8 Outstanding Black Owned Restaurants in Charleston
Charleston is known for its delicious food, from low country boils to barbeque to southern classics. And no one does coastal cuisine quite like these outstanding Black owned restaurants in Charleston. Let’s take a look at some of the very best spots to visit for amazing fare that also just happen to be Black-owned restaurants in the beautiful, diverse southern city of Charleston, South Carolina.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ
1011 King St Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 990-9535
Headed up by 2018’s Best Chef Southeast, Scott is the brains and brawn behind this whole-hog Black-owned BBQ joint that now has outposts in Georgia and Alabama. Visitors to Rodney Scott’s BBQ will know they have hit the jackpot when the unmistakable smell of roasted pork wafts out of the back. The Whole Hog plate is what really hungry diners order here but the Whole Hog Sandwich is just as popular (and less likely to end up in a to-go container to finish up at home). And don’t forget to snag some of the in-house-made cracklins in a bag to snack on later.
Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen
16 Blake St Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2256
This Gullah-style seafood restaurant has been cranking out amazing food for almost 40 years with the Huger family at the helm. Named after the great North African military general and ruler, Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen has focused on “feeding the soul of the city” for decades with mouthwatering dishes like their signature crab rice, smothered porkchops and of course the classic collard greens side. This casual spot also offers up a daily soul food special that guests happily wait in line to get – just don’t show up late or you might miss your chance to taste what is cooking here like the recent Hoppin’ John and Turkey Wings.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
The Ritz Bar & Grill
3557 Dorchester Rd North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 466-6633
This new Black-owned spot in North Charleston is already getting noticed by locals and visitors alike. Serving up delicious seafood like their shrimp & crab cakes as well as a snow crab boil, seafood aficionados will love eating at The Ritz Bar & Grill. But food isn’t the only thing on the menu here as The Ritz also has live jazz, comedy shows and even a DJ on some evenings. A jumping bar with a lively atmosphere accompanies the restaurant that also includes pool tables and plenty of seating and a large dance floor. If you’re looking for good food and good times, check this spot out.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Eastside Soul Food
46A America St Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 973-3100
A quaint red, unassuming building holds Eastside Soul Food, about a block from the Cooper River, and inside is some of the best soul food in Charleston. Don’t miss out on the fried pork chops here or the classic okra stew. Locals love how Eastside is so connected to the community too, so supporting this Black-owned restaurant in Charleston means being a part of the city itself. This small, casual spot’s counter service offers its creations six days a week to hungry Charlestonians and visitors who crave authentic soul food.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Nigel’s Good Food
3760 Ashley Phosphate Rd North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 552-0079
This lunch and dinner spot in North Charleston has been a part the foodie scene here for years and is one of two soul and seafood spots Nigel and his wife Louise own, as well as a BBQ joint called The Slaughterhouse. This Black-owned restaurant in Charleston is well-known for frying up southern comfort food. Locals flock to the fried geechie wings that are coated in Nigel’s sweet buffalo sauce in the Gullah tradition. Other fried delicacies not to be missed here are the huge portions of tender fried chicken, stuffed and fried in the oyster shells as well as Bam’s Gumbo. Nigel’s Good Food is consistently delicious and brings the big flavors of this southern city right to your plate.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Taste of the Islands
2578 Ashley River Rd Ste J Charleston, SC 2941
(843) 804-9554
A quick trip to the Caribbean is possible with a visit to Taste of the Islands, a hidden gem in Charleston’s West Ashley area. Bold Jamaican and other island flavors take center stage here and even the fruit juice drink choices underline the tropical theme. Menu items that visitors love include the curry goat, the oxtail plate and the ackee and salt fish. But be sure to sample the fried plantains, too because Taste of the Islands prepares them so fresh you might just think you are sitting on a tropical island instead of in South Carolina.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Nana’s Seafood & Soul Uptown
5117 Dorchester Rd Ste D North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 937-0002
A mother and son team run North Charleston’s Nana’s and the love this family puts into their low country dishes can be tasted in every bite. Locals gobble up Nana’s seafood specialties like the crab & shrimp dinner, but make sure you get here early enough to snag some before they run out. Originally housed downtown, this Black-owned restaurant in Charleston is known for its huge portions and dependably delicious fried seafood served up for dinners on Wednesdays through Saturdays.
photo credit: twitter.com/charlestoncarib
Charleston Caribbean Creole
3316 Ashley Phosphate Rd Ste 4 North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 225-0225
One of our favorite Black-owned restaurants in Charleston is actually a food truck, but don’t let that keep you from sampling the classic low country offerings here. The traveling chef at Charleston Caribbean Creole expertly churns out seafood dishes that will make you want to come here over and over. Try menu items like the conch fritters appetizer, the low country shrimp po boy and the coconut bourbon shrimp.
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