Diners' Choice: Southern restaurants in South Carolina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Southern cuisine in South Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rustic Table

4.8

4.8 (931)

$30 and under

Southern

Pawleys Island

About the restaurant

Rustic Table brings comfort food and home-style dining to Pawley's Island.

Top review

DrewVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Olivia did a wonderful job as our server. This is the 2nd time here. We really enjoyed the food and atmospher. We will defintely be back!

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4.8

4.8 (4826)

$50 and over

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Anson was named one of OpenTable's 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America for 2018 |

Top review

Monica

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing experience with exceptional service . Beautiful restaurant, will go back very soon

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Popular dish

Whole Crispy Flounder

Stella's Bistro - Simpsonville

4.9

4.9 (2164)

$30 and under

Southern

Greenville

About the restaurant

**PLEASE NOTE** THIS IS THE STELLA'S IN SIMPSONVILLE ON FAIRVIEW ROAD
Parties larger than 8, please call the restaurant for reservations!
Stella’s Southern Bistro in Simpsonville- open for 16 years, is a staple of this area. We offer cuisine influenced by the coastal Carolina's & American south. We support regional food artisans & emphasize the importance of sourcing products harvested locally. Stella’s offers from-scratch menu, genuine hospitality, full wine list & crafted cocktails all served in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere.
Enjoy the menu cuisine of nationally recognized Chef Jason Scholz.
Private Dining: Stella's can accommodate groups up to 50 in size in our beautiful & private Indigo Room.

Top review

Curt

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Just my personal taste, but I ordered the pretzel crusted pork chop, and it was delicious, but I would've liked to have a little more mashed sweet potatoes and sauce for the chop with less red cabbage.

The Retreat at Ridgeway: Lake Wateree Dining

4.9

4.9 (124)

$30 and under

Southern

Colonel Creek Landing

About the restaurant

The Retreat located on Lake Wateree in Ridgeway, South Carolina is inspired by celebrating family and the community. This scratch kitchen showcases locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in their cozy lake front restaurant. Chef Blake Hartwick's approach and belief in representing local farmers drives the refined southern cuisine served at The Retreat. The southern charm extends through the whole restaurant as Heather's dedication to exceptional experience will provide you with a warm welcome in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere paired with attentive service. Menu items that have remained on the menu since day one, Hickory Smoked Pork Chop, the Retreat Burger, and Buffalo Cauliflower.

Top review

Nancy

Dined 3 days ago

We love The Retreat! Always great food, lovely atmosphere and a favorite place to eat!

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Experience

3 Courses for 29 Our Holiday Restaurant Week

Ruby Lee's

4.8

4.8 (359)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

The new Ruby Lee’s on Wild Horse!
The new Ruby Lee’s offers more of what patrons of Hilton Head Island have come to love and expect in the past: delicious southern cooking and a comfortable yet stimulating atmosphere that offers the perfect way to enjoy sports or outstanding blues, jazz and soul from local and regional artists. If you’re not familiar with Ruby Lee’s, it’s a locally owned restaurant, started by Tim Singleton (known to Low-country residents as an athlete and head coach). The restaurant is named for Singleton’s late grandmother who is the inspiration for the Southern-style menu. The new and revamped version of the original; yet it still captures the Southern feel-good themes that have an uncanny way of making you hungry for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, corn bread, and sweet tea the moment you walk in the door. If, for some reason, you’re not quite ready to eat after walking in the door of Ruby Lee’s, you’ll notice a pang of hunger once you look at the menu.

Top review

Monroe

Dined 4 days ago

Great food. It was a slow Wednesday night so we got special attention from the owner.

Sassafras Southern Bistro

4.9

4.9 (3379)

$30 and under

Southern

Greenville

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, Sassafras Southern Bistro serves an eclectic menu of American cuisine with a truly Southern influence. Menu items include steak, fresh seafood, salads, and amazing desserts. Sassafras Southern Bistro has a full bar featuring local beers on tap and an extensive wine selection both by the glass and by the bottle.

Start out your meal at Sassafras Southern Bistro with one of their amazing appetizers like the spicy pork tenderloin or the famous blue crab and pepper-jack nachos. Choose from entrees like the raved about shrimp and grits or the filet with house made pimento. Some vegetarian and gluten free options are available upon request.

Top review

Steve

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was wonderful, and we were so impressed that the owner visits every table, greeting his customers! Sassafras is always a favorite!

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Popular dish

Marinated Beef Tips

HogsHead Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.6

4.6 (447)

$31 to $50

Southern

Hilton Head Island

About the restaurant

Known as one of the best scratch kitchens in the area, HogsHead offers guests fresh and innovative cuisine, along with Lowcountry staples like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits, all with the best staff in town. Ask them to recommend their favorite handcrafted cocktail or expertly pair wine from the extensive by the glass or bottle list to complement your dinner.

The ever-present Chef/Owner and Philly native John Pashak has been nominated for four James Beard Awards in the Mid-Atlantic area. All the sauces, dressings, desserts and even focaccia bread are made daily from his handwritten recipes. Local fresh catch and filet specials are offered nightly along with the full menu which includes gluten-free options.

Top review

Linda

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

I definitely need to come more regularly. It's conveniently located in Bluffton and the food and service are exceptional! Great place for enjoying some small plates and nice wine.

Coastal Provisions

4.4

4.4 (456)

$31 to $50

Southern

Isle of Palms

About the restaurant

Coastal Provisions offers upscale yet resort casual dining to the Charleston area public and resort guests. Menus change seasonally, allowing us to capture the freshest ingredients of the moment. Proud partner of the South Carolina Aquarium's Good Catch program.

Important Note: All reservations are held inside as outdoor seating is weather permitting. Comments specifying seating preference are honored if, and when available. In an effort to accommodate as many outside requests as possible, we offer our outdoor seating mainly on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the restaurant directly for additional details or confirmations.

Top review

maureenVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Loved the beet and buratta salad and the pumpkin ravioli!

Rudy Royale

4.5

4.5 (850)

$30 and under

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Rudy Royale combines a fun atmosphere with approachable yet elevated seasonal cuisine. This establishment has an extensive cocktail list and takes pride in serving a great selection of local beers. Chef & Owner Macready Downer consistently elevates and updates our menu to provide something new and delicious every visit. The food is always fresh and flavorful, and the service is top-notch. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a special occasion dinner, Rudy Royale is sure to please. Make a reservation today -- we'd love to serve y'all.

Event & Private Dining Spaces Available.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food! Best cornbread and mac & cheese around!!

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Popular dish

Notorious Chicken Sandwich

4.5

4.5 (3028)

$30 and under

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

This sophisticated Southern dining spot blends the comforts of a traditional Southern kitchen with familiar regional dishes prepared with the utmost care for quality and flavor. The menu incorporates local fresh ingredients and old family recipes to bring you Southern cooking, Lowcountry style.

*menus subject to change, please visit www.holycityhospitality.com for current menus

Top review

Amber

Dined 1 day ago

Had a wonderful brunch at Virginia on King. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding from the manager to our waitress! Thank you all for an enjoyable morning! Merry Christmas🎄

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Popular dish

Fried Green Tomato Benedict

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