Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Charleston

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

La Rustica

4.9

4.9 (131)

$30 and under

American

Summerville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Dr FrankVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent ambiance excellent waitress excellent food !! Will be back again!!

NICO Oysters + Seafood

4.7

4.7 (544)

$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

Tracey

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful dinner. Enjoyed Monday night 1/2 off oysters.

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Experience

Oyster Class

Boathouse at Breach Inlet

4.6

4.6 (5544)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Isle of Palms

About the restaurant

This waterfront locale is historically known as the launching site of our country's first submarine, the H.L. Hunley. Poised at the breach between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic, you can enjoy a meal amongst the spectacular sunset views and balmy ocean breezes of the Isle of Palms. Come early and have a cocktail at the Rooftop Bar while enjoying amazing views before dining.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 2 days ago

Our server Sarah was excellent. Great atmosphere and very good food.

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (8091)

$30 and under

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar is Charleston's Best Waterfront Dining with a focus on local and sustainable produce and seafood. Housed in a 1940s retired naval building on the east side of the Charleston peninsula, Fleet Landing features a fusion of classic and contemporary Southern seafood fare in a setting that celebrates the area's waterfront heritage.

We take reservations and invite you to make them as far in advance as possible, as they fill up weeks in advance. We always invite walk-ins to join the waitlist when you arrive. If there is no availability on OpenTable, we are fully committed for reservations, and you are invited to join the waitlist when you arrive. For groups of 5-10, please give us a call at 843.722.8100. Larger groups are usually booked several weeks in advance. The largest group that we are able to accommodate is 10 guests. Please note, we do require your full party to be in the building in order to be seated at your table.

Top review

Molly

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful food, beautiful harbor views and excellent, cheerful service - Perfect every time!!!

The Kingstide

4.6

4.6 (1635)

$30 and under

Seafood

Daniel Island

About the restaurant

The Kingstide is Daniel Island's first and only waterfront restaurant. Boasting a pristine setting along the Wando River's meandering waterways, the beautifully appointed two-story space features an abundance of windows that maximize natural light and picturesque views. Envisioned and executed by renowned Charleston-based Cortney Bishop Design, The Kingstide's rustic yet refined interiors offer a nautical nod that goes beyond coastal expectations The menu offers a variety of seafood dishes thoughtfully presented in both raw and wood-fired preparations. Inspired by the beautifully simple flavors of the sea, The Kingstide partners with local and regional fisheries, farmers, and purveyors to showcase the Lowcountry's bounty through fresh, seasonally driven cuisine.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Our server was fantastic! We were there with our two very young nieces, which can be challenging, and he was absolutely wonderful with them. Food was also great. We’ll definitely be back!

Muse Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (3461)

$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

PatrickVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Always a favorite spot in Charleston for excellent food and wine.

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Popular dish

Bruschetta

Popular dish

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Halibut (gf)

Tavern & Table

4.5

4.5 (2779)

$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

Lexie

Dined 3 days ago

Super cool place and good food at Shem. The ravioli was great. Scallops were good but expensive for only 3 scallops. Highly recommend bacon jam and pimento cheese app.

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ÉLEVÉ at Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston

4.5

4.5 (1366)

$30 and under

European

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Coastal cuisine infused with southern heritage and prepared with classic French culinary techniques make Élevé unmatched. The elegant rooftop restaurant with views of Charleston’s charming cobblestone streets complete this sophisticated dining experience.

Top review

Grace

Dined on May 27, 2025

Had a wonderful dinner here with my friend. The steak tartare was my favorite dish I ordered & they had great cocktails as well

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4.5

4.5 (160)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Pelato, the beloved Brooklyn-Italian restaurant is a family-run eatery offering a memorable dining experience with small plates featuring cherished family recipes. A mural wall adorned with original photographs reflects the family's Brooklyn heritage.

The menu celebrates authentic Italian flavors with a Brooklyn twist, featuring classic dishes like Potato Croquettes, Baked Clams Oreganata, and Chicken Parmigiana, along with house-made pastas. Don't miss the classic desserts like rainbow cookies & zeppoles to complete your meal.
Outdoor dining available year-round in our enclosed, covered, & heated patio.

20% gratuity will be applied to groups of 6 or more. Split checks may be divided up to 4 credit cards at equal value. A corkage fee of $45 per 750ml will be applied to guests bringing their own wine (limit 2 bottles). A dessert plating fee of $5 per person will be applied to any outside desserts. Due to high demand, tables are subject to a 2-hour limit.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was fabulous staff was great and good ambiance. Owner stoped by to make sure we were happy and we were. Great place to get authentic Italian food.

Port of Call - Food & Brew

4.4

4.4 (31)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Port of Call in Charleston offers a fusion of coastal charm and culinary innovation. With a menu celebrating Southern classics with a modern twist, impeccable service, and an inviting ambiance, it's a culinary gem for locals and visitors alike. Come savor the essence of Southern hospitality and excellence at Port of Call.

Top review

steve

Dined 3 days ago

Good quick grab while down by city market in Charleston. Good lunch choice.

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Experience

Port of Call Happy Hour

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