Tasting menus, Michelin stars and the chefs redefining Charleston.
Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Charleston.
Vern's in Charleston runs a 30-seat tasting-style menu from a Bogard Street storefront since 2022. Led by chef Dano Heinze and Bethany Heinze.
OrderThe chef's choice tasting; a la carte runs handmade pasta and the protein of the day.
Book4 weeks ahead
TipResy bookings open 28 days ahead at 09:00 and go in under a minute. Bar seats sometimes free up at 17:00.
Husk in Charleston opened in 2010 under Sean Brock and rebuilt Southern fine dining on heritage grains and hyper-local produce. Located in Downtown.
OrderThe cast-iron cornbread, plus whatever the wood grill is running.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on the website. Bar seats walk-in at 17:00 and serve the full menu.
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.
Book4 weeks ahead
TipBook 30 days ahead on Resy at 10:00. Bar seats fill within an hour of opening.
Mike Lata's The Ordinary in Charleston converted a 1927 bank building on King Street into the city's most ambitious raw bar in 2013. Located in Upper King.
OrderCrispy oyster sliders, then the seafood tower for the table.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on Resy in advance. Bar seats are walk-in only and worth the wait.
Chez Nous in Charleston runs a daily handwritten menu of six dishes out of a six-table cottage on Payne Court since 2014. Located in Upper King.
OrderWhatever the daily pasta is; it's the kitchen's strongest run.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on Resy weeks ahead. Lunch service is the easier seat Booking ahead is essential.
Halls Chophouse in Charleston has run a prime steakhouse on King Street since 2009. Live jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
OrderThe 38oz tomahawk for the table and the she-crab soup starter.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipLive jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
Maison in Charleston runs French bistro plates from a King Street corner since 2023. Order the steak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
OrderSteak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on Resy. Wednesdays and Thursdays are easier seats than weekends.
Jacques Larson's The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island opened in 2014. Italian-Lowcountry crossover with wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas.
OrderThe Old Danger pizza with house-pulled mozzarella, the Geechee Girl pasta.
Book2 weeks ahead
TipBook on Resy. Lunch is easier than dinner; the bar seats are walk-in only.
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.
Book2 weeks ahead
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.
Book3 weeks ahead
TipBook on Resy. Bar seats walk-in and serve the same menu Booking ahead is essential.
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...
Editor picks in Charleston include Vern's, Husk, FIG, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.