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.
9 spots
Far up Meeting Street, well past where visitors stop. City Paper's Charleston Classics list says to head up Meeting Street until you see a two-story robin's egg blue building with purple trim and a line out the door, then shuffle through the cafeteria-style counter for fried pork chops, limas with smoked turkey necks, dark roux okra soup, cornbread and fried chicken. The Post and Courier (14 January 2026) says Albertha Grant's legacy lives on here, that the kitchen is just over the North Charleston border in the Neck, and that the James Beard Foundation named it an America's Classic in 2017.
The brewery and taproom of the Edmund's Oast group. The Post and Courier calls the kids menu reliably good ... cheeseburgers and chicken fingers ... and describes a huge courtyard where children can run around, with easy parking. It also notes the area around the brewery is under renovation through late 2026 while the taproom stays open. Dogs are welcome outside only.
LO-Fi is a small brewery on upper Meeting Street Road that also hosts shows, sold through Eventbrite. It was the Locally Brewed Lager runner-up in City Paper's 2026 readers' poll.
Dave and Chrissy Lorenz of Epic Hospitality, who also own Islander 71 and Mex 1 Coastal Cantina, opened Lou Lou's Tavern on the Tracks in May 2026 at The Refinery, in the space where Cleats used to be. The Post and Courier describes approachable small plates such as Aleppo pepper wings, harissa-glazed shrimp and Spanish croquettes, with a patio that looks onto the amphitheater. Weekends bring brunch.
Munkle brews Belgian and German style beers on Meeting Street Road in the Neck brewery district. Explore Charleston quotes its motto as hospitality, fun and great beer.
John Lewis's West Texas and El Paso inspired room, a short walk from Edmund's Oast Brewing Co. Explore Charleston points to the 'Los Ninos' menu of corn dogs and cheese quesadillas, strawberry limonada for children, and an astroturf lawn right outside for them to play on.
Santi's is the Mexican restaurant up Meeting Street Road on the Neck, with a second room at 1471 Ben Sawyer Blvd in Mount Pleasant. City Paper readers voted it Best Mexican Restaurant and Best Margarita in 2026. On r/Charleston it is called the local favorite, though not everyone agrees it is the best.
Chefs Kazu Murakami and Chris Schoedler run Sushi-Wa as an omakase counter serving Edomae-style sushi. Parties are capped at four guests and a 75 dollar per guest fee applies to cancellations inside 24 hours. Beer and sake are sold, and wine may be brought for a 35 dollar corkage, two bottles at most.
The Refinery is an outdoor amphitheater and events venue on upper Meeting Street in the Neck.
This is a music venue. It is loud when a show is on.
The same over 50 spots, sorted by the reasons people actually pick them.
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