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 dishes: Crab rice, Smothered pork chops
Must order: The crab rice with okra soup, plus a side of mac and cheese.
Tip: Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering.
Address: 16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403
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.
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.
