From American to Seafood to modern cuisine, Charleston features 35 award-winning restaurants that make it a emerging food destination. The city boasts Michelin stars and James Beard Awards across its restaurant scene. Charleston is a rising star in the culinary world.
The best restaurants in Charleston
35 expert-reviewed restaurants, with what makes each one stand out. Track 40+ global award systems in one place, updated continuously.
1.1010 Bridge
1010 Bridge Restaurant crafts dishes inspired by Appalachian roots with a low country influence. The wine and beer list is designed to highlight and complement the cuisine with an emphasis on specialty craft cocktails. 1010 Bridge is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 1010 Bridge Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
2.Big Bad Breakfast — Charleston
Big Bad Breakfast is a casual eatery serving classic breakfast dishes with a twist. By: Top Chef alum John Currence Big Bad Breakfast — Charleston is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 456 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
3.Bintü Atelier
At Bintü Atelier, discover the captivating flavors of traditional African cuisines nestled in the heart of Charleston, SC. Not to be hung up on one country, the menu rotates around the continent, bringing in top chefs who specialize in some of Africa's favorite dishes. Come and savor the vibrant tastes that celebrate the essence of Africa. Bintü Atelier is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
African · 8 d Line St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
4.Butcher & Bee
Butcher & Bee boasts a philosophy of carefully sourced ingredients and an ever-changing, diverse menu of mezze, entrees, and the sandwiches and vegetables for which B&B has gained a cult following. Butcher & Bee is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Mediterranean · 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
5.Chubby Fish
Chubby Fish is a chef-driven, dock-to-table concept by Chef James London, proudly offering fresh, Lowcountry seafood with innovative preparations. Tucked away in Charleston’s Historic Elliotborough neighborhood, Chubby Fish partners with local fishers and farmers to feature the very best seasonal ingredients the Lowcountry has to offer. Chubby Fish spotlights fresh catches straight from the Atlantic Ocean and local rivers. Chubby Fish is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Seafood, Dock-to-table, Lowcountry · 252 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
6.Church and Union — Charleston
Church and Union serves modern American cuisine in a casual yet refined atmosphere. By: Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch Church and Union — Charleston is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
32B N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
7.Circa 1886 Restaurant
Tucked behind the Wentworth Mansion is one of Charleston's hidden gems, Circa 1886 Restaurant, offering a seasonal & local menu of elevated Lowcountry cuisine, accompanied by an extensive wine list. Circa 1886 Restaurant is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Lowcountry · 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
8.Costa
Costa is Charleston's coastal Italian eatery, where Italy's flavors are embraced in a cozy setting. Costa is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
320 Broad St suite 160, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
9.FIG
An acronym for 'Food Is Good,' FIG's approach is simple - with a passion for pure flavor, quality ingredients, and creating an approachable atmosphere and haven for people who simply love food. FIG is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 232 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
10.Grill 225
Grill 225 is a fine-dining chophouse in the Market Pavilion Hotel featuring handpicked cuts and an extensive wine list. Grill 225 is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 225 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
11.Halls Chophouse Charleston
Halls Chophouse is a family steakhouse restaurant located in the Upper King District of Charleston, South Carolina. Diners enjoy superior American cuisine served in elegant surroundings. Halls Chophouse Charleston is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Steakhouse · 434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
12.Husk
Centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk transforms the essence of Southern food. The menu reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in the South. Husk is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Southern · 76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
13.Jackrabbit Filly
Jackrabbit Filly is a family-style restaurant crafting heritage-driven New Chinese American cuisine in North Charleston, South Carolina. By: Top Chef alum Shuai Wang Jackrabbit Filly is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Chinese, Fusion · 1083 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, USA
14.King BBQ
King BBQ crafts Chinatown-inspired BBQ, combining disparate cooking styles with precision and craftsmanship. By: Top Chef alum Shuai Wang King BBQ is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Barbecue, Chinese, Fusion · 2029 Carver Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, USA
15.Kultura
Kultura serves elevated Filipino dishes carefully crafted by Chef Nikko Cagalanan & inspired by his Lola Mansueta. Guests enjoy an inventive take on Filipino cuisine with a menu highlighting local, fresh ingredients. Voted 'Best Filipino Restaurant in SC' by Food & Wine Magazine. Kultura is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Filipino · 73 Spring St Unit A, Charleston, SC 29403
16.Langdon's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Langdon’s is a classic fine dining restaurant that fuses Lowcountry and global flavors and warm hospitality in a refined, contemporary setting. Langdon's Restaurant & Wine Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Fusion · 778 S Shelmore Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
17.Laury’s Restaurant
Laury's Restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine with French infusion in a classic ambiance with beautiful views of downtown Charleston. Laury’s Restaurant is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
350 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25314
18.Legami
When the owners behind Pasta Beach (a much-loved pasta restaurant all over New England) partner with a Roman chef, you get something like this King Street stunner. Enter Legami, where chef Andrea Congiusto dreams up an Italian menu like no other, where caviar service, veal Milanese, and handmade pastas collide. Legami is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Italian · 492 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
19.Lost Isle
Lost Isle is Charleston’s outdoor fire-to-table experience with great cocktails and good vibes, located at 3338 Maybank Highway just beside The Tattooed Moose in beautiful Johns Island. Please note that Lost Isle seating is outdoors, behind the little white house. Lost Isle is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
3338 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455, USA
20.Lowland
From James Beard Award-winning chef Jason Stanhope and the team at Method Co., Lowland is a Southern tavern serving timeless classics and luxurious comfort food. Lowland Tavern features a parlor with a wood-burning fireplace, original pine floors, and a copper bar. Lowland is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 36 George St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
21.Malagón Mercado y Taperia
Malagón is an awarded market and tapería located in the neighborhood of Cannonborough—Elliotborough in Charleston that focuses exclusively on Spanish cuisine. The market offers canned seafood, Spanish wine, Spanish cheese, and charcuterie, along with other Spanish gourmet items. The tapería menu offers both small and large plates with a focus on the regional cuisine of Spain. Malagón Mercado y Taperia is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Spanish · 33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
22.Marbled & Fin
Welcome to Marbled & Fin, a modern steakhouse from The Neighborhood Dining Group located in vibrant downtown Charleston. While still celebrating the finest beef and seafood, Marbled & Fin pushes the boundaries of traditional steakhouse experiences, ushering in a new era of fine dining. Marbled & Fin is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Seafood · 480 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
23.Merci
Merci is the little bistro on the corner of Pitt and Montagu. Enjoy delightful small plates featuring local seafood and produce, within a charming 1820s-era townhouse in Harleston Village. Merci is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
French, Bistro · 28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
24.Peninsula Grill
A hidden courtyard illuminated by flickering carriage lanterns provides an enchanting entry to Peninsula Grill, Charleston's foremost dining experience. Inside, velvet-lined walls in shimmering oyster tones lend a luxe supper club ambiance to the acclaimed dining room. Sophisticated interpretations of Southern cuisine are served amid a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. Peninsula Grill is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Southern · 112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
25.SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar
SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar is a coastal Italian restaurant serving made-from-scratch cuisine, including pasta, pizza, chophouse favorites, and showcasing Lowcountry's largest wine cellar. SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Italian · 1324 Theater Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
26.Sorelle
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Charleston, Sorelle appeals to locals and visitors alike with its myriad of food and beverage experiences throughout its two-story space. Inspired by Italy's all-day cafes, abundant markets, and rich culinary traditions, Sorelle's charming space boasts a mercato, central bar, wine room, grand dining room, and exclusive chef's table. Sorelle is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Italian · 88 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
27.Tempest
Tempest is an upscale seafood restaurant featuring hyper-local, sustainable, seasonally driven South Atlantic seafood. By: Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch Tempest is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Seafood · 32 N Market St Suite C, Charleston, SC 29401
28.The Bar at The Spectator
The exuberance of the Jazz Age meets warm Southern charm at The Spectator Hotel's Prohibition-style bar. Make yourself comfortable on a green leatherback stool, allow a cocktail artisan to conjure up a 1920s-inspired refreshment, and indulge in a sophisticated selection of bar food like you've never experienced before—all at this debonair Charleston hotspot. The Bar at The Spectator is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 67 State St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
29.The Ocean Room
As the premier steakhouse on Kiawah Island, The Ocean Room serves masterful dishes crafted from locally sourced beef, poultry, and produce in a seasonally changing menu—all complemented by a wine list showcasing more than 1,000 superior selections. The Ocean Room is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Seafood · 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455
30.The Palmetto Cafe
Located on the main floor of Charleston Place, The Palmetto Cafe offers a sophisticated dining experience of Lowcountry fare in a garden-style setting—the perfect tonic to balmy days in South Carolina. The Palmetto Cafe is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
31.The Quinte Oyster Bar
The Quinte - a Parisian affair, is rooted in the ceremony and traditions of oyster bars and cocktail establishments with a gleaming 20-seat marble oyster bar, turning out a restrained daily menu of the freshest seafood available in Charleston, South Carolina. The Quinte Oyster Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Corner of Ellis Alley, 36 George St, Charleston, SC 29401
32.Vern's
Vern's is a neighborhood restaurant serving eclectic American fare — a seasonal mixture of shareable plates, fresh pasta, and elevated classics. Vern's is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · 41 Bogard St A, Charleston, SC 29403
33.Weltons Tiny Bakeshop
Weltons Tiny Bakeshop is a neighborhood bakery that celebrates regional grains, local produce, and handcrafted naturally leavened goods. Tiny is in the name, less than 1000 square feet, but there is a whole lot of love and attention to detail every step of the way. Weltons Tiny Bakeshop is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
Bakery · 684 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
34.Wild Common
Anything but common, Wild Common is Charleston's wildly unique and unforgettable culinary experience. Enjoy a custom tasting menu in one of Charleston's most inspired spaces. For diners seeking exceptional food and spirited spirits, Wild Common celebrates "All that is right, all that is good" (from D.H. Lawrence's poem of the same name). Wild Common is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American, Modern Cuisine · 103 Spring Street Charleston, SC 29403
35.Zero Restaurant + Bar
A tucked-away gem among Charleston restaurants Zero Restaurant and Bar is a fine dining restaurant serving dishes using fresh local ingredients. Zero Restaurant + Bar is part of Best Restaurants Guide's expert-reviewed selection of the top 1% of restaurants worldwide.
American · Left Side, 0 George St, Charleston, SC 29401
