Best restaurants in Charleston

Lewis Barbecue

Texas-style brisket and hot guts in a big open-air pit yard on the upper peninsula.

WELTONS TINY BAKESHOP

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

Baguette Magic Folly Rd

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

Home Team BBQ

Bustling tavern serving generous portions of smoked meat & Southern sides, plus frequent live music.

Swig & Swine

House-smoked meats & creative sides served in a funky BBQ spot with outdoor seating, beer & bourbon.

Page's Okra Grill

Generous portions of casual Southern-focused home cooking are served all day at this lively eatery.

Sena Cafe

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

KISS Cafe

Neighborhood coffee shop in a Johns Island strip mall serving bagels, pastries, and beer and wine alongside the usual espresso drinks.

Locals Sushi & Sports Pub - James Island

Neighborhood sushi counter on Folly Road that doubles as a sports bar, drawing James Island regulars for rolls and draft beer.

WildFlour Pastry

Neighborhood bakery-cafe on Savannah Highway slinging scratch pastries and coffee to the West Ashley morning crowd.

Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar

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

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.

MESU

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

Palmira Barbecue

Colombian-inflected barbecue from pitmaster Hector Gaitan on Ashley River Road, where smoked meats meet South American spice.

Home Team BBQ

Bustling tavern serving generous portions of smoked meat & Southern sides, plus frequent live music.

Locals Sushi & Sports Pub - Mt Pleasant

Laid-back, late-night hangout offering sushi, cocktails, beer & a roster of live entertainment.

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.

Rodney Scott's BBQ

Whole-hog pitmaster Rodney Scott's flagship. Wood-burned pork, white bread, hot sauce.

Sushi Taro Japanese Restaurant

Japanese eatery serving creative rolls, hibachi & bento box entrees in a stylish space with a patio.

Pizza A Modo Mio and Cafe

Neapolitan pizza and espresso from a dog-friendly roadside café on SC-162 in Hollywood.

King BBQ

Chinese-run barbecue spot on Carver Avenue in North Charleston, pulling steady locals with smoked meat and a full bar.

Mercantile & Mash

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

Dukes Barbecue

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

Easton Barbecue Co.

Roadside SC-162 pit stop in Hollywood slinging barbecue with beer and wine on the side.

Daniela's Downtown

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

Cedar Creek Tavern Charleston

Sprawling neighborhood bar-and-grill on Ashley River Road with wings, live music, and a loyal local crowd.

Saveurs du Monde Cafe

Crêpes, tartines, quiches & elegant French-style pastries offered in a bright, modern space.

Shokudô

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

Wasabi of Daniel Island

Sleek Japanese venue serving creative sushi rolls, hibachi & Thai bites in modern digs with a patio.

Swig & Swine Mount Pleasant

Pit-smoked barbecue joint off SC-41 in Mount Pleasant, with beer, wine, and a loyal following of 873 reviewers.

843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House

Casual eatery offering BBQ beef, pork & veggies cooked on tabletop grills, plus sushi.

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

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

Locals Sushi & Sports Pub - West Ashley

Neighborhood sushi bar and sports pub on Old Towne Road, serving rolls alongside draft beer and wall-to-wall screens.

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.

Kanpai Japanese Restaurant

Calm, cozy eatery featuring creative takes on sushi, plus Japanese & Korean dishes.

Poogan's Smokehouse

Industrial-chic hot spot serving locally sourced, traditional Southern BBQ & stylish cocktails.

Melvin's BBQ - James Island

Family-friendly BBQ eatery serving ribs & other Southern dishes in casual, woodsy surrounds.

Swig & Swine

Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill

Sleek venue featuring signature sushi rolls & hibachi entrees, plus a full bar & daily happy hour.

Ruby's New York Style Bagels, LLC

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

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q

Laid-back chain known for slow-cooked BBQ & cheese biscuits, plus burgers, salads & classic sides.

Melvin's BBQ - Mt Pleasant

Family-friendly BBQ eatery serving ribs & other Southern dishes in casual, woodsy surrounds.

Southern Roots Smokehouse

Low-key outlet for smoked meats & classic sides served in a rustic BBQ spot with beers & cocktails.

Saltwater Cowboys

Smoked meats, local seafood & a robust drink menu in a sprawling locale directly on Shem Creek.

Bagel Nation

Neighborhood bagel shop on Magwood Drive serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee to West Ashley regulars.

Handy and Hot

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

CO Restaurant

Hip choice for contemporary twists on Southeast Asian staples like pho, banh mi & dumplings.

Home Team BBQ

Benne’s by Peninsula Grill

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

The Market @ Paradiso

Neighborhood cafe and market on McCarthy Street in North Charleston, pouring coffee and serving sandwiches alongside beer and wine.

Sake House Japanese Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant

Family-friendly Japanese spot featuring sushi, hibachi cooking tables & a lengthy sake selection.

Bagel Nation

Casual eatery that offers multiple varieties of bagels to go as well as stacked bagel sandwiches.

Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House

Haute hub at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Southern BBQ meals, local craft beers & outdoor seating.

Taste Of Tokyo

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

Bessinger's BBQ

Landmark no-frills barbecue joint with meat slow-cooked in a wood-fire pit, plus outdoor seating.

Tsunami Japanese Restaurant

Local chain serving a menu of sushi & Pan-Asian entrees in a contemporary, stylish space.