#1
Merci
$$
Harleston Village
Why #1 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant ([Charleston City Paper](https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2026/05/07/cp-hot-list-addi
Merci is a small European-inspired neighborhood bistro in downtown Charleston’s Harleston Village, opened by chef Michael Zentner and his wife Courtney in March 2025. With just 26 seats and a limited nightly service window, it has quickly become one of the city’s hardest reservations, known for dishes like beef Wellington and a tightly edited seasonal menu.
Address28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401
HoursWednesday–Saturday, 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
ReservationsReservations open on Resy seven days in advance at 9:30 a.m.; the restaurant is bookable on Resy.
Walk-inWalk-ins are difficult, but a 4:00 PM walk-in seat is sometimes possible; emailing in advance may help for special occasions.
Price$$
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 operatorSeptember 2026 podium
#2
Cane Pazzo
$$
Hanahan
Why #2 Resy Best of the Hit List 2025 plus Eater Carolinas and Charleston City Paper coverage, the first suburban Charleston restaurant to break through on national lists.
Cane Pazzo (Italian for “Mad Dog,” Chef Bolchoz's nickname) is a neighborhood osteria opened June 14, 2025 by Charleston native Chef and Owner Mark Bolchoz (previously Peninsula Grill, The Grocery, and culinary director for Indigo Road Hospitality). Located in Yeamans Hall Plaza in Hanahan, about 15 to 30 minutes north of downtown, it pairs handmade pastas and wood-fired small plates with Lowcountry ingredients under a “no imports” sourcing rule. The all-Italian wine list is curated by co-owner Ariana Bolchoz.
Address1276 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410
Phone(843) 974-3647
HoursMonday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Closed Sunday.
ReservationsReservations on Resy and OpenTable. Bookings recommended given Resy Hit List demand.
Walk-inSeven first-come bar seats and a chef's counter. Dining room is reservation-only.
Price$$ (approximately $40 per person)
SignatureShe-crab raviolo (blue crab, sherry cream, crab roe); beef and pork meatballs over polenta with spicy tomato; wood-fired daily bread with Calabrian honey butter; bucatini with dayboat shrimp; risotto with n'duja and stracciatella; Mad Dog Monday chicken parmigiana
More details (awards, sources)
Awards / PressResy Best of the Hit List 2025 (En Primeur Club); Eater Carolinas First Look, June 2025 (Eater); Eater Carolinas Best New Restaurants, January 2026 edition; Charleston Magazine New & Notable, December 2025 (Charleston Mag); The Local Palate First Look, September 2025 (The Local Palate)
Resy Best of the Hit List 2025Eater Best New (Jan 2026)Charleston Mag New & NotableChef Mark Bolchoz (Indigo Road, Peninsula Grill)
#3
Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place
$$$$
Historic Downtown
Why #3 Daniel Humm's prix-fixe signals seriousness without saying a word
Five-course prix fixe dinner ($135/person) by three-Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in the grand setting of The Charleston Place hotel — the ultimate 'special occasion' business dinner with maximum wow factor.
Address224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401Downtown / Historic District
HoursWed-Sun 5-10pm; closed Mon-Tue
Walk-inLimited (Accepted at the bar and in the dining room based on availability)
Price$$$$
Dress codeSmart Casual / Polished Casual
SignatureCarrot Tartare (prepared tableside)
Three Michelin stars (Eleven Madison Park)Year-long residency at Charleston's most storied hotelGuest chef collaboration series 2026 (Brock, London, Heinze)
Also strong in this category
These restaurants previously held a podium slot and remain strong picks. Full profiles preserved below.
#4
Bareo
$$
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$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureShoyu Ramen, Garlic Miso Ramen
Resy Hit List #15 March 2026Extension of beloved Weems Ramen pop-up with loyal followingHeated outdoor seating
#4
Sorelle
$$$-$$$$
Grand, swanky Southern Italian ristorante opene…
Michelin Guide Recommended (2025 American South debut)
↓ 2
#5
Rivayat Creative Indian Cuisine
$$-$$$
Southern Indian restaurant on Rutledge Avenue b…
Charleston City Paper 2025 year-in-review notable op…
↑ 9
#6
Shokudô
$$
Japanese tavern from the Indigo Road group
Eater Carolinas best new restaurants (January 2026)
↑ 9
#7
Harlow and Pearl
$$-$$$
New brick-and-mortar at Starlight Motor Inn, add…
Resy new-to-Hit-List June 2026
New
#8
Sullivan's Fish Camp (revamped under Chef Jason Stanhope)
$$-$$$
Sullivan's Island seafood restaurant reinvented…
Southern Living Restaurant of the Month, March 2026
—
#9
Bar Weems
$$
House-made noodle bar in North Charleston'…
Resy Hit List #15 March 2026
—
#10
The Pass (Mount Pleasant)
$-$$$ (daytime $; evening tasting $$$)
Artisan deli and market expansion of Chef Antho…
Resy Hit List #13 March 2026 (shared with downtown l…
↓ 1
#11
The Crossing
$$$
Mediterranean concept from Chef Nick Dugan at Th…
Nation's Restaurant News coverage of March 30, 2026 opening
New
#12
Reggie's Tavern
$$
Neighborhood tavern added to Resy's Charleston H…
Resy new-to-Hit-List June 2026
New
#13
Sorghum & Salt
$$-$$$
New concept in the Lowcountry tradition
Resy 2025 staff picks
↓ 1
#14
La Cave
$$$-$$$$
French-American wine-focused restaurant and cav…
Resy Hit List #12 March 2026
↓ 6
#15
Odd Duck Market — Summerville
$-$$
Café and market from the popular Charleston Odd…
Resy Hit List #17 March 2026
↓ 10
#16
Bareo
$$
Filipino-Japanese dumpling and kakigōri (shaved…
Resy Hit List #2 March 2026 — fastest any new restaurant h…
—
#17
Kultura (new location)
$$$
Acclaimed Filipino restaurant by James Beard-no…
James Beard-nominated chef (multiple nominations)
—
#18
OK Donna
$$-$$$
'Italian-ish' neighborhood restaurant…
Resy Hit List #6 March 2026
—