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Seafood, Raw BarUpper King
Mike Lata's The Ordinary in Charleston turned a 1927 bank building on King Street into the city's most ambitious raw bar in 2013. Located in Upper King.
OrderThe crispy oyster sliders on Hawaiian rolls, plus the seafood tower for the table.
TipBook on Resy. Mezzanine bar takes walk-ins and serves the full menu.
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European BistroUpper King
Chez Nous in Charleston runs a two-protein, two-pasta, two-starter handwritten menu daily out of a cottage on Payne Court since 2014. Located in Upper King.
OrderWhatever pasta is on the day's chalkboard; it's always the strongest plate.
TipBook on Resy weeks ahead. The room is tiny and tables turn slowly.
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New AmericanUpper King
Dano Heinze and Bethany Heinze's Vern's in Charleston runs a 30-seat tasting room on Bogard Street since 2022, picked up a Michelin Guide nod in 2024.
OrderWhatever the day's pasta is, then the protein from the wood grill.
TipResy bookings open 28 days ahead and go in minutes. Walk-in bar seats sometimes free up at 17:00.
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LowcountryDowntown
Slightly North of Broad in Charleston has run on East Bay Street since 1993. Brunch and lunch are easier seats than dinner. Bar seats are walk-in only.
OrderThe shrimp and grits with stone-ground grits and house kielbasa, on the menu since the 90s.
TipBrunch and lunch are easier seats than dinner. Bar seats are walk-in only.
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SteakhouseUpper King
Halls Chophouse in Charleston has run the city's premier steakhouse on King Street since 2009. Located in Upper King. Priced at $$$$. At 434 King St.
OrderThe 38oz tomahawk for the table, plus a starter of she-crab soup.
TipLive jazz nightly downstairs. Reservations on OpenTable; book the bar for walk-up.
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Italian, LowcountrySullivans Island
Jacques Larson's The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island opened in 2014. Italian-Lowcountry crossover with wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas.
OrderThe Old Danger pizza with house-pulled mozzarella and the Geechee Girl pasta.
TipBook on Resy. Lunch is the easier seat; dinner books out 30 days ahead.