This former body shop still shows some of its industrial scruff, though exposed wooden beams, concrete floors, and pendant lighting are now softened by the presence of oil paintings and fried chicken, plated daintily on checkered tissue paper. The whole thing stems from a commitment to delivering as unpretentious an experience as possible. To quote some of their mission statement: “We do fried chicken, oysters…and tons of champagne…all in an old garage," and they're truthful to that simple adage. Oysters come raw, chargrilled, or ‘casino’ style (with bacon and peppers), while straight-up Peel n’ Eat Shrimp and fry-ups served with a bundle hush puppies and a dollop of creamy tartar sauce round out the more 'complex' options. No reservations accepted—just show up and take your chances.

Casual, quirky, and a tad Wes Anderson-y, this oysters-and-fried-chicken joint sports a kitschy ambience and blues-heavy soundtrack. Fried catfish, oyster, and chicken sandwiches come towering, dressed in fresh slaw or "comeback sauce" and nestled on perfectly prepared rolls. The oysters are from near or far, depending on the season.

Fried chicken and world-famous char-grilled oysters may be the stars of the show at Leon’s Oyster Shop, but don’t miss the bevy of delicious side dishes, from hush puppies to old-school scalloped potatoes. Wash it all down with some Miller High Life “Ponies” or a magnum of blanc de blanc or Scribe rosé.

For restaurants downtown, our favorites are 82 Queen, Pooghans Porch, Leons, Edmunds Oast and Cru Cafe. For pubs/pub fair, try The Royal American, Tattooed Moose, Uptown Social (younger crowd), Burns Ally.

The headliners at this funky downtown favorite are plates of crisp-battered fried chicken and New Orleans-style chargrilled oysters. There are plenty of other delights, too, like the fragrant Siam Salad, which blankets napa and red cabbage with peanuts, fried onions, and cilantro. Fried shrimp or oysters are tucked inside buttery toasted rolls, and the exemplary fried chicken sandwich features a breast breaded with seafood seasonings and piled into a soft seeded bun with Duke’s mayo, slaw, and bright housemade pickles.

Ask 10 Charlestonians where the best fried chicken is, and 8 of them will probably say Leon’s. Named for its oyster offerings (the chargrilled oysters are NOT to be missed), Leon’s fried chicken sandwich brings soul to the South and is pretty much perfection. The restaurant is inside an old body shop owned by Leon Ravenel, and it brings that old-school charm back in its retro decor, retaining concrete floors and functioning garage doors.

A perfect blend of Southern comfort and coastal vibes, Leon’s is a much-loved local hotspot known for its fried chicken, fresh oysters, and soft-serve ice cream. This laid-back eatery brings a touch of retro charm to Charleston, with its vintage-inspired decor and a vibrant outdoor patio. Indulge in their famous fried chicken, fresh seafood, and refreshing cocktails for a quintessential Charleston dining experience.

With crispy fried chicken platters, char-grilled local oysters, and the frozen gin and tonics and fróse on tap, Leon's sunny patio or laid-back dining room is a place you'll want to stay all day at this converted auto body shop on the Westside. Even though you'll likely want to fill up on the all the delicious entree options, save room for the soft serve for dessert.

Leon's Oyster Shop is well-known not just in Charleston, but in the South. The restaurant was named the Best Restaurant in the South by Southern Living and was a Rising Star Chef Semi-Finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence, among other accolades. Outfitted in an old garage, the restaurant brings together industrial history with Southern cooking.

Known for their fried chicken, oysters, and rosé on tap, Leon’s is a great casual spot for some delicious soul food. This restaurant is located inside an old body shop in downtown Charleston and has truly preserved much of the industrial history of the building. The outdoor seating area is covered and has lots of ceiling fans for those hot low country days.

Preserving history is an important thing in the south, and Leon’s is a testament to that. The restaurant is named in homage to Leon Ravenel, the Charleston mechanic whose old body shop houses Leon’s restaurant today. Leon’s body shop was an industrial core to Charleston, as Leon’s Restaurant is part of Charleston’s culinary core today.

Leon's Oyster Shop is a local favorite on the north side of downtown Charleston. The restaurant’s specialty is oysters and the bivalves appear on the menu in a variety of simple, classic preparations. Whether enjoyed raw with saltine crackers, fried Rockefeller style, or as oysters casino, these oysters are sure to not disappoint.

Many a local will recommend Leon's Oyster Shop for many a reason. As its name implies, Leon's specializes in oysters, and the shellfish appear on the menu raw with saltines, char-grilled, fried Rockefeller, and as oysters casino. Indeed, Leon's does oysters a service in offering them with simple, pure preparations.

Leon’s is another iconic Charleston restaurant that was highly recommended by the locals and it didn’t disappoint. Also be prepared to stand in line. I got the Leon’s fish fry with fried catfish, shrimp, oysters, and hushpuppies with the 2-piece fried chicken, and it was well worth the one-hour wait.

698 King Street Our #1 favorite oyster dish in Charleston is the char-grilled oysters with lemon, parsley, butter, and parmesan cheese. If you don't fancy oysters try the fried oyster roll with avocado, comeback sauce, and chives. The fried chicken and sides are also super tasty.

If there are two food groups you think of when you think of Charleston, it’s probably fried chicken and oysters. And that is precisely what Leon’s does best. Book yourself a reservation here and dine on these Charleston favorites as well as other Southern dishes.

You can’t leave Leon’s without trying an order of the chargrilled oysters they’re famous for or a plate of fried chicken. Despite its charmingly grungy interiors, there’s a really great wine and cocktail program here, complete with frozen G&Ts.

Don't let the name fool you, Leon's is so much more than oysters!. This award-winning restaurant serves up favorites like shrimp rolls, hush puppies, and to-die-for fried chicken. Plus, you can't beat the upbeat, friendly atmosphere.

If we wanted to be downtown it would be fun to do a Walk + Talk tour, followed by lunch at 82 Queen (quintessential Charleston) or Leon’s and then stop by the Aquarium (it is a good size and you can get through it in an hour).

This King Street restaurant is a house of fun and very fine fried chicken, fish and veggies. Oysters are served char-grilled or on the half-shell, and whole fish can be ordered grilled with chimichurri and charred lemon.

Fig, the ordinary, lowland tavern, verns, chubby fish, grace + grits, pages okra grill, Leon’s, loLA, palmira bbq, wild olive, SNOB, honeysuckle rose, bearcat.

Their main menu items are fried chicken and oysters, but they have great salads and sides too, set in a fun atmosphere. They don’t take reservations.

Leon’s: This Southern-inspired oyster shop is serving up the catch of the day along with mouthwatering hush puppies and fried chicken.