The Mother of All Holidays: Raise a glass in honor of mom with a Resy for one of the many special Mother’s Day events going on across Charleston, including mom-approved fetes at Hotel Bennett (plus Gabrielle and Camellias), a prix-fixe brunch at Élevé, a buffet with Lowcountry fixings at Iron Rose, a stroll through the garden at Middleton Place, a special cooking class at Zero George, and an Italian-inspired feast at Legami. Be sure to check Resy events for additional spots to celebrate the maternal figures in your and your family’s life.
Raw, on Ice: You’re in Charleston, so you’ve gotta get your dose of seafood, and there’s maybe no better way to savor it than from your favorite spot’s raw bar. Lucky for you, a bunch in the Holy City offer bivalves and shellfish galore, including Hit List faves like The Ordinary, Leon’s Oyster Shop, and Sullivans Fish Camp. But don’t miss spots like The Royal Tern on Johns Island, The Darling and Delaney Oyster House downtown, Islander 71 on Isle of Palms, Momo Riverfront Park in North Charleston, and local mainstay Pearlz in West Ashley.
Sweet Treats: Pastry chef Heather Hutton’s new Roxa Dessert Bar in Hanahan is the latest project to take desserts to another level, with a Resy available just for you for a chef’s table-style experience. Looking for other desserts to try? Check out Wild Olive and its sister spot Obstinate Daughter, with a killer gelateria downstairs, Beardcats. Halls Chophouse is always a good bet for an after-dinner treat. And for something you probably haven’t had before, be sure to try the brand-new kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) creations at chef Nikko Cagalanan’s Bareo.
In the House: In addition to an appearance by chef James London of Charleston’s Chubby Fish at chef Daniel Humm’s yearlong residency at the Charleston Place for two nights, a number of other renowned visiting chefs are showing up across the area in May. Chef Joshua Pinsky of New York’s Claudwill cook family style at Vern’s on May 14. And James Beard finalist chef Jeff Chanchaleune of Oklahoma City’s Ma Der Lao visits Kultura on May 20 for a Laotian dinner as part of its Sama Sama series.
New to the Hit List (May 2026) Annie Mae’s Bakeshop, Kwei Fei, The Lick, Little Jack’s Tavern, Marbled & Fin, Sissy Bar.
