These are the South’s best classic restaurants—and they’ve been getting it right for decades

Great restaurants are famously easy to find in the South. From buzzy fusion spots to nostalgic diners and meat ‘n’ threes, a memorable meal is never far away. While new restaurants seem to be popping up every other second, there’s something to be said for those tried-and-true spots we return to again and again. With cuisine ranging from classic Southern comfort to fresh seafood, these are the 10 best classic restaurants in the South, as voted on by our readers.

An online survey was conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights among Southern Living consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South. The survey was fielded from July 9 to September 9, 2025, and had over 17,000 respondents.

01 of 10

Page’s Okra Grill

Located in the Charleston suburb of Mount Pleasant, this family-owned restaurant is more than worth the little detour from downtown. Specializing in creative Southern and Lowcountry cuisine, this is the place to get all your favorites—with a little twist. For example, egg rolls are stuffed with smoked barbecue pork and pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes come with a roasted red pepper and peach jam, and the famous chicken and waffles pair savory buttermilk waffles filled with roasted corn, jalapenos, cheese, and sausage with fried chicken and honey butter. Established in 2006, the popular eatery now has a second location in nearby Summerville, as well as a food truck parked permanently in Moncks Corner.  

02 of 10

The Red Bar

There’s no place more iconic on all of 30A than the Red Bar. What started as a beloved late-night spot for nightly live music and disco parties in 1995 has become a favorite restaurant for generations of beachgoers. After a fire burned down the original location in 2019, an outpouring of support helped this place reopen with more gusto than ever. There’s still live music several nights a week, but you can also have a fabulous meal of smoked tuna dip and the restaurant’s famous crab cakes.

03 of 10

The Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market

When this Key Largo landmark opened in 1987, the area was far less developed and visited than it is today. The roadside restaurant stayed afloat first through the persistence of locals and, over time, thanks to business from eager tourists seeking the freshest fish. The Fish House stands apart because it’s committed to buying only whole fish from local commercial fishermen. Fresh catch is brought to the restaurant daily, and you can choose from several different preparation styles. The house special is the Matecumbe, fish topped with fresh tomatoes, shallots, basil, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice, then baked.

04 of 10

Doc’s Seafood Shack

You have to get the fried shrimp at this beloved Alabama Gulf Coast spot. Even the restaurant’s Styrofoam cups tout that it’s the “Best Fried Shrimp In the Entire Civilized World”. Open since 1984, the no-frills seafood shack is all about delivering the freshest seafood in a friendly, neighborhood environment. Get the shrimp, don’t forget a bowl of seafood gumbo, and spring for a special salted caramel bushwhacker while you’re at it. Had a good day of fishing? The restaurant will cook your catch—fried, grilled, or blackened.

05 of 10

Malone's

Founded by Bruce Drake and Brian McCarty in 1998 alongside their Bluegrass Hospitality Group, Malone’s is and always has been the place to go if you want a great steak in Lexington. Less than 2 percent of beef processed in the world is rated as “prime beef”, and at Malone’s, every cut has earned that distinction. Classic fish and chicken dishes round out the menu that’s been helping generations of Kentuckians celebrate life’s biggest moments. Since opening, two additional locations in Lexington, as well as spots in Louisville, Kentucky, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, have joined the family.

06 of 10

Cap's on the Water

There’s not a bad view in the house, thanks to the oversized outdoor dining deck at Cap’s on the Water. Its top-tier location has a long history as an eatery, dating back to 1947 when it was a more casual spot known as Prepaul’s Fish Camp. Since becoming Cap’s, the restaurant has changed hands a few times, but its commitment to excellent service, delicious food, and unbeatable ambiance hasn’t wavered once. The menu is big on fresh fish, and the wine list of more than 500 varieties is great for pairing.

07 of 10

Fleet Landing

Housed in a retired 1940s naval building, everything about Fleet Landing complements its iconic waterfront location—from the menu of fried seafood to the oversized windows offering gorgeous views of the Charleston harbor. Since opening in 2004, it has been a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike to slurp down oysters and happy hour drinks at sunset or stop in for a leisurely lunch. No matter when you stop in, the Huguenot Torte, an apple-pecan dessert served à la mode, is a must-order.

08 of 10

Georgia Sea Grill

St. Simons Island has a dedicated following of repeat vacationers, and one of the places they’re most loyal to is Georgia Sea Grill. The original spot in the heart of the island’s Pier Village opened in 1997 with seating for only 34. In 2015, a new owner moved the restaurant to a bigger location and updated the menu to increase its emphasis on locally sourced seafood, meats, and produce in Southern dishes. Make a reservation for dinner and inquire about the day’s fresh catch. Then you can choose to have it Cajun Spiced with andouille and crawfish etouffee; Bronzed with Hoppin’ John, tomato cream, and pickled okra; or Pan Roasted with a medley of roasted veggies and red pepper coulis.

09 of 10

Biscuit Head

Famous for their giant cathead biscuits (so named because they’re the size of exactly that), Biscuit Head does Southern comfort cuisine like no one else. Owner Carolyn Roy says she thinks of biscuits as a “delicious blank canvas” for mixing and matching flavors and creative toppings. You can get your biscuit smothered in classic pork sausage or espresso red eye gravy, or you can opt for sweet potato coconut gravy. Southern biscuit sandwiches stack everything from pulled pork and jalapeno pimento cheese to country ham and fried green tomatoes. Since opening in Asheville in 2013, this locally-loved spot has grown to four locations across Asheville and Greenville, South Carolina.

10 of 10

FIG

Charleston, South Carolina

When co-owners Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow founded FIG (short for “Food Is Good”) in 2003, the city’s eateries were bifurcated between coat-and-tie fine dining and casual comfort fare. They wanted to create something in between.  A passion for local produce—especially vegetables—is hardly iconoclastic today, but it was back then. In its early days, the dishes at FIG changed every day based on whatever the area farmers and fishermen brought in the back door. Today, the menu doesn’t change quite as often, but the founding principle does. Start with the freshest ingredients, and treat them simply, letting their essential flavors shine through. Now in its third decade, FIG is as good as ever.