Best restaurants in Charleston

Cane Pazzo

Neighborhood Italian on Yeamans Hall Road in Hanahan, serving wine and beer in a reservable dining room.

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.

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse

Serves Brazilian-style grilled meats and gourmet salads in a cozy ambience.

Halls Chophouse Nexton (Summerville)

Suburban outpost of the Charleston steakhouse institution, serving prime cuts and live music in Summerville's Nexton development.

Page's Okra Grill

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

Wild Olive Restaurant - Johns Island, SC

Rustic-chic dining with a simple menu of artisanal Italian dishes & a sizable wine list.

Burwell's Stone Fire Grill - Prime Steak & Fresh Seafood

Refined American & steakhouse fare offered in elegant, contemporary accommodations.

Sena Cafe

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

Grace & Grit

Creatively flavored grits accompany the surf 'n' turf at this area-sourced Southern specialist.

KISS Cafe

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

Ray's Pizza

No-frills Folly Road pizza counter doing takeout and delivery for the James Island crowd.

La Pizzeria

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

Hachiya Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar

Relaxed, family-friendly Japanese restaurant offering a sushi menu, tempura & teppanyaki meals.

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.

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.

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.

Pizza a Modo Mio (New York Pizzeria)

New York-style pizza shop on Bees Ferry Road, slinging pies by the slice alongside bagels out of a strip mall.

Annie O' Love's Cookie Cafe

Vegan bakery and coffee cafe on Ashley River Road, built around house-made cookies and plant-based cafe staples.

Coda Del Pesce

Housemade pasta & Italian seafood dishes served in a light-filled eatery with a patio & ocean views.

Orlando's Brick Oven Pizza

Airy, modern pizzeria with counter seating serving brick-oven pies with classic salads & draft beer.

Cuoco Pazzo Trattoria

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

Palmira Barbecue

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

Laura Summerville

Family-run Italian on North Main in Summerville, with a long-standing local following and a straightforward red-sauce menu.

Home Team BBQ

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

Thailicious Thai Cuisine and Hotpot

Thai kitchen and hot pot spot tucked into a Magwood Drive strip center, serving beer alongside build-your-own broth pots and Bangkok staples.

Legami

Neighborhood Italian on upper King, built around handmade pasta and a concise wine list.

Thai Elephants Restaurant (James Island)

Casual place with ornate, traditional decor offering classic Thai dishes as well as Japanese sushi.

Three Girls on Spring

Intimate Italian spot on Spring Street, built around handmade pasta and a short, rotating menu in a snug dining room.

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.

Mondo's Italian Restaurant

Traditional Italian fare in a casual atmosphere with outdoor patio, daily specials & a full bar.

Porchetta Shop

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

Melfi's

Neighborhood Italian on upper King serving red-sauce classics and hand-rolled pasta in a warm, low-lit room.

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.

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.

Opal Restaurant & Bar

Mediterranean fare & an extensive wine selection are offered in a lofty, sophisticated setting.

Fabio's Italian TAKE-OUT

Counter-service Italian spot on Ashley River Road, slinging takeout pasta and dinner plates to West Ashley locals.

Pizza A Modo Mio and Cafe

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

By the Grace of GRITS Catering

North Charleston catering operation specializing in Southern comfort food and barbecue for weddings and private events.

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.

Mango Tree Thai Cafe

Neighborhood Thai spot on Huger Street serving curries, noodles, and beer in a low-key strip mall setting.

King's Pizza by: Italian Bistro

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

ThaiZapp Restaurant and bar

Straightforward restaurant offering traditional Thai cuisine, including chicken satay & dumplings.

The Ocean Room

High-end steakhouse & sushi lounge in an oceanside setting in the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island resort.

Le Farfalle

Bright & airy neighborhood osteria for thoughtfully sourced, reimagined Italian cuisine & cocktails.

Grill 225

Fine-dining chophouse in the Market Pavilion Hotel featuring handpicked cuts & a big wine list.

Dukes Barbecue

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

Frannie & The Fox

Relaxed Italian restaurant offering wood-fired pizzas & happy hours, plus homey decor & a courtyard.

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.

Volpe's

Neighborhood Italian on Rutledge Ave serving wine and pasta in a casual, no-fuss room.

Mario's Italian Ristorante

Easygoing Italian establishment with exposed-brick walls offering pasta, pizzas & desserts.

Alfredo's On Folly

Folly Beach Italian spot dishing pasta and pies a block off the strip, with beer, wine, and free parking.

SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar

Neighborhood Italian spot in Mount Pleasant with a wine bar focus, live music, and a menu built around pasta and wood-fired dishes.

Bricco Bracco

Classic pastas & other homestyle Italian dishes served in a comfortable setting with a full bar.

Migliori's Pizzeria

Hand-tossed pies, sandwiches & salads served with beer & wine in a casual modern spot with a patio.

Saveurs du Monde Cafe

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

Hutson Alley

Tucked into a cobblestone alley off John Street, this intimate steakhouse and seafood spot draws regulars with a compact, focused menu.

LongHorn Steakhouse

Casual steakhouse chain known for grilled beef & other American dishes in a ranch-style space.

Swig & Swine Mount Pleasant

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

Crust Wood Fired Pizza

Wood-fired Neapolitan pies and Italian wine on Maybank Highway, tucked into a James Island strip mall.

Basil Park Circle

Traditional & contemporary Thai dishes like curries in a stylish small-chain outpost.

Chow Bella Kitchen & Culinary

Italian catering and culinary consulting operation on Signal Point Road, handling weddings and private events out of a working kitchen.

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.

Tasty Thai & Sushi

Neighborhood strip-mall Thai and sushi spot on Coleman Boulevard, steady enough to earn loyal Mt. Pleasant regulars over the years.

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

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

KING STREET FOODS

Fast-casual counter on King Street serving sushi burritos and poke bowls where Hawaiian and Japanese overlap.

Coastal Crust James Island

Neighborhood pizza and Italian spot on James Island's Harbor View Road, pouring beer and wine alongside wood-fired pies.

Anjo’s Pizza & Pasta

Neighborhood Italian spot in a Mount Pleasant strip mall, slinging pizza and pasta for dine-in or delivery.

Ruby’s New York Style Bagels

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

Baroni's New York Pizza

Local chain serving NY-style, stone-oven-baked pies, plus grinders & pasta, in a casual setting.

Ciao Bella Restaurant, Pizzeria, Martini Bar Charlston SC

West Ashley strip-mall Italian with a full martini bar, wood-fired pies, and enough parking to bring the whole family.

Coastal Crust

Neighborhood pizza and coffee spot on Simmons Street in Mount Pleasant, slinging pies and espresso with beer on tap.

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.

Vespa Pizzeria

Wood-fired pizzas made with local produce are served in a room decked out with recycled Vespa tires.

Swig & Swine

Jeff's Bagel Run

Hand-rolled bagels and counter coffee on the Isle of Palms, drawing a steady beach-town breakfast crowd.

Ruby's New York Style Bagels, LLC

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

The Boathouse at Breach Inlet

Vintage rowboats adorn the ceiling of this Southern restaurant with a diverse local seafood menu.

Pizzeria Di Giovanni

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

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.

TBonz Gill & Grill

Easygoing restaurant offering handcut steaks, Southern-style rib platters & other classic dishes.

Home Team BBQ

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

Casual, Brooklyn-based pizzeria chain serving brick-oven pies & calzones, plus wine & beer.

Benne’s by Peninsula Grill

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

Tolli’s Trattoria

Neighborhood Italian on Johns Island's commercial strip, serving pizza and pasta with beer in a strip-mall setting.

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.

Vincent Chiccos

Serene hideaway offering refined Italian fare, a chef's tasting menu & patio dining in elegant digs.

Bagel Nation

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

Ristorante LIDI

Traditional Italian dishes prepared in a charming atmosphere with red-&-white checkered tablecloths.

Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House

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

Bessinger's BBQ

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

IOPizza Co

Casual beach-strip pizza and sandwich counter on the Isle of Palms, steps from the ocean, with beer and a dog-friendly patio.