09/16/2026
Kwei Fei on James Island next to the Pour House has been open for almost a decade, and the Chinese restaurant's drink menu has evolved over time as Charleston's cocktail scene has grown.
"Charleston is a city that takes food and beverage seriously, so the cocktail program can't be an afterthought, especially at a Chinese restaurant where the food has this much personality," said co-owner Tina Schuttenberg.
"A good cocktail program gives you options that either complement the heat, play with it or cool it down," Schuttenberg said.
The Helen of Troy leans into it, topped with dots of chili oil that'll make your lips tingle over a base of savory garlic oil-washed gin, ginger-infused killer blanc, scallions and Sichuan peppercorn.
And the Escape cools it down with rum, all-spice, coconut, pineapple, tiki bitters and mint.
Charleston boasts dozens of Asian-inspired restaurants, from ramen shops to Japanese taverns to Cantonese fine dineries. Here are 6 with a focus on their cocktail programs.
