53 Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina

One of the Charleston area's great soul food institutions, Bertha's is owned and run by sisters Julie Grant, Linda Pinckney, and Sharon Grant Coakley, who have been awarded the America's Classic prize from the James Beard Foundation for being an essential component of the community (the restaurant was opened in their mother's honor). There's almost always a line at the counter-service restaurant, but it's worth waiting for exceptional okra soup, fried pork chops, and lima beans.

Hurricanes, fires, and the onslaught of trendy restaurants hitting downtown can't tamp down this family-owned seafood shack that's littered with oyster shells and graffiti. The menu is reliable: big ol' shrimp, fried or boiled; shrimp and grits; hush puppies; and the biggie—trays of piping hot steamed oysters. Dinner is served in an enclosed dock house, on a covered deck, and inside the main building. Find the local landmark on a slip of an island about 20 minutes from downtown and just before Folly Beach. When you see the sign, follow the dirt road until you see water. (Boaters can dock here while they eat.)

The menu may be nearly illegible, the space minuscule, and locating the tucked-away location like finding Waldo, but the food is almost always sublime. Each night only two appetizers, two entrées (like snapper with white wine sauce or gnocchi with chanterelles), and two desserts are offered. Sharing multiple dishes is a good option.  If the dining room feels too snug, head to the outdoor patio, perfect for dinner or brunch.

Known to locals as EVO, this Park Circle pizzeria is considered by many to be the area's best, doling out Neapolitan-style pies with super-thin and crunchy crusts. The Food Network chose EVO's pistachio pesto pie—goat mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on pesto made with olive oil, salt, and pistachios—as the state's best slice. Another favorite is the pork trifecta pizza, a meat-tastic dish made with house-made sweet sausages, pepperoni, and smoked bacon. EVO also relies on local and regional purveyors for produce like grape and heirloom tomatoes and lettuce. Bonus: you're guaranteed a nice variety of drinks, from wine to a deep menu of local craft brews. 

This spot is one of those delightful throwbacks, a drugstore with a soda fountain where the news of the day is discussed and young people can share an honest-to-goodness Coca-Cola float. Look for no-frills white-bread sandwiches—pimento cheese, bologna, egg salad, and more—fountain drinks and malts, and mainstay ice cream flavors.

Casual, quirky, and a tad Wes Anderson-y, this oysters-and-fried-chicken joint sports a kitschy ambience and blues-heavy soundtrack. Fried catfish, oyster, and chicken sandwiches come towering, dressed in fresh slaw or "comeback sauce" and nestled on perfectly prepared rolls. The oysters are from near or far, depending on the season. Don't forget to ask for a soft-serve ice cream before you go; you can grab it at the window outside the former auto repair shop.

Austin pitmaster John Lewis transformed Charleston's smoked meat scene when he opened this Texas-style joint that serves prime rib, pulled pork, and "hot guts" by the pound. The meat is served on brown paper, the margaritas are tart; and Lewis's patio is uncannily evocative of Texas, thanks in part to the carefully chosen soundtrack. Opt for the monster El Sancho Loco sandwich if you just can't decide.

Known for the fine Italian cuisine he offers here on Sullivan's Island and a few bridges away at Wild Olive on Johns Island, talented Jacques Larson might be as known for his seafood, pasta, and pizza as he is for his affable, good-guy charm. At OD, choose from the excellent gnocchi, inventive pizzas, and spicy bucatini pasta, or dive into surprises like grilled octopus with white beans, collard flower kimchi, and scallops and squid fra diavolo. The music is vintage R&B, and the vibe is relaxed at the nautical-styled restaurant that manages to feel like a local spot that just happens to serve downtown-level fare.

Rodney Scott became a darling of the region's barbecue scene in the early 2010s, when he branched out from his family's pit-cooked joint in Hemingway, South Carolina, to create this temple to whole hogs in downtown Charleston. Apart from the requisite sandwiches and platters, he also offers pit-cooked chicken, racks of ribs, and fried catfish. Come hungry and grab an extra handful of napkins.

Affectionately known as S.N.O.B., this former warehouse with atmospheric brick-and-stucco walls introduced the open kitchen concept to Charleston, and the dining room still bustles with energy. Many of the specialties, including wild game, are served as small plates that are perfect for sharing. The $16 daily lunch specials are often memorable, such as mussels with spinach, grape tomatoes, and smoked bacon, or a hearty chicken pot pie.

Michael Mina made a splash in Charleston with this lavish ristorante, marking the moment when serial fine-dining restauranteurs once focused on Las Vegas and resort destinations finally arrived in one of the nation's most celebrated—yet still primarily independent—restaurant scenes. The difficulty securing a reservation underscores how warmly Sorelle has been welcomed, thanks to flavor memories implanted by the piccata-style swordfish and a zeppole bedecked with caviar, stracciatella, and prosciutto. At $50, that savory Italian doughnut is a frontrunner for the most magnificently decadent mouthful in Charleston. Spread across two floors of a historic building, the Sorelle experience varies from a chef's table outside the wood-fired oven to cozy corner booths in the always-ebullient dining room. 

This Johns Island roadside joint presents a banquet of locally raised delicacies. Owners and farmers Pete and Babs Ambrose maintain their 200-acre farm on Wadmalaw Island, which informs their menu. Hand-planted and handpicked fresh tomatoes, butter beans, cabbage, collards, cucumbers, and even rutabaga star as sides, in Southern casseroles, and as to-go treats. The veggies sit well with the Tomato Shed's other offerings, such as peel-and-eat shrimp from local waters, crab cakes, and roasted pork. Be sure to grab a bag of boiled peanuts on your way out.

Operating as a one-stop butcher shop and deli counter, Ted's sells beef, game, seafood, and homemade sausages to complement its selection of artisanal cheeses, wine, and other specialty foods. Among the lunchtime favorites are the house-roasted Wagyu beef panini and the ever-changing bacon-of-the-month BLT. On Friday nights there are wine tastings and a bargain prix-fixe dinner.

Amid the boom in Charleston's dining scene in the early 2010s, one thing was distinctly lacking: Asian-influenced flavors, but then Xiao Bao came along and changed the city's trajectory. With curries, fried fish, and Sichuan pork dishes that draw on one of the three owners' Chinese heritage without directly replicating it, the casual eatery in a former gas station has gained national acclaim. The menu is designed for family-style sharing, which is smart because you'll want to try it all.

In a city revered for its local seafood, a Nantucket transplant has managed to turn its Charleston satellite location into the city's most respected oyster bar. Look for the antique scuba diver's helmet over the door, but show up before the lunch opening or during the midafternoon lull if you want to nab a lobster roll or a platter of little neck clams without a wait—it's first-come, first-serve. If you do have to wait, their Bar 167 just around the corner will keep you lubricated. There's also a 167 Sushi Bar on East Bay St. 

Against a backdrop of classic French-bistro style—think gleaming wood, cozy booths, and white-papered tables—Charleston's night owls feast on such favorites here as steamed mussels in a half dozen preparations. Order them with pommes frites, as the French do. Each night of the week there's a special, such as the popular bouillabaisse on Sunday. If you're seeking quiet, ask for a table in the dining room on the right. It's noisy—but so much fun—at the bar.

This landmark mainstay continues to thrive as an atmospheric, fine-dining establishment. As always, the food has strong Southern leanings, with seafood highlights, including Charleston bouillabaisse; don't miss the creamy grits (perfection) or authentic fried green tomatoes. Indoor and garden dining make this a great place to linger, perhaps under a gazebo or in an elegant, art-rich (and air-conditioned) room inside the historic residence. Also notable is the genuinely caring service and extensive wine list featuring new varietal blends (no house wine here), which has earned it high and consistent praise.

Come for freshly baked bread to go, but stay for an egg-and-sausage breakfast sandwich or a decadent chocolate croissant.

The kitchen at this buzzy all-day hot spot balances guilt-free ingredients with tantalizing flavors, from tempura cauliflower wings to local fish with tabbouleh and mint yogurt. The vegan- and vegetarian-friendly bowls, burgers, and tacos are served in the bright and cheery dining room and a tucked-away garden out back.

On Folly Beach, this 24/7 quick stop for gourmet sandwiches, local ice cream, and 75-cent hot dogs has been a mainstay for decades.

One of Charleston's oldest speakeasies, the Blind Tiger can go toe-to-toe with any newcomer. Name the beer, name the backdrop, and the Tiger can deliver in spades, starting with two indoor bars and a historic, handsome outdoor patio. The kitchen also turns out solid bar food—the truffle duck sandwich and French onion soup make this a regular lunch spot for Broad Street attorneys.

Begin your meal here with a half-dozen raw oysters, then fill up with a platter of ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. That's the concept behind this raw-bar-meets-BBQ joint that sits directly on the water, above a water sport outfitter and within sight of shrimpboats. It’s so chill there’s a note on the menu allowing customers to buy the kitchen a round of beers ($10 for six; $20 for 12). The local spot is a sister concept by the chef/owner of nearby Ella & Ollie’s.   

There's a distinct European flavor to this sidewalk café where you can grab a sandwich to-go or stay and relax with a sorbet or glass of wine.

Come for the carefully constructed coffee, but don't leave without a to-die-for egg and country ham biscuit with jam.

Breakfast burritos, loaded sandwiches, and frosé make this the go-to post-surf session hot spot on Sullivan's Island.

Avocado toast will never get old at this lively coffee shop, which since opening in Charleston has brought its Israeli-influenced menu and healthful beverages to an Atlanta extension of the popular brand.

A vestige of a past era in Cannonborough-Elliottborough, this stalwart soul food joint still boxes up fried shrimp, deviled crab, and juicy pork chops. The menu changes daily, and it's wise to follow the recommendations of the chef just behind the counter in the open kitchen. Most folks take their okra soup, turkey wings, and country ribs to-go, but there are a few barstools and a couple of simple tables just inside the door.

The signature oyster presentation at this upscale seafood spot in a historic single house includes caviar, chives, and champagne. This delectable mouthful sets the tone for further treats to come, including spicy tuna tartare and an impeccably fried flounder with malt vinegar fries. It's a few steps out of the way on Calhoun Street, but worth the walk—and a perfect reservation before a show at the Gaillard Center. 

If you're staying near I-95 or looking for a family-friendly bar to watch a game, this independent joint is a step above the fast-food and other chain restaurants in the vicinity. The menu of sandwiches, steaks, and seafood mixes with Southern comfort foods, and has a homemade look (and taste) about it. Prices are reasonable, and the patrons are mostly local.