These Are Charleston, South Carolina’s Best Soul Food Spots That Locals Swear By
I’ve spent enough time exploring Charleston’s food scene to understand that the true magic happens away from the touristy spots.
Soul food here isn’t just a meal—it’s a comforting embrace, like getting a hug from grandma, a story handed down through generations, and a beautiful reminder of why the Lowcountry always feels like home.
When locals share their favorite places to eat, these are the names you’ll hear over and over, each serving up dishes so delicious that you’ll find yourself planning your next visit before you even finish your first meal.
1. Bertha’s Kitchen
Walking into Bertha’s Kitchen feels like stepping into somebody’s beloved home where the stove never cools down. This North Charleston treasure has been dishing out authentic Gullah-style soul food for decades, and every bite tells a story older than the building itself.
Fried chicken here isn’t just good—it’s the kind that makes you close your eyes and sigh. Collard greens simmer with just the right amount of seasoning, while red rice carries flavors that connect you straight to the Lowcountry’s African roots.
Timing matters here more than anywhere else. Arrive early or risk missing out on signature dishes that disappear faster than morning fog over the harbor.
2. Hannibal’s Kitchen
Four decades of family recipes have turned Hannibal’s Kitchen into something rare: a place where seafood and soul food dance together like old friends at a fish fry. You won’t find white tablecloths or fancy lighting, but you will find turkey wings so tender they fall off the bone.
Crab and shrimp rice here tastes like the marsh at high tide—briny, rich, and deeply satisfying. Shark steak might sound adventurous, but it’s cooked with such care that even picky eaters come back for seconds.
Forget about Instagram-worthy interiors. This spot delivers pure, unfiltered flavor that reminds you why soul food earned its name in the first place.
3. My Three Sons of Charleston
Some restaurants try to recreate home cooking, but My Three Sons actually achieves it. This family-run gem on Dorchester Road serves the kind of food that makes you want to call your mama and tell her you’re eating well.
Fried whiting arrives golden and crispy, paired with mac and cheese so creamy it could convert lactose-intolerant folks into believers. Ribs here get the low-and-slow treatment they deserve, falling apart before your fork even touches them.
Lunch is prime time, so plan accordingly. Popular dishes vanish quickly because regulars know exactly when to show up and what to order before the good stuff runs out.
4. East Side Soul Food
Tucked away on America Street, East Side Soul Food proves that big flavor doesn’t need a big budget or fancy surroundings. Locals guard this spot like a secret family recipe, though word keeps spreading because the food simply won’t let you stay quiet.
Fried shrimp comes piled high and seasoned perfectly, while ribs get basted with sauce that strikes the sweet-tangy balance just right. Portions here could feed a small army, making the already reasonable prices feel like highway robbery in reverse.
Simple chairs and plain walls fade into the background when your taste buds start celebrating. Come hungry, come casual, and come ready for comfort food that earns every calorie.
5. Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Rodney Scott didn’t just open a barbecue joint—he created a temple where smoke and tradition meet on every plate. While this King Street spot leans more barbecue than traditional meat-and-three soul food, it’s still deeply rooted in Southern comfort cuisine that locals crave.
Whole hog cooking isn’t just a technique here; it’s an art form perfected over generations. Pulled pork arrives smoky and tender, while mac and cheese provides the creamy counterpoint your palate needs between bites of perfectly charred meat.
Yes, tourists have discovered this place, making it busier than some hidden gems. But locals still line up because authenticity like this can’t be faked or franchised.
6. Nigel’s Good Food
Driving out to Ladson might seem like a detour, but Nigel’s Good Food rewards the journey with plates that taste like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house. Local food forums light up with praise for this spot, and one visit explains why the buzz never dies down.
Fried chicken here achieves that elusive perfect crunch while staying juicy inside. Collards get cooked low and slow with just enough seasoning, and candied yams arrive sweet enough to feel like dessert without crossing into candy territory.
Downtown visitors often miss this gem entirely, which means more room for those of us willing to venture slightly off the beaten path for soul food worth the drive.
7. Buckshot’s Restaurant
McClellanville isn’t exactly on most tourist maps, which makes Buckshot’s Restaurant feel like discovering buried treasure in your own backyard. This buffet-style spot serves home-cooked soul food that makes the drive up Highway 17 feel like the smartest decision you’ve made all week.
Fried fish comes out hot and flaky, while meatloaf tastes like someone’s grandmother spent all morning perfecting it. Vegetables aren’t afterthoughts here—they’re seasoned with care and attention that proves Southern cooking respects every ingredient on the plate.
Grab your car keys and a healthy appetite. This hidden gem rewards adventurous eaters who understand that the best food often waits beyond the city limits.
8. Poogan’s Porch
Housed in a historic Charleston home, Poogan’s Porch walks the line between upscale dining and authentic soul food with the grace of a tightrope walker. Named after a neighborhood dog who once claimed the porch as his own, this Queen Street restaurant honors Southern traditions while adding a touch of polish.
Fried green tomatoes arrive crispy and tangy, while she-crab soup delivers creamy richness that warms you from the inside out. Classic comfort dishes get plated with care, proving that soul food can dress up without losing its heart.
Expect slightly higher prices and a more refined atmosphere than pure soul food joints, but the authenticity remains intact and locals still recommend it proudly.
9. Martha Lou’s Kitchen
Martha Lou Gadsden turned a tiny pink building into a Charleston institution where soul food reaches legendary status. This unassuming spot on Morrison Drive has fed everyone from construction workers to celebrities, treating each person to the same generous hospitality and unforgettable flavors.
Lima beans here taste better than they have any right to, cooked with ham hocks until they’re creamy and savory. Fried chicken stays crispy outside while remaining impossibly moist inside, and the okra gumbo carries enough flavor to convert even vegetable skeptics.
Cash only, limited hours, and zero pretension—that’s the Martha Lou way. Come as you are, leave happy, and start planning your return visit immediately.
10. Dave’s Carry Out
Sometimes the best soul food doesn’t come with table service or fancy seating, and Dave’s Carry Out proves this truth daily. This no-frills spot has built a devoted following by focusing on what matters most: food that tastes like love and effort went into every single dish.
Chicken wings get fried to perfection with seasoning that makes your fingers worth licking despite your mother’s etiquette lessons. Fried fish arrives hot and crispy, while sides rotate based on what’s fresh and what Dave feels like cooking that day.
Grab your order, find a nearby park bench or your car seat, and enjoy soul food that proves the best restaurants don’t always have dining rooms or reservations.