Best restaurants in Charleston

Halls Chophouse

Sizable cuts of beef & seafood served in elegant surrounds, also known for its Sunday gospel brunch.

Legend Deli

Counter-order deli on George Street slinging sandwiches and cold beer steps from the College of Charleston.

Circa 1886 Restaurant

Romantic pick with a seasonal & local menu of elevated Lowcountry cuisine plus extensive wine list.

Bert's Market

Corner market and deli on Folly Beach, stocking groceries, cold beer, and sandwiches a block from the water since 1984.

The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips

Huge filets of fish ’n’ chips constitute the entire menu at this unassuming British specialist.

High Cotton Charleston Restaurant

Spacious, refined eatery featuring Lowcountry fare cooked using ingredients from nearby farms.

Magnolias

A refined take on traditional Southern cooking, served in a warm, sophisticated environment.

Baguette Magic Folly Rd

This bright, casual French bakery carries traditional breads, sandwiches, pastries & salads.

Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - James Island

Counter sandwich shop on Folly Road where James Island locals queue for deli-built subs at lunch.

Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.

Avant-garde beers, wood-fired pizzas & high-concept bar eats in a trendy, spacious locale.

FIG

Mike Lata's seasonal, ingredient-driven mainstay on Meeting Street. Reservations are the hardest part.

Boxcar Betty's

Creative fried chicken sandwiches, plus fries, floats & pickles offered in retro counter-serve digs.

Antonio's Pizzeria

No-frills North Charleston pizza counter on Dorchester Road, drawing steady locals since the neighborhood long predates the city's restaurant boom.

Sena Cafe

Tucked into a Mount Pleasant strip, this neighborhood café pours espresso drinks alongside pastries, beer, and wine.

The Establishment

Stylish seafood restaurant offering classic Southern dishes alongside beer, wine & bourbon drinks.

Early Bird Diner

All-day breakfast & American diner classics served in a funky, art-filled setting.

Oscar's of Summerville

Down-home restaurant with porch dining, offering daily specials for lunch & dinner, plus happy hour.

D'Allesandro's Pizza

Neighborhood pizzeria offering lots of sauce & topping options, plus happy hour & lunch specials.

Brasserie La Banque

French brasserie in a restored 19th-century bank building on Broad Street, with vaulted ceilings and a menu built around classic Parisian technique.

The Reserve Tavern and Market

Upscale tavern and bottle shop on Johnnie Dodds where craft cocktails and a curated market share the same Mt. Pleasant strip-mall address.

Wild Common

Tasting-menu only. Quiet room, intentional pacing, locally sourced everything.

Big Gun Burger Shop & Bar

Compact hideaway with creative burgers, craft drafts, classic cocktails & Southern small plates.

Cuoco Pazzo Trattoria

Trattoria offering traditional Italian dishes & a wine list in an intimate atmosphere.

Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe- Mt. Pleasant

Local chain serving ice cream & shakes, plus sandwiches & sides, in a low-key, retro space.

Toasted Crust

Counter-order pizza and wings spot on upper King, where craft pies and cold beer keep a loyal neighborhood crowd coming back.

Circe's Grotto

Tucked-away sandwich shop on Wentworth Street serving lunch with outdoor seating and coffee.

Taste Of The Islands Charleston. SC

Caribbean kitchen on Skylark Drive serving jerk, curry, and island staples with occasional live music in a strip-mall setting.

82 Queen

A swanky bar and intimate courtyard help make this refined Southern spot a special occasion favorite.

Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen

Bright counter-serve spot offering build-your-own banh mi sandwiches, tacos & salads.

Kairos Mediterranean

Counter-service outfit for pick-your-filling pitas, bowls & salads, including falafel & lamb.

Indaco

Rustic eatery starring Italian fare & wood-fired pizzas, hand-crafted pasta, cured sausages & wines.

Sorelle

Italian fine dining from the Indaco team, tucked into a historic Broad Street building with handmade pasta and an Italian wine list.

Boxcar Betty's

Counter-service burger spot in a Mount Pleasant strip mall, known for smash patties and house-made sauces.

Peninsula Grill

Renowned hotel eatery serving elevated Southern fare in a roomy, posh space.

Daps Breakfast & Imbibe

Hash browns, pancakes & egg sandwiches accompany java & cocktails at this hip bar/coffeeshop.

Hugh-Baby's BBQ & Burger Shop

Counter-service burger and BBQ joint on St. Andrews Blvd, slinging smash burgers and smoked meats to West Ashley regulars.

Oak Steakhouse

Locally sourced beef & sustainable seafood in an elegantly renovated historic bank building.

The Library Restaurant

Select dishes are prepared tableside at this formal mainstay with robust wine list & tuxedoed staff.

King's Pizza by: Italian Bistro

Understated pizzeria with basic decor turning out New York–style pies & familiar Italian classics.

East Side Soul Food

Neighborhood soul food counter on America Street, serving lunch plates of fried chicken, collards, and cornbread to the East Side.

Revival

Sleek, modern eatery at the Vendue Hotel focusing on Lowcountry staples with heritage ingredients.

Rio Chico Mexican Restaurant - West Ashley

Traditional Mexican dishes offered in a casual space with a bar mixing margaritas.

Tobin's Market

Neighborhood bar and market on Jackson Street with live music, a dog-friendly beer garden, and bottles to drink there or take home.

Tacos El Pariente

Cash-only taqueria on Clements Ferry serving straightforward Mexican street food to the construction and warehouse crowd on the north peninsula.

Recovery Room Tavern

No-frills bar offering pinball, darts, pool & bocce, along with wings, sandwiches & beer.

Dukes Barbecue

Casual restaurant dishing up Southern barbecue classics at a buffet or via a drive-thru.

The Mason Jar By Fatboys

Unpretentious eatery serving up familiar Southern fare such as fried chicken, seafood & BBQ.

The Drop-In Bar & Deli

Eclectic deli & pub featuring classic & specialty sandwiches, plus local craft beer on tap.

Benny Palmetto's, Pizza

Industrial-style counter-serve pizzeria dishing out ample slices & pies in a quick fashion.

Shokudô

Compact Japanese dining room on upper King serving izakaya-style plates with a focused sake and beer list.

Sabatinos Authentic New York City Pizza

Casual counter-serve pit stop from a Bronx native selling thin-crust pies & slices, subs & starters.

Hannibal's Kitchen

Humble family-owned joint known for crab rice, shark steak & other Southern seafood specialties.

MI LINDO OAXACA TAQUERIA

Family-run Oaxacan taqueria in a Mt. Pleasant strip mall, turning out tlayudas and mole alongside standard tacos.

Easterby's Family Grille

Laid-back, family-run joint offering Southern & American classics, such as burgers, BBQ & seafood.

Tiki Taco

Tacos, burritos & other Mexican staples offered in an informal venue with bright tropical decor.

The Refuge

Bright, modern eatery with coffee, bagels & Wi-Fi by day, cocktails & New American fare by night.

Mario's Italian Grill

Neighborhood Italian-pizza standby on Savannah Highway, doing dine-in, delivery, and gyros out of a strip mall since the West Ashley crowd figured it out.

The Junction Kitchen & Provisions

Rustic-chic kitchen offering creative comfort fare, including tacos, sandwiches & all-day breakfast.

Point Break Coffee & Drive Thru

Drive-thru coffee and acai spot on Folly Road, with dog-friendly seating and occasional live music.

El PinchoTaco

Counter-service taco spot on upper Meeting Street pouring beer and wine alongside straightforward Mexican street food.

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

Counter-service Tex-Mex spot on Coleman Boulevard slinging loaded nachos and cheap beer since the '90s.

The Press

Counter-service sandwich shop on Coming Street, pressing local ingredients between housemade bread for lunch and dinner crowds.

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

French-inflected cafe tucked into the WestEdge development, serving coffee and breakfast with a global pantry.

The Southern Bar & Grill

Informal bar & restaurant serving Southern fare, with live bluegrass, country & jazz music.

Eli's Table

High-end bar/eatery with artful decor & locally sourced Southern fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Señor Tequila

Low-key Mexican kitchen producing a familiar menu of fajitas, quesadillas, tacos & margaritas.

Saltus River Grill

Sophisticated eatery with wood grill, sleek bar & extensive wine list serves steak, seafood & sushi.

Ruby’s New York Style Bagels

New York-style bagels and coffee on Ashley River Road, with a loyal West Ashley following.

Lucy's Deliveries y Mas

Goose Creek strip-mall taqueria serving burritos, tacos, and Latin plates with live music on weekends.

Boxcar Betty's

Benny Ravello's

Casual slice & pie shop with rustic interiors, high-top seating & colorful wall murals.

Benny Rinaldi's

Counter-order pizza spot on East Montague serving New York-style pies with beer and wine in a North Charleston strip mall.

King Street Dispensary

Sophisticated sports bar serving innovative pub fare & a wide selection of local beers & liquors.

Woody's Pizza

Casual quick-serve shop serving pizzas, subs & salads near the beach.

Pizzeria Di Giovanni

Pizza shop serving New York-style pies, catering to a late-night crowd till 3 AM Fridays/Saturdays.

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

Colorful eatery & sports bar for Mexican-inspired bites & drinks, plus live music & patio seating.

Planet Follywood

Offbeat neighborhood bar/eatery offering burgers & other American classics, plus live entertainment.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

Taste Of Tokyo

Easygoing, modern eatery offering self-serve Japanese staples, such as teppanyaki & sushi rolls.

Santi’s West Ashley

Neighborhood Mexican spot on Savannah Highway serving tacos and cold beer in a no-frills West Ashley setting.

The Dive Bar & Grill

No-frills Goose Creek bar and grill with live music, cold beer, and the kind of name that tells you exactly what you're walking into.

The Co-Op Gourmet Sandwiches

Casual sandwich counter on Isle of Palms serving build-your-own options with beer and wine, steps from the beach.

Slice of Folly

Counter-order pizza spot steps from the Folly Beach strip, serving slices and pies for the beach crowd.