Southern Restaurants in Charleston
Discover the best southern dining experiences Charleston has to offer
Goodtogosoulfood& catering
Goodtogosoulfood & Catering is a casual, no-frills spot locals hit for fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens and sweet potato pie. Expect home-style portions and friendly service — great for a takeout meal or a relaxed lunch.
Phở King
Phở King is a casual spot run by locals where people go for big bowls of pho and bánh mì. Expect hearty broth, fresh herbs, and friendly service—nothing fancy, just solid Vietnamese comfort food.
Lowcountry Creole Culinaire
Lowcountry Creole Culinaire is a casual, local catering and food service run by Chef Frisco that folks rave about — especially their chicken. I’ve heard couples say the team (Chante especially) made wedding catering easy and went above and beyond, so it’s great if you need reliable, no-frills catering.
Lowcountry Boil Company
Lowcountry Boil Company is a casual spot that does seafood boils and shrimp-focused meals, and they also do catering and ready-to-cook boil kits. Folks rave about the simple, tasty seafood and how Kurt and the crew made their neighborhood boil and BBQ easy and delicious.
Bad Bunnies Coffee
Bad Bunnies Coffee is a cozy, casual spot where locals grab drip coffee, espresso drinks and pastries like croissants while catching up or getting work done. The staff are friendly, the music is chill, and it feels like a welcoming neighborhood cafe a few steps from many Airbnbs.
H & R Sweet Shop
H & R Sweet Shop is a casual, old-school spot locals rave about for burgers, shrimp and Southern sides like okra and onion rings. It's a friendly diner vibe with great service and music from another time — simple, tasty, and unpretentious.
Huriyali Riverland
Huriyali Riverland is a casual little coffee shop/cafe/store spot with a bright, pretty interior where people rave about the sandwiches and nachos. Great for breakfast or a refreshing drink after the beach — service is friendly and the vibe is relaxed.
Carolima's Lowcountry Cuisine
Carolima's Lowcountry Cuisine is a casual, woman-owned spot in Charleston known for catering and delivery — people rave about their wrapped sandwiches, chicken dishes and salads for meetings. With a 4.8 rating and reasonable prices, it's a solid choice for straightforward, crowd-pleasing corporate meals.
Nick's German Kitchen
Nick's German Kitchen is a casual spot in Charleston serving hearty German comfort food — think schnitzel, currywurst, pork and even spaghetti ice cream for dessert. Locals rave about the Black Forest schnitzel and friendly service, and it's the kind of place you can drop into without a reservation.
The Archer
The Archer is a casual, intimate spot with a lively bar vibe where locals keep coming back for the burger and fries, tuna, and creative takes on beef and pork. Service is friendly, portions are solid, and the menu mixes Southern comfort with Asian and other global twists without trying too hard.
Workmen's Cafe
Workmen's Cafe is a cozy, casual spot on James Island known for honest Southern plates — folks rave about the fried chicken and simple home-style sides. It's a clean little joint tucked off Folly Road, great for a down-to-earth meal without any fuss.
Nola's Creole and Soul
Nola's Creole and Soul is a casual spot serving stuff like wings, pasta, chicken and fish — people even rave about the desserts. It's neighborhood-level cozy; hours can be odd (owner once opened the door for us after being locked out), but many come back two days in a row.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen is a cozy, casual spot in Charleston known for shrimp and other Lowcountry seafood — people rave about the food and friendly service. Expect straightforward brunch and seafood plates (they’re flexible with substitutions) without any fancy fuss.
Food For the Southern Soul
Food For the Southern Soul is a casual spot/wholesaler run by Jimmy and crew that locals send wedding and client gifts to. Folks rave about the brisket, shrimp and sandwich pieces — come expecting straightforward Southern comfort, not fine dining.
Dave's Carry-Out
Dave’s Carry-Out is a casual, no-frills spot locals love for fried fish, shrimp, and other seafood to-go. People rave that the fish is golden and the fried shrimp are fresh and tender—expect simple, tasty comfort food, not fine dining.
Page's Okra Grill
Page's Okra Grill is a casual, no-frills spot in Mount Pleasant known for seafood, shrimp, pasta, fried chicken and fries — family- and dog-friendly from what I've seen. It's the kind of local place you'll find on a weeknight or weekend with decent waits at times but reliably solid comfort food.
Kultura Charleston
Kultura Charleston is a cozy, casual spot serving Filipino-inspired dishes like chicken, porky (pork), fish, and comforting soups with a few tasty desserts. It’s a laid-back place — good for groups on the patio, creative sake- and vermouth-based drinks, and a nice change of pace in town.
Pho Lucky & Boba Tea
If you want casual, affordable Vietnamese in Charleston, Pho Lucky & Boba Tea is a neighborhood spot known for solid pho with beef and brisket and decent milk tea with boba. Reviews praise the pho and the adjustable-sugar milk tea, so go when you’re craving a simple, comforting bowl.
Tacos El Pariente
Tacos El Pariente is a casual, no-frills taco spot with friendly staff and mostly outdoor picnic-style seating. Folks rave about their chicken and steak tacos — simple, authentic Mexican food at a bargain price.
Lowcountry Kettle Potato Chips, LLC
Lowcountry Kettle Potato Chips, LLC is a casual spot selling those crunchy kettle-style potato chips locals rave about — people even put them in wedding welcome bags. Reviews note the chips are amazing and some found them at Uwharrie Brewery, so it’s more of a snack maker than a full restaurant.
Carmen y Juan
Carmen y Juan is a casual, no-frills Mexican spot in Charleston known for fresh tacos, soups (they can be nicely soupy), chicken and steak plates. Locals rave it tastes authentic—people who lived in Southern California say it hits the mark.
Port of Call - Food & Brew
Port of Call is a casual, cozy spot in Charleston where locals grab fried chicken, buttery biscuits and those well-seasoned home fries (the Kraken is a crowd favorite). It’s laid-back and lively, with outdoor seating and live music—good for a relaxed lunch or a fun night out, though some dishes can run a bit salty.
Bok Choy Boy
This casual spot inside Charlestowne Fermentory serves Asian comfort food — think bao buns, dan dan noodles, tocino bowls, wings, shrimp and fish wraps. Locals rave about the baos and weekly creative specials, and service is friendly and laid-back.
Phuong Vietnamese Restaurant
Phuong Vietnamese is a cozy, casual spot in Charleston known for honest, home-style pho and solid chicken dishes — people rave about the authentic flavors. It’s a low-key, affordable place where locals go for a reliable bowl of pho and quick Vietnamese comfort food.
The Glass Onion
The Glass Onion is a casual, neighborhood spot serving solid Southern plates—think shrimp, fried chicken, pork sandwiches and big salads. Locals and visitors rave about the quality (I went for a Wednesday lunch and it lived up to the hype).
The Mason Jar By Fatboys
The Mason Jar by Fatboys is a casual, quiet neighborhood spot serving hearty Southern plates — think shrimp and grits with brown gravy, butter beans, and big portions of home-style cooking. It ain’t fancy inside, but people rave about the shrimp and the desserts, and the service is solid.
The Royal American
The Royal American is a casual bar-and-grill that’s loud and fun — people rave about the wings, fries, chicken and even the soups and salads. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot you go to for good comfort food and a night out, not a fancy dinner.
The Southern Bar & Grill
Casual, no-frills spot in Mt. Pleasant that's more bar than fine dining — great for a beer, burgers or a steak after a ride. Locals rave about the double meat Philly cheesesteak and fries, and the beef dishes come melted and hearty rather than fancy.
East Side Soul Food
East Side Soul Food is a small, casual hole-in-the-wall spot on the East Side where folks grab home-style chicken, ribs, fried fish and big slices of cake for dessert. Reviews mention it's great for a no-fuss lunch or dinner — friendly, hearty Southern cooking without any pretense.
Famulari's Pizzeria: Hanahan
Famulari's Pizzeria in Hanahan is a casual, local spot known for pizza, subs and chicken wraps — solid comfort food with local beers and happy hour. Service is friendly (our waitress Sarah got rave reviews) and the place gets consistently good feedback.
By The Way
By The Way is a casual, lively spot in Charleston where locals rave about the sandwiches and friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Service can be hit-or-miss — mostly warm and welcoming, but you might get an odd server — still worth a visit for a relaxed meal.
Lenoir
Lenoir is a casual, cozy spot in Charleston serving seasonal Southern-leaning dishes like shrimp, seafood plates, pie and cake — portions and menu change with the season. Service and warm hospitality get a lot of love from locals and visitors, though don’t expect a formal vibe.
Dukes Barbecue
Dukes Barbecue is a casual, down-home spot with a solid lunch buffet serving Southern staples like pork, fried chicken, fish and plenty of desserts. Locals rave about the home-style, country-kitchen vibe—great for an easy, no-frills meal.
My Three Sons of Charleston
My Three Sons of Charleston is a casual, down-to-earth spot for big portions of soul food — think oxtails, fried fish, chicken, pork and ribs, plus hearty soups. Folks rave about the huge oxtail servings and homey flavors, and most reviews say the experience is friendly and easygoing.
Irie Jam Souls
Irie Jam Souls is a casual spot in Charleston known for wings and pasta, with decent service and a clean, pleasant atmosphere. Locals praise the food quality and timing—chefs and regulars alike say the staff cares about service without any fancy pretense.
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Xiao Bao Biscuit is a casual, cozy spot in Charleston serving straightforward Asian comfort — think green curry with the fish of the day, pad kra pow, fried chicken dishes and a few solid salads. Locals love it for lunch or a relaxed dinner (they even do a decent old fashioned), and you'll probably wait a bit but it’s worth it for a regular neighborhood meal.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Raising Cane's is a casual, no-frills fast-food spot where people line up for the chicken fingers, extra crispy pieces and the fries. It's quick and reliable (even during rush hour), a comfort-restaurant kind of place with fast, accurate service.
Hannibal's Kitchen
Hannibal's Kitchen is a casual, no-frills spot locals swear by for shrimp and classic soul food — think fried shrimp, mac and greens. Service is friendly (shoutout to Teresa) and it still feels like the same hole-in-the-wall place many of us found in college.
Nigel's Good Food Bowen
Nigel’s Good Food in Bowen is a casual, Black-owned spot folks rave about for fried chicken, wings, salads and fries — comfort-focused Lowcountry cooking done with friendly service. It's not fancy, just solid, hearty plates and new daily specials worth trying.
PHO-NOMENAL-BOWL
PHO-NOMENAL-BOWL is a casual, trendy spot in Charleston that’s great for late-night pho, shrimp spring rolls, and Asian-style wings — folks also rave about the beef, brisket and fish options. It’s the kind of no-frills place you hit for solid soup and fried eats when you’re craving comfort food.
Southern Roots Smokehouse
Southern Roots Smokehouse is a casual, no-frills BBQ spot in Charleston where people come for solid brisket, pork, ribs and big sandwich plates (their nachos are a fan favorite). The vibe is relaxed — loud enough to feel lively but easy to chat — and lots of folks order in via Instacart.
Nigel's Good Food II
Nigel’s Good Food II is a casual spot for straight-up Southern comfort — think stewed chicken or fried chicken with red rice, mac ’n’ cheese and collards, plus wings, steak and pork options. It’s busy and homey (lots of locals and tourists), a reliable place for authentic soul food without any fuss.
Trotters Restaurant
Trotters Restaurant is a casual, no-frills spot attached to a hotel where locals and visitors go for that fried chicken and a down-to-earth meal. It's kind of nostalgic for some folks — expect straightforward American comfort food and a busy, family-friendly vibe.
Virginia's On King
Virginia's on King is a cozy, casual spot in Charleston known for Southern staples like fried chicken, ribs, shrimp and pasta — great for a relaxed dinner or a low-key event. Service gets good notes (Cassandra and Bobby were mentioned) and it's the kind of place locals and visitors go for straightforward, homey food.
Catherine's Soul Food, Cakes and Catering
Catherine’s Soul Food in Northwoods Mall is a casual, no-frills spot locals hit for fried chicken, ribs, porkchops and wings. Portions are generous, service is friendly, and it’s the kind of place you pop into while shopping for a solid, homey meal.
The Mill Street Tavern
The Mill Street Tavern is a casual, neighborhood spot in Charleston serving American and seafood fare — expect fish, shrimp, seafood tacos and decent salads. Service can be hit-or-miss (one reviewer mentioned a seating mix-up), but reviewers often say their first visit went well.
Heavenly Spoon
Heavenly Spoon is a casual, small spot in a strip mall where locals rave about the fish, shrimp, chicken and wings. It’s not fancy—just good, straightforward American seafood and comfort food that left me very pleased.
Gail's Soul Food
Gail's Soul Food is a casual, homey spot in Charleston known for down-to-earth plates like fried chicken, pork, meatloaf with mac ’n’ cheese and green beans, and slices of cake. Service is friendly and consistent — people go back for the hot, simple comfort food and the neighborhood vibe.
Brandi's Soul Food By Priscilla
Brandi's Soul Food By Priscilla is a casual, no-frills spot in Charleston for Southern home-cooked plates — think fried chicken or pot roast with greens, rice, and a roll. People rave about the green beans and the strawberry shortcake cup, and the staff are friendly when you pick up to go.
Blackenese Soul Food Hibachi Food Truck Pop up and Catering
Blackenese is a casual soul food hibachi truck/pop-up that does catering and shows up at spots like Tanger Outlets. Folks rave about the chicken and steak hibachi — I’ve heard great things for both everyday meals and office catering.
Athens Restaurant
Athens Restaurant is a casual, no-frills spot for solid Greek comfort food — think gyro pita, chicken pieces, salads and a hearty platter with tasty potatoes. Service is friendly and fast, great for takeout or a simple sit-down meal.