The Resy Hit List: Where In Charleston You’ll Want to Eat in Jan. 2026
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There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in Charleston: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Charleston Not to Miss This Month
- All of the Lights: Middleton Place debuts its new garden experience Jan. 29, with a visual experience that transforms your stroll the grounds of the historic home of Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Tickets include dinner at Restaurant at Middleton Place as well as access to the gardens before and after dinner. Garden Lights continues through Feb. 16.
- Scoundrel x Wild Common: Star S.C. chefs collaborate at Wild Common on Jan. 29, when Greenville-based Scoundrel chef Joe Cash steps in the kitchen with Wild Common’s Orlando Pagán, months after both were awarded a Michelin star in 2025. Expect a dialed-in, multi-course dinner that reflects both chefs’ focus on seasonality and technical acumen.
- Lata + Stanhope (Again!): Chefs Mike Lata and Jason Stanhope, who both earned James Beard honors during their times at FIG, are back in action together again with a French-inspired Groundhog Day Sunday lunch. Described as a “late-winter déjeuner meant to lift your winter spirits,” both chefs will bring a spirit of celebration with a five-course lunch featuring fresh vegetables, chilled seafood, and more.
- Dry January, Done Right: Trying to get back on track in the new year? Costa dishes a Coastal Reset Lunch lunch on Jan. 17, “designed to make you feel good — light, intentional, and gently restorative.” Expect light crudos and spirit-free cocktails by Costa’s bar team lead, Maddie Pladgeman.
New to the Hit List (Jan. 2026)
Katsubo, La Cave, OK Donna, Sullivan’s Fish Camp, Tutti Pizza.
1. Costa Charleston Harleston Village
In a city swimming with seafood, Costa’s arrival in late 2023 added new flavors and a new vibe, with chef Vinson Petrillo’s take on coastal Italian cuisine. The space, situated in the airy ground floor of the new Jasper building near Colonial Lake on the western edge of the peninsula, sets it apart even as new dining rooms are opening on the regular. Petrillo’s Italian inspirations are on display: fresh dishes like thinly sliced scallop crudo with passionfruit, avocado, and citrus; or toothsome candele pasta with a rich bite of anchovy. You won’t be able to stop yourself from digging into the hearty eggplant Parm or one of the fresh catches — swordfish, grouper, and others are prepped each day. And don’t forget the focaccia, if for no other reason than to sop up the sauce from your entree.
2. Kultura Cannonborough Elliotborough
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 267 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.
3. Bar167 Downtown
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.
4. Vern's Elliotborough
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.
5. FIG Ansonborough
Photo by Lindsey Harris Shorter, courtesy of FIG
In a city full of crowd-pleasing tourist fare, FIG remains an oasis. Having breezed through its 20th anniversary in 2023, chef-owner Mike Lata’s first major restaurant still manages to lure locals downtown, either with a Resy in its modest, comforting dining room or to take a chance at the petite bar that’s always first come, first served. Diners return for seasonal offerings and well-executed specialties like chicken liver pâté and even the fresh catch (grilled triggerfish with mushrooms recently). For Lata, who also opened The Ordinary on King Street more than 10 (!!) years ago, rock-solid preparations remain simple, but creative enough to leave an impression.
Photo by Lindsey Harris Shorter, courtesy of FIG
6. OK Donna Charleston
Charleston’s newest local haunt, opened in December on upper King Street in the North Central neighborhood, brings together a supergroup of restaurant partners and cocktail/culinary creatives. The brainchild of co-owner Megan Hill, bar director Joey Goetz (Bar George, Last Saint); and chefs Mason Morton and James Ostop (Bar George, pop-up Lupara), and Hank Weed, this fits the bill for after-work bites or an evening out. Opening menu highlights include arugula potato chip salad, “ikea meatballs,” and riffs on rustic red sauce favorites. That means mafaldine Stroganoff, spicy pork “spaghettoni,” chicken Milanese, and more. Behind the bar, dirty martinis are finished with Calabrian chile; you’ll also find a yuzu marg and cherry Negronis.
7. Merci Harleston Village
Tucked into a circa-1820s building in the heart of Harleston Village, this 26-seat dining room offers nightly menus like a crowd-favorite steak tartare, pitch-perfect charred cabbage Caesar, squash gratin with crab, and crispy duck ballotine. But the beef Wellington for two is the dish you’ve probably already heard about: a generous tenderloin wrapped in mushroom duxelle and draped in golden-brown pastry, embellished to underscore the craftsmanship of the medium rare beef that reveals itself after a tableside presentation.
8. Annex @ Last Saint East Side
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.
9. Sullivans Fish Camp Sullivan's Island
Chef Jason Stanhope became captain of Sullivan’s Fish Camp just before summer 2025, taking over the popular island spot that nods to workaday seafood outposts tucked along creeks and rivers throughout the Carolinas during the pre-war era. But this is Sullivan’s Island, so things will be stepped up a notch. We’re talking snappy starters like beet carpaccio and clam and fish chowder, perfectly crispy shrimp, or a knockout fish sandwich. Of note, Stanhope earned a James Beard nod for FIG in 2015 and opened Lowland in 2023. Those bona fides add a few flourishes to throwback fish camp. For example, South Carolina-ground corn meal forms the crust of pillowy hushpuppies, fried fish, and shrimp.
10. Bintü Atelier East Side
Chef Bintou N’Daw planned to return to New York City after a year in the kitchen Chez Nous. But finding local menus lacked the flavors of her native Senegal, she decided to stay a while. Traditional Gullah cuisine carries traces of West African influence, but N’Daw’s dishes represent inspired adaptations that make her dishes unique. Yet, Charleston’s African ties proved formative for Bintü Atelier — a common thread. And Bintü remains among our most cherished spots in town for a reason, after all. Dishes like pepper soup come served with chicken, yucca, yams and crawfish in a spicy broth. Tucked off a Line Street sidewalk in Charleston’s East Side, which has its own rich cultural history as a historically Black neighborhood, Bintü is open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday.
Read more about Bintü Atelier here.
11. Chubby Fish Downtown
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.
12. La Cave Cannonborough Elliotborough
Chef Alex Eaton leans on experience and local purveyors as the culinary director for La Cave and its sister restaurant, Felix Cocktails et Cuisine. With comfortable dishes that offer a chance to settle in, La Cave serves up classics and inventive treats, from boeuf en croute to caviar profiteroles. Try new tastes like Provençal Tarvin shrimp, bouillabaisse, or raclette atop short rib burger patties (a Felix import). Or pick a creative riff on a go-to like duck confit gnocchi, filet mignon tartine, or poulet rouge. You know the wine list is lengthy (with plenty of bubbles), and being tied to Félix, the cocktails will be on point — like the Jean de Florette, with vodka, Lillet rose, fig syrup, passion fruit, and lime over crushed ice.
13. The Wedge West Ashley
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.
14. Sorelle King Street
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.
15. Katsubo North Charleston
Nearly perfect crispy chicken and rich, satisfying ramen in one place? Meet this Park Circle arrival. At the latest restaurant creation from chef Joe Nierstedt, who previously operated Kinfolk on Johns Island, patrons will find a selection of ramen noodles, lightly breaded chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken, along with sides and starters with more than enough to fill the table. (Three words: okonomiyaki waffle fries.) The spicy tantanmen ramen arrives rich and creamy, underscored by sesame and topped with chile threads, while the shoyu short rib bowl lands with warm chicken broth pumped up by luxe wagyu tallow. And don’t sleep on the veg options. Curious cocktails like the sakura Negroni blends the Italian classic with cherry blossom (the namesake sakura) and clarified milk to smooth things out.
No reservations. Find more info here.
16. Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place, Presented by Resy Charleston Place Hotel
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.
17. Tutti Pizza Downtown
The guys at Graft Wine Shop teamed up with chef Anthony Guerra of Raleigh’s Oakwood Pizza Box to create an instant neighborhood favorite. The goal: create a casual, low-frills spot where you can get a killer pie while enjoying a fancy Barolo or a cheap domestic beer in an icy mug. (Or, why choose?) Of course, Tutti sets itself apart with distinctive square pizzas, fermented longer and cooked in olive oil. (You can get a knockout round pie as well.) Get creative with additions like sesame seed crust, shallots, Calabrian chiles, pepperoni, and more on the pies. Also: Don’t forget the cannoli.
Find more info here.
18. Sorghum & Salt Cannonborough/Elliotborough
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.
19. Estadio Cannonborough-Elliotborough
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.
20. Leon’s Oyster Shop Downtown
For years, the faithful have started queuing outside on King Street well before opening at 11 a.m. Leon’s has carved out a niche among locals and tourists alike, who flock for hot oysters or super solid fried chicken and a vibe so lived-in that you’d never guess it’s just shy of 10 years old. Can’t show up early? Find your five closest friends and grab a Resy. And don’t be fooled by the rustic environs, there’s plenty to enjoy on the drinks list, from “cheapish wine” on draft to local beers and frozen cocktails.
