While the food scene in Charleston has evolved a lot over the past decade, soul food remains vital. Many places have come and gone, but Hannibal’s Kitchen has continued to be a Charleston staple since its opening in 1985. This Black- and family-owned establishment serves soul food classics like fried chicken and standout seafood dishes like their excellent crab rice.

Hannibal’s Kitchen is known for its crab rice, while Bertha’s Kitchen is where Dennis finds his favorite red rice—a Charleston classic made with tomato paste and bacon.

Hannibal’s Kitchen has been an East Side fixture since 1985, and it’s now one of the last bastions of traditional Gullah-Geechee cooking on the peninsula. Recent renovations have added a fresh color scheme and an outdoor dining patio, but Hannibal still feeds the soul of the city with hearty plates of pork chops, gravy-smothered turkey wings, and grilled or fried whiting. Bursting with rich seafood flavor, the crab and shrimp rice has become the house specialty, and the smoky lima beans and thick okra soup are standout versions of two Lowcountry classics.

Located on Charleston’s East Side, Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen has been serving Gullah and Soul food since 1985. A casual eatery popular with locals and visitors alike for its home-style cooking, its slogan is “feeding the soul of the city,” known for delicious dishes like their signature shrimp and crab rice while preserving Gullah history in the Holy City. After sampling their hearty eats, explore the Gullah culture in the surrounding neighbourhood’s churches, gravesites and other historic spots.

HANNIBAL’S KITCHEN (16 Blake Street Charleston, SC 29403) – No-frills down-home cooking is what you’ll get at this multi-generational family-owned and run eatery just minutes from a bustling downtown. Take in the stunning interior artwork while waiting for your food. While some restaurants lose credibility once tourists get wind of them, Charleston locals still regularly stop in to get take-out for lunch – a true sign of authenticity; especially in the South.

In recent years, Hannibal’s crab rice ($16.50) has emerged as the restaurant’s most acclaimed dish, and for good reason. But for contributing Post and Courier restaurant critic Robert F. Moss, the real stars on Hannibal’s plates are not the main proteins but the things that come alongside. Many are veg-friendly, including the mac and cheese, candied yams, sauteed cabbage, string beans and yellow corn sliced from the cob.

This family-owned Eastside institution has been churning out crab rice, local fried shark, okra soup, and other Gullah specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 35 years. Other menu highlights include the lima bean plate with white rice, smoked neck bones, and pigtails as well as daily specials like the smothered pork chop with choice of two sides like collard greens, red rice, and cut corn.

Hannibal's Kitchen is probably one of the ugliest restaurants on the outside, but once you go inside, you will be happy you did. Hannibal's has been serving up some of the best soul food in Charleston for over 40 years. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and daily specials include crab and shrimp rice, baked or fried chicken, turkey wings, liver and onions, fried shrimp, and fried pork chops.

Tucked away and very much unassuming, Hannibal’s has been serving up the best soul food in Charleston since 1985. Far from the hustle and bustle of Charleston’s busiest streets, Hannibal’s is a local institution. Started by the Hugers, a family of longtime locals, this Gullah restaurant is famous for its Gullah staples, like the oxtail and rice, local shark steak, and chicken liver meal.

One of the last Black-owned restaurants in peninsular Charleston, Hannibal’s motto is “feeding the soul of the city.” The neighborhood favorite has been making good on its promise for four decades, particularly when putting out plates of fried pork chops with red rice, shark steak with yellow rice, and white rice with lima beans. 16 Blake Street; hannibalkitchen.com

Currently serving lunch and dinner, the menu focuses primarily on seafood while also featuring other soul food classics, including fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato pie. Hannibal’s Kitchen is known for its generous portions and homemade recipes, perfected over the restaurant’s 30-year history. Address: 16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403

In her 1970 book Vibration Cooking: Or, the travel notes of a Geechee Girl, Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor wrote, “White folks act like they would starve for sure if they couldn’t have a hunk of meat. Eatin’ neck bones don’t bother me.” That prevalence of neck bones in Gullah dishes can still be found at Hannibal’s Kitchen. “It’s the real deal,” says Goodwine.

Authentic lowcountry Gullah cuisine at an affordable price, Hannibal’s is a local family-own staple since 1985. Every plate of lima beans, okra soup, fried chicken, pork chops, and collard greens is seasoned with classic rich southern flavor. Their signature dish “Crab and Shrimp Rice,” was feature in the 2020 March issue of Southern Living.

Hannibal’s was the only South Carolina restaurant to make the list, which the newspaper said was created after sending “critics, reporters and editors around the country to find the 50 most vibrant and delicious restaurants in 2021.” From coast to coast, eateries that serve up a variety of dishes received recognition.

Since 1985, locals have sought sustenance from Hannibal's Kitchen, or as owner L.J. Huger puts it, he has been "feeding the soul of the city." You'll find a satisfying mix of Southern and Gullah favorites to fill your plate. Try these: crab rice, whole whiting, collards with smoked neck bones and pigtails, okra soup

Hannibal’s is a family-owned restaurant that offers an innovative take on southern seafood specialties. You’ll find that their crab rice and shark steaks are some of the most popular items on the menu. You can choose to eat in the rustic dining room with art on the walls or outside on the adorable patio.

Found on the east side of downtown Charleston’s peninsula at 16 Blake St, is Hannibal’s Kitchen. Serving Gullah staples such as crab rice, sautéed crab or shrimp over grits, chicken wings, sandwiches and more. Though it may not be fancy, the simple flavors are true to their soul food style.

Many places have closed during that time, but Hannibal’s Kitchen has continued to be a Charleston staple since first opening in 1985. This Black- and family-owned establishment serves both soul food classics like fried chicken and seafood dishes, including the excellent crab rice.

16 Blake St. Located on the East Side of the peninsula, Hannibal’s Kitchen offers authentic southern delicacies like crab rice, a Gullah staple. Savor the fine taste of sautéed crab or shrimp over grits for breakfast and sandwiches, chicken wings, and more for lunch and dinner.

One of the best things to do in Charleston is have a little soul food, and Hannibal’s Kitchen is just the place to do that!. This charming hole-in-the-wall joint offers the best soul food around. It’s family-owned and operated, and has been a local favorite for over 40 years.

The first time you try crab rice you’ll wonder why you hadn’t heard of this simple, yet satisfying, dish earlier in life. Hannibal’s Kitchen serves up some of the best crab rice around. The presentation is simple — it’s picked local crabs, lightly pan fried, over white rice.

Iconic soul food restaurants abound off the beaten paths in and around Charleston, so we’ll highlight just a few of the oldest, newest, and best-loved: Hannibal’s, Dave’s Carry Out, Bertha’s, and Martha Lou’s Kitchen, among others.

Hannibal’s Kitchen serves Seafood, Gullah Style and Soul Food, Geechee Style. It is no-frills, authentic Lowcountry dining. This three-generation Black-owned restaurant spotlights seafood, but also offers soul food classics.

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (134 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American– Address: 16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403-5044– Read more on Tripadvisor

16 Blake StCharleston, SC 29403(843) 722-2256 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Welcoming guests since 1985, this humble restaurant is a local favorite in the Eastside neighborhood.

Remember when we talked about Gullah-style food back in the beginning?. Well, over at Hannibal’s Kitchen, they got the goods on Gullah!. Proud of its deep local roots, founder L.J.

In my experience, you’ll find oxtails at a Caribbean restaurant, so this is good to know. Shark steak- I never heard of shark steak until I met my husband. He said it tastes good.

Located on Morrison Drive, Hannibal’s Kitchen is often called a hidden gem. It’s a humble, no-frills eatery, but its food has been keeping Charleston fed for more than 40 years.

Make sure to try the crab rice, crab and shrimp rice, collard greens, fried shrimp, and liver and onions. In 2021 they were listed in New York Times’s best places to eat.

- Rating: 4.2/5 (396 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 16 Blake St. Charleston, South Carolina - Categories: Barbecue, American, Soul Food- Read more on Yelp

From Hannibal’s Kitchen’s delicious okra soup and crab rice to the Mexican and Sushi crossover at Mesu, your belly will thank you.