Restaurants
Endless Possibilities.
There are so many amazing places to eat and drink around the area - these are just a few of our favorites. Please know that just because a local spot is not on this list, doesn’t mean that we don’t recommend it. There are really too many places to list! We encourage you to explore local restaurants beyond just these.
Sullivan’s Island
Home Team BBQ
Great local barbecue joint with pulled pork, brisket, ribs, wings, salads, burgers, and tacos. Nice bourbon selection. Our go-to meal is the nachos and a Gamechanger. Watch out: Gamechangers can sneak up on you!
High Thyme
If you are looking for 5-star cuisine with a completely unassuming ambiance, then this is your spot. Menu is on their web site, but they have daily specials, too. The food is exceptional. Note: they don’t take reservations.
Poe’s Tavern
Poe’s is a Sullivan’s Island staple. Great indoor and outdoor seating. They’re known for their burgers, but the fish tacos are spot on. Our favorites are the mahi and buffalo shrimp. Great spot for adults and kids.
The Co-Op
This is a great joint to stop in to grab a sandwich and a drink for a beach day on Sullivan’s. Try the California Turkey sandwich! And their not-so-secret weapon is their ‘Frose’ - a slushy, alcoholic drink that’s perfect for a hot summer day.
Obstinate Daughter
OD is more of an upscale spot, but the outdoor area can be kid friendly. And while they do have wood-fired pizzas, the menu is definitely a bit more sophisticated. If you can’t get a reservation, you may be able to sit at the bar or outside.
Sullivan’s Fish Camp
The newest addition to the SI dining scene, Sullivan’s Fish Camp offers outdoor dining and indoor seating in a space worthy of a magazine spread. The menu is focused on fresh, local seafood and is a great date night spot.
Mount Pleasant
Post House
Just around the corner in Old Village, Post House has exceptional charm and also great indoor/outdoor seating. The menu isn’t huge, but the food is really good. Rotating specials. More of a date night/adult spot. Reservations recommended. This is our ‘go to’ in Mt P.
Ty’s Roadside
Ty’s is a new addition in 2021 to the Mount P dining scene. It’s got a really fun vibe inside and out. The casual menu includes everything from fresh seafood to salads to pizzas. Specials daily. The wood grilled chicken with parmesan grits is exceptional. Good for adults or families.
Grace & Grit
This is a bit of a drive (about 10 minutes) and it’s tucked away, but is worth the trip. Nice, diverse menu with a ‘southern’ flair and lots of really good seafood options. They have over 15 flavors of grits - including options like blueberry and sweet potato. More of a date night/adult spot.
Stack’s Evening Eats
This is tucked into a little shopping center within walking distance. Described as ‘New American Southern’, the menu is a little more upscale and offers lots of seafood options. This is definitely more of an adult or date night place. Reservations accepted here.
Red Drum
Red Drum is just a mile up the road on Coleman Blvd - so you could walk there if you were up for it. They have a big menu with everything from local seafood to steaks to salads to more casual options like tacos and burgers. Good outdoor seating here. More of an adult/date night spot.
Kid Cashew
Kid Cashew is less than a 1/4 mile away and offers a fun lunch, dinner, or brunch option nearby. The menu and the vibe is super casual, so it’s a great spot for either adults or families. They have everything from salmon to burgers and mac & cheese. Fun outdoor seating with patio lights.
Coastal Crust
If you are looking to spend a beautiful South Carolina evening outside with great pizza, this is the spot. Walk up, order your pizza and a glass of wine…and grab a picnic table. Very family friendly. They recently added an ice cream truck on site, too. One of our favorites.
Bon Bahn Mi
If you’re looking for a quick, casual, and healthy option that is just around the corner, Bon Bahn Mi is it. Sandwiches, salads, tacos and bowls with a southeast asian flair. Great, affordable kids menu. We love to grab this ‘to go’ for a low-key evening in when we’re going to watch a movie.
Vicious Biscuit
You may need to do a bridge run after a morning at Vicious, but it’s so worth it. There’s lots of trendy biscuit restaurants out there, but this place is legit. Whether you’re looking for a plain biscuit or something more gourmet, you need to try this spot. Warning: lines get long on the weekends!
Mozzo Deli
In our opinion, this is Mount Pleasant’s best deli. They do serve breakfast (bagels, french toast, etc), but their sandwiches are where they really shine. From the Chicken Parm to the Cali Club, you can’t go wrong. Grab a sandwich and chips for a picnic or a day at the beach.
Page’s Okra Grill
Page’s is the quintessential breakfast/brunch place in Mount Pleasant - from french toast to pancakes to steak & eggs - they have a huge menu. No reservations. Get there early for breakfast or be prepared to wait - it can get really busy. They also serve lunch and dinner.
Boxcar Betty’s
Boxcar Betty’s is Charleston’s local version of Chick-Fil-A. The fried chicken sandwiches are so, so good. You can get it with a fried green tomato, pimento cheese, or homemade peach cole slaw. And don’t forget the sweet potato fries!
Downtown Charleston
Darling Oyster Bar
Located on Upper King, you can’t go wrong with Darling. They have a raw bar for oyster lovers and we also recommend the shrimp & grits or scallops…and the Daily Catch special is always good. Grab a Paloma - on tap! Start with the baked oysters as an appetizer.
Husk
Located on Queen Street, Husk offers a southern-inspired menu and is consistently rated as one of Charleston’s top restaurants. The menu changes regularly. If you go, you’ve got to try the skillet cornbread! And check out the Husk bar next door - rare microbrews and THE BEST bourbon selection around.
FIG
FIG is consistently ranked as one of Charleston’s top restaurants. Located on Meeting Street in an unassuming spot, their menu changes but offers seafood, steak, and vegetarian options with locally-sourced ingredients. This is one of Darius Rucker’s favorite restaurants!
Southbound
New to the Charleston dining scene, Southbound is located in a renovated Charleston single on Cannon Street. They do ‘live fire’ cooking on an oak-fired grill. The food and environment (part swanky, part Southern) is exceptional. You won’t be disappointed.
Hall’s Chophouse
If you’re looking for amazing steak or seafood and an exceptional dining experience, Halls won’t disappoint. The service is over the top and it’s not inexpensive, but you’ll leave impressed (and full). This is your quintessential upscale steakhouse. Also known for their Sunday ‘Gospel’ Brunch.
Lewis Barbecue
Just over the Ravenel Bridge and on the edge of Downtown, Lewis Barbecue will not disappoint. Order up pulled pork, spare ribs, brisket, homemade sausage…and the mac & cheese is off the hook. The outdoor dining under the lights strung on the Live Oak Tree tops it off. It’s so good.
167 Raw
Located on Lower King, 167 Raw doesn’t take reservations and you’ll likely have to wait, but it’s worth it. Put your name on the list and walk around the shops nearby. The menu changes daily, but it’s always top notch. There’s table and bar seating inside…and patio seating out back.
Lenoir
Award-winning chef and NC native Vivian Howard brings her southern cooking flair to Charleston. Lenoir puts a twist on southern classics - fried collards, grits, mashed potatoes, blueberry chicken wings, and a variety of entrees like fried catfish, pork chops, and ribeye. Reservations recommended.
Millers All Day
Millers offers a fun spot with your classic breakfast/brunch/lunch food with a southern flair. We love the waffles, Miller’s Plate, and breakfast sandwiches…but you can’t go wrong here with anything. No reservations. Be prepared to wait. First come, first served at the bar.
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Located in a former auto body shop, Leon’s serves up amazing food in a really fun space. Cheap beer, fried chicken, salads, oysters, shrimp rolls, hushpuppies, and milkshakes are just part of the menu. Great for a casual date night, going out with a group of friends or even for bringing the whole family.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
First, watch the Netflix special on Pitmaster Rodney Scott. He’s a James Beard-award winner and you’ll know why when you taste the bbq. This is a casual joint and the bbq is spot on. Parking is usually easy….there’s indoor seating and plenty of picnic tables outside.
Doar Bros / Little Palm
While each does have food, we love to hit one of these up for a pre-dinner drink. Doar Bros is a true craft cocktail bar serving up some of the tastiest cocktails in Charleston. (Get the Bourbon & Clyde!) Little Palm is a super fun bar with a pool view. The design and decor are great on their own, but the drink menu is also top notch.
Shem Creek
The food at Shem Creek isn’t quite up the level of some other Charleston-area restaurants, but it’s still solid. But what you get is a really fun, energetic dining scene with great views of the water. You’ll see fishing boats, kayakers, paddle boarders and even multi-million dollar yachts making their way through the water. It’s a fun spot and all of the restaurants are great for adult happy hour or a family night out.
Tavern & Table
We recommend the pimento cheese and bacon jam with ritz crackers or dynamite shrimp appetizer. Also, the scallops and shrimp & grits are good. Brunch is fun here, too!
Saltwater Cowboys
Cool bar scene with lots and lots of outdoor seating options - many overlooking the water and some around fire pits. The grilled mahi and fried grouper sandwiches are really good. The Bang Bang shrimp and Trash Can Nachos are great for sharing.
Happy Hour on Shem Creek
If you’re looking for a fun spot to grab drinks, then there are some good options: check out Red’s Ice House, Sunsets, Vickery’s, and Water’s Edge. All will make for a fun happy hour that won’t break the bank!
Want More Local Tips?
If you’re looking for more tips or insight into our favorites, check out our Insider Tips Blog! From brunch recommendations to coffee shops to the best sweet treats, we have more ideas for you here…
Eater Carolinas.
Charleston Eater (now officially Carolinas Eater) also has some great suggestions, insight, and lists of the best restaurants in the area.