Best of Charleston offers Holy City residents the chance to recognize their favorite places to tuck into a dozen oysters, plate of soul food or half-pound of brisket, among so many other options. From downtown to Park Circle or Johns Island, there’s innovative restaurants throughout the Charleston area, and City Paper readers’ favorites encompass everything the Lowcountry has to offer.
The well deserved praise comes at a time when restaurants that are still fighting for survival continue to impress diners with one-off specials, riffs on traditional Southern favorites or simply by serving customers with a smile on their faces.
There’s a lot to eat in Charleston, and these restaurants, bartenders and chefs are the ones who make it happen. Here are the Best of Charleston “Eating” winners, as voted on by City Paper readers.
Best Asian Fusion
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge Ave. Downtown
xiaobaobiscuit.com
Runner-Up:
Zen Asian Fusion
Best Bagels
Bagel Nation
520 Folly Road #60. James Island.
(843) 406-7869
1975 Magwood Drive. West Ashley.
(843) 779-0700
bagelnationsc.com
Runner-Up:
Charleston Bagel
Best Bakery
Baguette Magic
792 Folly Road. James Island.
(843) 471-5941
baguettemagic.com
Runner-Up:
WildFlour Pastry
Best Barbecue
Lewis Barbecue
464 N. Nassau St. Downtown.
(843) 805-9500
lewisbarbecue.com
Runner-Up:
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Best Biscuits
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
476 ½ King St. Downtown.
(843) 737-5159
188 Meeting St. Downtown.
(843) 577-8900
calliesbiscuits.com
Runner-Up:
Vicious Biscuit
Best Breakfast
Page’s Okra Grill
302 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 881-3333
pagesokragrill.com
Runner-Up:
Early Bird Diner
Best Brisket
Lewis Barbecue
464 N. Nassau St. Downtown.
(843) 805-9500
lewisbarbecue.com
Runner-Up:
Swig & Swine
Best Buffet
Duke’s Barbecue
331 Folly Road. James Island.
(843) 789-4801
4428 Spruill Ave., Suite B. North Charleston.
(843) 554-1110
Runner-Up:
Nirlep Indian Restaurant
Best Burger
Poe’s Tavern
2210 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 883-0083
poestavern.com
Runner-Up:
Little Jack’s Tavern
Best Caterer
Home Team BBQ
126 Willman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-Up:
Cru Catering
Best Charcuterie
goat.sheep.cow
106 Church St. Downtown.
(843) 480-2526
goatsheepcow.com
Runner-Up:
Edmund’s Oast
Best Cheap Meal
Five Loaves Cafe
1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. #100. Mount Pleasant
(843) 849-1043
214 N. Cedar St. Summerville.
(843) 804-9410
fiveloavescafe.com
Runner-Up:
Waffle House
Best Cheesesteak
DB’s Cheesesteaks
2 Avondale Ave. West Ashley.
(843) 225-3231
dbscheesesteaks.com
Runner-Up:
Philly’s
Best Chef
Nico Romo
Runner-Up:
Mike Lata
Best Chicken Fingers
Boxcar Betty’s
1922 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 225-7470
7800 Rivers Ave. North Charleston.
(843) 990-9804
1701 Shoremeade Road. Mount Pleasant
(843) 227-5198
boxcarbettys.com
Runner-Up:
Chick-Fil-A
Best Chinese
Red Orchids China Bistro
1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. West Ashley.
(843) 573-8787
redorchids.com
Runner-Up:
Jackrabbit Filly
Best Chocolatier
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
90 Society St. Downtown.
(843) 297-8674
christophechocolatier.com
Runner-Up:
Charleston Chocolatiers
Best Coffee House
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer
4 Vanderhorst St. Downtown.
(843) 853-7186
kuducoffeeandcraftbeer.com
Runner-Up:
Charleston Coffee Exchange
Best Daniel Island Restaurant
Sermet’s Courtyard
115 River Landing Drive #101. Daniel Island
(843) 471-1777
sermets.com
Runner-Up:
Dockery’s
Best Deli
East Bay Deli
Various locations
eastbaydeli.com
Runner-Up:
Mozzo Deli
Best Desserts
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe
78 N. Market St. Downtown.
(843) 853-8270
2 Magnolia Road. West Ashley.
(854) 429-1777
kaminskys.com
Runner-Up:
Carmella’s
Best Doughnut Shop
Krispy Kreme
Various locations
krispykreme.com
Runner-Up:
Duck Donuts
Best Downtown Brunch
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
Poogan’s Porc
Best Downtown Restaurant
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
FIG
Best Folly Beach Brunch
Lost Dog Cafe
106 W. Huron Ave. Folly Beach.
(843) 588-9669
lostdogfollybeach.com
Runner-Up:
Rita’s Seaside Grille
Best Folly Beach Restaurant
Taco Boy
106 E. Ashley Ave. Folly Beach.
(843) 588-9761
tacoboy.net
Runner-Up:
Rita’s Seaside Grille
Best Food Truck
Roti Rolls
(843) 822-5070
eatrotirolls.com
Runner-Up:
Dashi
Best French
39 Rue de Jean
39 John St. Downtown.
(843) 722-8881
holycityhospitality.com/39-rue-de-jean
Runner-Up:
NICO Oysters + Seafood
Best Fried Chicken
Boxcar Betty’s
1922 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 225-7470
7800 Rivers Ave. North Charleston.
(843) 990-9804
1701 Shoremeade Road. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 227-5198
boxcarbettys.com
Runner-Up:
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Best Fries
Tattooed Moose
1137 Morrison Drive. Downtown.
(843) 277-2990
3328 Maybank Highway. Johns Island.
(843) 952-7591
tattooedmoose.com
Runner-Up:
Five Guys
Best Gelato
Carmella’s
198 E. Bay St. #100. Downtown.
(843) 722-5893
carmellasdessertbar.com
Runner-Up:
Beardcat’s Sweet Shop
Best Gourmet Sandwich
Five Loaves Cafe
1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. #100. Mount Pleasant
(843) 849-1043
214 N. Cedar St. Summerville.
(843) 804-9410
fiveloavescafe.com
Runner-Up:
Mozzo Deli
Best Greek
Stella’s
114 St. Philip St. Downtown.
(843) 400-0026
stellascharleston.com
Runner-Up:
Kairos Mediterranean
Best Gyro
My Big Fat Greek Trailer
mybigfatgreektrailer.com
Runner-Up:
Stella’s
Best Hot Dogs
Jack’s Cosmic Dogs
2805 N. Highway 17. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 884-7677
jackscosmicdogs.com
Runner-Up:
Skoogies
Best Ice Cream
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream
Various locations
yeolefashioned.com
Runner-Up:
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Best Indian
Nirlep Indian Restaurant
908 Savannah Highway #7802. West Ashley.
(843) 763-9923
nirlepcharleston.us
Runner-Up:
Ma’am Saab
Best IOP Brunch
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
31 J.C. Long Blvd. Isle of Palms.
(843) 886-3474
acmelowcountrykitchen.com
Runner-Up:
Sea Biscuit Cafe
Best IOP Restaurant
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
31 J.C. Long Blvd. Isle of Palms.
(843) 886-3474
acmelowcountrykitchen.com
Runner-Up:
Coda del Pesce
Best Italian
Wild Olive
2867 Maybank Highway. Johns Island.
(843) 737-4177
wildoliverestaurant.com
Runner-Up:
Le Farfalle
Best James Island Brunch
Black Magic Cafe
1130 Folly Road. James Island.
(843) 576-4868
blackmagiccafe.com
Runner-Up:
Bohemian Bull
Best James Island Restaurant
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island Road. James Island.
(843) 795-2757
bowensisland.com
Runner-Up:
Kwei Fei
Best Japanese
O-Ku
463 King St. Downtown.
(843) 737-0112
o-kusushi.com
Runner-Up:
Wasabi
Best Johns Island Brunch
Fat Hen
3140 Maybank Hwy. Johns Island.
(843) 559-9090
thefathen.com
Runner up:
Tattooed Moose
Best Johns Island Restaurant
Wild Olive
2867 Maybank Highway. Johns Island.
(843) 737-4177
wildoliverestaurant.com
Runner-Up:
The Royal Tern
Best Juice/Smoothie Bar
Huriyali
401 Huger St. Downtown.
(843) 207-4436
huriyali.com
Runner-Up:
Tropical Smoothie
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Home Team BBQ
126 Willman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 42209
Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-Up:
Paige’s Okra Grill
Best Late Night Menu
Waffle House
Various locations
Runner-Up:
Tattooed Moose
Best Local Artisanal Food Product
Rio Bertolini’s Pasta
riobertolinispasta.com
Runner-Up:
Red Clay Hot Sauce
Best Local Legacy Restaurant
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island Road. James Island.
(843) 795-2757
bowensisland.com
Runner-Up:
Halls Chophouse
Best Mac and Cheese
Home Team BBQ
126 Willman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-Up:
Lewis Barbecue
Best Meat & 3 Veggies
Page’s Okra Grill
302 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant
(843) 881-3333
pagesokragrill.com
Runner-Up:
Lewis Barbecue
Best Mexican Restaurant
Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano
1302 Meeting Street Road. Downtown.
(843) 722-2633
santisrestaurantemexicano.com
Runner-Up:
Taco Boy
Best Milkshake
Ye Ole Fashioned
Various Locations
yeolefashioned.com
Runner-Up:
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe
Best Mount Pleasant Restaurant
NICO Oysters + Seafood
201 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 352-7969
nicoshemcreek.com
Runner-Up:
Page’s Okra Grill
Best Nachos
Home Team BBQ
126 Willman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-Up:
Saltwater Cowboys
Best New Restaurant
Neon Tiger
654 King St. Downtown.
(843) 640-3902
neontiger.com
Runner-Up:
Frannie and the Fox
Best North Charleston Brunch
Jackrabbit Filly
4628 Spruill Ave. North Charleston.
(843) 460-0037
jackrabbitfilly.com
Runner-Up:
Holy City Brewing
Best North Charleston Restaurant
EVO Pizzeria
1075 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston
(843) 225-1796
evopizza.com
Runner-Up:
The CODfather
Best Outdoor Patio
Saltwater Cowboys
130 Mill St. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 856-0700
saltwater-cowboys.com
Runner-Up:
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Best Oysters
167 Raw
193 King St. Downtown.
(843) 579-4997
167raw.com
Runner-Up:
Bowens Island Restaurant
Best Pitmaster
Rodney Scott, Rodney Scott’s BBQ
1011 King St. Downtown. (843) 990-9535
rodneyscottsbbq.com
Runner-Up:
John Lewis, Lewis Barbecue
Best Pizza, Gourmet
EVO Pizzeria
1075 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston
(843) 225-1796
evopizza.com
Runner-Up:
Crust Wood Fired Pizza
Best Pizza, Traditional
D’Allesandro’s Pizza
229 St. Philip St. Downtown.
(843) 853-6337
dalspizza.com
Runner-Up:
Famulari’s Pizzeria
Best Place to Buy Local Seafood
Crosby’s Seafood Co.
2019C Cherry Hill Lane. North Charleston
(843) 577-3531
crosbysseafood.com
Runner-Up:
Mount Pleasant Seafood
Best Poke
Poke Bros.
5070 International Blvd. North Charleston
(843) 718-1354
644-H1 Long Point Road. Mount Pleasant
(843) 800-5600
1305 N. Main St. Summerville.
(843) 285-9053
eatpokebros.com
Runner-Up:
167 Raw
Best Raw Bar
167 Raw
193 King St. Downtown.
(843) 579-4997
167raw.com
Runner-Up:
Pearlz Oyster Bar
Best Restaurant
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
300 Nexton Square Drive. Summerville.
(843) 900-6000
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
Wild Olive
Best Restaurant for Vegetarians
Five Loaves Cafe
214 N. Cedar St. Summerville.
(843) 804-9410
1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 849-1043
fiveloavescafe.com
Runner-Up:
Basic Kitchen
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
300 Nexton Square Drive. Summerville.
(843) 900-6000
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
FIG
Best Ribs
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
1011 King St. Downtown.
(843) 990-9535
rodneyscottsbbq.com
Runner-Up:
Lewis Barbecue
Best Romantic Restaurant
82 Queen
82 Queen St. Downtown.
(843) 723-7591
82queen.com
Runner-Up:
Chez Nous
Best Salad
California Dreaming
1 Ashley Point Drive. West Ashley.
(843) 766-1644
californiadreaming.rest
Runner-Up:
Verde
Best Seafood
167 Raw
193 King St. Downtown.
(843) 579-4997
167raw.com
Runner-Up:
Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
Best She-Crab Soup
82 Queen
82 Queen St. Downtown.
(843) 723-7591
82queen.com
Runner-Up:
Poogan’s Porch
Best Shrimp and Grits
Page’s Okra Grill
302 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 881-3333
pagesokragrill.com
Runner-Up:
82 Queen
Best Soul Food
Bertha’s Kitchen
2332 Meeting Street Road. Downtown.
(843) 554-6519
facebook.com/berthaskitchen
Runner-Up:
Nigel’s Good Food
Best Steak
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
300 Nexton Square Drive. Summerville.
(843) 900-6000
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
Oak Steakhouse
Best Sub Sandwich/Hoagie
Jersey Mike’s
Various Locations
jerseymikes.com
Runner-Up:
Publix
Best Sullivan’s Island Brunch
The Obstinate Daughter
2063 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 416-5020
theobstinatedaughter.com
Runner-Up:
Poe’s Tavern
Best Summerville Brunch
Five Loaves Cafe
214 N. Cedar St. Summerville.
(843) 804-9410
1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mount Pleasant
(843) 849-1043
fiveloavescafe.com
Runner-Up:
Vicious Biscuit
Best Sunday Brunch
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
300 Nexton Square Drive. Summerville.
(843) 900-6000
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
Page’s Okra Grill
Best Sushi
O-Ku
463 King St. Downtown. (843) 737-0112
o-kusushi.com
Runner-Up:
Locals
Best Sweet Tea
Chick-Fil-A
Various Locations
chick-fil-a.com
Runner-Up:
McAlister’s Deli
Best Tacos
Taco Boy
217 Huger St. Downtown.
(843) 789-3333
106 E. Ashley Ave. Folly Beach.
(843) 588-9761
tacoboy.net
Runner-Up:
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
Best Tapas
Barsa Tapas Lounge & Bar
630 King St. Downtown.
(843) 577-5393
barsacharleston.com
Runner-Up:
Stella’s
Best Thai
Basil
1070 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston
(843) 225-8161
1465 Long Grove Drive. Mount Pleasant
(843) 606-9641
eatatbasil.com
Runner-Up:
Taste of Thai
Best Vietnamese
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge Ave. Downtown
xiaobaobiscuit.com
Runner-Up:
Little Miss Ha
Best Wait Staff
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
300 Nexton Square Drive. Summerville.
(843) 900-6000
hallschophouse.com
Runner-Up:
Home Team BBQ
Best Waterfront Dining
Fleet Landing
186 Concord St. Downtown.
(843) 722-8100
fleetlanding.net
Runner-Up:
Tavern & Table
Best West Ashley Brunch
Early Bird Diner
1644 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 277-2353
earlybirddiner.com
Runner-Up:
Three Little Birds
Best West Ashley Restaurant
The Glass Onion
1219 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 225-1717
ilovetheglassonion.com
Runner-Up:
Home Team BBQ
Best Wings
Home Team BBQ
126 Willman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-Up:
Swig & Swine
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