The Resy Hit List: Where In Charleston You’ll Want to Eat in Jan. 2026

Chef-owner Nikko Cagalanan has captivated Charleston diners (and James Beard Foundation judges) over the last half-dozen years as a pop-up, then at his first restaurant location on Spring Street, and now in Kultura’s newly outfitted home at 637 Rutledge Ave. Many of chef’s signature Filipino dishes remain — pancit, sisig, lumpia, and more. The new home will expand Kultura’s cocktail program and give the kitchen more latitude to try new things, like Valenciana, Filipino-style paella with pork, shrimp, and peppers. New cocktails include a Tequila-based sour riff on the old fav Yellow Card, as well as the Get Lucky rum daiquiri, with pandan syrup and lime. Can’t get enough? Be on the lookout for Bareo, the next evolution of 73 Spring Street from Nikko with his wife and co-owner Paula Kramer. 

The 167 fam of restaurants (167 Raw, 167 Sushi) gets lots of love, and rightfully so. But some might consider Bar167 the sleeper. Many of the same flavors from the 167 Raw appear around the corner at Bar 167, maybe even a little cheffed up to make it perfect for your next special night out. (And it’s a plus that you can grab a Resy.) Crudo is a must for any table, and the preparation changes regularly; so yes, order it again. Arroz con negro is the paella-adjacent dish you didn’t know you needed. And the sandwiches satisfy every time, from the crab roll to the adobo chicken gyro. Behind the bar, the Mallorca Marg kicks it up a notch.

Even with its national profile, the low-key digs of this Cannonborough-Elliottborough spot don’t immediately telegraph how epic chef-owner Dano Heinze’s menu can be — serving up offerings you didn’t even know you needed in your rotation. Dishes include snails, fresh crudo, a simple-but-rewarding steak, and handmade pastas like gnocchetti. And that classic but inventive approach extends to the wine list, curated by Dano’s wife and business partner, Bethany. What gives? The couple spent time in famed Charleston locales like the now-defunct McCrady’s before a California sojourn that wound them back east to Charleston. That bicoastal experience has helped shape Vern’s well-deserved reputation, and made it a local gem.

First opened in 1946, this is one of the Charleston area’s oldest restaurants, and one where tourists and locals flock year after year. Perched over the marshes between James Island and Folly Beach, this two-story indoor-outdoor space boasts some of the best old-school fried seafood platters and steamed oysters you’ll find anywhere. With cooler months comes the return of wild-harvested local oysters, pulled right out of the creeks nearby. (Don’t forget the Frogmore stew and cold beer.) Plan accordingly, because some of the best sunset views in Charleston are waiting for you off the back deck.

Find more info here.

The experience of stepping into the dining room at 28 Pitt St. will quickly make you forget that you’re just a few blocks from the hustle of downtown’s King Street. Owners Courtney and Michael Zentner tested ideas as The Drifter, and soft-launched their European-inspired menu with the Petit Merci market around the corner on Montagu Street. Their April 2025 opening was a big step in that evolution, answering the call from friends and neighbors who were ready to settle in for more of Michael’s creative iterations of European classics that, in Courtney’s words, he describes as, “an argument between your French and Italian grandmothers.” That means you’ll find ricotta gnudi and crispy duck ballotine alongside fresh snapper crudo spiked with seasonal flavor and focaccia with stracciatella, Benton’s country ham, and pistachios. With just 26 seats inside this designer-outfitted c. 1820s building, be sure to grab a Resy starting seven days in advance.

There’s no menu at the Annex. In fact, you might miss this hidden speakeasy if you didn’t know it was behind the nondescript back door inside Last Saint, the popular Meeting Street cocktail bar. With three booths and six barstools, this is a no-brainer Resy pickup if you’re in the mood for a low-key, not-crowded evening — as long as those evenings are Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Have a chat with the barkeep to tell them what you’re in the mood for, and voila, it will appear before you. Snooze and miss your table in the Annex? You’re in luck, because Last Saint still serves up some of the best cocktails downtown.

It would be hard to walk into this surprisingly luxe dining room, tucked into the unassuming corner of a newly upfitted strip center, and not find something that grabs your attention. Styled as a “modern steakhouse” from the group that brought you Minero and Husk, your options include caviar and Japanese wagyu, lobster, and tomahawk steaks. The raw bar stocks fresh specialties pulled from the seas — like ice-cold shrimp or dressed oysters, ready for the perfect bite. The wine list features selections under the Angel Oak label, sourced from the ownership group’s Argentine vineyards, along with a generous array of wines by the glass. Cocktails lean classy with bits of flair, like I’ll Take Five, described as a “pisco sour with Dave Brubeck.” (And along with several others, it’s available N/A.)

The New York Times really just confirmed what Charlestonians have known for some time when it named Chubby Fish among its 50 best American restaurants. No reservations at this Elliottborough hot spot at the corner of Coming and Bogard streets; visitors instead queue up to enter starting at 5 p.m., choosing to hang nearby or step next door to Seahorse, the team’s newest addition, a teeny cocktail and seafood bar. Inside the main event, diners choose from staples like slider-sized caviar sandwiches, seasonal local seafood delivered daily, and even housemade pastas. This is all to say: You really can’t go wrong with anything plucked from chef-owner James London and chef Carlos Paredes’ menus. Drinks? They’ll bring them to you on the sidewalk while you wait or gladly replenish your A+ chilled selection at the table. 

Find more info here.

The main attraction at this Queen Street mainstay is the Charleston specialty she-crab soup. The rich, creamy bisque originally spiked with female crab meat (hence the name), roe, and sherry, stays true to form, earning itself a place as a cornerstone Lowcountry dish. But the hits don’t stop there: 82 Queen also serves up hearty helpings of spot-on jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and much more. Your dinner dance card is full? Many of the same tastes are available on the lunch menu, plus additional sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Bonus: With a little luck on the weather, 82 Queen’s patio may be one of the best dining rooms in town.

This rock-solid reliable NY deli-inspired food truck unlocked the doors on its anticipated walk-up counter in October. Faithful acolytes know the chicken cutlet sandwiches are the go-to, but you’re not exactly risking it by opting for an Italian cold cut or smash burger — you won’t be disappointed. Simple and straightforward, the Classic stacks the cutlet with fresh mozz, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Spicy Classic adds bacon and spicy mayo. Buffalo chicken swaps in creamy Buffalo sauce. Chopped cheese and meatball Parm sandwiches also check all the boxes. New at the brick-and-mortar? Hot breakfast is served every morning they’re open, Wednesday through Sunday. 

Find more info here.

It’s safe to say Sorelle has settled in on Broad Street, becoming one of its buzziest spots since opening in early 2023. Downstairs, visitors are welcomed into the first-come, first-served bar area; or grab a Resy for your spot in the plush upstairs dining room, with picturesque views of the historic “Four Corners of Law.” The menu is currently executed by chef Nick Dugan. Start with a cocktail like the Sorrento Sun, with mezcal and Luxardo bianco, then move on to antipasti and snacks like burrata di bufala, followed by memorable pasta creations like the “Pillows of Gold” ricotta tortelloni, creamy pasta sprinkled with prosciutto cotto and kissed with balsamic.

A lot has changed in the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood since Sorghum & Salt opened in 2017, and that’s part of the reason owner Tres Jackson made the move from an under-the-radar spot on Coming Street to the prime corner of St. Philip and Cannon streets. But the added space will just let Jackson’s team turn up the volume on what they’ve already been doing well for going on eight years. The well-edited menu offers intentional selections that focus on creative and seasonal preparations. September dishes included butterbean panzanella, blue crab and radishes spiked with fish sauce, and royal red shrimp in kimchi beurre blanc. Grab a Resy to settle into the brand new dining room, or check out the more spacious bar in the new digs.

Chef Daniel Humm kicked off his one-year residency in October, with the famed Eleven Madison Park leader promising to blend high-level creations drawing on Lowcountry foodways. The four-course prix-fixe menu ($135) with a flaky, laminated bread course, includes dessert — a fun baked Alaska with apple ice cream and caramel on a mid-October visit. Diners select courses from offerings that highlight delicate preparations like silky ricotta gnudi, miso cod, and celery root schnitzel (not surprising, given Humm’s sustainability focus in recent years). Excellent wine pairings are available ($95), but don’t miss the cocktail menu for creative options, both boozy and NA.

The team behind Mount Pleasant’s popular Spice Palette ventures downtown with a menu that highlights classic Indian dishes, drawing inspiration from the southern Indian state of Kerala. Delicate marinated signature lamb chops are cooked rare, served with roasted coconut sauce, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Owner Sujith Varghese also highlights coastal South Carolina, with fresh-caught seafood preparations, including tandoori oysters, baked and infused with tandoori-spiced butter. Not convinced? Three words: espresso chai martini.

Originally a worst-kept secret favorite among Park Circle residents, the team behind Prophet Coffee has risen again in downtown’s Eastside neighborhood. Taking over the Jackson Street historic house formerly occupied by Bar Rollins. The offerings may be different behind the bar, with the cafe’s signature coconut cold brew on tap, but the immaculate vibes remain. Seasonal drinks like The Year of Our Gourd, Prophet’s fall latte send-up with pumpkin pie filling, warming spices, and coconut cream are served hot or iced. (Be on the lookout for that holiday menu before too long…) Check the IG for the latest house-baked goods, and see where the Prophet team might be popping up near you. 

Find more info here.

This downtown tapas spot has everything you need if you’re looking for something new. Just a few blocks from King Street, Spanish-inspired specialties flow from the kitchen with Lowcountry flair, like local shrimp, crudo, an Iberian twist on pigs in a blanket, and all the gildas — like a perfectly composed skewer of anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper — we challenge you not to order another round. Securing a Resy is a surefire way to a good time, but the lively courtyard provides the ideal space to enjoy a bev and await your spot. Behind the bar, Spanish vermouth and Sherry tempt curious patrons, whether poured into a citrusy spritz, or served neat.