SteakhouseChef Bill Twaler (Executive)$$$$$70-150 a la carteupper-kingBook 2 weeks ahead
Halls Chophouse in Charleston has run a prime steakhouse on King Street since 2009. Live jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
Order: The 38oz tomahawk for the table and the she-crab soup starter.
Tip: Live jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
French BistroChef Vandy Vanderwarker$$$$$65-110 a la carteupper-kingMon-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00Book 3 weeks ahead
Maison in Charleston runs French bistro plates from a King Street corner since 2023. Order the steak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
Order: Steak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
Tip: Book on Resy. Wednesdays and Thursdays are easier seats than weekends.
Italian, LowcountryChef Jacques Larson$$$$$50-90 a la cartesullivans-islandBook 2 weeks ahead
Jacques Larson's The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island opened in 2014. Italian-Lowcountry crossover with wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas.
Order: The Old Danger pizza with house-pulled mozzarella, the Geechee Girl pasta.
Tip: Book on Resy. Lunch is easier than dinner; the bar seats are walk-in only.
Seafood, LowcountryChef Brannon Florie$$$$$55-95 a la cartejohns-islandMon-Sat 17:00-22:00Book 2 weeks ahead
The Royal Tern on Johns Island opened in 2019 as Brannon Florie's fancy neighbourhood eatery. Book on the website. Dinner only Mon-Sat, closed Sunday.
Order: Whatever whole fish is on the wood grill, plus oysters off the daily list.
Tip: Book on the website. Dinner only Mon-Sat, closed Sunday Booking ahead is essential.
Seafood, LowcountryChef Jason Stanhope$$$$$50-95 a la cartesullivans-islandBook 3 weeks ahead
Jason Stanhope's Sullivan's Fish Camp on Sullivan's Island reopened in 2022. Order the oysters from the raw bar, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
Order: Oysters from the raw bar, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
Tip: Book on Resy. Bar seats walk-in and serve the same menu Booking ahead is essential.
New AmericanChef Dano Heinze and Bethany Heinze$$$$$85-130 a la carteupper-kingBook 4 weeks ahead
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.
Order: The chef's choice tasting; a la carte runs handmade pasta and the protein of the day.
Tip: Resy bookings open 28 days ahead at 09:00 and go in under a minute. Bar seats sometimes free up at 17:00.