Charleston South Carolina, voted #4 in the entire USA, for Best Food & Wine Destination!

Especially noted, its homestyle Southern food.

Dining with a View

By Patra Taylor

So much to do during your stay in Charleston, but so little time. So why not combine two favorite Lowcountry activities? With a little planning and a lot of practice, visitors to the area can sample the local fare and enjoy the scenery at the same time.

First Things First
To get off on the right foot to dining/sightseeing pleasure, first you should know a little something about Lowcountry cuisine. 

The Lowcountry is the low-lying coastal region roughly stretching from Charleston to Savannah, Ga. Here Lowcountry cuisine reigns supreme, with Charleston being this food style’s indisputable capital. Touting more fine dining establishments per capita than any other city in the South, Charleston credits much of its rise as a world-renowned dining destination to the fresh, eclectic tastes of Lowcountry cuisine.

Always defined by it fresh ingredients — shrimp, crabs, oysters and fish caught just offshore — Lowcountry cuisine is prepared using an interesting blend of seasoning. Because nearby Johns Island serves as the backyard garden for local chefs, restaurants receive freshly picked produce. Squash, green beans, broccoli, spinach, okra, collards, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, a number of different lettuces and a variety of herbs are all grown locally. And let’s not forget rice, a staple of the region for centuries that even today helps define this unique food style.

Distinctive menu items, including such enticements as crab cakes, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, Frogmore stew and fried green tomatoes, are all indications that the hungry diner is about to experience something special. But preparation of even the classic Lowcountry dishes varies widely from restaurant to restaurant, each reflecting the chef’s personal tastes and preferences.

Add a Dash of Scenery
Famous golf courses, pristine beaches, monumental battleships and beautifully preserved architecture barely scratch the surface of attractions available to avid sightseers visiting the Charleston area. Since Charleston sits near sea level, water often serves as a common backdrop for many sights, adding the splendor of roiling waves, stunning views of the marsh and glimpses of alligators, dolphins and wading water birds to the symphony of sights. Our mild climate means you can enjoy most of Charleston’s sights year-round, so put on your walking shoes and grab your camera. It’s time to discover Charleston.

All that’s left is enjoying a great Lowcountry meal while taking in a piece of Charleston’s spectacular scenery. The combinations are endless, but here are a few to get you started.

The Rooftop Restaurant and Bar at Vendue Inn
There is no better place in Charleston to take in the panoramic views of the harbor and the French Quarter than from the unique rooftop restaurant and bar at the Vendue Inn, a landmark gathering place without the clatter and blare. Enjoy your favorite drinks, gentle harbor breezes and the city lights before enjoying progressive American cuisine with a Lowcountry twist while dining in the intimate Library restaurant.

Fleet Landing
Encased in a hurricane-proof, 6,000-square-foot concrete maritime structure, Fleet Landing juts out over the marsh on a reinforced pier and boasts oversized windows that offer an unobstructed view of the Charleston Harbor. Built in 1942 by the U.S. Navy as a debarkation point for sailors, Fleet Landing offers an integration of classic and contemporary Southern fare using fresh coastal seafood and seasonal produce indigenous to the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Husk Restaurant
Occupying adjacent spaces on Queen Street, Husk’s structures date back to the late 1800s. The main dining room, constructed in 1893, evokes the grandeur of Charleston. Victorian details and turned columns layered over the original Queen Anne-style façade speak to the transformation of the city over time. Next door, the adjoining structure houses the bar, a rusticated, exposed-brick affair, with a cozy, two-story outlay. The only thing more interesting than taking in the architecture is sampling Husk’s ever-changing menu, driven entirely by market availability.

BLU Restaurant
Set alongside the beach at the Tides Folly Beach, BLU combines indoor and outdoor seating with food as pure as the view. Enjoy fresh local seafood showcasing the finest in contemporary coastal cuisine as well as an eclectic assortment of small plates perfect for sharing. Casual yet gracious, BLU is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner for two or an enjoyable night out with friends. Sit back, watch the waves roll in and enjoy the cool ocean breeze and some of the most delectable food around.

Charleston Crab House
Tourists love the laid-back family atmosphere at Charleston Crab House, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway on James Island. Enjoy traditional Charleston seafood while watching the dolphins play and the yachts drift by. Charleston Crab House has been serving locals and tourists since 1991. It is definitely one of the friendliest restaurants in town, so plan to kick-back and enjoy the view.

Get a complete list of Charleston's restaurants.

The Audubon Gallery Not just a gallery, but a Charleston destination since 1987. Located in the heart of the antique district The Audubon Gallery is the only local gallery to specialize in the finest Natural History and Sporting Art from the 17th - 20th centuries. A sportsmans paradise with a fantastic selection of paintings, etchings, limited edition fine art prints, antique wildfowl decoys and wood carvings by local artisans. Audubon's "Birds of America", Natural History Art by Besler, Redouté, Clark, Benson and many others. Contact Joel Oppenheimer Inc., The Natural History Art Gallery.

McCrady's Inventive cuisine. Fresh from the farm. Named one of the Top Ten Restaurants in North America by Opinionated About Dining. McCrady's Restaurant, located in an historic 1778 Georgian public house, offers an award-winning dining experience with the best of new Southern cuisine. Chef Sean Brock was awarded the 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast for his talented mix of modern skills and classic antebellum recipes. Sensationally presented dishes one of Charleston's most extensive wine lists. Private dining available in the spectacular Long Room, Gallery, Chef's Room or Cypress Room.

Bernie Horton Gallery A native of rural North Carolina now living at the edge of the marsh, Bernie Horton paints fine art originals reflecting the beauty of his surroundings --- most recognized for his light-filled lowcountry landscapes, marshes, beaches and people. Bernie captures the moods and emotions of all the different seasons and times of day. Each painting is approached from an impressionistic standpoint, yet to the eye, they have a realistic quality because of his concentration on perspective, proportion and attention to detail. Visit or find Bernie Horton Gallery on Facebook.