Charleston has emerged as one of the best culinary cities in America. Whether it's tried and true Charleston cuisine or innovative foodie fare on Upper King Street, we'll give you some of Traveling Ink's favorite restaurant recommendations below.
Visitors ask frequently for a restaurant recommendation. Typically I preface my response to guests with a few questions. I ask them what genre of food they like, what entree they are in the mood for, whether they prefer a pedigreed chef or a fabulous view, and if they'd like something casual or a little more upscale. Once I have that information to work with, it is much easier to make a recommendation. There's just too much culinary talent in Charleston to be blurting out restaurant names on a whim.
Traveling Ink has separated it's restaurant referrals by genre below (be gracious with us, some restaurants overlap multiple genres). Please note that a restaurant's absence on the site doesn't mean we don't admire their skills in the kitchen. It simply may mean we haven't had the opportunity to eat there yet (or recently enough) to feature them on the site. **All restaurants are located in downtown Charleston unless otherwise noted.
Lowcountry/Southern Cooking
82 Queen
82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-723-7591
Poogan's Porch
72 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-577-2337
Early Bird Diner (West Ashley)
1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407 • 843-277-2353
Page's Okra Grill (Mt. Pleasant)
302 Coleman Blvd. Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-881-3333
Deli/Cafe
Brown Dog Deli
40 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-853-8081
Black Bean Co.
429 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-277-0990
Wine Not (James Island)
1956 Maybank Highway, Charleston (James Island), SC 29412 • 843-793-2231
Seafood
Hank's Seafood (Dinner Only)
10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-723-3474
The Ordinary (Dinner Only)
544 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-414-7060
The Wreck of Richard and Charlene (Mt. Pleasant)
106 Haddrell Street, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-884-0052
BBQ
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-225-7427
Rodney Scott's BBQ
1011 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-990-9535
Sticky Fingers Ribhouse
235 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-853-7427
Steak or Chops
Burwell's Stone Fire Grill
14 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-737-8700
Halls Chophouse
434 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-727-0090
Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-722-4220
Burger
HoM Charleston
563 King Street Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-573-7505
Fleet Landing
186 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-722-8100
BLU Restaurant and Bar (Folly Beach)
1 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439 • 843-588-6658
Husk
76 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-577-2500
Best View
Charleston Harbor Fish House
32 Patriot's Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC, SC 29464 • 843-284-7070
Fleet Landing
186 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-722-8100
Harborview Restaurant & Lounge (top of Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview West Ashley)
301 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407 • 843-556-7100
California Dreaming (West Ashley)
1 Ashley Point Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 • 843-766-1644
Vegan or Gluten Free Offerings
Brown Dog Deli
40 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-853-8081
Black Bean Co.
429 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-277-0990
Dellz Uptown
511 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-641-0352
Dessert
Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe
78 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-853-8270
Paolo's Italian Gelato
41 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • 843-577-0099
Belgian Gelato
6 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-743-5043
Peninsula Grill
112 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843-723-0700
Traveling Ink salutes these long-standing Charleston establishments that were not able to weather the storm during the pandemic. We'll miss your fine food and friendly staff. Thank you for serving the Charleston community and beyond well for so many years.
Jestine's Kitchen
Martha Lou's
Blossom