There was a moment, post-pandemic, where Charleston might have been teetering on the edge of becoming a has-been Southern culinary hotspot. Tourists (and their money) flooded into the city more than ever—some permanently—sending real estate prices climbing; a phenomenon which always threatens to deflate a swell of cooking creativity into a cookie-cutter caricature of its former glory. While some parts of that scenario has happened here, to some extent—and it’s bound to, in a place as invested in selling a story as Charleston is—a diverse new class of restaurants has nonetheless exploded onto the scene, infusing life and inspiration into the whole culinary community. It’s a good time to be cooking (and eating) in the Holy City, where our favorite established restaurants constantly prove they still matter, while there are so many new flavors to try. The competition is fierce this year—from seafood, to Vietnamese, to barbecue, and everything in between. These are the best restaurants in Charleston.
Read our complete Charleston travel guide here, which includes:
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve. This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
