47 Best Southern Restaurants in Charleston

“We went for lunch, there were so many great choices! We had the Pimento Cheese for an appetizer and it did not disappoint. My friend and I shared the Chicken Tenders and Classic Vegetarian plate full of great southern veggies. Delish! The atmosphere was inviting and the service was great. Definitely highly recommend!“

“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. :)“

“Fantastic atmosphere. Saturday brunch with Beth, server as pleasant as con be. Highly recommend Shrimp and grits with Bloody Mary. A must when visiting Savannah.“

“I have mixed feelings. Our first visit was over a decade ago and it was wonderful. Our anniversary was yesterday and it was an ok experience. We sat in the courtyard AB’s was placed under the above heater. We started smelling gas and the heat never reached the table area. So we were freezing. The appetizers were wonderful. The couple got seated next to us ten minutes after us and received their food first. Was told about different and best food options and a dessert menu. We were not given either. Bbq in the shrimp and grits was over powering any other flavor. Husband got fish and grits and it was excellent. Not a 0 but I’m in no hurry to go back or recommend to anyone else. Ruined my anniversary to be honest….“

“What a quaint place!! From the food to the service, everything was great! Servings were generous & the Orange juice was yummy!! Can’t wait to go back next time I’m on the Island. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Can’t hold back any longer, after this 2nd time visit, I felt to give a full and honest review. If I can rate this higher than 5 stars I would, but I say, the food, the hospitality and atmosphere continue to amaze us. Our server Hannah made sure we knew the specials, the menu and food items before ordering. The fast and friendly service, prompt food service was spot on again. The quality and freshness is evident just by seeing how the food looks but the taste of fresh and wholesome is confirmed with each bite. From the biscuits, the eggs, and Ofcourse the low country comfort food of chicken/waffles & grits were really great and actually better than expected. The house infused Bloody Mary was the perfect brunch addition.
If you are in the Charleston area, this is a must visit. Located just across the street to the Mills House hotel, right off Queen St is the perfect location walkable convenient access from just about any area. Yes they are dog friendly on their porch areas.“

“Delicious meal & friendly staff“

“The food is wonderful. Perfect experience ❤️“

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

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

“The food was amazing the crystal was an amazing server prompt attentive ever though the whole restaurant was slammed 10 out of 10 would ear here again“

“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..“

“WOW! Very pleasantly surprised! The food was amazing! Daniel was the perfect host, explaining all the different foods and we were never rushed! We were visiting our son, his family and we’re from Florida. We’ll be back! I wish I could give it 10 Stars!“

“Natalie was amazing. Great food recommendations! Nice conversation and vibe. Enjoyed the experience.“

“Excellent food and service.“

“Casually stopped in for dinner once last week and was back 3 times the same week. Delicious food, fast service, awesome atmosphere, dog friendly!! Loved everything I have tried so far!“

“Delicious brunch. Wonderful friendly staff. Warm atmosphere.“

“Jenn was the best waitress I have ever had and I go to restaurants for fun. She was caring and was passionate! The buffalo Brussels sprouts were amazing and the shrimp Gnocchi was to die for!!! 10/10 would recommend and ask for Jenn!!!“

“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.“

“Wonderful fine dining - great atmosphere and some of the best food ever.“

“The food was incredible and our server, Courtney B was outstanding!! Courtney helped us select the perfect items and she made it fun!! Awesome!“

“At at Toast All Day!! Teri was an awesome bartender and took care of all our needs. Great food and atmosphere.“

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

“An excellent restaurant for anyone looking to experience authentic Southern cuisine in the heart of historic Charleston!

Poogan’s Porch is one of Charleston’s best-known dining establishments, combining Southern hospitality, traditional Lowcountry cooking, and the charm of a historic setting. Housed in a Victorian-era residence dating back to 1888, the restaurant has plenty of character and offers a memorable dining experience that feels connected to the city's history.

What I particularly appreciate about places like this is the opportunity to experience traditional Southern cooking rather than just another generic restaurant menu. Southern cuisine has a rich culinary heritage, shaped by African American cooking traditions, local ingredients, and generations of Lowcountry food culture. Dishes featuring shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and other regional specialties help tell that story through food.

One interesting fact is that the restaurant takes its name from Poogan, a neighborhood dog who became a familiar presence outside the building in the 1970s. The restaurant opened in 1976, and Poogan eventually became part of its identity. It is a charming piece of local history that gives the establishment a personality beyond its menu.

The atmosphere is another major part of the appeal. The historic house, traditional architectural details, and welcoming Southern character make it a particularly enjoyable place to sit down for a meal while exploring Charleston. The location on Queen Street is also excellent, with beautiful historic streets and architecture nearby that are well worth exploring on foot.

Overall, Poogan’s Porch is a wonderful choice for visitors who appreciate historic buildings, Southern culinary traditions, and restaurants with a genuine sense of place. Charleston has no shortage of dining options, but places like this offer something beyond the food itself: a connection to the city's character and heritage. Definitely worth considering when visiting this beautiful historic city.“

“My wife and I could not have been happier with our wedding venue space and the wedding catering experience! Middleton Place organized a food tasting several months before the wedding that was thoughtful, personalized, and incredibly well executed. It gave us so much confidence leading into our wedding day, and we left knowing our guests were in for something special. On the wedding day, the food exceeded our expectations. Every dish was beautifully presented, absolutely delicious, and received rave reviews from our guests. The team’s attention to detail and commitment to quality truly helped make our celebration unforgettable. Charleston holds such a special place in our hearts, and we are incredibly grateful to have worked with a team that helped bring our wedding weekend vision to life. Thank you for everything—we would highly recommend Middleton Place to any couple looking for a gorgeous wedding venue, outstanding food, and exceptional service!“

“Absoluetly phenominal tacos. Too many great options to try in one trip, so no doubt you'll be back. I grabbed 3 diffefent ones but the the firecracker shrimp and fried chicken ones absoluetly stand out and I wish i lived closer. Great service, friendly an attentive staff, and a clean, welcoming environment. Well worth the trip!“

“a fun new experience with good food.“

“This was an experience we should have done years ago. Everyone was awesome. Great atmosphere, great food and the wait staff went above and beyond. I recommend this for any special occasion. We will do this again.“

“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!“

“Omar and the chef were great. Wings are incredible! Service Top Notch !it has been a long time since we have been able to say that !!“

“Some of the best food ever! If in Charleston, it is a must. Love the Charleston Carb House!“

“Delicious biscuits! I had a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit - it was flaky and flavorful. The lady at the counter was friendly, sweet, and kind; she even gave me a sticker, and a card to entice me to come back. I also bought some mixes, and a package of their sausage biscuits (for later). We even went to a nearby Publix store for their pimento cheese (they were out at the shop). Yum!“

“Great meal and awesome waitress“

“Awesome BBQ. The folks are so kind.“

“Some of the best food ever! If in Charleston, it is a must. Love the Charleston Carb House!“

“Outstanding service and an excellent dinner from start to finish. The blackened salmon gyro was absolutely delicious, and the cookie brownie sundae we shared was truly unforgettable. A fantastic experience all around.“

“The food was excellent. I had the Bogarden omelette with ham, my husband had a BYO breakfast sandwich & My SIL had the ham & cheese omelette. The portions are large enough to share, the veggies were fresh and full of flavor and there was a large drink selection. It is a small indoor seating area but a back patio and tables on the sidewalk provided plenty of seating for this unique and fun cafe. Coffee & water were self serve and plentiful but if you are a coffee snob/connoisseur… bring your own.“

“I ate here two years ago. I was impressed then, and I remain satisfied. it's such a beautiful, quaint place. the service is great.“

“This has lately become our BBQ go-to in West Ashley. Great food and good value for the money. We moved here from Arkansas (with some really great BBQ spots) a decade ago, and this is as close to our favorite BBQ joints back there as it gets. Oh, and one of the best burgers around, too!“

“wonderful place to unwind and socialize. the cook has amazing specials“

“The aqua terrace bar is a really nice spot for a cocktail. The view is nice. The atmosphere is great. The bartender was awesome. Super friendly. They were having technical difficulties the night I was there so they didn't have food. So I can't rate that. But the drinks were great. The location was great.“

“My boyfriend and I went to Trotter’s on this past Sunday for breakfast. I love that it is always clean. The food is always fresh and hot and the service is always good and it’s not bad for the price you have like grits eggs you get sausage biscuits and gravy, French toast, shrimp, and gravy even hash then is someone who can make you your own personalized omelette. You can also get fresh fruit orange juice whatever you want to drink they also have brunch from 12 to 2 so that is also another option if we miss breakfast definitely.“

“this was our first time here everything was wonderful very delicious we are coming back“

“Great place to dine with a large or small group. Delicious food with great service. We had a group of 34 and everything went smoothly. Highly recommended!!“

“The Smokehouse Platter and extra side of Brisket was AMAZING! Chance was Great dealing with us older couple from Colorado and Carolina transplants! Thank you Paul the rub on the ribs was unforgettable! Cheers with another Jameson Orange 🥃🥃“

“Kienna and Destiny went above and beyond today Saturday May 16th 2026. I had to dog sit on this side of town and decided to stop by to eat in this Bojangles because I had an hour to burn. The ladies and even the staff in the back were very efficient, friendly considering they are in pants in a building which has an air conditioner that is broken. I don't see one single box fan or similar and no portable air conditioner for the dining area.last read of the temperature was at 90 degrees. Come on Bojangles they probably are underpaid and overworked to begin with.“

“I haven’t been here in a few years and this was my first time coming back in a long time and I have to say the food and service was great! Sure, they are kind of pricey but it is definitely worth it in my opinion. I will definitely be back!“