These 6 Tasty Restaurants in Charleston, SC Deserve a Michelin Star

Charlestown, SC is known for its food scene. Whether you're craving fresh local seafood, southern barbecue, or soul food, the Lowcountry surely won't disappoint. The state of South Carolina does not currently have a Michelin Guide for restaurants. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any eateries worth visiting. Numerous restaurants in South Carolina have distinguished themselves with James Beard Awards, magazine mentions, and other accolades. A restaurant on this list is even Michelin-recommended. If you're in Charleston, the food at these six tasty restaurants will not disappoint. (After this article, check out 20 Iconic Southern Foods Every American Should Try.)

1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

Edmund's Oast features both a restaurant and a brewery. Located on Morrison Drive, the restaurant's warm and cozy atmosphere is a perfect spot to enjoy comfort foods like cheeseburgers and spicy Korean meatballs. Guests can eat in the dining room or the extensive outdoor courtyard and covered patio.

The restaurant earned a mention in Condè Nast Traveler's list of 36 Best Restaurants in Charleston. Edmund's Oast was also a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2015 and Outstanding Restaurant in 2024. The restaurant's world-class beers, cocktails, and wine are well worth a visit in their own right, but you'd be remiss not to order a bite to eat.

232 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401

FIG serves up dishes that are an elevated take on Southern classics. The restaurant's passion centers around using quality ingredients and creating a haven for food lovers. FIG has done just that, with dishes such as slow-baked scamp grouper and chicken al matton. For dessert, try Southern delights such as sticky sorghum pudding or Atlantis cantaloupe sorbet.

Mike Lata and partner Adam Nemirow first opened FIG's doors back in 2003. Since then the restaurant has been praised by a variety of publications, including Southern Living, Eater, and The NY Times. In 2019 and 2020 FIG was a James Beard nominee in the Outstanding Restaurant category.

The restaurant earned James Beard Award nominations for its Outstanding Wine Program in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. They eventually won that category in 2018. Finally, Chef Michael Lata was a James Beard semifinalist in the Outstanding Chef category in 2017.

2332 Meeting Street Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405

If you're craving soul food, there's no better spot in Charleston than Bertha's Kitchen, but don't expect linen tablecloths and chandeliers. Bertha's Kitchen is a no-frills counter-serve restaurant serving up classic Southern food to soothe the soul.

The restaurant has been highlighted by Bon Appétit as part of their series celebrating America's Favorite Neighborhood Restaurants. Condè Nast Traveler called the restaurant "the very definition of soul food," while Discover South Carolina lauded the American classic. If you need more confining, Bertha's Kitchen also won the James Beard Award for America's Classics in 2017.

1011 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

No list of the best restaurants in Charleston would be complete without at least one barbeque joint, and Rodney Scott's BBQ is definitely noteworthy. The restaurant offers whole-hog barbeque in a classic Charleston setting.

Chef Rodney Scott leads the culinary team and has been busy expanding his BBQ empire into Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. In 2018 Scott won the James Beard Best Chef Award for his work at Rodney Scott's BBQ.

In addition to the James Beard Award, Rodney Scott's restaurants have also been recognized in publications such as Eater (30 Essential Restaurants to Know in Birmingham, Alabama) and Condè Nast Traveler (36 Best Restaurants in Charleston). While Rodney Scott's BBQ is of course renowned for its smoked meats, don't neglect the restaurant's fantastic sides, like mac & cheese, hushpuppies, cornbread, and cole slaw.

41 Bogard Street Charleston, SC, 29403

Vern's recently earned James Beard recognition in 2023, when Chef Daniel Heinze became a semifinalist in the Best Chef Southeast category. Vern's is known as a "neighborhood restaurant" owned by husband and wife duo Daniel and Bethany Heinze. The couple opened the doors to their restaurant in 2022 and quickly caught the eye of foodies from all around.

Settled right on the cross streets of Charleston's Bogard and Ashe, locals and tourists alike flock to the spot for its incredible food. Their current sample menu includes dishes such as roast spring chicken with brown butter ju and rainbow trout with Carolina gold rice. Like many of the restaurants on this list, Vern's also earned a mention in Condè Nast Traveler's list of 36 Best Restaurants in Charleston.

112 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Last but not least is the Peninsula Grill. Although this award-winning establishment run through the Planter's Inn does not have a Michelin Star, the Inn itself is Michelin-recommended. The Guide makes note of the Peninsula Grill, calling it "an extraordinary restaurant, possibly the best in Charleston."

Situated at the corner of Meeting and Market streets, the Planter's Inn dates back to 1844, when it was originally built as a dry-goods market. Today the hotel resembles an authentic Southern mansion and the food at the Peninsula Grill combines fine, New York-style dining with Southern charm.

Peninsula's accolades are too many to list but include honors such as a spot on OpenTable's Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America (2024) and OpenTable's 12 Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Charleston. Dishes such as pan-seared diver scallops and rosemary short rib are sure to please, but the real can't-miss dish is the Ultimate Coconut Cake which made its debut on Valentine's Day in 1997 and has been reviewed by the New York Times. (Next, read about The Best Bakery in Every State.)