Best Restaurants in Charleston

A foodie heaven, Charleston’s dining scene just keeps on getting hotter and hotter. Get a taste of the lowcountry at the city’s top restaurants serving mouthwatering, locally sourced cuisine.

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Photo By: Courtesy of Husk

Photo By: Squire Fox

Photo By: Libsciterp, Flickr

Photo By: Coast Bar and Grill

Photo By: Magnolias

Photo By: Ron Cogswell, flickr

Photo By: Libsciterp, Flickr

Photo By: Austin Dandridge

Photo By: Slightly North of Broad

Photo By: Stars Rooftop & Grill Room

Husk

Located in historic downtown Charleston, this award-winning restaurant focuses on lowcountry cuisine, with James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock's motto, "If it doesn’t come from the South, it’s not coming through the door." That’s not referring to Husk's diners, of course, who hail from all over the U.S.

McCrady's

Part of the same restaurant group that manages Husk, McCrady's also has an innovative menu centered around local purveyors and designed by by award-winning Chef Sean Brock. While the dishes might be modern, the restaurant is the oldest in the city, built in 1788. The original tavern served as a meeting spot during the Revolutionary War for Charleston’s influential leaders.

FIG

FIG takes "locally sourced" and "farm-to-table" to an all-new level, using local ingredients at their peak and preparing them minimally to capture the flavor of the season. This laidback bistro’s simple approach is felt in the ambiance with its unpretentious "neighborhood café" vibe.

Hominy Grill

You’ll find tourists and locals alike waiting in line on Sundays for brunch at Hominy Grill. This popular dining spot focuses on showcasing Charleston’s unique taste with specialties like okra and shrimp beignets, catfish creole and the crowd favorite, The Big Nasty -- a biscuit with fried chicken breast, cheddar cheese and sausage gravy.

Coast Bar and Grill

This laidback beach-inspired restaurant is tucked away on John Street in historic Charleston. Feast on Coast's fresh fish of the day or Southern specialities like shrimp and grits, and wash it all down with a Dark N’ Stormy cocktail.

Oak Steakhouse

If you’re tired of seafood (is that even possible in this city?), this is the place to go. Offering the finest cuts of Angus beef steaks in a sophisticated space, Oak Steakhouse has an upscale menu and sources ingredients from local farmers and fisheries. Yes, there’s mouthwatering seafood on the menu here, as well. This is Charleston, after all.

Magnolias

One of Charleston’s best high-end restaurants, Magnolias offers contemporary dishes in the city’s celebrated historic district. Savor items off its "New Southern" menu like sautéed mussels, pimiento cheese flatbread and spicy catfish.

Hank's Seafood

Overlooking the historic City Market, this 1940s-style fish house is a seafood lover’s dream. Hank's Southern seafood specialties here include lowcountry bouillabaisse and she crab soup.

Amen Street Raw and Fish Bar

Located in the heart of the historic district, just a short walk from the City Market, Amen Street Raw & Fish Bar supports Charleston’s local fishing industry by serving up market-fresh fish. Feast on favorites like shrimp corndogs, baked oysters and crab cakes. If you have room, top off the meal with spiced pecan pie for dessert.

Closed for Business

This lively gastropub, known for its extensive beer selection including 42 seasonal small-batch brews, goes beyond the standard pub grub. Soak up the brews at Closed for Business with dishes like duck pot pie and buffalo oysters. Or stick with the beer theme, and order beer mussels and beer-battered fish and chips.

Slightly North of Broad

This bustling bistro wows diners with playful and innovative takes on Southern dishes like stuffed Carolina quail breast, BBQ tuna, and chocolate pecan upside down cake. And, like many of the restaurants in this town, Slightly North of Broad proudly serves products sourced from local farmers.

Stars Rooftop and Grill

If you want to take in one of the city’s best 360-degree views, head to Stars Rooftop and Grill, one of the city’s newest hot spots for dining and cocktails. Serving locally sourced foods and maintaining the casual, cool vibe of Charleston, this is a perfect spot for visitors to get a taste of the city.