Best restaurants in Charleston

Halls Chophouse

Sizable cuts of beef & seafood served in elegant surrounds, also known for its Sunday gospel brunch.

Legend Deli

Counter-order deli on George Street slinging sandwiches and cold beer steps from the College of Charleston.

Lewis Barbecue

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

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.

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.

Grace & Grit

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

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.

Metro Diner

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

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

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

Rodney Scott's BBQ

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

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.

King BBQ

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Boathouse at Breach Inlet

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

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.

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.

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.

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.