Top 5 New Spots in Charleston You’ll Want to Visit Now
Charleston never runs out of conversation starters, especially when it comes to new places to eat and drink.
Every few months, a fresh concept opens its doors and locals immediately start whispering: Have you tried it yet?
The city’s latest lineup blends bold design, boundary-pushing menus, and a sense of play that feels distinctly Charleston - a mix of tradition and trend that never misses.
These are the five new spots we’re excited about right now.
Allora
Coastal Italian on Spring Street
Allora (114 Spring St, Charleston) marks a new chapter for Charleston’s restaurant scene with a coastal-Italian concept from the team behind Free Reign Restaurants. The menu centers on fresh pasta made daily - think rigatoni alla vodka, seafood-forward linguine, and a rotating selection of antipasti meant for sharing. Inside, the atmosphere strikes that rare balance of relaxed and refined: pastel hues, warm lighting, and a gelato window that makes the experience feel as casual as it is chic.
There’s also a rooftop bar coming soon, promising spritzes at sunset and skyline views of the peninsula. Allora feels both transportive and local, the kind of spot that convinces you to order another glass of Vermentino before the night ends.
Kultura
A New Home for Filipino Flavors
Kultura by Chef Nikko Cagalanan and Paula Kramer has recently expanded into a larger Spring Street space, and it was one of the city’s most anticipated reopenings. Originally in a “cozy” space, Kultura made waves for introducing Filipino cuisine to Charleston with confidence and heart -from lumpia to pancit crowned with Lowcountry crab.
The new space brings a full bar, an extended kitchen, and more room for Chef Nikko’s inventive take on island-meets-southern flavor. It’s the kind of food that makes you want to linger; warm, nostalgic, and completely original to Charleston.
Ok Donna
The One to Watch
Ok Donna (1117 King St, Charleston) hasn’t even opened yet, and somehow everyone’s already talking about it. The branding alone has locals hooked; cheeky, nostalgic, and just a little mysterious. Behind the concept is Joey Goetz (of Chubby Fish and Vern’s fame), who’s channeling a relaxed Italian-American feel into an all-day spot for pasta, snacks, cocktails, and neighborhood conversation.
Named after Goetz’s mother, Ok Donna aims to feel like the kind of place you stumble into once and keep returning to. Expect simple, beautifully made dishes, natural wine, and a “come as you are” vibe that Charleston’s creative crowd will quickly claim as their own.
La Taquería by El Molino
Johns Island’s New Go-To
El Molino’s La Taquería is bringing authentic street-style Mexican food to Johns Island. Recently opened on Maybank Highway in Johns Island, this family-owned concept grew out of El Molino Supermarket - a local favorite for tamales, fresh tortillas, and masa by the bag.
The restaurant will carry that same flavor forward with hand-pressed tortillas, al pastor from the spit, and a menu that feels straight from Mexico City via the Lowcountry. It’s casual, bright, and the kind of place that’ll quickly become a weekly habit.
Girl Nextdough
James Island’s Sweet Success
Girl Nextdough (1939 Maybank Hwy, James Island) started as a food truck and earned a cult following for its perfectly chewy bagels and baked goods. Now, owner and pastry chef Caitlin Schumacher (formerly at FIG) has opened her first brick-and-mortar shop on James Island, and it’s already a morning staple.
The menu ranges from classic lox bagels to creative seasonal specials (like pumpkin-spice cream cheese or jalapeño honey butter). Pair it with a locally roasted coffee and you’ll see why there’s often a line out front by 9 a.m. It’s bright, friendly, and exactly the kind of spot that keeps Charleston’s food scene personal.
Why These New Spots Matter
Charleston’s new openings prove the city still has plenty to say, and taste.
Each of these restaurants adds a fresh note to the city’s ever-evolving mix of heritage and innovation.
Whether you’re planning your next date night or a Saturday morning bagel run, this is your cue to make a reservation, or at least start a new list.
