Charleston is a vibrant city with a historic downtown area and a convenient location near incredible sandy beaches; not to mention the immense local culture and dining options! If you’re considering planning a trip to the Lowcountry, here are some of the best places to eat in Charleston SC you’ll want to add to your list:
1. Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
Location: Historic Hayne Street
Reservations recommended, open for dinner at 5 PM 7 days a week
What’s the best seafood restaurant in Charleston SC? Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is no doubt at the top of the list. This warehouse-turned-restaurant overlooks the Charleston City Market and reflects the city’s unique history and culture. The ceviche on the raw bar menu is delicious, as are the blackened seared scallops and grits!
2. Fleet Landing Restuarant & Bar
Location: Concord Street near City Market
Reservations highly encouraged, open for lunch until 3:30 PM, open for dinner at 5 PM 7 days a week
Fleet Landing is one of the top Charleston restaurants with a view! Its waterfront location provides the perfect backdrop for a delicious meal. Enjoy crab cakes, oysters, shrimp, and so many more fresh fish options along with Southern sides full of Lowcountry flavor. Both the raw bar and regular bar are open for drinks and snacks during the transition from lunch to dinner!
3. The Glass Onion
Location: Savannah Highway
Doesn’t accept reservations, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, closed on Sundays
You’ll find soul food at its finest at The Glass Onion in Charleston. Start with fried green tomatoes and creamy shrimp dip before digging into your stuffed Po Boy sandwich or gumbo with a side of collard greens and buttermilk cornbread.
4. The Griffon
Location: Vendue Range near the French Quarter
Doesn’t accept reservations, takeout available, open late 7 days a week
The Griffon is an English-style pub on the list of best bars in the South! You’ll find a great selection of draft beer, including some local brews, and the menu features burgers, sandwiches, wings, and of course, fish and chips.
5. Poogan’s Porch
Location: Downtown Queen Street
Reservations recommended, open for dinner at 4:30 PM 7 days a week
The oldest independent dining establishment in Charleston, Poogan’s Porch is another of the best places to eat in Charleston SC. This old Victorian house-turned-restaurant serves incredible Lowcountry cuisine. You can’t go wrong with ordering anything off the menu, but we suggest the she-crab soup, fried chicken, or shrimp and grits.
6. Husk Restaurant
Location: Downtown Queen Street
Reservations highly recommended, open for dinner at 5 PM 7 days a week, bar and patio open at 4 PM
Next door is another incredible Charleston restaurant for Southern food. Husk is also located in a restored Victorian home and has a rotating chef-driven menu so your experience is completely unique. They also have a great selection of cocktails, wine, and beer.
7. La Farfalle Osteria
Location: Harleston Village on Beaufain Street
Reservations highly encouraged, bar and patio seating for walk-ins only, open for dinner at 5 PM 7 days a week
An “osteria” in Italy is a restaurant that serves good wine and simple food, and La Farfalle in Charleston emphasizes fresh local ingredients and timeless Italian specialties, from the Aperol Spritz, Rosemary Focaccia, and Calamari Fritti to the Cacio e Pepe, Chicken Parmigiana, and Tiramisu.
8. Jackrabbit Filly
Location: North Charleston on East Montague Ave.
Reservations highly encouraged, open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday
Jackrabbit Filly serves contemporary Chinese-American cuisine and incredible cocktails in a bright and lively environment. Meals are served family-style with large portions that are meant to be shared. The Drunken Pappardelle is a local favorite, with oyster mushrooms, bean sprouts, snow peas, onion, Thai basil, sweet soy, and oyster sauce!
9. Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano
Two Locations: Meeting Street Rd. and Savannah Highway
Walk-ins welcome, takeout and delivery available, open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week
One of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in Charleson, Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano has all of your favorites, such as tacos, burritos, flautas, and enchiladas, as well as popular dishes including Carne Asada and Chillies Rellenos. We recommend trying the pork and cactus in green tomatillo sauce and the shrimp stuffed avocado!
10. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ
Location: Downtown King Street
Doesn’t accept reservations, pickup/drive-thru, open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
The unique coal ember pit smoking technique at Rodney Scott’s BBQ brings a whole new meaning to whole hog barbeque! A couple of our favorite things on the menu include the pork skin nachos, brisket chili, and rib sandwich. Make sure to save room for their incredible homemade banana pudding for dessert!
Now that you know the top 10 places to eat in Charleston SC, it’s time to plan your itinerary– Explore fun things to do in Charleston!
Need a place to stay in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry? Take a look at all of our Charleston vacation rentals and browse cozy beach bungalows, spacious villas with ocean views, historic downtown townhomes, and resort community condos!
