Halls Chophouse in Charleston has run the city's premier steakhouse on King Street since 2009. The Hall family's hospitality plus prime ribeyes built a national reputation.
Signature dishes: Tomahawk ribeye, She-crab soup
Must order: The 38oz tomahawk for the table, plus a starter of she-crab soup.
Tip: Live jazz nightly downstairs. Reservations on OpenTable; book the bar for walk-up.
Address: 434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Jacques Larson's The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan's Island opened in 2014. Italian-Lowcountry crossover with wood-fired pizzas and seafood pastas, named for a Revolutionary War cartoon.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Geechee Girl pasta
Order: The Old Danger pizza with house-pulled mozzarella and the Geechee Girl pasta.
Tip: Book on Resy. Lunch is the easier seat; dinner books out 30 days ahead.
Jason Stanhope and partners reopened Sullivan's Fish Camp on Middle Street in Sullivan's Island in 2022. James Beard winner Stanhope brings FIG-level cooking to a casual fish-camp setting.
Signature: Raw bar selections, Wood-grilled whole fish
Order: A half-dozen oysters from the daily list, then the wood-grilled whole fish.
Tip: Book on Resy. The bar serves the full menu and turns faster than the dining room.
Wild Olive on Johns Island has run handmade pasta and Italian-Lowcountry plates from a converted barn on Maybank Highway since 2009. Chef Jacques Larson's first restaurant.
Signature: House-made pasta, Wood-fired meats
Order: Whatever house pasta the kitchen is running tonight; rotates with the season.
Tip: Reservations required almost every night. Book at wildolive.com.
Brannon Florie's The Royal Tern on Johns Island opened in 2019 as a fancy neighbourhood eatery on Maybank Highway. Local seafood, raw bar and a wood grill anchor the menu.
Signature: Whole fish, Local raw bar
Order: Whatever whole fish is on the wood grill, plus oysters from the daily list.
Tip: Book on the website. Dinner only, closed Sundays.
Hyman's Seafood in Charleston has fed the city from a Meeting Street row of historic buildings since 1890. Five generations of family ownership and a queue that wraps the block.
Signature: She-crab soup, Fried local seafood
Order: She-crab soup and a fried-fish plate with hushpuppies.
Tip: No reservations; arrive before 17:30 or expect a 45-minute wait. Hush puppies are free.
82 Queen in Charleston has poured she-crab soup for 40 years from three historic buildings on Queen Street with a courtyard garden under a magnolia tree. Lowcountry institution.
Signature: She-crab soup, Shrimp and grits
Order: The 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup, table-side sherry pour optional.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
