Dine like a local, even if you’re not: Find the latest restaurant openings, plus notable local favorites, expertly curated.
New Opening
Charleston
Perch
If you’re lucky enough to be a guest at the Charleston Place Hotel, you and yours can enjoy Perch’s refined bites as you lounge by the rooftop pool. We’d say that’s a pretty good afternoon.
This spot is ideal for a casual weeknight out with your crew. The gastropub-inspired menu of American classics has something for everyone — well, at least, everyone with taste.
Why not learn to stir cocktails from some of the best? That’s what you’ll get to do when you book a cocktail making class at the Grand Bohemian Wine Bar, a paradise of tasting portions and small plates housed in the hotel that bears the same name.
This laid-back joint has been serving the Riverland Terrace neighborhood for more than a decade, and do know that their list of burgers is well worth a perusal.
Learn the art of crafting your own blend from masters of the concept. Make a Resy for the class at the clubby Grand Bohemian Wine Bar, a paradise of tasting portions and small plates housed in the hotel that bears the same name.
You probably already know what to do based on the name alone, but just in case, here’s a pro tip: Order as much as you can from the raw section of the menu, and top it off with a glass of something crisp and white.
Nikkei cuisine, that beautiful marriage of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, is on full display at Charleston’s Bloo. Indulge in ceviche, lomo saltado, and even Vietnamese-inspired bành mí, and, we didn’t even mention the best part: Everything is served poolside.
You’re probably here for that burger (a majestic, wagyu double smash with grilled onions and bacon) or the live music that’s constantly rotating in and out. No matter the reason, the important thing is that you’re here.
Grab dinner before whatever show you’re seeing at Lou Lou’s, where shrimp and grits, duck fat truffle fries, and charcuterie form the ideal lineup. See what we did there?
For a city blessed with so many fabulous seafood restaurants, Charleston has surprisingly few true waterfront dining options. The opening of The Cooper in the French Quarter offers new opportunities, featuring sweeping harbor vistas throughout the property. At its signature restaurant, The Crossing, the salt air serves as a natural seasoning for sophisticated Eastern Mediterranean fare. A harborside meal exploring the raw bar and the specialty martini menu is another delightful indulgence.
In the boutique Live Oak hotel, guests are conveniently close to many attractions in the Historic District, but the Modern Mediterranean cuisine at Terra is another important amenity for the property. Drawing from the flavors, foragers, farms and fisheries of the Lowcountry, as well as recipes inspired by the sunny coasts that touch the Mediterranean from all four directions, the menu at Terra represents the best of the sea’s bounty.
The Japanese izakaya tradition is more than just a meal — it’s a curated social ritual through courses and drinks designed to take the edge off after a long workday and encourage conviviality through shared plates. From bracing bowls of umami-rich ramen to baos and crispy twice-fried chicken, Katsubō’s food is warm and welcoming. It’s also designed to pair with Japanese-inspired cocktails, beers, sake, and wine selections to keep the conversation lively.
You may notice reservations marked “poker table” here. We’d recommend making one of those, where you can enjoy your cigars and premium liquor the way our maker intended.
Don’t let the shopping center locale fool you. The Lick punches above its weight and raises the bar for West Ashley fine dining with offerings like a plateau of seafood from the raw bar and wagyu steaks sourced from Australia and Japan. The decor is swanky, the atmosphere is sultry, and West Ashleyites are happy not to cross a bridge for fine dining for a change.
The Japanese tradition of yakiniku (literally “grilled meat”) involves gathering around a table with a smokeless grill installed in the middle so you can cook your own meats, seafood, and vegetables. Mix and match à la carte ingredients or order a shareable combo platter. Fu-O also offers classic Japanese appetizers, soups, and salads, along with fresh oysters from the raw bar. The interactive experience makes it ideal as a date night destination or for a festive family celebration.
Chris Chamberlainis a contributing editor, food and travel writer, the author of three books on restaurants and breweries — and is a rare unicorn actually born in Nashville.
The Oak Room and Bernadette’s Bring a New Old-School Appeal to Georgetown
“We wanted to design something that made people feel like they were in a different time and place … It’s meant to feel worn and lived in, that it’s been around for 100 years.”
