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From the award-winning owner of Spice Palette, Rivayat brings coastal Indian cuisine to Charleston — rooted in heritage and inspired by local seafood.
Charleston, SC — A bold new addition to Charleston’s culinary scene is on the horizon: Rivayat, a coastal-inspired Indian restaurant, is set to open in downtown Charleston later this summer. Created by Sujith Varghese, the award-winningrestaurateur behind Mount Pleasant’s Spice Palette, Rivayat will offer a refined, seafood-forward take on the vibrant cuisines of India’s coastal regions.
The menu at Rivayat will draw particular inspiration from Kerala, Sujith’s home state in southern India, known for its bold spices, coconut-rich curries, and proximity to the sea. Growing up, Sujith spent summers visiting his father’s home on the backwaters ofKerala, where freshly caught seafood like fish and shrimp were prepared daily, forming the foundation of their family meals.
“Rivayat is a love letter to the coastal flavors I grew up with — dishes that are modern, memorable, and deeply rooted in tradition,”says owner Sujith. ““Charleston’s growing love for global cuisine – paired with its incredible access to fresh, local seafood – makes itthe perfect place to bring this next chapter to life.”
Rivayat will feature a curated selection of dishes that reflect the layered diversity of Indian cuisine, with a strong emphasis on coastal traditions. Guests can expect to find South Indian staples, North Indian favorites, and bold new interpretations that highlight thebounty of Charleston’s waters. The restaurant will also debut a thoughtfully crafted cocktail program designed to complement its spice-forward menu.
The restaurant has undergone a complete renovation to reflect a coastal-meets-modern aesthetic, blending natural textures, warmtones, and Indian-inspired accents to create a space that feels both inviting and elevated.
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston (210 Rutledge Ave), Rivayat is expected to open in late summer 2025. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week. Follow along on Instagram at @rivayat_chs for opening updates, soft launchdetails, and a behind-the-scenes look at the journey leading up to opening day.
About the Owner
Sujith Varghese is a New York native and hospitality entrepreneur with deep Indian roots. His parents, originally from India, own and operate an Indian grocery store in New York, where Sujith was immersed in the ingredients, aromas, and traditions of Indian cooking from an early age. His culinary perspective was further shaped by childhood visits to Kerala, where meals centered around freshly caught seafood and vibrant, home-cooked flavors.
After relocating to South Carolina, Sujith opened Spice Palette in Mount Pleasant, which quickly earned acclaim — including the title of Best Indian Restaurant in Charleston. With Rivayat, he returns to those coastal roots, blending tradition and innovation in a refined new concept.
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