Charleston Restaurants

Southern cooking has a reputation for being tasty and filling, with subtle influences from the colonialists, who once ruled the town, as well as African influences from the slave population, which once thrived here. The choice of restaurants is impressive, with elegant historical buildings boasting terraces, gardens and balconies, where you can dine in an upbeat environment.

International and ethnic cuisine can be easily found, while there are also plenty of smaller outlets such as the coffee bars that line Market and King Streets. Traditional Southern cooking can also be sought out, with favourites such as Southern breakfasts, featuring country ham, grits, hot sauce and beef hash, and spicy fried chicken found on most menus.

Local cuisine

Traditional Southern cooking has moved on, with some of the more traditional dishes being hard to come by these days, while other favourite recipes have been adapted to appeal to the masses. With dishes often accompanied by traditional corn bread, expect to come across fried chicken, barbeques and rice dishes, with Hoppin’ John being made with Charleston red rice, black-eyed peas and salt pork. For dessert, try the famous pecan pie, a deliciously sweet tart made with pecan nuts.

The city’s proximity to the ocean ensures a constant supply of fresh seafood, with baked oysters, grouper and tuna featuring on some menus, along with crab, catfish and shrimp. The riverfront areas around The Battery and Waterfront Park have some nice options for seafood-lovers.

If fishy delights aren’t to your taste, try: one of the city’s French bistros, where you can indulge in fondue; Low Country cooking, with brunch being a must-eat along with fried chicken; nouvelle Southern cooking, featuring old favourites infused with new flavours and ingredients. Sunday barbeques are also offered at some establishments and are usually good value for money.