#1
Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place
$$$$
Historic Downtown
Why #1 Daniel Humm's prix-fixe signals seriousness without saying a word
Five-course prix fixe dinner ($135/person) by three-Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in the grand setting of The Charleston Place hotel — the ultimate 'special occasion' business dinner with maximum wow factor.
Address224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401Downtown / Historic District
HoursWed-Sun 5-10pm; closed Mon-Tue
Walk-inLimited (Accepted at the bar and in the dining room based on availability)
Price$$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual / Polished Casual
SignatureCarrot Tartare (prepared tableside)
Three Michelin stars (Eleven Madison Park)Year-long residency at Charleston's most storied hotelGuest chef collaboration series 2026 (Brock, London, Heinze)
#2
Sorelle
$$$-$$$$
South of Broad / Broad Street
Why #2 Broad Street buzzy upstairs dining — Michelin-listed, Michael Mina backed
Grand, swanky Southern Italian ristorante opened 2023 by Beemok Hospitality (the Peninsula Grill group) and chef Michael Mina's Mina Group — a tasting menu destination with handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and Lowcountry Italian fusion.
Address88 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401French Quarter
HoursDaily 5-10pm; Sun brunch 10am-2pm; Mercato daily 8am-4pm
Walk-inYes (at bar and lounge)
Price$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual
SignatureRicotta Tortelloni ("Pillows of Gold")
Michelin Guide Recommended (2025 American South debut)Beemok Hospitality (Peninsula Grill pedigree) + Michael Mina's Mina Group partnershipChef Nick Dugan helming the kitchen
#3
Merci
$$
Harleston Village
Why #3 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant ([Charleston City Paper](https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2026/05/07/cp-hot-list-addi
Merci is a small European-inspired neighborhood bistro in downtown Charleston’s Harleston Village, opened by chef Michael Zentner and his wife Courtney in March 2025. With just 26 seats and a limited nightly service window, it has quickly become one of the city’s hardest reservations, known for dishes like beef Wellington and a tightly edited seasonal menu.
Address28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401
HoursWednesday–Saturday, 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
ReservationsReservations open on Resy seven days in advance at 9:30 a.m.; the restaurant is bookable on Resy.
Walk-inWalk-ins are difficult, but a 4:00 PM walk-in seat is sometimes possible; emailing in advance may help for special occasions.
Price$$
Signaturebeef Wellington; focaccia stracciatella with Benton’s ham and pistachio; spring pea salad with boucheron and green goddess dressing; striped bass with white bean fondue, fennel and olives
More details (awards, sources)
Awards / Press2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant ([Charleston City Paper](https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2026/05/07/cp-hot-list-additions-to-the-local-food-scene-that-are-worth-taking-note-of/))
Verified Charleston operatorJune 2026 podium
Also strong in this category
These restaurants previously held a podium slot and remain strong picks. Full profiles preserved below.
#4
Bareo
$$
Cannonborough–Elliotborough
Why #1 Fastest-ever entry to Resy's #2 Charleston spot — weeks after opening
View full profile
#1
Bareo
$$
Cannonborough–Elliotborough
Why #1 Fastest-ever entry to Resy's #2 Charleston spot — weeks after opening
Filipino-Japanese dumpling and kakigōri (shaved ice) restaurant on Spring Street from James Beard-nominated Chef Nikko Cagalanan and Paula Kramer (team behind Kultura) — steamed dumplings with seasonal fillings, handrolls, bento, noodle soup, sake cocktails, and a traditional tea service.
Address73 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403Cannonborough-Elliotborough
HoursTue-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-7pm; closed Mon
Walk-inYes (walk-ins accepted at the bar)
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureDumplings and Kakigōri (Japanese shaved ice)
Resy Hit List #2 March 2026 — fastest any new restaurant has entered top of Resy's Charleston listFrom the team behind Kultura (James Beard-nominated chef)Opened in the old Kultura space while Kultura relocated to larger 267 Rutledge Ave home
#5
OK Donna
$$-$$$
Wagener Terrace / Upper King
Why #2 From Last Saint team — immediately became the late-night destination
View full profile
#2
OK Donna
$$-$$$
Wagener Terrace / Upper King
Why #2 From Last Saint team — immediately became the late-night destination
'Italian-ish' neighborhood restaurant at 1117 King Street from the team behind Last Saint, Bar George, and Lupara — pizza, pasta, shareable plates, hip-hop and jazz soundtrack, open late.
Address1117 King St, Charleston, SC 29403North Central / Wagener Terrace
HoursMon 5-11pm; Wed-Sun 5-11pm (Bar until 12am); closed Tue
Walk-inYes
Price$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureArugula and potato chip salad
Resy Hit List #6 March 2026From the operators of acclaimed Last Saint and Bar GeorgeNamed one of the hottest new restaurants by Eater Carolinas December 2025
#6
Bar Weems
$$
Park Circle, North Charleston
Why #3 Filled a genuine gap: serious ramen in a city that had none
View full profile
#3
Bar Weems
$$
Park Circle, North Charleston
Why #3 Filled a genuine gap: serious ramen in a city that had none
House-made noodle bar in North Charleston's Park Circle neighborhood — ramen, karaage, cocktails, and mocktails, open until 1am Wednesday through Sunday, growing out of the popular Weems Ramen pop-up.
Address1921 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405North Charleston / Park Circle area
HoursTue-Sat 5pm-1am; closed Sun-Mon
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureShoyu Ramen, Garlic Miso Ramen
Resy Hit List #15 March 2026Extension of beloved Weems Ramen pop-up with loyal followingHeated outdoor seating
#4
Merci
$$$$
Tiny Parisian-style bistro (26 seats) by Michae…
Eater Carolinas Best New South Carolina Restaurant 2025
↑ 1
#5
Odd Duck Market — Summerville
$-$$
Café and market from the popular Charleston Odd…
Resy Hit List #17 March 2026
—
#6
Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place
$$$$
Year-long pop-up residency in the former Charle…
Three-Michelin-star chef from Eleven Madison Park
New
#7
Sullivan's Fish Camp (revamped under Chef Jason Stanhope)
$$-$$$
Sullivan's Island seafood restaurant reinvented…
Southern Living Restaurant of the Month, March 2026
—
#8
La Cave
$$$-$$$$
French-American wine-focused restaurant and cav…
Resy Hit List #12 March 2026
↑ 3
#9
The Pass (Mount Pleasant)
$-$$$ (daytime $; evening tasting $$$)
Artisan deli and market expansion of Chef Antho…
Resy Hit List #13 March 2026 (shared with downtown l…
↑ 3
#10
Cane Pazzo
$$$
Italian coastal restaurant in Hanahan by Chef M…
Eater Carolinas Best New Restaurants (January 2026 e…
↑ 1
#11
Kultura (new location)
$$$
Acclaimed Filipino restaurant by James Beard-no…
James Beard-nominated chef (multiple nominations)
↑ 2
#12
Sorghum & Salt
$$-$$$
New concept in the Lowcountry tradition
Resy 2025 staff picks
—
#13
Sorelle
$$$$
Grand Southern-Italian restaurant in three hist…
Michelin Recommended 2025
New
#14
Rivayat Creative Indian Cuisine
$$-$$$
Southern Indian restaurant on Rutledge Avenue b…
Charleston City Paper 2025 year-in-review notable op…
New
#15
Shokudô
$$
Japanese tavern from the Indigo Road group
Eater Carolinas best new restaurants (January 2026)
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