Charleston, South Carolina has an up and coming food scene. There’s everything from authentic pizza to oyster bars to steakhouses. And it’s all very good. The only right way to do this post is to break it down with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Okay and maybe drinks too. Now, you will never be at a loss for what to eat in Charleston, friends!
BREAKFAST
Brown’s Court Bakery – a sweet, older house in Charleston with delicious homemade breads and breezy porch seating. I highly recommend a bagel, pretzel or chocolate chip muffin.
The Daily – two words: avocado toast. I’m not a coffee drinker, but the coffee here receives the highest accolades from my friends.
The Park Café – a little outside of the hustle and bustle of the city with all of the breakfast staples. There’s a vintage market right outside the restaurant
Hominy Grill – a classic southern breakfast. Fair warning, the line is always quite long.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit – a sweet little store that serves up amazing homemade biscuits and southern style sandwiches.
LUNCH
Butcher & Bee: a farm to table concept with yummy hummus, feta, peta and burger you could ever desire. If you’re a Mediterranean food fan, this is your spot.
Brown Dog Deli: a funky sandwich shop with two convenient locations in town. My personal favorite is the “Turkey in the Straw” with turkey, strawberry goat cheese, spinach and balsamic all wrapped up in a pita.
Xiao Bao Biscuit: Asian Fusion restaurant with a unique vibe. This is a great spot for adventurous eaters.
Caviar & Bananas: a Charleston staple (that is now expanding to locations outside of Charleston). “The Usual” is my go-to lunch order with roasted turkey, apricot rosemary marmalade, brie and arugula. Because let’s be honest, brie is everything.
DINNER
The Darling Oyster Bar: grab a seat at the bar and watch oyster shucking all night long. I love everything about this place – the decor, the oyster entertainment, the drinks and the food. For my anti-seafood friends, they have a delicious burger.
The Rarebit: chicken and waffles, fried okra, Moscow mule. End of story.
Leon’s: Located on upper King Street, Leon’s is known for their oysters and their soft serve ice cream. This is a great place to grab a seat at the bar for a quick bite.
Luke’s Pizza: A corner pizza shop owned by the cutest husband and wife. It’s carry-out only, but that’s okay because Charleston houses have amazing porches. Favorites include the Margherita pizza with sausage or a pizza with peaches and prosciutto.
Oak Steakhouse: treat yourself (and make a reservation) to one of Oak’s perfectly cooked steaks and family style sides. I highly suggest lobster mac and cheese, brussels sprouts and truffle fries. You know if I think brussels sprouts are good…they truly are.
DRINKS
Stars: this rooftop bar is a place to be seen in Charleston, complete with sweeping views of the city. Take it all in with a Frozen Bellini or a Bobby E Jones.
Revelry Brewing: the calm outdoor setting is a perfect way to spend the evening. Not a beer drinker? They also have a fair selection of wines.
Gin Joint: a cozy bar with outdoor tables. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order the bartender’s choice and he will make you something unexpected.
The Dewberry Hotel: this hotel bar is chic and rustic with live music on the weekends. I ordered “The Basically” with gin and Pamplemousse La Croix.
