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11 stellar special-occasion restaurants in Charleston

A photo of Red logo
by Stephanie Barna and Stratton Lawrence
Updated 18 December 2023

Charleston’s got a celebratory soul, and food is practically a religion here. Which explains why its special-occasion restaurants are forces to be reckoned with. While many of its most festive restaurants are in its historic downtown, surrounded by views of horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone streets, others are on some of the smaller islands, complete with stunning coastal views.

Whether you’re ringing in a birthday, anniversary, promotion, or simply just because, the city’s thriving restaurant scene has the ideal spot. Read on for a guide to 11 special-occasion worthy restaurants in Charleston to book now.

A photo of Maison restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1705)
$31 to $50
French
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

An evening at Maison is the next best thing to a celebratory night in Paris. The acclaimed French neighborhood brasserie serves gussied-up comfort food like foie gras, a ratatouille tart, and, yes, even escargot. For toasting, there’s an exceptionally well-curated French wine list. It’s known to get loud and lively inside so if you prefer a calmer night out, book a table on the pretty patio instead.


Top review
Mary
Dined 6 days ago
Service was informed, considerate, and professional. The food was excellent from our first cocktail to desert. Highly recommended.
A photo of O-Ku restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2740)
$30 and under
Japanese
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

If sipping premium sake and feasting on exquisite raw fish is your idea of a celebration, O-Ku’s your spot. This elegant pan Asian restaurant with brick walls and sleek black interiors is arguably the classiest sushi joint south of the Mason-Dixon Line. O-Ku stands for glamour in a city where shorts and flip-flops are often part of the going-out dress code. So dress to the nines when you book a table at this chic Japanese favorite.


Top review
Luciano
Dined 4 days ago
We had a lovely dinner here last night. The service was attentive without being intrusive, the sashimi was outstanding as was the lobster. Craft cocktails to start were amazing.
A photo of Boathouse at Breach Inlet restaurant
4.6
4.6 (5414)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Isle of Palms
About the restaurant

This rustic-but-refined beachside spot is known for killer Southern-style seafood like butter-poached lobster tails and crab cakes, plus “best ever” collard greens that live up to their name. It’s a relaxed backdrop for a family-friendly celebration, more sophisticated than some of its Shem Creek counterparts but still casual enough for shorts—and antsy children. There’s something for everyone here, making it especially ideal for larger get-togethers.


Top review
WayneVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Very good food and great service! We enjoyed our dinner, and the restaurant was not crowded on this visit.
A photo of Brasserie la Banque restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1318)
$30 and under
French
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

Brasserie la Banque is a French restaurant made for anniversaries and special date nights. The classic Broad Street brasserie, just steps from iconic Rainbow Row, is named for its previous life as a city bank. The menu was designed by French chef Jeb Aldrich and features traditional faithfuls like steak frites, duck breast cassoulet, and bouillabaisse, plus more innovative fare and a raw bar—this is Charleston after all. Before or after dinner, impress your date with a drink at Bar Vauté. Decked with Art Deco furnishings, it’s one of the only below-street-level bars in the city.


Top review
Isaiah
Dined 7 days ago
Wonderful food, wonderful service. Very accommodating of dietary restrictions.
A photo of Ma'am Saab restaurant
4.5
4.5 (262)
$50 and over
Pakistani
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

Raheel Gauba and Maryam Ghaznavi brought hard-to-find Pakistani classics to downtown Charleston in May 2023. And even though it’s a new addition on the city’s restaurant scene, Ma’am Saab is already a celebration hotspot thanks to its trendy jewel-toned interiors and spice-forward dishes like lamb biryani and chopped bone-in goat with ghee, tomatoes, and ginger. Bring a crew, get ready for a family-style celebration, and enjoy homey Pakistani hits with a dash of Southern charm.


Top review
Adam
Dined 5 days ago
My wife and I love this place; the food is absolutely amazing, with so many different flavors, you'll be amazed. Everything on the menu is top-notch—absolutely the best dinner.
A photo of Tempest restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2365)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

A spectacular stained-glass mosaic fuels the charm (and the Instagram cred) at this beloved special-occasion spot. Tempest is led by Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch and also known for an exceptional hyper-local seafood menu filled with triple-tiered towers stacked with fresh local shrimp, middleneck clams, and more. If you’re drinking, consider toasting to your night with one of the restaurant’s many excellent seafood-friendly wines—Tempest has one of Charleston’s most robust selections.


Top review
James
Dined 5 days ago
Fantastic experience all around! The service was top-notch, the bar was excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious!
A photo of Camellias restaurant
4.5
4.5 (293)
$31 to $50
Afternoon Tea
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

Lavish service that includes Champagne and caviar (or afternoon tea with macarons) makes Camellias, in the lobby of the luxurious Hotel Bennett, a go-to for the chicest celebrations. Case in point: jackets for gentlemen and hats for ladies are encouraged. You’ll toast in style here thanks to a large collection of bottle and by-the-glass bubbles, plus decadent caviar, oysters, and pastries. The stunning oval-shaped space was inspired by the most famous of eggs—the Fabergé.


Top review
Meredith
Dined 4 days ago
The team was fantastic! Such a fun Christmas outing!
A photo of Anson restaurant
4.8
4.8 (4828)
$50 and over
Southern
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

A quintessentially Lowcountry celebration, complete with touches like crisp white tablecloths and views of horse-drawn carriages, set this city mainstay apart. Anson perfects Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, she-crab soup, and all sorts of fried, steamed, and fileted seafood—a shout out to Charleston’s rich maritime roots. The restaurant’s gilt-trimmed dining room is where you go to dial up the romance, but the first-come-first-served bar is better for a more casual occasion.


Top review
TracyVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Delicious food that is exquisitely prepared and served. Our service this evening was also wonderful, perfect balance of engagement and allowing us to enjoy the time together without interruption. Martinis were exact as always
A photo of The Kingstide restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1516)
$30 and under
Seafood
Daniel Island
About the restaurant

Suburban Daniel Island has plenty of restaurants. But The Kingstide may be the only culinary destination with real special-occasion status. The light-filled spot regularly attracts downtown diners for highlights like decadent oysters Rockefeller, dressed up with hollandaise and bacon, and the lardon-laced Brussels sprouts. Reserve a table on the patio and your celebration will come with sweeping Wando River views.


Top review
Amy
Dined 2 days ago
From the moment we parked and walked to the door, it was a beautiful experience. Food was absolutely amazing and service was phenomenal! Will be back!!
A photo of Peninsula Grill restaurant
4.7
4.7 (7993)
$50 and over
American
Downtown Charleston
About the restaurant

Acclaimed chefs like Robert Carter, Sean Brock, and Graham Dailey all have history at this Southern fine-dining legend. Elevate any special occasion with elegant dishes like smoked heritage duck breast and pan-seared scallops, and don’t skip the restaurant’s famous 12-layer coconut cake if you’re here for a birthday. The dimly lit dining room and Champagne bar scream romance, and the courtyard, surrounded by greenery and twinkling lights, is one of the city’s most charming outdoor dining spots.


Top review
Raymond
Dined on 16 Dec 2024
Always great food and impeccable, friendly service. Our waiter, Paul, knew our name, was helpful with the menu and wine selection. Justva super place for a special dinner
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