Description: Gather a crew and head to the perpetual party that is Ritual, courtesy of a greenery-filled rooftop with views over downtown, with a vibe that summons up Spanish-style tapas, ceviche, housemade empanadas, and Charleston-style brunch every weekend.
Gabrielle at Hotel Bennett
Rating: 4.6
Reviews: (418)
Cuisine: American
Price Range: $$
Location: King Street
Description: Whether in the elegant dining room or on the stylish terrace overlooking Marion Square, Charleston’s signature hospitality is on full display here. Chef Edgar Kano oversees three meals a day, plus weekend brunch, full of Lowcountry flair: You’ll enjoy everything from daytime Carolina crab cake Benedict and chicken and waffles, to a very worthy seafood tower and roasted duck with parsnips and grapes in the evening.
CO
Rating: 4.1
Reviews: (106)
Cuisine: Sushi
Price Range: $
Location: Harleston Village
Description: This downtown iteration from the popular CO restaurant group offers a sleek contemporary space and a menu of sushi and small plates that tour Asia. Pro tip: Hit the weeknight happy hour for half-off sake.
Lowland
Rating: 4.8
Reviews: (4.9K)
Cuisine: American
Price Range: $$
Location: Lower King
Description: This 19th-century neoclassical carriage house across Ellis Alley from (and part of) The Pinch boutique hotel serves up comfort food in a setting like no other, almost like a nightly Southern-inspired dinner party.
Delaney Oyster House
Rating: 4.8
Reviews: (7.4K)
Cuisine: Seafood
Price Range: $
Location: Ansonborough
Description:
Dining Options: Outdoor Porch
The Caviar Bar at Zero George
Rating: 4.7
Reviews: (259)
Cuisine: American
Price Range: $
Location: Charleston
Description: You’ll want to treat yourself to one of the eight seats (reservations are a must) at this intimate, elegant caviar bar attached to Zero Restaurant + Bar at the luxury-forward Zero George boutique hotel. Regiis Ova caviar — Thomas Keller’s brand, so you know it’s the best — is featured.
Stella's
Rating: 4.7
Reviews: (12K)
Cuisine: Greek
Price Range: $$
Location: Radcliffborough
Description: Stella’s serves Greek food just like your grandma would, that is if she were Greek and an excellent cook. Hence, the menu’s yia-yia (Greek for “grandmother”) skillet, homemade dolmades, spanakopita, and plenty more.
Share House
Rating: 3.8
Reviews: (41)
Cuisine: American
Price Range: $
Location: Wraggborough
Description: From the same group behind Uptown Social, this breezy, intensely colorful beach-themed cantina — look for custom surfboards, water sports photos, and a dune-buggy mural made of beer caps on the walls — has a small-plates menu you’ll definitely want to work your way through, including four kinds of sliders on housemade Hawaiian rolls.
MUSE Restaurant & Wine Bar
Rating: 4.6
Reviews: (1.7K)
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price Range: $$
Location: Downtown
Description: The setting in a single house is the first charming thing about this tucked-in spot on Society Street, complete with a covered patio that begs for couples who like to hold hands across the table. The second is its Italian menu, including exceptionally executed classics like calamari and eggplant parmigana. But the biggest appeal here might just be Muse’s long-established regulars, the banter at the bar, and the relaxing dinner party vibe of the whole experience.