Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Charleston

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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!

Maison

4.9

4.9 (1634)

$31 to $50

French

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Maison is a French Bistro located in downtown Charleston, SC. Our concept is food forward with bright, balanced beverages to compliment. Maison's cuisine is inspired by classic French fare recreated with a breath of modernity and local influence. Tradition meets au courant innovation. The space is intimate and paralleled with energy.

Top review

Michele

Dined 5 days ago

The food delicious! The appetizers were very creative . The service was exceptional.

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Experience

Happy Hour at Maison

Nick’s German Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (1285)

$31 to $50

Contemporary German

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Featuring scratch-made German specialties like Schnitzel, Spaetzle and more, Nick’s German Kitchen offers an authentic German kitchen infused with a modern vibe. Flavorful, fresh and appealing, Nick’s German will make you rethink everything you think you know about German food! Guten Appetit!

Top review

Diane

Dined 2 days ago

Tremendous food, Tremendous service!!!Greeted by Mr. Nick and we enjoyed a Tremendous meal.

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4.9

4.9 (56)

$30 and under

American

Summerville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

KathiP

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful atmosphere, attentive staff, delicious food and a warm welcome. Every visit seems to be even better than the last.

Amen Street Fish + Raw Bar

4.7

4.7 (4953)

$30 and under

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar opened in 2009, reviving the former Amen name of Cumberland Street and restoring this historic corner. The new renovation stays true to the beauty of the original 1800's architecture while creating a comfortable atmosphere for contemporary life.

Located at 205 East Bay Street in the heart of the historic district this Charleston seafood restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining all within walking distance of the local Market and the Charleston Harbor.

The menu includes a variety of seafood dishes such as oysters, clams and shrimp in addition to an ever growing raw bar menu. Amen Street supports Charleston's local fishing industry with market fresh fish.

We are open for lunch and dinner. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations are accepted as well.

Top review

MsKJ

Dined 2 days ago

All of the food was great. The mussels were outstanding and the bourbon salmon was delicious.

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4.7

4.7 (361)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Vegetable & seafood driven small plates with a seasonal, always-revolving menu served in a trendy, industrial setting combining upscale fare with a laid back experience. Our tasting menu is available in the entire restaurant 6 days a week. Selected for OpenTables "Top 10 Diners' Choice Winners in Charleston" in 2021!

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Jul 27, 2024

I recommend the 4 or 6 course chef prepared meal paired with wine. It was a great experience all around.

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

4.5

4.5 (3304)

$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

Tara

Dined 2 days ago

The food and service was outstanding! Matthew was an incredible server.

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Popular dish

The Famous Mac & Cheese

Popular dish

Country-Fried Chicken BLT

Popular dish

Chicken Marsala

Long Island Cafe- Isle of Palms

4.5

4.5 (1863)

$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

Paulvip

Dined 2 days ago

We had 6 at the table for a 13th birthday celebration and it was great

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Bahama Breeze - Charleston

4.5

4.5 (270)

$30 and under

Caribbean

North Charleston

About the restaurant

Bahama Breeze Island Grille offers a To Go menu with easy online ordering. Take home a taste of the islands today. Bahama Breeze offers all your favorites: burgers, salads, seafood, chicken-all with our island flair. From jicama or plantains to jerk chicken pasta, you can enjoy the islands one taste at a time, discovering new flavors along the way. If our Latin and Caribbean-inspired recipes sound delicious but you're not sure you're ready to explore, ask us about the ingredients or preparation. We're always happy to share our knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine.

Top review

Ian

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

We have never had a bad experience at this restaurant. Service was everything we expected. Will be back soon.

The Refuge

4.4

4.4 (575)

$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

Joannevip

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

We visit The Refuge every year when we are in the area and it's always amazing. This year was no exception. We went for steak night this time. The server and the food were both amazing.

Coterie- Charleston

4.3

4.3 (384)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

The word “coterie," in its essence, means a group of people who come together to share their ideas. Unique perspectives are what brings flavor to our conversations and our relationships, and they thrive in the right environment.

Our style is an edited mix of flavorful dishes and drinks served in an intimate setting. Flavors come to the forefront as easily as the conversations held by the people enjoying the food. At Coterie, everyone brings their own story to the table.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

What a treat. Delicious food and drinks and a cool little hidden gem.

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