Food Scene Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, is where culinary tradition sashays with innovation, and right now the city is having a gastronomic moment worthy of any food lover’s attention. New restaurant openings and the creative ambitions of decorated chefs are giving fresh flavors to the Holy City’s long-revered culinary reputation, all while honoring the Lowcountry larder and Charleston’s deep multicultural roots.
Anyone landing in Charleston hungry for what’s new will quickly hear the buzz around Costa in Harleston Village. The coastal Italian concept, steered by chef Vinson Petrillo, stands out even in a seafood-rich town. Costa’s luminous, airy dining room sets the stage for beautiful crudos—think scallop with passionfruit and citrus—candele pasta tangled with rich anchovy, and show-stopping swordfish, prepped each day with local catch. It’s already being dubbed the best Amalfi Coast experience this side of the Atlantic, rounded out with a tangy lemon tiramisu inspired by the Italian coast.
Filipino cuisine is also turning heads at Kultura, where chef-owner Nikko Cagalanan delivers soulful plates like pancit, sisig, and Valenciana—pork and shrimp paella—showcasing Charleston’s embrace of global flavors. Kultura’s inventive cocktails match the plates for creativity, with pandan syrup, tequila, and tropical twists defying tradition and inviting conversation, much like the chef himself.
For those who crave Southern comfort with a touch of modern grace, Lowland makes the case for being the city’s most exciting new Southern table. Housed in a historic Charleston home at The Pinch Hotel and directed by James Beard Award-winner Jason Stanhope, the menu is bright with local produce, offering bold takes like celery salad with dates and walnuts or yellowfin tuna crudo with yuzu and spicy peanuts. The butterscotch pot de creme, smooth as old jazz, leaves an indelible impression.
Signature Charleston dishes like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup are still musts. ACME Lowcountry Kitchen slings jerk shrimp over coconut grits with pineapple salsa, while The Palmetto Cafe’s she-crab soup remains the gold standard: creamy, briny, and deeply satisfying. Okra soup, fried green tomatoes, and Frogmore stew pay homage to the city’s Gullah, African, and Native American culinary roots, all starring the region’s unique ingredients—plump shrimp from local docks, heirloom grits, and just-picked okra.
With food festivals, pop-up chef collaborations, and natural wine bars igniting the cityscape, Charleston’s food scene is more dynamic—and welcoming—than ever. Its magic lies in the respectful discord between past and present: where historic homes play host to boundary-pushing kitchens, and every meal hums with local pride. For listeners passionate about discovery, Charleston is a banquet of stories, flavors, and experiences—one city where tradition never stands still..
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
