Dining Resources

82 Queen. 843-723-7591. 82 Queen St. Nestled in downtown Charleston's historic French Quarter, 82 Queen is known for its gracious Southern hospitality and fresh local Lowcountry cuisine.  Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the restaurant is spread throughout three buildings with 11 quaint dining areas including a turn-of -the-century courtyard featuring lush foliage and a mammoth Magnolia tree.  82 Queen is three time winner of the “Best City Restaurant” award from Southern Living magazine and five time recipient of the “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator magazine.  Consistently called-on as a favorite destination for both locals and visitors alike, this 300 year old address represents both the history and the cuisine of the Lowcountry. Celebrating 30 years…Long Live the Queen! OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR. Lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations suggested. www.82queen.com or www.opentable.com

A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Restaurant. 843-723-1151. 70 State St.Charleston’s original raw bar and restaurant right on historic Market Street. We have a selection of the best seafood dishes and appetizers in Charleston including award-winning stuffed shrimp, the Lowcountry’s best she-crab soup, and seafood casserole that’s a legend among locals! Our fresh-off-the-boat fish specials will please any palate, available grilled, broiled, fried, or blackened. Shuck’s is also the place to buy the unofficial souvenir of Charleston, our famous John Carroll Doyle T-shirts. Our newly renovated restaurant is perfect for the entire family. Large party space available.  Lunch and dinner served daily beginning at 11 a.m.  www.a-w-shucks.com

Blossom. (843) 722-9200. 171 East Bay St. Blossom cuisine focuses on fresh seafood with local flair.  Executive Chef Adam Close uses distinctive flavors to enhance a variety of seafood options producing invigorated American cuisine with southern sensibility. Just steps from the Charleston harbor, Blossom is the perfect spot for sumptuous seafood.  A courtyard dining alternative and a newly added private dining area overlooking East Bay Street complements the casual yet high-energy atmosphere. www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com

BLU Restaurant and Bar. (843) 588-6658. One Center Street, Folly Beach. In a city defined by water, Blu stands tall as one of the city’s few restaurants with oceanfront dining. Perched at the “edge of America” directly on Folly Beach, Blu combines spectacular views with a menu dominated by sustainable seafood, regional flavors and local ingredients. Chef Jon Cropf delivers local favorites and seasonal specialties in this full-service restaurant located within Tides Folly Beach. Open year-round, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Sunday brunch and holidays feature special menus and reservations are accepted.  Live music on the weekends. www.blufollybeach.com

Bocci’s Italian Restaurant. (843) 720-2121. 158 Church St. Located in the heart of the historic Market area, Bocci’s serves the finest Italian food in a casual, comfortable and quaint setting. A favorite among locals, the chefs of Bocci’s are known for their authentic specialties which include fresh pastas, homemade sauces, veal, chicken and seafood. When combined with an excellent wine list, a variety of gourmet coffees, and desserts to die for, Bocci’s delivers an Italian dining experience on par with New York’s “Little Italy!” Newly renovated 2nd floor is great for parties up to 50. Lunch and dinner served daily: Lunch 11 a.m., Dinner 4:30 p.m. www.boccis.com

Carolina’s — A Southern Bistro 843-724-3800. 10 Exchange St.Carolina’s is a tradition in the rich culinary history of Charleston. Located South of Broad in a building that dates back to Revolutionary times. We are less than 100 feet from the Cooper River in historic downtown.  We at Carolina’s, have a deep-rooted passion for food and service. We are committed to finding the best local ingredients for our menus. We bet the farm on this approach. Carolina’s is also a Platinum Partner of the Sustainable Seafood Initiative.  Jill Mathias, our talented Executive Chef, continues to break the mold by presenting our flavorful Lowcountry cuisine in fresh and innovative style. www.carolinasrestaurant.com

Charleston Crab House. (843) 795-1963. 145 Wappoo Creek Drive, James Island. Also in downtown Charleston at 41 Meeting St.; and in Mount Pleasant at 1101 Stockade Lane. “Family Owned for 20 years and Still Crackin”, Charleston Crab House has become known as one of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston. Open year-round, the Crab House serves lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday 11: 30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11: 30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.  Both indoor and outdoor seating is offered and banquet rooms are available upon request for special occasions. Visit the Crab House on James Island for waterfront dining or Charleston's historic Market Street location for rooftop dining. Reservations are recommended. For more information visit www.CharlestonCrabHouse.com, or find us on Facebook (Charleston Crab House) or Twitter (@ChsCrabHouse).

Circa 1886. (843) 853-7828. 149 Wentworth St. Circa 1886, a fine dining restaurant holding the distinctions of Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings, is located on the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion in Charleston, SC.  The restaurant serves a seasonal menu with a focus on local product, high quality ingredients and Southern flavors. Executive Chef Marc Collins puts his own forward-thinking spin on traditional Lowcountry dishes and the result is food that is both modern and comforting. The restaurant’s warm hues, wood paneling, candlelit tables and plush interiors lend themselves to an elegant dining experience that is both comfortable and cosmopolitan. www.circa1886.com

Cypress Lowcountry Grille. (843) 727-0111. 167 East Bay St. Cypress’ cuisine is classic American featuring fresh local and regional ingredients accented with exotic flavors.  Executive Chef Craig Deihl creates simple yet elegant fare with retro style, incorporating wood grilled steaks, fish, shellfish and tableside preparations. Cypress has an extensive wine list artfully displayed over a three-story 4,500 bottle wine wall.  The interior evokes a decidedly modern feel while retaining the historic architectural details of the historic 1834 building.  The modern meets classic styles of both the cuisine and interior design have taken Charleston’s restaurant scene to a new level. www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com

Eurasia Café & Wine Bar. 843-606-2616. 915 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Mount Pleasant.Modern American Cuisine | Southern Roots. Cool hues and minimalist décor combine with bold flavors at Eurasia Café & Wine Bar. The soothing setting is in stark contrast to the no-holds-barred-dining experience driven by the inventive palate of Executive Chef Meredith Adams. Her eclectic menu builds on Southern, American, and European classics that she transforms, using farm fresh local and regional fare and her own distinctive style. Our New World-inspired wine list consists of over seventy varietals from smaller, high quality producers, twenty-five of which are available by the glass. The full bar also offers an excellent selection of microbrews. Enjoy “al fresco” dining on our charming garden patio. Open Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.eurasiasc.com

Fleet Landing. (843) 722-8100. 186 Concord St. Perched over Charleston Harbor in a 1940s naval building, Fleet Landing is the peninsula’s finest family-friendly “maritime chic” casual seafood restaurant. Diners enjoy waterfront views from the wrap-around deck or dining room. Fleet Landing features Chef Hedlund’s Southern seafood fare, regional favorites, sandwiches and salads, juicy burgers and more. Enjoy our full bar and outstanding wine list. Lunch and dinner served daily. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations recommended and complimentary parking is offered. www.fleetlanding.net

Halls Chophouse. (843) 727-0090. 434 King St. Family owned and operated, Halls Chophouse is the culmination of the Hall family’s lifelong dream. This AAA Four Diamond restaurant offers prime steaks from Allen Brothers, specialties created from local and sustainable seafood, along with signature desserts and an assortment of wines, all served in a visually stunning, energetic environment. In 2010, Hall’s Chophouse was voted one of the nation’s best overall restaurants by OpenTable diners. Halls Chophouse features a large private room (Lamond Room) perfect for beautiful daytime events.  Champagne Breakfasts, Bridal Party Luncheons and Farewell Brunches are available daily for wedding parties or business meetings. Open for dinner seven nights a week 4 p.m.–until… Late night bar menu and late night bar. Sunday brunch served 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring live gospel music. Live music nightly. Inquiries welcome and reservations recommended. www.hallschophouse.com

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant. (843) 723-FISH (3474). Church at Hayne Street. Hank’s resembles a decades-old neighborhood fixture reminiscent of a classic 1940s Charleston fish house. However, the image it evokes of a bygone era is tempered by contemporary elements, including a wildly popular communal table. This relaxed and convivial atmosphere serves as the backdrop to Chef Frank McMahon’s seriously Southern fish and local seafood classics as well as innovative seasonal specials. The old-fashioned saloon-style bar attracts a sociable crowd of locals nightly. Hank’s prides itself on the fact that tuxedo-clad gentlemen happily dine next to beachcombers. Named by readers of Southern Living as one of the top seafood restaurants in the Southeast, and by readers of Charleston City Paper as Best Seafood Restaurant 12 years running. Reservations preferred. Open Sunday – Thursday from 5 to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11:30 p.m. www.hanksseafoodrestaurant.com

Husk Restaurant. 843-577-2500. 76 Queen St. Centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk, the newest offering from James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock of McCrady’s and the Neighborhood Dining Group, transforms the essence of Southern food. Led by Brock and Chef de Cuisine Travis Grimes, a Lowcountry native, the kitchen reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in Charleston. www.huskrestaurant.com

Hyman’s Seafood Company. (843) 723-6000. 215 Meeting St. A Hyman establishment since 1890, Hyman’s Seafood is a MUST when visiting the Lowcountry. Reviewed by over 30 national publications and voted No. 1 seafood restaurant in the Southeast by Southern Living magazine nine years in a row. Enjoy our relaxed atmosphere and menu featuring extensive shellfish selections and eight to 15 different fish selections to choose from daily. Complete dinners from $9.95 served fried, Cajun, light Cajun, Caribbean jerk, steamed, broiled or dry broiled. Lunch and dinner served seven days a week from 11 a.m. –until. Parking and back entrance from Charleston Place. All major credit cards accepted. No reservations accepted. Be sure to check out Hyman’s Express, our new express kitchen offering a limited version of the Hyman’s famous seafood and deli menu. www.hymanseafood.com

Leaf Café & Bar. 843-793-2230. 15 Beaufain St. Where other Charleston restaurants seem to make everything from their design to their food more complicated, Leaf has exploded onto the restaurant scene offering an excitingly clean and simple dining experience. From the décor to the menu, Leaf focuses on comfort.  Whether you’re meeting friends at the spacious bar or dining outside on their relaxing garden patio, it is unlike anything else in Charleston. www.leafcharleston.com

The Library at Vendue Inn.843-577-7970. 19 Vendue Range.Surrounded by historic Charleston, both hotel guests and locals savor the elegance and sophistication in this decidedly Lowcountry restaurant. This historic dining spot has entered a new era with Chef Jude Wagner creating culinary magic utilizing the bounty of the Lowcountry in each dish. Fresh. Local. Innovative. Open for dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 5:30 p.m. Reservations suggested. www.vendueinn.com.

Magnolias. (843) 577-7771. 185 East Bay St. Located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district at the site of the original customs house, Magnolias combines true southern style with Charleston charm in a sleek, yet comfortable atmosphere.  Founding Chef and Partner Donald Barickman was widely recognized as a pioneer in the creative culinary use of the Lowcountry’s bounty sparking a culinary revolution in Charleston and what is now known as Lowcountry cuisine.  Executive Chef Don Drake continues the “Uptown/Down South” tradition with his own refreshing interpretations of classic southern cuisine. www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com

McCrady’s. (843) 577-0025. 2 Unity Alley. McCrady’s, located in a historic 1778 Georgian public house, once served as a charming reprise for Charlestonians after the Revolutionary War. Executive Chef Sean Brock’s creative interpretation of classic Southern recipes has been recognized with numerous awards, including the James Beard Foundation who named him “Best Chef Southeast” in 2010. McCrady’s soulful haute cuisine, along with Advanced Sommelier Clint Sloan’s extensive wine list and pre-prohibition cocktail program, will shed new light on the term Southern comfort. With the a la carte offerings are nightly specials, a prix fixe menu and exclusive chef’s tasting menu available in six different dining rooms. www.mccradysrestaurant.com

Peninsula Grill at the Historic Planters Inn. (843) 723-0700. 112 N. Market St. Located in the Relais & Châteaux Planters Inn, Peninsula Grill has been likened to the cosmopolitan supper clubs so popular during the first half of the 20th century. With its velvet-lined walls and cypress woodwork, it’s a stylish setting for Executive Chef Robert Carter’s renditions of Lowcountry classics complemented by playful takes on Southern-influenced American Cuisine. This four-star, DiRōNA member has been hailed by The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Departures, Travel + Leisure, Los Angeles Times, Wine Spectator and others. As Bon Appétit declared, “Southern comfort never tasted so good.” Reservations coveted. Open Sunday–Thursday from 5:30 to10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m.  www.peninsulagrill.com

Queen Anne’s Revenge. (843) 216-6868. 160 Fairchild St. The pirate themed Queen Anne’s Revenge serves up premium steaks, seafood and Lowcountry classics in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and a diverse selection of beer and wine. The first full-service restaurant to operate on South Carolina’s Daniel Island, a 4,000 acre oasis of creeks and marshlands, Queen Anne’s Revenge was named after Blackbeard the pirate’s famous ship. One of the largest collections of authentic pirate artifacts in the country is housed inside the dining rooms to educate and entertain guests of all ages. www.qarevenge.com

Rice Market.843-266-8500. 549 East Bay St. Offering fresh, local produce and international delicacies in a one-of-a-kind setting, Rice Market serves a contemporary menu inspired by dishes from around the world. A Charleston landmark, Rice Market occupies a former warehouse building that has been transformed into downtown's most dynamic restaurant.  Patrons are invited to experience the vibrancy and eclecticism of global food, music and decor.  www.ricemarketrestaurant.com

Saffire Restaurant at the Charleston Marriott Hotel. (843) 723-3000. 170 Lockwood Blvd. Discover the bold flavors of Saffire’s regionally inspired cuisine, featuring a classic American menu artfully balanced with traditional Southern favorites and fresh, healthy alternatives. Enjoy expertly prepared meals complemented by a superb selection of wine…served in a casually sophisticated, yet warm and welcoming atmosphere. Saffire... A Sensory Dining Experience. Open year round. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.marriott.com/chsmc

SpiritLine Dinner Cruises.843-722-2628 or Toll-Free 800-789-3678. 360 Concord St. Suite 201. Picture this. A fabulous gourmet dinner and first-class harbor views mixed with entertainment and dancing. Now picture it aboard our flagship yacht, the Spirit of Carolina. Mahogany bars, two dance floors, observation deck and a jovial crew. A three-hour night to remember. Welcome aboard the best time on the water. The Spirit of Carolina sails nightly from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant. For information and reservations call or e-mail: sales@spiritlinecruises.com. See our menu at  www.spiritlinecruises.com. 

Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant. (843) 577-3818. 160 Church St. Located one block from the historic Market area, Tommy Condon’s is a longtime Charleston tradition. Here you’ll find an experience crafted after a true Irish pub offering an atmosphere appropriate for families, couples and folks just looking to hoist a pint! The food is excellent, ranging from Lowcountry fresh seafood, to great steaks, to the All-American hamburger. Lunch and dinner are served daily beginning at 11 a.m. Dining is available in the pub or on our outdoor deck. Live Irish music Wednesday–Sunday nights. Large party space available for up to 100 people.  www.tommycondons.com

Virginia’s on King. (843) 735-5800. 412 King St. Virginia’s on King is a collection of family recipes and Southern cooking traditions. This Lowcountry dining spot, located in historic downtown Charleston, specializes in upscale Southern cuisine prepared with the freshest local ingredients. The classic Charleston-influenced interior and the aromas of home-cooking inspire all of the comforts of a traditional Southern kitchen. At the heart of Virginia’s you will find gracious hospitality, along with all of the flavors of the Lowcountry. Serving breakfast, dinner, supper and brunch. Open Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday supper from 3 to 10 p.m. Closed Sunday evenings. www.virginiasonking.com

Water’s Edge. (843) 884-4074. 1407 Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant. Cooking is sometimes described as both an art and a science. Water's Edge believes it’s more of a craft and takes pride in bringing guests the tastes and textures of the Lowcountry with a liberal selection of appetizers, entrees and daily Chef Specials. They offer the most comprehensive wine and champagne list in Mount Pleasant. Make your reservations early. The private dining room is popular for holiday parties and private dinners. Join us for Happy Hour Monday–Friday 4 to 7 p.m. Lunch served inside and outside daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., dinner 5 p.m.–until, serving late nights Friday and  Saturday. Serving Sunday brunch and dinner at 11 a.m. Brunch ending at 3 p.m., dinner served until… All major credit cards accepted.  www.waters-edge-restaurant.com

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.