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 dishes: Fried pork chops, Okra soup
Must order: Fried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
Address: 2332 Meeting Street Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
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.
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery in Charleston runs an all-day cafe and market from the old Harold's Cabin space on Congress Street since 2025. Heather Greene's revival of a neighbourhood institution.
Signature: Breakfast plate, Pasta dinners
Order: The breakfast plate with potatoes and the daily pasta at dinner.
Tip: Open 07:15-22:00 daily. Walk-in; small market shelves at the front.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs buttermilk-brined fried chicken and char-grilled oysters from a converted body shop on King Street since 2014.
Signature: Fried chicken sandwich, Char-grilled oysters
Order: The fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston runs pan-Asian cooking from a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Daily-changing menu of dumplings, rice bowls and noodles.
Signature: Okonomiyaki, Daily Asian specials
Order: The okonomiyaki cabbage pancake and whatever daily noodle is up.
Tip: No reservations. Lunch Mon-Fri only; weekday dinner is the easier seat.
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic American tavern food. The Tavern Burger remains one of the city's most-discussed sandwiches.
Signature: Tavern Burger, Wedge salad
Order: The Tavern Burger with American cheese, a glass of the daily red.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
