As a Charleston local who has lived here my entire life, I get asked all the time about my favorite restaurants in Charleston. The truth is, there are so many good places to eat in Charleston that it is hard to narrow it down!
This Charleston foodie guide is my answer. These are my personal favorite spots around town that I frequent, but honestly you would need a lifetime to try them all.
When people ask me where to eat in Charleston, my first question is usually what they are looking for. Lunch, dinner, seafood, coffee, rooftops, or something casual. That helps narrow it down so much and it is how I help my clients plan their trips too.
So I built this Charleston restaurants guide by category to make it easy. I also added notes when places are outside the historic downtown peninsula, so you know exactly what part of Charleston you are heading to. Use the table of contents to help you find what you’re looking for because this post is lengthy!
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Where to Eat Breakfast & Brunch in Charleston
Park & Grove
One of my favorite Charleston restaurants for a slow breakfast. I love sitting outside here when the weather is nice. The food is fresh and simple. I usually come here and then walk over to Hampton Park after, especially with my daughter. They have a great playground at the park too!
Huriyali
A go to for (semi) healthy food in Charleston. The vegan breakfast burrito is one of my favorites and I always end up adding an acai bowl too. Everything feels fresh and light here, which I really love in the mornings. Also right near Hampton Park!
Vintage Coffee Café (Mount Pleasant)
One of my favorite coffee shops in Charleston if you have kids. There is a playground right outside, so you can actually sit and enjoy your coffee. It makes mornings feel so easy.
Babas on Cannon and Babas on Meeting
Both locations are great Charleston coffee shops. I usually stop in for a quick breakfast or coffee. It is simple, fast, and always good.
The Daily
A classic Charleston coffee stop. I usually grab a coffee and the breakfast pita. It is one of my go to places when I am downtown and need something quick.
There are a lot more places that do brunch which i’ll elaborate on below, but they include:
- Post House
- Obstinate Daughter
- Basic Kitchen
- Edmund’s Oast – brunch buffet on weekends
- The Watch Rooftop Kitchen
And, I have a whole section below on coffee shops and bakeries specifically!
Where to Eat Lunch in Charleston
A ton of restaurants in Charleston do NOT open for lunch, but these are ones that do and I love! They all do dinner also so you could do any of these at night as well.
Little Jack’s Tavern
One of my absolute favorite Charleston restaurants for a burger. It is simple, but they really do it well. And the brussels sprouts are not to be missed! I wish I came here more because it is always so good and it’s a cute spot! You can do lunch or dinner here!
Leon’s Oyster Shop
One of my absolute favorite Charleston restaurants for casual seafood. I always get the siam salad, oyster roll, usually raw oysters, and a frozen rosé. This is easily one of the most popular places to eat in Charleston for lunch or dinner so there might be a wait. If there is, we usually put our name down and grab a glass of wine at Graft.
I love sitting at the bar or on the patio!
Basic Kitchen
One of my favorite healthy places to eat in Charleston. I always get the Basic Bowl or the good burger and the beet margarita is really good too. It is simple, but creative food and I always leave feeling good. Also does dinner!
The Watch Rooftop
A rooftop restaurant in Charleston that I like for lunch when I want a view. The food is solid and it is a fun place to sit for a while.
Edmund’s Oast (Original)
One of my go to restaurants in Charleston for groups or when I have my daughter with me. It is really spacious and easy. My favorite is the crunchy salad, but they are also known for their fried chicken. Outdoor dining only for lunch and inside opens for dinner at 5pm!
Island Cabana Bar
A casual place to eat in Charleston right by the water. I always get the fish tacos and just sit and enjoy the view for a bit. It’s one of our favorites that is so easy with kids.
Home Team BBQ
A true Charleston favorite. The Game Changer drink is a must. It is one of the most popular Charleston spots for barbecue and a fun atmosphere. It is family friendly with a great outdoor area, but be warned Saturday’s during football season is rowdy. Also love the Sullivan’s Island location.
Rancho Lewis
One of those Charleston restaurants where you leave very full. The Tex Mex is so good here. Just plan for a nap after. Don’t miss the frozen marg, queso, and veggie fajitas!
Post House (Mount Pleasant)
One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston area. It is in the Old Village and feels very charming. I love sitting on the patio here for lunch when the weather is nice or at the inside bar for dinner/drinks!
Obstinate Daughter (Sullivan’s Island)
One of the best restaurants near Charleston and is featured on the Michelin Guide for Charleston! The pizza and pasta are so good here. I always order more than I should here. If you go for brunch, don’t miss the sweet roll which is like a cinnamon roll, but with chocolate!
Sullivan’s Fish Camp (Sullivan’s Island)
A great easy lunch spot near Charleston. I always get the lobster roll and the celery salad and a crisp glass of white wine! It is simple and really fresh, not at all like the name might sound.
The Kingstide (Daniel Island)
A nice Charleston area restaurant if you are out on Daniel Island. The seafood is good and the views make it worth the trip.
CudaCo (James Island)
One of the freshest places to eat seafood in Charleston. I always get the Sandy (flounder fish sandwich) and poke bowl with tuna. It is simple and really well done. A great spot after a beach day on Folly Beach, too!
Ellis Creek Fish Camp (James Island)
A hidden gem restaurant in Charleston on James Island. It has marsh views and a very relaxed feel. I love the fried seafood, tacos, salads and frozen drinks here. It is so good during summer in Charleston!
Tavern & Table (Shem Creek)
One of the better restaurants in Charleston on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. The food is better than most waterfront spots nearby and the views are great.
167 Raw
167 Raw is a very popular restaurant in Charleston and it’s amazing for lunch or dinner. I’m listing it here since it IS open for lunch. It’s also a bit easier to get into for lunch than dinner.
They are known for having the best lobster rolls in town. They truly are that good. I also LOVE their tuna burger and the carnitas taco is incredible (trust me!). They also have great cevices and crudo, po boys, a pastrami swordfish sandwich that is so good, and tons of great seafood/raw bar options!
Pro tip: if you want to go for dinner, make a reservation at Bar 167 (on Resy) and then put your name down at 167 Raw. You can do drinks and an app at Bar 167 while you wait!
Best Charleston Restaurants for Dinner
These are my go to spots for a nice dinner around Charleston!
Vern’s
One of my favorite Charleston restaurants for date night. Actually, I think it’s my #1 fave restaurant in Charleston right now. I always get the sourdough and tuna tartare to start and love their pastas. It is is intimate with candlelight and is just great for a date night.
Merci
A newer Charleston restaurant that I really like for dinner. The menu is full of local ingredients and is done so so well! They space is tiny and reservations go quickly!! Check resy to see the latest booking instructions and when they open for reservations.
Chez Nous
One of the most special restaurants in Charleston to me. The menu changes daily and is posted on Instagram. They serve just 2 apps, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. I also love that the menu is handwritten each day! Fun fact: My husband and I had our first date here in 2015 and we still come back all the time for special occassions!
Sorelle
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Charleston. The pasta is so good here. I always order the Sorelle spaghetti and the pillows of clouds are very popular. And do not miss the zuchinni parm! You can sit upstairs for more formal, upscale dining or downstairs at their bar for a casual feel. Make reservation well in advance, but sometimes I have luck walking in at the bar.
Pro tip: walk around The Battery & South of Broad before dinner!
Melfi’s
A Charleston restaurant I go to when I want good pizza and Italian food. The zucchini frites and stretch armstrong pizza are a must for me.
The Ordinary
One of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston. It is in an old bank building and feels very cool inside. The oyster sliders are my favorite thing here and in the summer, zucchini carpaccio is amazing!!
Chubby Fish
One of the hardest restaurants in Charleston to get into and it lives up to the hype. The seafood is creative and of course is very fresh. You can’t get a reservation so you have to go at 4pm and get in line so when they open at 5pm you can put your name down. There are people you can actually hire to wait for you. It’s kind of wild.
Edmund’s Oast (Dinner)
I love sitting at the bar here for dinner. It is easy, relaxed, and the food is always good. Crunch salad and shrimp toast are two of my favorites. And, the cocktail program here was nominated for a James Beard Award!
Post House (Mount Pleasant)
One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston area for dinner too. The butterbean burger is one of my favorites and I also love the oysters and crab dip.
Sorghum + Salt
A vegan tasting menu restaurant in Charleston that feels very creative and different from anything else in the city. I would say this restaurant is so underrated. It is always so good and I never hear people talk about it enough!
Jackrabbit Filly (North Charleston)
One of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants in Charleston area. The flavors are bold and everything is fun to share.
Tutti’s Pizza
A newer favorite for pizza in Charleston by the owners of Graft Wine Shop. It is easy, casual, and great for a relaxed dinner.
Coastal Crust (Mount Pleasant)
One of my favorite places to eat in Charleston with kids. There is a playground and the pizza is really good. It is perfect for an easy family dinner. Gets really busy by 5pm on weekends!
Costa Charleston
Costa is a great spot for coastal italian cuisine in Charleston. Think Amalfi Coast! They serve a lot of great seafood dishes. The crudo is a favorite of mine and any of the seafood forward pastas are amazing! It has beautiful interiors so it makes for a great date night, work dinner, and we’ve even brought our baby here and they were so welcoming!
Best Southern Food in Charleston
If you want to try food that is unique to Charleston and the South, these are my recs for things like BBQ, shrimp and grits, etc.
Lowland
One of my favorite newer Southern restaurants in Charleston. The food feels thoughtful and seasonal and the space is absolutely beautiful with hand painted walls in the upstairs dining room! Downstairs is a bit more lively and feels like a really cool tavern.
SNOB (Slightly North of Broad)
A classic Charleston restaurant for Southern food. It is one of those places that has been around forever and people still love it. I love their salmon salad here! I don’t eat at places like this a ton, but if you want Lowcountry cuisine like shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes, this it my rec.
Home Team BBQ
One of the most loved barbecue spots in Charleston. It is always busy and always fun. (elaborated more on this one above).
Lewis Barbecue
One of the most well known barbecue restaurants in Charleston. The brisket is the reason to go and it sells out quickly! Don’t miss the corn chili pudding.
Husk
A well known Charleston restaurant that focuses on Southern food and local ingredients in a beautiful old, Charleston home. It was originally led by Chef Sean Brock and you can catch the Chef’s Table episode on Netflix about him and the restaurant. I also love Husk Bar which is right beside the main restaurant for one of the best burgers and just a calm, laid back atmosphere.
Best Rooftops in Charleston
The Citrus Club
This is my most visited rooftop in Charleston. I come here a lot for drinks and sunset! It’s located at The Dewberry hotel and is the highest rooftop in Charleston which means the best view IMO!
The Watch
A rooftop restaurant in Charleston with good views and solid food. You can see nearly 365 degrees around!
Fiat Luxe
A smaller rooftop bar in Charleston that I like for a quieter drink at Hotel Bennett.
The Vendue
A classic rooftop bar in downtown Charleston that is always easy to stop into.
Rosemary Rose
A newer rooftop bar in Charleston that I like for a girls night or drinks before dinner. It’s very aesthetic!
Revelry Brewing
A very casual rooftop brewery in Charleston. It is more relaxed, but the views are still great. I love the lazy lover beer! They serve wine too, but it’s not my favorite so I opt for prosecco here if not having beer.
Best Wine Bars in Charleston
A few of the best places for a glass of wine in Charleston!
Graft Wine Shop
Such a fun neighborhood wine bar in Charleston. You can sit outside, grab a glass, and also buy wine to take home.
Goat Sheep Cow
One of my favorite Charleston wine bars and shops. I always stop in for their daily sandwich and to pick up wine or cheese! They have two locations, but the North location is my preference. It is shared with Babas on Meeting now so it’s kind of a blend and you can sit at the bar for wine and snacks!
Old Village Wine Shop (Mount Pleasant)
A hidden gem in Mount Pleasant. Such a cute wine shop in Charleston area and worth the stop if you are nearby.
Sullivan’s Island Wine Shop
A fun stop on the island. They have a frozen sauv blanc which like need I say more?! That is reason enough to go.
Best Coffee Shops & Bakeries in Charleston
The Harbinger
One of my favorite coffee shops in Charleston for breakfast or lunch. The food is really good here too with plenty of good vegan options too!
Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop
A small and very cute bakery in Charleston with fresh pastries.
La Patisserie
A French bakery in Charleston with really good pastries and macaroons. I usually grab something sweet here. It’s located a Hotel Bennett.
Harken Café
A fab coffee shop in Charleston right on Queen Street that is great for working or meeting a friend.
Kudu Coffee
A classic long time Charleston coffee shop with great outdoor seating too. They do coffee and craft beer so you can go anytime of day!
Second State Coffee
One of my go to coffee shops in Charleston. Simple and consistent. I WFH so I used to come and work here a lot at their Mount Pleasant Location. The hummus toast is one of my faves and the coffee is really good (and I drink black coffee so I know!)
Vintage Coffee (Mount Pleasant)
Another easy coffee shop in Charleston that is also very family friendly.
Summit Coffee (Mount Pleasant)
A newer coffee shop in Charleston that I like for a quick stop. Seriously good coffee and their pastries are so yum! I also work from this coffee shop often when I need a change of scenery!
Sugar Bakeshop
A bakery in Charleston for cupcakes, cookies, and quick treats to go. I always get cupcakes from here for birthdays and things because they are seriously the best (order ahead).
Sightsee Coffee Shop Charleston
Sightsee is a great spot right across from Hampton Park! They have seats in side and a hidden patio out back. I love the little gift shop inside with cool local items. Most people are here to grab a coffee and then walk around the park after!
Best Desserts in Charleston
Roxa Dessert Bar (Hanahan)
One of the most unique dessert experiences near Charleston. Heather is an amazing pastry chef. She even did my wedding desserts which consisted of several cakes and pies – it was really fun and unique! This is a tasting menu dessert experience and it is really special.
Edmund’s Oast
One of the best dessert menus in Charleston. You can honestly come just for dessert and wine at the bar.
Carmella’s
A downtown Charleston dessert spot for gelato and sweets. Easy stop after dinner.
The Wrap Up: Best Charleston Restaurants
There really are ENDLESS options when it comes to food in Charleston. This list includes my personal favorites, but it is still just a starting point.
Some of these are my regular spots and others are where I go when friends are in town or for special occasions! What I love most is how many great restaurants in Charleston there are in every category. You have casual lunch spots, great seafood, rooftops, coffee shops, and some of the most talked about dinner restaurants in the country.
This Charleston foodie guide is meant to make planning easier and help you narrow down the best places to eat in Charleston based on the type of experience you want. But, I know it can be overwhelming with soo many choices!
If you are planning a trip and want help building out your days, that is what I do every day for my clients. Inquire here!
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