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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Downtown Charleston

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16 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Coast Bar & Grill – Charleston restaurant
4.5
Awesome(4946)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Downtown Charleston
Booked 49 times today
Charleston’s freshest seafood, with laidback Lowcountry style. Coast’s chefs meet daily with local farmers and fishermen to procure the freshest seafood and produce available. Featuring wood-grilled fish, a raw bar, and a refreshing drink list. Open nightly from 5:00. Outdoor seating available.*menus subject to change, please visit www.holycityhospitality.com for current menu
A photo of Virginia's on King restaurant
4.5
Awesome(3005)
Price: Moderate
• Southern • Downtown Charleston
Booked 37 times today
This sophisticated Southern dining spot blends the comforts of a traditional Southern kitchen with familiar regional dishes prepared with the utmost care for quality and flavor. The menu incorporates local fresh ingredients and old family recipes to bring you Southern cooking, Lowcountry style.*menus subject to change, please visit www.holycityhospitality.com for current menus
A photo of 39 Rue de Jean - Charleston restaurant
4.3
Awesome(5077)
Price: Expensive
• French • Downtown Charleston
Booked 48 times today
39 Rue de Jean in downtown Charleston is a neighborhood gem, serving authentic French cuisine since 2000. Reviews rave about the 'impeccable' food, 'excellent' service, and 'cozy bistro' atmosphere. One reviewer even claimed it makes them feel like they're in Paris! The restaurant's unique location in a historic building and its reasonable wine selection make it a local favorite.
A photo of O-Ku restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2712)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Downtown Charleston
Booked 37 times today
O-Ku, a Japanese restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, is a triumph of execution and concept. The restaurant's menu is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, and it features fresh, seasonal ingredients that are prepared with care. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the flavors are both complex and delicate. Focused on incorporating authentically Japanese flavors into the fare, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature contemporary Japanese entrées and traditional sushi of the season reflecting the uniquely designed space. Guests can enjoy chef specialties including kurobuta pulled pork don-buri, braised short rib with shiso pesto, coconut curry, and hakozushi a box-style sushi. A wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and crudos are also available. The beverage program at O-Ku is a sophisticated blend of specialty cocktails, premium sake, bubbles, red and white wines and unique beer selections.
A photo of The Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion Hotel restaurant
4.4
Awesome(1776)
Price: Moderate
• Southern • Downtown Charleston
Booked 18 times today
The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar, named for Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion, features classic Southern cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Executive Chef Heyward Davis and Chef De Cuisine Daniel James create regional specialties that emphasize farm to table practices using locally grown fruits and vegetables with respect to the traditional beloved flavors and techniques of the Lowcountry.Known for its award-winning Shrimp and Grits, The Swamp Fox Restaurant and Bar overlooks historic Marion Square Park and is popular with both locals and visitors to Charleston. Guests can enjoy live piano Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm - 9pm.The restaurant also has a private dining room, the Parkview, that seats thirty and overlooks King Street and Marion Square Park. This intimate space is perfect for private events and small parties.Masks are recommended for fully vaccinated customers. Consistent with CDC guidelines, unvaccinated customers should wear masks.
A photo of Church and Union - Charleston restaurant
4.5
Awesome(8500)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown Charleston
Booked 130 times today
A 5th Street Group Concept. Modern-American cuisine served in a casual yet refined atmosphere. Menu by Executive Chef Doug Watson & Bravo Top Chef Alum Chef Partner Jamie Lynch.
A photo of Peninsula Grill restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7948)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Downtown Charleston
Booked 33 times today
This AAA Four-Diamond restaurant located in the very heart of Charleston’s famed Historic District has been recognized by Departures, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, The New York Times, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, Wine Spectator, and others for serving the finest and freshest ingredients sourced locally and globally. With velvet-lined walls in shimmering oyster tones, woven seagrass, and indigenous cypress molding, the Peninsula Grill Dining Room ambiance is supper club sumptuousness. The Peninsula Grill Champagne Bar is an intimate jewel box space that offers several outstanding champagnes by the glass and a delicious bar menu.Peninsula Grill is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, an exclusive collection of restaurants and hotels in romantic destinations around the world. Business casual attire, Collared Shirts are required for Gentleman in the Dining Room.
A photo of Amen Street Fish + Raw Bar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(5031)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Downtown Charleston
Booked 41 times today
Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar opened in 2009, reviving the former Amen name of Cumberland Street and restoring this historic corner. The new renovation stays true to the beauty of the original 1800's architecture while creating a comfortable atmosphere for contemporary life.Located at 205 East Bay Street in the heart of the historic district this Charleston seafood restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining all within walking distance of the local Market and the Charleston Harbor.The menu includes a variety of seafood dishes such as oysters, clams and shrimp in addition to an ever growing raw bar menu. Amen Street supports Charleston's local fishing industry with market fresh fish.We are open for lunch and dinner. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations are accepted as well.
A photo of Oak Steakhouse - Charleston restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(5517)
Price: Moderate
• Steakhouse • Downtown Charleston
Booked 46 times today
Located on Charleston's historic Broad Street, Oak Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse. A classic array of both wet and dry aged Certified Angus® Beef are featured on the menu. Ingredients are sourced locally and regionally from sustainable farmers and fisherman to accent the steakhouse menu. Items including local oysters on the half-shell, Clammer Dave's caper clams and a daily fresh fish selection depending on the season. Other popular dishes include the whole fried lobster, goat.sheep.cow artisanal cheese plate, wedge of Kurios Farms bibb lettuce salad, the house-made pasta and vegetarian plate. The expansive and impressive wine program at Oak Steakhouse emphasizes big California Cabernets and Old World reds from Italy and Bordeaux with more than 200 wines by the bottle and 20 wines by the glass. The bar attracts a loyal, local following from nearby businesses and neighborhoods with its great cocktails and happy hour. Inside a historic bank building that dates back to 1848, Oak's stately setting features three floors with five distinct dining areas. Arched windows, 20-foot ceilings, original metal work, fireplaces and 150-year-old heart pine floors, offers the perfect setting for enjoying a special evening.
A photo of Anson restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4783)
Price: Very Expensive
• Southern • Downtown Charleston
Booked 23 times today
Anson was named one of OpenTable's 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America for 2018 |

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • lorraine
    Greater Boston •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Had a wonderful meal. Steak tartare/ duck/mussels were excellent Kerrigan our server was very friendly The noise level was a little high but would not stop me from going back Overall s good experience
    More info
    39 Rue de Jean - CharlestonPrice: Expensive• French• Downtown Charleston
    4.3
  • Pattie
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We enjoyed our first dinner on the 17th so much, decided to return for our ‘last night’ -right next to our hotel, a great location! Our server, Alex, was terrific! Calamari, fish tacos, mussels all delish…Pinot Gri and Cali Chardonnay tasty parings - we shall return! (But, perhaps NOT on an early eve before ‘showtime’ next door at the theatre😉)
    More info
    Coast Bar & Grill – CharlestonPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Downtown Charleston
    4.5
  • Tony
    South Carolina •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Oku=slay Food is amazing, second time visiting from Asheville and both times they make me wonder why we don’t have a Japanese restaurant like this back at home. Our server was perfect, she didn’t feel the need to smother us by coming up every 5 minutes and asking us how everything was which was a plus. She was able to give us some really good recommendations on vegetarian options (which more than most have to offer) it was a really welcoming experience. The food was really well done. plating was beautiful, food times were fast, and the deserts we tried were amazing. Little improvement is that if they played as much edm, they could have been playing more charli xcx. Iykyk
    More info
    O-KuPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Downtown Charleston
    4.8
  • William
    Los Angeles •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Started with the she crab soup which was remarkable. Then a swamp fox burger, which is a very generous half pound cooked to perfection. Spectacular quality meat. Finished the meal with their delicious butter cake. Very attentive wait staff. Great piano player in the background. A wonderful dining experience.
    More info
    The Swamp Fox at the Francis Marion HotelPrice: Moderate• Southern• Downtown Charleston
    4.4
  • Al
    Orlando / Central Florida East •24 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 14, 2024
    Had reservations for brunch in a few days but was looking for a casual southern place for dinner and VOK absolutely filled the desire! From the very start with the Tomato Pie appetizer we knew this was going to be good! Deviled eggs were okay but nothing special, She Crab Soup was on point! The cornbread they served with the appetizers was amazing and served as dessert as well! I had the Crispy Cod BLT with Onion Casserole on the side and my wife hade a small house salad, still quite large! Everything was delicious and plentiful! Service was excellent throughout the meal and some creative seasonal cocktails. My wife tried the Aperol Spritz with a twist of Apple Juice and Cinnamon and loved it! We both can’t wait to go back for brunch! Friendly atmosphere, a bit loud but some great music playing as well!
    More info
    Virginia's on KingPrice: Moderate• Southern• Downtown Charleston
    4.5

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Downtown Charleston

Discover the charm of Downtown Charleston, South Carolina through its array of neighborhood gems that offer unique and memorable dining experiences. These restaurants, celebrated for their authenticity and cozy atmospheres, provide a culinary journey that ranges from local Southern delights to exotic international flavors. Each spot is renowned for blending excellent cuisine with exceptional service, making every meal a special occasion. The dining scene in Downtown Charleston is vibrant and diverse, catering to food lovers who appreciate both innovation and tradition. Whether you're in the mood for fresh seafood, French bistro fare, or creative vegan dishes, you’ll find a restaurant that not only satisfies your cravings but also enchants with its ambiance. These neighborhood gems are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a meal in a setting that feels both inviting and exclusive. Make your next reservation in Downtown Charleston and experience why these eateries are beloved by both locals and visitors alike.

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