Leon's

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
$$$ Oyster bar restaurant
(2949 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Located in the heart of Charleston, Leon's is a delightful oyster bar that blends fresh coastal fare with a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Set inside a charmingly converted mechanic's garage, the restaurant exudes a cool, contemporary vibe that perfectly complements its culinary offerings. As you step inside, you're greeted by a soulful ambiance that invites you to unwind and indulge in a feast for the senses.

The menu at Leon's champions the best of seafood and southern comfort, featuring an array of dishes that are sure to captivate your palate. Renowned for its fried chicken, this dish is not merely an option; it’s a quintessential experience that guests rave about, often touted as the best in town. Accompanied by a crisp Siam Salad with a delightful mix of napa and red cabbage, avocado, and peanuts, your taste buds are guaranteed an adventurous ride. Don't miss out on the FryUp, which presents a choice of delectable catfish, clam strips, shrimp, and hush puppies. It’s an ensemble of flavors that reflects the restaurant's commitment to quality and freshness.

For those who have a sweet tooth, Leon's offers an indulgent Grasshopper dessert, perfect for capping off a meal, with a playful twist that pays homage to the restaurant's fun, laid-back identity. The ambiance is as noteworthy as the menu; the welcoming staff works harmoniously to ensure a seamless dining experience, making every guest feel at home.

The glowing reviews from patrons illustrate just how special Leon’s is. Sarah Macone describes it as "hands-down one of the most repeatable spots in Charleston," and Christina D'Antoni praises it as the perfect venue for an intimate wedding, emphasizing how the culinary offerings dazzled her guests. Leysha J and Chantelle Wright echo similar sentiments, highlighting dishes like the hush puppies paired with honey butter and the crispy catfish sandwich as irresistibly delicious. The vibrant atmosphere is enhanced by cocktails, such as the coconut daiquiri, offering an additional layer of pleasure to your dining experience.

With every plate served and every drink poured, Leon’s creates not just a meal but a memory. It’s a place where the food is always fresh, the community is inviting, and the laughter flows as easily as the drinks. Come for the oysters, stay for the fried chicken, and leave with a satisfied smile—you won’t regret a visit to this charming oyster bar on King Street.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

2949 Reviews
Sarah Macone

02 Sep 2025

Leon’s is hands-down one of the most repeatable spots in Charleston. My friend and I have been coming here since we moved to town three years ago, and it’s never disappointed. The vibe is relaxed and cool (set in a converted old mechanic’s garage), the service is consistently great, and the food is outstanding. The fried chicken is a must, their oyster selection is always fresh, and the beer list is solid. But the real sleeper hit? The scalloped potatoes. Don’t skip them…they might be the best you’ll ever have. Leon’s is our go-to for out-of-town guests, and every single one has insisted on going back during future visits. Definitely a Charleston favorite.

Christina D'Antoni

30 Aug 2025

This is a review for the Oyster Shed venue. We had our wedding at Leon's and we're so glad we did! We knew from the start that we wanted a restaurant wedding, and Leon's delivered that and more. Our guests raved about the food, and we heard from multiple people that it was the best fried chicken they've ever had. It's a small space, so it's truly best for intimate and nontraditional celebrations. Carissa and team were communicative and totally delivered on the day of.

Leysha J

18 Aug 2025

We decided to try Leon’s for the first time and the food was amazing. The hush puppies were delightful especially with the honey butter. The fried chicken was juicy and full of flavor. The scalloped potatoes were so good. The Siam salad was amazing! The coconut daiquiri was great also. The staff was very attentive and work well as a team.

Dave W

17 Jul 2025

I’m not sure who Leon is but this place goes off!!!!!! Awesome vibe, Awesome staff, drinks were good (don’t sleep on the frozen drinks! yum) and the food was great. Had a fried chicken sandwich and the shrimp roll. Both were great. Service was great. Get there early cause this place got packed quick and stayed packed!!!

Chris Bacong

29 Jun 2025

One of the best fried chicken we’ve ever had hands down - so good, I had to order it twice! We also got the char-grilled oysters, raw oysters, and Leon’s fish fry - they were all delicious! We highly recommend Leon’s if you like fried chicken!

Chantelle Wright

17 Jun 2025

We had such a great time visiting Leon’s! The food was delicious and definitely worth the stop. I ordered the catfish sandwich, and it was absolutely amazing — the crispy catfish paired perfectly with the toasted butter bun and the refreshing cucumber salad on the side. My aunt couldn’t stop raving about the oysters — she loved them so much that she actually went back the very next day just to have them again! I also enjoyed their lemon drop cocktail, which was really tasty, though I do feel like the drinks are a little on the pricey side. Overall, Leon’s delivered a great dining experience with flavorful food and a lively atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in town!

Carla Garcia

08 Jun 2025

Stopped by Leon’s right as I arrived into Charleston and it was the BEST decision. Our hostess graciously let us store our luggage at the front of the restaurant which made for a much comfortable visit! We ordered hush puppies, the fried chicken sandwich and fried shrimp roll and we were not disappointed! All our dishes were delicious and served promptly! My only regret is not stopping by again before we left!

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