Best Date Night Restaurants in Charleston, SC (October 2026)

100% Confidence

Peninsula Grill is temporarily closed for renovation, so it sits out this month's ranking (it was #2 last month). It returns to the ranking when it reopens.

Circa 1886

$$$$Downtown▲ from #4

Why #1

Date-night recognition: Charleston City Paper (May 2022, winner, Best Romantic Restaurant), Post and Courier (Oct 2026) and 1 more.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler and Post and Courier in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Post and Courier, Oct 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.7 on Tripadvisor (2,444 reviews); 4.8 on Google (1,014 reviews); 4.5 on Yelp (about 401 reviews).

4.7

TasteSignal Crowd ScoreBlended across 3 platforms · how this is calculated

Google★ 4.81,014 reviews Tripadvisor★ 4.72,444 reviews

Yelp★ 4.5about 401 reviews

Diner ratings checked Oct 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401

Open inGoogle Maps Apple Maps Waze

Websitecirca1886.com

Post and Courier: Where should I celebrate a birthday dinner in Charleston? Our food editor has some suggestions. (Oct 2026)Post and Courier: 26 date night ideas in Charleston for 2026 (2026)Charleston City Paper: Best of Charleston 2022: Best Romantic Restaurant (May 2022)Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Restaurants in Charleston (2026) (Jul 2026)

Circa 1886: full profile and sources →

Wild Olive

$$–$$$Johns IslandNew to the top 10

Why #2

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (2023, finalist), Post and Courier (2022, finalist) and 2 more.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Charleston City Paper and Post and Courier in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Charleston City Paper, Aug 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.7 on Google (2,038 reviews); 4.6 on Tripadvisor (909 reviews); 4.6 on Yelp (about 900 reviews).
On major critic lists in 4 different years (2021, 2024, 2025, 2026).

4.6

TasteSignal Crowd ScoreBlended across 3 platforms · how this is calculated

Google★ 4.72,038 reviews Tripadvisor★ 4.6909 reviews Yelp★ 4.6about 900 reviews

Diner ratings checked Oct 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address2867 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Open inGoogle Maps Apple Maps Waze

Phone(843) 737-4177

Websitewildolive.com

HoursMon-Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 4-11pm; Sun 4-10pm

ReservationsBook on Resy

Walk-inLimited (Bar seating available for walk-ins)

Hours, prices and booking details are from our 2026 checks. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Post and Courier: 26 date night ideas in Charleston for 2026 (2026)Post and Courier: 24 date ideas in Charleston for 2024 (Jan 2024)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2024: Date Night Restaurant (2024)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2023: Date Night Restaurant (2023)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2022: Date Night Restaurant (2022)

Wild Olive: full profile and sources →

Merci

Downtown▲ from #7

Why #3

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (Oct 2026), Post and Courier (2026).
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, James Beard Foundation and 4 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Post and Courier, Oct 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.6 on Google (85 reviews).

Merci is a small European-inspired neighborhood bistro in downtown Charleston’s Harleston Village, opened by chef Michael Zentner and his wife Courtney in March 2025.

4.6

TasteSignal Crowd ScoreFrom 1 platform · how this is calculated

Google★ 4.685 reviews

Diner ratings checked Oct 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401

Open inGoogle Maps Apple Maps Waze

Websitemercicharleston.com

HoursWednesday–Saturday, 4:00 PM–10:00 PM

ReservationsReservations open on Resy seven days in advance at 9:30 a.m.; the restaurant is bookable on Resy.

Walk-inWalk-ins are difficult, but a 4:00 PM walk-in seat is sometimes possible; emailing in advance may help for special occasions.

Hours, prices and booking details are from our 2026 checks. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Post and Courier: Where should I celebrate a birthday dinner in Charleston? Our food editor has some suggestions. (Oct 2026)Post and Courier: 26 date night ideas in Charleston for 2026 (2026)Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Restaurants in Charleston (2026) (Jul 2026)James Beard Foundation: 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees (finalists) - Charleston area (Mar 2026)Charleston City Paper: CP Hot List: Summer 2026 (DISH Dining Guide) (Aug 2026)

Merci: full profile and sources →

Left the podium this month: Vern's (was #3, now #6); Southbound (was #1, no longer ranked in this category).

Ranks 4 to 10

Sorelle

$$$$Downtown★ 4.5▲ from #9

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (2024, finalist), Post and Courier (2023, finalist) and 1 more.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin Guide and 4 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Charleston City Paper, Aug 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.5 on Google (997 reviews); 4.4 on Yelp (about 420 reviews); 4.7 on Tripadvisor (111 reviews).
On major critic lists in 3 different years (2024, 2025, 2026).

Charleston City Paper: A guide to creating the perfect date night (Feb 2024)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2024: Date Night Restaurant (2024)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2023: Date Night Restaurant (2023)

FIG

$$$$Downtown★ 4.6▲ from #6

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (2022, finalist), Post and Courier (2026) and 1 more.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin Guide and 3 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Garden & Gun, Aug 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.6 on Tripadvisor (2,437 reviews); 4.7 on Google (1,699 reviews); 4.5 on Yelp (about 1,600 reviews).
On major critic lists in 4 different years (2021, 2024, 2025, 2026).

Post and Courier: 26 date night ideas in Charleston for 2026 (2026)Post and Courier: 24 date ideas in Charleston for 2024 (Jan 2024)Post and Courier: Charleston's Choice 2022: Date Night Restaurant (2022)

Vern's

$$$$Downtown★ 4.7▼ from #3

Known for date-night; with no recent date-night coverage yet, its overall quality carries this rank.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin Guide and 7 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Charleston City Paper, Aug 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.7 on Google (437 reviews); 4.6 on Yelp (about 188 reviews).
On major critic lists in 4 different years (2022, 2023, 2025, 2026).

Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Restaurants in Charleston (2026) (Jul 2026)Michelin Guide: MICHELIN Guide American South 2025 - Charleston selections (Nov 2025)The New York Times: Restaurant List 2023 (Sep 2023) via curlytales.com

Chez Nous

$$$$Downtown★ 4.6▲ from #12

Date-night recognition: Charleston City Paper (May 2024, runner-up, Best Romantic Restaurant), Charleston City Paper (May 2023, runner-up, Best Romantic Restaurant) and 2 more.
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Post and Courier and 2 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Post and Courier, Oct 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.6 on Google (841 reviews); 4.5 on Tripadvisor (391 reviews).
On major critic lists in 3 different years (2021, 2025, 2026).

Charleston City Paper: Realistic ways to romance your Valentine (Feb 2025)Charleston City Paper: Meet the Best of Charleston 2024: Best Romantic Restaurant (May 2024)Charleston City Paper: Meet the Best of Charleston 2023: Best Romantic Restaurant (May 2023)

Wild Common

$$$$Downtown★ 4.7▼ from #5

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (Oct 2026), Charleston City Paper (Feb 2022).
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin Guide and 3 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Post and Courier, Oct 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.7 on Google (233 reviews).
On major critic lists in 3 different years (2022, 2025, 2026).

Post and Courier: Where should I celebrate a birthday dinner in Charleston? Our food editor has some suggestions. (Oct 2026)Charleston City Paper: Where to spend Valentine's weekend in Charleston (Feb 2022)Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Restaurants in Charleston (2026) (Jul 2026)

Chubby Fish

$$–$$$Downtown★ 4.7▼ from #8

Date-night recognition: Post and Courier (2026).
Critic recognition from Condé Nast Traveler, North America's 50 Best Restaurants and 8 other outlets in the last five years.
Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Charleston City Paper, Aug 2026).
Diner ratings: 4.7 on Google (1,029 reviews); 4.7 on Yelp (about 320 reviews); 4.7 on Tripadvisor (110 reviews).
On major critic lists in 4 different years (2021, 2024, 2025, 2026).

Post and Courier: 26 date night ideas in Charleston for 2026 (2026)Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Restaurants in Charleston (2026) (Jul 2026)North America's 50 Best Restaurants: 2026 (May 2026)

#10

82 Queen

$$$$Downtown★ 4.6New to the top 10

Date-night recognition: Charleston City Paper (May 2024, winner, Best Romantic Restaurant), Charleston City Paper (May 2023, winner, Best Romantic Restaurant) and 1 more.
Critic recognition from Charleston City Paper and Post and Courier in the last five years.
Diner ratings: 4.6 on Tripadvisor (6,554 reviews); 4.5 on Google (3,572 reviews).
On major critic lists in 3 different years (2023, 2024, 2025).

Best date night restaurants in Charleston by area

Where the top-ranked spots in this category are, from downtown to the islands. The number is each restaurant's overall rank in Date Night this month.

Downtown: Circa 1886 (#1), Merci (#3), Sorelle (#4)
West Ashley: Mex 1 Coastal Cantina (West Ashley) (#31)
North Charleston: Jackrabbit Filly (#16), EVO Pizzeria (#22)
Johns Island: Wild Olive (#2), Royal Tern (#14)
Sullivan's Island: Home Team BBQ (Sullivan's Island) (#17)
Isle of Palms: Coda del Pesce (#15)

How this ranking works

Each card shows the evidence behind the rank: critic and local-guide coverage (linked), diner ratings, recent news and staying power. We log every list, award and rating with its date and source, apply the same rules to every restaurant, and refresh the ranking monthly. Arrows compare each restaurant with last month. Read how TasteSignal ranks restaurants.

Frequently asked

What is the best date night restaurant in Charleston?

As of October 2026, Circa 1886 is #1 in TasteSignal's Date Night ranking for Charleston, SC, followed by Wild Olive and Merci. Why it leads: date-night recognition: Charleston City Paper (May 2022, winner, Best Romantic Restaurant), Post and Courier (Oct 2026) and 1 more.

How does TasteSignal rank the best date night restaurants in Charleston?

Every restaurant in the category is ranked from named, dated evidence: critic and local-guide coverage, diner ratings on Google, Tripadvisor and Yelp, recent news and how long it has stayed on critics' lists. Our confidence in this category's data is 100% this month. Rankings refresh monthly.

Was this ranking helpful?Thanks for the feedback