Your votes are in. Congratulations to all of the CHStoday’s Best nominees. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Charleston a better place to live.
From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to unwind and relax, here are your top choices in each of our categories.
Psst — Scroll to the bottom of this article for a map view.
Food & Beverage
Breweries + Distilleries
Your locally crafted haven of small-batch spirits with a focus on quality and community roots.
🏆 First place: Holy City Brewing | This craft brewery has it all — a beer garden, an extensive drink menu, soft pretzels, and several holiday markets coming up this December.
🥈 Runner Up: Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Honoree: Low Tide Brewing
Brunch
Your favorite place for a mid-morning weekend indulgence.
🏆 First place: The Obstinate Daughter | It’s no wonder this spot was named a 2025 Michelin Recommended Restaurant of the American South — we can’t get enough of these brunch plates.
🥈 Runner Up: Three Little Birds Cafe
Honoree: First Watch
Coffee Shop
Your go-to spot for the perfect latte, cold brew, or tea.
🏆 First place: babas on cannon | This Charleston spot might start to feel more like Europe as you sip espresso, munch on ricotta toast, and enjoy people watching on the patio.
🥈 Runner Up: Café Roca
Honoree: Vintage Coffee Cafe
Fine Dining
A place to savor exquisite dishes where every detail is designed to impress.
🏆 First place: Halls Chophouse | Come for the steak and seafood, stay for the warm atmosphere.
🥈 Runner Up: Wild Olive Resturant
Honoree: Marbled & Fin
Food Trucks
Your fave mobile food businesses offering diverse, convenient, and freshly prepared meals.
🏆 First place: The Wedge | You’ve loved indulging in sandwiches from The Wedge for years — now you can also check out their newly opened storefront on Ashley River Road.
🥈 Runner Up: Smash City Burgers Downtown
Honoree: Platia Greek Goodness
Happy Hour
Your relaxing choice for the best deals on drinks and appetizers.
🏆 First place: Edmund’s Original (Formerly Edmund’s Oast) | Happy hour gets a scenic upgrade on the gorgeous patio at Edmund’s Original — be sure to try the Korean meatballs.
🥈 Runner Up: The Darling Oyster Bar
Honoree: Recovery Room Tavern
Ice Cream + Desserts
A sweet spot for all ages, dishing out locally inspired ice cream made with fresh ingredients.
🏆 First place: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams | Our city just can’t get enough Brambleberry Crisp — you voted this King Street spot your No. 1 pick for ice cream.
🥈 Runner Up: Off Track Ice Cream
Honoree: Turbo Cone
Lunch Spot
Your midday choice for a good sandwich, soup, or salad for a quick light bite.
🏆 First place: Heavy’s Barburger | Nothing sounds better for lunch to a local than the original Barburger — toasted sesame bun included.
🥈 Runner Up: Five Loaves Cafe
Honoree: Café Eugenia - Kiawah Island - Freshfields Village
Outdoor Dining
The best rooftops and patios for enjoying a meal while soaking up the sun.
🏆 First place: Fleet Landing Restaurant and Bar | Oysters with a view — nothing can quite match the waterfront patio of this local spot.
🥈 Runner Up: MOMO riverfront park
Honoree: Ellis Creek Fish Camp
Sports Bar
Where you head to for the next sports game, a wide menu of drinks, and game-day cravings.
🏆 First place: Uptown Social | When Uptown Social isn’t hosting an exciting musical act, you can catch the game on one of its 48 TVs.
🥈 Runner Up: Red Palm Tavern
Honoree: Mac’s Daniel Island
Tap Rooms
A spot guaranteed to deliver a delicious, locally crafted beer.
🏆 First place: Hobcaw Brewing Company | With its charming bright building and expansive patio, this tap room was voted your No. 1 pick for good beer and good hangs.
🥈 Runner Up: Rusty Bull Brewing Co.
Honoree: The Garden by Charles Towne Fermentory
Winery or Wine Bar
Your spot to enjoy crafted wine, offering a taste of the area’s unique flavors and traditions.
🏆 First place: Avondale Wine & Cheese | Enjoy wine, cheese, and charcuterie in this charming winery that doubles as a shop.
🥈 Runner Up: Somm Wine Bar
Honoree: Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar
Community
Apartment Complex
Apartment complexes with features, designs, and amenities that make you feel at home.
🏆 First place: Hawthorne at Summerville | One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are available in this modern build featuring a pool, co-working space, and dog park.
🥈 Runner Up: The Guild Apartments
Honoree: Riviera at Seaside Farms
Coworking Location
The best place in town to be productive and collaborate.
🏆 First place: Switchyards Charleston | Be inspired + work alongside the community in the stunning interior of this 1970s supermarket-turned-coworking spot open 24 hours.
🥈 Runner Up: Industrious Charleston
Honoree: Serendipity Labs - Mount Pleasant
Dentist
Helping you smile brighter with gentle care and expert treatment.
🏆 First place: James Island Dental Associates | This practice with 33 years serving the community is your go-to for cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and family care.
🥈 Runner Up: Cypress Family Dental
Honoree: Plantation Family DentalCare
Gym + Fitness Center
Your favorite place to pump iron and get a sweat in.
🏆 First place: HYLO Fitness Nexton | Different workouts have different benefits — that’s a truth HYLO specializes in, offering both high-intensity, adrenaline pumping classes and low-intensity, balanced classes under infrared heat.
🥈 Runner Up: Coastal Climbing Gym
Honoree: Shift Pilates Body Shop - West Ashley
Home Service Provider
Your go-to for carpentry, flooring, and all things home improvement + repair.
🏆 First place: Charleston Custom Shutters | Look no further for bespoke shutters, shades, and blinds, all from a company that deeply knows and loves Lowcountry builds.
🥈 Runner Up: Express Sunrooms of Charleston
Honoree: 1st Choice AC Heating Plumbing and Gas
Local Influencer + Celebrity
Your passionate leaders and trendsetters who are driving community awareness.
🏆 First place: Matthew Peacock | Nobody quite captures the beauty of our area like this photographer — we’re always happy when a sunset picture hits our feed.
🥈 Runner Up: Victoria Bowen
Honoree: Charleston RiverDogs
Local Nonprofit
Local organizations going above and beyond to fuel positive community impact.
🏆 First place: Pet Helpers Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic | This clinic’s mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs with their no-kill shelter.
🥈 Runner Up: Junior League of Charleston
Honoree: East Cooper Community Outreach
Medical Center
Facilities offering a range of healthcare services, including diagnostics and specialized care.
🏆 First place: Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital | Compassionate patient care and quick, responsive medical action characterize your No. 1 pick in local medical centers.
🥈 Runner Up: Inspire Health and Weight Loss
Honoree: Coastal Movement Specialists
Photographer
High-level creatives who knock how to capture compelling images through artistic vision.
🏆 First place: Matthew Peacock | Nobody quite captures the beauty of our area like this photographer — we’re always happy when a sunset picture hits our feed.
🥈 Runner Up: Owen Granata
Honoree: @themilkywaychaser
Real Estate Agent + Group
Nominate the real estate agent or group that helped secure your dream home.
🏆 First place: Coastal Island Properties | Buy or sell your dream Charleston home through this company for a trustworthy, expert approach to local real estate.
🥈 Runner Up: 55Plus Homes LLC
Honoree: Del Shaffer - Carolina One Real Estate
Spas + Salons
The best option for hair care or a spa-day to unwind and treat yourself.
🏆 First place: Tan Bora Spray Bar | With professional service and natural-looking, luxury spray tans, this spray bar your secret to looking beach-ready.
🥈 Runner Up: Charleston Head Spa
Honoree: Stella Nova Salon
Veterinary Clinics
Where pets are treated like family—offering gentle, comprehensive care for your furry pals.
🏆 First place: Angel Oak Animal Hospital | Your pets are in trusted hands at this local animal hospital providing wellness, dental care, and surgery.
🥈 Runner Up: Charleston Harbor Veterinarians
Honoree: Oceanside Veterinary Clinic
Entertainment & Retail
Arts + Craft Store
From projects to crafts, find everything you need to create and make memories together.
🏆 First place: Artist & Craftsman Supply Charleston Uptown | There’s no creative hobby this store can’t supply, with a range of products including paints, printmaking supplies, and sculpting clay.
🥈 Runner Up: The Paper Canopy
Honoree: Five Eighth Seams
Bookstore
Your curated selection of literature, cozy reading nooks, and a community for curious minds.
🏆 First place: Buxton Books | Pick up your new favorite paperback or take a Ghosts of Charleston Tour at this treasured local destination.
🥈 Runner Up: Philosophers & Fools
Honoree: The Village Bookseller
Golf Course
A little birdie told us that this is your favorite golf course.
🏆 First place: The Ocean Course | This iconic golf course supplies ocean views, challenging winds, and the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere.
🥈 Runner Up: Dunes West Golf Club
Honoree: Charleston National Golf Club
Museum
The places to explore history, culture, art, and science through curated exhibits.
🏆 First place: International African American Museum | Visit IAAM and learn “the unvarnished stories of the African American experience across generations.”
🥈 Runner Up: Gibbes Museum of Art
Honoree: Middleton Place
Music Venue
A vibrant hub for live performances showcasing local and touring artists.
🏆 First place: Credit One Stadium | Hosting our area’s most iconic shows and events, Credit One Stadium is your go-to for seeing your favorite concerts.
🥈 Runner Up: Charleston Music Hall
Honoree: The Charleston Pour House
Party Venue
A dedicated space designed for hosting celebrations, events, and gatherings.
🏆 First place: Lowndes Grove | This waterfront estate makes a picture-perfect backdrop for weddings and parties, with its river views, oak grove, and iconic spiral staircase.
🥈 Runner Up: The Waverly
Honoree: Twenty-One Magazine
Pet-Friendly Venue
Your favorite place to eat, drink, play, or stay with your furry friend.
🏆 First place: Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park | The RiverDogs aren’t the only ones hanging out in this park — Tuesday Dog Days mean all registered pups can join the fun.
🥈 Runner Up: Freshfields Village
Honoree: Bodega Mt. Pleasant
Theater + Performance Venue
Your venue of choice for live artistic performances and award-winning shows.
🏆 First place: Dock Street Theatre | Catching a show at this historic theater is a Charleston bucket list item — Charleston Stage puts on 100+ shows each season.
🥈 Runner Up: Credit One Stadium
Honoree: Theatre 99
Vintage + Resale Shops
Where to shop sustainably and stylishly with handpicked pieces that celebrate the past.
🏆 First place: The Station Park Circle | Look no further for your home decor destination than this vintage store, with something fun to find around every corner.
🥈 Runner Up: Consign Charleston
