Fine Dining in Charleston
In a town full of restaurants whose menus range from classic Southern comfort to the epitome of elegance, it’s not too hard to find a truly memorable dining experience. Here are some of our favorite fine dining establishments.
Stars Rooftop & Grill
495 King Street
starsrestaurant.com
The atmosphere at Stars gives a nod to the classic 1930s style grill room. The strategic dining room layout allows each table to have a view of the open kitchen and its prized oak wood fired grill. In addition to a large selection of wines on tap, their specialty drink menu offers creative twists on traditional cocktails. Give the Fort Sumter Julep a try; a beverage composed of infused bourbon, fresh spearmint and local honey. Chef Nathan Thurston incorporates modern culinary techniques and locally sourced ingredients in his menu. Make sure to check out their rooftop area as it really is one of the best in the city.
Charleston Grill
224 King Street
charlestongrill.com
The atmosphere of Charleston Grill is formal, yet inviting, and sets the stage for a special occasion. Serving everything from Charleston crab cakes to decadent appetizers like seared foie gras, Chef Michelle Weaver has created a menu that features sophisticated Southern favorites as well as other dishes for more cosmopolitan tastes. Located in the Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston Grill features live jazz music nightly and a separate lounge area for light food and drinks, making this restaurant the perfect stop for dinner or an elegant nightcap. The knowledgeable staff features an in-house sommelier, which has led Charleston Grill to receive recognition for exceptional wining and dining. General Manager Mickey Bakst just might be the nicest gentleman in Charleston.
Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad Street
oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Located in a three-story renovated old bank on historic Broad Street, Oak Steakhouse is a favorite among great steakhouses in Charleston. The flagship restaurant has set the tone for success for the Indigo Road Restaurant Group and boasts a high-end menu built from traditional steakhouse techniques and locally sourced produce and seafood. Vegetarians fear not, there are meatless options as well. The extensive wine list is packed with amazing reds, ripe for pairing with your specialty cuts of steaks. Whether you’re making reservations for an elegant dinner or just want to grab a drink at the beautiful bar downstairs, you can’t go wrong with Oak.
Cypress
167 East Bay Street
magnolias-blossom-cypress.com
The impressively large two-story dining room at Cypress is the perfect setting in which to enjoy the creations of local favorite Chef Craig Deihl. The selection of charcuterie, all of which are prepared, cured, and stored in house, is one of Deihl’s shining achievements. The crispy wasabi tuna or the chateaubriand for two are among our favorite dishes. Choose between a roomy booth for an upscale feast or have a seat at the upstairs bar and snack on one of their yummy small plates. If you’re a wine connoisseur, you’re going to love their several-story high wine storage system. Order a special bottle and watch your server climb to the top to retrieve it!
Tristan
10 Linguard Street
tristandining.com
Take your taste buds for a ride! Chef Nate Whiting of Tristan Restaurant’s specialty is using simple ingredients in new and unexpected ways. How about the Lowcountry Carbonara with Carolina quail and a sunny-side up egg or house-made peanut butter cups with poprocks in them? The modern American cuisine is complemented by the contemporary décor and smooth curves of the dining room. Go ahead and drink several bottles from their cellar of nearly 400 bottles as you can always spend the night at the award-winning French Quarter Inn just upstairs.
Peninsula Grill
112 North Market Street
peninsulagrill.com
The award winning Peninsula Grill, located on the ground floor of the Planter’s Inn Hotel, has received national recognition for Chef Graham Dailey’s innovative creations. He produces sophisticated takes on Southern cuisine often involving seafood, beef, duck, etc. on a menu that changes with the seasons. The beautifully decorated dining room will surround you in feelings of romance, elegance, and luxury. Make a special occasion even more incredible with a unique vintage from their high-end wine list.
Words: Leah Yorston
Comments (0)
No comments yet