Where to Find The Best Charleston Restaurants

Good food is an integral part of the culture in Charleston, South Carolina. Home to southern specialties, fresh seafood, and fusion cuisine from all over the world, the city is blessed with an abundance of great restaurants.

The trick is finding the best of them. Here is a guide of the 10 most memorable restaurants in Charleston – the places that you won’t want to miss on your next visit.

1. The Grocery

The Grocery is a modern restaurant kitchen & bar in Charleston’s Wagener Terrace neighborhood, offering vibrant, artfully-plated dishes by James Beard-nominated chef Bryan Furman. The menu is robust but concise and focuses on vegetable-forward dishes, grilled sirloin steaks, and grilled or pan-fried seafood.

2. Halls Chophouse

Halls Chophouse is an upscale steakhouse located right in the heart of downtown Charleston. This restaurant is known for its amazing steaks, seafood and Chef’s Table experience – hallmarks of owner/founder Steve Hall’s concept that can be found in four other locations across Charleston.

3. Lewis Barbecue

Hands down, Lewis Barbecue is one of the best spots for barbecue in all of Charleston – arguably in all of South Carolina. Here you’ll find mouth-watering Meats smoked in their very own wood-fired pit, and sides like charred shishito peppers and cucumber salad through which you can really get a taste of what makes the Lowcountry so special.

4. Ma’am Ellie

Ma’am Ellie will be your go-to place in Charleston if you’re looking for soul food, traditional Carolina barbecue and all the fixin’s. This family-run restaurant has been serving authentic southern cooking since 2001 and has welcomed countless hungry customers through its doors over the years.Stop by for fried chicken, smoked sausage, oxtails, and yellow rice with collards.

5. Blossom

Blossom is a modern gastropub located in downtown Charleston serving high-quality share plates and entrees from chef and owner Clayton Rollison. Signature dishes at this restaurant include sweet potato daikon focaccia with cauliflower cream, goat cheese cake wrapped in pickled beet chips, and pork tenderloin with summer squash agnolotti. This is a great spot for date night or dinner with friends.

6. Spero

Spero is a trendy restaurant & bar located in the French Quarter district of downtown Charleston. It’s a must-visit spot if you are looking for unique flavors as well as creative cocktails crafted by their award-winning mixologists. Here, entrees include an array of locally-sourced proteins such as grouper, snapper, shrimp and more served with an assortment of sides to choose from.

7. Fig

If you’re looking for a farm-to-table dining experience in Charleston, Fig is the restaurant for you. This spot in downtown Charleston features an ever-changing seasonal menu of Southern dishes inspired by local farmers and artisans. Start off with one of their charcuterie boards before moving on to entrées like pan seared scallops or crispy duck confit with fingerling potatoes and bacon jam.

8. 167 Raw

For some of the freshest seafood in town head to 167 Raw on East Bay Street. This casual seafood bar serves some of the best raw oysters and sushi dishes in the city – freshly caught seafood served on handmade wooden boats or elegant sushi platters featuring a variety of fish such as tuna, yellowtail, clam, salmon and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, order a few snow crab legs or order a “Gone Fishing” off the menu to get a combination of eight different flavors you won’t soon forget!

9. Little Jack’s Tavern

Little Jack’s Tavern is a rambunctious yet upscale burger joint from chefs Andy Minchow and Ren Lewis (the same folks behind Lewis Barbecue), located on King Street in downtown Charleston. The menu features elevated gastro-burgers that make use of hardwood charcoal grilling like the roquefort burger and pimento cheese burger – both delicious choices that echo the restaurant’s Americana décor– as well as lighter options such as Caesar salads, homemade fries and a great selection of craft beer selections.

10. The Macintosh

For a high-end dining experience look no further than The Macintosh. The view spectacular view overlooks King Street while you are served dishes made with unique ingredients like quinoa crusted oysters, tempura mushrooms and duck confit rolls, each created with precision and finesse by Executive Chef Jeremiah Bacon. Make sure to leave room for dessert – they have some unique creations such as white chocolate bread pudding and blueberry mojito cheesecake!

Whether you’re looking for gourmet burgers or fresh seafood, Charleston really has it all when it comes to remarkable dining experiences. With this guide you are sure to find all the best restaurants the city has to offer – just don’t forget to come hungry! For more information about these great restaurants in Charleston check out Charleston CVB’s Guide to Restaurants.