18 mid-range rooms in Charleston, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Charleston — no surprise on the bill, real cooking. All Charleston food.
Lewis Barbecue ★ 4.8
upper-peninsula · 464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
John Lewis's Lewis Barbecue in Charleston runs central-Texas-style brisket and hot-guts sausage from a Nassau Street smokehouse since 2016. The pitmaster previously ran Franklin's smoker.
Tip: Order at the counter. Brisket runs out by 19:00 most nights; arrive earlier for the full menu.
Rodney Scott's BBQ ★ 4.7
upper-peninsula · 1011 King Street, Charleston, 29403
Rodney Scott's BBQ in Charleston runs whole-hog pit barbecue from a King Street smokehouse since 2017. Scott won the 2018 James Beard Best Chef Southeast for his Hemingway pit work.
Tip: Walk-up counter. Plates run out by 19:00; arrive earlier on weekends.
Bowens Island Restaurant ★ 4.6
james-island · 1870 Bowens Island Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Bowens Island Restaurant near Folly Beach has shovel-fed steamed Lowcountry oysters since 1946. James Beard America's Classics winner in 2006; rebuilt after a 2010 fire.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Cash and card; no reservations. Tide-line tables fill at sunset.
Xiao Bao Biscuit ★ 4.5
upper-king · 224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston's Cannonborough runs pan-Asian cooking out of a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Daily-changing menu of dumplings, rice bowls, noodles.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri 11:30-15:00, plus weekday dinner. Cash and card; no reservations.
Renzo ★ 4.5
upper-peninsula · 384 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Renzo in Charleston runs wood-fired pizzas and a natural-wine list out of an industrial spot on Huger Street since 2018. The Faculty Lounge team's first full-service restaurant.
Tip: Book on Resy. Tuesday to Saturday only; small room, books out by Wednesday.
Xiao Bao Biscuit ★ 4.5
upper-king · 224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston runs pan-Asian cooking from a converted gas station on Rutledge Avenue since 2011. Daily-changing menu of dumplings, rice bowls and noodles.
Tip: No reservations. Lunch Mon-Fri only; weekday dinner is the easier seat.
Renzo ★ 4.5
upper-peninsula · 384 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Renzo in Charleston runs wood-fired pizzas and a natural-wine list from an industrial Huger Street storefront since 2018. The Faculty Lounge team's first full-service room.
Tip: Book on Resy. Small room, books out by midweek for the weekend.
Bertha's Kitchen ★ 4.5
north-charleston · 2332 Meeting Street Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1979. James Beard America's Classics winner in 2017; the Gadsden family kept the kitchen running through three generations.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters ★ 4.4
upper-king · 698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs fried chicken and oyster plates from a converted body shop on King Street since 2014. Buttermilk-brined chicken, char-grilled oysters.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Lines at lunch are real; weeknight dinner is easier.
Little Jack's Tavern ★ 4.4
upper-king · 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic-American tavern food and the city's most-discussed burger. Tin-ceiling room, deep cocktail list.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters ★ 4.4
upper-king · 698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Leon's Fine Poultry and Oysters in Charleston runs buttermilk-brined fried chicken and char-grilled oysters from a converted body shop on King Street since 2014.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Little Jack's Tavern ★ 4.4
upper-king · 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic American tavern food. The Tavern Burger remains one of the city's most-discussed sandwiches.
Tip: Reservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
Hannibal's Kitchen ★ 4.4
eastside · 16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403
Hannibal's Kitchen on Blake Street in Charleston has run family-owned soul food cooking since 1985. Crab rice, lima beans over rice, smothered pork chops, sweet tea included.
Tip: Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering.
Page's Okra Grill ★ 4.3
mount-pleasant · 302 Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Page's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant has run family-owned Southern cooking on Coleman Boulevard since 2008. Ashleigh's shrimp and grits is the Travel Channel feature plate.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at 11:00 or wait. Walk-ins only; cash and card.
Page's Okra Grill ★ 4.3
mount-pleasant · 302 Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Page's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant has run family-owned Southern cooking on Coleman Boulevard since 2008. Ashleigh's shrimp and grits is the Travel Channel feature plate.
Tip: No reservations. Walk-ins only; cash and card both accepted.
Home Team BBQ ★ 4.3
upper-king · 126 Williman St, Charleston, SC 29403
Home Team BBQ in Charleston runs pulled pork, wings and brisket from a Williman Street smokehouse since 2006. Casual sit-down room with cocktails and a heavy frozen-drink menu.
Tip: Open until midnight; full menu late. Live music nights draw a crowd.
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery ★ 4.3
upper-peninsula · 247 Congress St, Charleston, SC 29403
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery in Charleston runs an all-day cafe and market from the old Harold's Cabin space on Congress Street since 2025. Heather Greene's revival of a neighbourhood institution.
Tip: Open 07:15-22:00 daily. Walk-in; small market shelves at the front.
Vintage Coffee Cafe ★ 4.2
mount-pleasant · 219 Simmons St, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Vintage Coffee Cafe in Mount Pleasant runs an all-day breakfast and brunch menu from a 1930s cottage on Simmons Street since 2014. Outdoor courtyard with a converted vintage truck.
Tip: Open 07:00-16:00 daily. The courtyard has a kids' truck and shade.