Culinary Capital of the South

Charleston's Restaurant Scene

With more James Beard Award nominees per capita than almost any other American city, Charleston is a true culinary destination.

Lowcountry cuisine
Lowcountry Cuisine

A Culinary Tradition Like No Other

Charleston's food culture is rooted in the Lowcountry — a unique culinary tradition born from the confluence of West African, Native American, and European influences. The result is a cuisine unlike anything else in the world.

Shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, oyster roasts, and Frogmore stew are just a few of the iconic dishes you'll find throughout the city. From hole-in-the-wall lunch counters to white-tablecloth fine dining, Charleston's restaurant scene is endlessly diverse.

  • Multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs
  • Fresh local seafood from the Atlantic
  • Farm-to-table restaurants throughout the city
  • Vibrant craft cocktail and bar scene
  • Annual Charleston Wine + Food Festival
Local Favorites

Must-Try Charleston Dishes

No visit to Charleston is complete without trying these iconic Lowcountry dishes.

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Shrimp & Grits

Charleston's signature dish — creamy stone-ground grits topped with fresh local shrimp, often with bacon, mushrooms, and a savory sauce.

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She-Crab Soup

A rich, creamy bisque made with blue crab meat and roe, finished with a splash of sherry. A true Charleston classic.

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Lowcountry Oysters

Charleston's pluff mud oysters are world-famous. Enjoy them raw, roasted, or at one of the city's legendary oyster roasts.

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Benne Wafers

Thin, crispy sesame seed cookies with West African roots — a beloved Charleston treat sold at bakeries throughout the city.

Top Picks

Recommended Restaurants

From casual waterfront dining to upscale Lowcountry cuisine, these are Charleston's standout restaurants.

Fine dining in Charleston
Fine Dining

Husk Restaurant

Chef Sean Brock's flagship celebrates Southern ingredients in a stunning 1893 Victorian building. Every ingredient on the menu is sourced from the South.

Lowcountry food
Lowcountry Classic

FIG Restaurant

Food Is Good — and FIG proves it nightly. This James Beard Award-winning restaurant focuses on simple, ingredient-driven Lowcountry cooking.

Charleston seafood
Seafood

The Ordinary

A stunning oyster bar and seafood hall in a beautifully restored 1927 bank building. The freshest local seafood in a spectacular setting.

Charleston brunch
Brunch

Poogan's Porch

Housed in a Victorian home from 1888, Poogan's Porch is famous for its Southern brunch and is reportedly one of Charleston's most haunted restaurants.

BBQ Charleston
BBQ & Casual

Rodney Scott's BBQ

James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott serves whole-hog BBQ cooked over wood coals — a true South Carolina tradition.

Rooftop bar Charleston
Rooftop Bar

Stars Rooftop

Enjoy craft cocktails and stunning panoramic views of the Charleston skyline and harbor from this beloved rooftop bar.

Charleston dining districts
Where to Eat

Charleston's Dining Districts

Charleston's restaurant scene is spread across several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own culinary personality.

  • Upper King Street — The trendiest dining corridor, packed with innovative restaurants and craft cocktail bars
  • French Quarter — Historic setting with upscale dining in beautifully restored buildings
  • Harleston Village — Neighborhood gems and local favorites away from the tourist crowds
  • West Ashley — Casual dining and local institutions beloved by Charleston residents
  • Mount Pleasant — Waterfront dining with stunning harbor views
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