Charleston, a city known for its food and beverage scene, has some of the best restaurants in the world, whether that’s authentic Texas barbecue or fine French dining. I’m going to share with you my personal favorites in the Charleston area. These definitely won’t be budget-friendly or have an exact order or category. But if you haven’t tried these places out yet, be sure to give them a try.

Lewis’s BBQ

Lewis features every type of meat you could dream of. My favorite is their brisket, which is truly unrivaled in the rest of Charleston. The brisket will melt in your mouth as it’s cooked to perfection. Their sides are also top-tier; however, I do think that Hometeam’s sides sweep all of Charleston when it comes to extras. But the Swig n’ Swine Mac n cheese is to die for.

167 Raw

167 Raw might be one of the most Charlestonian restaurants in town. It features mainly seafood options, so if you’re not a fan, you should pass on this one. My personal favorite is the Lobster Poboy. The richness of the lobster with the buttery roll, along with the spiciness of the sauce, makes it a great sandwich. However, 167 Raw doesn’t do reservations, so if you don’t get there early enough, you could be waiting for hours.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

I personally believe this place isn’t talked about enough. Last year, I was recommended to try the Chef’s menu. This is something that they don’t advertise, but you can call to reserve your seat. It’s 75 dollars per person, but you get six to seven courses handmade by the head chef that aren’t on the menu and are purely the chef’s creation, using his creativity to make the best courses that the restaurant has in season. This is the best option if you’re open to trying new foods, because you can’t really choose. It opened me up to trying different types of salads instead of just the traditional lettuce or kale.

Hall’s Chophouse

Opening in 2009, Hall’s has quickly become a classic in the Charleston scene. It’s hard to talk about restaurants in Charleston without someone mentioning Hall’s at least once. However, this reputation is for good reason. They have some of the finest steaks in the world, with some of the best chefs cooking them to perfection every time. And you can’t forget the sides, my personal favorite being the corn skillet. But Hall’s can definitely be very pricy.

Chubby Fish 

I personally have not tried this restaurant yet; however, every time I drive by, I can see a line out the door and around the block of people just trying to get a seat. Part of the appeal of this place is the fact that the owner goes and buys fresh ingredients every day and then curates his menu around them. This ensures that every time you go, you get a brand new experience. This place also doesn’t do reservations, so unfortunately, it is very hard to get a table.