On the Road

Charleston

Holy City eating and drinking

Since becoming the national media’s Southern food darling, Charleston’s dining scene has grown exponentially, both in style and geography. Yes, South Carolina traditions, like shrimp and grits and barbecue, are still on menus at Charleston restaurants. But so is okonomiyaki, housemade tortillas, and foie gras. The city’s served as the landing for numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and James Beard award winners over the years: FIG, Husk, The Ordinary, Peninsula Grill, and other institutions surround the downtown’s iconic King, Broad, and Market streets. While these establishments still pump out exquisite plates and refined ambiance in downtown, more and more of Charleston's dining scene has gravitated toward cheaper real estate. Smaller, more relaxed joints throughout residential neighborhoods present an entire new guard of eateries. Throughout the upper peninsula’s warehouse district and in the residential neighborhoods across the bridges in Mount Pleasant and the islands, a hotbed of food and drink awaits in the greater Charleston area, along with flavors from the Lowcountry to Portugal, Vietnam to the Caribbean.

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Aperitivo spread of small plates at Babas on Meeting
Culinary Class

How To Host an Aperitivo Hour | Video

Babas on cannon and meeting guides us through hosting an aperitivo hour for a quick bite and a refreshing cocktail to close out the workweek.

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The Riff

The Riff: Corn n’ Oil | Video

Christian Favier, bar manager at The Ordinary in Charleston, shares his riff on the traditional Caribbean rum cocktail, the Corn n’ Oil.

A dynamic crispy bird at Lowland in Charleston
First Look

A First Look at Lowland Tavern

Jason Stanhope gives an intimate tour of the menu at his new concept, Lowland Tavern, and his inspiration behind its celebratory tavern dishes.

DINING OUT
At the Table

Charleston’s Kitschy Sichuan Spot

Charleston is eating up Tina and David Schuttenberg’s brand of Sichuan at their kitschy hot spot Kwei Fei.

First Look

First Look at Brasserie La Banque

Charleston's new French Brasserie brings comforting classics and distinctive standouts to its historic Broad Street neighborhood.

First Look

A First Look at Vern’s Menu

A sunny corner front in Charleston’s ever-growing Elliotborough neighborhood has new life breathed into it with the opening of Vern's.

In the Field

Man Behind Charleston’s Lively Tapería

Max Kuller brought DC's favorite tapería Estadio to Charleston’s Cannonborough/Elliotborough neighborhood last fall.

First Look

First Look at Minero’s Mexican Menu

Charleston's favorite gourmand burrito spot Minero has found a new home on Johns Island. Chef Shamil Velazquez shared his process in creating the new menu.

In the Field

Quick Bites from Basic Projects

Getting back to basics with Charleston design couple Ben and Kate Towill.

CITY GUIDES
On the Road

Columbia

In Columbia, old stalwarts dish out gourmet plates while a new guard of eclectic eateries have sprung up in the farthest reaches of the city.

Bluffton City Guide Feat
Partnered
On the Road

Bluffton

Welcome to Bluffton, South Carolina, where the locals are friendly, the food is fresh, and the history is rich.

On the Road

Savannah

While Savannah has long been steeped in history, a new generation of chefs and makers have breathed new life into the city.