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Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Charleston

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OpenTable
Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Charleston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of La Rustica restaurant
La Rustica
4.8
4.8 (131)
$30 and under
American
Summerville
About the restaurant
Coming Soon!
Top review
Dr FrankVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent ambiance excellent waitress excellent food !! Will be back again!!
A photo of The Refuge restaurant
The Refuge
4.6
4.6 (648)
$30 and under
American
Isle of Palms
About the restaurant
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston sits The Refuge in Isle of Palms. This family owned and operated venue is sure to please all.
Here at The Refuge, we take pride in pleasing the palates of locals and tourists alike. Our experienced staff stands behind the recipes on our menu, and use only the freshest ingredients to ensure an unforgettable dining experience. The coastal location of The Refuge is complimented by our modern and sophisticated design, which brings an upscale aesthetic to dining in Isle of Palms.
The Refuge offers an array of menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner to fit the schedule of any island dweller. Brunch enthusiasts can take refuge in our Weekend Tide menu, overflowing with delicious creations like baked avocado and egg, or stacks of buttermilk pancakes. With a coffee bar for coffee lovers and a restaurant for foodies,



Top review
DerrickVIP
Dined on Jun 3, 2025
Great food. Service was a tad slow, but that may be because the restaurant was busy. But, the appetizers and all the entrees were top notch. We would definitely visit again when we return.
A photo of Peninsula Grill restaurant
Peninsula Grill
4.6
4.6 (8150)
$50 and over
American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant
Peninsula Grill is an AAA Four-Diamond restaurant located in the heart of Charleston’s renowned Historic District. It has garnered recognition from prestigious publications such as Departures, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, The New York Times, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, and Wine Spectator.

The Peninsula Grill Dining Room exudes the luxurious atmosphere of a supper club, with velvet-lined walls in shimmering oyster tones, woven seagrass accents, and indigenous cypress molding. Adjacent to the dining area, the Peninsula Grill Champagne Bar is an intimate jewel-box space offering a selection of champagnes.

A proud member of Relais & Châteaux, an exclusive collection of exceptional restaurants and hotels in romantic destinations worldwide, Peninsula Grill invites guests to experience unparalleled dining. Business casual attire is requested, with collared shirts required for gentlemen in the Dining Room.

Top review
Meg
Dined 5 days ago
Everything about our dinner was amazing ... and the coconut cake lived up to its billing! We appreciated being able to share our steak and it was prepared perfectly. This is a must-stop for dinner while in Charleston.
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A photo of The Ultimate Coconut Cake of a restaurant
Popular dish
The Ultimate Coconut Cake
A photo of Diver Scallops of a restaurant
Popular dish
Diver Scallops
A photo of Crave Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant
Crave Kitchen & Cocktails
4.7
4.7 (3447)
$30 and under
American
Mount Pleasant
About the restaurant
***OUR PATIO IS NOW "OPEN AIR" AND, THEREFORE A WEATHER-PERMITTING DINING AREA***

Located just over the bridge from Isle of Palms, within The Shoppes at Seaside Farms, Crave proudly serves superb dining and classic cocktails to Mount Pleasant residents & low-country visitors.

We are proud members of Fresh On The Menu, a certified SC grown initiative with a heavy focus on locally-produced products. Our Chef is extremely sensitive to dietary restrictions and sensitivities, resulting in over 20% of our menu being able to accommodate guest allergies and food sensitivities.
Top review
Criston
Dined 5 days ago
The short rib gnocchi and the tuna appetizer were both delicious! The cookie skillet was a great end to our dinner!
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A photo of Country-Fried Chicken BLT of a restaurant
Popular dish
Country-Fried Chicken BLT
A photo of Chicken Caesar Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Caesar Salad
A photo of Chicken Marsala of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Marsala
A photo of Oscar's of Summerville restaurant
Oscar's of Summerville
4.6
4.6 (83)
$31 to $50
American
Summerville
About the restaurant
Oscar's of Summerville is an upscale casual restaurant that specializes in serving traditional American favorites and other creative cuisine. Oscar's of Summerville offers a full-service bar, seating in the main dining room or lounge as well as a porch or private banquet room. The menu features small plates of steamed PEI mussels, smoked gouda grit cakes, lump crab cakes, jumbo shrimp cocktail, cheesy mushrooms and coconut fried shrimp. Other offerings at Oscar's of Summerville include soups, sides and grilled entrées. Items off the grill are served with choice of side, sauce and salad. Additional entrées include grilled chicken breast, chicken carbonara and shrimp and grits.
Top review
Garry
Dined 6 days ago
Food was outstanding and service above great. Price was comparable for the portion of food.
A photo of Prohibition restaurant
Prohibition
4.5
4.5 (2562)
$30 and under
American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant
It's true that Prohibition is a nod to the classic 1920's Speakeasy, but our elevated cuisine and progressive cocktail program are anything but old-fashioned. At Prohibition you can expect the culinary delights of Executive Chef Greg Garrison to leave you completely Jazzed, from savory local seafood to the finest cuts of meat, each dish is prepared with perfection. Kick back in our relaxing surroundings and sample the Mixology Expertise of our award winning Bar Team, led by Jim Mc Court. Our professional and passionate team are constantly striving to push the boundaries of excellence with cocktails like the 547 Manhattan and our signature Bacon Maple Old Fashioned to name but a few. Our extensive and imaginative beer, wine and liquor selection insures we can cater to all tastes.


Top review
Jeff
Dined 7 days ago
The food and service was excellent. The price for 3 of us was high, but we really enjoyed it. We will be back.
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A photo of Lobster Roll of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Roll
A photo of Shrimp & Grits of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp & Grits
A photo of Charred Wings of a restaurant
Popular dish
Charred Wings
A photo of The Peacock Charleston restaurant
The Peacock Charleston
4.5
4.5 (356)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant
The Peacock is an art deco-inspired setting with distinct spaces on each floor - spanning 12,000 sq ft. We offer something for everyone at any time of day. The main dining will be open Monday through Thursday from 4:00pm to 10:00pm for dinner (and stays open until 2 a.m. for cocktails), 11:30am-3:00pm for lunch/brunch Friday-Sunday, transitioning into dinner service from 3:00pm until 10:30pm for kitchen hours, serving drinks at the bar until 2am. Our second-floor peacock lounge opens Friday & Saturday at 5 p.m. and stays open until 2 a.m (also available for private rentals.) On the second floor, you will find V's our entertainment space where you can see a show or have a VIP experience dancing the night away. Finally, experience the splendor of a Charleston evening from our rooftop bar/lounge. We also offer three VIP areas for reservations on the roof (they seat 10-12 people and have private TVs). We look forward to hosting you at the Peacock!

Top review
AngieVIP
Dined on May 30, 2025
First of all, the ambience and energy of this place is incredible. A very Vegas meets the South vibe. Peel and eat shrimp were perfect. My husband had the steak frites and loved them. I had the gnocchi and was so pleased! This is a really refreshing dish especially when it’s hot outside and you don’t want something so heavy. Can’t wait to go back when we are back in town. Jackie our server was a doll!
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A photo of Caesar Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Caesar Salad
A photo of Crispy Chicken Sandwich of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
A photo of Church and Union - Charleston restaurant
Church and Union - Charleston
4.5
4.5 (8981)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant
A 5th Street Group Concept. Modern-American cuisine served in a casual yet refined atmosphere. Menu by Executive Chef Doug Watson & Bravo Top Chef Alum Chef Partner Jamie Lynch.
Top review
Viv
Dined 2 days ago
Our server was amazing and food was delicious. Super unique date night idea!
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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet Mignon
A photo of Fried Chicken of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fried Chicken
A photo of House Burger of a restaurant
Popular dish
House Burger
A photo of California Dreaming - Charleston - Priority Seating restaurant
California Dreaming - Charleston - Priority Seating
4.5
4.5 (3362)
$30 and under
American
West Ashley
About the restaurant
Since 1987, California Dreaming has been a proud part of the Charleston, SC community. Our spacious, open setting features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the Ashley River, creating the perfect backdrop for a lively night out. You can also enjoy these panoramic views from our wrap-around deck, complete with a bar and easily accessible by boat. Whether you're craving low country favorites or our famous prime rib, California Dreaming is a favorite among both locals and tourists.

**Please note that we provide Advance Priority Seating to reduce wait times and expedite the seating process when your entire party arrives. To ensure the best experience for all guests, we seat groups of up to 6. While larger groups are seated separately, this arrangement is flexible during quieter hours.
Top review
Cheryl
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent service, delicious food and lovely views.
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A photo of Seafood Nachos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Seafood Nachos
A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet Mignon
A photo of Crab Cakes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crab Cakes
A photo of Tavern & Table restaurant
Tavern & Table
4.4
4.4 (2775)
$30 and under
American
Mount Pleasant
About the restaurant
Tavern & Table is the dream child of Cecil & Dianne Crowley, Andy Palmer & Jeff Condon. After years of working together on various successful restaurant concepts, they wanted to bring together the very best aspects of fine dining and casual hospitality in a beautiful and comfortable setting. Tavern & Table is more than a restaurant, it was created to be a gathering place where people sit in comfort and share small plates for the table or enjoy a hearty meal. The bartenders know the fine art of cocktail making and their interest in flavor and presentation comes alive in not only in the food but in barrel aged cocktails that are created in-house.
Top review
RobertVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Never disappointed! We always get the roasted oysters. Also had the spicy firecracker shrimp. The bison burger was phenomenal as was the ahi tuna bowl!!!
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A photo of Roasted Chicken of a restaurant
Popular dish
Roasted Chicken
A photo of Shrimp & Grits of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp & Grits
A photo of Italian Flatbread of a restaurant
Popular dish
Italian Flatbread
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