These Classic Dishes Define Charleston, South Carolina’s Food Scene
Stepping onto the historic streets of Charleston, South Carolina, I always feel a deep connection to its past. It’s a city where history isn’t just displayed; it’s tasted.
Every culinary creation here tells a story, a delicious narrative woven through centuries of Southern hospitality, Gullah traditions, and coastal bounty. For me, exploring Charleston’s food scene isn’t just about eating; it’s an immersive journey into the soul of the Lowcountry.
Here, classic dishes aren’t merely meals, but defining cultural touchstones that have stood the test of time, inviting you to discover their enduring magic right alongside me.
1. Shrimp And Grits
Creamy grits meet plump, juicy shrimp in what might be the most iconic dish to come out of the Lowcountry. Fleet Landing serves up this classic with local shrimp swimming in a sauce that balances butter, garlic, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.
Originally a breakfast for fishermen, this humble meal has climbed the culinary ladder to become fine dining material. Stone-ground grits provide the perfect canvas for whatever magic the chef decides to add on top.
Every Charleston restaurant has its own spin, but the heart of the dish stays the same. Whether you prefer yours with bacon, tomatoes, or kept simple, shrimp and grits never disappoints.
2. She-Crab Soup
Rich, velvety, and packed with crab flavor, she-crab soup is Charleston in a bowl. Halls Chophouse knows how to make this right, using both crab meat and the prized roe that gives the soup its distinctive orange hue and extra depth.
A splash of sherry adds warmth and complexity to every spoonful. The soup gets its silky texture from heavy cream and a careful balance of seasonings that let the crab shine through without getting lost.
Legend says this soup was created in the 1920s for a presidential visit. True or not, one taste explains why this dish has stuck around for generations, warming locals and tourists alike.
3. Frogmore Stew
Nothing says community quite like Frogmore Stew, a dish meant for sharing with friends and family around a big table. Charleston Crab House dumps this glorious mess of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes right onto paper-covered tables for a true Lowcountry experience.
Named after a small fishing community on St. Helena Island, this one-pot wonder requires minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Old Bay seasoning and other spices infuse everything as it boils together in perfect harmony.
I remember my first Frogmore Stew at a backyard gathering, where everyone stood around the table peeling shrimp and laughing. That sense of togetherness is baked right into this dish.
4. Oyster Roast
Oyster roasts are as much about the experience as the food itself. The Ordinary brings in fresh local oysters and roasts them until they pop open, releasing briny steam and revealing tender meat inside.
Armed with an oyster knife and a sense of adventure, diners shuck their own at many roasts throughout the city. Hot sauce and lemon stand ready as classic accompaniments, though purists might eat them straight from the shell.
Charleston’s oyster season runs through the cooler months when these bivalves taste their absolute best. Standing around a fire with friends, shucking oysters under the stars, captures the essence of Lowcountry living.
5. Chicken Bog
Comfort food reaches new heights with chicken bog, a rice dish that sticks to your ribs and warms your soul. Page’s Okra Grill cooks up this traditional favorite by simmering rice with chicken, sausage, and seasonings until everything melds into one delicious, slightly wet mixture.
The name might sound strange, but one bite explains why this dish has been passed down through generations. Unlike pilau, its cousin, chicken bog has more liquid, creating a consistency somewhere between soup and rice.
Perfect for church suppers and family gatherings, this humble dish proves that simple ingredients can create something truly memorable when cooked with care and tradition.
6. Hush Puppies
Golden, crispy, and slightly sweet, hush puppies are the perfect sidekick to any seafood plate. Poogan’s Porch fries these cornmeal balls to perfection, creating a crunchy exterior that gives way to a soft, fluffy inside.
Stories about the origin vary wildly, with some claiming cooks tossed them to barking dogs to quiet them down. Whether that tale holds water or not, these little bites of fried goodness have earned their place on Southern tables.
Some recipes add onions, peppers, or even jalapeños for extra kick. I’ve had my fair share at fish fries, and honestly, it’s hard to stop at just one or two when they come out hot from the fryer.
7. Shepherd’s Pie With Southern Twist
Husk takes a British classic and gives it a distinctly Lowcountry makeover, using local vegetables and proteins that change with the seasons. This isn’t your grandmother’s shepherd’s pie, unless she happened to have access to Charleston’s incredible farmers markets.
Layers of savory meat mingle with fresh vegetables, all tucked under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes that get golden and crispy on top. The Southern twist might include collard greens, okra, or whatever looks best that day.
Chef Sean Brock made Husk famous for celebrating regional ingredients and forgotten Southern recipes. This dish perfectly represents that philosophy, honoring tradition while making it relevant for modern palates.
8. Red Rice
Red rice carries West African culinary traditions right onto Charleston plates, creating a dish that’s both historically significant and delicious. Hominy Grill’s legacy recipe cooks long-grain rice with tomatoes, spices, and often smoked meat until everything turns a beautiful rusty red.
The Gullah Geechee people perfected this dish generations ago, and it remains a staple at family gatherings and special occasions. Each grain absorbs the tangy tomato base and smoky flavors, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Though Hominy Grill closed its doors, their recipes live on in Charleston kitchens. Red rice stands as a delicious reminder of the city’s complex cultural heritage.
9. Pimento Cheese
Southerners call it the pâté of the South, and honestly, that’s not far off. Poogan’s Porch and local delis whip up this creamy, tangy spread using sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and sweet pimentos that give it that signature pop of color.
Slather it on crackers, spread it between white bread for a simple sandwich, or use it as a dip for vegetables. Some versions add cream cheese for extra richness, while others throw in jalapeños for heat.
At a recent picnic, I watched people demolish an entire bowl of pimento cheese in minutes, spreading it on everything within reach. That’s the power of this humble spread that somehow tastes like home, no matter where you’re from.
10. Lowcountry Boil
Bowens Island Restaurant sits right on the water, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a traditional Lowcountry boil while watching boats drift by. This seafood feast dumps shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes onto tables for a hands-on dining experience.
Similar to Frogmore Stew (they’re basically the same thing with different names), this dish brings people together over simple, perfectly seasoned ingredients. The cooking liquid gets infused with spices that flavor everything from the inside out.
Eating with your hands, peeling shrimp, and getting a little messy is all part of the fun. Bowens Island has been serving this iconic meal for decades, keeping Charleston’s waterfront traditions alive.
11. Hoppin’ John
Black-eyed peas and rice come together in this traditional dish that Charlestonians eat on New Year’s Day for good luck. Hoppin’ John combines these humble ingredients with bacon or ham hock, onions, and spices to create something surprisingly flavorful.
The superstition says eating this dish brings prosperity in the coming year, with the peas representing coins. Whether you believe in the luck or not, the taste alone makes it worth cooking up any time.
Some folks add collard greens on the side for extra fortune, since the greens symbolize money. This dish connects Charleston to its agricultural past while remaining a beloved comfort food that spans generations and economic backgrounds.
12. Benne Wafers
These delicate cookies trace their roots back to West African sesame seeds, called benne, that enslaved people brought to Charleston centuries ago. Thin, crispy, and slightly sweet with a nutty flavor, benne wafers have become a signature Charleston treat.
Local bakeries and home cooks guard their recipes closely, though most include butter, sugar, and plenty of toasted benne seeds. The wafers bake until paper-thin and snap with a satisfying crunch.
You’ll find them in gift shops and historic market stalls throughout the city. Benne seeds were once considered good luck, and tasting these delicious wafers feels pretty fortunate indeed, connecting modern visitors to Charleston’s deep culinary roots.