Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Charleston

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Charleston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Two Bit Club

4.8

4.8 (22)

$30 and under

Vietnamese

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Step into the vibrant world of Two Bit Club, where Vietnamese flavors dance with French flair in a culinary adventure like no other. Our chefs blend tradition with a playful twist, crafting dishes that are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious. From comforting pho to savory banh mi, get ready to explore the diverse tastes of Saigon. Prepare your taste buds for a delightful journey filled with fun, creativity, and exceptional food!

Top review

jay

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food, very attentive and "happy to be there" wait staff. Great vibe, beautiful dining room. Very reasonable.

Oscar's of Summerville

4.7

4.7 (97)

$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

VickiVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The food was exceptional Chandler was an excellent server. He was very attentive and helpful. He listened to all our special requests and got it all right.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar - Charleston

4.7

4.7 (2774)

$30 and under

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Travis and Ryan Croxton debut their spinoff from the highly acclaimed Rappahannock Oyster Bar at Union Market in Washington, DC. They’ve even brought their DC Chef, Kevin Kelly, to man the kitchen at this outpost. This location in the historic Cigar Factory Building on East Bay Street, allows room for Chef Kelly to showcase more of his cuisine to a larger audience, including an incredibly unique 40 seat raw bar. Oysters grown by the Croxton’s own Rappahannock Oyster Company are accentuated, but Kelly’s signature dishes like lambs’n’clams, crabcakes, shrimp & grits and the best po’ boy you’ll ever eat are enough reasons in their own right for constant visits. Coupled with a great cocktail program and focus on local ingredients, ROB is a great place for any occasion.

Top review

LarryVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Grilled oysters in barbecue sauce and paprika outstanding

NICO Oysters + Seafood

4.7

4.7 (558)

$31 to $50

Oyster Bar

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

NICO is an upbeat oyster bar serving French cuisine carefully prepared in a wood-fired oven. With ingredients sourced from the waters of the Lowcountry and a curated selection of the country’s most coveted raw oysters, French Master Chef Nico Romo offers a fresh take on seafood for Charleston's iconic Shem Creek. Winner of Best of Mount Pleasant Best Raw Bar '20-'24, Best French '21-'24, Best Seafood '22-'24, Best of Charleston Best Chef '21, '22, '23, and Best Mt. Pleasant Restaurant '23!

Please be sure to include every member of your party in your reservation. Reservations made for a smaller party than arrives may not be able to be accommodated. Kiddos count, as well! Merci!

Top review

TheresaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent! Our favorite restaurant in Mount Pleasant. We highly recommend it.

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Experience

Oyster Class

Experience

Bastille Day Celebration

Post House

4.7

4.7 (15)

$30 and under

American

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Welcome to Post House, a coastal tavern and inn offering seasonal fare, classic cocktails, seven cozy hotel rooms and a bit of salty air. Situated in the heart of the Old Village, Post House is a home away from home for staycationers and travelers alike, a charming respite from the day to day hustle. Take the weekend or the week and settle in to the village life. Built in 1896, Post House has a long standing history as the neighborhood hub. Some hundred years later, Post House brings people together over good food and drinks.

Top review

Brenna

Dined 5 days ago

My sister and I had a lovely lunch at Post House. The decor gave a coastal, homey vibe. Our server, Cora, was warm and welcoming. She ensured we had an excellent experience at Post House. The ambience was quiet and intimate and the seating was cozy. After our meal, my sister and I enjoyed walking around the Old Village District. We will definitely be back!

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

4.6

4.6 (3464)

$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

Michael

Dined 2 days ago

Food was very good and service was outstanding - especially with a group of 15 including some younger kids.

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Popular dish

Country-Fried Chicken BLT

Fratello's Italian Tavern - Park Circle

4.6

4.6 (1045)

$30 and under

Italian

North Charleston

About the restaurant

Fratellos Italian Tavern is an American Italian restaurant located in Park Circle featuring Italian comfort cuisine with a menu driven by local seasonal ingredients and a homestyle feel. The word Fratello in Italian refers to fraternity or brother. It is this bond that our proprietor Richard Tuorto and Chef Kevin Bruntz had in mind when they shared favorite family recipes to create a unique dining experience.

Top review

Paige

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

I had a great meal with excellent company. I enjoyed the eggplant parmigiana and our server was fun and knowledgeable

Long Island Cafe- Isle of Palms

4.6

4.6 (2088)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Isle of Palms

About the restaurant

Located in Isle of Palms, Long Island Café offers a menu full of American cuisine with a focus on fresh, local seafood. The restaurant has a full bar and offers dinner, lunch and Sunday Brunch.

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always great food and service from someone who has eaten there for 27 years.

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4.5

4.5 (3474)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

This Charleston locals’ favorite is nestled away in a historic home in downtown Charleston. The charming restaurant and intimate bar are reminiscent of a Mediterranean Villa, where Executive Chef, Josh Ogilvie, melds the cuisines of Italy, Spain, France, & Greece, featuring fresh preparations of Seafood, Fish, Savory Meats, Homemade Pastas, Homemade Bread, and Salads, all served by a warm and friendly serving staff. The extensive wine list complements the experience and offers 75 selections by the glass. The cozy bar empties out onto a terrace, offering outdoor dining and drinks. There are numerous menu items, which are gluten and dairy free and vegetarian, and there are vegan options as well.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

We had a great time, with great food and attention from the staff

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Popular dish

Bruschetta

Popular dish

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Halibut (gf)

Ciao Bella

3.8

3.8 (18)

$31 to $50

Italian

West Ashley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ciao Bella Charleston, where authentic Italian flavors meet a passion for innovation. Our menu showcases the finest regional dishes, crafted from the freshest ingredients, and designed to transport you straight to Italy. From our rich, homemade alfredo and tomato sauces to the perfect balance of flavors in our hand-rolled Pasta, we celebrate Italy's culinary heritage with every bite. Indulge in our signature dishes like the tender Ossobuco or enjoy our homemade Neapolitan pizza. Bringing your neighborhood Chef back out who's been on live Tv joining forces with his daughters to carry on his legacy, Chef Gary and The young Ms. Langevins are prepared to give you a lifetime of exceptional service. They don’t just serve meals – They create unforgettable dining experiences inspired by the heart of Italy.

Top review

Joseph

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Excellent food and terrific service. Possibly the best Italian we’ve had in Charleston over the last two decades.

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