The Resy Guide to the Best Outdoor Tables in Charleston

Berkeley’s quickly elevated itself to neighborhood favorite status after its opening in 2021. New Jersey native Elizabeth and Marc Hudacsko started in Charleston with a pop-up called We Flew South, serving up cheesesteaks and meatballs they couldn’t find in their new hometown. Those pop-up mainstays remain on the menu, along with a slew of expertly crafted sandwiches and larger housemade main dishes for those looking for something more. The extensive drinks list is purpose-made for outdoor lounging too, especially frozen specialties like the frozen Pinot Freezio, with pineapple, lemon, and pinot grigio.

Frannie & The Fox has fast become a go-to spot deep downtown for in-the-know locals and travelers alike. Tucked into the Hotel Emeline just off Market Street, Its sprawling courtyard feels part-patio, part-living-room. With lounge, bar, and table seating available, the restaurant can probably fit whatever mood you’re feeling, with a menu that offers a generous split between Italian-inspired small and large plates. Shareable salads and creative wood-fired pizzas are also highlights, especially for sunny Sunday brunch or cooler nights by the outdoor fireplace.

Looking for a low-key Italian osteria with cozy patio seating, you say? Head toward Le Farfalle, just steps off King Street. The intimate dining room is a hot evening table in Charleston, but its spacious marble bar and outdoor patio are first-come, first-served. That’s great news for just about everyone, especially with cocktails like the Garden Party, a play on a gimlet with an added bay leaf, and the Full Moon: bourbon, Hoodoo chicory liqueur, Nardini amaro, and rhubarb bitters. Chef Michael Toscano’s dinner menu offers a wishlist of Italian specialities, from cravable focaccia and housemade pastas to grilled branzino and rich veal Milanese. Or treat yourself to a thick-cut pork or veal chop.

Park & Grove’s moody evening vibe flows from its dining room to its outdoor patio, where people have been gathering to enjoy thoughtfully created vegetable-focused dishes for years since the restaurant was Park Café. A 2021 refresh gave birth to Park & Grove, and the seasonal emphasis remains, now with fresh favorites like pastas and an expanded dinner menu featuring seafood, steak, oysters, and more. Cocktails and a thoughtful wine list round out your table for lunch, dinner, or brunch.

Momo opened in 2021 in a historic building on the grounds of the former U.S. Navy base, which closed in the early 1990s. With a bright and inviting patio steps from the Cooper River and the city’s most scenic park, it’s a unique concept that’s proven popular for locals and guests alike. Add to that their fresh seafood and gastropub-style favorites like burgers, melts, and small plates of Southern favorites, and you’d be wise to plan ahead for a coveted weekend outdoor table.

Step into Vintage Lounge and get caught up in the bustle of a luxe King Street wine bar that turns up the carefree vibe on its rear patio. Post up at the raised back bar or grab a table with friends and get things started with more than 20 wines by the glass. They’ve got an extensive bottle list, but for a quick recommendation you’ll do just fine springing for a porron of traditional Spanish Txakolina or the house red or white — or beer, if that’s how you roll. That back bar, FYI, is about as close as it gets to an Aperol spritz’s natural habitat, as well as a handful of other specialty cocktails, cheese, and charcuterie selections.

Post House might be Charleston’s reigning champ in the battle for Most Instagrammable Patio. The shaded, loungey patio is tucked next to the newly renovated Post House, an inn and restaurant that’s recognized as a landmark in Mount Pleasant’s historic Old Village neighborhood, just five minutes short of Sullivan’s Island from downtown. Ideal for drinks, dinner, or brunch, Post House highlights include riffs on local and seasonal produce and fresh-caught seafood, along with a go-to burger that’s long been a local favorite.

The Watch features some of the best views in Charleston, complemented by quality cocktails and a farm-to-table menu designed to showcase the bounty of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Outdoor tables are first-come-first-served, so head upstairs and take in the view, while you angle for the best available spot for that sunset selfie.