On my first trip to Charleston about a year ago, one of the most pleasant surprises about the trip was the incredible food scene. I had heard good things & had picked up restaurant recommendations here and there, but I had no idea just how big of a food scene Charleston had. Not only are there so many restaurants, but they are all so good & come highly recommended!
During that first trip there last year, I didn't have one bad meal and came home raving about the food to anyone who would listen! Needless to say, when I headed back to Charleston a couple of weeks ago, I was beyond excited to eat my heart out at both new to me restaurants and also a few I had loved last time. Thank god my girlfriend who I was traveling with is just as big of a foodie as I am - we took full advantage of everything Charleston's restaurant scene had to offer. To say we indulged in amazing food would be an understatement!
Whenever I am traveling to a new place, I love to get all the recommendations I can, especially in regards to restaurants. Last year I shared a few recommendations in this post, but after this second trip back I knew I wanted to have a post dedicated to just the Charleston food scene. So here you have it! Without further adieu, here is my comprehensive guide on where to eat in Charleston!
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
This will forever be my number one breakfast recommendation while in Charleston. These biscuits are life changing! I literally have dreams about them because they are that good. So good that I had them multiple times in a four day trip and I've been hunting them down in every NYC supermarket. Get the biscuit breakfast sandwich, the cinnamon biscuit with cinnamon butter, the plain biscuit with jam on the side ... I could go on. Moral of the story, get them all!
This was a new one for me this trip back to Charleston, and was the most perfect spot for a getting a solid breakfast! The menu has the best selection of breakfast options - the avocado toast was so good - along with a few lunch items and an incredible selection of daily pastries from a local bakery. Definitely recommend the Daily as a casual breakfast/lunch spot!
p.s. There is outdoor seating as well, which is always a win in my book!
Although Poogan's Porch is a full blown restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it made the breakfast list because I ate an incredible brunch there on my first trip to Charleston. The restaurant itself is so charming and takes you back in time to an old Charleston, which I just love. If you're looking for good southern cuisine, this is your spot! They serve brunch daily, which is amazing and yes, you can eat on the porch itself, which I highly recommend!
LUNCH & DINNER
I love love love this spot! So much so that I ate there again on my second trip back to Charleston. As the name implies it's Mexican food, which is one of my favorites. I mean who doesn't love a good marg, guac, and really good tacos! I think one of my favorite things about this spot is the large outdoor space. Both times I ate here, I went for lunch, sat outside, and soaked in all that southern sunshine!
Leon's Oyster Shop
Best. Fried. Chicken. Sandwich. Ever.
If you do one thing on your trip to Charleston go to Leon's and get the fried chicken sandwich. This is another thing I haven't stopped dreaming about. Some other honorable mentions are the Siam salad (so good, just get it) and frozen G&T's. Such a fun spot! It also has an outdoor eating area, which would be perfect for lunch on a beautiful day.
The Ordinary
I knew I would love this restaurant before even stepping foot in the door or trying the food. It's a seafood & oyster bar located in an old bank - those two things alone had me sold. The atmosphere is amazing, along with the raw bar, and it has an amazing menu. A great spot for dinner, but I also loved just grabbing drinks & oysters at the bar!
I knew I would love this restaurant before even stepping foot in the door or trying the food. It's a seafood & oyster bar located in an old bank - those two things alone had me sold. The atmosphere is amazing, along with the raw bar, and it has an amazing menu. A great spot for dinner, but I also loved just grabbing drinks & oysters at the bar!
The Darling Oyster Bar
Ah Darling Oyster Bar is one of my favs! This was another spot I loved so much the first time that I had to go back my second trip. It is the cutest inside, very instagrammable, and the food is amazing. The lobster & king crab roll is to die for, as were the oysters and the palomas! I can't speak from experience, but the brunch menu looks amazing as well - will have to check that out next time I'm in town!
Ah Darling Oyster Bar is one of my favs! This was another spot I loved so much the first time that I had to go back my second trip. It is the cutest inside, very instagrammable, and the food is amazing. The lobster & king crab roll is to die for, as were the oysters and the palomas! I can't speak from experience, but the brunch menu looks amazing as well - will have to check that out next time I'm in town!
Husk
If you are familiar with the Charleston food scene, then you are familiar with Husk. The year it opened it was named 'Best New Restaurant in America' by Bon Appétit and it has continued to live up to that all these years later! There is still a buzz around Husk and for good reason - the food is all locally sourced and the menu changes frequently to reflect what is in season. The result is a unique and fresh take on southern cuisine, and let me tell you, it was delicious!
I think Husk is definitely worth experiencing at least once if you are ever in Charleston! Reservations fill up months in advance so be sure to plan ahead!
If you are familiar with the Charleston food scene, then you are familiar with Husk. The year it opened it was named 'Best New Restaurant in America' by Bon Appétit and it has continued to live up to that all these years later! There is still a buzz around Husk and for good reason - the food is all locally sourced and the menu changes frequently to reflect what is in season. The result is a unique and fresh take on southern cuisine, and let me tell you, it was delicious!
I think Husk is definitely worth experiencing at least once if you are ever in Charleston! Reservations fill up months in advance so be sure to plan ahead!
167 Raw
Every restaurant I've eaten at in Charleston - both this trip & the last - have been amazing, so what I am about to say says a lot! It's a hard decision but if I had to choose, 167 Raw might just be my favorite restaurant in Charleston! This past trip was my first time eating there and it was truly amazing.
I loved the atmosphere - it's a really small, intimate space, with only a couple tables and bar seating - but really the food was the standout here. I honestly think I had one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had here. I am a New England, lobster loving girl - so that says a lot! The ahi poke was also so so good, as were the selection of oysters (can you tell yet that I like oysters!?), but the homemade key lime pie was absolutely the best I've ever had. UGH I'm drooling writing this!
167 Raw is not to be missed while in Charleston. They don't take reservations, but it is most certainly worth the wait!
SIPS
The Citrus Club
Located on the roof of the Dewberry (my favorite hotel ever - see more here), the Citrus Club is a newly opened cocktail bar & rooftop terrace, serving up citrus inspired cocktails & lite bites, along with stunning views of the Holy City. After experiencing it on my most recent trip to Charleston, I can say that this is my new go-to for grabbing a drink at sunset! The Dewberry can really do no wrong in my opinion & the Citrus Club just further proves that!
FYI: Citrus Club is primarily reserved for hotel guests, however there are a limited number of reservations available to non-hotel guests, that can be booked up to two weeks in advance via Resy!
The Skinny Dip
While the Skinny Dip is technically a clothing store, it makes the list for places to grab a drink in town because of it's coffee & wine bar located upstairs above the store. I love heading here for a mid-afternoon drink on the patio - it's the cutest outdoor space! Plus, when frosé is on the menu, you know it's going to be good!
The Cocktail Club
Located on upper King Street, the Cocktail Club is the perfect spot to grab a before or after dinner drink. It's an upscale cocktail lounge serving craft cocktails in a fun speakeasy setting! There is also an amazing outdoor space perfect for enjoying a drink on a warm night. If you can catch the live music, I would highly recommend it! My first time there, we listened to a Beatles cover band and it was one of my favorite memories.
p.s. If you're in town on Sundays, they do 1/2 off bottles of wine from 5pm to close!
The Pavilion Bar
If you are looking for a rooftop this is your spot! Located at the Market Pavilion Hotel, this rooftop offers some of the best views of the city. I stoped here for a mid-day pick-me-up but I can only imagine how amazing this spot would be at sunset!
Stars Rooftop
Another great rooftop option if you're looking to enjoy a drink outside! This one is also located on upper King Street & would be perfect to stop in for an after dinner drink - Darling Oyster Bar & The Ordinary are located nearby!
Prohibition
Prohibition is another speakeasy inspired bar serving up quite the selection of craft cocktails. Also located on upper King Street - if you couldn't already tell, upper King is the place to be on a Saturday night!
Republic
Last but certainly not least is Republic. This one boasts more lounge-y vibes and is definitely for a younger crowd. If you're looking to get a little wild on a Saturday night this is your place! If you're not trying to get too crazy, there is a nice outdoor space which is a little bit more low-key.
SWEETS
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
If you're a big ice cream fan (I mean, who isn't!?) then you most definitely need to make a stop at Jeni's! Jeni's is unlike any other ice cream I've ever had - the flavors are inventive and unique, and each one is truly better than the last. The last time I was there I had the goat cheese with red cherries & man oh man was it amazing. You can't really go wrong with any flavor, but the brown butter almond brittle and wildberry lavender are some of my favs!
Sugar Bakeshop
The cutest little bakeshop I ever did see! If you find yourself wandering around the Cannonborough neighborhood, then definitely make a pitstop here to get your sugar fix! In my opinion the cupcakes steal the show, but there is an assortment of other goodies as well!
xo. G
Every restaurant I've eaten at in Charleston - both this trip & the last - have been amazing, so what I am about to say says a lot! It's a hard decision but if I had to choose, 167 Raw might just be my favorite restaurant in Charleston! This past trip was my first time eating there and it was truly amazing.
I loved the atmosphere - it's a really small, intimate space, with only a couple tables and bar seating - but really the food was the standout here. I honestly think I had one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had here. I am a New England, lobster loving girl - so that says a lot! The ahi poke was also so so good, as were the selection of oysters (can you tell yet that I like oysters!?), but the homemade key lime pie was absolutely the best I've ever had. UGH I'm drooling writing this!
167 Raw is not to be missed while in Charleston. They don't take reservations, but it is most certainly worth the wait!
SIPS
The Citrus Club
Located on the roof of the Dewberry (my favorite hotel ever - see more here), the Citrus Club is a newly opened cocktail bar & rooftop terrace, serving up citrus inspired cocktails & lite bites, along with stunning views of the Holy City. After experiencing it on my most recent trip to Charleston, I can say that this is my new go-to for grabbing a drink at sunset! The Dewberry can really do no wrong in my opinion & the Citrus Club just further proves that!
FYI: Citrus Club is primarily reserved for hotel guests, however there are a limited number of reservations available to non-hotel guests, that can be booked up to two weeks in advance via Resy!
The Skinny Dip
While the Skinny Dip is technically a clothing store, it makes the list for places to grab a drink in town because of it's coffee & wine bar located upstairs above the store. I love heading here for a mid-afternoon drink on the patio - it's the cutest outdoor space! Plus, when frosé is on the menu, you know it's going to be good!
The Cocktail Club
Located on upper King Street, the Cocktail Club is the perfect spot to grab a before or after dinner drink. It's an upscale cocktail lounge serving craft cocktails in a fun speakeasy setting! There is also an amazing outdoor space perfect for enjoying a drink on a warm night. If you can catch the live music, I would highly recommend it! My first time there, we listened to a Beatles cover band and it was one of my favorite memories.
p.s. If you're in town on Sundays, they do 1/2 off bottles of wine from 5pm to close!
The Pavilion Bar
If you are looking for a rooftop this is your spot! Located at the Market Pavilion Hotel, this rooftop offers some of the best views of the city. I stoped here for a mid-day pick-me-up but I can only imagine how amazing this spot would be at sunset!
Stars Rooftop
Another great rooftop option if you're looking to enjoy a drink outside! This one is also located on upper King Street & would be perfect to stop in for an after dinner drink - Darling Oyster Bar & The Ordinary are located nearby!
Prohibition
Prohibition is another speakeasy inspired bar serving up quite the selection of craft cocktails. Also located on upper King Street - if you couldn't already tell, upper King is the place to be on a Saturday night!
Republic
Last but certainly not least is Republic. This one boasts more lounge-y vibes and is definitely for a younger crowd. If you're looking to get a little wild on a Saturday night this is your place! If you're not trying to get too crazy, there is a nice outdoor space which is a little bit more low-key.
SWEETS
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
If you're a big ice cream fan (I mean, who isn't!?) then you most definitely need to make a stop at Jeni's! Jeni's is unlike any other ice cream I've ever had - the flavors are inventive and unique, and each one is truly better than the last. The last time I was there I had the goat cheese with red cherries & man oh man was it amazing. You can't really go wrong with any flavor, but the brown butter almond brittle and wildberry lavender are some of my favs!
Sugar Bakeshop
The cutest little bakeshop I ever did see! If you find yourself wandering around the Cannonborough neighborhood, then definitely make a pitstop here to get your sugar fix! In my opinion the cupcakes steal the show, but there is an assortment of other goodies as well!
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xo. G
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