The Charleston Restaurants We Loved in November

Dining here is always a wonderful experience…

Costa truly is one of the most beautiful restaurants in all of Charleston (it’s right in the Harbor, at the base of the beautiful Jasper building). But it doesn’t stop there: I’m always impressed by the friendly, professional, and knowledgeable service. Naturally, though, the food is the star. The beef cheek tortelli is one of my go-to dishes and one of the best bites in the city. And definitely order any of the crudo dishes (there are always a few and they rotate seasonally) — all are exceptional and super fresh.

— Daniel Skala, Sales Development Representative

One year into living in Charleston…

… and Melfi’s spicy Caesar salad remains one of my favorite Caesars in the city. We started with that and the stracciatella and olive oil bruschetta, which was absolutely to die for (I think I could’ve had five more plates of it) — these are two musts when dining at Melfi’s. We then opted for the tomato-based Stretch Armstrong pizza and the cacio e pepe made with fresh bucatini. Really, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu here.

— Nick DeFrancisco, Senior Account Associate

For an amazing happy hour…

… head to Rancho Lewis: Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., all of their cantina drinks are half off. I got their North Mesa Street chicken tacos with the house margarita (Lunazul Tequila shaken extra cold and served on the rocks). I also love their open salsa bar where you help and serve yourself — my wife, who’s from New Mexico, very much approves that their salsa boasts hatch green chile.

— Austin Watson, Issue Resolution Specialist

For a delightful spot near Hampton Park…

… head to Lillian’s. The owners and staff are extremely friendly and welcoming, and I can’t wait to go back. The wild mushroom tart was rich and flavorful (great to share as an appetizer or a side), the confit chicken wings glazed in soy were perfectly prepared and just spicy enough, and the prime rib was incredibly tender and delicious.

— Sara Carpenter, Issue Resolution Specialist

My favorite thing I ate all night…

… was the cucumber salad at Lowland: super fresh, a little nutty, and just really well done. Overall, It feels like one of those spots you just want to hang around in.

— Dan Snitzer, Resy Credit Benefit Management

For Charleston’s best fruits de mer…

… in a Great Gatsby-style time capsule, head to The Ordinary. Unfussy and refined, it’s the best place for a martini and, yes, the seafood tower, which is always the right call. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the bar seating.

— Grayden Kough, Partner Success Manager

After hearing a coworker rave about…

… The Archer (which also happens to be the sister restaurant to Berkeley’s, which I love), my wife and I decided to go for date night. The first thing that stood out was how incredible the front of house staff was: it was our first time, and they immediately made us feel like regulars. Plus, the vibe of the restaurant is the definition of a neighborhood gem.

We started with the crispy fried eggplant (the whipped buttermilk it came with made for a perfect mouth feel), the scallop crudo (so fresh and such amazing contrast in textures thanks to the peanuts and the coconut milk), and the roasted octopus (perfectly cooked). I’m a huge fan of duck, so when I saw the duck frites on the menu, I had to order it. It was beautifully cooked as well, juicy, and full of flavor, without being overly gamey. We also had the braised short ribs, which tasted like they’d been simmering all day and just fell apart. But it was the black garlic jus it came with that took it to the next level. That and the accompanying creamy potato purée — every single bite was amazing.

— Matthew Beattie, Sales Development Representative Manager

For our one-year anniversary…

… my wife and I went to The James and absolutely loved it. The Maryland crab cakes were amazing (super fresh and flavorful), the prime rib was spot on (tender and cooked to perfection), and the overall cozy vibe made the night feel really special. It’s such a great spot for a nice dinner — we’ll be back again soon.

— Alex Byrd, Senior Account Associate

I had a lovely dinner at…

… The James. The space is beautiful, with plenty of dark wood and warm lighting, and service was very attentive. I had a flavorful butternut squash bisque to start, and then the steamed mussels — the broth had just enough of a kick, and there was a perfect amount of it left for dipping (the dish comes with grilled bread just for this purpose).

— Sara Carpenter, Issue Resolution Specialist

This place always delivers…

Shiki is a must visit any time I’m in Charleston. Our favorite rolls are the lemon salmon and the Shiki super crunch — the addition of Korean pear in the super crunch is just so delicious.

— Parish Felder, Senior Implementation Specialist

To celebrate a birthday meal…

… definitely consider Cane Pazzo. The wood-fired daily bread with ricotta and honey is an absolute must have, but every dish was just as delicious as the next. My absolute standout from the night was the creamed corn agnolotti. I’ll definitely be going back to Cane Pazzo soon.

— Meghan Emery, Senior Experiential Product Manager

Everything we had was delicious…

… at Cane Pazzo. We went family-style and shared everything: we had oysters, their wood-fired sourdough bread, the snapper, the bucatini, and a few other things. Don’t skip their cocktails, the espresso martinis were fantastic.

— Barbara Elizabeth Usher, Account Associate

My favorite lunch spot in Charleston…

… is Berkeley’s in North Central. Their Caesar salad (with classic romaine, croutons, and pecorino) never misses.

— Kathryn O’Brien Dolbir, Senior Regional Sales Manager

More Charleston staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.