You’ve heard it from locals, guides, and probably every Charleston foodie you’ve ever met: FIG (Food Is Good) is the place to go. With all that hype, expectations are understandably high, but FIG manages to exceed them while remaining grounded as a neighborhood bistro at heart. The low-lit bar is packed with diners diving into full meals, while the dining room offers an understated yet elegant ambiance—light walls, white tablecloths, and dark chairs that feel welcoming, not pretentious.

What’s the Crowd Like?

FIG attracts a lively mix of locals and in-the-know visitors. Even though it’s located on a tourist-heavy corner, the restaurant retains its deeply local roots. Expect a room full of people who are serious about food—asking their servers about sourcing, seasonal specialties, and favorite dishes.

What Should We Be Drinking?

The wine program at FIG is James Beard Award-winning for a reason. With a strong focus on Old World classics and small, family-run vineyards, the list pairs beautifully with the food. You’ll find glasses of Palomino Fino, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gamay making their way to most tables. Cocktails lean toward the spirit-forward, offering an excellent option for those who want to explore. Beer drinkers, however, will find the selection smaller compared to the robust wine offerings.

Main Event: The Food. Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Without a doubt. FIG’s menu is a love letter to seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, prepared with a French-influenced touch. The seafood is the crown jewel here, thanks to Chef Jason Stanhope’s relationships with local purveyors, ensuring the best catches—triggerfish, grouper, squid, you name it—are transformed into dishes that are simple yet transcendent.

The ricotta gnocchi is a standout appetizer, a melt-in-your-mouth hug on a plate, and a must-order if it’s on the menu. For mains, seafood is almost always the way to go, no matter the preparation—it’s consistently fresh, flavorful, and expertly executed. Save room for dessert; the house-made ice creams and panna cottas are perfect, unassuming finales that will linger in your memory.

How’s the Service?

Exceptional. FIG’s staff seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the menu, from the farmer behind those tender field peas to the vineyard that produced your wine. There’s a warmth to the service that makes you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. It’s the kind of place where they remember not just your name but your preferences—down to that corner table or your love for Gamay.

Bottom Line: Why Are We Coming Here?

FIG is the ultimate place to celebrate, impress, or simply experience the pinnacle of Charleston dining. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. If you’re visiting Charleston and can only eat at one restaurant, make it FIG. Locals already know: this is where magic happens, one dish at a time.