Circa 1886 Restaurant Charleston

Circa 1886 sits at 149 Wentworth St, tucked into the residential carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion. It is a ten-minute walk from both Rainbow Row and the Charleston City Market. The restaurant holds a 2024 Wine Spectator Excellence Award, reflecting the weight it places on its cellar list. The room runs smart and elegant, leaning into the architecture of its site.

While many of the city’s contemporary kitchens focus on speed and volume near the market stalls, this venue prioritizes a slower, more deliberate pacing. Choosing a table here is a rejection of the noise found closer to the waterfront; you are paying for the quiet of a converted private estate. If the goal is a meal that feels anchored in local tradition rather than the latest flash-in-the-pan trend, this is the superior option.