Less noise, better taste. About
Pick for Me Who Moved About Best Overall Best New Date Night Business Dinner Brunch Best Lunch Outdoor Dining Rooftop & Waterfront Steakhouse Seafood Italian Sushi Mexican Vegan & Vegetarian Pizza Barbecue Casual Local Favorite Burgers Food Voices Methodology

Best Italian Restaurants in Charleston, SC

As of November 2026, The Obstinate Daughter is #1 in TasteSignal's Italian ranking for Charleston, SC, followed by Sorelle and Cane Pazzo. Critic recognition from Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and 3 other outlets in the last five years.

From housemade pasta to coastal Italian, Charleston's Italian scene punches above its weight. Restaurants whose identity is Italian compete here, ranked on the same evidence as every other category.

By Aaron Pennell · Updated November 2026

← Back to all rankings

Best Italian Restaurants in Charleston, SC (November 2026)

Developing
#1

The Obstinate Daughter

$$–$$$Sullivan's IslandNo change
Why #1
  • Critic recognition from Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and 3 other outlets in the last five years.
  • Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Michelin Guide, Oct 2026).
  • Diner ratings: 4.6 on Google (2,747 reviews); 4.5 on Yelp (about 1,900 reviews); 4.6 on Tripadvisor (1,312 reviews).
  • On major critic lists in 5 different years (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026).

Wood-fired pizza oven, plancha, raw bar, and a focus on pasta and small plates from Lowcountry farms and fishermen.

4.6
TasteSignal Crowd ScoreBlended across 3 platforms · how this is calculated

Diner ratings checked Nov 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address2063 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
HoursLunch 11 AM to 3 PM, Dinner 4 PM to 10 PM. Brunch Sat/Sun 10 to 3
ReservationsBook on Resyor call to book
Walk-inBar, patio, and bar cocktail tables are reserved for walk-ins. Patio releases day-of based on weather. Pizza-only menu 3-4 PM is the easiest entry.

Hours, prices and booking details are from our 2026 checks. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.

The Obstinate Daughter: full profile and sources →
#2

Sorelle

$$$$DowntownNo change
Why #2
  • Critic recognition from Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and 4 other outlets in the last five years.
  • Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Michelin Guide, Oct 2026).
  • Diner ratings: 4.5 on Google (1,019 reviews); 4.4 on Yelp (about 420 reviews); 4.7 on Tripadvisor (111 reviews).
  • On major critic lists in 3 different years (2024, 2025, 2026).
4.5
TasteSignal Crowd ScoreBlended across 3 platforms · how this is calculated

Diner ratings checked Nov 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address88 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
HoursDaily 5-10pm; Sun brunch 10am-2pm; Mercato daily 8am-4pm
ReservationsBook on Resy
Walk-inYes (at bar and lounge)

Hours, prices and booking details are from our 2026 checks. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Sorelle: full profile and sources →
#3

Cane Pazzo

$$$Hanahan▲ from #5
Why #3
  • Critic recognition from Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and 4 other outlets in the last five years.
  • Fresh critic coverage in the last six months (Michelin Guide, Oct 2026).
  • Diner ratings: 4.8 on Google (405 reviews); 4.7 on Yelp (about 78 reviews).

The all-Italian wine list is curated by co-owner Ariana Bolchoz.

4.8
TasteSignal Crowd ScoreBlended across 2 platforms · how this is calculated

Diner ratings checked Nov 2026. Platforms with fewer than 50 reviews are not counted.

Address1276 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410
Phone(843) 974-3647
HoursMonday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Closed Sunday.
ReservationsReservations on Resy and OpenTable. Bookings recommended given Resy Hit List demand.
Walk-inSeven first-come bar seats and a chef's counter. Dining room is reservation-only.

Hours, prices and booking details are from our 2026 checks. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.

Cane Pazzo: full profile and sources →

Left the podium this month: Wild Olive (was #3, now #4).

Ranks 4 to 10
#4

Wild Olive

$$–$$$Johns Island★ 4.6▼ from #3
#5

Indaco

$$–$$$Downtown★ 4.4▼ from #4
#6

Renzo

$$–$$$Downtown★ 4.5No change
#7

Pelato

$$–$$$Downtown★ 4.7▲ from #14
#8

Coda del Pesce

$$$$Isle of Palms★ 4.5▼ from #7
#9

Frannie & The Fox

$$–$$$Downtown★ 4.4▼ from #8
#10

Riva Mare

North Charleston★ 4.3▲ from #13

Best Italian restaurants in Charleston by area

Where the top-ranked spots in this category are, from downtown to the islands. The number is each restaurant's overall rank in Italian this month.

How this ranking works

Each card shows the evidence behind the rank: critic and local-guide coverage (linked), diner ratings, recent news and staying power. We log every list, award and rating with its date and source, apply the same rules to every restaurant, and refresh the ranking monthly. Arrows compare each restaurant with last month. Read how TasteSignal ranks restaurants.

Frequently asked

What is the best Italian restaurant in Charleston?

As of November 2026, The Obstinate Daughter is #1 in TasteSignal's Italian ranking for Charleston, SC, followed by Sorelle and Cane Pazzo. Why it leads: critic recognition from Michelin Guide, Condé Nast Traveler and 3 other outlets in the last five years.

How does TasteSignal rank the best Italian restaurants in Charleston?

Every restaurant in the category is ranked from named, dated evidence: critic and local-guide coverage, diner ratings on Google, Tripadvisor and Yelp, recent news and how long it has stayed on critics' lists. The data behind this category is still developing, so next month's update could reorder the top 3. Rankings refresh monthly.

Was this ranking helpful?Thanks for the feedback