40 mid-range rooms in Charleston, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Charleston, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. 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. Priced at $$.
Tip: Order at the counter. Brisket runs out by 19:00 most nights; arrive earlier for the full menu.
Second State Coffee ★ 4.8
downtown · 70 1/2 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
Second State Coffee in Charleston roasts single-origin beans and runs five cafes since 2012, formerly Black Tap. Located in Downtown. Open daily 07:00-17:00.
Tip: The Beaufain Street flagship is the original cafe. Five locations citywide; check the website for the closest.
Chubby Fish ★ 4.8
upper-king · 252 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403
James London's Chubby Fish in Charleston runs an ever-changing dock-to-table seafood menu from a small Cannonborough room. Located in Upper King.
Tip: Doors open Tue-Sat at 17:00 and a line forms by 16:30. Arrive early; the whole-fish nightly special goes first.
Babas on Cannon ★ 4.8
upper-king · 11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
Babas on Cannon in Charleston is a small Cannon Street cafe modelled on Spanish pintxo bars and French neighborhood spots. Located in Upper King.
Tip: Counter ordering, sidewalk seats. The cream puff and pickled shrimp are the longtime stand-bys; the wine list runs natural.
Malagón Mercado y Tapería ★ 4.7
upper-king · 33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Malagon Mercado y Taperia in Charleston runs Juan Cassalett's Spanish kitchen out of Cannonborough. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
Tip: Walk-in seats at the bar and counter, reservations on Resy for tables. The mercato sells Spanish cans and cheese to go.
Wild Common ★ 4.7
upper-king · 103 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Wild Common in Charleston runs Orlando Pagan's Tasting Menu No. 715 from a moody Spring Street room. Hamachi crudo, dry-aged strip with polenta.
Tip: Reservations on Resy weeks ahead, but the bar takes walk-ins for the abbreviated counter menu. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Bertha's Kitchen ★ 4.7
north-charleston · 2332 Meeting Street Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Bertha's Kitchen on Meeting Street Road in North Charleston runs Albertha Grant's soul food cafeteria from 1979. Fried chicken, okra soup, red rice.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Sat, cash and card. Arrive before 13:00 weekdays or the fried chicken is gone.
Miller's All Day ★ 4.7
downtown · 120 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Miller's All Day on Lower King Street is Charleston's brunch room from Geechie Boy Mills' Greg Johnsman and chef Nathan Thurston. Located in Downtown.
Tip: Walk-in only, line forms by 09:30 on weekends. A second Maybank Highway location on James Island runs the same menu with shorter waits.
Palmira Barbecue ★ 4.6
west-ashley · 2366 Ashley River Rd, Building 1, Charleston, SC 29414
Palmira Barbecue in Charleston runs wood-fired Texas-Carolina barbecue with Puerto Rican accents from a West Ashley strip-mall counter since 2023.
Tip: Counter ordering, no reservations. Meats sell out by 19:00 on weekends; arrive by 17:00 for the full menu.
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.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Cash and card; no reservations. Tide-line tables fill at sunset.
Counter Culture Coffee (training centre) ★ 4.6
upper-king · 85 1/2 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Counter Culture Coffee's Charleston training centre on Spring Street since 2015 runs Friday public cuppings and barista classes. Located in Upper King.
Tip: Friday public cuppings at 10:00 are free and run 45 minutes. Sign up via Counter Culture's site.
Poogan's Porch ★ 4.6
downtown · 72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Poogan's Porch on Queen Street in Charleston has plated Lowcountry brunch since 1976 from a converted 1891 home. Located in Downtown. Open daily 09:00-15:00.
Tip: Book on Resy at least 5 days ahead for weekend brunch. Request a porch table; the inside rooms run small and warm.
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. Located in Upper King.
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. Located in Upper Peninsula.
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. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
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. Located in Upper Peninsula.
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. Order the fried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
Tip: Lunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co ★ 4.5
north-charleston · 1505 King St Ste 115, North Charleston, SC 29405
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co in Charleston runs the city's flagship craft brewery and pizza taproom on King Street Extension since 2018. Mixed-fermentation.
Tip: Hoppy Hour Mon-Fri 16:00-18:00 drops draughts to half-price. Kitchen runs pizza and snacks late.
Westbrook Brewing Co ★ 4.5
mount-pleasant · 510 Ridge Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Westbrook Brewing in Mount Pleasant has run sours, IPAs and the Mexican Cake imperial stout since 2010. South Carolina's most-distributed craft brewery.
Tip: Taproom open Wed-Sun. Mexican Cake imperial stout releases sell out fast; check the calendar.
Bin 152 ★ 4.5
downtown · 152 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Bin 152 on King Street in Charleston is the French Quarter's romantic late-night wine and cheese bar. 30 wines by the glass, 35 cheeses, charcuterie a la.
Tip: Walk-in, first-come for tables. Reservations on the website for parties of four or more.
Kwei Fei ★ 4.5
james-island · 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412
Kwei Fei in Charleston runs David Schuttenberg's Sichuan kitchen from a James Island room next to the Pour House. Lamb dumplings, dry-rubbed wings.
Tip: Walk-in, reservations on Resy for parties of 4 or more. Open Tue-Sat dinner only; the chili oil dessert always sells out.
Sorghum & Salt ★ 4.5
upper-king · 186 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403
Sorghum & Salt in Charleston runs farm- and sea-to-fork plates from the St Philip and Cannon corner. Housemade ricotta, gnocchi with local mushrooms.
Tip: Vegan and vegetarian options are the core, not a side menu. Reservations on Resy; small room, walk-in odds slim.
Magnolias ★ 4.5
downtown · 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Magnolias on East Bay Street is the Charleston brunch institution since 1990. Sunday brunch only: banana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict.
Tip: Book on Resy 2 weeks ahead. The shrimp and grits is the canonical version; bottomless mimosas at the bar.
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. Priced at $$.
Tip: Walk-in counter seating. Lines at lunch are real; weeknight dinner is easier.
Little Jack's Tavern ★ 4.4
upper-king · 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic-American tavern food and the city's most-discussed burger. Priced at $$.
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.
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. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
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.
Tip: Mon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering Walk-ins usually OK.
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer ★ 4.4
downtown · 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC 29403
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer in Charleston serves locally-influenced coffees and craft beer from a Vanderhorst Street courtyard cafe since 2003.
Tip: Courtyard fountain seats turn over fast on Saturdays. Open until 22:00 daily for evening drinks.
The Belmont ★ 4.4
upper-king · 511 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
The Belmont on King Street in Charleston runs a cocktail bar with the kitchen serving small plates till 23:00 on weekends. Located in Upper King.
Tip: Walk-in, no reservations. The vintage movies projected on the wall change weekly; happy hour 17:00-19:00 weekdays.
Vintage Lounge ★ 4.4
upper-king · 545 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Vintage Lounge on upper King Street is a Cannonborough Charleston wine bar in a renovated historic building. Local charcuterie, truffled fontina fondue.
Tip: Reserve via OpenTable for booths. The wine-pairing flight is the standing recommendation; ask staff for the off-list bottles.
Dave's Carry-Out ★ 4.4
upper-king · 42 Morris St # C, Charleston, SC 29403
Dave's Carry-Out on Morris Street in Charleston runs a counter-only seafood and soul food window. Fried fish sandwich, shrimp platters, devil crab.
Tip: Tue-Fri lunch and dinner only, closed Sat-Mon. Phone ahead to skip the 30-minute counter line at 12:30.
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. Kitchen leans southern, lowcountry.
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. Kitchen leans southern, lowcountry.
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. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
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.
Tip: Open 07:15-22:00 daily. Walk-in; small market shelves at the front.
Revelry Brewing Co ★ 4.3
upper-king · 10 Conroy St, Charleston, SC 29403
Revelry Brewing in Charleston runs a Conroy Street taproom and rooftop bar with lagers and IPAs since 2014. Located in Upper King. At 10 Conroy St.
Tip: Rooftop is first-come; arrive at 16:00 on weekends for a table with the marsh view.
The Royal American ★ 4.3
upper-peninsula · 970 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC 29403
The Royal American on Morrison Drive in Charleston runs a Lowcountry honky-tonk with the kitchen to 01:00 every night. Located in Upper Peninsula.
Tip: Live music most weekends, 320 capacity. Kitchen open every damn day to 01:00; cover charge varies by act.
Prohibition ★ 4.3
upper-king · 547 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Prohibition on King Street runs Charleston's prohibition-era cocktail bar with chef Greg Garrison's late-night small plates. Located in Upper King.
Tip: DJs Fri-Sat from 22:00 turn the back room into a dance floor. Reserve on Resy for dining; the bar takes walk-ins.
Toast All Day King Street ★ 4.3
upper-king · 453 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Toast All Day on King Street is the Charleston brunch counter since 2005, on TripAdvisor's Top 25 US brunches. Located in Upper King. Open daily 07:00-15:00.
Tip: Walk-in only; the King Street room is bigger than the Meeting Street original. Vegan and gluten-free menus available on request.