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.

Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - James Island

Counter sandwich shop on Folly Road where James Island locals queue for deli-built subs at lunch.

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.

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.

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.

Gene's Haufbrau

Classic pub fare & a long list of beers on draft at this lively tavern with pool & other games.

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.

Metro Diner

Local diner chain serving classic American breakfast & lunch fare in a warm atmosphere.

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.

Pink Bellies

Counter-service Vietnamese on upper King, built around pho, banh mi, and rice bowls with a tight beer list.

Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe- Mt. Pleasant

Local chain serving ice cream & shakes, plus sandwiches & sides, in a low-key, retro space.

Palmira Barbecue

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

Circe's Grotto

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

Home Team BBQ

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

Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen

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

Porchetta Shop

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

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.

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.

The Ocean Room

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

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.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company

West Ashley craft brewery slinging pizza and wings alongside rotating house beers in a casual, family-friendly taproom.

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.

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.

The Grit Counter - North Charleston

Counter-service spot on W Montague dishing grits bowls, burgers, and seafood in no-frills North Charleston digs.

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.

The Refuge

Bright, modern eatery with coffee, bagels & Wi-Fi by day, cocktails & New American fare by night.

East Bay Deli - West Ashley

Local deli chain doling out made-to-order sandwiches along with salads, baked potatoes & hot dogs.

Southern Brews Coffee

Dog-friendly coffee stop on Maybank Highway serving Johns Island commuters and farm-road regulars.

Mellow Mushroom Charleston - West Ashley

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

Saveurs Du Monde Cafe WestEdge

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

Ruby’s New York Style Bagels

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

Caviar & Bananas - Gourmet Market & Cafe

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

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

Woody's Pizza

Casual quick-serve shop serving pizzas, subs & salads near the beach.

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.

Giannone - Eatery & Italian Market

Family-run Italian market and deli on Scott Street serving imported goods, sandwiches, and wine 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.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

TBonz Gill & Grill

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

Home Team BBQ

Belle Station Sports Bar & Grill

Neighborhood sports bar off Highway 17 with pizza, sandwiches, and dog-friendly patio in the Belle Hall corridor.

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.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Health-conscious cafe chain featuring a menu of custom smoothies, sandwiches & wraps.

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.

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.