16 Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC

Charleston has some of the most amazing restaurants in the South! From trendy eateries to amazing brunch spots, here are the best restaurants in Charleston.

One of the best things to do in Charleston is to eat your way around the city! There are so many great restaurants to choose from, but I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites. Read on to find out where to eat in Charleston.

Delicious Restaurants in Charleston

1. Frannie & The Fox

Italian

Frannie & The Fox is trendy Italian restaurant in the lobby of the Hotel Emeline. They have cozy indoor seating, an outdoor courtyard with a huge fireplace, and a popular bar called The Den.

I recommend the Rigatoni with lamb or the Squid Ink Chitarra.

181 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401

2. Sorghum & Salt

American, Local Ingredients

Sorghum & Salt is a small restaurant that focuses on locally-crafted cuisine. They use ingredients that are grown, raised, and produced from local farms in the area. This is a great spot for a romantic dinner out.

They feature a menu that changes seasonally. I recommend their Bread and House Made Ricotta and the Chicken Sugo with Fresh Gargenelli Pasta.

186 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403

3. Well-Hung Vineyard & Restaurant

American, Upscale Southern

Well-Hung Vineyard & Restaurant is a female-owned winery out of Virginia with a location in Downtown Charleston right by the Historic Charleston City Market.

They’ve got a cheeky name and logo, and their wines definitely fit the theme as well. Grab a seat in their cute 2-story restaurant, maybe out on the porch dining if it’s a nice day, and enjoy a delicious meal and a flight of wine.

I recommend the Shrimp Scampi or THE Ribeye to eat. For wines, I enjoyed the Sweetness Flight with their Wishful Thinking, Just Peachy, Creamy Dreams, and Happy Ending wines, as well as the Pop Your Cork Chardonnay.

49 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

4. Vicious Biscuit

Breakfast, Brunch

Vicious Biscuit is a biscuit-centric restaurant with an over-the-top menu of biscuit sandwiches, breakfast platters, and breakfast bowls.

I highly recommend The Vicious Beignets. They’re cinnamon cream cheese-filled pastries with strawberry jam, strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.

409 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

5. Poe’s Tavern

Gastropub, Burgers

Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island is an Edgar Allan Poe-themed gastropub that specializes in hamburgers, fish tacos, sandwiches, and salads. Y’all know I’m a sucker for anything literary themed, and all their sandwiches are named after Poe stories.

I recommend the Amontillado Burger or the Sleeper Burger (this one comes with fried shrimp on top!).

2210 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482

6. White Duck Taco Shop

Tacos, Mexican

White Duck Taco Shop is a Mexican restaurant with a la carte tacos inspired by different flavors around the world. It’s really fun to try a few different types of tacos you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

I recommend the Korean Beef Bulgogi, Lamb Gyro, Mole Roasted Duck, and Fish tacos.

341 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

7. Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

Seafood, Waterfront

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar is one of Charleston’s top restaurants: you’ll need a reservation in advance, especially on the weekend, and you’ll want to plan a few days ahead. If you can score a reservation, their menu of Southern seafood favorites is well worth it.

I recommend the pan-roasted Jumbo Shrimp or the Blackened Triggerfish.

186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401

8. Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar

Dessert, Ice Cream

Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar has desserts, gelato, sorbet, organic coffees, sandwiches, pizza, wine, beer, cocktails, and boozy milkshakes. At night, the line is usually out the door, but you hardly have a wait during the day.

I recommend a double scoop of gelato or a chocolate milkshake (boozy or not is your choice!).

198 E Bay St STE 100, Charleston, SC 29401

9. Frothy Beard Brewing Company

Brewpub, Pizza

Frothy Beard Brewing Company has a taproom with over 20 rotating beers, pizza, wings, burgers, and plenty of fun events. Plus, they have daily lunch specials which are totally worth it.

I recommend getting a Monster Slice of pizza. They’re huge and delicious.

1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

10. Queology Barbecue

BBQ

Queology Barbecue is an award-winning barbecue restaurant with a lively covered patio and some of the best wings in town.

I recommend the Buffalo Mild Wings and their Loaded Fries with queso, jalapenos, barbecue sauce, tomatoes, and onions.

6 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

11. Oyster House Seafood Restaurant

Seafood, Oysters

Oyster House Seafood Restaurant is located just off of Charleston City Market. They have a large covered patio that’s perfect for enjoying their fresh oysters, seafood, and Lowcountry favorites.

I recommend the Fire Roasted Oysters, the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna, Charleston She Crab Soup, the Coastal Seafood Trio, and a Pomegranate Martini to drink.

35 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

12. Famulari’s Pizzeria

Pizza, Italian

Famulari’s Pizzeria is a small pizza shop for New York style and Chicago style pizza, calzones, strombolis, subs, and wraps.

I recommend the Classic Meatball Sub or the Calzone.

2408 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414

13. HOKKAIDO Sushi & Hibachi

Japanese, Sushi

HOKKAIDO Sushi & Hibachi is a small Japanese restaurant serving up sushi and hibachi dishes.

I recommend Tuna Lover Roll, the Spicy Tuna Roll, and the Spicy Yellowtail Roll.

99 Westedge St Ste 1600, Charleston, SC 29403

14. Ted’s Butcherblock

Gourmet Deli, Sandwiches

Ted’s Butcherblock is an old-fashioned butcher counter and gourmet deli with a menu of craft sandwiches, soups, salads, charcuterie, and smoked meats.

I recommend the Italian Sandwich or the Chicken, Pancetta & Avocado Sandwich.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

15. Folly Beach Crab Shack

Seafood, Crab

The Folly Beach Crab Shack has been a Folly Beach staple for over 20 years. It’s consistently named one of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston and in South Carolina.

I recommend grabbing a table on their outdoor deck and getting a plate of Fried Shrimp and sipping on their Tropical Storm cocktail.

26 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439

16. Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream

Ice Cream, Sandwiches

Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream has a bunch of Charleston locations. The obvious choice here is ice cream, but they also serve lunch and dinner items like sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs, plus sundaes and milkshakes.

I recommend two heaping cups of ice cream in your favorite flavor. It’s the perfect end to a day in Charleston!

West Ashley – Savannah Hwy: 474 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

West Ashley – Sam Rittenberg: 1319 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

Mr. Pleasant: 1502 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

North Charleston: 6554 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406

Charleston Restaurants Map

Ready to check out these best restaurants in Charleston? Use the map below to plan out your next meal!

I hope you have an amazing time eating your way around these top Charleston restaurants!

More Charleston Tips

Check out the posts below to continue planning your Charleston vacation:

• 13 Best Charleston Ghost Tours For a Scary-Good Time
• 14 Romantic Things to Do in Charleston for Couples
• 50+ Fun Things to Do in Charleston at Night
• 10 Amazing Hotels in Charleston, SC
• 10 Best Tours in Charleston, SC
• 11 Best Bars in Charleston, SC
• Your Perfect Charleston Bachelorette Party Itinerary
• 9 Free Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 37 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 7 Days in Charleston: Perfect 1 Week Charleston Itinerary
• 14 Tips for Your First Trip to Charleston, SC
• 14 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the South
• The Best Winter Vacations in the South

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Ready to visit Charleston, South Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in Charleston using Booking.com or vacation rentals near Charleston using VRBO.
• Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

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Cheers!

Paige

Which of these best restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina will you try next? Let me know in the comments!