13 editor picks in Charleston.
13 lowcountry places in Charleston we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Charleston | Lowcountry across every city.
Lowcountry cooking is Charleston's home cuisine, built on rice, shrimp, grits, oysters and the Gullah Geechee traditions of the coastal plain. Downtown holds the heart of it, with FIG and Slightly North of Broad on Meeting and East Bay streets, plus 82 Queen and Poogan's Porch on Queen Street and Hyman's Seafood on Meeting Street. The islands extend the table, from Sullivan's Fish Camp on Sullivan's Island to The Royal Tern on Johns Island.
Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope's FIG in Charleston has been the neighbourhood-scaled dining benchmark since 2003. Kitchen leans lowcountry, seasonal.
OrderThe fish stew with house-cut potatoes and aioli; rotates by season.
TipBook 30 days ahead on Resy. Bar seats are first-come Booking recommended for weekends.
Slightly North of Broad in Charleston has run on East Bay Street since 1993. Brunch and lunch are easier seats than dinner. Bar seats are walk-in only.
OrderThe shrimp and grits with stone-ground grits and house kielbasa, on the menu since the 90s.
TipBrunch and lunch are easier seats than dinner. Bar seats are walk-in only.
Jason Stanhope and partners reopened Sullivan's Fish Camp on Middle Street in Sullivan's Island in 2022. Located in Sullivans Island. Priced at $$$.
OrderA half-dozen oysters from the daily list, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
TipBook on Resy. The bar serves the full menu and turns faster than the dining room.
Brannon Florie's The Royal Tern on Johns Island opened in 2019 as a fancy neighbourhood eatery on Maybank Highway. Kitchen leans seafood, lowcountry.
OrderWhatever whole fish is on the wood grill, plus oysters from the daily list.
TipBook on the website. Dinner only, closed Sundays.
Hyman's Seafood in Charleston serves the city from a Meeting Street row of historic buildings the Karesh-Hyman family has held since 1890; the seafood.
OrderShe-crab soup and a fried-fish plate with hushpuppies.
TipNo reservations; arrive before 17:30 or expect a 45-minute wait. Hush puppies are free.
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 tree.
OrderThe 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup, table-side sherry pour optional.
TipBook on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
Poogan's Porch in Charleston has run since 1976 from a restored Victorian on Queen Street. Order the shrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
OrderShrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
TipBook on OpenTable. Brunch on weekends draws a queue from 10:00.
Poogan's Porch in Charleston has run since 1976 from a Victorian on Queen Street. Book on OpenTable. Brunch on weekends draws a queue from 10:00.
OrderShrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
TipBook on OpenTable. Brunch on weekends draws a queue from 10:00.
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.
OrderThe 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup.
TipBook on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope's FIG in Charleston has anchored the city's fine-dining scene since 2003. Both chefs hold James Beard Best Chef Southeast awards.
OrderThe fish stew, plus the bone-in pork chop with whatever seasonal sauce is up.
TipBook 30 days ahead on Resy at 10:00. Bar seats fill within an hour of opening.
The Royal Tern on Johns Island opened in 2019 as Brannon Florie's fancy neighbourhood eatery. Book on the website. Dinner only Mon-Sat, closed Sunday.
OrderWhatever whole fish is on the wood grill, plus oysters off the daily list.
TipBook on the website. Dinner only Mon-Sat, closed Sunday Booking ahead is essential.
Jason Stanhope's Sullivan's Fish Camp on Sullivan's Island reopened in 2022. Order the oysters from the raw bar, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
OrderOysters from the raw bar, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
TipBook on Resy. Bar seats walk-in and serve the same menu Booking ahead is essential.
The Royal American on Morrison Drive in Charleston runs a Lowcountry honky-tonk with the kitchen to 01:00 every night. Located in Upper Peninsula.
OrderSignature burger with a side of beef jerky, 32oz punch
TipLive music most weekends, 320 capacity. Kitchen open every damn day to 01:00; cover charge varies by act.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Explore Charleston's City Market in the historic downtown district on a guided foodie walking tour. Learn about the city's history while enjoying tastings of Lowcountr...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Experience the flavors of Charleston with the help of local guides. Delve into over 300 years of culinary history as you taste your way through the historic city center.
Water activity · 2.5 hours
Experience Charleston's most unique and romantic evening out. SpiritLine Cruises offers the only true waterfront fine dining experience in Charleston aboard the elegan...
