
12 quintessential date-night restaurants in Charleston

by Stephanie Barna
Updated January 24, 2024
Charleston’s cobblestone streets and candlelit verandas scream romance, and that Lowcountry charm also defines its best date-night restaurants. Window seats and fried fish baskets take the edge off first-date nerves at an oyster bar. For dinner and dancing, there’s a multi-level hotspot with killer sunset views. Proposals mean a nautical dining room at a waterfront beauty.
This guide pairs Charleston restaurants with romantic occasions from first dates all the way to milestone anniversaries. These are Charleston’s 12 best date-night restaurants.
4.6 (3381)
$30 and under
Seafood
Downtown Charleston
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 3, 2024
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 3, 2024
5 (385)
$31 to $50
Tapas / Small Plates
Downtown Charleston
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WP
WendyPVIP
Dined 3 days ago
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WP
WendyPVIP
Dined 3 days ago
4.6 (3417)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Downtown Charleston
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OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 3 days ago
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OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 3 days ago
4.6 (1419)
$30 and under
French
Downtown Charleston
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CW
CindyW
Dined 3 days ago
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CW
CindyW
Dined 3 days ago
4.6 (2401)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Downtown Charleston
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M
Maggie
Dined 6 days ago
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M
Maggie
Dined 6 days ago
4.5 (410)
$31 to $50
Contemporary French / American
Downtown Charleston
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 13, 2025
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 13, 2025
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4.5 (322)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown Charleston
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C
Cindy
Dined 3 days ago
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C
Cindy
Dined 3 days ago
4.7 (5625)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Downtown Charleston
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B
BarbaraVIP
Dined 3 days ago
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B
BarbaraVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Top review
A
Alli
Dined 3 days ago
Top review
B
BenVIP
Dined on Dec 8, 2024
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