The April Hit List: Cru Cafe, Fuel, Circa 1886, El Molino Supermarket, and More

If a celebration is in order (for a vaccination, a haircut, or, well, just spring), the patio at Circa 1886 beckons. Located in the original carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion in downtown Charleston, Circa 1886 is helmed by Marc Collins. Collins is as much scholar as chef, researching the history of the region and celebrating that through spectacular dishes, from rainbow trout with a sumac crust to a modern grilled cheese with pimento cheese mousse and caviar. It also happens to be one of the most romantic restaurants in the world according to Architectural Digest, if you’ve saved a sparkly ring to offer up with dessert. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

There are plenty of places to find oysters in Charleston these days, but despite its name, Delaney shines even more brightly if you look beyond the raw bar. For one, the menu is short and sweet, allowing the chefs to focus on quality over quantity. And two, just about any choice you make will be delicious, from the crispy perfection of the calamari, to the seasonal crudo, to even a blue crab rice with sofrito, melding Lowcountry traditions with chef Shamil Velazquez’s Puerto Rican heritage. Snag a seat on the piazza for a night to remember.

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

Warmer weather might have some folks thinking about freshening up their eating habits, but Charleston’s conscientious diners know healthy is always delicious at the Bee. It’s an institution at this point, after starting with solid sandwiches back in the “late night” days, then expanding to a Mediterranean-tinged menu: hummus topped with crispy chickpeas, an avocado salad with Carolina Gold crispy rice and the spice of serrano chiles, and all the mezze. It’s fresh and local, and never frumpy. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

This Charleston institution spent most of the last year shuttered, but it’s back and as delicious as ever with chef “Mama” Michelle Weaver’s consistent direction. She’s earned that nickname because so many chefs have been under her tutelage through the years, but you can enjoy her work without time in the kitchen: Just make a reservation to enjoy some of that Grill sparkle. The wine cellar continues to be epic, the jazz is still smooth, and the food is unapologetically fancy, from seared Colorado lamb chops to butter-poached lobster and grits, to the best crab cake in town. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor dining. Reservations suggested.

Drive by this spot any weekend brunch hour, and you’ll have no doubt the food must be fine — given the number of people in the parking lot. One of its most popular items is the pecan-fried chicken and waffle, which might induce an afternoon nap, but will inspire sighs of brunch bliss before it does. There are plenty of other stick-to-your-ribs fare, and the service goes all day. But what you won’t find are folks who use brunch to keep the weekend party going. After all, tThe only beverages at the Bird are soft. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

The downtown market area is so full of tourists and shiny trinkets that it’s easy to miss one of the most consistently delicious eateries in town, tucked into a Charleston Single on Pinckney Street. Many of the same classics they’ve served for years — from fried green tomatoes to the four-cheese macaroni and truffle fries — will greet you like old friends. Except now with the new addition of a private patio, which seats an additional 26 in a garden setting.

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

Tropical outdoor vibes abound at this laid-back Caribbean-inspired spot in a former filling station. But the menu doesn’t hold too tightly to that inspiration: You’ll find everything from nachos to vegan jerk cauliflower tacos that are fresh and fun, and go well with the go-down-easy roster of margaritas — from “skinny” to spicy jalapeño and cilantro. There’s plenty of outdoor space, plenty of Charleston breezes, and plenty of excuses to stay just a little longer.

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

For fried seafood perfection, head to the Wreck. Named after a boat that was pushed ashore at that spot by Hurricane Hugo, this restaurant is as much a part of the Lowcountry as that hurricane’s memory. You can choose one variety  of seafood (scallops, shrimp, fish) on your order, but why would you go one when you could go combo? The power move here is a platter of fried shrimp, scallops, oysters, and the fish of the day, or if you’re hosting a home party, a platter of frogmore stew to go. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

Nico’s outdoor patio basically screams oysters and rosé. Listen to what it’s saying, and start any meal here with just that. Chef Nico Romo, a native of Lyon, even took his staff on a field trip to select the perfect oysters for his Mount Pleasant restaurant. He’s also the youngest-ever U.S. member of the ranks of the French Culinary Academy, which doesn’t hurt your chances of experiencing something very French and plenty special. Pro tip: The bacon clams are so good, you might need two orders if you must share. 

Dining Status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout.

We’d really hate to add this one to the list, but the word’s already out. Soon everyone will know about the taqueria menu at this West Ashley grocery store, and we don’t want you to miss out on taco perfection. The birria tacos are the unicorn prize, but there’s plenty worth trying beyond them, from tortas to churros to a cucumber lime aqua fresca that goes perfectly with Lowcountry weather. Large party orders are available if you want to host a boat or dock picnic.

Dining Status: Open for outdoor dining and in-person takeout.