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

Honoree: Eclectic Finds, Antiques and Interiors