Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
A loosely bound disc of jumbo-lump blue crab, almost all meat and very little filler, pan-seared in butter and served with remoulade and lemon. The Lowcountry seafood-house benchmark.
Charleston crab cakes have been a staple of the city's harbourside cooking since the late 19th century, when local blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) from the tidal estuaries was sold by the bushel at the city docks. The Karesh family ran a wholesale business at 215 Meeting Street from 1890; their descendants opened Hyman's Seafood there in 1987, and the dish remains the house signature. The contemporary fine-dining versions at The Ordinary, Leon's and Husk follow the same restraint, the meat barely held together so it falls apart on the fork.
3 editor picks for Charleston crab cake in Charleston, ranked by editorial score. All Charleston signature dishes · Charleston crab cake across every city.
Mike Lata's The Ordinary in Charleston turned a 1927 bank building on King Street into the city's most ambitious raw bar in 2013. Located in Upper King.
OrderThe crispy oyster sliders on Hawaiian rolls, plus the seafood tower for the table.
TipBook on Resy. Mezzanine bar takes walk-ins and serves the full menu.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs fried chicken and oyster plates from a converted body shop on King Street since 2014. Priced at $$.
OrderThe fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
TipWalk-in counter seating. Lines at lunch are real; weeknight dinner is easier.
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.
Charleston crab cake makes more sense with someone from Charleston explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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...