7 Most Anticipated Charleston Restaurants This Spring 2022

With the arrival of pollen means it’s spring here in Charleston. Chefs, restaurateurs, and investors are busy with more new restaurants and bars coming this way. As always, Eater is obsessively tracking the progression of all the premiers — from menu releases to newly installed signage, come here for the latest updates. This list encapsulates the places garnering excitement this season.

Indie Film Lab

BAR ROLLINS

Location: 194 Jackson Street, Downtown
Key Players: Owners Chris Rollins and Jess Vande Werken
Projected Opening: Early 2022
Described as a “wine dive bar” by owner Chris Rollins, Bar Rollins will focus on natural wine and snacks. Every time there’s a Bar Rollins pop-up, all the cool Charleston kids show up en force and sell out the event. What makes them so popular? They don’t take themselves so seriously, pour great bottles, and as the slogan goes, “Bar Rollins Loves You.”

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LAURA

Location: 101 North Main Street, Summerville
Key Players: Chef/owner Nico Romo
Projected Opening: Soon
Laura will be chef Nico Romo’s ode to his Italian grandmother of the same name. Look for traditional Italian family recipes Romo grew up eating, from bolognese to tagliatelle. Romo operates restaurants in downtown and Mount Pleasant (Bistronomy and Nico), but this will be his first in Summerville.

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Ma’am Saab

MA’AM SAAB

Location: 251 Meeting Street, Downtown
Key Players: Chef/owner Maryam Ghaznavi and husband Raheel Gauba
Projected Opening: Early 2022
Pakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab started as a pop-up, went into a food stall at Workshop, and will now set up residence in the former Jestine’s Kitchen space on Meeting Street. Ma’am Saab serves comfort food from Pakistan, like kababs, pakoras, and more.

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Andrew Cebulka

MINERO

Location: 3140 Maybank Highway, Johns Island
Key Players: Chef Shamil Velazquez
Projected Opening: Late spring
Chef Shamil Velazquez, of Delaney Oyster House, will assume the role of executive chef at the Johns Island Minero, as well as retaining his position at Delaney. Velazquez says that his vision for the new place is to lean into larger, dinner-style entrees (not just tacos) and more seafood. He recognizes the fan favorites however and won’t be touching the massive burrito, Valentina-soaked wings, or fried catfish tacos.

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Mike Ledford

RANCHO LEWIS

Location: 1503 King Street, the Neck
Key Players: Pitmaster John Lewis
Projected Opening: April 16, 2022
Lewis Barbecue pitmaster John Lewis, originally from El Paso, Texas, brings his fondness for “border cuisine” (his preferred term over “Tex-Mex”) to Charleston by way of Rancho Lewis (formerly named Juan Luis) Look for a menu full of tacos, enchiladas, nachos and more. It’s what he grew up eating, so he is excited to make it a more permanent fixture in the Lowcountry.

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Sullivan’s Fish Camp

SULLIVAN’S FISH CAMP

Location: 2019 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island
Key Players: Owner/operators Ben and Kate Towill (Basic Kitchen and Post House) and chef Davis Hood
Projected Opening: Late April
Sullivan’s Fish Camp will be a classic beachside fish house with a few high-end touches. Expect fried shrimp baskets, oysters, seafood towers, and lobster rolls with ‘70s-style tiki drinks.

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VERN’S

Location: 41 Bogard Street, Downtown
Key Players: Chef Dan Heinze and beverage director Bethany Heinze
Projected Opening: Early 2022
In 2016, long-time McCrady’s chef de cuisine Daniel “Dano” Heinze left for Los Angeles along with McCrady’s bar manager, and now wife, Bethany Heinze. The couple has returned to the Lowcountry with an idea for a new Cannonborough/Elliotborough restaurant named Vern’s. It will be a neighborhood American bistro named after Dano’s grandfather Vernon Heinze. Dano will be the chef and operations manager, and Bethany will run front of house and the beverage program.

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Also, keep an eye on:

• 167 Raw’s Unnamed Mediterranean Restaurant (Downtown)
• Chameleon Club (Downtown)
• Clarence Foster’s Cookery & Saloon (Downtown)
• Costa (Downtown)
• Farmer & Exchange (Downtown)
• Garco Mill (Park Circle)
• Hazel and Apple (Downtown)
• Islander 71 Fish House & Deck Bar (Isle of Palms)
• Lady Xian (Unknown)
• Millers All Day Second Location (James Island)
• The Pickle Bar (Summerville)
• The Single House (Downtown)
• The Quinte Oyster Bar (Downtown)