Soul Food$$north-charleston
Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1979. Order the fried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
Signature: Fried pork chops, Okra soup
Order: Fried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
Japanese, Sushi$$$downtown
167 Sushi Bar in Charleston runs a 22-seat sushi counter on East Bay Street since 2022. Located in Downtown. Priced at $$$. Kitchen leans japanese, sushi.
Signature: Nigiri omakase, Sashimi platter
Order: The chef's nigiri selection, plus the sashimi platter for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy. Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; the counter seats are the best.
Cafe$$mount-pleasant
Vintage Coffee Cafe in Mount Pleasant runs an all-day breakfast and brunch menu from a 1930s cottage on Simmons Street since 2014. Priced at $$.
Signature: Breakfast biscuits, Avocado toast
Order: A breakfast biscuit and a flat white in the courtyard.
Tip: Open 07:00-16:00 daily. The courtyard has a kids' truck and shade.
Cafe$$upper-peninsula
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.
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.
Fried Chicken, Oysters$$upper-king
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs buttermilk-brined fried chicken and char-grilled oysters from a converted body shop on King Street.
Signature: Fried chicken sandwich, Char-grilled oysters
Order: The fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Pan-asian$$upper-king
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston runs pan-Asian cooking from a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
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.