‹ 25 small cities with big food › No. 13
Small city, big food · No. 13 of 25
Charleston, South Carolina
Photo: Chef AmazingLowcountry rice, shrimp and oysters, Gullah cooking and a generation of chefs who made it national news. Our own story is FIG, and the drive out to Sullivan's Island for lunch is part of the trip.
Shrimp and grits, and roasted oysters
Where to eat in Charleston
1A photo like it
FIG
Get: Chicken liver pâté, the fresh catch
Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow's dining room, and the subject of our own story; Michelin Recommended in 2026. (raleighmag.com)
2A photo like it
3
Leon's Oyster Shop
Get: Fried chicken and a dozen oysters
A converted garage with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. (raleighmag.com)
4A photo like it
Bowens Island Restaurant
Get: Steamed oyster clusters, Frogmore stew
Shoveling oysters on the creek since 1946. (afar.com)
Plan the trip
- When to go
- March to May and October to November.
- Getting there
- Charleston International (CHS), 20 minutes from downtown.
More for Charleston
Why it's on the list
Our story city; three Michelin stars on the peninsula, 2026.
- Chef Amazing: Food Is Good, and they mean it (FIG)
- Chef Amazing: The Obstinate Daughter
- Michelin Guide American South 2026 (Post and Courier)
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Places checked November 14, 2026; hours and menus change. "A photo like it" is the same kind of food, not from that place. Nobody pays to be on our lists.
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Researched and published by Chef Amazing, from our own stories, this year’s critics and food press, and a check that each place is open. Nobody pays to be on our lists: how we pick. Spot something wrong? Tell us and we fix it.