What are the most popular restaurants in Charleston?
Charleston is technically a tiny city, yet it significantly impacts the country’s cuisine scene. Although it has long been renowned for its eclectic range of options, the notion that this city is filled with traditional Southern fare is firmly passé. While there are certainly many establishments with standard fares, such as local favorites Husk Charleston, Rodney Scott’s BBQ, and Glass Onion, a younger generation of eateries is demonstrating how deliciously diverse the tastes of the Holy City are with dishes like tapas, terrines, karaage, and salsa verde.
But regardless of design, the greatest restaurants in town use fresh foods from the sea and the beach; this is the best example of Lowcountry heritage. To compile our ranking of the top restaurants in Charleston, we looked at everything from the traditional to the cutting-edge and everything in between.
Most Popular Restaurants in Charleston
You ascend to the second level on the sea wind, where the interior has a beachy vibe but no sign of nautical kitsch. It seems fitting that this restaurant, which is the sibling establishment of Wild Olive on Johns Island, has an Italian influence as well, but one that is seen via a coastal lens. Consider sharing dishes rather than stuffing yourself full from the menu and persuade your company to order any house-made pasta (particularly the seasonal pappardelle), a pizza, and anything green. As a result of the restaurant’s strong support for nearby farmers, the veggies and salads are consistently top-notch.
The traffic into Johns Island appears to ease slightly after crossing the River Road/Maybank Highway interchange, but if you press the accelerator too hard, you’ll fly by this eatery. Not at all. Wild Olive’s seasonal adjustments have kept customers coming back. Here, you must taste the delicate agnolotti, grilled octopus, fresh veggies from the farmers who have become close friends with chef Jacques Larson over the course of his lengthy career in a number of Charleston restaurants, as well as traditional main dishes like veal scallopini with marsala.
Maison’s lovely presentation and skillful execution may not be specifically “Southern,” but they are Charlestonian. French cuisine is created by chef Vandy Vanderwarker, who was formerly the chef de cuisine at The Ordinary. He is not afraid to serve crowd-pleasers—hello, steak frites—but he also leaves himself leeway to express his creativity by serving vegetables and crudo during certain seasons. Escargot, a vibrant green dish with herbs and garlic, is one of the most requested and one of most frequently photographed dishes.
When we consider Daps, two things come to mind: breakfast wine. This all-day breakfast establishment excels at the type of all-day gluttony they envision. Given what they serve, it’s hardly surprising that the clientele is laid-back; these are the individuals who aren’t scared to eat a morning burrito at 4 p.m. The pancakes are the best in town; they are fluffy and occasionally served with morning cereals. Another popular dish is hash, with The Special #1 including a festival of vegetables and The Big Meaty living up to its name. The last half of the meal is comprised entirely of cakes, including sweet treats and a butternut squash variant that might be too alluring to pass up.
Carmella’s must be on your list if, like me, you have a serious sweet craving. This café mixes modern treats with old-world charm. With one of their organic coffee beverages, pair your fine dessert.
At 82 Queen, savor the very best of southern cooking. This restaurant, which is located in the city’s historic French Quarter, has been fully embracing its Southern origins for more than 40 years. Even now, it continues to serve traditional dishes like jambalaya, southern tomato pie, and fried green tomatoes. You may eat in their cozy courtyard (but don’t forget the mosquito spray) or inside the Victorian mansion that has been restored.
