#1
Southbound
$$$
Downtown Charleston / Cannonborough
Why #1 Recognized by Charleston City Paper as a Top 50 restaurant and described as one of Charleston's go-to restaurants for live-fire cooking
Southbound is a downtown Charleston live-fire restaurant centered around a large wood-fire grill in a historic Cannon Street house. The menu changes daily and emphasizes dry-aged meats, seafood, and elegant, fire-driven plates paired with cocktails and uncommon wines.
Address72 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403-6043
HoursSunday-Thursday 5:00 pm-9:00 pm; Friday-Saturday 5:00 pm-10:00 pm; closed Mondays per official site
ReservationsReservations accepted; OpenTable shows booking available and notes it was booked 35 times today.
Walk-inCheck on arrival
Price$$$
Signaturedry-aged steak tartare with smoked egg, grilled toast and miso butter; coal-roasted Spanish octopus; grilled bone marrow with fried oysters; Australian lamb chop; crispy duck; housemade cavatelli with braised rabbit sugo; dry-aged meats; balanced cocktails; uncommon wines
More details (awards, sources)
Awards / PressRecognized by Charleston City Paper as a Top 50 restaurant and described as one of Charleston's go-to restaurants for live-fire cooking.
Verified Charleston operatorJune 2026 podium
#2
Peninsula Grill
$$$$
Downtown Charleston
Why #2 [OpenTable Icons 2026](https://www.opentable.com/peninsula-grill), [OpenTable Icons 2025](https://www.opentable.com/peninsula-grill); AAA Fo
Peninsula Grill is one of Charleston’s best-known fine-dining rooms, set inside the historic Planters Inn with a polished courtyard and Champagne Bar. It’s especially known for its 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake™ and formal Lowcountry-meets-steakhouse menu, making it a strong pick for celebratory dinners and visitors looking for a classic Charleston experience.
Address112 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401
HoursBreakfast Mon–Sat 7:00 am–11:00 am; Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm; Bar Mon–Thu & Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm, Fri–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm; Dinner Mon–Thu & Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm, Fri–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
ReservationsReservations accepted; book by phone at (843) 723-0700 or via OpenTable. Private dining and special-event bookings available.
Walk-inCheck on arrival
Price$$$$
SignatureUltimate Coconut Cake™; Opulent Spud topped with caviar and gold leaf; seafood towers; steaks and chops
More details (awards, sources)
Awards / Press[OpenTable Icons 2026](https://www.opentable.com/peninsula-grill), [OpenTable Icons 2025](https://www.opentable.com/peninsula-grill); AAA Four Diamond / Four Star recognition mentioned on official site and OpenTable; Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence mentioned on official site; national press: [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com) cited in Yelp description, [Southern Living](https://www.southernliving.com) highlighted the coconut cake in 2025
Verified Charleston operatorJune 2026 podium
#3
Vern's
$$$$
Elliotborough
Why #3 Michelin Star with the most consistent local devotion of any Charleston fine-dining spot
Intimate neighborhood restaurant with a Michelin Star where serious, technique-driven cooking meets a warm, approachable dining room. Known for impeccable raw tuna, crusty house sourdough, and a constantly changing menu shaped by Chef Daniel and Bethany Heinze.
Address41 Bogard St, Ste A, Charleston, SC 29403Elliotborough, quiet corner west of Upper King
HoursDinner Thu to Mon from 5 PMClosed Tue and Wed. Sunday lunch service 12 to 2:30 PM.
ReservationsBook on ResyTables release 30 days out at 9 AM ET. Books up in minutes for Fri/Sat. Set a Resy notify alert; cancellations open at 24 to 48 hours out.
Walk-inBar seats only. 6 stools first-come; arrive at 5 PM open for the best odds.
PricePlates $14 to $52. Pastas $26 to $34. Specials $48 to $95.Plan $100 to $160 per person with wine. À la carte; no tasting menu format.
Dress codeSmart casual. Dimly lit room, intimate vibe; most diners dress up.
SignatureCharred sourdough, raw yellowfin tuna with Calabrian chili, rabbit campanelle, lamb specials, escargot.
Best forDate nightAnniversaryFoodie pilgrimageWine bar
More details (features, dietary, parking)
FeaturesSmall intimate room (under 40 seats). Strong, curated wine list. Daily chalkboard specials. Husband-and-wife team (Daniel and Bethany Heinze, ex-McCrady's).
DietaryVegetarian options usually available. Note allergies on Resy booking; kitchen is responsive.
ParkingStreet parking on Bogard and surrounding blocks. No valet.
Michelin One Star (2025)Resy Hit List #4 March 2026Chef Dano Heinze collaborator for Daniel Humm residency (June 2026)James Beard Best New Restaurant nominee (2023)
Also strong in this category
These restaurants previously held a podium slot and remain strong picks. Full profiles preserved below.
Why #1 James Beard–winning chef, nightly-changing menu, 20+ years of consistency
View full profile
#1
FIG
$$$$
Ansonborough
Why #1 James Beard–winning chef, nightly-changing menu, 20+ years of consistency
James Beard Award–winning restaurant by chef Mike Lata serving nightly-changing seasonal menus built on the finest local farms and fishermen — the pinnacle of Charleston fine dining.
Address232 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401Ansonborough / Downtown Charleston
HoursTue-Sat 5-10:30pm; closed Sun-Mon
Walk-inLimited (Walk-ins encouraged in the bar area),
Price$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual or Cocktail
SignatureTomato Tarte Tatin, Ricotta Gnocchi Alla Bolognese, Chicken Liver Pâté
James Beard Award: Best Chef Southeast (Mike Lata, 2009)Eater 'Essential Restaurants' constant presenceNamed in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, New York Times
#5
Wild Common
$$$$
Upper King
Why #2 Michelin-starred tasting menu that feels intimate, not formal
View full profile
#2
Wild Common
$$$$
Upper King
Why #2 Michelin-starred tasting menu that feels intimate, not formal
Chef Orlando Pagán's tasting-menu restaurant at Cannon Green featuring bold, inventive Latin-influenced seasonal cuisine in a stunning restored warehouse.
Address103 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403Cannonborough-Elliottborough
HoursWed, Thu, Sun 6-9pm; Fri-Sat 6-10pm; closed Mon-Tue
Walk-inLimited (Bar seats first-come, first-served)
Price$$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual
SignatureCharleston Gold Rice Sourdough with Nutritional Yeast Butter
Condé Nast Traveler 'Best Restaurant in Charleston' featureChef's Counter tasting menu experienceJames Beard Award semifinalist
#6
Zero George
$$$$
Ansonborough
Why #3 Candlelit courtyard in an 1804 carriage house — most romantic setting in Charleston
View full profile
#3
Zero George
$$$$
Ansonborough
Why #3 Candlelit courtyard in an 1804 carriage house — most romantic setting in Charleston
Intimate, Michelin-recognized restaurant inside a restored 1804 building at Zero George Street hotel, serving elevated local cuisine with caviar and wine pairings.
AddressLeft Side, 0 George St, Charleston, SC 29401Ansonborough
HoursTue-Sun 5-10pm; closed Mon,
Walk-inLimited (Reservations required for tasting menu; walk-ins accepted at the bar for snacks/drinks)
Price$$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual
SignatureBeef Wellington, Tres Leches Cake
Selected in the 2025 inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South (Michelin-recognized)Condé Nast Top 5 Foodie Hotels in the World (for Zero George hotel)Chef Vinson Petrillo's refined local-ingredient menus
#4
Vern's
$$$
Michelin One Star neighborhood restaurant by Da…
2025 Michelin One Star — inaugural MICHELIN Guide Am…
New
#5
Merci
$$$$
Intimate Harleston Village bistro named 2025 Ea…
2025 Eater Carolinas Award: Best New South Carolina …
↑ 1
#6
Chez Nous
$$ - $$$
Beloved French-Mediterranean bistro in a hidden…
Sister restaurant of Malagón, which holds a 2025 Mic…
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#7
Chubby Fish
$$ - $$$
No-reservations seafood destination with a rota…
Eater Carolinas 'Where to Eat Right Now' constant pr…
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#8
Peninsula Grill
$$$$
Classic Charleston fine dining institution insi…
Relais & Châteaux member property
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#9
Circa 1886
$$$$
Intimate fine dining in the original carriage h…
TripAdvisor 4.7/5 from 2,432+ reviews
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#10
Costa
$$$$
Coastal Italian restaurant by the Wild Common /…
Part of the Wild Common / Zero George / Cannon Green…
↑ 1
#11
Southbound
$$$$
Live-fire restaurant in a charming 1800s house …
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 4.5/5
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#12
Sorelle
$$$
Grand Italian ristorante on Broad Street with a…
Designed by Meyer Davis Studios (luxury interior des…
New
#13
La Cave
$$$
French-inspired intimate sipping lounge and sma…
Sister restaurant of Felix Cocktails & Fare (popular…
↑ 3
#14
Bistronomy by Nico
$$ - $$$
Award-winning French bistro by chef Nico Romo d…
Best Chef in Charleston: 2021, 2022, 2023 (Best of C…
↓ 1
#15
R Kitchen
$$ - $$$
Unique BYOB supper-club-style experience where …
Unique theater-of-food concept: chalkboard menu reve…
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