The Charleston Restaurants We Loved in January

A true Charleston dining destination since 1999…

… Hank’s is known for their stellar seafood selections (they get fresh whole fish delivered daily). It’s also one of my go-to spots for a dirty martini, so I began our meal at the bar with a drink and one of my absolute favorite dishes in the city: their tuna tartare, made with sushi-grade fish and served with taro root chips. We followed with the crispy calamari, some shrimp, and the crab cakes with sweet corn, served over a Champagne citrus beurre blanc.

It’s always hard choosing entrées, but I went with the shrimp and grits (which, honestly, aren’t to be missed): the creamy Southern grits are topped with sautéed shrimp and are covered in a tomato jus and lardons — an incredible take on this classic dish. My husband ordered the sautéed flounder, a light and lovely dish served with lump crab meat, an asparagus salad, some fried mashed potatoes, and a roasted tomato beurre blanc.

Pro tip: Don’t ever skip dessert! The chocolate peanut butter parfait will keep you coming back with its chocolate and peanut butter mousse, cookie crumbs, and dark chocolate ganache. Pair it with a creamy espresso martini with cold foam, and you’ve got yourself a perfect end to a perfect meal.

— Whitney Mele, Training & Quality Analyst

This place is so underrated…

Located in the East Side (and a block away from a dive bar I used to bartend at), Bintü Atelier offers awesome food that’s quite singular as far as Charleston is concerned.  The two dishes that really stood out were the dieun — one of the best, if not the best, whole fish preparations I’ve ever had — and the Yassa lamb, a dish I’d never had before but is all I’m thinking about now.

— Bud Morris, Strategic Support

To celebrate a special occasion…

… nothing beats Le Farfalle; it’s one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston and service is always outstanding. My favorite dishes of the night were the braised artichokes, the whipped ricotta on toasted baguette, and the agnolotti (a must have!) with duck confit and various mushrooms.

— Meghan Emery, Senior Experiential Product Manager

This was our first time back…

… since Kultura moved to their new location. While we were excited to see them grow, we were also a bit nervous that it may impact their original neighborhood feel. But as soon as we walked in, our worries were put to bed: the new location is awesome. As for the food, I’m happy to report that not only have the staples prevailed, the new options are outstanding.

The arroz caldo is a can’t-miss, especially on a cold night: think a warm rice porridge topped with ginger, garlic, salty trout roe, and a soft egg, which took every bite to another level. Their tocino (twice-cooked ribs brushed in a banana ketchup barbecue sauce with puffed rice) is unlike any other rib I’ve tasted, and had us leaving clean bones on the plate. The lumpia and linutek were both remarkable — my wife and I couldn’t get enough of the linutek and its layered flavors. Last but not least, we shared the pancit sisig — the pork belly was perfectly cooked and the noodles had a silky and salty finish thanks to a sunny-side-up egg and some smoked trout roe. All to say: If you haven’t been yet, it should be at the top of your list.

— Matthew Beattie, Business Development Manager

I had an amazing dinner…

… at chef Daniel Humm’s year-long pop-up at The Charleston Place. My wife had a zero-proof drink called the Bronco Rosso that totally blew us away (with rosso “vermouth,” coconut water, green apple, verjus blanc, and green tea). The four-course menu was incredible, with the ricotta gnudi, local crudo, and scallops as the definite standouts. Add to this great service and a relaxed vibe, and you’ve got yourself a really special night all around.

— Alex Byrd, Senior Account Associate

My go-to date night spot…

… is Melfi’s. We had the Calabrian chile tuna crudo to start (which might just be my favorite crudo in town), before sharing the spicy Caesar and the grilled branzino. Service was outstanding and everything tasted amazing as always. Pro tip: Definitely eat at the bar if you can for the full experience.

— Caitlin Crowder, Tech Analyst & Hospitality Coordinator

It is way too easy…

… to eat an entire pie at Melfi’s (whoops) — in my case, the Stretch Armstrong pizza, which is so light and crispy. I highly recommend booking seats at the bar: their exceptional bartenders will pretty much guarantee you having a fantastic experience at this small and cozy restaurant.

— Austin Watson, Issue Resolution Specialist

For the best tapas in Charleston…

… head to Malagón. The tuna carpaccio is the dish we order every single time we come, and on this last visit, we tried a sweet chorizo and goat cheese toast that was to die for. Don’t overlook the wines, their selection is very reasonable.

— Caitlin Crowder, Tech Analyst & Hospitality Coordinator

Everything was great…

… at Malagón: the food was really tasty, the atmosphere was cozy, and the staff was super friendly and engaging. We had quite a few dishes but the ones that stood out were “La Bomba de la Barceloneta” (almost like an arancini, where a mashed potato “bomb” is stuffed with pork), the beef cheeks braised in red wine (I could eat this every day), and the zorza de cordero (marinated lamb bites with paprika).

— Bud Morris, Strategic Support

I’ve been here over five times now…

… making 167 Sushi Bar one of my regular spots from the last year or so — it’s so good and consistent every single time. The local lettuce with yuzu, radish, and shaved sesame croutons is always so spot on, the toro was perfect, and I loved the carrots and bao. Pro tip: Always keep an eye out for their specials!

— Nicholas DeFrancisco, Senior Account Associate

It’s been over a month, and I’m still thinking about…

… some of the dishes I had at Vern’s (one of my top five meals of 2025). Like the charred sourdough with garlic butter, the yellowfin tuna, and the ‘nduja bolognese pappardelle. The menu changes regularly, so while they might not have those exact dishes again, you won’t be disappointed with whatever you’ve ordered. The team also couldn’t be lovelier; their dedication to great hospitality is truly next-level. And pro tip: don’t sleep on dessert — the homemade chocolate cake with whipped marshmallow cream was unreal (and pairs incredibly well with an espresso martini.) 10s, 10s, 10s across the board.

— Emily Greene, Senior Experiential Marketing Manager

I don’t know what kind of magic…

… Vern’s puts in the bitter lettuce salad we had the night we visited, but it was almost life-changing? Truly an unforgettable dish. My second favorite of the nigh was the roast chicken, which might sound basic, but it was so tender and juicy, it honestly surprised me! Cute space, great vibes, life-changing salad: 10/10 would go again.

— Alex Goldstein, Senior Guest Value Marketing & Strategy Manager

We were so excited to finally try…

… Merci after hearing such wonderful things from friends and family. We sat at the chef’s counter and it was incredible to be able to watch the kitchen team create such beautiful plates. There wasn’t a single bad bite all night (each dish was beautifully seasoned) but if we had to pick, the leeks vinaigrette and the stuffed farfalle really stood out (and I don’t typically gravitate towards a stuffed pasta, but this one was perfect). We’re looking forward to return!

— Lana Auerbach, Senior Resy Support Manager

My mom was craving Southern food…

… so we made it to Slightly North of Broad on a surprisingly packed Tuesday (getting a Resy was still easy!). We tried the crab soup (a real hit and exactly what we wanted) and the shrimp and grits, which came with a little more heat than we expected. But the true highlight of the night was the caprese martini. Yes, really: tomato water and balsamic in cocktail form, or one of the most interesting drinks I’ve ever tried.

— Alex Goldstein, Senior Guest Value Marketing & Strategy Manager

The place for an elevated brunch experience…

… is The Palmetto Cafe. The food is light but filling, and the menu has plenty of options. Plants are in abundance in this space, making you feel like you’re in your own private greenhouse — with the glass interior to boot.

— Ryan Wash, Partner Success Manager

My favorite part of our meal…

… at Stella’s was the keftedes (or their homemade pan-fried meat-and-lamb meatballs); they were so tender and juicy, and we also enjoyed the hummus and tabouli starter, served with grilled pita. For our main, we ambitiously ordered the grilled whole branzino, which was delicious, but a bit too much — we were only two and definitely over ordered. And we so appreciated the complimentary bubbles our server offered when we first sat down — it was a special touch to celebrate our 8^th anniversary.

— Brittany Williams, Senior Network Seller

Our family’s go-to…

… for an upscale but super relaxing dinner is The James; they’ll make you feel right at home. Their must-have dish? The prime rib melt with fried onions, a milk bun, and a cup of jus for all dipping needs.

— Ryan Wash, Partner Success Manager

For a classic Charleston restaurant…

… head to Circa 1886. It’s been around for over 25 years, which says a lot in this town. We had both the Cooper and the Ashey tasting menus (bonus points that the whole table doesn’t have to go with the same option) and service was excellent: Everyone we spoke to was so engaging, kind, and knowledgeable about each course. Which is great because you might need help picking a wine: their list is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. Pro tip: Parking is very easy — they have a small lot for diners but you can also park in the residential street area.

— Ellen Barton, Implementation Specialist

This place is always a hit…

Wild Olive is amazing. We started with our favorite appetizers: the charred octopus, the supplì al telefono, and some bruschetta. From there, we each had a pasta, including the Eliche “Zozzona” (or my new favorite dish on the menu) — the abundant crispy pieces of guanciale and slight kick from the chile made it incredible. We also had a short rib ragù special that boasted a white sauce instead of the more classic red. Finally for dessert, you can never go wrong with a scoop of their olive oil gelato, paired with espresso martinis, of course.

— Stephanie Franchetti, Senior Specialized Hospitality Coordinator

The best sushi in Charleston…

… can be found at Shiki. Get the rock shrimp tempura to start (what I do every single time I’m here), and know that their lemon salmon and spicy tuna rolls never fail. Just be sure to make reservations at this adorable little local spot — it gets booked out.

— Caitlin Crowder, Tech Analyst & Hospitality Coordinator

I’ve always had a fantastic meal and experience…

… at Cane Pazzo. The space is beautiful and comfortable, and they’ve got one of the best meatball dishes I’ve ever had (pork and beef in a spicy tomato sauce with polenta). We shared the risotto, the tortellini in parmesan brodo, and the baked crispy oysters (an absolute standout). The winter specialty cocktails were great, too.

— Barbara Usher, Account Associate

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.