In Charleston, Innovative Chefs Elevate Lowcountry Cooking to Astonishing Heights
From imaginative twists on classics to flavors drawn from unexpected far-flung locales, dishes at these exciting new restaurants alone make the visit more than worthwhile
When it comes to planning a visit to Charleston, many people book their restaurant reservations before even thinking about where to stay. That’s how cuisine-focused the culture is—and for a long time, there was a short list of hot spots that ruled the scene, including beloved food meccas FIG and Husk, known for giving Southern cooking serious consideration over the past 20 years. Now there’s a culinary renaissance underway, with talented young chefs, many of whom got their start in or found inspiration from those pioneering kitchens, pushing the local scene in new directions and putting their own delicious stamp on Lowcountry fare. From imaginative twists on classics to flavors drawn from unexpected far-flung locales, dishes at these restaurants alone make the visit more than worthwhile.
1. Lowland
Across from the Pinch Hotel, Lowland offers a low-key, convivial atmosphere inside the circa-1834 Lequeux-Williams House. The welcoming tavern decor, complete with traditional wallpaper and original mantelpieces, creates a warm, inviting setting, and when coupled with the approachable yet unique menu, it’s clear why so many locals have become devoted regulars. Dishes not to miss include the buttermilk-brined, fried quail, which is just as crispy and rich as it sounds, as well as a Carolina shrimp cocktail with Cognac sauce and a simple yet unforgettable celery salad.
2. Sorelle
Opened in 2023 in a historic bank building on Broad Street, Sorelle is a modern Southern Italian restaurant from chef Nick Dugan. The design, conceived by the firm Meyer Davis, is elegant yet friendly, with thoughtful details, such as an eye-popping curvy marble bar and leather banquettes. The menu features house-made pasta indulgences, including the must-order “Pillows of Gold” ricotta tortellini, as well as ingenious takes on favorites like an oven-roasted branzino puttanesca. Those wishing to savor it all can indulge in the “Centro Tavola” option, with a multitude of courses served family style, all the better to pair with the extensive wine list, which boasts over 300 bottles.
3. 167 Raw
While there are plenty of places to get seafood in Charleston, 167 RAW is the only one where foodies can find a pastrami’d swordfish sandwich as well as a scallop po’boy. As the name implies, a plethora of raw bar favorites come across its marble counter. Although it may seem geographically out of place, there’s also a perfect lobster roll, which is a nod to its beloved sister venue on Nantucket, and another surprise hit: the carnitas tacos. With its central downtown location, it is the perfect spot to stop for lunch while exploring the shops on King Street.
4. Chubby Fish
Since it opened in 2018, epicureans have patiently been waiting in line for a chance to eat at chef James London’s 40-seat Chubby Fish. Now those hoping to claim a table at the no-reservations restaurant can comfortably pass the time at his neighboring cocktail bar, Seahorse, which opened in early 2025. But no matter how precisely crafted the drinks are, the main event still happens next door, where the dock-to-table menu offers the freshest seafood imaginable. While the ever-rotating entrées change from day to day, local whole fish of some variety is always a winning option. Not to be overlooked, however, are perennial favorites like grilled oysters with crab fat curry and tater rolls laden with caviar.
5. Linnette’s
About 40 minutes from downtown Charleston, on Johns Island, The Dunlin, an Auberge resort, is an oasis of wetlands beauty and astonishing cuisine. The enchanting, cheery decor by designer Amanda Lindroth welcomes guests with plenty of mint green gingham, wicker, and whimsical avian touches, although nothing beats the sweeping views of the marshes from Linnette’s second-story perch. Perhaps the most important thing to know about Linnette’s is diners must go early. Otherwise, the restaurant will inevitably run out of its signature buttermilk-fried whole chicken with cheddar-thyme biscuits. But even if it does, there are so many other standout dishes to choose from, including the daily hamachi crudo preparation, fried oysters with caviar, brown butter crab rice, and the Sea Island red peas and greens.
6. Lost Isle
Also on Johns Island, Lost Isle operates under the distinct proposition of being an entirely open-air restaurant. There, simple tables are set up on a casual gravel patio to allow guests an up-close look at the open-fire grills where dinner is prepared over white oak. Chef Josh Taylor hails from north Georgia, so he knows his way around Lowcountry mainstays like collards and grits, but reinterprets them through a global array of unconventional flavors. The bold menu commands attention with dishes like miso–butter bean hummus, curry braised collard greens, and harissa cauliflower steak—not to mention the scene-stealing tomahawk pork chop, which is rendered unforgettable with an ancho-cherry glaze.