Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Charleston

The Lowcountry has such a rich culinary heritage. In recent years Charleston has become something of an ambassador city of the Lowcountry cuisine. On every street in South Carolina’s oldest city, diners can find someone serving She-crab soup, shrimp and grits, and of course, some classic fried chicken. Find crispy chicken sitting snug next to stewed okra in Mount pleasant. Have a hearty brunch downtown with southern-fried chicken and glistening eggs. Or go retro with chicken in a basket Downtown. But where can foodies find the absolute best fried chicken in Charleston? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Our expert diners have nibbled their way around boneless, bone-in and tenders all across Charleston. We explore the best batter, sauces, tenders, and sides from creamed corn to okra in South Carolina’s Holy City. Prepare for the ultimate in comfort food and book a table for some of the best fried chicken in Charleston today.

The OpenTable Team

11 Restaurants

Updated January 24, 2020

Restaurants:	Anson, The Darling Oyster Bar, Husk - Charleston…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Southern, Seafood, American…
Neighborhoods:	Downtown Charleston…

Anson

$$$$

Southern

Downtown Charleston

4.8

3596 reviews

Ansons’s has been delivering seasonal Charleston delights for nearly 30 years, and makes the most of the local, fresh seafood and poultry. Settle down in this classy yet welcoming joint, just a few minutes’ walk from the historic Charleston City Market. For sheer decadence, start with the gloriously buttery She-crab soup. Then it’s time for the main event: The Fried chicken. It’s plentiful,, unbelievably crispy, and the creamed corn is the perfect accompaniment. Carry on the exploration of authentic Southern cuisine with their fried green tomatoes with bacon jam. A perfect combo.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Darling Oyster Bar

$$$$

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

4.7

2629 reviews

Everyone knows that Darling is the King Street destination for raw seafood. However, not everyone knows that Darling also does some of the best fried chicken in Charleston. Start with some local East-Coast oysters, and don’t forget to ask about happy hour when one type of oyster gets a discount. For main, order the crispy fried half chicken- worth it for the amazing red peas as well as the crispy paprika-scented coating. Sizzling Southern flavor in trendy yet unpretentious surroundings. Booking recommended.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Husk - Charleston

$$$$

American

Downtown Charleston

4.5

13640 reviews

Just off the intersection of King and Queen street sits arguably the most popular restaurant in Charleston. Husk is an integral part of the community. Their team sources all ingredients as locally as possible and even highlights their current favorite producers. It’s really no surprise that plenty of regulars consider this the place to go for the best fried chicken in Charleston. The Husk fried chicken has the crispiest batter and comes with whatever sides are in season. This could be a creamy potato salad or sautéed season veggies. It’s quite common for Husk to get booked out weeks in advance so booking is absolutely essential.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Church and Union - Charleston

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown Charleston

4.5

6161 reviews

5Church is one of those “must-see” restaurants and bars. The venue was originally a church, and that’s obvious from both outside and within. The stained glass windows are spectacular, as is the vaulted ceiling. Widely considered one of the best bars in Charleston, 5Church also offers an eclectic menu of New American cuisine. This includes their house fried chicken. Served with tangy slaw, cornbread and creamy campanelle (basically classy mac and cheese) this satisfies every comfort food craving ever. Look out for this fried chicken popping up all over the brunch menu, too.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Virginia's on King

$$$$

Southern

Downtown Charleston

4.5

2078 reviews

Virginia’s fried chicken is one of those which comes with a warning that diners will have to wait. At least 18 minutes. That’s because good things come to those who wait, and this chicken is very good indeed. Huge portions, beautifully crisp, and with a range of sides to choose from. A great choice for those dining with families or kids.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Tavern & Table

$$$$

American

Mount Pleasant

4.5

2055 reviews

There are plenty of great spots for waterfront dining in Charleston, but few are as rustically picturesque as Tavern & Table. This Shem Creek eatery has a little lighthouse on top, adding to the nautical old-school feel. There’s a range of flavors here, from the Nashville hot wings to a whole pound of peel and eat shrimp with Creole seasoning. Their chicken is a brunch special, so head here on a weekend and order the fried chicken and biscuits. Crisp batter and chile honey make this a sweet and savory combo that won’t quit.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

$$$$

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

4.7

6338 reviews

The Landing in this restaurant’s name is not hyperbole. This restaurant stretches right out into the waters by the port, and lucky diners might even spot some friendly aquatic life. Chicken lovers, look for the Blue Plate specials. Wednesday is Fleet Landing's fried chicken day, which is quite simply some of the best fried chicken in Charleston served with collard greens and a creamy mac and cheese. Comfort food done right.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion Hotel

$$$$

Southern

Downtown Charleston

4.3

1286 reviews

Located in the Francis Marion Hotel just near the college, The Swamp Fox boasts that it’s been serving classic Southern fare since 1924. That’s nearly a century of Lowcountry goodness. The Southern-Fried Chicken is an ode to the classic, with lightly seasoned batter, greens cooked to perfection and a simple and therefore ideal brown gravy. Look out for live piano music on the weekend, and when booking, ask for a window seat for a view right along King Street.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

$$$$

American

Mount Pleasant

4.5

2578 reviews

Head out to Mount Pleasant and towards the beautiful Isle of Palms country park to find Crave. The title Kitchen and Cocktails doesn’t really do justice to the amazing things they’re doing with food over here. Southern cuisine gets a fine-dining makeover- but not so much as to be unrecognizable. Their offering which gets them onto our list is the Buttermilk Country-Fried Chicken. Half a chicken, fried until it’s golden brown, then served with fried brussels sprouts, potato salad, and a foie gras gravy. Possibly the classiest fried chicken in Charleston.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Boathouse at Breach Inlet

$$$$

Seafood

Isle of Palms

4.2

4353 reviews

The Boathouse at Breach Inlet might be the seafood restaurant that’s actually closest to the sea in Charleston- although there’s plenty of tough competition. The views here are simply stunning, and the outdoor area is always packed. This is the original Boathouse restaurant. As well as the seafood staples like lobster tails, crab fritters, and fried seafood hush puppies, The Boathouse does some of the best fried chicken in Charleston. For a twist, this chicken is pecan-crusted, plus the usual mash disappears and gets replaced with grits. Big Southern flavor.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Page's Okra Grill

$$$$

Southern

Mount Pleasant

4.7

821 reviews

Page’s is definitely a “No Frills” kind of place. The décor is pretty plain, and the effort that goes into the food is about flavor, not presentation. And that’s why Charleston locals love it. Page’s is warm, welcoming and full to the brim of proper Southern comfort food. Head straight to the Southern Favorites part of the menu and the very first option is their fried chicken. It’s brined and pressure fried, and diners can choose white or dark meat, stewed okra, cheesy grits or mash and gravy. A Mount Pleasant classic.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Explore OpenTable

Charleston