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15 Must-Visit Breweries Around Charleston

12 Hottest Restaurants in the Triangle, October 2021

18 Essential Restaurants in Charleston

Updating the Charleston Heatmap, April 2013

by Katie Abbondanza
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by Katie Abbondanza

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What's everyone talking about? While the Eater 18 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Here's the Eater Heat Map, which will change continually to always highlight where the crowds are flocking to at the moment.


Added 4/4/13: Republic Reign, Sloppy Cow
Added 3/7/13: Crust, The Green Door
Added 2/2013: Hom, Rutledge Cab Co.
Added 01/2013: The Rarebit, The Ordinary

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Two Boroughs Larder

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186 Coming St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 637-3722
(843) 637-3722
Visit Website
Two Boroughs Larder has an exciting, ever-changing menu with things like roasted pork neck and veal sweetbreads. Huge burgers are served on Wednesdays, and the pick-your-toppings noodle bowls are dished up nightly.

2. The Macintosh

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479 King St
Charleston, SC
(843) 789-4299
(843) 789-4299
Visit Website
The Macintosh is a favorite for brunch, dinner and their Bacon Happy Hour, where a small, pork-y dish is $5. The setting is cool, but comfortable. Make a reservation, and get a drink at their sister bar upstairs, The Cocktail Club, before or after.

3. Stars Rooftop and Grill Room

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495 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-0100
(843) 577-0100
Visit Website
Stars has quickly become a mega hotspot, and the wait on weekends (even for drinks) can be long. On Tuesdays there's a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with half off wine and $3 appetizers, making it an enticing weekday stop as well.

4. Xiao Bao Biscuit

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224 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
XBB is brilliant in that it can be a quick stop for lunch, a place to meet for shrimp toast and tasty cocktails or a full, family-style meal. Try the Okonomiyaki, the cabbage pancakes that became their signature dish almost overnight. Email in advance for the family-style dinners.

5. The Ordinary

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544 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
The space is breathtaking and so are the seafood towers (just go for the triple). Mike Lata's James Beard-nominated seafood palace is drawing serious crowds, and anyone who's tasted the oysters, uni or Maine lobster ceviche knows why.

6. The Rarebit

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474 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(434) 466-9366
(434) 466-9366
The Rarebit is a throwback bar, both in its decor and drink prices. The cocktails are bright with housemade sodas, and breakfast is served all day.

7. Rutledge Cab Company

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1300 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Wagener Terrace was something of a dining desert until Rutledge Cab Co. came along. There were some reports of early kinks, but City Paper's Robert Moss recently gave Chef Robert Carter's new place high marks. The fare is casual, and the patio is huge.

8. The Green Door

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251 East Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 735-9664
(843) 735-9664
Visit Website
Charleston now has a Tantric Taco Tuesday, and it's right at The Green Door. From the team behind the famous Roti Rolls truck, the brick-and-mortar location is a must if you want to try some of the city's more adventurous dishes, like braised pork head. Not feeling fearless? Go for the burger.

9. Crust Wood Fired Pizza

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1956 B Maybank Hwy
Charleston, SC 29412
The Lowcountry is going through a pizza boom, and Crust is worth a drive over to James Island. They're doing gnocchi and appetizers like arancini, but at the moment, the buzz is about the pies, which span from apple to margherita.

10. The Sloppy Cow, Burgers And Stuff

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1023 Harbor View Rd
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-5955
(843) 795-5955
Not everyone is sold on the idea of stuffed patties, but lots are praising the fillings at this straight-forward James Island burger joint. City Paper's Eric Doksa recently deemed their nachos the best in town.

11. Republic Reign

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462 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
No reports on the food at Republic Reign yet, but the lines were out the door over the weekend, with people dressed up to check out this new lounge. They're doing bottle service and pouring some clever drinks, like low-alcohol spritzes and cocktails on tap.

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1. Two Boroughs Larder

186 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403
Two Boroughs Larder has an exciting, ever-changing menu with things like roasted pork neck and veal sweetbreads. Huge burgers are served on Wednesdays, and the pick-your-toppings noodle bowls are dished up nightly.
186 Coming St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 637-3722
Visit Website

2. The Macintosh

479 King St, Charleston, SC
The Macintosh is a favorite for brunch, dinner and their Bacon Happy Hour, where a small, pork-y dish is $5. The setting is cool, but comfortable. Make a reservation, and get a drink at their sister bar upstairs, The Cocktail Club, before or after.
479 King St
Charleston, SC
(843) 789-4299
Visit Website

3. Stars Rooftop and Grill Room

495 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Stars has quickly become a mega hotspot, and the wait on weekends (even for drinks) can be long. On Tuesdays there's a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with half off wine and $3 appetizers, making it an enticing weekday stop as well.
495 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-0100
Visit Website

4. Xiao Bao Biscuit

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
XBB is brilliant in that it can be a quick stop for lunch, a place to meet for shrimp toast and tasty cocktails or a full, family-style meal. Try the Okonomiyaki, the cabbage pancakes that became their signature dish almost overnight. Email in advance for the family-style dinners.
224 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403

5. The Ordinary

544 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
The space is breathtaking and so are the seafood towers (just go for the triple). Mike Lata's James Beard-nominated seafood palace is drawing serious crowds, and anyone who's tasted the oysters, uni or Maine lobster ceviche knows why.
544 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403

6. The Rarebit

474 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
The Rarebit is a throwback bar, both in its decor and drink prices. The cocktails are bright with housemade sodas, and breakfast is served all day.
474 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(434) 466-9366

7. Rutledge Cab Company

1300 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403
Wagener Terrace was something of a dining desert until Rutledge Cab Co. came along. There were some reports of early kinks, but City Paper's Robert Moss recently gave Chef Robert Carter's new place high marks. The fare is casual, and the patio is huge.
1300 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403

8. The Green Door

251 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston now has a Tantric Taco Tuesday, and it's right at The Green Door. From the team behind the famous Roti Rolls truck, the brick-and-mortar location is a must if you want to try some of the city's more adventurous dishes, like braised pork head. Not feeling fearless? Go for the burger.
251 East Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 735-9664
Visit Website

9. Crust Wood Fired Pizza

1956 B Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412
The Lowcountry is going through a pizza boom, and Crust is worth a drive over to James Island. They're doing gnocchi and appetizers like arancini, but at the moment, the buzz is about the pies, which span from apple to margherita.
1956 B Maybank Hwy
Charleston, SC 29412

10. The Sloppy Cow, Burgers And Stuff

1023 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Not everyone is sold on the idea of stuffed patties, but lots are praising the fillings at this straight-forward James Island burger joint. City Paper's Eric Doksa recently deemed their nachos the best in town.
1023 Harbor View Rd
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-5955

11. Republic Reign

462 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
No reports on the food at Republic Reign yet, but the lines were out the door over the weekend, with people dressed up to check out this new lounge. They're doing bottle service and pouring some clever drinks, like low-alcohol spritzes and cocktails on tap.
462 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403

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