A fusion of African, European and Lowcountry influences has produced a unique culinary heritage recognized worldwide as Charleston cuisine. Many local chefs build upon this heritage, blending international influences with the local harvest of farm-fresh heirloom vegetables and seafood caught daily just off-shore. The quality and variety of Charleston's restaurants has made us a top North American dining destination, with local restaurants and chefs recognized by such prestigious organizations as the James Beard Foundation, AAA and the Mobile Travel Guide.

Alongside the highly publicized restaurants are locally known favorites for oysters, tapas, burgers or sushi. Food is a central theme for most Charleston get-togethers, and area restaurants stay busy every night of the week.

2007 Mobil Travel Guide Four-Star and 2008 American Automobile Association (AAA) Four-Diamond restaurants include:

• Charleston Grill
• Circa 1886
• Cypress
• Grill 225
• Langdon’s
• McCrady’s
• Ocean Room at the Sanctuary
• Palmetto Cafe
• Peninsula Grill
• Sienna
• Tristan
• The Dining Room at Woodlands

James Beard Foundation Award Winners & Nominees

• FIG - Mike Lata
• Charleston Grill - Robert Waggoner
• Robert Stehling - Hominy Grill
• Bowen's Island Restaurant - 843.795.2757

For a full list of dining options, please visit:
Charleston Dish, Cuisine of Charleston and Post and Courier Dining Guide.

With a number of live music venues, Charleston residents can catch a live show on any given night. The North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center book major concert tours while other venues feature more intimate shows. The Charleston music scene is greatly influenced by the local college student population, supporting local and regional acts representing a wide range of genres.

Live music is also central to many local festivals, including Chazzfest, the Lowcountry Blues Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, the MOJA Arts Festival and the Lowcountry Cajun Festival.

Among the many music venues in the region:

• Charleston Music Hall
• Charleston Symphony Orchestra
• Johnson’s Pub
• Music Farm
• North Charleston Performing Art Center & Coliseum
• The Pour House
• Windjammer
• Village Tavern

For a complete list of local shows, visit the Charleston City Paper.

Charleston is well known for its sociability, and the local after-hours scene finds friends and colleagues unwinding all about town. Rooftop bars and open-air cafés both downtown and on the islands provide beautiful backdrops for drinks and conversation. Many among the young professional crowd frequent the restaurants and clubs in the up-and-coming Charleston Design District.

Some of the more popular gathering spots include:

• Blind Tiger Pub
• Charleston Beer Works
• Harbour Club
• Roof Top Bar
• Acme Cantina
• Charleston Grill
• Club Habana
• Pavilion Rooftop Bar
• Poe's Tavern
• The Have Nots! Comedy Improv
• Tommy Condon's

For more nightlife locations, please visit Charleston Happy Hour, SCIway.net, Charleston's Finest City Guide or Charleston's "10 Best".

Major retailers are well represented in the Charleston area, with two indoor malls, an outlet mall, several large multi-tenant shopping centers and the King Street retail corridor in downtown Charleston.

In addition to top national retailers, including several high-end brands, local residents frequent an array of boutiques and specialty shops offering everything from art and antiques to jewelry and fashion.

Farmers markets and a growing number of specialty grocers provide access to fresh, organic foods while corner bakeries, delis and wine shops offer even more retail options.

For a list of Charleston area shopping venues, visit Charleston's Finest City Guide.