Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
The heirloom long-grain rice that built the Lowcountry's plantation economy. Nutty, floral, with a defined grain that holds its shape under sauce.
Carolina Gold rice arrived in Charleston harbour in 1685 on a ship from Madagascar, then took root as the cash crop of the Lowcountry plantation system. The variety nearly disappeared after the Civil War as plantation labour collapsed. Glenn Roberts founded Anson Mills in Columbia in 1998 and rebuilt the rice from a handful of saved seeds. Today it grows again on small Lowcountry farms and anchors the rice course at Husk, FIG, and Sean Brock's other projects. The grain is sweeter and more aromatic than commodity rice and forms the base of authentic Hoppin' John and red rice.
4 editor picks for Carolina Gold rice in Charleston, ranked by editorial score. All Charleston signature dishes · Carolina Gold rice across every city.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carolina Gold rice 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...