Unearth The Voyage
South Carolina knows how to do comfort food right. From smoky barbecue joints tucked into small towns to historic Charleston porches serving shrimp and grits, the state offers a delicious tour through Lowcountry soul food, whole-hog barbecue, and home-cooked Southern classics. Whether you’re craving fried chicken with red rice or a heaping plate of hash and rice, these restaurants serve up the kind of food that makes you feel right at home.
1. Bertha’s Kitchen (North Charleston) – Award-Winning Lowcountry Soul Food
Winning a James Beard America’s Classics award isn’t easy, but Bertha’s Kitchen earned that honor by staying true to Gullah Geechee cooking traditions. Every plate tells a story of generations-old recipes and slow-cooked flavors that warm you from the inside out.
Locals line up for the fried chicken and fried whiting, both served with that signature red rice that’s become legendary in North Charleston. The sides rotate based on what’s fresh and available, so every visit feels a little different. You might find collard greens one day and lima beans the next.
This isn’t fancy dining with white tablecloths. It’s honest, soulful food served in a no-frills setting where the cooking does all the talking and keeps people coming back year after year.
2. Poogan’s Porch (Charleston) – A Charleston Staple Since 1976
Poogan’s Porch has been serving that exact experience since 1976, making it one of the city’s most beloved institutions.
The menu reads like a love letter to Southern cooking. Shrimp and grits come creamy and rich, while the bone-in fried chicken arrives perfectly crispy. She-crab soup warms you up on cooler evenings, and the banana pudding provides the sweet finish everyone hopes for.
Named after a neighborhood dog who used to greet guests, this spot captures Charleston’s charm in every bite. Tourists and locals alike consider it essential eating when visiting the Holy City, especially for special occasions or Sunday brunch.
3. Husk (Charleston) – Lowcountry Ingredients, Big Southern Comfort Energy
When Husk opened, it changed how people thought about Southern food in Charleston. Chef-driven but still rooted in comfort, the restaurant celebrates regional ingredients while honoring the flavors grandmothers have been cooking for generations.
The menu shifts with the seasons, so you never quite know what you’ll find. But the pimento cheese and country ham with biscuits remain fan favorites, offering that perfect balance of tradition and creativity. Each dish showcases what’s growing locally right now, from heirloom tomatoes to Carolina Gold rice.
Housed in a beautifully restored historic home, Husk feels both fancy and familiar. You’re getting elevated Southern cooking without losing that warm, welcoming comfort food soul that makes the cuisine so special in the first place.
4. The Glass Onion (Charleston) – Shrimp & Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, Gumbo
Some restaurants try to do everything. The Glass Onion focuses on doing Southern comfort food really, really well. This neighborhood favorite has built a loyal following by nailing the classics people crave most.
Shrimp and grits arrive perfectly seasoned, while the buttermilk fried shrimp stay crispy bite after bite. The chicken gumbo brings a little Louisiana flair to the Lowcountry, and those fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese? They’re the kind of dish you’ll dream about later.
Located away from the tourist-heavy areas, this spot attracts Charlestonians who want honest, delicious food without the fuss. The vibe stays casual and welcoming, making it perfect for a relaxed weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch with friends who appreciate good cooking.
5. Page’s Okra Grill (Mount Pleasant) – The Brunch-and-Comfort-Food Magnet
Ask locals where to grab brunch in Mount Pleasant, and Page’s Okra Grill comes up again and again. The weekend crowds prove just how popular this spot has become, with families and friends gathering for hearty Southern plates that don’t hold back on portions.
Country fried chicken remains a bestseller, crispy and satisfying. Shrimp and grits show up creamy and loaded with flavor. Then there’s the famous TJ’s Hot Mess, a breakfast creation that piles everything delicious onto one plate, living up to its name in the best possible way.
Expect a wait during peak hours, but most people agree it’s worth it. The energy stays lively and friendly, with servers who know the menu inside out and a kitchen that consistently delivers comfort food done right.
6. SeeWee Restaurant (Awendaw) – No-Frills Lowcountry Seafood + Southern Sides
Sometimes the best meals happen in the most unassuming places. SeeWee Restaurant sits along the coast in Awendaw, serving fried seafood and Southern sides exactly how coastal South Carolinians have enjoyed them for decades.
Fried chicken and shrimp and grits anchor the menu, but the real stars might be the sides. Collard greens, mac and cheese, red rice, and okra all taste like somebody’s grandmother made them with care. Nothing fancy, just honest cooking that hits the spot every single time.
This is the kind of place where locals stop after a day on the water or travelers pull over on their way up the coast. The atmosphere stays laid-back and welcoming, focused entirely on good food rather than flashy decor or trendy touches.
7. Bowens Island Restaurant (Charleston/Folly Beach area) – Seafood Platters + Marsh Views
Perched along the marsh near Folly Beach, Bowens Island Restaurant delivers that authentic coastal South Carolina experience people travel for. The setting alone, with water views and a weathered, lived-in feel, tells you this place has been serving seafood for a long time.
Fried shrimp and oysters arrive hot and crispy, paired with hushpuppies that are golden and slightly sweet. The seafood platters offer generous portions, perfect for sharing or tackling solo if you’re really hungry. Everything tastes fresh, simple, and exactly right.
Don’t expect white tablecloths or fine dining service. What you get instead is a laid-back atmosphere where flip-flops fit right in and the focus stays squarely on enjoying good seafood in a beautiful, unpretentious setting that feels genuinely South Carolina.
8. Nigel’s Good Food (Ladson / Hanahan) – Classic Meat & 3 Southern Plates
The Meat and 3 tradition runs deep in Southern cooking, and Nigel’s Good Food keeps that spirit alive in the Lowcountry. You pick your protein, choose three sides from a long list, and settle in for a plate that feels like Sunday dinner at home.
Fried pork chops and country fried steak rotate through the menu, both cooked until golden and tender. The sides steal the show, though, with creamy mac and cheese, sweet candied yams, and perfectly seasoned collard greens all competing for your attention. Each one tastes homemade because it is.
This isn’t a place for experimenting with fusion or modern twists. It’s straightforward soul food done well, served in generous portions that leave you satisfied and maybe planning your next visit before you even finish eating.
9. Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Charleston) – Whole-Hog Barbecue, South Carolina-Style
Rodney Scott didn’t just open another barbecue joint. He brought whole-hog barbecue traditions from Hemingway to Charleston, earning a James Beard Award and a devoted following along the way. People drive from all over to taste what he’s been perfecting since childhood.
The pulled pork, cooked low and slow over hardwood coals, arrives smoky and tender with crispy bits mixed in. It’s barbecue in its purest form, simple and incredibly flavorful. The collard greens have become legendary in their own right, cooked until tender and seasoned just right.
The atmosphere stays casual and friendly, with picnic-style seating and a menu that focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well. This is South Carolina barbecue at its finest, honoring tradition while making it accessible to everyone who walks through the door.
10. Scott’s Bar-B-Que (Hemingway) – The Legendary Original With Limited Hours
Barbecue pilgrims plan entire road trips around Scott’s Bar-B-Que in Hemingway. Open only on Thursdays and Fridays, this legendary spot has been smoking whole hogs for generations, creating pulled pork that barbecue lovers consider a South Carolina treasure.
The pork speaks for itself, tender and smoky with that perfect vinegar-based pepper sauce cutting through the richness. When available, the fried pork skins add a crunchy, salty contrast that regulars never skip. There’s no fancy menu or long list of options, just barbecue done the way it’s always been done.
The limited hours and out-of-the-way location only add to the mystique. People drive hours to get here before they run out, which happens regularly. It’s barbecue as tradition, as family legacy, and as pure deliciousness all rolled into one unforgettable experience.
11. Sweatman’s BBQ (Holly Hill) – Hash & Rice Heaven
Hash and rice is one of those South Carolina specialties that confuses outsiders and delights locals. Sweatman’s BBQ in Holly Hill has elevated this humble dish to an art form, serving it all over as the star of the plate rather than a mere side.
The hash, slow-cooked and rich, gets ladled generously over fluffy white rice, creating a combination that’s uniquely South Carolina. Add a barbecue sandwich on the side, and you’ve got a meal that represents the state’s culinary traditions perfectly. Save room for banana pudding, which provides a sweet, creamy finish.
Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, Sweatman’s keeps things simple and focused. Families have been making the trip here for generations, passing down the tradition of great barbecue and that incomparable hash and rice that you just can’t find anywhere else.
12. Shealy’s Bar-B-Que (Batesburg-Leesville) – Country Buffet Comfort Since 1969
Since 1969, Shealy’s Bar-B-Que has been feeding families from a buffet line loaded with everything you could want from a South Carolina barbecue restaurant. The all-you-can-eat setup means you can try a little bit of everything without having to choose just one favorite.
Barbecue and fried chicken share space with home-cooked vegetables that change daily. Creamy mac and cheese, tender collard greens, sweet candied yams, and tangy coleslaw all beckon from the steam tables. You can pile your plate high or take multiple trips, sampling different combinations each time.
The atmosphere feels warm and family-friendly, with generations gathering around tables to enjoy a meal together. It’s the kind of place where everyone leaves full and happy, already talking about what they’ll get next time they visit.
13. Little Pigs Barbecue (Columbia) – A Taste-All-Three-Sauces Buffet
South Carolina takes its barbecue sauces seriously, with different regions preferring mustard-based, vinegar-based, or tomato-based varieties. Little Pigs Barbecue in Columbia lets you taste all three styles at their buffet, making it perfect for sauce exploration or finding your personal favorite.
The buffet spreads out with barbecue, rice, hash, and a lineup of comfort sides that includes creamy mac and cheese, slow-cooked collards, and more. You can experiment with different sauce combinations on your pork or stick with the classic your taste buds prefer best.
Located in the capital city, Little Pigs draws a mix of students, families, and barbecue enthusiasts all looking for that authentic South Carolina experience. The casual, help-yourself atmosphere makes it easy to relax and enjoy as much or as little as you want.
14. Lewis Barbecue (Charleston) – Smokehouse Comfort With Big Trays and Sides
When a Texas pitmaster brings his skills to Charleston, you get Lewis Barbecue. This hugely popular spot combines Texas-style smoking techniques with South Carolina hospitality, creating a barbecue experience that draws lines out the door most days.
Pork spare ribs arrive fall-off-the-bone tender with a beautiful smoke ring. The smoked sausage snaps when you bite into it, juicy and flavorful. Pulled pork from Boston butt gets piled high on plates and trays, perfect for feeding a crowd or satisfying a serious barbecue craving.
The ordering process works cafeteria-style, with meats sold by weight and sides available to round out your meal. The portions run generous, the quality stays consistently high, and the atmosphere buzzes with the energy of people who know they’re eating something special.
15. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen (Murrells Inlet) – Old-School Coastal Comfort Since 1948
Operating since 1948, Lee’s Inlet Kitchen has been serving coastal comfort food in Murrells Inlet for over seven decades. That kind of longevity comes from consistently delivering the flavors locals and visitors crave when they think about South Carolina seafood.
She-crab soup arrives rich and creamy, a coastal classic done exactly right. Fried shrimp and oysters come out golden and crispy, while crab cakes pack plenty of sweet crab meat in every bite. The fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese bridge the gap between traditional Southern and coastal Lowcountry cooking beautifully.
The restaurant maintains that old-school charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to when dining out meant white tablecloths and servers who treated you like family. It’s a taste of coastal South Carolina history, one delicious plate at a time.
