In the last decade, the Charleston area has solidified its place as one of the most coveted destinations in the U.S. It was ranked #1 City in the World among the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Chefs have been moving there in droves for years. And we’re not shy about our borderline obsession with Charleston, either; it was one of the first select cities to launch our BA City Guides.
Sure, you could try to put your finger on what draws so many people to the area: the rich culture, history, and heritage; the beaches just a short jaunt from King Street; or the hospitality you’d come to expect in a place this serene and easy to live. Truth is, it’s all of the above. But what keeps us rolling out our napkins year after year is the fact that there’s no shortage of restaurants serving memorable, mind-blowingly good dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Why not keep coming back for more?
The Charleston culinary scene is as notable as its larger east and west coast contemporaries, but it’s decidedly unpretentious. Its farm-to-table offerings and fresh-from-the-water fish are seemingly never ending, but they’ve yet to have a dull moment. In short, if Charleston is not on your list of places to go next, then it should be, and STAT. So where to start? We’ve got a few spots in mind.
So Many Fish In the Sea
A unique characteristic of Charleston is that, while it’s surrounded by water, it’s so much more than a beach town. Those waters, however, are a mecca and an inspiration for the fresh seafood that gets served at some of our favorite restaurants. And options abound: Don’t miss char-grilled oysters at Leon’s Fine Poultry and Oyster Shop or head out to Jasmine Porch on Kiawah Island for grilled salmon over a local favorite, Carolina Gold rice.
At the Charleston Grill, Chef Michelle Weaver upholds the outstanding reputation of this fine-dining restaurant with elevated classics like crab cakes topped with creek shrimp and lime-tomato-dill vinaigrette. The atmosphere takes a slightly more casual, though no less charming turn at Poogan’s Porch, a Victorian townhouse-turned-restaurant, where sweet tea–glazed salmon puts a Lowcountry twist on fish.
A Meat Lover's Paradise
All over the south, smokers are ablaze with hunks of meat cooking low and slow as barbecue joints compete for accolades on who does it best. But at Rodney Scott’s BBQ, they’ve got the James Beard Award to prove it. You could get a perfectly executed southern-fried catfish or a juicy pit-cooked BBQ chicken, but they’re known for their whole-hog approach (Scott’s been doing it this way since he was 11 years old). So, when in Rome, right? We say opt for staples like spare ribs, collard greens, and mac n’ cheese. (And bring us a to-go order while you’re at it?)
If you’re in search of a more formal affair, head to Hall’s Chophouse in the heart of the city for some of the best cuts of meat in the area––from a grass-fed filet mignon to a dry-aged tomahawk ribeye. Be sure to stop in on Sunday for Gospel Brunch, where you’ll tap your toes to a morning of live music with a side of steak, eggs, and a Bloody Mary to wash it all down.
It's a Southern Thing
For all this talk of fresh seafood and mouthwatering meats, it’s also important to note that Charleston is a hotbed of straightforward southern restaurants: the locales that specialize in your favorite southern standards, perfected to embody local flavor. At Magnolia’s, expect collard greens with crispy fried chicken on the side––because when they’re this good, you’re going to want the large portion of collards.
About 10 minutes by car, you can be at Hominy Grill, where James Beard Award–winning chef Robert Stehling is serving everything from biscuits smothered in pimento cheese or sausage gravy to a coveted plate of shrimp and grits. While no meal is to miss, it’s worth paying careful attention to the homemade desserts, listed daily on a chalkboard. If Buttermilk Pie is available, don’t miss a beat. From morning to midnight, breakfast to dessert, there are endless dishes worth raving about in Charleston.