Legend Deli
Counter-order deli on George Street slinging sandwiches and cold beer steps from the College of Charleston.
The places locals actually book — from neighborhood lunch spots to tasting-menu nights.
Counter-order deli on George Street slinging sandwiches and cold beer steps from the College of Charleston.
Compact King Street Extension sushi counter serving omakase-style dinners with reservations and a short beer list.
Compact, unpretentious locale for sashimi, specialty sushi rolls & Japanese kitchen entrees.
Compact King Street bakery turning out pastries and coffee from a small-format shop with outdoor seating.
This bright, casual French bakery carries traditional breads, sandwiches, pastries & salads.
Counter sandwich shop on Folly Road where James Island locals queue for deli-built subs at lunch.
Casual Mexican kitchen on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, serving wine alongside tacos and plates with free parking out front.
Compact East Bay sushi bar with a focused menu, sake list, and reliable omakase options in a spare, dimly lit room.
Taco and beer spot on Reynolds Ave in North Charleston with live music nights and a loyal neighborhood following.
Dual-concept West Ashley strip mall spot serving build-your-own poke bowls and Japanese ramen under one roof.
Strip-mall Japanese on Savannah Highway serving sushi and cooked dishes, with beer and wine, to a loyal West Ashley crowd.
Tucked into a Mount Pleasant strip, this neighborhood café pours espresso drinks alongside pastries, beer, and wine.
Trendy spot with brunch doling out Mexican standards, plus desserts & cocktails.
Neighborhood coffee shop in a Johns Island strip mall serving bagels, pastries, and beer and wine alongside the usual espresso drinks.
Neighborhood sushi counter on Folly Road that doubles as a sports bar, drawing James Island regulars for rolls and draft beer.
Relaxed, family-friendly Japanese restaurant offering a sushi menu, tempura & teppanyaki meals.
Neighborhood bakery-cafe on Savannah Highway slinging scratch pastries and coffee to the West Ashley morning crowd.
Tranquil eatery featuring sandwiches & charcuterie, classic Italian desserts, wine & cocktails.
Counter-service Mexican on Ashley Phosphate, built on a loyal North Charleston following and straightforward tacos that don't need explaining.
Classic pub fare & a long list of beers on draft at this lively tavern with pool & other games.
Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant on upper King Street, with sushi and tacos sharing a menu alongside cocktails and occasional live music.
New York-style pizza shop on Bees Ferry Road, slinging pies by the slice alongside bagels out of a strip mall.
Local diner chain serving classic American breakfast & lunch fare in a warm atmosphere.
Vegan bakery and coffee cafe on Ashley River Road, built around house-made cookies and plant-based cafe staples.
Counter-service Vietnamese on upper King, built around pho, banh mi, and rice bowls with a tight beer list.
Family-run Cuban-Mexican kitchen on Chuck Dawley, known for made-from-scratch plates and a loyal Mount Pleasant following.
Local chain serving ice cream & shakes, plus sandwiches & sides, in a low-key, retro space.
Tucked-away sandwich shop on Wentworth Street serving lunch with outdoor seating and coffee.
Laid-back, late-night hangout offering sushi, cocktails, beer & a roster of live entertainment.
Bright counter-serve spot offering build-your-own banh mi sandwiches, tacos & salads.
Breezy Sullivan's Island cantina serving tacos, coastal seafood, and margaritas a block from the beach.
Compact Japanese counter in West Ashley strip mall serving sushi with a tight menu and an unusually high local following.
Counter-service spot on President Street built around porchetta sandwiches, with coffee and rotating small plates.
Neighborhood hibachi grill & sushi specialist serving bento boxes, noodle bowls & wok-fried rice.
Hip restaurant serving sushi & Asian-fusion cuisine boasts a large bar with happy hour.
Japanese eatery serving creative rolls, hibachi & bento box entrees in a stylish space with a patio.
Neapolitan pizza and espresso from a dog-friendly roadside café on SC-162 in Hollywood.
Birria-focused Mexican counter on Dorchester Road serving consommé-dipped tacos with beer and wine in North Charleston.
Sprawling setup combining grocery, whiskey bar, coffee, wine & butcher shops, plus dining & games.
Sushi is served alongside familiar Japanese dishes & Chinese specialties at this informal eatery.
Traditional Mexican dishes offered in a casual space with a bar mixing margaritas.
Counter-service taqueria on Rivers Avenue serving North Charleston's working lunch crowd with straightforward Mexican plates.
Cash-only taqueria on Clements Ferry serving straightforward Mexican street food to the construction and warehouse crowd on the north peninsula.
Lively eatery dishing out Mexican favorites, including tacos and tortas, in hip, casual environs.
West Ashley craft brewery slinging pizza and wings alongside rotating house beers in a casual, family-friendly taproom.
Neighborhood coffee shop and deli on Spring Street, pouring espresso and serving pastries alongside beer and wine.
Traditional Mexican dishes offered in a casual space with a bar mixing margaritas.
Ford Fry's Tex-Mex outpost on upper King, slinging smoked meats, flour tortillas, and margaritas in a lively, wood-paneled room.
Ohio-based taco chain with build-your-own options and a full bar, planted in the Towne Centre shopping complex.
Sprawling neighborhood bar-and-grill on Ashley River Road with wings, live music, and a loyal local crowd.
Happening Japanese eatery & lounge with trendy environs sporting exposed brick & high ceilings.
Crêpes, tartines, quiches & elegant French-style pastries offered in a bright, modern space.
Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.
Compact Japanese dining room on upper King serving izakaya-style plates with a focused sake and beer list.
Neighborhood Mexican cantina on Sam Rittenberg with margaritas, live music, and a reliable Cal-Mex menu.
Neighborhood Mexican spot on Maybank Highway serving tacos and margaritas with beer on tap and a strip-mall patio.
Grilled hibachi fare, sushi & Pan-Asian plates served in an upscale lounge setting with bar.
Counter-service spot on W Montague dishing grits bowls, burgers, and seafood in no-frills North Charleston digs.
Sleek Japanese venue serving creative sushi rolls, hibachi & Thai bites in modern digs with a patio.
Casual eatery offering BBQ beef, pork & veggies cooked on tabletop grills, plus sushi.
Family-run Oaxacan taqueria in a Mt. Pleasant strip mall, turning out tlayudas and mole alongside standard tacos.
Wood-fired Neapolitan pies and Italian wine on Maybank Highway, tucked into a James Island strip mall.
Tacos, burritos & other Mexican staples offered in an informal venue with bright tropical decor.
Cuban-Mexican kitchen on Market Street serving ropa vieja and tacos in a compact, dog-friendly dining room.
Local deli chain doling out made-to-order sandwiches along with salads, baked potatoes & hot dogs.
A collection of eclectic chandeliers light up the Mexican & Southwest food & frozen drinks.
Neighborhood strip-mall Thai and sushi spot on Coleman Boulevard, steady enough to earn loyal Mt. Pleasant regulars over the years.
Dog-friendly coffee stop on Maybank Highway serving Johns Island commuters and farm-road regulars.
Counter-service taco spot on upper Meeting Street pouring beer and wine alongside straightforward Mexican street food.
Neighborhood sushi spot on Wappoo Road serving rolls, hibachi, and all-you-can-eat buffet with beer on tap.
Counter-service Tex-Mex spot on Coleman Boulevard slinging loaded nachos and cheap beer since the '90s.
Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.
French-inflected cafe tucked into the WestEdge development, serving coffee and breakfast with a global pantry.
Fast-casual counter on King Street serving sushi burritos and poke bowls where Hawaiian and Japanese overlap.
Neighborhood sushi bar and sports pub on Old Towne Road, serving rolls alongside draft beer and wall-to-wall screens.
Strip-mall Mexican in Mount Pleasant with margaritas, live music, and a loyal local following on Shoremeade Road.
Hibachi tables and sushi rolls on Folly Road, serving James Island's suburban strip with teppanyaki theatrics and standard Japanese fare.
Casual strip-mall taco spot in Summerville slinging Mexican staples with beer and a loyal local following.
Low-key Mexican kitchen producing a familiar menu of fajitas, quesadillas, tacos & margaritas.
Neighborhood Mexican spot on Foundation Street slinging tacos and an extensive tequila list in a casual, no-fuss setting.
Sophisticated eatery with wood grill, sleek bar & extensive wine list serves steak, seafood & sushi.
New York-style bagels and coffee on Ashley River Road, with a loyal West Ashley following.
Neighborhood Mexican spot on Folly Road serving margaritas and Tex-Mex standards to James Island regulars.
Calm, cozy eatery featuring creative takes on sushi, plus Japanese & Korean dishes.
Goose Creek strip-mall taqueria serving burritos, tacos, and Latin plates with live music on weekends.
Casual Mexican spot on East Bay slinging tacos and tequila to the downtown lunch and late-night crowd.
Gourmet market & cafe offering a range of eats, including sandwiches, salads & pastries.
Casual taco-and-tequila spot on Daniel Island serving Mexican standards with a full bar.
Strip-mall taqueria on US-78 in Ladson serving birria-style red tacos with consistent ratings from a loyal local following.
Strip-mall taco and tequila spot in Hanahan with a loyal local following and a full bar.
Sleek venue featuring signature sushi rolls & hibachi entrees, plus a full bar & daily happy hour.
Casual quick-serve shop serving pizzas, subs & salads near the beach.
Hand-rolled bagels and counter coffee on the Isle of Palms, drawing a steady beach-town breakfast crowd.
New York-style bagels and coffee on Coleman Boulevard, covering breakfast and takeout in Mount Pleasant.
Family-run Italian market and deli on Scott Street serving imported goods, sandwiches, and wine in Mount Pleasant.
Chinese & Japanese dishes, plus creative maki, served in a simple dining area with a sushi bar.
Low-key, unfussy Mexican eatery featuring classic standards plus patio seating, margaritas & beers.
Neighborhood bagel shop on Magwood Drive serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee to West Ashley regulars.
Colorful eatery & sports bar for Mexican-inspired bites & drinks, plus live music & patio seating.
Quaint, cool restaurant whipping up sweet & savory biscuits & hand pies, plus coffee.
Hip choice for contemporary twists on Southeast Asian staples like pho, banh mi & dumplings.
Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.
Neighborhood sports bar off Highway 17 with pizza, sandwiches, and dog-friendly patio in the Belle Hall corridor.
Daytime coffee shop and evening cocktail bar from the Peninsula Grill team, tucked into the Market Street corridor.
Neighborhood cafe and market on McCarthy Street in North Charleston, pouring coffee and serving sandwiches alongside beer and wine.
Neighborhood strip-mall Japanese grill in West Ashley serving sushi and cooked plates with free parking and delivery options.
Neighborhood Mexican cantina on Coleman Boulevard serving margaritas and tacos in a casual, reservable dining room.
Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.
Family-friendly Japanese spot featuring sushi, hibachi cooking tables & a lengthy sake selection.
Casual eatery that offers multiple varieties of bagels to go as well as stacked bagel sandwiches.
Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.
Sushi plus hibachi & tempura entrees served by chefs that combine classic & Western-inspired styles.
Easygoing, modern eatery offering self-serve Japanese staples, such as teppanyaki & sushi rolls.
Neighborhood Mexican spot on Savannah Highway serving tacos and cold beer in a no-frills West Ashley setting.
Landmark no-frills barbecue joint with meat slow-cooked in a wood-fire pit, plus outdoor seating.
Local chain serving a menu of sushi & Pan-Asian entrees in a contemporary, stylish space.
Casual beach-strip pizza and sandwich counter on the Isle of Palms, steps from the ocean, with beer and a dog-friendly patio.