40 editor picks in Charleston.
40 mid-range places in Charleston, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Charleston, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Charleston food.
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 $$.
OrderA quarter-pound of fatty brisket and a hot-guts link, plus the green chile corn pudding side.
TipOrder at the counter. Brisket runs out by 19:00 most nights; arrive earlier for the full menu.
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.
TipThe Beaufain Street flagship is the original cafe. Five locations citywide; check the website for the closest.
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.
OrderSmoked wreckfish curry, chili garlic shrimp, the nightly whole fish
TipDoors 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 in Charleston is a small Cannon Street cafe modelled on Spanish pintxo bars and French neighborhood spots. Located in Upper King.
OrderJambon beurre, fancy grilled cheese, quiche of the day, cream puff
TipCounter ordering, sidewalk seats. The cream puff and pickled shrimp are the longtime stand-bys; the wine list runs natural.
Malagon Mercado y Taperia in Charleston runs Juan Cassalett's Spanish kitchen out of Cannonborough. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
OrderTortilla espanola, Iberico ham flight, anchoas with tomato bread
TipWalk-in seats at the bar and counter, reservations on Resy for tables. The mercato sells Spanish cans and cheese to go.
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.
OrderTasting Menu No. 715 in full; foie gras course is the signature
TipReservations on Resy weeks ahead, but the bar takes walk-ins for the abbreviated counter menu. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
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.
OrderFried chicken, okra soup, red rice, lima beans with smoked turkey neck
TipLunch only Mon-Sat, cash and card. Arrive before 13:00 weekdays or the fried chicken is gone.
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.
OrderSorghum waffle, daily grit bowl, bacon-egg-and-cheese on everything brioche
TipWalk-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 in Charleston runs wood-fired Texas-Carolina barbecue with Puerto Rican accents from a West Ashley strip-mall counter since 2023.
OrderThe beef cheek barbacoa, a guava burnt-end side.
TipCounter ordering, no reservations. Meats sell out by 19:00 on weekends; arrive by 17:00 for the full menu.
Bowens Island Restaurant near Folly Beach has shovel-fed steamed Lowcountry oysters since 1946. James Beard America's Classics winner in 2006.
OrderA bushel of steamed oysters opened table-side and a bowl of Frogmore stew.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Cash and card; no reservations. Tide-line tables fill at sunset.
Counter Culture Coffee's Charleston training centre on Spring Street since 2015 runs Friday public cuppings and barista classes. Located in Upper King.
TipFriday public cuppings at 10:00 are free and run 45 minutes. Sign up via Counter Culture's site.
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.
OrderButtermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits
TipBook on Resy at least 5 days ahead for weekend brunch. Request a porch table; the inside rooms run small and warm.
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.
OrderThe okonomiyaki cabbage pancake and whatever daily noodle is up.
TipLunch only Mon-Fri 11:30-15:00, plus weekday dinner. Cash and card; no reservations.
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.
OrderWhatever the chalkboard pizza is, plus burrata with whatever's in season.
TipBook on Resy. Tuesday to Saturday only; small room, books out by Wednesday.
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 $$.
OrderThe okonomiyaki cabbage pancake and whatever daily noodle is up.
TipNo reservations. Lunch Mon-Fri only; weekday dinner is the easier seat.
Renzo in Charleston runs wood-fired pizzas and a natural-wine list from an industrial Huger Street storefront since 2018. Located in Upper Peninsula.
OrderWhatever chalkboard pizza is on, plus burrata with seasonal vegetables.
TipBook on Resy. Small room, books out by midweek for the weekend.
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.
OrderFried pork chops, okra soup over rice, the cornbread.
TipLunch only Mon-Fri; closed weekends. Counter ordering, cash and card.
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.
TipHoppy Hour Mon-Fri 16:00-18:00 drops draughts to half-price. Kitchen runs pizza and snacks late.
Westbrook Brewing in Mount Pleasant has run sours, IPAs and the Mexican Cake imperial stout since 2010. South Carolina's most-distributed craft brewery.
TipTaproom open Wed-Sun. Mexican Cake imperial stout releases sell out fast; check the calendar.
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.
OrderCheese flight of five with sliced baguette, a glass of grower champagne
TipWalk-in, first-come for tables. Reservations on the website for parties of four or more.
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.
OrderLamb dumplings, dry-rubbed Four Rivers wings, mapo tofu
TipWalk-in, reservations on Resy for parties of 4 or more. Open Tue-Sat dinner only; the chili oil dessert always sells out.
Sorghum & Salt in Charleston runs farm- and sea-to-fork plates from the St Philip and Cannon corner. Housemade ricotta, gnocchi with local mushrooms.
OrderHousemade ricotta, mushroom gnocchi, daily vegetable plate
TipVegan and vegetarian options are the core, not a side menu. Reservations on Resy; small room, walk-in odds slim.
Magnolias on East Bay Street is the Charleston brunch institution since 1990. Sunday brunch only: banana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict.
OrderBanana pudding French toast, crab cake Benedict, shrimp and sausage over grits with tasso gravy
TipBook on Resy 2 weeks ahead. The shrimp and grits is the canonical version; bottomless mimosas at the bar.
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 $$.
OrderThe fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
TipWalk-in counter seating. Lines at lunch are real; weeknight dinner is easier.
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic-American tavern food and the city's most-discussed burger. Priced at $$.
OrderThe Tavern Burger with American cheese and a glass of the daily red.
TipReservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
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.
OrderThe fried chicken sandwich and a half-dozen char-grilled oysters.
TipWalk-in counter seating. Weekday lunch easier than weekend dinner.
Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston opened on King Street in 2015 with classic American tavern food. Located in Upper King. Booking recommended.
OrderThe Tavern Burger with American cheese, a glass of the daily red.
TipReservations on Resy. Walk-in bar seats serve the full menu till midnight.
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.
OrderThe crab rice with okra soup, plus a side of mac and cheese.
TipMon-Sat lunch and dinner; closed Sunday. Counter ordering Walk-ins usually OK.
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer in Charleston serves locally-influenced coffees and craft beer from a Vanderhorst Street courtyard cafe since 2003.
TipCourtyard fountain seats turn over fast on Saturdays. Open until 22:00 daily for evening drinks.
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.
OrderA homemade pop tart with a brown-butter old fashioned
TipWalk-in, no reservations. The vintage movies projected on the wall change weekly; happy hour 17:00-19:00 weekdays.
Vintage Lounge on upper King Street is a Cannonborough Charleston wine bar in a renovated historic building. Local charcuterie, truffled fontina fondue.
OrderTruffled fontina fondue, charcuterie plate, sommelier's seasonal flight
TipReserve via OpenTable for booths. The wine-pairing flight is the standing recommendation; ask staff for the off-list bottles.
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.
OrderFish sandwich, fried shrimp platter, devil crab
TipTue-Fri lunch and dinner only, closed Sat-Mon. Phone ahead to skip the 30-minute counter line at 12:30.
Page's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant has run family-owned Southern cooking on Coleman Boulevard since 2008. Kitchen leans southern, lowcountry.
OrderAshleigh's shrimp and grits with andouille and tomato gravy.
TipNo reservations; arrive at 11:00 or wait. Walk-ins only; cash and card.
Page's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant has run family-owned Southern cooking on Coleman Boulevard since 2008. Kitchen leans southern, lowcountry.
OrderAshleigh's shrimp and grits with andouille and tomato gravy.
TipNo reservations. Walk-ins only; cash and card both accepted.
Home Team BBQ in Charleston runs pulled pork, wings and brisket from a Williman Street smokehouse since 2006. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$.
OrderThe pulled pork plate with two sides, plus a half-pound of smoked wings.
TipOpen until midnight; full menu late. Live music nights draw a crowd.
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.
OrderThe breakfast plate with potatoes and the daily pasta at dinner.
TipOpen 07:15-22:00 daily. Walk-in; small market shelves at the front.
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.
TipRooftop is first-come; arrive at 16:00 on weekends for a table with the marsh view.
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.
OrderSignature burger with a side of beef jerky, 32oz punch
TipLive music most weekends, 320 capacity. Kitchen open every damn day to 01:00; cover charge varies by act.
Prohibition on King Street runs Charleston's prohibition-era cocktail bar with chef Greg Garrison's late-night small plates. Located in Upper King.
OrderChopped cheese sandwich and a Bacon Maple Old Fashioned
TipDJs 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 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.
OrderCrab cake Benedict with fried green tomatoes, peach-stuffed French toast, biscuits and gravy
TipWalk-in only; the King Street room is bigger than the Meeting Street original. Vegan and gluten-free menus available on request.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Explore Charleston's City Market in the historic downtown district on a guided foodie walking tour. Learn about the city's history while enjoying tastings of Lowcountr...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Experience the flavors of Charleston with the help of local guides. Delve into over 300 years of culinary history as you taste your way through the historic city center.
Water activity · 2.5 hours
Experience Charleston's most unique and romantic evening out. SpiritLine Cruises offers the only true waterfront fine dining experience in Charleston aboard the elegan...