The Resy Hit List: Where In Charleston You’ll Want to Eat in Oct. 2025

Nikko Cagalanan’s unmatched Filipino creations, inspired by his upbringing and deep cultural connection (noted in 2024 in our “20 Questions”), earned him a place among the Emerging Chef finalists in the 2024 James Beard Awards. The menu offers riffs on Filipino standards like arroz caldo, adobo, curry, pork asado, and more, with fresh elements pulled from local farms and waterways. And grab a Resy for the Kamayan feast each Sunday, which offers a chance for a traditional communal dinner alongside traditional dinner service. Note: Cagalanan is prepping to relocate to a bigger space nearby on Rutledge Avenue in the fall, so stop by 73 Spring St. for a taste of what’s to come.

The 167 fam of restaurants (167 Raw, 167 Sushi) gets lots of love, and rightfully so. But some might consider Bar167 the sleeper. Many of the same flavors from the 167 Raw appear around the corner at Bar 167, maybe even a little cheffed up to make it perfect for your next special night out. (And it’s a plus that you can grab a Resy.) Crudo is a must for any table, and the preparation changes regularly; so yes, order it again. Arroz con negro is the paella-adjacent dish you didn’t know you needed. And the sandwiches satisfy every time, from the crab roll to the adobo chicken gyro. Behind the bar, the Mallorca Marg kicks it up a notch.

Even with its national profile, the low-key digs of this Cannonborough-Elliottborough spot don’t immediately telegraph how epic chef-owner Dano Heinze’s menu can be — serving up offerings you didn’t even know you needed in your rotation. Dishes include snails, fresh crudo, a simple-but-rewarding steak, and handmade pastas like gnocchetti. And that classic but inventive approach extends to the wine list, curated by Dano’s wife and business partner, Bethany. What gives? The couple spent time in famed Charleston locales like the now-defunct McCrady’s before a California sojourn that wound them back east to Charleston. That bicoastal experience has helped shape Vern’s well-deserved reputation, and made it a local gem.

First opened in 1946, this is one of the Charleston area’s oldest restaurants, and one where tourists and locals flock year after year. Perched over the marshes between James Island and Folly Beach, this two-story indoor-outdoor space boasts some of the best old-school fried seafood platters and steamed oysters you’ll find anywhere. With cooler months comes the return of wild-harvested local oysters, pulled right out of the creeks nearby. (Don’t forget the Frogmore stew and cold beer.) Plan accordingly, because some of the best sunset views in Charleston are waiting for you off the back deck.

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The experience of stepping into the dining room at 28 Pitt St. will quickly make you forget that you’re just a few blocks from the hustle of downtown’s King Street. Owners Courtney and Michael Zentner tested ideas as The Drifter, and soft-launched their European-inspired menu with the Petit Merci market around the corner on Montagu Street. Their April 2025 opening was a big step in that evolution, answering the call from friends and neighbors who were ready to settle in for more of Michael’s creative iterations of European classics that, in Courtney’s words, he describes as, “an argument between your French and Italian grandmothers.” That means you’ll find ricotta gnudi and crispy duck ballotine alongside fresh snapper crudo spiked with seasonal flavor and focaccia with stracciatella, Benton’s country ham, and pistachios. With just 26 seats inside this designer-outfitted c. 1820s building, be sure to grab a Resy starting seven days in advance.

There’s no menu at the Annex. In fact, you might miss this hidden speakeasy if you didn’t know it was behind the nondescript back door inside Last Saint, the popular Meeting Street cocktail bar. With three booths and six barstools, this is a no-brainer Resy pickup if you’re in the mood for a low-key, not-crowded evening — as long as those evenings are Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Have a chat with the barkeep to tell them what you’re in the mood for, and voila, it will appear before you. Snooze and miss your table in the Annex? You’re in luck, because Last Saint still serves up some of the best cocktails downtown.

It would be hard to walk into this surprisingly luxe dining room, tucked into the unassuming corner of a newly upfitted strip center, and not find something that grabs your attention. Styled as a “modern steakhouse” from the group that brought you Minero and Husk, your options include caviar and Japanese wagyu, lobster, and tomahawk steaks. The raw bar stocks fresh specialties pulled from the seas — like ice-cold shrimp or dressed oysters, ready for the perfect bite. The wine list features selections under the Angel Oak label, sourced from the ownership group’s Argentine vineyards, along with a generous array of wines by the glass. Cocktails lean classy with bits of flair, like I’ll Take Five, described as a “pisco sour with Dave Brubeck.” (And along with several others, it’s available N/A.)

The New York Times really just confirmed what Charlestonians have known for some time when it named Chubby Fish among its 50 best American restaurants. No reservations at this Elliottborough hot spot at the corner of Coming and Bogard streets; visitors instead queue up to enter starting at 5 p.m., choosing to hang nearby or step next door to Seahorse, the team’s newest addition, a teeny cocktail and seafood bar. Inside the main event, diners choose from staples like slider-sized caviar sandwiches, seasonal local seafood delivered daily, and even housemade pastas. This is all to say: You really can’t go wrong with anything plucked from chef-owner James London and chef Carlos Paredes’ menus. Drinks? They’ll bring them to you on the sidewalk while you wait or gladly replenish your A+ chilled selection at the table. 

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Slightly North of Broad (or S.N.O.B. for the cheeky ones) has been a Charleston mainstay for more than 30 years. With industry pro favorite chef Frank Lee in the kitchen until 2016, it became known for bulletproof reliability for cherished traditional Lowcountry fare like shrimp and grits and barbecued tuna. Lee was a farm-to-table champion long before it became a trend; it was just the right way to cook. Now owned by the Hall family, executive chef Russ Moore is carrying the torch, and the standards remain high. Charlestonians know S.N.O.B. is also a go-to during the day, where a three-course lunch lets diners a chance to experience Moore’s stewardship of this Southern kitchen, where delicate preparations of proteins and vegetables compete for top billing.

Step inside The Daily any morning and you’ll realize this is a locals spot, full of folks who can’t get enough of that Loaded Avocado Bowl, soft scramble toast, or breakfast sandwich. Of course, the coffee drinks are as strong as you need, including the upside-down latte with rose-cardamom syrup. And don’t miss the Golden Latte or the Honeycomb Matcha Latte. Here for lunch? Check out the plant-based “brisket” tacos or the chicken shawarma pita. P.S.: Remember Butcher & Bee, dearly departed from Charleston (but still alive and well in Nashville)? As a sister restaurant, you can still find that crave-worthy whipped feta at The Daily. 

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It’s safe to say Sorelle has settled in on Broad Street, becoming one of its buzziest spots since opening in early 2023. Downstairs, visitors are welcomed into the first-come, first-served bar area; or grab a Resy for your spot in the plush upstairs dining room, with picturesque views of the historic “Four Corners of Law.” The menu is currently executed by chef Nick Dugan. Start with a cocktail like the Sorrento Sun, with mezcal and Luxardo bianco, then move on to antipasti and snacks like burrata di bufala, followed by memorable pasta creations like the “Pillows of Gold” ricotta tortelloni, creamy pasta sprinkled with prosciutto cotto and kissed with balsamic.

A lot has changed in the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood since Sorghum & Salt opened in 2017, and that’s part of the reason owner Tres Jackson made the move from an under-the-radar spot on Coming Street to the prime corner of St. Philip and Cannon streets. But the added space will just let Jackson’s team turn up the volume on what they’ve already been doing well for going on eight years. The well-edited menu offers intentional selections that focus on creative and seasonal preparations. September dishes included butterbean panzanella, blue crab and radishes spiked with fish sauce, and royal red shrimp in kimchi beurre blanc. Grab a Resy to settle into the brand new dining room, or check out the more spacious bar in the new digs.

Beat the hustle of King Street by popping into this upscale, laid-back cafe with no shortage of satisfying offerings and great people-watching, with big windows that create a light and airy dining room. Haven’t been to Felix before? You’re getting the raclette burger. Double burger, onion, Dijonnaise, creamy raclette cheese — it’s an Upper King rite of passage at this point. Lobster deviled eggs are another favorite, along with crab croquettes. Of course, there’s an ode to French onion soup alongside plenty of snappy salads. Felix boasts plenty of pitch-perfect wines, bien sur. But checking out the “et Cocktails” side of the menu (mocktails are available too). And if you love Felix, check out their sister-neighbor La Cave

The team behind Mount Pleasant’s popular Spice Palette ventures downtown with a menu that highlights classic Indian dishes, drawing inspiration from the southern Indian state of Kerala. Delicate marinated signature lamb chops are cooked rare, served with roasted coconut sauce, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Owner Sujith Varghese also highlights coastal South Carolina, with fresh-caught seafood preparations, including tandoori oysters, baked and infused with tandoori-spiced butter. Not convinced? Three words: espresso chai martini.

There’s no slowing chef Michael Toscano: The prolific chef-owner’s latest Charleston concept tackles tacos. Market Street’s Blanca Estrada is the latest addition to Toscano’s local portfolio, which already includes Le Farfalle, Da Toscano Porchetta Shop, and Fugazzi. On offer are carnitas, chicken, carne asada, and more, all done Toscano-style, so expect a little something extra. In fact, the lamb neck burrito may be a sneaky entrant for the best in town. Yes, margaritas (and more) are available and yes, they’re open for lunch. Walk-ups only, with limited indoor seating in the unassuming storefront or next door next to the Le Farfalle bar. Pro tip: Going for lunch? Order, then head to the Le Farfalle patio for a little impromptu alfresco.

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This downtown tapas spot has everything you need if you’re looking for something new. Just a few blocks from King Street, Spanish-inspired specialties flow from the kitchen with Lowcountry flair, like local shrimp, crudo, an Iberian twist on pigs in a blanket, and all the gildas — like a perfectly composed skewer of anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper — we challenge you not to order another round. Securing a Resy is a surefire way to a good time, but the lively courtyard provides the ideal space to enjoy a bev and await your spot. Behind the bar, Spanish vermouth and Sherry tempt curious patrons, whether poured into a citrusy spritz, or served neat.