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ItalianJohns Island
Wild Olive on Johns Island has run handmade pasta and Italian-Lowcountry plates from a converted barn on Maybank Highway since 2009. Priced at $$$.
OrderWhatever house pasta the kitchen is running tonight; rotates with the season.
TipReservations required almost every night. Book at wildolive.com.
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Seafood, LowcountryJohns Island
Brannon Florie's The Royal Tern on Johns Island opened in 2019 as a fancy neighbourhood eatery on Maybank Highway. Kitchen leans seafood, lowcountry.
OrderWhatever whole fish is on the wood grill, plus oysters from the daily list.
TipBook on the website. Dinner only, closed Sundays.
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Seafood, LowcountryDowntown
Hyman's Seafood in Charleston serves the city from a Meeting Street row of historic buildings the Karesh-Hyman family has held since 1890; the seafood.
OrderShe-crab soup and a fried-fish plate with hushpuppies.
TipNo reservations; arrive before 17:30 or expect a 45-minute wait. Hush puppies are free.
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LowcountryDowntown
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.
OrderThe 18-time-award-winning she-crab soup, table-side sherry pour optional.
TipBook on OpenTable. Courtyard seats are the best in the house.
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LowcountryDowntown
Poogan's Porch in Charleston has run since 1976 from a restored Victorian on Queen Street. Order the shrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
OrderShrimp and grits at brunch, biscuits to start.
TipBook on OpenTable. Brunch on weekends draws a queue from 10:00.
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Spanish, TapasUpper King
Estadio in Charleston runs Spanish tapas, vermouth on tap and a sherry programme out of a Spring Street corner spot since 2023. Located in Upper King.
OrderThe tortilla, jamon plate, and a vermouth on the rocks at 17:00.
TipBook on Resy. Bar seats walk-in. The sherry list is the deepest in the city.