Charleston, SC Eats & Drinks
This guide holds all of our recommendations for where to eat & drink in Charleston - along with some non-recommendations. You'll find recommendations for coffee spots, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, happy hour, and even some great food markets!
This guide holds all of our recommendations for where to eat & drink in Charleston - along with some non-recommendations. You'll find recommendations for coffee spots, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, happy hour, and even some great food markets! This is perfect intel if you’re planning a bachelorette trip or just visiting with your fam like we did (Day 1 , 2 , 3 , & 4 ).
Coffee
- Harken Cafe
Love this spot! It's so cute. They have the best matcha and a great daily selection of sandwiches & salads.
- The Daily
Quick service and looks like they have a nice BEC.
Breakfast/Brunch
- The Darling Oyster Bar
Not our favorite spot, but loved their chowder.
- Bodega
Get their breakfast sandwiches like The Cow, but you can't go wrong with any of them.
- Basic Kitchen
This is a good option if you want something healthier.
- Halls Chophouse
This is a fancy old school steakhouse. We went for the gospel brunch and it was honestly delicious.
Lunch
- Lewis Barbeque
One of the best BBQ spots we've been to. Get the ribs, brisket, hatch chile cornbread, and mac & cheese.
- Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.
Don't sleep on this place. They have a great $14 lunch with soup, sandwich, & a drink.
- Rodney Scott’s BBQ
This spot is yummy. They're known for their hog pork.
- Xiao Bao Biscuit
Great little asian spot. Get the big pancake & add egg.
- 167 Raw Oyster Bar
First come, first serve. Go for lunch. It's kinda casual, but good & maybe a little over-hyped.
- 167 Sushi Bar
The same team as 167 Raw owns this one. It's definitely good but the price adds up quickly. Dishes are really small.
Dinner
- FIG
This was one of the top 3 meals of our trip. The menu changes but if they have rice + raw fish get it. And also the ricotta bolognese.
- Leon’s
We love this place. The same people own Melfi's. Get the roasted oysters and fried chicken. Also, the catfish sandwich if you’re feeling adventurous.
- The Ordinary
This is a classic, but a goody. They have the best raw bar. You need the oyster sliders, and each of you get your own crab rice if they have it.
- Frannie & The Fox
Located in the cute Emeline Hotel. The chef used to be the chef at Alinea. They serve pizza & Italian. Super yummy with a good outdoor set up. It's definitely worth trying. The crowd is young & fun on weekends.
- Tempest Charleston
Owned by the same people as Church & Union. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is great. We loved the king crab and seaweed milk bread!
- Little Jack’s Tavern
This spot is known for their cheeseburgers, which are sooo good. The kale salad is nice too.
- La Farfalle
Cute Italian restaurant with nice pastas. The chef is the same as Perla and Da Toscano from NYC! Definitely not our favorite, but worth trying.
- Zero Restaurant + Bar
$135 tasting menu (includes wine). It's good but not mind blowing. Definitely a cute spot for drinks.
- Delaney Oyster House
Get the lobster roll, little crab claws, and caviar. This spot is owned by the Husk team.
- Church and Union Charleston
Located in a historic old church. They have a good brunch. It's kind of touristy, but we recommend stopping in for apps. They have sushi tots!
- Stella’s
Really solid Greek food. We loved it!
- Husk
This spot is definitely over-hyped. Go for a burger on a weekend lunch.
Happy Hours/Bars
- Mercantile and Mash
Good bites, drinks, grocery.
- Doar Bros.
Modern cocktails, snack foods, and a nice looking truffle mac. The cocktails here are great!
- The Rooftop at the Vendue
This place is so fun!
- Henry’s On The Market
Fun spot with outdoor roof and live music!
- The Tattooed Moose
A fun dive bar. Get the garlic fries…. Wow.
Dessert
- Off Track Ice Cream
Come here and get an ice cream flight, because their flavors are so good you won't be able to decide on just one!
Market & Shops
- Goat.sheep.cow.
We got cheese here twice, which was amazing. It's so worth it. They'll give you the smallest slice if you want to try!
- Abundant Seafood
They cut the fish in front of you and have sushi grade tuna. Go here if you want to cook fish for dinner.