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

Muse has been a local favorite in Charleston longer than most “locals” have lived here. Maybe it’s the varied menu, with Greek (eggplant spanakopita), Italian (fresh tagliatelle and ravioli), Spanish (housemade merguez sausage), and French (fried and confit chicken preparations) flavors peppered throughout. Or maybe it’s the extensive wine list, with more than 50 available by the glass. But it could easily be the comfortable and picturesque patio tucked alongside the historic Charleston single house that Muse calls home. Great for a small group or a quiet evening at the bar (again, ask a local; they probably even have a favorite bartender), don’t sleep on scoring your Resy here. 

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.)

A Timber outpost in the Holy City unlocked its doors in July, the latest addition to the buzzy family of D.C. pizza joints that earned Bib Gourmand recognition. The crust on the 12-inch pies is thin but substantial — leaning Neapolitan with a little more chew. Fans of a spicy pizza will find plenty to like on the menu from the Shirley, spiked with chorizo and jalapeños, to the Norman, with nectarines, bacon, jalapeños, and spicy jam. Elsewhere, the Worthy is topped with chicken, barbecue sauce, strawberries, and red onions. Not in the mood for pizza? Check the housemade empanadas and salads. Order from your seat at the stocked bar or at the register before you grab a table — Timber is a fun hang. 

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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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The owners behind Pasta Beach (a beloved pasta restaurant all over New England) partnered with a Roman chef (Andrea Congiusta, who previously helmed Rome’s Il Pagliaccio), and the result is this King Street beauty. A number of different spaces await: will it be the downstairs dining room, upstairs lounge, the central bar, or perhaps the cozy, captivating patio? The menu shows Italian fingerprints in dishes like housemade pasta and lamb with artichokes, alongside beef Wellington and lobster tartin on focaccia. At the bar, try drinks like the Charleston Water, made with rye and sweet peach tea, or peruse the wine list, which features Italian and other Old World offerings as well as quite a few domestic pulls.

Take one look at the menu in Hotel Bennett’s signature dining room and you’ll see chef Edgar Kano is taking every chance he can to utilize the bounty of local ingredients at his disposal along the South Carolina coast. From a seafood tower featuring poached local shrimp to local mushroom cavatelli pasta, Gabrielle draws inspiration both from Southern foodways and Kano’s fine-dining experience across North America. Tucked into the hotel lobby just north of Marion Square on King Street, you’ll find three meals a day at Gabrielle, including Saturday and Sunday brunch. So, grab a Resy for Gabrielle, score a spot in the lounge or patio, or grab a Resy for its postcard-pretty sister Camellias.

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

Since opening in 2024, this Morrison Drive hot spot has attracted a devoted local following. Growing up working in a Columbia, S.C., Chinese restaurant, owner Herman Ng created a buzzy space befitting its spot in the heart of a fast-growing neighborhood at the northern end of the downtown peninsula. The menu matches that energy:  Sichuan wings, bao, and housemade dumplings, including pork, chicken, and blue crab (crab Rangoons, of course) lead things off, ahead of salt and pepper shrimp, Chinese-inspired lamb ribs, and the limited roast duck. The open dining room, lined with windows, is anchored by the open kitchen pass, flanked by a see-and-be-seen bar that makes XO a good spot for a date or an early evening bite with friends

Baker Allison Anspach may be a relative newcomer to Charleston, but Grit Bakery has quickly attracted legions of fans coming for pastries as close to perfect as you’ll find in the Holy City. Wednesday-Sunday, head to 601 Meeting St. for shattering croissants, sweet buns, savory biscuits, and everything in between. And we haven’t even mentioned the bread, baked fresh and in-house: baguette, sourdough, and other specialties like focaccia and sourdough made with local blue corn grits from Marsh Hen Mill. Make sure to stop by early to get your pick of the goodies (check the specials on IG), plus espresso and coffee drinks. There’s even free parking in the Meeting Street Lofts garage.

Find more info here.

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.