#1
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
$
Upper King
Why #1 The biscuit that launched a brand — fastest quality bite downtown
Tiny biscuit shop celebrated for buttery, hand-crafted biscuits in flavors from plain butter to crab cake, a Charleston institution.
Address476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403Radcliffborough (Upper King Street)
HoursDaily 8am-2pm
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignaturePimento Cheese Biscuit, Country Ham Biscuits
Featured on Today Show, Food Network, Southern LivingJames Beard nominated founder Carrie MoreyShipped nationally
#2
Hannibal's Kitchen
$
East Side / East Side of downtown Charleston
Why #2 Included in Charleston City Paper's Top 50 food list; cited by City Paper as having been on The New York Times 2021 top 50 restaurants in th
Hannibal's Kitchen is a long-running East Side soul-food institution in downtown Charleston known for generous Lowcountry-Gullah plates and a no-frills, community-first feel. Recent Charleston City Paper coverage says it has been feeding the city for more than 40 years, and highlights crab and shrimp rice as the signature dish. The restaurant is especially noted for classic sides and seafood-driven comfort food that draws locals and visitors alike.
Address16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403-5044
HoursSunday: Closed; Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
ReservationsTripadvisor reviews indicate no reservations are generally accepted; one review mentions a large party arranged ordering the night before by text.
Walk-inWalk-ins appear to be the norm; recent reviews note waits can happen, and guests have been welcomed close to closing time.
Price$
Signaturecrab and shrimp rice / crab rice, fried chicken, chicken livers, okra soup, turkey wings, collard greens, cornbread, fried whiting, red rice
More details (awards, sources)
Awards / PressIncluded in Charleston City Paper's Top 50 food list; cited by City Paper as having been on The New York Times 2021 top 50 restaurants in the country.
Verified Charleston operatorJune 2026 podium
#3
Dave's Carry-Out
$$
Why #3 I could not verify a current official website or reliably matched public listings for Dave's Carry-Out in Charleston from the sources search
I could not verify a current official website or reliably matched public listings for Dave's Carry-Out in Charleston from the sources searched, so I’m returning only confirmed unknowns rather than guessing. The restaurant may be listed under a different name or location variant, but I was not able to confirm a current, authoritative profile within the requested source set.
HoursCheck website for current hours
ReservationsCheck website
Walk-inCheck on arrival
Price$$
SignatureSee menu
Verified Charleston operatorJune 2026 podium
Also strong in this category
These restaurants previously held a podium slot and remain strong picks. Full profiles preserved below.
#4
167 Raw Oyster Bar
$$-$$$
Ansonborough / King Street
Why #1 Lobster roll + raw bar at lunch — fast, serious, no reservations needed
View full profile
#1
167 Raw Oyster Bar
$$-$$$
Ansonborough / King Street
Why #1 Lobster roll + raw bar at lunch — fast, serious, no reservations needed
New England-style oyster bar on King Street serving oysters, lobster rolls, fish tacos, shrimp rolls, and daily crudo — wait the line or go right when it opens (11am Mon–Sat) for a fast, high-quality seafood lunch.
Address193 King St, Charleston, SC 29401Ansonborough
HoursMon-Sat 11am-11pm; closed Sun,
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureLobster Roll
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025 (#21 in Charleston overall)Yelp Top 100 spots recognitionResy staff picks for lunch
#5
The Pass
$-$$
Spring St / Cannonborough (downtown); Northcutt Plaza (Mount Pleasant)
Why #2 Chef Marini's Italian sandwiches rival any in the Northeast — Mount Pleasant gem
View full profile
#2
The Pass
$-$$
Spring St / Cannonborough (downtown); Northcutt Plaza (Mount Pleasant)
Why #2 Chef Marini's Italian sandwiches rival any in the Northeast — Mount Pleasant gem
Artisan deli and Italian market with obsessively crafted sandwiches — the 'Such a Nice Italian Boy' Italian sub and the 'Cacio e Pepe' grilled cheese (with truffle honey) are the main events; also antipasti, salads, and Italian pantry.
Address207A Saint Philip Street, Charleston, SC 29403Cannonborough-Elliotborough
HoursTue, Sun 10am-3pm; Wed-Sat 10am-3pm & 7pm dinner seating; closed Mon
Walk-inYes (Deli); No/Reservations Required (Dinner)
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureSuch a Nice Italian Boy (Sandwich)
Resy Hit List #13 March 2026Viral 'Such a Nice Italian Boy' sandwichCharleston City Paper top quick lunch pick
#6
Lewis Barbecue
$$-$$$
East Central / NoMo
Why #3 Counter-service BBQ at its best — in and out with world-class brisket
View full profile
#3
Lewis Barbecue
$$-$$$
East Central / NoMo
Why #3 Counter-service BBQ at its best — in and out with world-class brisket
Texas-style Central BBQ counter service by pitmaster John Lewis — brisket sliced to order, beef ribs (weekends only), pulled pork, hot guts sausage, green chili corn pudding; gravel patio with picnic tables and a full bar.
Address464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403NoMo (North Morrison) / Upper Peninsula
HoursTue-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun-Mon 11am-9pm
ReservationsWalk-in only. No reservations taken.
Walk-inYes
Price$$
Dress codeCasual
SignatureCentral Texas Style Beef Brisket
Michelin Bib Gourmand (2025)TripAdvisor #6 in Charleston overall (1,000+ reviews)Described by Michelin as 'Texas by way of the Lowcountry'
#4
Queen Street Grocery
$-$$
Beloved corner store and café serving hot-press…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
↓ 1
#5
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
$
Charleston's most famous biscuit brand with a d…
National media recognition (Oprah's Favorite Things,…
↑ 1
#6
Rodney Scott's BBQTemporarily Closed
$$
Whole-hog pit BBQ by James Beard-winning pitmas…
Michelin Bib Gourmand (2025)
↑ 3
#7
Leon's Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop
$$
Retrofitted auto-body shop with excellent fried…
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
↓ 2
#8
Burbage's Grocery
$
Old-school neighborhood grocery store on Broad …
Charleston City Paper 2025 top quick lunch pick
↑ 3
#9
Dave's Carry-Out
$
Legendary takeout window on Morris Street servi…
Charleston food institution with 40+ year history
—
#10
Pink Bellies
$$
Vietnamese-American restaurant on Upper King se…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
—
#11
Basic Kitchen
$$
Vegetable-forward café close to King Street ser…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
↑ 1
#12
Hannibal's Kitchen
$
Eastside soul food legend serving rice and bean…
40+ year Eastside institution
New
#13
Boxcar Betty's
$
Counter-service chicken sandwich shop serving '…
TripAdvisor Top 10 lunch (Charleston)
—
#14
Mercantile & Mash
$$
Downtown all-day restaurant and bar with ample …
Charleston City Paper quick lunch pick
New