Recommended Restaurants

Not only do the restaurants in Charleston have fantastic cuisine but they also have some unique and historic details about them. These are some of my favorite restaurants in Charleston. In no way is this list complete. I still have many more to sample so keep checking back for the latest.

  • 82 Queen

    Only place where you get to eat in a garden and one of my favorite spots for “She Crab Soup”.

    Originally “She Crab Soup” was based on a Scottish seafood bisque brought here in the early 18th century. Of course in the early 1900’s that was not good enough for a famous guest of our Charleston Mayor Rhett. President Taft was a frequent guest at the Mayor’s home and the Mayor was concerned that the crab soup was too pale for the President. William Deas, who was his butler, was given the task of livening up the soup. His creation is what we eat today: meat of the small female blue crab was added to bisque and then it was decorated with their orange hued eggs to add color and flavor. Tradition has it that President Taft loved the soup so much that he added it to the White House menu. Not only was the President eating it but lots of congressmen were too. Mendel Rivers a congressman in the 1940’s would arrange for thermoses of Deas’ “She Crab Soup” to be flown to DC and serviced at his committee meetings.


    Visit Website

  • Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar

    The place to go for seafood.

    Today the restaurant is located on the corner of East Bay and Cumberland St. Before the street was called Cumberland, it was known as Amen St. It was said that the street got its name because you could hear the “Amens” being chanted by the church members of St. Philips and the Methodist Meeting House. In the 1870’s this building was the store of the William Bird Company; hardware and paint. They were known for their sign: a large golden whale.


    Visit Website

  • Blind Tiger Pub

    Great Garden, Great Food and a cool history that involves prohibition.


    Visit Website

  • Circa 1886

    Named one of America’s Most Romantic Restaurants by Travel and Leisure Magazine, 2011. It’s a delight!

    Is located in the original carriage house for the Wentworth Mansion. This magnetic home was built by Francis Silas Rodgers who was a cotton merchant. His home was very self sufficient for that time period. It had its own water supply which included a windmill and a small gas plant that provided the house with an independent light system. 21 panes of Tiffany stain glass were installed on the main floor of the home. The stain glass buckled but did not break during the Great Earthquake of 1886. One of the other captivating features of the home is its cupola. Rodgers would spend hours gazing over the city looking for signs of smoke which might suggest a fire. He is credited with organizing the city’s first paid professional fire department. In my opinion, this is the one of the best skyline views in Charleston especially during a full moon.


    Visit Website

  • Cru Cafe

    A great lunch. Enough food for dinner that night!


    Visit Website

  • Fuel

    One of the best outdoor seating areas, great place to grab a drink & enjoy some Caribbean food.


    Visit Website

  • Grill 225

    Love the high back booths and the food is delicious.


    Visit Website

  • Hall’s Chophouse

    The best place for a steak.


    Visit Website

  • Hank’s Seafood

    Love the Lump Crab Cocktail and the Community Table.


    Visit Website

  • Husk

    I love “The Bar at Husk” which is located in the kitchen house. So cozy and historical.


    Visit Website

  • Leon’s Oyster Shop

    Great atmosphere, worth the drive to upper King.


    Visit Website

  • Magnolias

    Wonderful fried chicken and fried green tomatoes.


    Visit Website

  • Pavilion Bar

    Great place to grab a drink & take in the skyline.


    Visit Website

  • Poe’s

    A great place to grab a drink and some food before heading to the beach or Fort Moultrie.

    Poe’s Tavern, which is located on Sullivan’s Island, derives its name from Edgar Allen Poe who was stationed at Fort Moultrie for 13 months beginning in November of 1827. Poe enlisted in the army under the name of Edgar Allan Perry to avoid a large debt that he had accrued. His time at Fort Moultrie inspired him to write the Golden Bug.


    Visit Website

  • Red’s Ice House

    Sit back and enjoy watching the dolphins in Shem Creek play as you eat appetizers and drink some cold ones.


    Visit Website

  • Stella’s

    Yummy humus and cool atmosphere. Stella is the place for delicious Greek food.


    Visit Website

  • The Grand Bohemian

    The Grand Bohemian

    Art and a fun roof top bar. Enjoy the scene.


    Visit Website

  • The Shelter

    Great place to go after the beach and get a bite to eat on the front porch.


    Visit Website

  • Toast

    The Breakfast Place, Home Made Bacon Bloody Mary.


    Visit Website

  • Zero George

    Feels like you have traveled to the past. Food is amazing.


    Visit Website