Downtown Charleston Restaurants
Make a free reservation
Introducing OpenTable Icons
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Downtown Charleston
Updated on
Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.
O-Ku
Price: Moderate•Japanese•4.8(2,893)O-Ku, a Japanese restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, is a triumph of execution and concept. The restaurant's menu is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, and it features fresh, seasonal ingredients that are prepared with care. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the flavors are both complex and delicate. Focused on incorporating authentically Japanese flavors into the fare, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature contemporary Japanese entrées and traditional sushi of the season reflecting the uniquely designed space. Guests can enjoy chef specialties including kurobuta pulled pork don-buri, braised short rib with shiso pesto, coconut curry, and hakozushi a box-style sushi. A wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and crudos are also available. The beverage program at O-Ku is a sophisticated blend of specialty cocktails, premium sake, bubbles, red and white wines and unique beer selections.Anson
Price: Very Expensive•Southern•4.9(5,099)Anson was named one of OpenTable's 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America for 2018 |
The Establishment
Price: Very Expensive•Seafood•4.8(2,859)Everything at The Establishment begins with well-sourced ingredients from sea and field. Through developing relationships with local farmers and fishermen, our ingredients will be consistently seasonal, fresh, and pure. Chef Elliott Howells' menu will always reflect a clean, focused, and balanced approach, delivering a selection of thoughtful and refined cuisine.
Located in Charleston’s historic French Quarter a few blocks away from Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market, and Waterfront Park, The Establishment features an award-winning wine cellar, over 150 bourbon and whiskey offerings, and a lively bar scene complete with daily happy hour. We feature Live Music every Friday and Saturday starting at 8:00 PM, featuring multiple local artists performing an array of musical genres. Our private dining rooms are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or business meetings. We look forward to hosting you for a casual night out or an elevated dining experience.Indaco
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(3,987)Located on Charleston's Upper King Street, Indaco (Italian for "indigo") serves rustic Italian cuisine. Wood-fired pizzas, hand-crafted pastas, housemade salami and cured sausages fill the restaurant's menu which can be enjoyed family-style or a la carte. With community tables, an open kitchen, and a comfortable atmosphere, Indaco can accommodate 100 guests for a casual night of food and drinks. The wine list is focused on affordable Italian varietals, the Negroni cocktail is on tap, and the fresh sodas are made in-house. The massive wooden doors on Upper King Street are your first indication that Indaco is different from the typical Charleston restaurant. Rustic details continue inside with butcherblock tables, lime-wash walls, and white brick. An open kitchen with nearby community tables lets interested diners keep an eye on the action inside the kitchen. Outside, a patio puts you streetside to watch Upper King Street's vibrant nightlife scene.
Two Bit Club
Price: Moderate•Vietnamese•4.6(47)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!Sorghum & Salt
Price: Expensive•Farm-to-table•4.7(399)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 2024!
See what locals rave about in Downtown Charleston
- CCathySouth Carolina •1 review5.0Dined 2 days agoService and food were wonderful we will definitely return for another enjoyable meal!More infoCoast Bar & Grill – CharlestonPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Downtown Charleston•4.3
- JJohn LSouth Carolina •1 review4.0Dined 3 days agoWe had not really allowed enough time between our reservation and a subsequent show we were going to. Staff worked with us to ensure we were seated on time and with the kitchen to ensure our food came out as quickly as possible. Especially considering how busy they were, this was nice. One of us had the charcuterie tray as a meal, the other had the salmon. Both were excellent. I had the French onion soup and was not impressed. It was much too salty for my taste (and I love salt) and some of the onions were undercooked. To be fair, the undercooked onions could have been the result of our request for quick service. Finally, I marked the noise level as "energetic," but might have selected "nearly deafening" if it had been offered. To be fair, our seating time was at the height of the overlap between busy dining on a Friday night and a packed bar when we first got there. The cocktail I ordered from the bar when we first arrived and before being seated was tasty and "full-strength."More info39 Rue de Jean - CharlestonPrice: Expensive• French• Downtown Charleston•4.3
- CclaireSouth Carolina •1 review5.0Dined 3 days agoVery busy night for them. Lots of groups. Cement walls made it difficult to hear. Had trouble with the order but the team really went out of their way to make solved the issue and comped drinks meal and dessert. Huge tip was leftMore infoVincent Chicco'sPrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown Charleston•4.4
- LLindaPhoenix / Arizona •1 review5.0Dined 4 days agoWe had a wonderful meal! We had crispy, juicy and tasty Fried Chicken on Fried Chicken Thursday and got a great deal, three pieces and two sides and banana pudding for $7 off! Delicious fried green tomatoes and fried pickles and onion rings. The service was excellent and you can feel the history. A great value and superb meal.More infoVirginia's on KingPrice: Moderate• Southern• Downtown Charleston•4.6
- OTOpenTable DinerVIPWashington, D.C. Area •1 review5.0Dined 5 days agoGreat service and exceptional value. Have been to other locations and this one is above the others.More infoO-KuPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Downtown Charleston•4.8
Get inspired by our collections of the top restaurants in Downtown Charleston
These 12 Charleston restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Charleston’s best restaurants for outdoor dining come with breathtaking views, scenic streetside tables, and charming patios.
12 quintessential date-night restaurants in Charleston
Charleston’s cobblestone streets and candlelit verandas scream romance, and that Lowcountry charm also defines its best date-night restaurants. Window seats and fried fish baskets take the edge off first-date nerves at an oyster bar. For dinner and dancing, there’s a multi-level hotspot with killer sunset views. Proposals mean a nautical dining room at a waterfront beauty. This guide pairs Charleston restaurants with romantic occasions from first dates all the way to milestone anniversaries. These are Charleston’s 12 best date-night restaurants.
Charleston’s 8 Greatest Restaurants
Together, these old and new restaurants offer a snapshot of the best of Charleston dining right now.
11 stellar special-occasion restaurants in Charleston
Charleston’s got a celebratory soul, and food is practically a religion here. Which explains why its special-occasion restaurants are forces to be reckoned with. While many of its most festive restaurants are in its historic downtown, surrounded by views of horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone streets, others are on some of the smaller islands, complete with stunning coastal views. Whether you’re ringing in a birthday, anniversary, promotion, or simply just because, the city’s thriving restaurant scene has the ideal spot. Read on for a guide to 11 special-occasion worthy restaurants in Charleston to book now.
The best places to grab a drink in Charleston
Charleston’s best bars range from high-end cocktail lounges to charming wine bars and tried-and-true neighborhood escapes.
6 New Restaurants to Book in Charleston This Spring
What defines Southern hospitality more than a steaming communal table of Lowcountry boil or shrimp and grits? While those standbys, fueled by the bounty of the surrounding creeks and rivers, still form the soul of Charleston dining, the Holy City is expanding its culinary universe. These new restaurants, ranging from the city’s only food hall to an Indian fusion restaurant, pay tribute to Charleston’s history while increasing its global appeal.
Discover Downtown Charleston
The downtown area of Charleston is rich in South Carolina state history and features a wide assortment of restaurants. Seafood is abundant in town as it's caught fresh daily. From tourists to locals, food is on the mind of many while they are walking along the city streets. You'll find that grits are a staple for downtown Charleston along with specially prepared coffees. There are outdoor cafes that allow you to enjoy the scenery, and oyster roasts are held by the dock. Meals are prepared fresh so that you can enjoy the flavors that blend together. Southern charm is found in older restaurants that feature picture windows, giving a brilliant view of people passing by on the city streets.
Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in Downtown Charleston is Husk - Charleston
The best vegan restaurants in Downtown Charleston are Two Bit Club, Muse Restaurant and Pelato - Charleston
The best vegetarian restaurants in Downtown Charleston are Pelato - Charleston, Bistronomy by Nico Downtown and Ma'am Saab
The restaurants with the best service in Downtown Charleston are Husk - Charleston, Halls Chophouse and Magnolias
The restaurants with the best ambiance in Downtown Charleston are Halls Chophouse, Stars Restaurant - Rooftop & Grill Room and Magnolias
Explore OpenTable
- The Vendue
- Calhoun Mansion
- Peninsula Grill
- Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown
- Pink House
- The Spectator Hotel
- Citizens and Southern National Bank of South Carolina
- Charleston Harbor Marina
- The Jasmine House
- Charleston Music Hall
- Robert Brewton House
- Charleston Historic District
- Maison de Fleurs
- French Quarter Inn
- Meeting Street Inn
- Plum Elements
- Barksdale House Inn
- Marion Square
- The Lodge Alley Inn
- Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston, Autograph Collection