167 Raw moved from a tiny room at 289 East Bay Street, now 167 Sushi Bar, to a long narrow 19th century building on King Street with original brick walls and a walnut bar. It takes no reservations. City Paper readers voted it Best Oysters and Best Raw Bar in 2026, and on r/Charleston the tuna burger is the dish people name.
167 Sushi Bar is the sushi and yakitori room from the 167 Raw group, in the East Bay Street storefront where 167 Raw itself began before moving to King Street.
39 Rue de Jean is a French cafe, brasserie and bar on John Street just off Upper King, with exposed brick, a patio and a private room upstairs. Explore Charleston reported in spring 2026 that it was marking its 25th anniversary with themed wine dinners and expanded lunch. It belongs to Holy City Hospitality, a Charleston group, and City Paper readers voted it Best French in 2026.
82 Queen is the Lowcountry restaurant on Queen Street that City Paper readers voted Best She-Crab Soup in 2026. The top answer in a r/Charleston she-crab soup thread agrees. Opinion on the rest is split: it is offered as the most Charleston restaurant in one thread, and in the same thread a commenter says it is not as good as its reputation.
BellyUp! Charleston / Over 50
Good places to eat and drink in Charleston, minus the nightclubs. When a spot gets loud later or draws a lot of kids, the card tells you.
6 spots
The Post and Courier's alphabet guide gives it the letter A and calls it one of the oldest of the city's dives, 37 years old when the guide ran. After a fire burned its original location it moved to 467 King Street in 2000, ahead of the redevelopment that became the Upper King nightlife district. The paper notes pool tables, affordable drinks, and that it is one of few downtown places serving food after midnight ... a dozen burgers, cheesesteaks, loaded fries and nachos.
Go early. It turns into a late-night spot later in the evening.
Bert's motto is 'We May Doze, But We Never Close'. It is open 24 hours every day of the year and calls itself the only grocery store on Folly proper, serving the island for more than two decades. Inside are a deli called The Wooden Spoon, a grill, breakfast before 11, and a hot bar with 75 cent hot dogs. City Paper readers made it runner-up for Best Hot Dogs in 2026.
Open late. Go earlier if you want a calmer room.
Chico Feo was founded in 2013 and calls itself a permanent fixture of Folly Beach that is always evolving. The site carries a surf report next to the menu and a calendar of music. City Paper readers voted it Best Folly Beach Restaurant, Best Folly Beach Bar and Best Folly Beach Happy Hour in 2026, and it is the first taco answer from the beach on r/Charleston.
This is a music venue. It is loud when a show is on.
Dunleavy's has been a pub on Middle Street since 1992. The site says it was founded by Patti and Bill and is now run by Bill and Jamie, and calls itself part of an endangered species, the family-owned and operated business.
Open late. Go earlier if you want a calmer room.
A West Ashley neighborhood bar that City Paper says has been operating in Avondale since 1952. In June 2026 the paper listed its blue plate specials at $9.95 ... country fried steak or pot roast with two sides and a soft drink or iced tea, weekdays 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open late. Go earlier if you want a calmer room.
Planet Follywood says: 'Since 2004 we're a family owned island staple for good times, great food and southern hospitality.' Breakfast is served Friday to Sunday mornings, burgers and daily specials after that, with late night snacks and live music until 2am.
Open late. Go earlier if you want a calmer room.
The same over 50 spots, sorted by the reasons people actually pick them.
Recommendations from real Charlestonians, always attributed to whoever wrote them.
Nobody’s shared a over 50 recommendation yet. Be the first.
Every Charleston spot here already has a free profile going, put together from what you publish publicly. If we have you filed wrong, or we are missing what you most want to be known for, tell us.
