There’s some exciting news on the foodie front.
Charleston's known across the globe for its fabulous culinary scene. And some pretty amazing news confirms it.
The greatest mark of honor for chefs and restaurants around the world has decided to shine its coveted stars on the Holy City.
What are Michelin Stars, anyway?
If you’re a fan of “The Bear” or make a habit of eating in the world’s best restaurants, you probably already know.
Basically, they’re a highly regarded rating system that was set up by none other than the famous French tire company, Michelin, way back in the early 1900’s. They created the Michelin Guide to evaluate restaurants (and hotels, too), to help inform travelers about what places to patronize.
Under the Michelin system, establishments are graded based on the following factors: the quality of the food, the mastery of culinary technique, the personality of the cuisine, the consistency in producing said cuisine, and overall value.
The Star System
In the much-anticipated Michelin Guide, a restaurant may receive a rating of one, two or three stars. Here’s what each one means:
- One star — "High quality cook, worth a stop."
- Two stars — "Excellent cooking, worth a detour."
- Three stars — "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."
The granting of even a single star is a triumph of extraordinary degree for a chef and restaurant, and will “make” their career.
It’s like an actor who wins an Oscar, how they are forever known as, “Academy Award winner _____...” In this case, they will always be referred to as, “Michelin-starred chef, _____”.
The first-ever Michelin Selection for the American South
The Michelin Guide recently announced it has finally expanded its ranking into a region that’s home to some of the best food in the world - the American South.
This first-of-its-kind regional guide covers Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. And sure enough, the Michelin inspectors uncovered some stellar culinary talent in these parts.
Out of this entire region, they awarded a coveted star to just ten restaurants. And low and behold…
Three Charleston restaurants were awarded a Michelin star!
Out of the ten newly minted Michelin-starred restaurants, three are right here in the Holy City, just a short drive from your Isle of Palms vacation rental.
Here are the three winners, in alphabetical order, along with the inspector notes (aka what the Michelin Guide has to say about each one)…
Malagón Mercado y Taperia (Spanish cuisine)
"Don't be fooled by this unassuming spot off King Street; Malagón is a find. It's a small space with an appealing old-world ambience, where shelves are stocked with wines and imported produce and an open kitchen offers a peek at the goings-on. Chef Juan Cassalett's tapas-focused, Spanish menu has a clear spark. Nothing is overcomplicated, and there is beauty in the precision in dishes like fried rabbit leg with a savory crème fraîche dipping sauce and la bomba de la Barceloneta, with diced pork stuffed inside mashed potato and then fried. It's all deceptively simple and deliciously surprising, as in the arros con cangrejo, a paella-style dish tossed with crab that delights with each bite."
Malagón is located at 33 Spring Street in downtown Charleston.
Vern's (American Contemporary cuisine)
"The husband-and-wife team of Daniel and Bethany Heinze have created one of Charleston's most coveted spots. Reservations at Vern's are highly sought after, though some may try their luck at the handful of bar seats saved for walk-ins. Lowcountry ingredients are championed on a menu that reflects Chef Daniel Heinze's travels. It all shifts with the seasons, but items like charred sourdough with allium butter or raw yellowfin tuna with Calabrian chili are dynamic starters. Pasta is made in house—campanelli with rabbit and vacche rosse cheese in a cacio e pepe sauce is silky-smooth. It's perfectly paired with a selection from Bethany's expertly curated wine list."
Vern’s is at 41 Bogard Street A, downtown Charleston.
Wild Common (American Contemporary cuisine)
"Chef Orlando Pagán's tasting menu is far from common, and while upgrades like caviar eggs Benedict and wagyu are indeed available, there's nothing standard here. From the price (less than $100) and the focus on local ingredients to the wildly creative dishes with a global bent, this is fine dining injected with a bit of fun. Pho with carrot kimchi or hamachi crudo with coconut and kumquat may kick off the meal before roasted carrot and walnut tortelli with carrot fondue and browned butter whey foam, and entrees like dry-aged New York strip with a polenta cake and king trumpet mushrooms. In yet another twist, an aged cheddar sundae offers a savory take on the final course."
Wild Common is also located on Spring Street downtown, at #103.
More Michelin accolades…
Michelin awarded three other Charleston restaurants the Bib Gourmand distinction for “great food at a great value.” The winners: Leon's Oyster Shop, Lewis Barbecue and Rodney Scott's BBQ.
And they tapped the following as American South’s 2025 Recommended Restaurants, “celebrated for their creativity, consistency, and contribution to the region’s vibrant culinary landscape”...
- Chubby Fish – Charleston
- FIG – Charleston
- Husk – Charleston
- Lowland – Charleston
- Sorelle – Charleston
- The Establishment – Charleston
- The Obstinate Daughter – Sullivan’s Island
- The Restaurant at Zero George – Charleston
- Xiao Bao Biscuit – Charleston
Good news is, all of these great establishments are an easy drive or short Uber from all our luxury Isle of Palms rentals, so you can try them out for yourselves. Read more about the new Michelin Guide American South here.
And give EP a call, when you’re ready to stay in a Charleston beach house and enjoy some Michelin-star quality cuisine while you’re at it.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger