SC has one of the best ‘hidden gem’ restaurants in the US for 2025, Tripadvisor says
A South Carolina barbecue restaurant was listed as No. 12 on Tripadvisor’s best of the best hidden gems.
It’s Lewis Barbecue Charleston. The award is based on the number of above and beyond reviews on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, an achievement of 1% of restaurants, Tripadvisor said.
“You have to get a bit off the beaten path to find these spots, but they certainly earn their winner status in both taste and local charm,” Tripadvisor said.
With 1,024 reviews, Lewis scored a 4.7.
“Lewis Barbecue Charleston has a relaxed, family-friendly vibe with a fun mix of quirky decor,” the website said. “You’re in for well-smoked brisket and pulled pork — definitely try the green chile corn pudding on the side. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the staff are quick with helpful suggestions.”
John Lewis opened the restaurant in 2016 after moving to Charleston from Austin, Texas.
He grew up in El Paso, moved to Austin at 18 and started smoking meat in the backyard on a smoker his parents bought him for his birthday.
He moved to Denver to compete in the competition barbecue circuit, then back to Austin to work with a friend before partnering with another to open La Barbecue.
He is known to use smokers he designed himself and waking up at 4 a.m. to tend to the fire.
“He takes his meat seriously,” the Lewis website says.
He smokes pork beef brisket, spare ribs, beef ribs and what he calls Texas hot guts — sausage, oxtail.
Lewis Barbecue has also been featured in Southern Living, Conde Nast Traveler and Garden & Gun.
He opened Rancho Lewis, a Tex-Mex restaurant in Charleston and a Greenville location in 2022, and this past spring opened a location in Atlanta.
Lewis Barbecue also ships smoked meats.
Other restaurants listed by Tripadvisor are:1 Kitchen, Nashville, Tennessee
1. 1 Kitchen, Nashville Tennessee
2 Urban Prime, Viera, Florida
3. Pancetta Kitchen & Wine Bar, Teaneck, New Jersey
4. The Copper Door, Hayesville, North Carolina
5. Cabbage Key, Pineland, Florida
6. Bungalow By The Sea, Miami Beach, Florida
7. Portugal Wine Bar & Grill, Palm Coast, Florida
8. Golden Lyon Vintage Pub, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
9. Trattoria Amalfi, Mystic, Connecticut
10. Hurrica Restaurant & Bar at Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City, California
11. Osteria Nonnino, New York City, New York
13. Zen Sushi & Sake, Lexington, Kentucky
14. Brenda’s French Soul Food, San Francisco, California
15. Joselito’s Mexican Food, Los Angeles, California
16. Ristorante DellaSantina, Sevierville, Tennessee
17. Francesco’s Ristorante Italiano, Williamsburg, Virginia
18. Lakeside Restaurant, Highlands, North Carolina
19. The Boot Pizzeria, Huntsville, Alabama
20. Blue Canoe, Tupelo, Mississippi
21. Norma - Gastronomia Siciliana, New York City, New York
22. The Cozy Taberna, Salem, Oregon
23. Miazga’s, Jackson, Wyoming
24. PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen, Sevierville, Tennessee
25. At Elm St Grill, Greensboro, North Carolina
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.