If you’re considering where to dine on your vacation to Charleston, the tough part will be deciding which of many fine restaurants to choose. Consider one of these three restaurants, all of which are recipients of the coveted James Beard Award.

1. Husk

No other Charleston restaurant has received as much publicity in recent years as Husk. Executive chef Sean Brock was named the 2010 Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. At Husk, only Southern ingredients are used. If you go, be sure to try the pig’s ear wrapped in lettuce. If you plan to go, make your reservations immediately. Be prepared to dine late or consider dining at Husk for lunch.

2. Hominy Grill

Hominy Grill is owned and operated by Robert Stehling, the James Beard Foundation’s 2008 Best Chef of the Southeast. Everything on the menu is excellent, but you’ll want to be able to tell your friends you’ve had the Big Nasty, a biscuit with fried chicken breast, cheddar cheese and sausage gravy. It’s outrageously good, and it’s on the breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus.

3. FIG

Mike Lata, chef at FIG (Food Is Good), was chosen in 2009 as the Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. FIG emphasizes local foods, especially vegetables, and it consistently gets raves from online review sites.