Diners' Choice: Southern restaurants in South Carolina

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Southern cuisine in South Carolina? 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!

Anson

4.9

4.9 (5092)

$50 and over

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Anson was named one of OpenTable's 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America for 2018 |

Top review

SherriVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful and charming restaurant! Loved everything about it!

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Popular dish

Whole Crispy Flounder

HogsHead Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (477)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Known as one of the best scratch kitchens in the area, HogsHead offers guests fresh and innovative cuisine, along with Lowcountry staples like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits, all with the best staff in town. Ask them to recommend their favorite handcrafted cocktail or expertly pair wine from the extensive by the glass or bottle list to complement your dinner.

The ever-present Chef/Owner and Philly native John Pashak has been nominated for four James Beard Awards in the Mid-Atlantic area. All the sauces, dressings, desserts and even focaccia bread are made daily from his handwritten recipes. Local fresh catch and filet specials are offered nightly along with the full menu which includes gluten-free options.

Top review

JoanneVIP

Dined on Jul 5, 2025

The menu was very limited. We would like to see more fish on the menu. The food was very good but pricey.

Stella's Bistro - Simpsonville

4.8

4.8 (2245)

$30 and under

Southern

Greenville

About the restaurant

**PLEASE NOTE** THIS IS THE STELLA'S IN SIMPSONVILLE ON FAIRVIEW ROAD
Parties larger than 8, please call the restaurant for reservations!
Stella’s Southern Bistro in Simpsonville- open for 16 years, is a staple of this area. We offer cuisine influenced by the coastal Carolina's & American south. We support regional food artisans & emphasize the importance of sourcing products harvested locally. Stella’s offers from-scratch menu, genuine hospitality, full wine list & crafted cocktails all served in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere.
Enjoy the menu cuisine of nationally recognized Chef Jason Scholz.
Private Dining: Stella's can accommodate groups up to 50 in size in our beautiful & private Indigo Room.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 3 days ago

We were seated immediately. All wait staff were very friendly. Our food was excellent.

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Popular dish

Grilled 12oz New York Strip

Rustic Table

4.8

4.8 (1136)

$30 and under

Southern

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Rustic Table brings comfort food and home-style dining to Pawley's Island.

Top review

Blake

Dined 3 days ago

Went for brunch; French Toast and Corned beef hash were outstanding! Dinner menu looked excellent… will be back! Great food, great vibe

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4.8

4.8 (426)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

The new Ruby Lee’s on Wild Horse!
The new Ruby Lee’s offers more of what patrons of Hilton Head Island have come to love and expect in the past: delicious southern cooking and a comfortable yet stimulating atmosphere that offers the perfect way to enjoy sports or outstanding blues, jazz and soul from local and regional artists. If you’re not familiar with Ruby Lee’s, it’s a locally owned restaurant, started by Tim Singleton (known to Low-country residents as an athlete and head coach). The restaurant is named for Singleton’s late grandmother who is the inspiration for the Southern-style menu. The new and revamped version of the original; yet it still captures the Southern feel-good themes that have an uncanny way of making you hungry for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, corn bread, and sweet tea the moment you walk in the door. If, for some reason, you’re not quite ready to eat after walking in the door of Ruby Lee’s, you’ll notice a pang of hunger once you look at the menu.

Top review

Dana

Dined 4 days ago

We LOVED ruby lees. Tim the owner was probably the nicest owner we’ve ever met. He was so friendly and just over the top with his guests. He was talking to every one and making sure everyone was taken care of The food was perfect. I had the oxtail and it was amazing. The best collard greens I’ve ever had Live music was awesome. Made dinner feel like a night out

Sassafras Southern Bistro

4.9

4.9 (3642)

$30 and under

Southern

Greenville

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, Sassafras Southern Bistro serves an eclectic menu of American cuisine with a truly Southern influence. Menu items include steak, fresh seafood, salads, and amazing desserts. Sassafras Southern Bistro has a full bar featuring local beers on tap and an extensive wine selection both by the glass and by the bottle.

Start out your meal at Sassafras Southern Bistro with one of their amazing appetizers like the spicy pork tenderloin or the famous blue crab and pepper-jack nachos. Choose from entrees like the raved about shrimp and grits or the filet with house made pimento. Some vegetarian and gluten free options are available upon request.

Top review

Marie

Dined 4 days ago

We were a group of six visiting from Hilton Head. Highly recommended this Bistro. Fun vibe, great food and excellent service. We will return again on future trips.

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Popular dish

Sassafras Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Steak & Gorgonzola Fondue Nachos

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.8

4.8 (160)

$30 and under

Southern

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

The Retreat located on Lake Wateree in Ridgeway, South Carolina is inspired by celebrating family and the community. This scratch kitchen showcases locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in their cozy lake front restaurant. Chef Blake Hartwick's approach and belief in representing local farmers drives the refined southern cuisine served at The Retreat. The southern charm extends through the whole restaurant as Heather's dedication to exceptional experience will provide you with a warm welcome in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere paired with attentive service.

Top review

Bob

Dined 6 days ago

We had a wonderful meal food was very good and the views of the lake were outstanding!

The Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion Hotel

4.5

4.5 (1901)

$30 and under

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar, named for Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion, features classic Southern cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Executive Chef Heyward Davis and Chef De Cuisine Daniel James create regional specialties that emphasize farm to table practices using locally grown fruits and vegetables with respect to the traditional beloved flavors and techniques of the Lowcountry.

Known for its award-winning Shrimp and Grits, The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar overlooks historic Marion Square Park and is popular with both locals and visitors to Charleston. Guests can enjoy live piano Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm - 9pm.

The restaurant also has a private dining room, the Parkview, that seats thirty and overlooks King Street and Marion Square Park. This intimate space is perfect for private events and small parties.

Masks are recommended for fully vaccinated customers. Consistent with CDC guidelines, unvaccinated customers should wear masks.

Top review

Dawn

Dined 3 days ago

First place we ate at when we got to Charleston, loved it food was delicious, we had wonderful service!! Will recommend to everyone

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Popular dish

Petite Shrimp N' Grits

Popular dish

Shrimp N' Grits

Popular dish

Cheddar & Chive Hush Puppies

Tupelo Honey - Columbia

4.6

4.6 (228)

$30 and under

Southern

Columbia

About the restaurant

Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains we call home. We craft brunches, lunches and suppers that bring family and friends around the table and allow for conversations and cocktails to linger longer than usual. Always scratch-made, always responsibly-soured, and always Southern.

If you do not see your desired party size or time available please see our website for additional reservation availability. https://tupelohoneycafe.com/location/frisco/reservations/

Top review

Ann Marie

Dined 4 days ago

What a delightful place to meet friends. enjoyed this evening for moms’ nite out. food is beyond delish!! love the various options.

Coastal Provisions

4.6

4.6 (492)

$31 to $50

Southern

Isle of Palms

About the restaurant

Coastal Provisions offers upscale yet resort casual dining to the Charleston area public and resort guests. Menus change seasonally, allowing us to capture the freshest ingredients of the moment. Proud partner of the South Carolina Aquarium's Good Catch program.

Important Note: All reservations are held inside as outdoor seating is weather permitting. Comments specifying seating preference are honored if, and when available. In an effort to accommodate as many outside requests as possible, we offer our outdoor seating mainly on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the restaurant directly for additional details or confirmations.

Top review

Megan

Dined 2 days ago

Connie was amazing and the food was excellent. A little pricey but overall worth it.

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