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 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.
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.
This spot is yummy. They're known for their hog pork.
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Great little asian spot. Get the big pancake & add egg.
First come, first serve. Go for lunch. It's kinda casual, but good & maybe a little over-hyped.
167 Sushi Bar
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
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
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.
Melfi’s
The Ordinary
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
