrian chile vinaigrette.
Oak Steakhouse
Steakhouse
Expensive
Downtown. 17 Broad St. (843) 722-4220
oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Serving Dinner (every day)
Positioned in a restored 150-year-old bank constructing, Oak is a long-running favorite for a giant Charleston night out. Hefty prime ribeyes and strips are the principal attractions, with luxurious family-style accompaniments like creamy whipped potatoes and lobster mac and cheese. Inside the normal steakhouse format, there may be all the time a twist or two, like a every day local seafood special or beef belly with sorghum barbecue sauce. The deep wine list focuses on California reds, and the service is reliably top-notch, no matter whether you eat downstairs within the bar area, with its exposed brick partitions and clubby red leather booths, or on the white cloth-draped tables within the second story dining room, its high windows looking over Broad Street.
The Obstinate Daughter
Seafood/Southern
Moderate
Sullivan’s Island. 2063 Middle St. (843) 416-5020
theobstinatedaughter.com
Serving Lunch (Mon.-Fri.), Dinner (every day), Weekend Brunch
At The Obstinate Daughter, executive chef Jacques Larson’s big, open kitchen has a plancha and a wood-fired oven, and he uses it to create a beguiling array of pizzas, pastas and small plates. The pizzas bear tempting toppings, like guanciale, white anchovy or pancetta. The dishes on the rotating “plates” menu range in size from griddled octopus with crispy potatoes and black olive tapenade to swordfish siciliana with green olives, capers, tomatoes, raisins and currant. Fluffy ricotta gnocchi are topped with an intensely flavorful short rib ragu with tender strands of beef in a pool of reddish orange tomato-tinged jus. OD boasts a cheery, casual environment for having fun with Larson’s impressive parade of delicate but flavorful dishes. And that makes it among the best upscale dining destinations not only out on the beaches, but anywhere on the town.
The Abnormal
Seafood
Expensive
Downtown. 544 King St. (843) 414-7060
eattheordinary.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
In December 2012, a historic King Street bank constructing found recent life as an upscale oyster hall. The Abnormal — second child of Adam Nemirow and chef Mike Lata — opened with soaring 22-foot ceilings, the promise of locally sourced seafood and plenty of buzz.The Abnormal was the primary of its kind. While commonly packed and stuffed with an upbeat ambiance, The Abnormal’s high ceilings diffuse the jovial noise to a nice buzz. Together with six every day varieties of raw oysters on the half shell, the house-smoked oysters aren’t to be missed. Presented in an oil and vinegar-filled preserve jar and spiked with slices of crisp pickled celery, the six oysters are so gently smoked that they’re still raw. Because of this, each is tender and juicy, the fragile hint of ocean flavor touched with woodsy smoke. Served with fancied-up saltines (brushed with butter and Old Bay), wealthy, cold creme fraiche and vibrant hot sauce, the mixture is outstanding: cool, crisp and smoky .
Peninsula Grill
Latest Southern
Very Expensive
Downtown. 112 N. Market St. (843) 723-0700
peninsulagrill.com
Serving Dinner (every day)
There are milestones in life that require a elaborate steak. Or not less than the form of place where one can get a elaborate steak. For those who’re within the midst of such an occasion, Peninsula Grill has got you covered. Even after greater than 20 years, Peninsula Grill continues to impress with its luxurious fare. Executive chef Kalen Fortuna has taken the helm, bringing with him over a decade of advantageous dining experience with plans to alter the restaurant’s course. “We’re attempting to take it in a rather more refined aspect,” Fortuna said in regards to the restaurant’s recent direction. “Rather a lot less meat and the stuff that’s been there for a very long time. It’s really just attempting to put nice, beautifully composed plates on the dish and dealing lots with local farmers & seafood.”
Post House Restaurant
Modern American
Expensive
Mount Nice. 101 Pitt St. (843) 203-7678
theposthouseinn.com
Serving Dinner (every day); Weekend Brunch
Post House Restaurant opened in Mount Nice in August 2020 after undergoing significant renovations led by Kate and Ben Towill of design and hospitality firm Basic Projects. Post Home is a reincarnation of The Old Village Post House, which closed in February 2019 after 16 years at 101 Pitt St. The Towills completely redesigned the circa-1896 space, moving the principal dining room to the back of the restaurant and the bar to face Pitt Street. The space is adorned with antiques, vintage rugs, local art, archival wallpaper and handcrafted fixtures. You’ll find seasonal snacks, raw bar options, fresh pastas, local seafood and an assortment of vegetarian dishes at Post House. Local seafood massaman curry, Carolina heritage farm pork with creamy kimchi collard greens and a “backbar” cheeseburger are among the principal dishes that pair with starters like lamb wraps or Anson Mills cornbread. Post House also features an expansive wine list with bottles from all over the world, and people on the lookout for a staycation can grab a room within the quaint inn connected to the restaurant.
Renzo
Pizza
Moderate
Downtown. 384 Huger St. (843) 952-7864
renzochs.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
This former storefront-turned-hip neighborhood trattoria has a wood-fired oven and knows find out how to use it. Together with tempting starters like ricotta gnudi, charred broccolini or cavatelli, the menu contains a trio of pastas, plus an array of creative Neapolitan-style pizzas. Feeling adventurous? The Cheli offers a tomato base with lamb sausage, tangy pickled peppers, honey and za’atar. There’s a bagel brunch on Sundays, plus Renzo offers one in all the world’s largest selections of natural wine.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Barbecue
Inexpensive
Downtown. 1011 King St. (843) 990-9535
rodneyscottsbbq.com
Serving Lunch, Dinner (every day)
Rodney Scott made waves in 2017 when,
after 20 years of cooking hogs at his family’s acclaimed operation in Hemingway, he brought his traditional burn barrel variety of barbecue right down to Charleston. That splendid whole hog — basted in a pepper-laced sauce and pulled into long, succulent strands — stays the muse of Scott’s offering on King Street, but he’s added a couple of recent options for town crowd, like meaty spareribs, crisp fried catfish and craft beer on tap. The flawless collards and the ribeye sandwiches, produced from pit-smoked steak sliced thin and piled high on soft rolls, are must-try sleepers.
Royal Tern
Seafood
Expensive
Johns Island. 3005 Maybank Hwy. (843) 718-3434
theroyaltern.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Set on Johns Island between Wild Olive and Minero, The Royal Tern is a welcome and well-positioned addition to that existing pair of successful Maybank Highway restaurants. With a give attention to fish, the menu offers an aquarium-full of options. Together with a raw bar, there are a handful of sandwiches, a half-dozen seafood entrees and a hat trick of wood-fired steaks. The constructing can also be glorious. Outside, it’s effortlessly stylish and would look just as appropriate nestled amongst a row of upscale beachfront estates. Inside, the chic, airy space boasts wooden floors and high ceilings adorned with dramatic lights that resemble giant clusters of white grapes. The inside incorporates a variety of current trends, including an open kitchen, marble-topped bar and miles of banquette seating. Among the best-looking joints in the world, The Royal Tern offers a hip place to scratch quite a lot of seafood itches on Johns Island.
SHIKI
Seafood
Moderate
Downtown. 334 E Bay St. (843) 720-8568
shikicharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
One among downtown’s longest standing restaurants, SHIKI delivers fresh sushi rolls, nigiri and more in a comfortable, recently renovated dining room. Owner Hae Gon “David” Park opened SHIKI at 334 East Bay St. in 2001 after moving to Charleston from Latest York City, where he worked at esteemed sushi restaurants like Yuraku, serving as head sushi chef for five years. The chef prides himself on sourcing the highest-quality fish and his technique when making rolls, sashimi and nigiri that’s second to none. Patrons who wish to go big can order the chef’s alternative “omakase,” which translates to “I’ll leave it as much as you” in Japanese. Chef Park will bring out a seemingly limitless assortment of sashimi and nigiri bites, allowing guests to try a bit little bit of all the things. For less devout sushi enthusiasts, there are approachable options like tempura shrimp and avocado rolls, teriyaki beef, pork katsu and more. Shiki’s menu hasn’t modified much over time, but why would it not, because the restaurant helps fill a void in a city that has only a few sushi-focused restaurants. Next time you’re within the mood for top of the range sushi, give this family owned and operated restaurant a try.
Barely North of Broad
Latest Southern
Expensive
Downtown. 192 East Bay St. (843) 723-3424
snobcharleston.com
Serving Lunch (Mon.-Fri.), Dinner (every day), Weekend Brunch
Barely North of Broad is the proper place to take visiting friends for his or her first taste of Charleston cuisine, for it embodies a lot of what makes town’s dining scene special. Since taking the reins in 2016, executive chef Russ Moore has deftly balanced the restaurant’s traditional dishes with more forward-looking fare. Pristinely fresh seafood gets a chic Southern touch on plates like Latest Bedford scallops with tomato ham hock broth or seared tuna topped with crisp fried oysters and tart yellow “mustard Q” sauce. SNOB was a neighborhood charcuterie pioneer and a platter of hearty country pate, savory pork rillettes and luxurious chicken liver mousse is the proper evening starter.
Stella’s
Greek
Moderate
Downtown. 114 St. Philip St. (843) 400-0026
stellascharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
It’s hard to say what’s most striking about Stella’s on St. Philip Street. Is it the hip, yet boisterous vibe? The big portions at an incredibly reasonable price point? Or the vast, authentic and consistently delicious menu? No matter your ultimate conclusion, it is a trifecta price a visit… or five. The grilled octopus and spanakopita are easy perfection, while the saganaki is a visible showstopper and an excuse to pig out on cheese. Stella’s own recipes — namely her calamari and braised lamb shank with No. 5 noodles and brown butter shank sauce, are directly comforting and elevated, testimony to the girl who inspired all of it.
Vern’s
Latest American
Expensive
Downtown. 41 Bogard St.
vernschs.com
Serving dinner (Thurs.-Mon.), Weekend Brunch
Tucked on the corner of Bogard and Ashe streets, Vern’s is the definition of a friendly neighborhood dining spot. And boy, is it popular. This Latest American restaurant offers family-style meals, which permit everyone at a table to enjoy dishes like gnochetti sardi, a wealthy and creamy gnocchi dish with arugula and walnut pesto, or the bavette steak with a sweet-tart balsamic glaze. For those who get the possibility to stop by for weekend brunch, don’t miss the sesame seed pancakes that embrace slices of local fruit and whipped ricotta for a fragile balance of sweet, creamy and nutty flavors. This, nevertheless, is a dish you may not wish to share.
Wild Common
Modern American
Expensive
Downtown. 103 Spring St.
WildCommonCharleston.com
Serving Dinner (Wed.-Sun.)
The experience at Wild Common is different each time. Executive Chef Orlando Pagán changes the menu every day for a one-of-a-kind dinner. Items on the menu may start with crab rice and kimchi for some funk or a baked oyster. And for those who’re feeling fancy AND funky, throw in a caviar course to brighten up the night. Other past menu items include the delightfully pink “Unicorn Grits” from Marsh Hen Mill with yeasted cultured butter or a sturdy duck breast with mushroom quiche. For dessert, expect something playful just like the chef’s elevated tackle a Fig Newton or the chocolate and blood orange terrine with a citrus marmalade, hazelnut and dark chocolate. No two experiences are ever the identical. How cool.
Wild Olive
Italian
Moderate
Johns Island. 2867 Maybank Hwy.
(843) 737-4177
wildoliverestaurant.com
Serving Dinner (every day)
Right off Maybank Highway sits Wild Olive, chef Jacques Larson’s haven for exquisite Italian fare. Since 2009, it has served because the go-to place for anniversary dinners and reunions with old friends. A snug bar greets those on the lookout for an informal bite, but don’t let that relaxed atmosphere deceive you. Larson’s food is anything but. Incredible (and decadent) risotto fritters full of sausage, spinach, Parmesan and mozzarella are an amazing technique to start. And all the time ask in regards to the specials, of which there are plenty. A past highlight was a pappardelle with prosciutto, pork and escarole. Larson is a firm believer in local and his conviction permeates all the things on the plate.
Zero Restaurant + Bar
Modern American
Expensive
Downtown. 0 George St. (843) 817-7900
zerogeorge.com
Serving Dinner (Tues.-Sun.)
On the grounds of the elegant Zero George Street Boutique Hotel, Zero Restaurant + Bar’s romantic dining room is about in a former carriage house inbuilt 1804. Here, chef Vinson Petrillo whips up revolutionary tasting menus with the choice of 4 or seven courses, plus optional wine pairings. Selections vary with the seasons, but anticipate such treats as flippantly grilled mackerel served with foie gras and native citrus, or venison prepared with vadouvan curry and taleggio cheese. Hit up completely happy hour for a craft cocktail; whether wielding a lead pipe or the candlestick, the bourbon-based Colonel Mustard is certain to pack a punch.