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Tasting $55-95 a la carteSeafood, LowcountryJohns IslandChef Brannon Florie
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.
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Tasting $50-95 a la carteSeafood, LowcountrySullivans IslandChef Jason Stanhope
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.
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Tasting $85-130 a la carteNew AmericanUpper KingChef Dano Heinze and Bethany Heinze
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.
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Tasting $80-140 a la carteModern SouthernDowntownChef Sean Brock (founding); current team
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.
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Tasting $80-140 a la carteLowcountry, SeasonalDowntownChef Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope
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.
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Tasting $70-130 a la carteSeafood, Raw BarUpper KingChef Mike Lata
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.