formal Dining

Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar    $$$

205 East Bay Street / phone: 843-853-8600
A Charleston tradition in downtown dining with the best of Lowcountry cooking & cuisine, Amen Street is located in the heart of the historic district. Billed as Charleston's Premier Seafood Restaurant, they serve a variety of seafood dishes such as oysters, clams, shrimp, fresh fish & have an extensive raw bar menu. The atmosphere is business casual but the menu is upscale & imaginative in presentation & taste. / Reservations recommended / Serving meals 11:30 am until 10 pm, the bar is open until 2 am.

Circa 1886 at Wentworth Mansion    $$$$

149 Wentworth Street / phone: 843-853-7828
In the heart of historic district, in the gardens & carriage house behind the Wentworth Mansion, Circa 1886 is one of the top places to dine in Charleston. Charming and intimate, this dining spot is ideal for memorable evening of romantic dining. the menu is inspired by late 1800s Charleston cuisine with English, French and Caribbean influences. Winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award, Forbes 4 Stars, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence & Distinguished Restaurant of North America. / Reservations required

High Cotton    $$$$

199 East Bay Street / phone: 843-724-3815
With a hearty and southern fare, featuring regional favorites, steaks, game and fresh seafood, High Cotton is a fine dining experience located on the east sided of Charleston's Historic District. With a name derived from plantation jargon for livin’ large, this restaurant, offers great ambience as well as fine dining. On select evenings wine and dine to live cool jazz, soulful blues and light rock after six. / Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch as well as a late night menu between 10 & 11 pm

Middleton Place Restaurant    $$$

4300 Ashley River Road / phone: 843-266-7477
Located at Middleton Place Plantation, the restaurant serves some of the best authentic Low Country cuisine including Hoppin' John & ham biscuits, okra gumbo, she-crab soup, collard greens & huguenot torte. In the evening guests can stroll through the gardens & then enjoy an elegant, candlelight dinner of pan-fried quail, scallops or shrimp & grits while overlooking the Rice Mill Pond. Plan to dine & enjoy the ambiance of this historic plantation site. / Lunch 11 am to 3 pm / Dinner 6 to 9 pm daily

The Ocean Room    $$$$

1 Sanctuary Beach Drive / phone: 843-768-6253
Part of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, this restaurant is the premier dining room in the complex, with unparalleled dining experience and the only Forbes Four Star & AAA Four Diamond steakhouse in the country. The Ocean Room has also earned "Best of Award of Excellence" by the Wine Spectator. Featuring local, grass-fed beef from Mibek Farms in Barnwell, the menu supports local agriculture by writing seasonal menus based on availability. / Serves dinner only / Jackets Preferred / Reservations Recommended

Virginia’s on King    $$$

412 King Street / phone: 843-735-5800
Serving breakfast, mid-day dinner & evening supper as well as weekend brunches.Virginia's on King is about as Southern as they come in tradition & menu. With an award winning chef, the plates are taken up a delicious notch in flavor & presentation. The menu ranges from seafood, chicken, pork to beef & game dishes & include such traditional favorites such as Frogmore Stew, Chicken & Dumplings, Braised Rabbitt, Blackened Catfish to Southern Fried Chicken, or indulge in a plate of yummy sides. So memorable!