The Marina Variety Store remains a down home charmer. Slide into a booth, order a cup of coffee or a drink and take in the scenic views of the Ashley River and city marina where boats of all shapes and sizes bobble on the gentle waves. This no frills spot has been a local favorite since 1963. Serving up yummy seafood-focused...

Part of the Sustainable Seafood Initiative, this eclectic, don’t worry about what you’re wearing seafood restaurant is just down-home seafood tasty. Have a seat inside by the window to people watch on one of Charleston’s busiest streets or grab a chair on the patio. A late lunch or dinner will certainly satisfy but it’s the happy hour here that’s wow...

A retail seafood market greets you as you enter this expansive, brick-walled restaurant at one of Charleston’s most historic landmarks, The Cigar Factory. The vibe is trendy, modern and upscale. The free standing walls of wine, rustic dining room and vast 40-seat copper-topped horseshoe raw bar offer a casual and eclectic setting. Think about an after work drink, a comfortable...

Enter the Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar on busy East Bay Street and the first thing you’ll notice is the enormous chandeliers. They’re very cleverly designed and run the length of the restaurant. A rotund black iron frame, fitted with a covering of curved oyster shells, spill soft light from between the pearly casings. The brick walls, dark wood...

This always crowded, out of the way gem is tiny, casual and oozing with some of the best seafood in town. Locals flock here and the vibe is down-to-earth awesome. Sorry, no reservations taken but don’t let that discourage you! So, you might have to wait on the curb, or put your name on a list and roam this charming...

This seafood spot is hip, historic and worth the money. It can be a bit noisy, especially during happy hour but you can always ask for a table upstairs and towards the back. The building was a bank in the 1920’s, and the renovations and preservation are absolutely grand. Enormous windows, soaring ceilings and a sweeping wood staircase all exude...

You can’t get much more southern than this sweet gem. Nestled on a charming street in Charleston’s FRENCH QUARTER,  this quaint 1888 Victorian house with its oh so welcoming porches will give you visions of sweet tea, mint juleps, seersucker and everything else wonderfully southern. Relax on the downstairs or upstair porch or settle into one of the lovely, step...

You’ll feel quite fancy-southern in this lush, enclosed, floor to ceiling windowed garden courtyard setting. Billowy white table cloths, rows of ceiling fans and rich mahogany furniture add to the inviting elegance of one of Charleston’s loveliest settings.   Enjoy the best of American Lowcountry cuisine for breakfast or lunch and an amazing weekend buffet.  Located inside the very upscale BELMOND...

The Darling Oyster Bar is a gorgeously designed restaurant housed in a 115-year-old former storefront. With brick walls, floor to ceiling windows and aqua leather booths and bar stools, the place oozes upscale. There is a 14-seat raw bar by the large front window and an additional dining area in the back. The bar is well stocked and offers some...

You can’t miss Martha Lou’s. It’s the bright pink building with the smiling face! Don’t be put off by the pitted gravel driveway or the rusty chairs lining the front of the building. This is soul food as it should be. Nothing fancy here. But heck, you can find Charleston fancy throughout the city. Yes, Charleston is food heaven but...

Hannibal’s parking lot is tiny and it’s always full! This place may not look like much but the food is definitely full of soul and you won’t go away hungry. You may want to Uber or take a cab but if you like to walk then start moving those feet! There’s no air conditioning and the booths and tables are...

The Workmen’s Cafe is simply, delicious down home eating. You’ll feel like your mamma just made a yummy meal. Fried chicken, yes sir! Collards, lima beans, Mac and cheese, fresh fish, crispy  fried shrimp and red rice. Do I need to say more?  The menu changes a bit each day, but you’ll always be happy with what’s served up.  Everything...

My Three Sons soul food is family friendly. The walls are purple; gospel music blares from the speakers and the food is downright soulful. This spot is easy to miss and out of the way. It’s tucked in a little, run down strip mall by the railroad tracks. Half the building is bright purple so you will see it driving...

Gillie’s Soul Food is just what you’re looking for. Comfort food, southern food and oh so good for the soul food. Have those pork chops or down home chicken livers and fried okra on the small outside deck. Of course the inside is spacious, friendly and comfy too. Oh, and check out the walls. Grandmothers! That’s right. This spot is...

Berth’s Kitchen is no frills serious Charleston soul food. Walk up to the counter in this tiny spot, and pick your choices. From Mac and cheese that drips with deliciousness to fried chicken that will have you sighing. The corn bread is just sweet enough, the collards perfect, the lima beans heavenly and oh so much more. No matter what...

Nana’s Seafood and Soul is tiny. Two tables for three and one table for four. That’s it. There are some chairs against the wall if you have to wait, but that’s rare. This is a neighborhood place where most people are here for the take-out. So have a seat and get ready for some of the best seafood and soul...

You’ll have to Uber or drive to Nigel’s Soul Food Kitchen. Don’t let that stop you. This yummy bit of soul food heaven will have you smiling and planning your next visit. Is it the best fried chicken you’ve ever tasted? It’s hard to beat. Are the collards and fried cabbage everything you dreamed of? Definitely. Everything on the menu...

Jestine’s Kitchen on Meeting street is definitely Southern food with lots of soul. This sweet spot right in the heart of Charleston has been serving up family recipes in a warm, down home atmosphere for years. Don’t be put off by the line you see snaking around the block. Jestine’s does not take reservations, and lunch time is usually the...