Interior of a cozy restaurant with a bar area, white brick walls, wooden ceiling, and a chalkboard menu. Bar stools line the counter, and shelves stocked with bottles and decor are in the background. Pendant lights hang from the ceiling.

167 Raw - 193 King Street

The most popular raw bar and seafood restaurant in Charleston. Beautiful, hip, dining area, and bar.

Interior of a restaurant with brick arches, hardwood floors, and round tables with white tablecloths set for dining, featuring wine glasses and cutlery, with artwork on brick walls and a large window letting in natural light.

High Cotton - 199 East Bay

The best high-end Southern dining experience. Same owners and high-level service as Halls Chophouse. Ultimate traditional Southern hospitality.

Bright, modern restaurant interior with a central white marble bar, yellow chairs, plants, and decorative lighting fixtures.

Lenoir - 68 Wentworth Street

The newest restaurant from famed Chef, Vivian Howard. Currently my favorite restaurant in Charleston, great Southern food taking things beyond the standard Shrimp and Grits.

Night view of a restaurant named 'F I G' with illuminated sign, street corner with street sign 'Hasell St', outdoor seating, potted plants, bench, and traffic light

FIG - 232 Meeting Street

Best restaurant in Charleston and is hinted at being one of the best in the US. A unique menu and experience. Reservations required must book well in advance.

Interior of a well-lit cafe with a long counter with barstools on the left, wooden tables and chairs on the right, large windows, plants, framed artwork, and a mirror on the back wall.

Basic Kitchen – 82 Wentworth Street

Seasonal, local produce. Hip, namaste type atmosphere, a local favorite. Food that tastes great and is also good for you.

Exterior of a restaurant named 'Vern's' with large display windows, a green door, a rustic wooden bench, and a large potted plant outside.

Verns - 41 Bogard Street

This off-the-beaten-path restaurant was founded by Manhattan transplants. They have created a wonderfully balanced and tasteful menu. A must try for anyone visiting Charleston.

Interior of a cozy restaurant or bar with a bar counter, plush bar stools, and a few patrons and staff inside, featuring large windows and warm lighting.

Stella’s – 114 Saint Philip Street

Great atmosphere, just one block from King street makes this Mediterranean incredible food and experience at a very reasonable price.

City street at dusk with three historic buildings, palm trees, and a lit interior visible through large windows, including a restaurant with warm lighting.

Oak Steakhouse – 17 Broad Street

Another Charleston Local’s favorite. Set over 3 floors with varying dining experiences to suit casual to quiet and romantic. The menu is the same throughout all areas.

Top-down view of a spacious, elegant restaurant interior with a long bar on the left and multiple dining tables on the right, large arched windows, high ceiling, and modern pendant lighting.

The Ordinary - 544 King St

Best, high-end seafood in Charleston, and possibly the best restaurant in Charleston.

Interior of a cozy bar or café with a brick wall background, wooden bar counter, barstools, and hanging lights, some decorated with greenery, with a few patrons and staff present.

XIAO BAO BISCUIT - 224 RUTLEDGE AVE

Need a break from southern food, come here for some edgy New York vibe set in a refurbished circa 1940’s service station. The food is Asian fusion with tastes you’ll never forget. No reservations, just come.

People dining at a restaurant with a bar area, wine bottles, a wine display, and a French flag hanging from the ceiling.

Gaulart & Maliclet French Café AKA “Fast and French” - 98 Broad Street

A wonderful neighborhood restaurant providing fresh, affordable, healthy, global cuisine with French flair in a social environment that encourages community and the Arts. It’s a low key and affordable where Charleston’s royalty sneak in a quick meal.

A cozy dining area with a small wooden table set for two, including plates, glasses, and a small plant centerpiece. The table is situated in front of a large open window with patterned curtains, revealing a lush green plant outside.

Delaney Oyster House - 115 Calhoun

Set in an antebellum, beautifully renovated Charleston home. On the menu, crab claws, oysters, empanadas, crab rice, caviar service, and a daily catch. A wonderful living and dining room experience.

Inside a rustic-style restaurant with wooden ceiling beams, pendant lights, and a mix of chairs and tables set for dining. The walls are decorated with paintings and framed pictures, and there is a bar area with bar stools.

Leon’s - A drive or Uber ride

Everything is delicious from raw oysters though fried chicken. It has perfected the art of shabby-chic.

Interior of a restaurant with a bar on the left, wooden flooring, brick walls, round hanging lights, and flower arrangements.

Rue de Jean – 39 John Street

French Brasserie, great atmosphere and food, a beloved Charleston staple since 1996. Locals and down to earth tourists alike.

Modern bar with gold accents, dark walls, and white spherical pendant lights. The bar counter is curved with gold supports, and there are rows of wine bottles on gold shelves behind it. Tables with illuminated candles are visible on the right side, and the kitchen is visible through a window in the back.

Renzo - A drive or Uber ride

A neighborhood, art-deco inspired, fancy pizza and pasta eatery. All the dishes are light, bright, and elevated; pieces of art work. My personal favorite pizza and pasta in Charleston.

Interior of a restaurant with tables covered in white tablecloths, adorned with small lamps, set for dining. The restaurant features vintage decor with brick walls, large windows allowing natural light, and a bar area with orange stools. Green chairs surround some tables, creating a cozy and stylish atmosphere.

Melfi’s - A drive or Uber ride

Similar to Renzo (see above), unforgettable pizza, though at a much higher price. Service is top notch, feels like a high-end New York restaurant.