Fort Sumter National Monument Visitor Center is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

1. Fort Sumter National Monument Visitor Center

8.9
340 Concord St (East Bay), Charleston, SC
Historic and Protected Site · Downtown Charleston · 11 tips and reviews

Deborah F.Deborah Fought🌻: Fantastic place to visit especially if you love history and architecture! Thirty minute boat ride and an hour to roam the island! I highly recommend!

John C.John Culpepper: Don't forget to earn your Junior Ranger badge. An hour is just enough time for a 10 year old to finish everything but some of the questions can only be answered by the Rangers.

Candice B.Candice Barber: The museum is a stark reminder of the need for preservation of our hallowed history. I suggest getting to the boat early (20 minutes) in order to give the artifacts the proper attention.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

2. Rappahannock Oyster Bar

8.4
701 E Bay St (Columbus), Charleston, SC
Seafood Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 9 tips and reviews

Big E.Big E: The grits and the greens are the best, this side of glory! Also the crab cake is the real deal! One of our favorite spots in Charleston.

Andrew E.Andrew Erman: Amazing. Kacey the server is awesome.

Roxanna L.Roxanna Lede: The fountain, grill oysters, mussels, fish dip and the service it’s incredible!! Ask for Jeff 🤗👌

Circa 1886 Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

3. Circa 1886 Restaurant

9.0
149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC
Southern Food Restaurant · Harleston Village · 27 tips and reviews

Carmen D.Carmen Dwiggins: If you haven't been you really should go! It's amazing. The antelope is fantastic as well as any of the seafood.

Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure: From #TLSponChat: “@TJtheGreyt: Dining at Circa 1886 is always amazing.”

The Tastes that Make the CityThe Tastes that Make the City: The Carolina gold rice is the best rice in Charleston, which is why it’s on our list of The Tastes That Make the City: Charleston. Read more.

Grill 225 is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

4. Grill 225

8.5
225 E Bay St, Charleston, SC
Steakhouse · Downtown Charleston · 21 tips and reviews

Nancy M.Nancy Margolis: Delicious food, great presentation!! Great service. Very expensive

Katy R.Katy Rice: best steak i have ever had in my entire 25 years of living!

Rachael K.Rachael King: Best rooftop ever. Read more.

Indaco is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

5. Indaco

8.8
526 King St (at Woolfe St), Charleston, SC
Italian Restaurant · Cannonborough - Elliottborough · 30 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Indaco is the hip new spot to visit for pizza, pasta and negronis. The pies feature perfectly crisp crusts and the toppings are inventive. Dishes are thoughtful derivations of classic Italian flavors.

Geoff Y.Geoff Yost: Definitely go for the tasting menu - you make no decisions and everything will delight.

Will B.Will Bullock: It's "fancy" Italian. Not exactly the comfort food you might expect, but delicious nonetheless. Enjoy the olive & cheese starter, the blue cheese pesto bucatini, and the seasalt chocolate panacotta

Oak Steakhouse is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

6. Oak Steakhouse

8.6
17 Broad St, Charleston, SC
Steakhouse · Charlestowne · 37 tips and reviews

Brad T.Brad Totherow: Try an Innis & Gunn, wood barrel aged for 77 days. Perfect with the Filet!

John R.John Rector: Oak Steakhouse is probably the best restaurant in downtown Charleston. Don't worry about parking - they offer a valet service. Just pull up in front on Broad Street and wait for an attendant.

Amanda J.Amanda Jennings: Perfect for a Sunday dinner or any night of the week! Fabulous food & service. The BEST in Charleston Read more.

The Grocery is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

7. The Grocery

9.0
4 Cannon St (at King St), Charleston, SC
American Restaurant · Cannonborough - Elliottborough · 47 tips and reviews

Corley S.Corley Stone: Great service, cozy and romantic date spot. Farm/Sea to table. Really yummy.

Adam S.Adam Salomone: The fried pickled green tomatoes are outstanding, sweet and sour with a nice kick. And served on an old Coke bottle that's been cut in half

Mark D.Mark Durney: Stick to the small plates, bone marrow is a must.

The Meeting Room Restaurant & Tapas Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

8. The Meeting Room Restaurant & Tapas Bar

8.0
425 Meeting St (Woolfe Street), Charleston, SC
New American Restaurant · Cannonborough - Elliottborough · 1 tip

Marcelle M.Marcelle Martens: The bartender Kevin is the best. Charleston local with lots of great recommendations. Mushrooms and homemade potato chips are great

Coast Bar and Grill is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

9. Coast Bar and Grill

8.9
39 John St, Charleston, SC
Seafood Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 55 tips and reviews

James C.James Chaponnel: Blackened escobar is sensational. So are the oysters!!!!

Chaz G.Chaz Green: La La needs to be mayor of this establishment. She clearly runs the joint.

Joey S.Joey Schnople: Dark and Stormy and ceviche trio. Great way to start.

Peninsula Grill is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

10. Peninsula Grill

8.6
112 N Market St, Charleston, SC
American Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 47 tips and reviews

Jamie B.Jamie Biering: From the Caviar to the Steak and in between the very BEST meal I’ve had!!! Wow!!!

Julia L.Julia Lovett: Eat the coconut cake!

EaterEater: The service is attentive, the dining room is stunning & the food is beautiful. Everyone talks about the famous coconut cake, but the Banana “Panna Cotta” Pudding is also outstanding. [Eater 18 Member]

CO is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

11. CO

8.6
340 King St (btwn George St. & Burns Ln.), Charleston, SC
Vietnamese Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 52 tips and reviews

Inna G.Inna G: Caramelized bahn mi sandwich. Good spicy sauce on side

Briana Z.Briana Z: Effen cucumber shots

Ryan L.Ryan LeFevre: The Vietnamese iced coffee is amazing, but not for the faint of heart.

Swig & Swine is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

12. Swig & Swine

8.3
1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC
BBQ Joint · Parkwood - Farmfield · 52 tips and reviews

Eugene M.Eugene Mah: Great brisket. Pimento cheese makes for a very good appetizer

Jimmy L.Jimmy Lowe: Pulled pork plate great value . Excellent service at bar with Lori

Zak S.Zak Slayback: Great for brunch. Come by on a Saturday and get the brisket eggs Benedict!

82 Queen is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

13. 82 Queen

8.5
82 Queen St (Meeting St), Charleston, SC
Southern Food Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 66 tips and reviews

Lori S.Lori Sherman: Crab cakes , bbq shrimp & grits, chicken salad, lemon cake & cheesecake

Michael G.Michael Galpert: The She Crab soup is a must

Forrest F.Forrest Fisher: I got the She Crab Soup and it was to die for.

Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

14. Swamp Fox Restaurant & Bar

7.5
387 King St, Charleston, SC
Southern Food Restaurant · Downtown Charleston · 10 tips and reviews

Henry B.Henry Butehorn: Excellent homemade desserts. I recommend the pecan pie.

John S.John Scott: Prime Steak and Scallops dinners shared over a local IPA and Wine. Steak was a perfect medium rare and side on both were great. As with the hotel, the staff service is and attention is high.

Jayne L.Jayne Lominac Thompson: Shrimp and grits are incredible!

Stars Rooftop is one of The 15 Best Places for Merlot in Charleston.

15. Stars Rooftop

8.1
495 King St (btwn Morris & Radcliffe St), Charleston, SC
Cocktail Bar · Radcliffeborough · 48 tips and reviews

Trae F.Trae F: Great rooftop bar with a very young crowd.

Chuck R.Chuck Roberts: The food is wonderful, as are the drinks. The restaurant itself has a very comfortable feel, with lots of leather and wood. We enjoyed our filets and will be returning soon

Jay B.Jay Benson: Best new rooftop bar in Charleston! Great wine list.