Suggested Restaurants in Charleston:
A Selective Culinary Guide to the Lowcountry
It is recommended that you call to confirm hours of operation and whether reservations are required.
This list was compiled in March, 2009. For a list of restaurants near the conference see the lunch page.
39 Rue de Jean
39 John Street, 843-722-8881
www.39ruedejean.com
French style café and bar. Indoor/outdoor patio seating, predominantly French wine list. Casually elegant dining and late-night partying. A late night menu through 1:00 am featuring steak, sushi and salads.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/39-rue-de-jean-charleston
Anson
12 Anson St., 843-577-0551
www.ansonrestaurant.com
Watch horse-drawn carriages meander through the historic Market from the chic dining room. Specializes in delicious, locally caught seafood, superb steaks, and local produce. Served with classic Charleston charm.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/anson-restaurant-charleston
Basil
460 King Street (at Ann Street,) 843-724-3490
www.eatatbasil.com
Clean, crisp Thai dishes. High-octane red and green curries, crispy fried duck, hot and sour soups, and cool, soothing desserts with undertones of ginger. A favorite with locals who enjoy Asian cuisine. No reservations accepted.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/basil-restaurant-charleston
Carolina's
10 Exchange Street, 843-724-3800
www.carolinasrestaurant.com
A landmark in Charleston’s culinary history for over 40 years. Eclectic Lowcountry cuisine supplied with fresh produce from the restaurant’s own garden. “There will always be Carolina’s Ground Tenderloin Burger and Fries.”
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/carolinas-restaurant-charleston
Circa 1886
149 Wentworth Street, 843-853-7828
www.circa1886.com
Located in the elegantly restored historic carriage house in the gardens of the grand Wentworth Mansion, Circa’s cuisine reflects an intriguing mix of Lowcountry fare and colonial influences, spiced with classic West Indian flavors .
Cypress Lowcountry Grill
167 East Bay (at Queen Street, 843-727-0111
www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com
Updated classics made with the Lowcountry’s finest ingredients. Extensive wine list (a 3-story glass wall storing 4,000 + wines) and elegantly chic interior. “Charleston’s hottest new place to dine.”
FIG
232 Meeting Street, 843-805-5900
www.eatatfig.com
A neighborhood bistro – very high quality seasonal cuisine, focusing on fresh, sustainable products from local farmers. Featured in Gourmet, Food & Wine, Oprah magazine, and The New York Times.
Maps & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fig-charleston
Fish
442 King Street, 843-722-3474
www.fishrestaurant.net
Exquisitely prepared seasonal seafood – monkfish, snapper, tuna, wreckfish, salmon, flounder, catfish and more, served up in an 1837 single house. Regional French cooking with an Asian flair and Lowcountry flavors.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fish-charleston
Fleet Landing
186 Concord Street, 843-722-8100
www.fleetlanding.net
Classic and contemporary Southern seafood, regional favorites, burgers, salads and more. Family friendly, full bar. Located right on Charleston Harbor at the foot of Cumberland Street. Enjoy views from the wrap-around deck. Complimentary parking.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fleet-landing-restaurant-charleston
Gaulart & Maliclet Café
98 Broad Street, 843-577-9797
www.fastandfrench.org
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/fast-and-french-gaulart-and-maliclet-french-cafe-charleston
Hank's Seafood Restaurant
10 Hayne Street, 843-723-3474
www.hanksseafood.com
Custom-built to convey the era of a classic 1940s Charleston fish house. Relaxed, local seafood classics
and innovative seasonal specials. The bar scene attracts a sociable crowd of locals nightly.Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hanks-seafood-restaurant-charleston
High Cotton, Maverick Bar & Grill
199 East Bay Street, 843-724-3815
www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com
Straightforward cuisine, hearty and robust. Steaks, game, fresh seafood. Mahogany woodwork, old brick
walls, heart pine floors. Entertainment nightly, jazz brunch on Sunday.Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/high-cotton-restaurant-charleston
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Avenue, 843 937-0930
www.hominygrill.com
Nationally acclaimed and locally beloved. Classic regional specialties. Outdoor patio dining available.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hominy-grill-charleston
Magnolias
185 East Bay Street, 843- 577-7771
www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com
“Uptown Down South cuisine,” The chefs are known for their creative use of the Lowcountry’s bounty.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/magnolias-uptown-down-south-charleston
McCrady's
2 Unity Alley, 843 577-0025
www.mccradysrestaurant.com
This 224-year-old tavern houses a stylish bar and dining room. Exquisite seasonal, though not necessarily Southern, cuisine. Look for lamb, venison, and Moulard duck along with seafood dishes, plus an impressive wine list.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/mccradys-charleston
Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad Street, 843 722-4220
www.oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Italian-inspired steakhouse fare, steaks, chops seafood specialties, vegetarian dishes and a good selection of Old and New World wines.
Maps & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/oak-steakhouse-charleston
Pavilion Bar
225 East Bay Street, 843-266-4218
www.marketpavilion.com
Atop the Market Pavilion Hotel, alfresco rooftop cocktails and savory cuisine. Offers panoramic city and harbor views.
Maps & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pavilion-bar-charleston
Pearlz Oyster Bar
153 East Bay Street 843-577-5755
www.pearlzoysterbar.com
An assortment of raw shellfish, local seafood. Lowcountry recipes and regional favorites.
Maps & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pearlz-oyster-bar-charleston
Peninsula Grill
112 North Market Street, 843-723-0700 or 800-845-7082
www.peninsulagrill.com
The dining room at the Planter’s Inn. Innovative, regional cuisine served in elegant, yet comfortably relaxed atmosphere. Accolades from Bon Appetit and Wine Spectator, voted Charleston’s best restaurant for nine consecutive years. Famous Seven-Layer Coconut Cake.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/peninsula-grill-at-planters-inn-charleston
Poogan’s Porch
72 Queen Street, 843-577-2337
www.poogansporch.com
Open seven days a week. One of Charleston’s oldest and most reputable culinary establishments.
Impeccable Lowcountry hospitality and cuisine since 1976. Highly recommended for lunch.
Brunch on Saturday and Sunday.Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/poogans-porch-charleston
Raval
453 King Street, 843-853-8466
www.ravalwinebar.com
An Upscale bar serving Spanish wine and traditional tapas.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/raval-charleston
Rooftop at the Vendue Inn
19 Vendue Range, 843 577-7970
www.vendueinn.com
A roof top bar, beautiful view of Charleston.
Slightly North of Broad
192 East Bay Street, 843-723-3424
www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com
Eclectic in design and menu. Praised by Gourmet, Food&Wine, Southern Living, GQ, USA Today,
NY Times. Seasonal fresh-from-the-farm food. Lively atmosphere.Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/slightly-north-of-broad-charleston
Southend Brewery and Smoke House
161 East Bay Street, 843 853-4677
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/southend-brewery-and-smokehouse-charleston
Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.
160 Church Street, 843-577-3818
www.tommycondons.com
Crafted after a true Irish pub. Atmosphere appropriate for families, couples and folks just looking for a pint. Seafood, steaks, burgers. Outdoor deck available.
Tristan
55 South Market St., 843-534-2155
www.tristandining.com
Delightful dishes using high quality, seasonal ingredients. Lunch is especially recommended, as is Sunday brunch.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tristan-restaurant-charleston
82 Queen Street, 843-723-7591
www.82queen.com
A menu as diverse as Charleston, 11 elegant dining rooms or lush garden outdoor seating.
Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/82-queen-charleston
Virginia’s on King
412 King Street, 843-735-5800
www.virginiasonking.com
Traditional Southern kitchen. Familiar regional dishes prepared with the utmost care for quality and
flavor. Local fresh ingredients and old family recipes.Map & Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/virginias-on-king-charleston