Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in South Carolina

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in South Carolina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Jackrabbit Filly

4.9

4.9 (24)

$30 and under

Chinese

North Charleston

About the restaurant

Jackrabbit Filly proudly serves award-winning, heritage driven New Chinese American cuisine in the heart of Park Circle, North Charleston. Our ingredients support local farmers and fishermen. Our wines are all-natural and support women producers. And our cocktail list supports a good time. We can't wait to have you in!

Top review

Tracy

Dined 5 days ago

You are missing out if you don’t go eat here!! Try multiple dishes. They are all great?!

Ruby Lee's

4.8

4.8 (356)

$31 to $50

Regional American (Southern)

Hilton Head

About the restaurant

The new Ruby Lee’s on Wild Horse!
The new Ruby Lee’s offers more of what patrons of Hilton Head Island have come to love and expect in the past: delicious southern cooking and a comfortable yet stimulating atmosphere that offers the perfect way to enjoy sports or outstanding blues, jazz and soul from local and regional artists. If you’re not familiar with Ruby Lee’s, it’s a locally owned restaurant, started by Tim Singleton (known to Low-country residents as an athlete and head coach). The restaurant is named for Singleton’s late grandmother who is the inspiration for the Southern-style menu. The new and revamped version of the original; yet it still captures the Southern feel-good themes that have an uncanny way of making you hungry for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, corn bread, and sweet tea the moment you walk in the door. If, for some reason, you’re not quite ready to eat after walking in the door of Ruby Lee’s, you’ll notice a pang of hunger once you look at the menu.

Top review

Earnestine

Dined 2 days ago

Remarkable! The food is always excellent! The staff always welcome & treat the guest like family! Their live music gives you an appreciation for authentic entertainment! Tim is always attentive!

Chef 21 Sushi Burger and Korean BBQ

4.8

4.8 (153)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Greenville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Chef 21, where culinary boundaries are shattered under one roof! Dive into the world of innovative Chef 21 Sushi Burgers, where traditional rolls meet handheld perfection. Craving Korean BBQ? Grill it yourself at your table, immersing in the sizzle and flavors of Seoul at Chef 21 Korean BBQ next door.
But that's not all – quench your thirst at our full bar boasting the biggest selection of Japanese whiskey and craft cocktails. Explore the world of soju and sake, elevating your dining experience to new heights. Chef 21: Two restaurants, one epic fusion feast!

Top review

Heidi

Dined 4 days ago

Such a fun sushi class with fun people. The owner is the cutest.

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4.6

4.6 (2497)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

It's true that Prohibition is a nod to the classic 1920's Speakeasy, but our elevated cuisine and progressive cocktail program are anything but old-fashioned. At Prohibition you can expect the culinary delights of Executive Chef Greg Garrison to leave you completely Jazzed, from savory local seafood to the finest cuts of meat, each dish is prepared with perfection. Kick back in our relaxing surroundings and sample the Mixology Expertise of our award winning Bar Team, led by Jim Mc Court. Our professional and passionate team are constantly striving to push the boundaries of excellence with cocktails like the 547 Manhattan and our signature Bacon Maple Old Fashioned to name but a few. Our extensive and imaginative beer, wine and liquor selection insures we can cater to all tastes.

Top review

Robertvip

Dined 4 days ago

Great menu, fun place, great service. We’ll come back.

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4.6

4.6 (707)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Mesu is a vibrant Charleston hotspot on Upper King Street, where urban street art meets the flavors of Mexico and Japan. Our menu features a diverse selection of tacos and sushi, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Complement your meal with an extensive list of premium tequilas and sakes, or explore our creative cocktail menu. Whether you make a reservation or walk in, Mesu offers a unique dining experience in the heart of the city with a lively atmosphere.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

Mesu has an incredible atmosphere with such a good mix of two foods I love. The tacos were just as good as the sushi! Their margaritas with their homemade puree were delicious! Highly recommend. The gong tradition is so fun too!

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Draper Purveying Company

4.5

4.5 (32)

$30 and under

American

Greenville

About the restaurant

Draper Purveying Company is downtown Greenville's newest restaurant concept and weekend entertainment destination location! Now open under the direction of Executive Chef Patrick Phillips, with a menu designed to satisfy a wide range of tastes, Draper is serving up contemporary American style comfort food with a unique twist for dinner, lunch, brunch and a special happy hour and late night bites menu. Specialty shared plates include crispy confit chicken wings, warm burrata with cherry tomatoes and garlic confit, coffee-rubbed tenderloin. Larger dinner plates include a special featured version of shrimp and grits, roasted salmon with pimento cheese risotto and lemon beurre blanc and chicken-fried chicken. Also serving lunch and brunch on weekends, unique offerings will include salads and a variety of build-your-own bowls, in addition to classic brunch staples like egg white omelets and biscuits benedict. Our bar menu boasts 16 beer taps and eight craft cocktail and wines on tap.

Top review

Leslievip

Dined 4 days ago

Great service and great food and beverages. Enjoyable evening. Staff was very pleasant and helpful!

ÉLEVÉ at Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston

4.4

4.4 (1332)

$30 and under

European

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Coastal cuisine infused with southern heritage and prepared with classic French culinary techniques make Élevé unmatched. The elegant rooftop restaurant with views of Charleston’s charming cobblestone streets complete this sophisticated dining experience.

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Nov 1, 2024

Great service, ambiance, and food. Restaurant and rooftop bar are beautiful.

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Popular dish

Kessler Calamari

Experience

Christmas Eve With Eleve

Experience

Christmas With Eleve

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Columbiana Station

4.4

4.4 (228)

$30 and under

American

Columbia

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

William

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

Nice experience with great service. It was a bit loud, but otherwise great!

Roca Roja Cantina

4.4

4.4 (522)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

North Myrtle Beach

About the restaurant

Roca Roja is situated on the beautiful marsh front in Cherry Grove at 806 Sea Mountain Hwy in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
With two unique floors, First floor- upscale Mexican restaurant and Second floor- casual open air Cantina, there is something for all!

Top review

Marilyn

Dined on Oct 18, 2024

The food was really good. The manager was our server and he made the moment even more fun. He was friendly and really polite.

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Popular dish

Lobster Enchiladas

Coterie- Charleston

4.2

4.2 (397)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Discover Coterie Restaurant at 17 Warren Street in Downtown Charleston, where Modern Coastal French cuisine meets creative craft cocktails. Indulge in a menu highlighting fresh, local ingredients served in a cozy dining room or our lush outdoor courtyard. Perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings, Coterie offers a unique blend of vibrant flavors and warm hospitality, creating an unforgettable culinary experience in Charleston

Top review

Samantha

Dined 3 days ago

I just had the pleasure of enjoying a Thanksgiving tasting menu, and it was truly exceptional! Each dish was thoughtfully crafted, bursting with flavor, and beautifully presented. The seasonal flavors were spot on, and everything was prepared to perfection. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable and delicious meal!

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