Where Can You Find the Best Italian Food in Charleston, SC?

While exploring Charleston, visitors and residents delight in the bountiful local restaurants specializing in flavorful meals. Those craving an authentic Italian meal will be pleased to know there many great spots to enjoy Italian food. Try our picks for best Italian restaurants in Charleston:

Vincent Chicco’s

Address: Vincent Chicco’s, 39-G, John St, Charleston, SC 29403

Named after a famous Italian immigrant who operated a speakeasy-style establishment in Charleston during the Prohibition era, Vincent Chicco’s is a beloved local restaurant. Known for having a distinguished yet comfortable atmosphere, locals boast that this restaurant has the best Italian food in all of Charleston. From Neapolitan pizza to homemade pasta entrées, all your favorite classic Italian dishes are on the menu restaurant. While it’s very authentic, the dishes are made with a modern touch and the freshest ingredients. People head to this establishment on Sundays for its Family Style event, where people can enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal with their favorite friends and family members.

Indaco

Address: Indaco, 526 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Indaco allows diners in Charleston to tuck into a contemporary Italian restaurant oft ranked among its best. Locate Indaco on Upper King Street in a beautiful historic venue complete with massive oak doors. Its chef has created a menu filled with rustic Italian options. This restaurant is best known for its wood-fired pizzas and its house-made salami. Most of the menu can be customized to accommodate a family-style event or an individual entrée. Guests who frequent this restaurant appreciate that the kitchen is open, and community tables allow them to feel like they are part of the process. There is also an outdoor patio for those who prefer dining al fresco. While it primarily serves dinner, a Charleston brunch is available on the weekends.

La Fontana

Address: La Fontana, 1759 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Find La Fontana in the West Ashley neighborhood, but feel like you’re in the heart of Italy from the moment you walk in. This Italian restaurant’s tagline is “Old Country in the Low Country.” Get ready for an authentic experience, starting with an extensive menu that includes a variety of Italian specialties. Guests are even encouraged to inquire when the menu is lacking their favorite meal from Italy. Chances are, the kitchen staff has the supplies on hand and will create a customized dish.

Fratello’s Italian Tavern

Address: Fratello’s Italian Tavern, 1050 E Montague Ave, Charleston, SC 29405

This isn’t just good Italian; it’s one of the best Charleston restaurants. Fratello’s Italian Tavern has two locations in the city, one in Park Circle and the other in Mount Pleasant. The same family has owned the restaurant for generations; its name means “brotherhood” in Italian. Fratello’s is best known for providing seasonally-driven “Jersey Italian” food to the people. The restaurant strives to be a comfortable place where people can gather and enjoy a traditional Italian meal. The menu often changes to reflect the currently available ingredients, but most of the meals are based on recipes that have been passed down within their family from one generation to the next.

Coda Del Pesce

Address: Coda Del Pesce, 1130 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Coda Del Pesce is a modern Italian restaurant that combines Italy’s best with Charleston’s best. That is, Zagat-rated fine Italian dining with fine waterfront views. This intimate restaurant has just over 70 seats, making people feel comfortable and cozy in this quiet Isle of Palms locale. Coda Del Pesce adds some of the best views to its carefully crafted seafood-forward menu. The menu changes daily to highlight the plentiful fresh seafood from Charleston waters.

Charleston Italian Restaurants

Enjoy your craving for fresh chicken parmesan or hand-crafted shrimp fra diavolo at any of these top Italian restaurants in Charleston. Satisfy your craving for a plate piled high with pasta, or enjoy an upscale meal that combines fresh, local seafood with flavorful Italian seasonings.

Updated February 2024