Daniel Island’s Best Restaurants

Living in Daniel Island doesn’t just offer the incredible Charleston restaurant scene. Island-dwellers can find almost any cuisine without leaving the neighborhood!

From Southern comfort to Chinese, Italian or Mediterranean food, the island has something for everyone. Here are eight of the best restaurants on Daniel Island.


Imagine Credit: Agaves Cantina 

Agaves Cantina

This locally owned establishment is tucked away from the street and has everything you could want in a Mexican restaurant. Just be forewarned if you are overwhelmed by large menus — because this one is extensive.

Agaves offers a range of nachos to choose from and any traditional Mexican dish you can think of, from tacos and tamales to chilaquiles and chimichangas. The menu also includes an entire vegetarian section, complete with tofu tacos al pastor. Sides feature guacamole salad and Mexican potatoes. The restaurant doesn’t forget generous margaritas and Mexican soft drinks either. Open daily for lunch and dinner.


Image Credit: Blondies Bagels & Cafe

Blondies Bagels & Cafe

The family who opened this gourmet bagel shop wanted to create a local counter cafe where patrons could grab quality food and coffee at affordable prices. Their homemade bagels and cream cheeses are scrumptious! For something different, try the maple walnut raisin or horseradish bacon cream cheese.

If you aren’t in the mood for a bagel, choose from a selection of breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and salads. Or if you fancy a sandwich you can build your own, try the homemade chicken salad or go for a good ol’ PBJ. The well-designed, cozy cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch.


Image Credit: Dragon Palace

Dragon Palace

From the outside, you wouldn’t expect to step into such a beautiful setting. Dragon Palace is self-proclaimed as Charleston’s first Imperial garden Chinese bistro. Step back in history and enjoy the authentic cuisine beside Chinese art and decor depicting the country’s ancient culture. The interior was actually built in Taiwan from hardwood and marble, then dismantled and shipped to Daniel Island piece by piece.

The food is as impressive as the atmosphere. After all, you can’t beat a Saturday Dim Sum brunch. Find classics like General Tso’s or branch out for the ginger and scallion lobster or Seafood Bird Nest. The specialty cocktails feature unique ingredients like Lychee fruit. Open for lunch and dinner daily, by reservation only on Sundays.


Image Credit: Laura Alberts Tasteful Options

Laura Alberts Tasteful Options

Established by a Charlestonian mother-daughter duo, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options isn’t just a destination for brunch, lunch and dinner. It’s also a wine, beer and gift shop. Try the fresh, local Southern cuisine in the courtyard, visit the private cellar, or buy a wine from the retail shop and enjoy it on the spot!

The first starter on the farm-to-table menu is an eye-catcher: Laura’s Trio features crab dip, shrimp paste, jalapeno pimento cheese and crackers. With fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits, the food certainly delivers on what you’d expect from a good Southern menu. You can also find a selection of salads; sandwiches with blackened, rare ahi tuna; and multiple benedicts for brunch. Dinners are Wednesday only and primarily seafood. Enjoy craft beer from the bar any day but Sunday, when they’re closed.


Image Credit: Ristorante Lidi

Ristorante Lidi

Inspired by Italian family restaurants, Ristorante Lidi offers many menu items family style. They marinate their olives and make much of the pasta in house. With gluten-free options, Italian cocktails and unique pizzas like shrimp and artichoke, they have something for everyone. They source many of the ingredients from the surrounding region, but their extra virgin olive oil comes all the way from Italy.

Lidi offers something for every occasion, from Monday night wine dinners to takeout and happy hours every weekday (complete with food specials). Open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner seven days a week.


Image Credit: Sermet's Courtyard

Sermet’s Courtyard

This restaurant has coined the term “Southernterranian” to describe its Mediterranean cuisine with a Southern flair. As the name suggests, Sermet’s Courtyard offers courtyard seating in addition to its quaint indoor dining room. Only one block from the riverfront, the restaurant is surrounded by live oaks.

While the menu is on the smaller side, it’s jam packed with seafood and also features fried okra, pasta and filet mignon. There’s a long wine list to choose from at the mahogany bar, daily dinner specials and live music most weekends. Open Monday to Saturday for dinner.


Image Credit: Vespa Pizza

Vespa Pizza

Vespa’s authentic Neapolitan-style pizza originated in Naples and is cooked in an Italian wood-fired oven. The way of cooking this thin-crust pizza creates bubbles on top, slight charring on the crust and edges that aren’t perfectly round.

The handmade pizzas include prosciutto and pineapple, chicken caesar and gluten-free options. If you aren’t in the mood for a pie, you can find plenty of sandwiches, pastas and beautiful salads. Check out their website for a list of local partners and distributors, but they import the whole wheat for the pizza crusts from Italy. Enjoy your meal in the casual dining area or on the patio. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.


Image Credit: Wasabi of Daniel Island

Wasabi of Daniel Island

This Japanese fusion restaurant merges traditional and modern cuisine. Lowcountry Parent named them the Best Asian and Sushi Restaurant in the Mom’s Choice 2018 Awards for good reason. How could they not, with menu items like bluefin tuna marinated in black truffle-soy, lightly torched and garnished with 24k gold?

Wasabi offers teriyaki chicken bowls, hibachi and bento boxes, as well as a variety of salads and a long list of sushi options. If you’re ready for something extra, go for the whole fish, lobster tail or jumbo scallops. Their full drink menu includes signature cocktails, wine, beer and sake. Try their daily specials or local music on weekends. The stylish restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every weekday, but just dinner on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.


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