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Best Outdoor Dining in Charleston, SC

Charleston's climate makes outdoor dining a year-round possibility. These are the best restaurants with outdoor seating in Charleston, SC — from waterfront patios to garden courtyards.

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Best Outdoor Dining in Charleston, SC

84% Confidence
#1

Lost Isle

$$-$$$ Johns Island
Why #1 Chandeliers hanging from oak trees, fire pit, Johns Island magic

Entirely outdoor fire-to-table restaurant under pecan trees on Johns Island — live fire hearth, string lights and chandeliers, walk-in only with a bar where you wait for your table, smoked whole proteins, coconut curry-braised collards, smoked fish dip.

Southern Living Restaurant of the Year 2025New York Times 'America's Favorite Restaurants' 2024Resy top restaurant picks
#2

The Obstinate Daughter

$$-$$$ Sullivan's Island
Why #2 Sullivan's Island porch with wood-fired pizza and ocean breeze

Sullivan's Island's most beloved restaurant — wood-fired pizza, eclectic Southern cuisine, and a lovely outdoor patio and bar on Middle Street, one block from the beach.

Michelin Recommended (2025)Most celebrated restaurant on Sullivan's IslandCHS Today outdoor patio top pick
#3

Fleet Landing

$$-$$$ Downtown / Waterfront
Why #3 Waterfront dining on the harbor — the view alone justifies the visit

Charleston's most iconic waterfront restaurant at 186 Concord Street — wrap-around deck on the harbor with panoramic views, Southern seafood classics, she-crab soup, fried flounder, and a lively raw bar.

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025 (#44 of 789 restaurants)6,500+ reviewswomen-owned
Full Ranking
#4
Sullivan's Fish Camp $$-$$$ Sullivan's Island fish camp with indoor/outdoor…
Southern Living Restaurant of the Month, March 2026
New
#5
Lewis Barbecue $$ Texas BBQ counter service with a generous outdo…
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
#6
The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits $$$ Seventh-floor rooftop restaurant at The Restora…
Most photographed rooftop in Charleston Historic Dis…
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#7
82 Queen $$$$ Historic Charleston restaurant (since 1982) wit…
TripAdvisor 4.6/5 (6,300+ reviews)
New
#8
Home Team BBQ (Sullivan's Island) $$ Casual BBQ and bar on Sullivan's Island with an…
TripAdvisor Top 10 Sullivan's Island restaurants
New
#9
Coda del Pesce $$$$ Italian seafood restaurant with a small outdoor…
Only oceanfront fine-dining restaurant in the Charle…
#10
Post House Inn $$$ Boutique hotel restaurant in the Old Village of…
CHStoday outdoor patio top pick
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#11
Leon's Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop $$ Auto body shop converted into a beloved Charles…
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
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#12
Bintü Atelier $$-$$$ West African restaurant on the Eastside with bo…
James Beard Best Chef: Southeast semifinalist 2026
New
#13
Peninsula Grill Courtyard $$$$ The moonlit garden courtyard at Peninsula Grill
Relais & Châteaux property
#14
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina (Sullivan's Island) $$ Casual Mexican cantina on Sullivan's Island wit…
Resy Hit List #18
#15
Edmund's Oast (Bower/Patio) $$-$$$ Restaurant, brewery, and outdoor garden at the …
Charleston City Paper 2025 top outdoor patio pick
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Top 3 Charleston Food Voices

The writers and creators shaping how Charleston thinks about food. Follow them for the deepest coverage of the local dining scene.

#1 Food Journalist

Hanna Raskin

@hanna_raskin

James Beard Award-winning food journalist and founder of The Food Section, an independent publication covering food and drink across the American South. Formerly the food editor and chief critic at The Post & Courier.

James Beard Award The Food Section Post & Courier
thefoodsection.com →
#2 Food Writer & Photographer

Jai Jones

@jaieats

Charleston-based food writer and photographer whose work appears in The Infatuation, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, Garden & Gun, Resy, and The Post & Courier. Creator of the Jai Eats platform covering Lowcountry dining.

The Infatuation Food & Wine Conde Nast Traveler Garden & Gun
jaieats.com →
#3 Food Content Creator

Tara Bannon

@charleston_foodie

The largest Charleston-focused food account on Instagram with 42,000+ followers. Covers restaurant openings, local favorites, and hidden gems across the Lowcountry with a focus on what's worth eating right now.

42K+ followers #charleston_foodie
@charleston_foodie on Instagram →