THE SOUTH
Michelin-Worthy Restaurants in Charleston, a City That Doesn’t Miss
The Obstinate Daughter
By Eric Barton | April 8, 2025
If you’ve spent enough time eating through Charleston restaurants, you’d be mistaken for assuming the city already occupies pages upon pages in the Michelin Guide. This is a city that treats its chefs like royalty, where good restaurants are landmarks, and where dining trends begin. But the Michelin guide? Not yet.
The guide announced recently that it’s expanding to the American South, likely to include several Charleston restaurants when the winners are announced later this year. In the meantime, we’ve put together a list of the Charleston restaurants deserving of the honor.
As a game plan for the Michelin inspectors, or just to help you plan your next meal, here then are the Charleston restaurants well-deserving of a Michelin star.
Bintü Atelier
8 Line St | Website | Instagram
Inside a small house in North Central, chef Bintou N’Daw serves Senegalese-inspired dishes in a space that feels more like a salon than a restaurant. Her yassa poulet and mafé arrive with stories, not just sauces, and the warm hospitality might convince you to linger long after dessert. Reservations are rare and worth it.
Brasserie la Banque
1 Broad St | Website | Instagram
Occupying a historic 1853 bank building, Brasserie la Banque channels Parisian charm into downtown Charleston. Spearheaded by Indigo Road Hospitality Group's Steve Palmer and Executive Chef Jeb Aldrich, the restaurant offers French classics like steak frites drizzled with a house-made sauce enriched with foie gras. The ambiance strikes a balance between elegance and approachability, inviting diners for anything from a leisurely lunch to late-night bites in the cozy basement bar.
Chez Nous
6 Payne Ct | Website | Instagram
There’s no sign out front, and the menu is handwritten daily in French and Spanish. Chez Nous, in a quiet corner of Cannonborough, is a whisper of a restaurant from chef Jill Mathias. Expect two appetizers, two mains, two desserts—like duck confit over lentils or chocolate pot de crème—and no substitutions, which somehow feels like a luxury.
Chubby Fish
252 Coming St | Website | Instagram
Located in the East Side neighborhood, Chubby Fish is a haven for seafood enthusiasts. Chef James London partners with local fishermen to present a daily-changing menu that highlights the freshest catches, such as triggerfish crudo and blue crab tagliatelle. The casual, no-reservations policy adds to its laid-back charm.
Circa 1886
149 Wentworth St | Website | Instagram
Tucked behind the historic Wentworth Mansion, Circa 1886 offers a refined dining experience that pays homage to Charleston's rich history. Chef Marc Collins presents a menu that reimagines Southern classics with global influences, set within the elegant confines of a restored carriage house. The restaurant's accolades and romantic ambiance make it a destination for special occasions.
Costa
320 Broad St | Website | Instagram
In the Cannonborough-Elliotborough area, Costa is chef Vinson Petrillo’s ode to coastal Italian fare with a Charleston accent. Petrillo, of Zero George fame, brings Michelin-starred polish to dishes like saffron bucatini with blue crab or silky tuna carpaccio. The room is swank without being smug, with a long marble bar that practically dares you not to order a negroni.
Fig
232 Meeting St | Website | Instagram
Short for "Food Is Good," Fig has become synonymous with elevated Southern cuisine in Charleston's Cannonborough neighborhood. Under the guidance of Chef Mike Lata, a James Beard Award winner, the restaurant offers a menu that evolves with the seasons, showcasing dishes like ricotta gnocchi with lamb Bolognese. The understated elegance and impeccable service make Fig a perennial favorite.
The Grocery
4 Cannon St | Website | Instagram
The Grocery plays with Southern staples without fuss. Chef Kevin Johnson, a former Beard semifinalist, built a menu around pickling, preserving, and wood-roasting, long before it was cool. It feels neighborly in the way of an actual grocery—minus the fluorescent lighting and Muzak.
King BBQ
2029 Carver Ave | Website | Instagram
What happens when you take a Carolina pitmaster and hand him a wok? You get King BBQ, an ambitious mashup of Eastern NC barbecue and Cantonese techniques from chefs Shuai Wang and Corrie Wang. Located in North Charleston, King BBQ is where burnt ends get lacquered in hoisin, and the housemade char siu may ruin you for all others.
Kultura
73 Spring St | Website | Instagram
In the Cannonborough-Elliotborough district, Kultura offers a contemporary exploration of Filipino cuisine. Chef Nikko Cagalanan crafts dishes that honor his heritage, such as adobo and sinigang, presented with modern sensibilities. The intimate setting and heartfelt cooking provide a unique dining experience in Charleston.
Lowland
36 George St | Website | Instagram
Part of the luxury boutique hotel The Pinch, Lowland reimagines classic tavern fare, featuring dishes like crispy quail paired with a delicate toum dipping sauce and a standout celery salad with dates, walnuts, mint, and aged cheddar. The ambiance combines rustic charm with modern touches, just the kind of place Michelin inspectors like to award with stars.
Maison
708 King St | Website | Instagram
In Charleston's North Central neighborhood, Maison delivers a spirited take on French bistro fare. Chef Vandy Vanderwarker, formerly of The Ordinary, presents dishes that balance classic techniques with modern flair. The lively ambiance and thoughtfully curated wine list make it a go-to spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Merci
17 Montagu St | Website | Instagram
Merci may be new, but it already feels like a downtown fixture. Chef Michael Zentner and his wife Courtney, who also own The Drifter, apply classical French techniques that shows in dishes like slow-roasted chicken with escarole. The interior is soft-lit and polished, with banquettes that encourage lingering over a second glass of Bordeaux.
The Obstinate Daughter
2063 Middle St | Website | Instagram
Sullivan’s Island doesn’t beg for attention, and neither does this second-story stunner with its nautical brickwork and reclaimed wood floors. Chef Jacques Larson leans into the Lowcountry larder—think housemade pastas with Geechie Boy grits and local shrimp. It’s the rare place where a pizza with pickled lemon can hold its own against an heirloom tomato salad.
The Ordinary
544 King St | Website | Instagram
Located in a former bank on Upper King, The Ordinary is chef Mike Lata’s seafood temple—and a James Beard semifinalist many times over. Raw bar towers and razor clams in brown butter serve as a reminder of what makes this place special. The high ceilings and pressed-tin details give it a Gatsby-era sparkle.
Pink Bellies
595 King St | Website | Instagram
What began as a food truck has blossomed into a vibrant brick-and-mortar on Charleston's King Street. Chef Thai Phi channels his Vietnamese heritage into playful dishes like garlic noodles and beef pho. The energetic setting and bold flavors have quickly made Pink Bellies a beloved spot among locals and visitors alike.
Slightly North of Broad (SNOB)
192 E Bay St | Website | Instagram
A stalwart in the French Quarter, SNOB offers an upscale take on Lowcountry cuisine. The menu highlights regional ingredients in dishes like shrimp and grits and pan-seared duck breast. The warm, inviting atmosphere and consistent quality have solidified its status as a Charleston classic.
Sorelle
88 Broad St | Website | Instagram
A stately Italian newcomer on Broad Street, Sorelle feels like it was built for long lunches and even longer pours of Barolo. A collaboration between Beemok Hospitality Collection and chef Michael Mina's MINA Group, the restaurant combines Southern ingredients with Northern Italian technique. The pasta room, visible behind glass, is oddly hypnotic.
Vern’s
41 Bogard St | Website | Instagram
Tucked into Elliotborough, Vern’s feels like a European café got a Southern education. Chef Daniel “Dano” Heinze and his wife/beverage director Bethany Heinze—both Chez Panisse alums—serve a menu that shifts with the markets, but don’t miss the crudo or the impossibly tender beef tongue. The room is casual but thoughtful, like your most stylish friend who always manages to wear linen without looking wrinkled. In all, it has everything Michelin inspectors seem to value: a creative chef, a well-sourced wine list, and a dining room that makes everybody feel not just important but like they’ve arrived home.
Wild Olive
2867 Maybank Hwy | Website | Instagram
On Johns Island, Wild Olive has been serving rustic Italian long before the Charleston food boom made it fashionable. Chef Jacques Larson (again) focuses on house-cured meats and pastas, with a wine list that’s as serious as the cheese board. It’s the kind of place locals whisper about, then immediately regret sharing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Barton is editor of The Adventurist and a freelance journalist. He splits his time between Asheville and Miami, meaning he’s often using the drive as an excuse to pop in on Charleston, which, in Eric’s opinion, is one of this country’s best restaurant cities. Email him here.
