48 Best Southern Restaurants in Charleston

“They have some signs of the "Miller High Life" on the wall, but they don't have any beer products at the restaurant. It's just interior decor as well as their name is Miller. I asked a bottle of the Miller light, but they don't have anything.?“

“Beautiful propertyGreat barClean facilityFriendly serviceI have been dreaming to eat at one of Sean Brocks restaurants for a long time. Finally found myself in Charleston for business and made my move.Man am I glad I did! It did not disappoint.I wanted to try everything, but one can only eat so much ?I wish I could come back with 3 hungry friends, so we can order everything on the menu and go family-style.If you are in town, do not miss the opportunity to eat at Husk!“

“Absolutely delicious food. We started with the s'mores and carrot cake and were not disappointed. So rich and delicious. We moved on to the fried sweet potato skins, topped with an arugula salad blend. So well balanced and fresh. The main course was the tomato pie. Honestly the best meal I've ever had in Charleston! Highly recommend!“

“Lunch...terrific. started with fried green tomato blt sandwich that was off the chart. Sinfully delicious... now that I have your attention please note this sandwich was paired with deviled eggs. An over-the-top combination that takes you to an over-the-top state of pure bliss. Rest assured that you will be in a dream state after this meal.“

“This is a down home funky southern restaurant serving primarily oysters and fried chicken in a converted garage. So for that reason they get 5 stars. The food was good, the roasted oysters were great, beer was cold, sides were enough to share service was attentive. They don’t take reservations for party less than six so you can expect to wait if you go at prime time. It a pretty popular place.Parking: Primarily a residential neighborhood so parking can be sparse. They do have a free parking lot but it’s small. Neighborhood not the best so be aware walking at night“

“Wonderful ambiance, great food and a wonderful server, Austin. he indicated he was new but he was terrific! Answered all our questions, his recommendations were spot on (if you love crispy perfect fries you'll love this place) and he even sent us with to-go drinks. We had the burger and the fish sandwich, delicious!“

“This was an incredible find on our East Coast trip. The best gumbo we've ever had. I'm glad this was my first shrimp and grits It was a perfect balance of creamy and toothy with delicious pink shrimp. The service and attention to detail was spot on.“

“Many of the local restaurants are overrated, but not Charleston Grill. Great ambiance, service, and the food is fantastic. The knowledgeable staff will help with a wine or cocktail selection to add to your experience. I recommend a jacket for men as this is an upscale venue. Go here, it's worth it.“

“Great food and service. Our waiter offered suggestions and was attentive. We ordered the smoked fish dip and bread as appetizers, she had the pasta and I had the rice dish. We also had cocktails and wine. All were terrific.I only have one suggestion, to expand or add more variety to the beer list. Not a big deal as everything else was amazing.“

“Ms. Roses is a fantastic place for lunch or dinner in West Ashley! Location is convenient for anyone around Charleston, which makes it a great place for meeting friends who live all over town. My friend and I met for lunch. I had the Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich with Sweet Potato fries. Our server was very friendly! Excellent customer service. Looking forward to visiting here again for another special occasion.“

“When you eat at Bertha's, it is like visiting family who have been eager to see you. Before you even open the front door, the aroma of delicious food fills the air and invites you to come in. Once you do walk in, the sounds of laugher and good company let you know that you've shown up at the right place. Savor every moment and be reminded of a what a good family meal really means.When my family and I visited Bertha's, we knew little about it, but we were greeted with the warmest hospitality. We did not feel like strangers, but like another member of the family. And the staff at Bertha's made sure that we were well-fed.The fried chicken was fresh and piping hot. The red rice was bursting with flavor. The mac & cheese was warm and comforting. And each bite of my meal just made me want to have another bite.Thank you, Bertha's Kitchen! It was a meal I will not soon forget!“

“Was lucky enough to hit Callie's with no line & grab a seat at the small sitting area outside the market. Got the pimento cheese and sausage sandwich as well as a small sampler of blackberry, cinnamon, and cheese & chive. Biscuits were really good, different than I was expecting. They aren't flaky and buttery like other biscuits I've had. But they were more dense? Still very good overall & would recommend a stop if you're coming through Charleston!“

“The watch is one of my favorite places to go in Charleston. The restaurant is nicely decorated, the view is great and the food is tasty. The service is always spectacular and I'm always happy to come back. This past time was lacking a bit on the food aspect. We ordered Brussels sprouts and ended up getting broccoli. The lobster pasta needed some salt. The chopped salad took forever to come. But I'm always happy to come back here as I do love the restaurant. I'd definitely recommend always getting the truffle fries (it's the best) and the espresso martini was perfect!“

“My daughter and I dined here on a girls weekend to Charleston. We tried the she crab soup, very creamy and flavorful. She had the filet and crab mac n cheese. I had the goat cheese gnocchi with short rib ragu. Everything was prepared exceptionally and the portion sizes were perfect. Neither of us had dessert, we were way too full. Lovely dining experience!“

“The burger and fries were DIVINE!! There was an outdoor patio by the bar. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and excited to talk about the building and city’s history- it was so nice to talk with them!! I didn’t catch their names but thank you to both of you for all the additional information and conversation!“

“Dinner was very good & everyone was so very nice. Had reservations & they seated us at 5. It was Mothers Day& graduation week so they were really busy BUT no one made us feel rushed. We will definitely come back..“

“Last night, we had one of the best meals in Charleston! Our server, Ariel, was the best. Her suggestions and overall care for us was on point and top notch. Food was delicious and the portions were very nice. We will definitely return soon!“

“Another stand out Charleston restaurant, the pork chop and beef tenderloin were both so tasty accompanied with some seriously good sprouts, super wine list, great dining room and again warm and friendly service made for a great evening, thanks too to Marsha who treated us like old friends.“

“Had a solo intimate birthday dinner here, while visiting SC. Wonderful dining experience, service, and atmosphere. To top it off my server told me my whole tab was covered by a complete stranger, who did not want to reveal themselves. If you ever see this review…THANK YOU!“

“I really appreciated this place! Cute little spot you wanted even notice if you were driving over the speed limit. I got a burger and fries and girlfriend got chicken salad sammy and side of pickles. I hate mentioning a side item first but these were some of the best fries I have ever had. The crisp was phenomenal! The burger was very good and the toppings were very fresh. The burger was "clean" in the fact the bun stayed in tact and the burger and toppings didn't just crumble off. The chicken salad was super flavorful and had big chunks of chicken! The service was ELITE. Just two youngins in there but super attentive and very kind. Made ya feel important. As for inside this place, it's so cool. Wine bottles to buy, and coffee beans and tea to purchase. Overall a really cool spot that I hope sticks!“

“One of my top recommendations for dinner and brunch. The restaurant is a two story historic house. The brunch is southern food with really good fried chicken. The salmon and sweet potato parfait is the best meal I've ever had! The drinks are excellent. Finally they have very professional waiters.“

“This place is amazing. Wasn't sure what to get, so the nice lady recommended the squeaking goat. She told me it's been featured on television--I forget what show. Wow. This did not disappointed. I'm usually not a fan of goat cheese but it was so good on it. Plus with the fresh biscuit and chicken. Wow!! Also ordered an iced cinnamon biscuit on the aide, and maple vanilla latte. Yum!!“

“Travis was a great bartender! THC delta 8 cocktails & boylan & real sugar coke sodas. Had the burger baskets & fries. Fries were good but our burgers were flattened & almost burned but it was the end of the evening so maybe the grill man as tired. Fun ambience!“

“Nice bartender. Good location and it was little uncomfortable early part but as it got darker it cooled off. I had flat bread but wish there are better choices to spend a full evening vs going to different place for real dinner. Overall, it is good experience.“

“Oh boy, let me taco 'bout Taco Boy in Charleston, SC! First off, let me shell out the basics: this place is nacho average taco joint. It's a fiesta of flavors that'll make you wanna salsa dance right there on the beach!Now, I'm a simple man. I like my lawn mowed, my jokes dad-level, and my tacos packed with flavor. And let me tell you, Taco Boy doesn't disappoint. Their tacos are like a treasure chest of taste, and I'm not just spicing things up here. The **Carnitas Taco**? More like Car-NEAT-as, because it's the neatest little package of pork you'll ever eat. And the **Fish Taco**? It's off the hook! Literally, it must've been swimming yesterday because it's that fresh.The atmosphere? It's like if a beach party and a family BBQ had a baby. It's casual, it's fun, and there's enough sun to go around. The decor is as colorful as the language I use when I stub my toe on the beach chair—vibrant and full of life!Now, let's taco 'bout the service. The staff at Taco Boy are the real MVPs. They're quicker than me running to the thermostat when someone touches it. And they're friendlier than me when I see the neighbor's dog—always happy to see ya!But wait, there's more! The **margaritas** are so good, they'll make you forget about your long "to-dew" list. And the **chips and guac**? Holy guacamole, it's like dipping into heaven.So, if you're in Charleston and looking for a place that's got more charm than a dad's puns at a family gathering, head on over to Taco Boy. It's a place where every day is Taco Tuesday, and the only thing better than the food is the company.Taco Boy is the place to be if you're looking to spice up your life with some good eats and great beats. And remember, if you don't like tacos, I'm nacho type of guy! Keep it cheesy, Charleston!“

“Second time coming to Poogan's and it was once again that best restaurant we hit on our trip! The food was delicious, all of their homemade sauces are amazing, and the drinks came out great! The sandwiches are packed with meat and definitely worth the stop! We can't wait to stop in next year!“

“Just left Gillies with a group of about 42 people and the service, food and family atmosphere encouraged me to write a review (which I hardly ever do). The food was the best I’ve experienced from a restaurant in some time and would highly recommend a visit to taste for yourself! ???“

“Hands down best seafood I’ve ever had! I should probably start by saying I’m not a pro seafood eater but I absolutely loved the food here. I tried the Alaskan snow crab and my sister had the shrimp and grits both were fabulous. Our server was lovely and took her time explaining the different seafood options and helped us pick something we would like. The crab house is a more casual restaurant and parking may be a challenge here because it’s right next to the Charleston city market. We would definitely come back here on our next visit to the lovely Charleston!“

“For an expensive fine dining restaurant, the food was adequate but the side dishes selection was minimal. They really need to add some items like Charleston rice, sauteed Brussels, etc the potatoes were average; nothing spectacular, and chunky...Dessert selection ok.“

“Dillan was an amazing waiter. He recommended the halibut entree and the Elvis dessert. We also ordered shrimp and grits and a side of squash. Everything was beyond our expectations. Honestly the best meal this trip. We’re staying at the Vendue as well. Honestly, the hotel (Allyson- curator) and the restaurant, AND the service ,AND the people , do not disappoint. And, and, and ,and, and….. go there an experience the Vendue!!!!“

“OMG-- so hard to pick out donuts because they all look so delicious. Decided on the strawberry cream doughnut, which was the most spectacular donut I have ever had. Just slightly sweet fresh gigantic strawberries, and a lovely buttercream. I still dream about the donut. We also tried the carrot cake doughnut, as well as the bread pudding doughnut. They were delicious, but definitely sweeter than the strawberry.. we also picked up a breakfast sandwich, fried chicken with egg and enjoyed that immensely. Such a great breakfast place! If you're staying by Marion Square not to be missed! The staff was friendly and pleasant and very helpful making suggestions to help my selections. The ambience was cheerful and clean !“

“Decided to try Ellis Creek Fish Camp with our best friends. They had passed by in the past and wanted to try local seafood. The exterior of the building is all wooden and styled like an old fish camp. There was a long line to order food, so we knew this was the place to be. There was both inside and outside seating available. We sat outside to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather. Ellis Creek Fish Camp is dog friendly!! They have a station of water bowls and water for your furry baby. They also offer menu items just for dogs! The staff is super friendly and made us feel like family. The food came out quickly and was just wonderful. The menu has something for everyone, so if you don't like fish, no worries. I ordered the shrimp tacos. I had 2 tacos with shrimp seasoned the way I like (yes, there are multiple options for seasonings). They had crunchy cabbage and a tangy/spicy aoli sauce. So tasty. Our friends had the shrimp po boy sandwich with fries. I recommend Ellis Creek Fish Camp. A relaxed atmosphere and delicious food at a reasonable price. The service was fantastic! We will be back to explore more of the menu.“

“WOW! Very pleasantly surprised! The food was amazing! Daniel was the perfect host, explaining all the different foods and we were never rushed! We were visiting our son, his family and we’re from Florida. We’ll be back! I wish I could give it 10 Stars!“

“We came here for brunch. The host was very sweet and had great attitude. Communicated very efficiently! We sat on the patio which is very cute. We loved the atmosphere of it all. Our server was Kate and she was very attentive and detailed. She helped explain the menu in its entirety to help narrow down what we wanted. She checked in regularly. Also, the manager, Evan, made sure to check on us as well to make sure we were doing good. He was nice and wanted to make sure we were taken care of! Overall great food, great service. Highly recommend.Kid-friendliness: Very kind to our toddler and made sure his food came out quickly!“

“Enjoyed the walk around the property. House tour was probably not necessary. The animals were fun to watch. I suspected the articles that said this had the prettiest gardens of surrounding plantations were wrong because they weren't that great. Wasn't a fan of the nymph. Overall enjoyed.“

“The food was amazing the crystal was an amazing server prompt attentive ever though the whole restaurant was slammed 10 out of 10 would ear here again“

“Was looking for some good BBQ, in particular Briscket, and landed at Southern Roots Smokehouse. After receiving a very friendly greeting and tips on the food selection; my family and I enjoyed a very delicious meal. Two of us had the plates and one had the brisket burger. Both of which were very good. So good that we ended up ordering some extra banana pudding. Overall the service, the food, and the atmosphere was very enjoyable and would defiantly visit again.“

“What a wonderful round table for the six of us! The service was efficient, informative, and very accmmodating. Drinks and wine started us out in a good mood with high expectations of the appetizers to follow. We were not disappointed. The tasty brussel sprouts even made a convert of one of our group - after many years of avoidance of same. The she crab soup and devilled crab were first rate. Our entrees were delicious and presented beautifully. We all enjoyed the experience very much.“

“At at Toast All Day!! Teri was an awesome bartender and took care of all our needs. Great food and atmosphere.“

“I had family in town and thought this might be fun. I have seen the views of charleston many times. The weather was hot but the AC on the boat was working great. The food was very good and the service was great as well.My family had a very enjoyable evening and the dinner cruise is worth the price.Except for the service fee they charge for each ticket.“

“Our server Erica was very helpful in helping us make it to our appointment with time to spare! She was very friendly and professional. Great attitude and smile. We ate yummy food and had great service. The young girl at the front desk was very sweet as well!“

“Food is good however I called to make a order and the male that answered, hung up. Thought it was possibly a mistake but he hung up twice. I thought maybe I just had the wrong number trying to give them the benefit of doubt because I love it here so much; I called while I came in to order my food, and the phone rang ?“

“The food was incredible and our server, Courtney B was outstanding!! Courtney helped us select the perfect items and she made it fun!! Awesome!“

“I enjoyed all the different dishes at Dukes BBQ. The Carolina gold sauces were nice and tangy, balancing out the pork. The collard greens were just the right level of saltiness. Fried fish was so perfectly cooked and seasoned. I ate so much I couldn't have too much dessert but they were good too.“

“We had the Low Country Boil & hush puppy side order. It was easily enough for 2 people! The low country boil was simple & tasty & FRESH! Hush puppies were outrageously delicious! Service was excellent, price was quite reasonable! We both had on tap beer. We sat outside in courtyard & enjoyed live music & great ambiance! I'd give this all the stars!“

“Trotters is truly a hidden gem. It's a great place to have dinner with your family and actually be able to hear each other talk. Anthony is our favorite waiter. He has been there for years and takes great care of us. The owner Jimmy is often there as well. The food here is DELICIOUS. Because it's inside of The Town and Country Inn they have a very wide selection of items on the menu. This works for our family when we can't decide what we want . There is something here for everyone. I have never had a bad meal here. The fried chicken is the best in town. I also love their fried flounder. I highly recommend checking them out.“

“Great Mother’s Day lunch today! We had to wait about an hour before we finally got a seat and then another 30 mins to get our food but I don’t care. It was really good! I got the Seafood a la Wappoo (I have 0 idea how to pronounce that word lol) and it was really good! It’s a bit on the pricey side here but what do you expect. It’s fresh seafood and seafood normally isn’t cheap. Our server was super nice. Overall great Mother’s Day experience!Vegetarian options: Veggie pasta without seafoodKid-friendliness: Kids menus but long wait timesWheelchair accessibility: Drive-up awning by door. Accessible parking spots close to door and tables accessible by wheelchairs“

“High end lunch for my wife's birthday. Everything is first class and the presentation of dishes is what is expected at an establishment such as the Bennett. Valet parking is almost required as there is very limited parking, particularly Handicap spaces anywhere nearby.“