James Beard Awarded and Michelin Star Recommended Restaurants in Charleston, SC

While there might not be any Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, SC, there’s still a vibrant food scene. And there are absolutely some award-winning establishments. Michelin Guide is one of the foremost food awards systems in the top tier of the culinary world. However, the Guide only goes so far. That is to say, Michelin only covers certain parts of the U.S. It also awards Stars to portions of Europe, Asia, and, more recently, Toronto, Canada. So, the real reason behind there being no Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, SC, is that they don't cover it. It has nothing to do with the quality of the food or the skill of the chefs, and everything to do with the awards’ availability in this Southern metropolis. 

Instead, we’ll take a look at what award-winning restaurants are housed within the Charleston city limits. One of the other major food awards is the James Beard Award. This award can be given out in multiple categories to both restaurants and their chefs. The award examines the technique and leadership of the leading chef. It also considers the personality, values, and inclusivity of the restaurant. There are multiple categories for “best chef” and “outstanding chef”, as well as titles like “best new restaurant” and “outstanding restaurant”. There are three restaurants in Charleston, SC, that have won James Beard awards over the years, and there are numerous others that have been nominated, which is an honor in and of itself.

232 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Fig is a great place to start in Charleston because while it doesn't have a Michelin star, its chef won in the "best chef" category in 2009. The restaurant won a James Beard Award for its "outstanding wine program" in 2018. Keep in mind that James Beard honors restaurants as a whole, so this award has really set Fig up as one of the must-try restaurants in Charleston. Led by Chef Mike Lata, Fig is also co-owned by Adam Nemirow. Fig has been open for two decades now. And in that time, it has striven to stay local, humble, and honest with its community. While there are no Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, this one's well worth getting a reservation for the next time you have a free evening.

The dinner menu features starters like a Napa cabbage salad, pumpkin soup, beef tartare, and beets with cottage cheese. Main courses include delightful dishes like snowy grouper, snapper, pork schnitzel, and mustard-crusted swordfish. Save room for dessert in the form of lime cream puffs, buttermilk panna cotta, and other seasonal delicacies. And of course, if you are able, be sure to check out their wine list and beverage pairing, for which they won a James Beard Award!

76 Queen St., Charleston, SC 29401

Husk, which has several different locations now, won the James Beard Award for regional "best chef" in 2010. The restaurant is nestled in the heart of the historic district of charming downtown Charleston and serves comforting southern food with a local twist. Husk collaborates with regional suppliers, local farms, butcheries, and fisheries, to supply the best ingredients for its phenomenal food offerings.

As of December 2023, here are a few of the dishes you may enjoy at Husk. For your first course, options include wood-fired oysters, Nashville hot shrimp toast, and a variety of artisan cheeses. Main course options include cornmeal-fried catfish, a pork ribeye chop, duck, and a bone-in ribeye. Your choices for dessert are chocolate cake with a roasted chestnut mousse, a gingerbread crumble, sweet potato bread pudding, an artisan cheese plate, or seasonal ice cream. Menu items change seasonally to ensure Husk is using the best local and fresh ingredients for each delicious dish.

1011 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Another James Beard Award-winner, Rodney Scott's BBQ, offers whole-hog barbeque in a classic Charleston setting. Chef Rodney Scott received the "best chef" win in 2018 and has been busy expanding the BBQ empire. As of now, Rodney Scott's BBQ has locations in Alabama and Atlanta, in addition to Charleston. They are in the process of opening up a new location in Nashville, Tennessee.

In classic BBQ fashion, enjoy starters like pig skins, onion rings, smoked brisket chili, and wings. Everyone goes to a BBQ for the meats, and Rodney Scott's has plenty of them. Your options include pulled pork, a whole hog, turkey breast, beef brisket, and pulled chicken. Enjoy your meat with a traditional BBQ side, like baked beans or coleslaw. Chicken tenders and catfish are also available for those that want something a little different. For dessert, choose from apple hand pies or Ella's banana pudding.

41 Bogard Street Charleston, SC, 29403

For the most recent James Beard nominee, look no further than Chef Daniel Heinze of Vern's. Heinze was nominated in 2023 under the regional "best chef" category, which is already a huge accomplishment. Vern's calls itself a "neighborhood restaurant", settled right on the cross streets of Charleston's Bogard and Ashe. Their dishes feature a nice blend of classic recipes with innovative ingredients and local produce. This should be one of the Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston if the guide ever expanded to the state of South Carolina.

Start with some skewered lamb, or yellowfin tuna with Calabrian chili. There's escargot with tarragon and a number of veggie dishes with tasteful sides, like garlic confit, gruyere cheese, and heirloom potatoes. For their mains, enjoy hand-made pasta dishes with rabbit, jump shrimp, and spring chicken. There's a bavette steak with horseradish and shallots, grilled pork loin with black truffle, and wagyu beef in salsa verde. Satiate your sweet tooth with mandarin and crème fraîche or chocolate paired with Cardamaro and hazelnut. This is absolutely a fine dining gem.

112 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401

This restaurant is actually Michelin-recommended, although it does not have a Star. Peninsula Grill in Charleston is an award-winning establishment run through the Planter's Inn. Combining fine, New York-style dining with Southern charm, this classy establishment is a local gem nestled right in the historic district of Charleston, surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The cuisine blends fresh ingredients with local supplies and an innovative take on classic recipes. They offer oysters on the half shell, Siberian caviar, lobster, foie gras, burrata salad, and beef tartare for starters. Enjoy roasted a roasted rack of lamb, seared scallops with pumpkin gnocchi, and a number of seafood and meat cuts for entrees. And don't forget their famous "ultimate coconut cake". First served in 1997, this cake is New York Times-reviewed and has 12 layers of coconut anglaise and strawberry goodness.

10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Another great establishment to try is the Southern classic Hank's Seafood Restaurant. Styled after the fish houses of the 1940s, Hank's is heralded by Chef Tim Richardson, a South Carolina native. Mentored by Hank’s Seafood Restaurant founder Chef Frank McMahon, Chef Richardson enhances the history of the restaurant with fresh new ideas. Enjoy their raw bar with items like ceviche, tuna tartare, oysters on the half shell, and peel-n-eat shrimp.

There are seafood platters, local clams, and oyster stew. Try their fried oysters with hot sauce, smoked blue cheese, and pickled vegetables. Their classic dishes include pan-seared sea scallops, beef tenderloin, grilled swordfish, and roasted salmon. Pair these options with collard greens, fried green tomatoes, and other tasty sides. And finally, pick from pecan pie, chilled crème brûlée, key lime pie, and chocolate peanut butter parfait, among many other sweet desserts, courtesy of Hank's Seafood Restaurant.