Seafood, Raw BarChef Mike Lata$$$$$70-130 a la carteupper-kingBook 3 weeks ahead
Mike Lata's The Ordinary in Charleston converted a 1927 bank building on King Street into the city's most ambitious raw bar in 2013. Located in Upper King.
Order: Crispy oyster sliders, then the seafood tower for the table.
Tip: Book on Resy in advance. Bar seats are walk-in only and worth the wait.
European BistroChef Patrick Owens and Juan Cassalett$$$$$60-90 a la carteupper-kingBook 3 weeks ahead
Chez Nous in Charleston runs a daily handwritten menu of six dishes out of a six-table cottage on Payne Court since 2014. Located in Upper King.
Order: Whatever the daily pasta is; it's the kitchen's strongest run.
Tip: Book on Resy weeks ahead. Lunch service is the easier seat Booking ahead is essential.
SteakhouseChef Bill Twaler (Executive)$$$$$70-150 a la carteupper-kingBook 2 weeks ahead
Halls Chophouse in Charleston has run a prime steakhouse on King Street since 2009. Live jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
Order: The 38oz tomahawk for the table and the she-crab soup starter.
Tip: Live jazz nightly. Book on OpenTable; bar seats are walk-in only.
French BistroChef Vandy Vanderwarker$$$$$65-110 a la carteupper-kingMon-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00Book 3 weeks ahead
Maison in Charleston runs French bistro plates from a King Street corner since 2023. Order the steak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
Order: Steak frites and the daily plateau de fruits de mer.
Tip: Book on Resy. Wednesdays and Thursdays are easier seats than weekends.
Italian, LowcountryChef Jacques Larson$$$$$50-90 a la cartesullivans-islandBook 2 weeks ahead
Jacques Larson's The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island opened in 2014. Italian-Lowcountry crossover with wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas.
Order: The Old Danger pizza with house-pulled mozzarella, the Geechee Girl pasta.
Tip: Book on Resy. Lunch is easier than dinner; the bar seats are walk-in only.
Seafood, LowcountryChef Brannon Florie$$$$$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.