12 Most Coveted Restaurant Tables In South Carolina That Book Out Weeks Ahead
South Carolina’s restaurant scene has reached a tipping point where scoring a prime table requires military-level precision and timing.
Popular spots now fill their reservation books faster than concert tickets, with diners setting phone alarms and marking calendars just to snag a coveted seat.
The state’s culinary reputation has grown so strong that both locals and visitors compete fiercely for these dining experiences.
Here are the twelve restaurants where getting a table feels like winning the lottery.
1. FIG – Charleston (Downtown)
Chef Mike Lata’s flagship restaurant transformed Charleston’s dining landscape when it opened, earning him a James Beard Award in 2009.
The intimate space focuses on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and waters, creating dishes that showcase Lowcountry flavors with modern techniques.
Reservations drop exactly 28 days ahead at noon through Resy, and prime weekend slots vanish within minutes. I learned this the hard way when I tried booking a birthday dinner at 12:05 PM and found only Tuesday lunch available.
Smart diners set calendar reminders and have backup dates ready before that noon release time hits.
2. The Ordinary – Charleston (Upper King)
This stunning raw bar occupies a restored bank building, complete with soaring ceilings and marble surfaces that create an almost cathedral-like dining atmosphere.
The shellfish towers here are legendary, drawing crowds who wait weeks just to crack into fresh oysters and lobster.
Reservations become available four weeks in advance at noon via Resy, either through their website or the Resy platform. The timing creates a mad rush among Charleston food lovers who know these tables book solid within hours.
Weekend prime time slots require lightning-fast fingers and a reliable internet connection to secure successfully.
3. Vern’s – Charleston (Elliotborough)
Tucked into a residential neighborhood, this tiny restaurant represents everything people love about chef-driven dining. The limited seating means every table feels special, and the constantly changing menu keeps regulars coming back to discover new favorites.
Getting a reservation requires setting actual alarms for the 30-day release window at noon sharp. The small size means even weeknight tables disappear quickly, making this one of Charleston’s most challenging bookings.
Local food enthusiasts treat Vern’s reservations like a competitive sport, with some keeping spreadsheets of release dates for their desired dining months.
4. Wild Common – Charleston (Cannonborough)
This tasting menu restaurant deliberately keeps its covers extremely limited, creating an exclusive experience that feels more like dining in someone’s home than a commercial establishment. The multi-course format allows chefs to showcase their creativity without menu constraints.
The 30-day booking window opens through Resy, but weekend availability disappears almost immediately due to the restaurant’s tiny capacity. Weeknight reservations offer better odds but still require quick action when bookings open.
Food lovers willing to splurge on this intimate experience should have multiple date options ready and book the moment reservations become available online.
5. Sorelle – Charleston (Broad Street)
Charleston’s newest Italian sensation operates across multiple levels, each offering a different dining experience from casual to upscale. Since opening, demand has been so intense that weekend reservations book solid weeks ahead of the 60-day window.
The restaurant accepts bookings up to two months in advance, giving diners more planning time than most Charleston hotspots. However, this extended window means competition is fierce, especially for Friday and Saturday prime times.
Smart diners book immediately when their desired date becomes available, as Sorelle’s popularity shows no signs of cooling down among Charleston’s Italian food lovers.
6. Chez Nous – Charleston (Cannonborough)
This charming house restaurant operates with just a handful of tables and a daily-changing menu featuring two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts. The intimate scale creates a dining experience that feels both exclusive and wonderfully unpredictable.
Resy handles the booking process, but the tiny dining room means reservations vanish quickly once released. The limited menu options actually add to the appeal, as diners trust the kitchen’s daily selections completely.
Regular customers have learned to book multiple dates when possible, knowing that Chez Nous consistently delivers memorable meals worth the booking challenge and limited choices.
7. Halls Chophouse – Charleston (King Street)
This beloved steakhouse has become Charleston’s go-to spot for special occasions, with their Sunday Gospel Brunch creating a cultural phenomenon that extends far beyond typical dining. The combination of excellent steaks and live music creates an atmosphere found nowhere else.
Reservations open 90 days ahead on Resy, but popular slots still book weeks in advance despite the extended window. The Sunday brunch requires especially early planning due to its unique entertainment factor.
Anniversary dinners and celebration meals make up much of their clientele, so booking around holidays requires even more advance planning than usual.
8. The Obstinate Daughter – Sullivan’s Island
Located on Sullivan’s Island, this restaurant combines creative pastas and pizzas with fresh seafood in a setting that captures the relaxed beach atmosphere. The limited island location means fewer restaurants compete for diners, making reservations here especially valuable.
Bookings open just two weeks in advance through their website, creating intense competition among locals and visitors planning beach weekends. The shorter booking window actually makes timing more critical than restaurants with longer advance reservations.
Beach vacation planners should set reminders for exactly two weeks before their desired dining date, as prime weekend slots disappear within hours of becoming available online.
9. Fleet Landing – Charleston (Waterfront)
This waterfront institution specializes in Lowcountry classics while offering some of Charleston’s best sunset views from their outdoor tables. The combination of traditional dishes and prime harbor location makes dinner reservations highly sought after.
The restaurant recommends booking several weeks ahead through their website, with sunset tables being the most competitive.
Harbor views and traditional shrimp and grits create the quintessential Charleston dining experience that visitors dream about.
Timing dinner to catch the sunset requires both advance planning and flexible scheduling, as the best tables book quickly once they become available through their reservation system.
10. The Ocean Room – Kiawah Island (The Sanctuary)
This Forbes-recognized steakhouse inside The Sanctuary resort offers fine dining with stunning ocean views that justify the challenging reservation process. The combination of premium steaks and beachfront location creates an unmatched luxury dining experience.
Non-hotel guests can typically request reservations seven days in advance through the resort’s online system, making weekend planning particularly challenging. Resort guests receive booking priority, adding another layer of competition for coveted tables.
The oceanfront setting and Forbes recognition mean weekend reservations require backup dates and flexible timing to secure successfully during peak seasons.
11. Scoundrel – Greenville (Downtown)
James Beard semifinalist Joe Cash created this French brasserie in Greenville’s downtown, bringing sophisticated cuisine to the upstate region. The limited dining room size means every table feels special, but also makes reservations extremely competitive.
Resy handles bookings, and the restaurant openly acknowledges that limited seating makes reservations strongly encouraged. Weekend prime times fill well in advance as Greenville diners embrace this elevated French dining option.
The chef’s reputation and limited capacity create a perfect storm for booking challenges, requiring advance planning for anyone wanting to experience this acclaimed French cuisine firsthand.
12. Jianna – Greenville (Falls Park)
This modern Italian restaurant near Falls Park has become Greenville’s hottest reservation, especially during Restaurant Week when demand reaches fever pitch. House-made pastas and a raw bar create an upscale Italian experience that draws diners from across the region.
Resy manages reservations, and the restaurant strongly recommends advance booking while keeping their bar available for walk-ins. The Falls Park location adds appeal for diners wanting to combine great food with scenic surroundings.
Restaurant Week transforms this already popular spot into a nearly impossible booking, requiring immediate action when reservations open and backup date flexibility for successful planning.