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.
2 spots
Mother and son Kiki and Hudson Luthringshausen opened Luther's Market in June 2026 after running a food trailer around the Lowcountry. Shoppers can watch Hudson roll fusilli and fettuccine while they pick up sauces, sandwiches, salads, local meats and pastries from Grit Bakery. The Post and Courier says private pasta-making classes for four to eight people are planned.
Malagón opened in 2019 as a neighborhood market and tapería from chef Juan Cassalett, his wife chef Jill Mathias, and Patrick and Fanny Panella, the same partners behind Chez Nous a block and a half away. The Post and Courier says it took over a former gourmet sandwich shop. Cassalett cooked at FIG and Xiao Bao Biscuit before this, per Charleston Wine + Food. The market side imports Spanish wine, canned seafood, cheese and charcuterie, and the wine and beer list is Spanish only. It earned One MICHELIN Star in the inaugural American South guide on 3 November 2025.
The same over 50 spots, sorted by the reasons people actually pick them.
Recommendations from real Charlestonians, always attributed to whoever wrote them.
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