It’s easy to feel at home in Charleston and Savannah. Back in the Lowcountry for the first time in over a decade, the sibling cities made us feel like we’d never left. Thanks to a post-pandemic tourism boom, an influx of transplants, and entrepreneurial locals, food and beverage professionals in the region are building on the momentum and creating engaging, inviting, and innovative spaces.

Rather than simply cater to the tastes of tourists, restaurants and bars are choosing to be distinctive and reflective of their communities. Diners are becoming more adventurous, and chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers are taking note. As Charleston and Savannah grow and develop, new voices and perspectives are eager to embrace the region’s history, agriculture, and community. And while much has changed over the past decade, what matters most has stayed the same.