For My Charleston Peeps: Charleston Restaurant Awards Recap

Charleston is really busting at the seams with culinary talent.  So when I was invited to attend last week's Charleston Food Bloggers Restaurant Awards dinner I happily accepted.  Invited as a special guest (though not sure what exactly makes me special), I got to meet some new local bloggers, get the scoop on what these guys all thought were the best places in town, and try out a great new restaurant that I had not yet been to.

The dinner was hosted at Cork Bistro and the menu they served us was incredibly good.

Cork even won a couple of awards in their region of town's category including best atmosphere.  Winners were nominated and voted on by 5 of Charleston's most active food bloggers: Charleston Food Bloggers , Foodmancing The Girl , Hungry Meets Healthy , Red Head Recipies , and Foodie Fix .  They broke up the winners into 4 geographic locations in Charleston including Downtown, East of the Cooper, West of the Ashley, and the North area.

Best Food: American

Downtown: McCrady’s

West of the Ashley: The Glass Onion

East of the Cooper: Eurasia

The North area: Cork Bistro

Best Food: International

Downtown: Basil

West of the Ashley: Taste of India

East of the Cooper: Ali Baba

The North area: Zocalo

Best Food: Non-restaurant

Downtown: Paolo’s Gelato

West of the Ashley: Hello my name is BBQ

East of the Cooper: Whole Foods

The North area: Pho #1

Best Food: New Restaurant

Downtown: Husk

West of the Ashley: Roadside Kitchen

East of the Cooper: Eurasia

The North area: Zocalo

Best Food: Local Chain

Mustard Seed

Best Food: Cheap Eats

Downtown: Taco Boy

West of the Ashley: Three Little Birds Café

East of the Cooper: Jack’s Cosmic Dogs

The North area: EVO Pizza

Best Food: Hole In The Wall

Downtown: Moe’s Crosstown

West of the Ashley: Bowen’s Island

East of the Cooper: La Pizzeria

The North area: Havana Café

Best Atmosphere

Downtown: Cypress

West of the Ashley: Fat Hen

East of the Cooper: Poe’s Tavern

The North area: Cork Bistro

Best Bar

Downtown: Closed For Business

West of the Ashley: Smoky Oak Taproom

East of the Cooper: Red’s Ice House

The North area: Madra Rua

Best Local Farm

Ambrose

I didn't take part in the voting, but I will say that I regularly frequent many of the winners' locations above including La Pizzaria, Poe's Tavern, Taco Boy, Jack's Cosmic Dogs, and Husk.  And some of  you may remember that I included Paolo's Gelato in my Glitter Guide feature.

So there you go, some great local restaurants straight from some unbiased foodies :)  Go exploring!