Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Charleston

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Charleston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Maison

4.9

4.9 (1717)

$31 to $50

French

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Maison is a French Bistro located in downtown Charleston, SC. Our concept is food forward with bright, balanced beverages to compliment. Maison's cuisine is inspired by classic French fare recreated with a breath of modernity and local influence. Tradition meets au courant innovation. The space is intimate and paralleled with energy.

Top review

Nick & TraceyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a wonderful evening at Maison! We had a very hard time deciding what to chose for appetizers and entrees! With some guidance by Nate, we made some great choices and enjoyed our meals immensely! My husband LOVES Foie Gras paired with a good Sauterne and went with the appetizer. He wished he got more on his plate though, it was that GOOD! Nate gave us plenty of time to savor every morsel but attentive! Reminds us of wonderful times in Paris with the decor and gentle music playing.

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Experience

Happy Hour at Maison

Nick’s German Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (1388)

$31 to $50

Contemporary German

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Featuring scratch-made German specialties like Schnitzel, Spaetzle and more, Nick’s German Kitchen offers an authentic German kitchen infused with a modern vibe. Flavorful, fresh and appealing, Nick’s German will make you rethink everything you think you know about German food! Guten Appetit!

Top review

Teresa

Dined 6 days ago

Great restaurant, staff to0 notch, delicious food. My favorite restaurant when I am here in SC.

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4.9

4.9 (50)

$30 and under

Chinese

North Charleston

About the restaurant

Jackrabbit Filly proudly serves award-winning, heritage driven New Chinese American cuisine in the heart of Park Circle, North Charleston. Our ingredients support local farmers and fishermen. Our wines are all-natural and support women producers. And our cocktail list supports a good time. We can't wait to have you in!

Top review

Kimberly

Dined 6 days ago

The most wonderful and tasteful experience I’ve ever had went to celebrate my boyfriends birthday and will definitely be back ♥️

La Rustica

4.8

4.8 (90)

$30 and under

American

Summerville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Sandra

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Everything was wonderful. All my guests loved their meals. Waiter “Sam” was friendly, answering all our questions. We were given plenty to enjoy our meal as well as socialize. We will do it again!

Bar Copa

4.8

4.8 (23)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Johns Island

About the restaurant

From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the charming villages of Provence, we observed a common thread—people eating & drinking with purpose & intention. It was the beautifully orchestrated symphony of flavors & traditions that inspired us on a deep level.

The ritual of enjoying low ABV bitter aperitifs during "happy hour," savoring wine with dinner, & indulging in digestivos to conclude a meal—all done with a sense of appreciation & respect for the ingredients & flavors of each region.

These experiences laid the foundation for Bar Copa—a place where we celebrate the Mediterranean way of life through simple, ingredient-driven dishes & a curated selection of low ABV aperitifs, wines, craft cocktails, & beers. Join us on this journey as we bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

Cheers to good food, great company, & of course, a full Copa!

Top review

Michael

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Great food, wine, and cocktails at a reasonable price. Our service was a little slow but not too bad. The place is very noisy especially on the weekend when it is very busy.

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (3364)

$30 and under

American

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

***OUR PATIO IS NOW "OPEN AIR" AND, THEREFORE A WEATHER-PERMITTING DINING AREA***

Located just over the bridge from Isle of Palms, within The Shoppes at Seaside Farms, Crave proudly serves superb dining and classic cocktails to Mount Pleasant residents & low-country visitors.

We are proud members of Fresh On The Menu, a certified SC grown initiative with a heavy focus on locally-produced products. Our Chef is extremely sensitive to dietary restrictions and sensitivities, resulting in over 20% of our menu being able to accommodate guest allergies and food sensitivities.

Top review

Dined 1 day ago

Never a bad meal here! Consistently great! Thank you!

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Popular dish

Country-Fried Chicken BLT

4.7

4.7 (17)

$31 to $50

Lebanese

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

At Hummus Lebanese Authentic Cuisine, Chef Bachir, a passionate culinary artist and the mastermind behind our secret family recipes, brings the vibrant flavors of Lebanon to Charleston. Our signature dish, the **Beirut Shawarma Platter**, marinated in our family’s special spice blend, has become a local favorite, perfectly paired with our renowned, creamy hummus.

Come join us at **Hummus Lebanese Authentic Cuisine**—where every dish is prepared with love, and every bite takes you closer to the heart of Lebanon.

Top review

CherylVIP

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

The food at Hummus is authentic Lebanese food. It is always delicious and well prepared. The service is excellent.

Fratello's Italian Tavern - Park Circle

4.6

4.6 (991)

$30 and under

Italian

North Charleston

About the restaurant

Fratellos Italian Tavern is an American Italian restaurant located in Park Circle featuring Italian comfort cuisine with a menu driven by local seasonal ingredients and a homestyle feel. The word Fratello in Italian refers to fraternity or brother. It is this bond that our proprietor Richard Tuorto and Chef Kevin Bruntz had in mind when they shared favorite family recipes to create a unique dining experience.

Top review

Mallory

Dined today

The food and service was phenomenal! The food was fresh and flavorful and my family really enjoyed the experience!

Long Island Cafe- Isle of Palms

4.6

4.6 (1959)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Isle of Palms

About the restaurant

Located in Isle of Palms, Long Island Café offers a menu full of American cuisine with a focus on fresh, local seafood. The restaurant has a full bar and offers dinner, lunch and Sunday Brunch.

Top review

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

Our party of 4 today, which included 2 elderly people with dementia and hearing issues, were treated to the kindest service imaginable by our great server, whose name I am afraid I have not remembered. They gave us a table in the back corner away from the cold air outside, and were very patient with the 2 elderly folks who ordered. The service was prompt. Our food was excellent, and we have been here before and always had a great time. I recommend this restaurant highly. I wish my husband and I lived closer to IOP so we could eat here more often!!

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4.3

4.3 (402)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Discover Coterie Restaurant at 17 Warren Street in Downtown Charleston, where Modern Coastal French cuisine meets creative craft cocktails. Indulge in a menu highlighting fresh, local ingredients served in a cozy dining room or our lush outdoor courtyard. Perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings, Coterie offers a unique blend of vibrant flavors and warm hospitality, creating an unforgettable culinary experience in Charleston

Top review

LizVIP

Dined on Dec 23, 2024

We had a fantastic time at Coterie - delicious food, amazing cocktails, service was awesome (thanks, Noah!) - our group of ten, with vegetarians, allergies and gluten free folks all had an incredible experience. Thank you so much.

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