Restaurants in Charleston
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Gaulart & Maliclet
Locals crowd around the shared tables at this tiny spot, known as 'Fast & French,' to nibble on Gallic cheeses and sausages or nightly specials ($15) that include bread, soup, a main dish and wine.
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FIG
Foodies swoon over inspired nouvelle-Southern fare like crispy pig's trotters (that means 'feet' – local and hormone-free, of course) with celery-root remoulade in this rustic-chic dining room.
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Poogan's Porch
Dine on sherried crab soup and toast points in the dim, floral- patterned environs of this supposedly haunted Victorian mansion, tucked away on a downtown side street.
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Wildflour Pastry
On rapidly gentrifying Spring St, this sweet slip of a bakery turns out glorious Nutella-raspberry turnovers, jam scones and coffee cake muffins.
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Husk
The brain child of chef Sean Brock, the current toast of the foodie world, Husk was the South's most buzzed-about restaurant when it burst onto the scene in late 2010, and for damn good reason. Everything – everything – on the menu is grown or raised in the South, from the jalapeño marmalade-topped Georgia corn soup to the yuzu-scented Cooper River oysters, to the local lard featured in the 'pork butter' brought out with the restaurant's addictive sesame-seed rolls. The setting, in a two-story mansion, is elegant but unfussy, and the adjacent speakeasy-style bar is straight-up terrific.
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Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
It's practically impossible to find, but don't give up! This unmarked warehouse, down a dirt road overlooking Shem Creek in suburban Mt Pleasant, has what many consider the best fried seafood in the state. Kick back in a plastic chair with a free bowl of boiled peanuts while you wait; finish with the key lime bread pudding. No credit cards.
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S.N.O.B.
The cheeky name (it stands for 'slightly north of Broad,' as in Broad St) reflects the anything-goes spirit of this upscale-casual spot, which draws raves for its eclectic menu, filled with treats such as house-smoked salmon or sautéed squab breast over cheese grits.
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Jestine's Kitchen
Charleston housekeeper Jestine Mathews lived to be 112, though probably not by eating the glorious fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and (fried) hush puppies at the down-home café named in her honor. Order 'table wine' (sweet tea) to drink and finish up with the famous Coca-Cola cake.
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Gullah Cuisine
It's not much to look at, but this dowdy suburban cafe is the best place to taste South Carolina's West African-influenced Gullah cooking. Go for the lunch buffet, groaning with red rice, okra gumbo (roux-based stew), oxtail stew and fried fish, and skip the dinner.
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Hominy Grill
Slightly off the beaten path, this neighborhood cafe serves modern, vegetarian-friendly Lowcountry cuisine in an old barbershop. The shady patio is tops for brunch.
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Anson
The most upscale Lowcountry place around, in a dreamy pink-and-green carriage house straight out of central casting. Filet mignon and grouper in champagne cream are complemented by a well-edited wine list.
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Hank's Seafood Restaurant
Dark wood, tinkly piano music and fine, fine fish mark this Charleston standard, a 1940s-style fish house specializing in rich seafood classics like Oysters Casino and shrimp linguine.
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Magnolias
Southern fusion is on offer at Magnolias; think 'Down South Eggroll' stuffed with collards and chicken, served with peach chutney, in a chic minimalist dining room.
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Sugar Bakeshop
Pop into this teensy space on Thursdays for the Lady Baltimore cupcake, a retro Southern specialty with dried fruit and white frosting.
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O-Ku
Scenesters dine on irreverent sushi (try the fried potato-wrapped roll), Japanese street food (try Kurobuta pork sliders with grapefruit puree) and lavish seafood dishes at this new rock star of a restaurant, a big high-ceilinged space with a glammy black paint-and-mirrors decor. The lunchtime bento box ($10) is a steal.
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Macaroon Boutique
With perfect golden croissants and baggies of crisp, chewy macaroons, you might as well be in Paris. No seating.
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Glass Onion
In-the-know foodies flock across the bridge to West Ashley for Tuesday-night fried-chicken suppers at this funky art-filled diner, Charleston's newest spot for creative takes on Southern classics. The perfect stop for lunch on the way to visit the Ashley River plantations.
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Farmers Market
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Baked
Salty caramel cake, red velvet whoopie pies and homemade marshmallows (and lots of table space with free wi-fi) make this Historic District spot a winner.
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Hyman's
Yeah, it's a tourist trap, but the famous she-crab soup, po'boy sandwiches and crispy flounder at this massive downtown institution are worth the wait, especially at lunch when the lines are not quite so long.
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