It’s hard not to have a good meal out in Charleston. From indulgent fine dining restaurants to delightful little coffee shops, the city spoils its residents with good food and drinks. We polled our staffers and writers for their best bites and sips of the year. Here’s what stood out:
Ruta Smith, photographer
Shrimp ceviche at Pink Cactus
The shrimp ceviche on crispy tostadas at Pink Cactus is so good! Every bite is perfect and has a spicy kick to it.
Bexley surfboard at Bexley Fish & Raw Bar
Bexley in Summerville has a Bexley surfboard, which is a great choice for the price. It’s loaded with great little snacks. I love sitting at the bar, and the service, food and team there is superb.
Michael Pham, cuisine writer
Double cheeseburger from Tully’s
Tully’s operates from the window on the side of the Music Farm, normally on the weekend, which is the perfect time for a late-night burger. A messy smash burger, hot fries and a cold beer is the perfect meal to end a work day or to start weekend shenanigans. Its location is the perfect spot for people watching, too: You’ll see hundreds of people enjoying the Charleston nightlife at nearby Music Farm, Share House across the street, Dudley’s up the road and even just the crowds of (intoxicated) humans strolling up and down King Street.
Cold brew from Sightsee
If Sightsee isn’t in your coffee shop rotation yet, you’re missing out. The cold brew at the little house on Line Street is cold (of course) with chocolatey notes and a natural sweetness for a balanced brew. It’s the perfect cup to either enjoy slowly while reading a book out on their patio or to chug right before getting to work to start your day.
Chocolate chip cookie from Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop
There’s just something about a delicious chocolate cookie that fills you with childhood wonder, and the cookie from Welton’s never fails to do the job. Maybe it’s the soft, crumbly texture of the cookie, the richness of the chocolate or that hint of salt contrasted with the sugar. Who knew something as simple as a chocolate chip cookie can have so much complexity?
Chloe Hogan, arts editor
White chocolate mousse from Sorghum and Salt
Sorghum and Salt has been the go-to spot in my family for birthdays, anniversaries and other big celebrations because of its incredible options for both plant-based eaters (like my sisters and I) and more traditional foodies (my parents). The vegan chef’s tasting menu is hands-down the best vegan meal in Charleston. Each dish showcases the diversity of texture, color and flavor that plants can offer. And as my fellow vegans know all too well, “would you like to see a dessert menu?” is a question I’ve learned to automatically say no to. But at Sorghum and Salt, a most divine dairy-free option exists — and it’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted. Lemony, white chocolate mousse melts in your mouth, contrasted with salty popcorn powder and pistachios. Plant-based or not, this celebratory dessert is an absolute must try.
Pussy Galore from Faculty Lounge
There’s a certain sexy speakeasy atmosphere at the low-key, Huger Street bar, Faculty Lounge. Outside its red door, you must ring the bell before you’re allowed to enter. You’ll find a menu of carefully crafted cocktails with just as carefully crafted names, and my favorite sip of 2023 is no exception. The “Pussy Galore” combines your choice of liquor (tequila for me, please) with spicy chili pepper-infused celery juice. The drink is served in a coupe glass with three seductive and salty olives. I highly recommend you sip on one with a lover in the bar’s dim and romantic light.
Connelly Hardaway, cuisine editor
Prophet Coffee’s coconut cold brew
Before opening its brick-and-mortar shop on Spruill Avenue this fall, Prophet Coffee was serving up hot and cold coffee beverages from its sprinter van’s window in the parking lot next to Nippitaty Distillery. On a hot spring day, I sipped my first coconut cold brew from the spot and knew we were in for a long love affair. Just sweet enough, the cold brew hits all the right notes of caffeine, cold and creamy.
King BBQ’s moo shu pork (paired with a Shimmy Shimmy Ya)
While I’m bound and determined to try everything on King BBQ’s menu, it’s hard to order something other than the moo shu chopped smoked pork when it’s so damn good. As Eater editor Erin Perkins wrote about King BBQ earlier this year: “Restaurateurs Shuai and Corrie Wang have a way of taking a well-worn idea and introducing a fresh touch that, for some reason, no one else is doing, and creating a spark.” Touché. And while King BBQ features plenty of good eats, its cocktail list is also pretty spectacular. Bar manager Amy Kallicragas created a martini she actually wanted to drink and ended up with one I really want to drink, too. Made with vodka, nori brine, dry vermouth and pickled hot pepper, this take on a classic martini is served over crushed ice which hits a refreshing note after all that spice.
Husk Bar’s beignet
Husk Bar had me at “savory beignet,” and chef Ray England’s creation is the perfect bite (or two). Made with country ham and creamy cheese, the pocket of delight pairs best with, well, any of the bar’s creative cocktails.
Amethyst Ganaway, cuisine writer
Chicken suya from Bintü Atelier
The chicken suya from Bintü Atelier was probably one of the best things I’ve had all year. There isn’t a single thing on the menu that I don’t try or haven’t had, but the suya really brings in many of the flavors of West Africa in a bite. The crunchy peanuts, the hints of smoke and spice and the tender meat equal perfection.
Gabriela Capestany, cuisine writer
Smoked curry at Chubby Fish
My return to the city was marked by the consistency and deliciousness of this dish. Three years ago, this was without a doubt one of my favorite things to order at Chubby Fish, and after moving back to Charleston from Hawaii this year, I can say that it tastes exactly how I remember: complex, savory, fresh and unlike anything you can find at any other restaurant in Charleston.
Pre- or post-movie cocktails at Bar George
My partner and I love independent movie theaters, and most weekends you can find us at the Terrace Theater on James Island. Bar George has been our favorite spot to enjoy a drink and recap the film we just watched. Its menu has a great variety of tiki-ish cocktails (something I have greatly missed since moving from Hawaii) at truly reasonable prices for how much of a punch they pack. The Cuttin’ Tais is a great introduction to balanced, boozy tiki cocktails, but try to grab the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Painkiller before it’s rotated off the menu.
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