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
Explore Charleston describes the aim as seasonal, local produce cooked to be nourishing, with a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes and a staff trained to guide guests through allergens. There is a dedicated kids menu ... almond butter and jelly, veggie sticks, fruit bowls.
Circa 1886 is in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion, built in 1886. Executive Chef Marc Collins has led the kitchen since 2001 and the room offers two six-course tasting menus beside an a la carte list. Executive Pastry Chef Ashley Cardona was named Pastry Chef of the Year at Stars of the Industry 2025. The Garden Room seats 8 to 12 for private dinners. Owned by Charming Inns.
Costa is a coastal Italian restaurant on the ground floor of The Jasper at the west end of Broad Street. It is part of Easton Porter Group, which also owns Zero George. Dinner only, Tuesday through Sunday.
Fin & Crab is the upstairs restaurant at the City Marina that was the Marina Variety Store, a breakfast spot started in the 1960s by 'Big Mike' Altine. Cindy and James Capps, who own Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill in Southport, North Carolina, bought it in November 2025 and reopened on 23 January 2026. Much of the staff stayed, including longtime cook Earl Felder, whose pancakes are still on the menu. Booths were swapped for tables to open the water views. Salty Mike's, the dive bar downstairs, reopened the same day.
Le Farfalle is Chef Michael Toscano's Italian restaurant on Beaufain Street, a block off King. The venue describes a modern approach to authentic Italian cooking. The patio and bar stools are kept for walk-ins. Dinner only.
Merci calls itself the little bistro on the corner of Pitt and Montagu, deep in residential Harleston Village. It serves dinner four nights a week. Next door at 17 Montagu, Petit Merci opens by booking only.
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