50 Best American Restaurants in Charleston

“Tried and true for 20 years. Absolutely best restaurant in Charleston. Food always incredible, service always perfect.“

“Delicious meal & friendly staff“

“Edmund’s Original is one of our favorite restaurants in Charleston. It’s the perfect mix of quality and price, with a team that always makes us feel right at home. I can’t speak highly enough of this place. Whenever someone comes to visit from out of town, we bring them to EO so they can get a taste of what we’re fortunate to enjoy regularly. The food is phenomenal - from the fried chicken to the burger to the steak, and everything in between. The beer selection is top notch. In-house developed cocktails are creative, while the classics are on point if that’s more your speed. The chocolate cake and an espresso martini are the perfect touch to finish it all off! Oh, and don’t sleep on the special events they host! When the chef teams up with other chef’s from around the state, they always deliver a unique and delicious experience!“

“We had the most amazing night celebrating our 10th anniversary. The entire team went above and beyond and we left feeling so filled with joy—and OUTSTANDING food. Flavors that we never will forget and memories for a lifetime. WC team, thank you for making our first night in Charleston one we will never forget.“

“Best restaurant in Charleston! It really is a must!“

“Leon's is literally in my dreams! My boyfriend and I went there for the first time three years ago. It blew our minds! Affordable, delicious food, and such a fun atmosphere. We returned a couple of times on the same trip. We live in NJ... and set up a trip last year JUST to go to Leons. I am actually scared to post a review because I selfishly want to keep it a secret for my boyfriend and I. Man, if you like chicken and oysters... you cannot go wrong. Damn, now I need to set up another trip. :)“

“We LOVED our lunch visit a few weeks ago! great service, excellent food, loads of fun!“

“Always a fantastic time at Husk. It’s my go to spot when I’m in town. The bar team in the carriage house, Beau and Damian are rockstars and will make sure you are taken care of. Ryan’s warm hospitality is always great. Topped by the fantastic food and drinks! Don’t miss it!“

“Vern’s Restaurant in downtown Charleston truly exceeded our expectations and left us with an unforgettable dining experience. The food was exceptional—quite possibly the best meal we have ever had.“

“Great food; great service“

“Me and my daughter had been traveling all night (and looked like we had been). We stopped here because we were starving and needed to kill time until we could check into our hotel. The staff was so friendly to us. I felt like we were under dressed (it was Easter) but no one seemed to judge us for it. As for the food - amazing!!!!! I got the fried artichoke sandwich and it was sooooo good. The fries were also very good. This place has such a good vibe. I wish we were in town longer so we could enjoy it again.“

“The staff was amazing. It was our anniversary and the GM personally came to our table and poured us a glass of Champaign to celebrate. They also gave us a free dessert. The hostess, wait staff, and GM all took time to wish us a happy anniversary. The food was amazing as well! Overall it was a great dining experience!“

“I would definitely recommend S.N.O.B. for the quality of their food only. My friends and I were there on March 24, 2025, during an unexpected cold snap. We're from Florida and the weather was cold, windy and brutal. The four of us were seated at a table that was almost smack dab in front of the entrance door. Thus, people were constantly coming in and out. The manager should have had enough forethought to not place a table there, let alone sit people there in low fifty degree weather and high winds. We just wanted to get our food and get out.“

“My husband and I had the pleasure of celebrating our wedding reception at Circa 1886, and we truly could not have asked for a more wonderful experience! From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Their exceptional service and attention to detail made our special evening feel effortless and truly memorable. We felt so well taken care of throughout our entire celebration. The food was absolutely phenomenal! The Angus Filet Mignon and the Peach Lacquered Ashley Farms Chicken Breast were both outstanding. Every bite was delicious, beautifully prepared, and a wonderful reflection of the quality and care that goes into the dining experience at Circa 1886. The elegant atmosphere, exceptional cuisine, and outstanding hospitality created the perfect setting for our intimate wedding reception. It was everything we had hoped for and so much more! A heartfelt thank you to the entire Circa 1886 team for making our wedding reception such a beautiful and unforgettable experience! We will forever cherish the memories made that evening and cannot wait to return for another special occasion. We wholeheartedly recommend Circa 1886 to anyone looking for an extraordinary dining experience. Truly five stars in every way! ❤️“

“Great burgers and drinks. Staff is wonderful!“

“Super fresh, delicious brunch. Gluten free banana bread exceptional. Friendly staff. Attentive owner. Excellent!!!“

“We had a lovely dinner at The James. I have a restricted diet and they wendy out if their way to make sure I was accommodated. There were 4 of us and everyone enjoyed our evening. Our server, Jessica was first class as were everyone we came in contact with. Would highly recommend The James.“

“The food was fantastic and the service was great! I recommend the key lime pie!“

“Great music, happy hour, and staff!“

“Boxcar Betty’s absolutely exceeded my expectations! Everything we ordered was fresh, hot, and packed with flavor. The chicken tenders were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned perfectly. The smash burger was cooked just right with an incredible flavor. The fries were crispy and delicious, the sweet potato fries had the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, and the fried pickles were some of the best I’ve had. The fried green tomatoes were another standout—crispy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. A special shout-out to District Manager Kim R. for taking the time to check on us and ensure everything was perfect. It’s clear that strong leadership creates an outstanding team and an exceptional dining experience. If you’re looking for delicious food and top-notch customer service, Boxcar Betty’s is the place to go. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal served by people who truly care about their customers!“

“Always amazing!! Cooking class with Chef Tyler was so fun!! Zero George is our go to in Charleston!“

“An entertaining chef, creative and exceptionally well-executed cuisine, a pleasingly funky ambience, and the delight at watching a fine chef at work, which equals a terrific experience.“

“Little Jack's Tavern was such a treat! The staff was attentive without hovering. The seating was intimate and I really felt as if I was dining in the 1940's.

The cauliflower appetizer, house salad, crabs cakes, and cocktails were all delicious and expertly prepared. I wasn't expecting the cauliflower to be my favorite item and will dream of it until I can visit again (soon!). Easily shareable between three or four.

The crab cakes were tender, the salad crisp.

The cocktails - Corpse Reviver and Pims Cup - perfection! So many places have no idea how to mix or balance cocktails anymore. It is an art form and a mastered art form at Little Jack's Tavern.

Excellent experience on all front - atmosphere, service, quality, quantity.

We will be back and I'm getting that sweet little corner table for me and my sweetheart!“

“Excellent service! The atmosphere was an amazing place to grab a drink and/or eat for the evening while socializing.“

“The cheesesteak is the BEST!!! We stumbled on The Brick while visiting Charleston and it was delicious. Great atmosphere, great service and yummy food! We will be back!“

“Had brunch today. Food was good. The chicken and waffle was really tasty.“

“Dinner was very good & everyone was so very nice. Had reservations & they seated us at 5. It was Mothers Day& graduation week so they were really busy BUT no one made us feel rushed. We will definitely come back..“

“Amazing food, cozy atmosphere and wonderful. friendly staff!! Highly recommend!!“

“My wife and I ate at the weekend buffet. We arrived early and were sat down immediately. Sylvie was super nice and attentive. The food was amazing. My wife loved the stuffed French toast. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. It's rich and creamy and easily the best shrimp and grits I have ever eaten!“

“I would give the harlow 6 out if 5 stars if I could! From the service to the menu, the multiple oyster choices, the happy hours, the many specials, quality of the drinks, the happy, personable culture of the staff, the many heat lamps keeping the little outdoor garden oasis toasty and cozy, and the staff has nearly no turnover, and lots of Charleston restaurants have stupendous food, but what makes the harlow stand alone as a best of the best, is an obvious comeraderie amongst them coupled with the tastiest crab Mac n cheese in the universe along with their other delicious fare!“

“Hats off to Gaby! She was wonderful! Her energy and huge smile. We’d go back just to see her again! 🫶“

“Share Our Suzy is incredibly grateful for Swig & Swine and their continued partnership in presenting our annual Denim & Diamonds event. Their commitment to supporting local breast cancer patients and giving back to the community means so much to our mission. Because of partners like Swig & Swine, we are able to provide real support to women in the Lowcountry during treatment. We are thankful for their generosity and for standing with us year after year.“

“Excellent food and service.“

“Big Shout Out to Tina our server today at Metro Diner ! She was Wonderful! She came right over with a beautiful smile and took our beverage order. We told her we knew what we wanted. She had no problem taking our food order. She even made a suggestion to my husband that saved him a few cents. She was a ray of Sunshine. She was very attentive. She checked on us several times. The food is great! The staff is great! Their cooks know what they are doing!! You can aee they all work as a team ! We have never had a bad meal there!!“

“Beautiful restaurant with Fabulous food and service! Look forward to our next visit.“

“Since moving to CHS 4 years ago, not one place has been frequented like brown dog. Whether it’s a post church lunch, a meal with a new friend, or a quick bite to accompany a downtown expedition, brown dog never disappoints. I am a creature of habit and order the Cardi. B Crunch every time, but my friends have worked their way through the whole menu without coming across a single dish they didn’t love. Good vibes at the brown dog.“

“best drag show/brunch EVER! and our server Kahlil was amazing! 🤩“

“10/10 — absolutely phenomenal.

We’ve been loyal Hall’s Chophouse customers since 2019 and have probably eaten there 60+ times, but Burwell’s completely blew us away.

The staff was incredible from start to finish. “Nurse Destiny” is hands down the best waitress we have ever had. She made the entire experience exceptional.

And the food was outstanding. Every course was incredible, and we all agreed it was better than our last 60 visits to Hall’s Chophouse.

Burwell’s has officially earned a spot at the top of our Charleston restaurant list.

10 out of 10. We will absolutely be back.“

“Shout out to Candice and team for a great event. The planning was easy and the staff was really great. It is hard to manage 200 for luncheon. I did it for many years and there are always little additions or changes the day of and this team handled it all with speed and grace. Events here will not be disappointed. It’s a well oiled machine. Thanks to all! David, Renee, Candice - everyone.“

“My husband and I both tried the Classic. What a great chicken sandwich! It was delicious! We are going back tomorrow to try their smash burger 🍔“

“I asked my fiancé to find a nice coffee shop that also sells beer in Charleston. After her google search, she asked our friends at The Lucky Luchador and they also recommended your establishment. I was definitely impressed with the atmosphere and selection of beer that was available. I will be coming back soon and will be your ugliest ambassador!!! 😊“

“Our server was great (Jayden!) and Kory was wonderful too! Quick service, great food, and servers that went out of their way! Five stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Home team was a pleasure to work with! Great with responding and getting answers to me quickly, they arrived on time to cater a wedding I coordinated, set up on time, and the food was delicious! Extremely friendly and easy to work with staff who were very helpful! As a planner I appreciate a great catering team and they’ve got it! Highly recommend!“

“I loved the vibes and atmosphere. Food and drinks were amazing. Our bartender, Pepe was phenomenal and will definitely be back next time we’re in Charleston!!“

“Great food and very friendly management and staff.“

“Great meal with beautiful presentation!!“

“I love sitting at the bar having dinner and a drink. There is always someone to talk to and the staff are awesome people.“

“I got the bacon cheeseburger with a gluten free bun. It was amazing!“

“Great meal and awesome waitress“

“The food and the service were great.“