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Best Restaurants in Charleston — Ranked by Locals · CharlestonRanked

Home/Restaurants

Charleston · Restaurants

Best restaurants in Charleston

The places locals actually book — from neighborhood lunch spots to tasting-menu nights.

Showing 37 of 590 in Downtown · May 6, 2026

1
41-A George St, Charleston
Legend Deli
Counter-order deli on George Street slinging sandwiches and cold beer steps from the College of Charleston.
4.9436 ratings
Open
2

Downtown240 Pizza54 Mexican39 Sandwich25 Bakery21 West Ashley70 Mount Pleasant57 Seafood85 Outdoor seating416 Takeout524 Brunch232

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AreaDowntown240 West Ashley70 Mount Pleasant57 North Charleston49 James Island39 Sullivan's Island29 Folly Beach23 Isle of Palms20 Hanahan17 Daniel Island14 Summerville9 Johns Island7 Kiawah Island6 Goose Creek4 Seabrook Island4 Wadmalaw Island2 Clear

CuisineItalian45 Sushi35 Mexican39 BBQ25 Seafood85 Steakhouse17 Vietnamese3 Thai8 Pizza54 Sandwich

230 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mt PleasantTrending

Orlando's Pizza Mt Pleasant

Cash-friendly Mt Pleasant pizza spot on Mathis Ferry Road serving New York-style pies with beer and wine.

4.8★·1k ratings

Open

WELTONS TINY BAKESHOP

684 King St, Charleston

WELTONS TINY BAKESHOP

Compact King Street bakery turning out pastries and coffee from a small-format shop with outdoor seating.

4.8★·370 ratings

Baker's Bar

6 Windermere Blvd, CharlestonTrending

Baker's Bar

Neighborhood pizza and beer spot on Windermere Boulevard with live music and a loyal West Ashley following.

4.8★·3.1k ratings

La Pizzeria

976 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt PleasantTrending

La Pizzeria

Brick-oven pizzas & other Italian comfort fare from a cozy, low-key family-run Italian spot.

4.7★·910 ratings

Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar

198 E Bay St STE 100, Charleston

Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar

Tranquil eatery featuring sandwiches & charcuterie, classic Italian desserts, wine & cocktails.

4.7★·2.9k ratings

D'Allesandro's Pizza

229 St Philip St, CharlestonTrending

D'Allesandro's Pizza

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

4.6★·1.7k ratings

MESU

570 King St, CharlestonTrending

MESU

Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant on upper King Street, with sushi and tacos sharing a menu alongside cocktails and occasional live music.

4.6★·1.4k ratings

Toasted Crust

451 King St, Charleston

Toasted Crust

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

4.6★·242 ratings

Circe's Grotto

85 1/2, 85 Wentworth St, Charleston

Circe's Grotto

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

4.6★·389 ratings

Tutti Pizza

700 King St suite a, Charleston

Tutti Pizza

Neapolitan-style pizza spot on lower King, pouring local beers and wine alongside wood-fired pies.

4.7★·182 ratings

Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen

162 Spring St, Charleston

Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen

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

4.6★·577 ratings

Indaco

526 King St, Charleston

Indaco

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

4.6★·1.7k ratings

Porchetta Shop

109 President St, Charleston

Porchetta Shop

Counter-service spot on President Street built around porchetta sandwiches, with coffee and rotating small plates.

4.6★·598 ratings

Renzo

384 Huger St #4126, CharlestonTrending

Renzo

Wood-fired Neopolitan pizza, pasta & an extensive wine list in an upscale neighborhood trattoria.

4.7★·3.3k ratings

Mercantile & Mash

701 E Bay St Suite 100-1, Charleston

Mercantile & Mash

Sprawling setup combining grocery, whiskey bar, coffee, wine & butcher shops, plus dining & games.

4.5★·971 ratings

Daniela's Downtown

132 Spring St, Charleston

Daniela's Downtown

Neighborhood coffee shop and deli on Spring Street, pouring espresso and serving pastries alongside beer and wine.

4.6★·121 ratings

Rancho Lewis

1503 King St, Charleston

Rancho Lewis

Ford Fry's Tex-Mex outpost on upper King, slinging smoked meats, flour tortillas, and margaritas in a lively, wood-paneled room.

4.6★·8.2k ratings

Taco Boy Charleston

217 Huger St, Charleston

Taco Boy Charleston

Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.

4.4★·3.3k ratings

Benny Palmetto's, Pizza

433 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant

Benny Palmetto's, Pizza

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

4.4★·752 ratings

Timber Pizza Co.

741 Meeting St Ste 102, Charleston

Timber Pizza Co.

Wood-fired pizza spot on Meeting Street, hauling its DC roots into the NoMo corridor.

4.5★·128 ratings

Sabatinos Authentic New York City Pizza

151 Calhoun St, Charleston

Sabatinos Authentic New York City Pizza

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

4.4★·936 ratings

Cachita's Kitchen Downtown

2 N Market St, Charleston

Cachita's Kitchen Downtown

Cuban-Mexican kitchen on Market Street serving ropa vieja and tacos in a compact, dog-friendly dining room.

4.3★·194 ratings

Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano

1302 Meeting St, Charleston

Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano

A collection of eclectic chandeliers light up the Mexican & Southwest food & frozen drinks.

4.4★·2.1k ratings

El PinchoTaco

616 Meeting St ste b, Charleston

El PinchoTaco

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

4.4★·591 ratings

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

410 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

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

4.4★·1.3k ratings

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

Parking lot, 22 Westedge St Suite 101, Charleston

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

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

4.4★·284 ratings

Ru Ru's Tacos & Tequila

159 E Bay St, Charleston

Ru Ru's Tacos & Tequila

Casual Mexican spot on East Bay slinging tacos and tequila to the downtown lunch and late-night crowd.

4.3★·1.6k ratings

Caviar & Bananas - Gourmet Market & Cafe

George Street Apartments, 51 George St, Charleston

Caviar & Bananas - Gourmet Market & Cafe

Gourmet market & cafe offering a range of eats, including sandwiches, salads & pastries.

4.3★·604 ratings

Benny Ravello's

520 King St, Charleston

Benny Ravello's

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

4.2★·803 ratings

Ruby's New York Style Bagels, LLC

280 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant

Ruby's New York Style Bagels, LLC

New York-style bagels and coffee on Coleman Boulevard, covering breakfast and takeout in Mount Pleasant.

4.3★·446 ratings

Pizzeria Di Giovanni

40 N Market St, Charleston

Pizzeria Di Giovanni

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

4.2★·1.5k ratings

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

439 King St, Charleston

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

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

4.2★·1.5k ratings

Handy and Hot

68 Wentworth St, Charleston

Handy and Hot

Quaint, cool restaurant whipping up sweet & savory biscuits & hand pies, plus coffee.

4.2★·217 ratings

Benne’s by Peninsula Grill

112 N Market St, Charleston

Benne’s by Peninsula Grill

Daytime coffee shop and evening cocktail bar from the Peninsula Grill team, tucked into the Market Street corridor.

4.2★·252 ratings

Agaves Cantina Coleman Blvd

320 W Coleman Blvd unit p, Mt Pleasant

Agaves Cantina Coleman Blvd

Neighborhood Mexican cantina on Coleman Boulevard serving margaritas and tacos in a casual, reservable dining room.

4.2★·251 ratings

Gilroy's Pizza Pub

353 King St, Charleston

Gilroy's Pizza Pub

Pizza, calzones, chicken sandwiches & subs served with Irish style in a diner atmosphere.

4.0★·886 ratings

25

VibeDate night25 Brunch232 Cheap eats83 Outdoor seating416 Late night8

AmenitiesReservations310 Takeout524 Delivery300