What to eat in Charleston: 12 must-try local delights

Nestled on the South Carolina coast, Charleston has a rich history to explore. Its culinary culture is also steeped in history and offers many delicious foods to try. Famous food staples span Gullah culinary traditions and Southern specialties. This is also a city that takes its seafood and fish seriously. Some examples of this are freshly-caught shrimp, blue crabs, oysters, and flounder. If you love the sea's bounty, you'll eat well in Downtown Charleston and along the delightful waterfront.

Charleston is also a mecca for tea lovers, with the only large-scale plantation in the entire country. Sip on sweet tea, iced tea, and tea cocktails, or take a visit to a tea garden to learn how tea is made. Once finished, you can chow down on other regional classics like barbecue and brisket with a locally-brewed beer. Whatever you pick, you won't go hungry while seeing the landmarks in Charleston.

1. Taste Charleston-style shrimp and grits

Once a Lowcountry breakfast staple, shrimp and grits are now a must-eat classic at any time of the day. Try this iconic dish straight from the source with shrimp caught from Mount Pleasant. For those new to grits, it's a cornmeal-like polenta that makes a moreish base for a serving of shrimp.

How to eat the best shrimp and grits in Charleston?

You can chow down on shrimp and grits throughout Downtown Charleston. For a unique experience, book the Shem Creek Culture Tour with a local to see how the dish's main ingredient is cultivated.

2. Have a cup of South Carolina tea

Enjoy a calming cup of tea from the only state in the USA that grows tea on a large scale. Iced in summer and warm in winter, Charleston tea is a must-try treat.

How to drink the best tea in Charleston?

Head right to the source at Charleston Tea Gardens, the only large-scale plantation in the entire country. Enjoy a visit to the tea factory (with unlimited cups) with the Wadmalaw Island Day Trip with Wine Tasting.

3. Bite into Southern hush puppies

Hush puppies are moreish little snacks that are a Charleston specialty. If you've not heard of them, they're essentially a cornbread dough fried to fluffy and crispy perfection.

How to eat the best hush puppies in Charleston?

You'll find tasty hush puppies at many street-front Charleston vendors and relaxed restaurants. Why not indulge in these snacks as part of the Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour?

4. Enjoy some she-crab soup

So-named for the crab roe traditionally used, modern she-crab soup doesn't necessarily have to contain roe. It's a delectable, creamy, bisque-like soup made with blue crab meat.

How to eat the best she-crab soup in Charleston?

Crab houses line East Bay Street with traditional and contemporary soup options to die for. Take the Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour for the best she-crab in town.

5. Crunch into okra

Okra is a South Carolina specialty that’s prepared in many ways. One of the most popular dishes here is fried okra coated in cornmeal and deep-fried to perfection.

How to eat the best okra in Charleston?

Fried okra is a perennial beer snack that goes exceptionally well with a crisp lager or pale ale. Head to a taproom like Smoky Oak or try the Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl to pair fried okra with a delicious pour.

6. Tuck into a po'boy sandwich

This delectable lunchtime favorite consists of a sandwich of flaky flounder with creamy rémoulade. It’s the perfect Cajun lunchtime treat that arrived in South Carolina via Louisiana. No one really knows the history of its name, but it's thought to originate from New Orleans and the "poor boy" strikers of 1929.

How to eat the best po'boy in Charleston?

Book the Southern Charm Walking Food Tour with Tastings to visit the classic 60 Bull Cafe, which is home to fresh and mouth-watering po'boy sandwiches.

7. Tantalize your taste buds with a local beer

The Charleston beer scene spans iconic brews like Palmetto, the oldest brewery in the city, and Westbrook, an award-winning Mount Pleasant option. These craft beer brewers serve up malty dark beers, and hopped-up pales in their own taprooms and across Charleston's Downtown bars.

How to drink the best beer in Charleston?

Head out on a Walking History and Bar Tour of Charleston to sample its best beers. There's no shortage of microbrews and up-and-coming brewers to sample.

8. Munch on boiled peanuts

This unique specialty involves boiling peanuts in brine and then serving them as-is or coating them in Cajun spices. It's so beloved that it's regarded as South Carolina's official state snack.

How to eat the best boiled peanuts in Charleston?

Boiled peanuts are best enjoyed while strolling Downtown or taking a Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage. This snack is also a popular food for sporting events. Head to James Brown's or Charleston Farmer's Market for streetside servings as you browse Charleston's street stalls.

9. Get your grill on with a Carolina BBQ

Barbeque is at the heart of Charleston's culinary culture. From pulled pork and brisket to old-style ribs with Carolina BBQ sauce, barbecues are a must-try in Charleston. Carolina-style sauce is a peppery, vinegary sauce that works well with fatty pork.

How to eat the best barbecue in Charleston?

Barbecue is everywhere in Charleston, from smokehouses along East Bay and pulled pork joints in East Central. Book the Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise & Tour to enjoy finger lickin' hickory-smoked pork and seasoned chicken overlooking Charleston Harbor.

10. Indulge in fried green tomatoes

This Southern specialty became world-famous with the 1991 movie based on Fannie Flagg's 1987 novel. Fresh green tomatoes are sliced thinly and then battered and fried until crispy.

How to eat the best fried green tomatoes in Charleston?

Best enjoyed as part of a Carolina banquet, you can tuck into fried green tomatoes on the 3-Hour Secret Food Tour. Complement this crispy treat with staples like she-crab soup or a barbecue spread.

11. Try some deviled crabs

Not to be confused with the same dish name from Florida, South Carolina's deviled crab involves mixing blue crab meat with bread crumbs and spices. This succulent meat is then returned to the shell and served to be eaten as-is from the shell.

How to eat the best deviled crabs in Charleston?

Iconic eateries like Hyman's Seafood, Gillie's Seafood, and Dave's Carry-Out all serve exceptional variations. You can eat it to-go as a picnic option along the waterfront, and check out Waterfront Park.

12. Enjoy the Gullah specialty, purloo

Taken from the word pilau, purloo is a traditional Gullah dish that involves simmering rice in flavorful stock with spices, garlic, and seafood or chicken. It has a hardy history in Carolina's slave communities and is now enjoyed as a flavorful regional staple. Learn more about Gullah history with this African-American History Guided Walking Tour.

How to eat the best purloo in Charleston?

Head to hearty Gullah joints like Hannibal's Kitchen to enjoy the best purloo. Gillie's Seafood also does a great purloo with freshly-caught shrimp.

FAQs

What are the must-try traditional dishes in Charleston?

There are plenty of must-try dishes in Charleston. Eat for the season with sizzling barbecues and iced tea in summer and fresh oysters in winter during the peak shellfish harvest. Blue crab is also a food that visitors to Charleston must eat, with plenty of charming waterfront eateries that have been running for generations.

What are the best food tours in Charleston?

Walks like the Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tasting allow you to sample many of Charleston's top food and drink staples. You can also head to the source with Lowcountry, beachside, and tea plantation visits.

What are the top local food markets in Charleston to visit?

Charleston Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday in Marion Square, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. It's home to fresh street food, produce, preserves, baked goods, and more. In trendy West Ashley, a farmer's market is hosted at Ackerman Park every Wednesday, 3:00 PM-7:00 PM.

What is the best time of year to visit Charleston for food lovers?

Spring and fall bring food markets and South Carolina festivals like the mouth-watering Charleston Food and Wine Festival in March. For barbecue and Caribbean treats, look for the Jerk Festival in July and follow the wafting scents of fresh barbecues.

How much should I budget for food in Charleston?

You can eat like a king for cheap in Charleston, thanks to affordable fresh seafood stalls and street food to eat. For sit-down meals, you can expect to pay an average of $20-$30 per person per meal. There are plenty of high-end eateries serving up inspired and classic plates. Head to Circa 1886 or McCrady's for a special occasion at $100+ per head.