Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
The pâté of the South: sharp orange cheddar, mayonnaise, diced piquillo peppers, cream cheese and a hit of cayenne, whipped to a fluffy spread. Eaten on crackers, in tomato sandwiches or as a burger topping.
Pimento cheese has roots in early-20th-century American food magazines: a 1908 Good Housekeeping recipe called for cream cheese and minced pimentos, and the 1909 'Up-to-Date Sandwich Book' put it in print as a sandwich filling. It migrated south through the 1920s and became the unofficial Charleston tea-table staple by the 1950s, codified through Duke's Mayonnaise marketing across the South. Husk's bourbon-and-bacon variant, Magnolias' classic and FIG's house version anchor the contemporary city interpretation.
4 editor picks for Pimento Cheese in Charleston, ranked by editorial score. All Charleston signature dishes · Pimento Cheese across every city.
Also in: Birmingham, Charlotte, Greenville, Savannah.
Sean Brock's Husk in Charleston opened on Queen Street in 2010 and rebuilt Southern fine dining around heritage Anson Mills grains, Sea Island peas.
OrderThe skillet cornbread with bacon-fat butter, plus whatever the wood grill is running tonight.
TipBook on huskcharleston.com. The bar serves the full menu walk-up from 17:00 onward, no reservations needed.
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.
Magnolias on East Bay Street is the Charleston brunch institution since 1990. Sunday brunch only: banana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict.
OrderBanana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict, shrimp and sausage over grits with tasso gravy
TipBook on Resy 2 weeks ahead. The shrimp and grits is the canonical version; bottomless mimosas at the bar.
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit in Charleston runs scratch buttermilk biscuits from a King Street counter since 2014. Located in Upper King. Priced at $.
OrderA cinnamon biscuit and a sausage biscuit, plus coffee.
TipWalk-up counter. Lines from 08:00; arrive at opening for shortest wait.
Pimento Cheese 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...
