82 Queen in Charleston has poured she-crab soup for 40 years from three historic buildings on Queen Street with a courtyard garden under a magnolia. Lowcountry institution.
Signature dishes: She-crab soup, Shrimp and grits
Must order: The 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
Address: 82 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
167 Sushi Bar in Charleston runs a 22-seat sushi counter on East Bay Street since 2022. Same team behind 167 Raw, using daily Atlantic catch for traditional-style nigiri.
Signature: Nigiri omakase, Sashimi platter
Order: The chef's nigiri selection, plus the sashimi platter for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy. Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; the counter seats are the best.
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit in Charleston runs scratch buttermilk biscuits from a King Street counter since 2014. Callie White scaled her mother's recipe to a national mail-order business.
Signature: Cinnamon biscuit, Sausage biscuit
Order: A cinnamon biscuit and a sausage biscuit, plus coffee.
Tip: Walk-up counter. Lines from 08:00; arrive at opening for shortest wait.
Pink Cactus in Charleston runs Mexican tacos, tortas and enchiladas from a Spring Street walk-up window since 2021. Counter service, build-your-own salsa station, fresh masa.
Signature: Tacos al pastor, Quesabirria
Order: Three tacos al pastor with onion and cilantro, plus a horchata.
Tip: Counter only; no reservations. Lunch is the easier window.
Hannibal's Kitchen on Blake Street in Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1985. Crab rice, lima beans over rice, smothered pork chops, sweet tea included.
Signature: Crab rice, Smothered pork chops
Order: The crab rice with okra soup, plus a side of mac and cheese.
Tip: Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering.
Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1979. James Beard America's Classics winner in 2017; the Gadsden family kept the kitchen running through three generations.
Signature: Fried pork chops, Okra soup
Order: Fried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
167 Sushi Bar in Charleston runs a 22-seat sushi counter on East Bay Street since 2022. Same team behind 167 Raw, using daily Atlantic catch for traditional-style nigiri.
Signature: Nigiri omakase, Sashimi platter
Order: The chef's nigiri selection, plus the sashimi platter for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy. Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; the counter seats are the best.
Vintage Coffee Cafe in Mount Pleasant runs an all-day breakfast and brunch menu from a 1930s cottage on Simmons Street since 2014. Outdoor courtyard with a converted vintage truck.
Signature: Breakfast biscuits, Avocado toast
Order: A breakfast biscuit and a flat white in the courtyard.
Tip: Open 07:00-16:00 daily. The courtyard has a kids' truck and shade.
