Places to Go and Things to Do in Charleston

Charleston Essentials: Dining Out

With James Beard Award-winning chefs, media-darling restaurants and a roaring Wine & Food Festival, Charleston has become the Southeast's foodie hotspot. The downside (besides the calories) is that choosing where to dine can be daunting. Start with these standouts, locals' secrets and suggestions for best places to ...

IMPRESS A DATE
Fulton Five
5 Fulton St.
Warm, intimate dining room, fabulous Italian fare, attentive servers

BE SPOILED ROTTEN
Charleston Grill
224 King St., at Charleston Place Hotel
Definitely a special-occasion indulgence. Five-star dining and pampering from the always-personable general manager, Mickey Bakst

EAT HEALTHY
Black Bean Co.
116 Spring St.
All organic and mostly local fresh ingredients. Energizing wraps and salads for vegetarians, vegans and the health conscious

Five Loaves Cafe
43 Cannon St.
Hardy soups, fortified salads, generous servings of healthy entrees

SAVOR THE WATERFRONT
The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
106 Haddrell St., Mt. Pleasant
Tucked away on Shem Creek, literally on the shrimp docks, here the fried shrimp rules.

Fleet Landing
186 Concord St.
Fleet Landing is smack on the Charleston Harbor, with indoor and outdoor dining. Fresh seafood abounds on the wide-ranging menu.

GET GRITTY
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave.
Locals' favorite for Southern comfort fare with a cosmopolitan flare. Shrimp and grits take the cake, but save room for their famous Buttermilk Pie.

START YOUR DAY
WildFlour Pastry
73 Spring St.
Sunday morning cinnamon buns -- enough said.

Kudu Coffee
4 Vanderhorst St.
Hip crowd, lovely courtyard, African coffees and even craft beers if you prefer non-caffeinated brew

ENJOY A POST-SURF BEER
Poe's Tavern
2210 Middle St., Sullivan's Island
Local craft beers, killer burgers and a haunting beach vibe inspired by Edgar Allan Poe himself.

EAT PIZZA
E.V.O. Pizza
1075 East Montague Ave., North Charleston
This Park Circle favorite serves imaginative Neapolitan pies using local and organic produce and deliciously inspired salads.

BE A LOCAVORE
The Macintosh
479-B King St.

FIG
232 Meeting St.
Both these award-winning restaurants feature farm-to-table sophistication with fresh, seasonal bounty from nearby fields and waters.

SEE AND BE SEEN
Halls Chophouse
434 King St.
The bar here is hopping with business deals and the tony dining room filled with movers and shakers. Plus, the Halls family treats you like royalty.

GRAB A LATE-NIGHT BITE
Butcher & Bee
654 King St.
This foodie lunch hotspot reopens for night owls, Thursday through Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., with sandwiches worth staying up for.

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