Two Charleston, South Carolina, spots—Merci and Weltons Tiny Bakeshop—are among the finalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, the top honors in American food and hospitality. Merci, a European‑inspired bistro at the corner of Pitt and Montagu streets, is up for Best New Restaurant, while Weltons Tiny Bakeshop on King Street is a finalist for Outstanding Bakery. Winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony in Chicago on June 15, 2026. [web]
About Weltons Tiny Bakeshop
Weltons Tiny Bakeshop, just under 1,000 square feet, is known for its naturally leavened pastries made with regional grains and local produce. Owners Hannah and Zachary Welton met while working at Husk Charleston, then spent over a year cooking in the Yucatán Peninsula, including time at Hartwood in Tulum, where wood‑fired cooking and simplicity influenced their lowcountry‑style baking. The Weltons credited their nomination to their team, writing on Instagram that the bakery’s “outstanding” quality comes from staff who have worked around their ovens “with care, detail, and hospitality.” [web]
About Merci
Merci, led by chef Michael Zentner and his wife, Courtney, serves seasonal dishes that blend European techniques with local ingredients in an intimate neighborhood setting. Next door, they also run Petit Merci, a small market with prepared foods, baked goods, and specialty items. The restaurant celebrated the nomination as a milestone for their Pitt Street corner, thanking their team, suppliers, and guests for making the bistro’s “little corner” a standout in Charleston’s dining scene. [web]
Charleston’s growing food reputation
The dual nominations reinforce Charleston’s status as a national culinary hub, underlining how the city’s mix of independent restaurants, creative bakeries, and strong farm‑to‑table ethos continues to draw acclaim from the James Beard Foundation and food lovers nationwide.
