Charleston · Restaurants

Best restaurants in Charleston

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

Showing 35 of 594 · May 4, 2026

BBQ25 Bakery21 Outdoor seating421 Downtown244 West Ashley70 Mount Pleasant57 Seafood85 Takeout529 Pizza54 Brunch236

4.8 · 250
1
464 N Nassau St, CharlestonTrending
Lewis Barbecue
Texas-style brisket and hot guts in a big open-air pit yard on the upper peninsula.
4.715k ratingsbbq · brisket · outdoor
Open
4.9 · 48
2
684 King St, Charleston
WELTONS TINY BAKESHOP
Compact King Street bakery turning out pastries and coffee from a small-format shop with outdoor seating.
4.8370 ratings
Open
4.8 · 249
3
2209 Middle St, Sullivan's IslandTrending
Home Team BBQ
Bustling tavern serving generous portions of smoked meat & Southern sides, plus frequent live music.
4.71.9k ratings
Open
4.7 · 250
4
1217 Savannah Hwy, CharlestonTrending
Swig & Swine
House-smoked meats & creative sides served in a funky BBQ spot with outdoor seating, beer & bourbon.
4.73.8k ratings
Open
4.7 · 250
5
302 Coleman Blvd, Mt PleasantTrending
Page's Okra Grill
Generous portions of casual Southern-focused home cooking are served all day at this lively eatery.
4.712k ratings
Open
4.8 · 68
6
2170 Snyder Cir #117, Mt Pleasant
Sena Cafe
Tucked into a Mount Pleasant strip, this neighborhood café pours espresso drinks alongside pastries, beer, and wine.
4.7520 ratings
Open
4.7 · 88
7
1802 Crowne Commons Way #C1, Johns Island
KISS Cafe
Neighborhood coffee shop in a Johns Island strip mall serving bagels, pastries, and beer and wine alongside the usual espresso drinks.
4.7673 ratings
Open
4.6 · 250
8
198 E Bay St STE 100, Charleston
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar
Tranquil eatery featuring sandwiches & charcuterie, classic Italian desserts, wine & cocktails.
4.72.9k ratings
Open
4.7 · 162
9
1622 Highland Ave, CharlestonTrending
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Tennessee whole-hog pit barbecue outfit on Highland Ave, with live music and cold beer to back it up.
4.61.2k ratings
Open
4.5 · 250
10
1011 King St, CharlestonFeatured
Rodney Scott's BBQ
Whole-hog pitmaster Rodney Scott's flagship. Wood-burned pork, white bread, hot sauce.
4.57.9k ratingsbbq · casual · takeout
Open
4.7 · 182
11
2366 Ashley River Rd Building 1, CharlestonTrending
Palmira Barbecue
Colombian-inflected barbecue from pitmaster Hector Gaitan on Ashley River Road, where smoked meats meet South American spice.
4.51.4k ratings
Open
4.6 · 250
12
1205 Ashley River Rd, CharlestonTrending
Home Team BBQ
Bustling tavern serving generous portions of smoked meat & Southern sides, plus frequent live music.
4.54.9k ratings
Open
4.6 · 39
13
6231a SC-162, Hollywood
Pizza A Modo Mio and Cafe
Neapolitan pizza and espresso from a dog-friendly roadside café on SC-162 in Hollywood.
4.6296 ratings
Open
4.6 · 91
14
2029 Carver Ave, North Charleston
King BBQ
Chinese-run barbecue spot on Carver Avenue in North Charleston, pulling steady locals with smoked meat and a full bar.
4.5695 ratings
Open
4.5 · 127
15
701 E Bay St Suite 100-1, Charleston
Mercantile & Mash
Sprawling setup combining grocery, whiskey bar, coffee, wine & butcher shops, plus dining & games.
4.5971 ratings
Open
4.5 · 162
16
331 Folly Rd, Charleston
Dukes Barbecue
Casual restaurant dishing up Southern barbecue classics at a buffet or via a drive-thru.
4.51.2k ratings
Open
4.7 · 17
17
6270 SC-162, Hollywood
Easton Barbecue Co.
Roadside SC-162 pit stop in Hollywood slinging barbecue with beer and wine on the side.
4.6131 ratings
Open
4.8 · 16
18
132 Spring St, Charleston
Daniela's Downtown
Neighborhood coffee shop and deli on Spring Street, pouring espresso and serving pastries alongside beer and wine.
4.6121 ratings
Open
4.5 · 106
19
1960 Long Grove Dr, Mt Pleasant
Saveurs du Monde Cafe
Crêpes, tartines, quiches & elegant French-style pastries offered in a bright, modern space.
4.4814 ratings
Open
4.4 · 131
20
2379 SC-41, Mt Pleasant
Swig & Swine Mount Pleasant
Pit-smoked barbecue joint off SC-41 in Mount Pleasant, with beer, wine, and a loyal following of 873 reviewers.
4.41k ratings
Open
4.5 · 37
21
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.
4.4284 ratings
Open
4.2 · 250
22
188 E Bay St, Charleston
Poogan's Smokehouse
Industrial-chic hot spot serving locally sourced, traditional Southern BBQ & stylish cocktails.
4.27.1k ratings
Open
4.3 · 250
23
538 Folly Rd, Charleston
Melvin's BBQ - James Island
Family-friendly BBQ eatery serving ribs & other Southern dishes in casual, woodsy surrounds.
4.69.9k ratings
Open
4.5 · 251
24
1990 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville
Swig & Swine
4.53.2k ratings
Open
4.3 · 250
25
4964 Centre Pointe Dr, North Charleston
Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q
Laid-back chain known for slow-cooked BBQ & cheese biscuits, plus burgers, salads & classic sides.
4.24k ratings
Open
4.2 · 250
26
Patriots Plaza Shopping Center, 925 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant
Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant
Family-friendly BBQ eatery serving ribs & other Southern dishes in casual, woodsy surrounds.
4.22.7k ratings
Open
4.1 · 250
27
2544 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
Southern Roots Smokehouse
Low-key outlet for smoked meats & classic sides served in a rustic BBQ spot with beers & cocktails.
4.15.5k ratings
Open
4.2 · 250
28
130 Mill St, Mt Pleasant
Saltwater Cowboys
Smoked meats, local seafood & a robust drink menu in a sprawling locale directly on Shem Creek.
4.25.3k ratings
Open
4.4 · 28
29
68 Wentworth St, Charleston
Handy and Hot
Quaint, cool restaurant whipping up sweet & savory biscuits & hand pies, plus coffee.
4.2217 ratings
Open
4.3 · 79
30
3563 US-17, Mt Pleasant
Home Team BBQ
4.4605 ratings
Open
4.1 · 33
31
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.
4.2252 ratings
Open
4.3 · 6
32
4399 McCarthy Street, North Charleston
The Market @ Paradiso
Neighborhood cafe and market on McCarthy Street in North Charleston, pouring coffee and serving sandwiches alongside beer and wine.
4.248 ratings
Open
4.1 · 66
33
520 Folly Rd #60, Charleston
Bagel Nation
Casual eatery that offers multiple varieties of bagels to go as well as stacked bagel sandwiches.
4.0507 ratings
Open
4.0 · 72
34
700 Governors Dr, Kiawah Island
Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House
Haute hub at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Southern BBQ meals, local craft beers & outdoor seating.
4.1550 ratings
Open
3.9 · 250
35
1602 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
Bessinger's BBQ
Landmark no-frills barbecue joint with meat slow-cooked in a wood-fire pit, plus outdoor seating.
4.13k ratings
Open