Charleston Food Guide

Charleston eats Lowcountry. The defining plate is shrimp and grits, the canonical version reworked by Frank Lee at Slightly North of Broad in the 1990s with stone-ground grits and house kielbasa. She-crab soup, Frogmore stew, Hoppin' John and benne wafers anchor the rest of the local canon, all rooted in the Gullah-Geechee cooking carried from West Africa through the Sea Islands. Chef BJ Dennis is the city's loudest voice for that heritage, hosting Gullah pop-ups and appearing in High on the Hog. The modern kitchen scene runs through Sean Brock's Husk on Queen Street, Mike Lata's FIG and The Ordinary, Jason Stanhope's Sullivan's Fish Camp out on Sullivan's Island, and Chez Nous on Payne Court. Lewis Barbecue and Rodney Scott's BBQ split the city's central-Texas and whole-hog pitmaster vote. Oysters arrive raw at 167 Raw on King and shovel-fed at Bowens Island near Folly Beach. Charleston Wine + Food in March and Spoleto in late May to early June frame the calendar.

Signature dishes in Charleston

The plates that define eating in Charleston.

Shrimp and grits

Stone-ground white grits with sauteed Carolina shrimp, andouille, country ham or mushrooms. The canonical Lowcountry plate served at breakfast and dinner alike.

Where Slightly North of Broad, Poogan's Porch, Husk, Page's Okra Grill

Where to eat Shrimp and grits in Charleston →

She-crab soup

A rich blue-crab bisque thickened with cream and finished with a splash of sherry, traditionally made with the orange roe of female crabs.

Where Poogan's Porch, 82 Queen, Slightly North of Broad, Hyman's Seafood

Where to eat She-crab soup in Charleston →

Hoppin' John

Carolina Gold rice cooked with field peas (or black-eyed peas), bacon and onion. The New Year's Day dish for luck, eaten year-round in Charleston.

Where Husk, Bertha's Kitchen, Hannibal's Kitchen, Slightly North of Broad

Where to eat Hoppin' John in Charleston →

Okra soup

A Lowcountry tomato-and-okra stew with beef shin or oxtail. The okra thickens the broth; the slow-cooked meat gives it body. Served over rice.

Where Bertha's Kitchen, Hannibal's Kitchen

Where to eat Okra soup in Charleston →

Pimento Cheese

The pâté of the South: sharp orange cheddar, mayonnaise, diced piquillo peppers, cream cheese and a hit of cayenne, whipped to a fluffy spread. Eaten on crackers, in tomato sandwiches or as a burger topping.

Where Husk, Magnolias, Slightly North of Broad, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

Where to eat Pimento Cheese in Charleston →

Chicken Bog

Pee Dee Lowcountry one-pot of bone-in chicken simmered with smoked sausage and rice, finished with enough chicken stock that the rice 'bogs' down. A communal dish for harvest dinners and church suppers in the Carolinas.

Where Bertha's Kitchen, Hannibal's Kitchen, Dave's Carry-Out, Page's Okra Grill

Where to eat Chicken Bog in Charleston →

Fried Green Tomatoes

Thick slices of unripe firm green tomatoes dredged in cornmeal and buttermilk, fried in lard or bacon fat until shattering golden, served with comeback sauce or remoulade. The Southern summer side dish.

Where Husk, Magnolias, Poogan's Porch, 82 Queen

Where to eat Fried Green Tomatoes in Charleston →

Sweet Potato Pie

Roasted sweet potato puree, brown sugar, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and bourbon in a butter pastry shell. A Lowcountry table fixture from Thanksgiving through Easter, silkier than pumpkin pie with deeper caramel.

Where Bertha's Kitchen, Hannibal's Kitchen, Magnolias, Husk

Where to eat Sweet Potato Pie in Charleston →

All Charleston signature dishes →

Restaurants to know in Charleston

A handful of the places we send friends to when they are in Charleston.

See every restaurant in Charleston →

Where to eat by neighborhood

Eat your way through Charleston

Browse by price

A sample of Charleston hotels from our booking partner, who list 287 here. Live prices and availability open on their site.

Quality Inn Charleston - West Ashley A stay at Quality Inn Charleston - West Ashley places you in the heart of Charleston, a 2-minute drive from... Check dates Red Roof Inn North Charleston Coliseum Located in North Charleston, Red Roof Inn North Charleston Coliseum is in the entertainment district, a 2-m... Check dates Sleep Inn North Charleston Ashley Phosphate Located in North Charleston, Sleep Inn North Charleston Ashley Phosphate is in the suburbs, a 3-minute driv... Check dates Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston North/Ashley Phosphate A stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston North/Ashley Phosphate places you in the heart of North Charles... Check dates SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charleston N./Ashley Phosphate Located in North Charleston, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charleston N./Ashley Phosphate is in the busines... Check dates Sleep Inn Charleston - West Ashley A stay at Sleep Inn Charleston - West Ashley places you in the heart of Charleston, a 3-minute drive from C... Check dates Courtyard by Marriott Charleston-North Charleston Located in North Charleston, Courtyard by Marriott Charleston-North Charleston is a 4-minute drive from Nor... Check dates Suburban Extended Stay Hotel North Charleston I-526 When you stay at Suburban Extended Stay Hotel North Charleston I-526 in North Charleston, you'll be near th... Check dates Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston Airport/Coliseum Located in North Charleston, Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston Airport/Coliseum is in the suburbs, wit... Check dates Hampton Inn Charleston-Downtown With a stay at Hampton Inn Charleston-Downtown, you'll be centrally located in Charleston, just a 5-minute ... Check dates Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center Located in North Charleston, Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center is in a shopping district, within... Check dates

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Map of Charleston

Every restaurant, cafe, market and bar we cover in Charleston, pinned. Click a pin for the page.

When to come hungry in Charleston

Peak food season: March through November for produce and seafood. Charleston Wine + Food kicks off the first full weekend in March, Lowcountry Oyster Festival lands Feb 1, Spoleto runs late May to early June. Avoid late August into early September, hurricane season and brutal humidity close patios.

Local dining hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00, dinner 17:30-22:00, last seating typically 21:30. Many King Street rooms open earlier for brunch on weekends. Sunday closures are common; oyster bars and BBQ counters run latest.

Tipping: Tip 18 to 22 percent on the pre-tax total at sit-down restaurants. Bars and counters get $1 to $2 per drink or 15 to 20 percent. A few hotel rooms add automatic service; check the bill before adding more.

Charleston food, FAQ