The Charleston Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now
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If there’s one thing you must know about the people who work at Resy and Tock, it’s that we genuinely love restaurants …
This month, Team Resy and Tock chased after katsu chicken tenders and hushpuppies, celebrated birthdays with caviar bumps and lamb burgers alike, and had some pretty life-changing oysters.
It’s a non-negotiable for me every single time…
I’m talking about S.N.O.B.’s beef carpaccio, which is arguably the best thing on their menu. Though I will concede that their shrimp and grits are famous for a reason (and a true Southern staple). My partner ordered the steak frites (always cooked perfectly), and we shared some brussels sprouts, which are phenomenal and a repeat order for us, too. Not a bad way to spend a hot and humid day in Charleston.
— Emily McEvoy, Account Executive
For some serious steaks aged in-house…
… head to Marbled & Fin. The team behind Neighborhood Dining Group took the ethos of everything you’d want from a nostalgic, upscale steakhouse and gave it a contemporary spin, delivering some of the best cuts in Charleston paired with Southern hospitality. Catch me ordering the classics: a martini, a wedge salad, and an aged NY strip.
— Grayden Kough, Restaurant Partnerships Manager
Every visit is better than the last…
… when it comes to The Crossing. We went for my husband’s birthday and had such a fantastic experience. Our favorite dish of the night was the lamb burger — by far the best burger I’ve had in years. With great service and excellent food, we’re already planning our next visit soon.
— Lana Auerbach, Senior Resy Support Manager
I’ll be thinking about this dish for a long time…
The miso butter roasted oysters at Delaney Oyster House were kind of life-changing. They came with ginger and fennel, and they were the best thing we had on our entire Charleston trip. But it was an amazing experience overall, the hospitality was incredible, and the restaurant itself was so quaint and cute.
— Leah Dulber, Senior Product Designer
If you’re looking for a great sandwich…
… I highly recommend the BLT at Middleton Place. The sourdough was perfectly chewy, the bacon was plentiful, and the arugula dressed in bacon fat combined with Duke’s mayo gave it the perfect tanginess. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it again.
— Brittany Williams, Senior Account Executive
One of the best tasting menus in Charleston…
… can be had at Wild Common, which holds a Michelin star. They change up their menu daily, so each visit is fresh, new, and exciting. My favorite course was the “eggs” Benedict: an English muffin topped with caviar and hollandaise. It really is a perfect special-occasion spot in Charleston, where you’re truly taken care of even before you walk through the doors.
— Kathryn O’Brien Dolbir, Senior Regional Sales Manager
After not visiting in six years…
… I went back to 82 Queen, and their incredible shrimp and grits tasted exactly the same. Located in Charleston’s Historic District, 82 Queen is the epitome of Southern charm and hospitality. Definitely try a few different dishes, and don’t skip the Southern Pickins’ appetizer, which includes some fantastic deviled eggs and a staple pimento cheese spread.
— Ben Horowitz, Miami Sales
I can’t recommend this place enough…
My wife and I had an incredible dinner at Kultura, where every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. The kinilaw was the standout of the night and the arroz caldo was pure comfort in a bowl, with a rich, savory, and deeply layered flavor that still felt refined and elegant. On the cocktail front, I really enjoyed the Holy City Salamat, which had Fruity Pebbles on the rim. As Charleston locals, we feel so fortunate to have a restaurant like Kultura in our city. The service was so warm and welcoming, and we’ll definitely be back to work our way through more of the menu.
— Alex Byrd, Senior Account Associate
This is how…
… to build yourself the perfect meal for two when dining at La Chev 208: Get yourself the Provençal mussels to share (definitely larger than what the menu lists as a “small plate” IMO), pair them with some pommes frites, the deviled eggs (loaded with bacon, jalapeño, chive crema, and crispy potato), and the golden beet salad. A perfect and delicious amount of food.
— Brittany Williams, Senior Account Executive
This isn’t a place you conquer in one visit…
… no, Leon’s is a joint that keeps calling you back until you’ve worked your way through the whole menu. Don’t be afraid to venture beyond the fried chicken — all the seafood is stellar.
— Grayden Kough, Restaurant Partnerships Manager
When in Park Circle…
… head to Katsubō, where the katsu chicken tenders are a must. You don’t even have to get the katsu sando, as the tenders can be added to almost anything on the menu. The tuna crudo was also amazing, and if you have room, definitely get the ice cream sandwich (which the team can split up, even if you’re a party of four!).
— Joseph McQueen, Account Executive
It’s next to impossible to pick out a “best” dish…
… as everything we’ve ever ordered at Costa is outstanding. It’s really become one of our go-tos for any type of celebration. On this latest, we went for my father-in-law’s birthday and started off on a high note: with caviar bumps and a housemade infused gin to pair.
From there, we ordered the focaccia and Caesar salad — my mother-in-law asked for some butter and the kitchen ended up whipping some of the best butter we’ve ever had. We then went family-style for mains, sharing the cavatelli, the agnolotti (one of my can’t-miss dishes), the gnudi, and the redfish — the cavatelli was an absolute standout and had an amazing kick from the sausage. Honestly, I feel like you could pick anything off the menu blindly and love every dish you landed on.
And while the food is reason enough to go, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how amazing the staff (and the vibe) of the restaurant is. The service really is top notch.
— Matthew Beattie, Business Development Manager
When it comes to consistency…
… Momo proves to be one of the most dependably delicious restaurants I go to. It’s got a beautiful view, great service, and the absolute best hushpuppies I’ve had. Don’t skip the deviled eggs or wedge salad, either; both are amazing.
— Barbara Usher, Account Associate
It’s earned every accolade it’s received…
Vern’s really is a can’t-miss spot, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that has that true neighborhood feel. The service and hospitality were wonderful, never leaving a need, but also never having that “looking-over-your-shoulder” feel.
Starting with the sourdough and the escargots is the perfect one-two punch to begin your meal (you’ll want to use the bread to sop up all that sauce). We then had the scallops two ways (crispy and raw), which had everyone fighting for the last bite. For our mains, we shared some pastas (the pappardelle, the testaroli, and the campanelli) — out of the three, the campanelli was our favorite — and ordered the grilled pork loin, which was so tender you could cut it with a fork.
Finally, we finished with their strawberry parfait. I rarely order dessert when I go out to dinner, but we were here to celebrate a birthday and I’m so glad we didn’t miss out: this was so good, I’d legit go back just for it.
— Matthew Beattie, Business Development 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.
