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12 Hottest Restaurants in the Triangle

13 Hottest Restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina

14 Spots for Epic Burgers in the Triangle

Updating the Charleston Heatmap, September 2013

by Erin Perkins
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by Erin Perkins

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 9/5/13: Indaco, The Southern General, Coda Del Pesce
Added 8/1/13: Básico
Added 7/11/13: Salt at Station 22, Warehouse
Added 6/6/13: Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House
Added 5/2/13: Windjammer
Added 4/4/13: Republic Reign, Sloppy Cow

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. 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 cocktails or a full-on family-style meal. Try the Okonomiyaki, the cabbage pancakes that became their signature dish almost overnight. Email in advance for the family-style dinners.

2. The Ordinary

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544 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Mike Lata's James Beard-nominated seafood palace is drawing serious crowds, and anyone who's tasted the uni or Maine lobster ceviche knows why. The triple seafood tower is something of a marvel.

3. 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. Go for the drinks.

4. The Green Door

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251 East Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 735-9664
(843) 735-9664
Visit Website
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, pig uterus or the tongue and cheek. The burger, rotis and buddha babies are safe, delightful bets for the more faint of heart.

5. Republic Reign

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462 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
A stop for drinks, this new lounge is regularly packed with well-dressed types looking to party or hang out on the new patio. They're doing bottle service and pouring some clever drinks, like low-alcohol spritzes and cocktails on tap.

6. Craftsmen kitchen & Taproom

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12 Cumberland St
Charleston, Sc
(843) 577-9699
(843) 577-9699
A new addition to the tourist district: Craftsmen is all about the beer (they opened with 48 taps and have more options in bottles). The food options are focus on filling fare, like Crunchy Dame, with pork belly, cherry jam and an egg.

7. Warehouse

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45 1/2 Spring Street
Charleston, SC
The very, very new kid in town, Warehouse is pouring beer, wine, coffee and some of the city's more affordable specialty cocktails alongside the food of chef Eva Keilty. Her fancy take on bar food (like confit wings and homemade pork rinds) has people talking.

8. Crust Wood Fired Pizza

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1956 B Maybank Hwy
Charleston, SC 29412
Crust on James Island is doing gnocchi and appetizers like arancini, but the genius is in their pies, which span from apple to margherita. The wood-fired oven enures the crust is burnt just right on the edges.

9. Básico

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4399 McCarthy St
North Charleston, SC 29405
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Where else can you watch bathing beauties while getting a fix of fresh chorizo tacos? Curious patrons are flocking to this taquería located beside the Mixson Bath & Racquet Club. Come for the tortas, but stay for the frozen cocojitos (think coconut mojito).

10. Indaco

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526 King St.
Charleston, SC 29403
Visit Website
The latest restaurant from the Indigo Road Group, Indaco is the hip new spot to visit for pizza, pasta and negronis. The pies feature perfectly crisp crusts and the toppings are inventive. Dishes are thoughtful derivations of classic Italian flavors. Chef Robert Berry has already won over many attendees with his handsome charm and commanding skill in the kitchen.

11. The Southern General

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3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 640-3778
(843) 640-3778
Visit Website
With two winning reviews from local publications under their belt, craft sandwich shop The Southern General is pulling in crowds bored of the same old meat and cheese menus. Creative takes on classics like the pulled pork Super Butt with sweet potato cream cheese on grilled brioche are waking up the lunch crowds on Johns Island.

12. Coda Del Pesce

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130 Ocean Blvd
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 242-8570
(843) 242-8570
Visit Website
As autumn approaches and the beach crowds disappear, Charlestonians are taking advantage of the newly opened parking spaces and flocking to Coda Del Pesce. Chef Ken Vedrinski is serving up seafood as fresh as the ocean breeze wafting through the restaurant. The crudos and gnudis are already a hit with reviewers and diners alike.

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1. 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 cocktails or a full-on 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

2. The Ordinary

544 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Mike Lata's James Beard-nominated seafood palace is drawing serious crowds, and anyone who's tasted the uni or Maine lobster ceviche knows why. The triple seafood tower is something of a marvel.
544 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403

3. 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. Go for the drinks.
474 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(434) 466-9366

4. The Green Door

251 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
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, pig uterus or the tongue and cheek. The burger, rotis and buddha babies are safe, delightful bets for the more faint of heart.
251 East Bay St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 735-9664
Visit Website

5. Republic Reign

462 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
A stop for drinks, this new lounge is regularly packed with well-dressed types looking to party or hang out on the new patio. They're doing bottle service and pouring some clever drinks, like low-alcohol spritzes and cocktails on tap.
462 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403

6. Craftsmen kitchen & Taproom

12 Cumberland St, Charleston, Sc
A new addition to the tourist district: Craftsmen is all about the beer (they opened with 48 taps and have more options in bottles). The food options are focus on filling fare, like Crunchy Dame, with pork belly, cherry jam and an egg.
12 Cumberland St
Charleston, Sc
(843) 577-9699

7. Warehouse

45 1/2 Spring Street, Charleston, SC
The very, very new kid in town, Warehouse is pouring beer, wine, coffee and some of the city's more affordable specialty cocktails alongside the food of chef Eva Keilty. Her fancy take on bar food (like confit wings and homemade pork rinds) has people talking.
45 1/2 Spring Street
Charleston, SC

8. Crust Wood Fired Pizza

1956 B Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412
Crust on James Island is doing gnocchi and appetizers like arancini, but the genius is in their pies, which span from apple to margherita. The wood-fired oven enures the crust is burnt just right on the edges.
1956 B Maybank Hwy
Charleston, SC 29412

9. Básico

4399 McCarthy St, North Charleston, SC 29405
Where else can you watch bathing beauties while getting a fix of fresh chorizo tacos? Curious patrons are flocking to this taquería located beside the Mixson Bath & Racquet Club. Come for the tortas, but stay for the frozen cocojitos (think coconut mojito).
4399 McCarthy St
North Charleston, SC 29405
Visit Website

10. Indaco

526 King St., Charleston, SC 29403
The latest restaurant from the Indigo Road Group, Indaco is the hip new spot to visit for pizza, pasta and negronis. The pies feature perfectly crisp crusts and the toppings are inventive. Dishes are thoughtful derivations of classic Italian flavors. Chef Robert Berry has already won over many attendees with his handsome charm and commanding skill in the kitchen.
526 King St.
Charleston, SC 29403
Visit Website

11. The Southern General

3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED, Johns Island, SC 29455
With two winning reviews from local publications under their belt, craft sandwich shop The Southern General is pulling in crowds bored of the same old meat and cheese menus. Creative takes on classics like the pulled pork Super Butt with sweet potato cream cheese on grilled brioche are waking up the lunch crowds on Johns Island.
3157 Maybank Hwy, Unit ED
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 640-3778
Visit Website

12. Coda Del Pesce

130 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
As autumn approaches and the beach crowds disappear, Charlestonians are taking advantage of the newly opened parking spaces and flocking to Coda Del Pesce. Chef Ken Vedrinski is serving up seafood as fresh as the ocean breeze wafting through the restaurant. The crudos and gnudis are already a hit with reviewers and diners alike.
130 Ocean Blvd
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
(843) 242-8570
Visit Website

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