13 South Carolina Restaurants Locals Guard Like Hidden Gems
South Carolina people know how to hide their reservations for a liking place to the best of their hearts. Not like the clueless tourists flocking to big-name spots, these locals head instead to out-of-the-way joints and Mom ‘n Pop places that put out amazing grub minus the noise.
Their restaurants have earned it over years of relentless cooking, unfailing warm service, and flavors that enthral diners time after time.
1. Jackrabbit Filly – North Charleston
Former food truck owners transformed their mobile success into a cozy brick-and-mortar spot in Park Circle, bringing creative Chinese-American fusion to an unexpected neighborhood corner.
The Sichuan hot karaage delivers serious heat wrapped in crispy perfection that’ll make you question every other fried chicken you’ve ever tasted.
Wonton nachos sound weird on paper, but taste like pure genius on your plate. The mapo tofu strikes the perfect balance between authentic technique and approachable flavors.
Open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch, with dinner service Wednesday–Thursday and Friday–Saturday (closed Sunday–Tuesday), they actually accept reservations, which feels refreshingly civilized for a place this good and this reasonably priced.
2. Bertha’s Kitchen – North Charleston
Walking into Bertha’s Kitchen feels like stepping into your grandmother’s dining room, if your grandmother happened to win a James Beard America’s Classics award in 2017.
The cafeteria-style line moves slowly, but nobody minds because anticipation builds with each step closer to the legendary fried chicken.
Turkey wings fall off the bone while red rice carries just enough spice to wake up your taste buds. The okra soup alone justifies the inevitable wait, thick with flavor and comfort.
Plan your visit carefully since they typically operate Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and the small dining room fills up fast with locals who know good soul food when they taste it.
3. Chez Nous – Charleston
Six items on a chalkboard menu might seem limiting until you realize the kitchen changes everything daily based on what’s fresh and inspiring.
This tiny two-story bistro operates more like a chef’s personal dinner party than a traditional restaurant, with just two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts available each day.
I’ve never had a disappointing meal here, partly because the limited options force the kitchen to perfect each dish. The intimate setting means conversations flow between tables like old friends catching up.
Reservations through Resy are practically mandatory given the microscopic seating capacity, but scoring a table feels like winning the culinary lottery.
4. Bowens Island Restaurant – Charleston
Perched on the marsh between James Island and Folly Beach, this weathered seafood shack earned its 2006 James Beard America’s Classics award through decades of no-nonsense coastal cooking.
The steamed oysters, available after 4 pm, arrive by the bucket with butter and cocktail sauce for serious shellfish sessions.
Fried shrimp come golden and grease-free, while Frogmore stew delivers Low Country flavors in one satisfying bowl. The sunset views from the deck make every meal feel like a special occasion.
Operating Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 9:30 pm, they don’t take reservations, so arriving early ensures both good seats and the freshest catch of the day.
5. Hannibal’s Kitchen – Charleston
Since the 1980s, this East Side institution has been quietly feeding Charleston’s soul with authentic Gullah-Geechee cuisine that connects diners to the region’s deepest cultural roots.
The crab rice showcases how simple ingredients transform into something magical when prepared with generations of technique and love.
Shrimp and gravy over rice create comfort food perfection, while pork chops arrive seasoned and cooked exactly right. Counter service keeps things casual and prices reasonable.
Open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, the modest storefront might not look like much from the outside, but locals know this place preserves flavors and traditions that make Charleston special.
6. Gullah Grub – St. Helena Island
Tucked away on St. Helena Island near Beaufort, this family-run restaurant serves as both cultural educator and incredible kitchen, preserving Gullah cuisine while satisfying hungry visitors who make the trek from the mainland.
The crab soup arrives rich and chunky, packed with sweet crabmeat and aromatic spices that tell the story of Sea Island cooking.
Shrimp and grits reach their full potential here while okra gumbo demonstrates how traditional techniques create complex flavors. The limited schedule means calling ahead is essential.
Family ownership shows in every detail, from the warm welcome to the carefully prepared plates that honor both tradition and taste.
7. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen – Murrells Inlet
Operating since 1948 as the Grand Strand’s oldest family-owned restaurant, Lee’s has perfected the art of fried seafood while tourists chase newer, flashier options down the highway.
The seafood platters arrive mountainous and golden, featuring whatever came off the boats that morning, cooked to crispy perfection.
Onion rings achieve legendary status among regulars while hushpuppies provide the perfect vehicle for sopping up every last bit of flavor. Seasonal hours mean checking their schedule before making the drive.
Currently serving evenings Monday through Saturday, this place proves that sometimes the oldest restaurants survive because they simply do everything right, year after year.
8. Scott’s Bar-B-Que – Hemingway
The Scott family has been cooking whole hogs over wood fires in tiny Hemingway for generations, creating barbecue that draws pilgrims from across the Southeast to this unassuming roadside spot.
The pork arrives smoky and tender, pulled from animals cooked low and slow until they practically fall apart.
Baked beans and creamy coleslaw provide perfect accompaniments while bottles of their sauce make excellent souvenirs. Limited operating days, typically Wednesday through Saturday during daylight hours, make timing crucial.
This isn’t fast food or casual dining – it’s a barbecue education that demonstrates how patience, wood smoke, and family tradition create something approaching perfection on a paper plate.
9. The Anchorage – Greenville
Nestled in Greenville’s Village of West Greenville, this neighborhood restaurant elevates small plates dining beyond trendy buzzwords into something genuinely special and thoughtfully executed.
Seasonal vegetables receive star treatment alongside fresh seafood preparations that change with availability and inspiration.
The natural-leaning beverage program pairs beautifully with creative shareables designed for lingering conversations. Creative desserts provide sweet endings that often surprise with unexpected flavor combinations.
I’ve brought out-of-town friends here multiple times, and they always leave planning their next visit to Greenville around dinner reservations.
Open Tuesday through Saturday evenings with reservations strongly suggested, especially for weekend dining when locals pack this intimate space.
10. Wade’s Restaurant – Spartanburg
Wade’s just earned the 2024 James Beard America’s Classics award, but locals have known about their exceptional meat-and-three cafeteria for decades.
The fried chicken achieves that perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior that makes you understand why Southern fried chicken became legendary.
Vegetable plates let diners sample multiple sides while those famous yeast rolls disappear faster than good sense. Banana pudding provides the ideal finish to meals that feel like Sunday dinner at your favorite relative’s house.
Open Monday through Friday 11 am to 8 pm, plus Sunday 11 am to 3 pm, they close Saturdays, which gives the hardworking staff a well-deserved break from feeding Spartanburg’s hungry masses.
11. Malia’s – Aiken
Downtown Aiken’s refined dining scene centers around this longtime local favorite, where seasonal menus showcase chef-driven creativity without pretension or sky-high prices.
Daily fish preparations highlight whatever’s freshest, while seasonal salads incorporate local produce at peak ripeness.
Classic desserts provide comforting endings to meals that balance sophistication with approachability. The lunch crowd includes business meetings and friends catching up over carefully prepared plates.
Serving lunch Tuesday through Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday, plus Sunday brunch, Malia’s has earned its reputation through consistency and quality that keeps Aiken’s dining scene interesting.
Reservations help secure tables during busy periods when locals celebrate special occasions or simply treat themselves to excellent food.
12. Kounter – Rock Hill
Chef Rob Masone transformed Rock Hill’s historic McCrory’s Building into something powerful and delicious, honoring the Friendship Nine sit-ins while serving inventive cuisine at the restored lunch counter.
The “Kre8 crisps” showcase creative appetizer thinking while perfectly cooked steaks anchor the dinner menu.
Seasonal specials keep regular customers guessing while the strong beverage program adds sophistication to this historically significant space. Interactive counter seating creates unique dining experiences.
Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch with reservations available, Kounter proves that restaurants can honor important history while serving outstanding food that stands on its own merits, creating meaningful dining experiences beyond just great flavors.
13. The War Mouth – Columbia
Columbia’s Cottontown district gained a culinary anchor when The War Mouth opened, elevating camp-food traditions into something sophisticated yet still recognizably Southern and satisfying.
Mustard-fried venison showcases creative preparation techniques while whole-hog barbecue plates with hash and rice deliver classic Low Country flavors.
Catfish stew and chicken bog represent regional specialties prepared with modern technique and traditional respect. Deviled eggs might sound simple, but arrive elevated beyond typical bar snacks.
Operating Monday 4-10 pm, Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 am-10 pm, plus Sunday brunch 11 am-2:30 pm, they’ve created a space where elevated Southern cooking meets relaxed neighborhood dining in Columbia’s evolving food landscape.