Mercato, Charleston

Located on North Market Street, Mercato serves upscale interpretations of classic Italian fare. While the menu contains the requisite fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti carbonara, it also has more innovative offerings, such as the local shrimp and blue crab risotto with sweet corn. The restaurant has two dining rooms, one upstairs, and one downstairs. The upstairs room is dominated by its domed ceiling and 1950’s-era Italian chandelier, while a painting of Rome decks the brick walls on the first floor. Live jazz is a highlight seven nights a week.