This is the most overdue blog post I’ve ever written! And truthfully, I could write this blog post 15 times with different information because there are so many wonderful places to eat. Truly, I can’t
This is the most overdue blog post I’ve ever written! And truthfully, I could write this blog post 15 times with different information because there are so many wonderful places to eat. Truly, I can’t keep up with the Charleston food scene. But with that said, we do have some definite favorites… and they are all listed below!
By the way, all of these places are great for groups and for just a couple, but if you’re looking for more date night specific recommendations, you might be interested in this blog post as well.
Indaco: Downtown *Offered on Saturdays and Sundays
This is an Italian restaurant that I absolutely love for dinner, but they also have an incredible brunch. You’ve got to try the breakfast pie! My favorite pasta dish for dinner is the Tagliatelle and it could absolutely hit the spot for brunch as well, as it has a runny egg on top and pork tesa.
Millers All Day: Downtown
Like honestly, just look at the menu and try not to drool.
Poogan’s Porch: Downtown
Expect all the southern classics, like shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, fried pickled okra, chicken and waffles, and more. It’s amazing and inside an old home, which gives it a ton of Southern charm!
The Darling Oyster Bar: Downtown *Only offered on Sundays
This seafood restaurant is so cute. I recommend their bloody mary, shrimp & grits, baked oysters, chowder fries, hushpuppies, seafood frittata, crab cake benedict, and shrimp and grits. Okay… everything! I recommend it all.
Butcher & Bee: Downtown
This well-loved Charleston spot uses seasonal, local ingredients to create some of the best tasting, unique food around! Do not miss the whipped feta. Absolutely do not miss it! The Bee’s Knees cocktail is also delicious!
The Daily: Downtown
More of a coffee shop with the best avocado toast in town.
Toast: Downtown
Less of an insta-worthy vibe, but perfect if you just want some delicious food! They have all of the classic breakfast items, including a heavenly french toast.
Hall’s Chophouse: Downtown *Only offered on Sundays
Hall’s Sunday brunch is such a treat—and it’s the only day brunch is offered. I dream of the crab cake egg’s benedict! With white tablecloths and gospel music being sung live, it’s more sophisticated than the other options and likely the most memorable of the bunch, too.
The Obstinate Daughter: Sullivan’s Island
On Sullivan’s Island, which is a 20 minute drive from downtown, but worth the trip. It’s boujee and beachy at the same time. Absolutely everything on the menu is to die for. I mean… to die for.
Frannie & the Fox: Downtown *Only offered on Sundays
I love this for dinner, also. They have the cutest patio with outdoor fireplaces, so make sure to head out there to lounge around with a cocktail, or ask for your table to be outside if the weather is right! Their menu is actually insane and perfect for groups, since the highlights are share plates. Here’s what my girlfriends and I always order: The Blue Crab Fritters, The Pizzaiolo Chopped Salad, and the #1 favorite, the Taleggio Pizza.
Felix: Downtown
This french-inspired restaurant is buzzing with energy! It’s delicious, too.
ABOVE: The lobster roll and a glass of rose (or spicy marg) at 167 Raw are a great combo!
Note that a lot of the restaurants above could also qualify for lunch, here are a few that are lunch-specific favorites.
Leon’s Oyster Shop: Downtown
Such a fun setting, with delicious cocktails! I recommend the Siam Salad and their Fried Chicken Platter. Trust me!
167 Raw: Downtown
My favorite lobster roll in town. We always get the crab dip, too! The bomba potatoes are also pretty incredible, which you can order alone or substitute as your side for a sandwich instead of housemade chips, if you’d rather. While it doesn’t top the lobster roll for me, people absolutely love the pastrami’d swordfish sandwich.
Fleet Landing: Downtown
If you aren’t from a coastal area, then I think Fleet Landing is worth going to simply for the view of the water, as waterfront dining is far & few between on the downtown peninsula!
SNOB: Downtown
A Charleston classic with entrees like Shrimp & Grits and rotating lowcountry fare. Not going to be an “instagrammable” spot, but the food is not to miss.
82 Queen: Downtown
Specifically if the weather is nice and you can sit in the garden, this is such a great lunch spot! I adore their she crab soup, their fried green tomatoes, their barbecue shrimp & grits, and their tomato pie.
Post House: Mount Pleasant
One of our favorite, cozy spots. If you’re heading towards Sullivans or wanting to look around the Historic Old Village or Shem Creek, this is a spot to hit! For lunch, try the backbar cheeseburger (it’s insane), the butterbean burger, the paccheri nero, the poke bowl, or the chicken paillard!
Basic Kitchen: Downtown
Just off of King Street shopping and delicious! The plates are lighter, so you won’t leave feeling too stuffed to keep shopping. My absolute favorite items on the menu are the caesar salad (it’s different than all the others!) with blackened salmon on top… complete with a beet margarita! Honestly, the best.
ABOVE: Cute table at the Citrus Club. What’s missing is the rooftop view of downtown Charleston!
Little Palm: Downtown
An easy-going, yet stylish spot within The Ryder hotel that feel like a step back in time in Old Miami. While I don’t have the most experience with their food, I can tell you that their drinks are really amazing. Be ready to take a lot of pictures here because the design is really special!
Citrus Club: Downtown
This is the rooftop venue at The Dewberry and not only does it have the most beautiful view in town, but it’s also incredibly beautiful and picture-worthy! The drinks are unique and refreshing, and the food is to die for. I would call before going to make sure there isn’t a private event happening.
Lenoir: Downtown
Especially for a girl’s night out, this is a perfect first stop! It’s beautiful inside, so you’ll feel inspired and likely want to linger for a delicious cocktail or two.
Longboards: Sullivans Island
If you find yourself out at the beach for the day, I highly recommend Longboards for happy hour. It’s chic and beachy beautiful! Their painkiller is amazing, as are their oysters! In fact, I love all of their small plates, which is why I definitely suggest this for happy hour rather than your full dinner meal, as it might not be quite hefty enough to fill everyone’s bellies. (From my experience!)
Bar 167: Downtown
167’s newest property, Bar 167 and just as delicious as their other restaurants! Crafty cocktails, small plates, and a gorgeous and fun atmosphere make this a great happy hour spot. Head to the upstairs bar for a treat!
ABOVE: The Tallagio Pizza at Frannie & the Fox, with a peak of the salad I recommended, too!
ABOVE: Indaco’s Tagliatelle
Hall’s Chophouse: Downtown
We always try to go to nice steakhouses when we travel, but Hall’s is just so special and we haven’t found anything that quite compares. You feel like you’re walking into the Hall family home for a great big party and the service throughout the meal matches that warm fuzzy feeling. The food is absolutely incredible. To start, I highly suggest the spicy shrimp, she crab soup, the chop salad, and the wedge salad. For dinner, I love the shrimp & grits, the crab-stuffed grouper, or sometimes I’ll do one of the salads along with the spicy shrimp I mentioned as starters. Brandon adores the dry-aged ribeye. It’s the best steak on the menu, according to him! Their sides are also spectacular (I mean, they have lobster mac & cheese) …you cannot go wrong!
Melfi’s: Downtown
The best Italian! Okay, this is one of those spots I specifically enjoy the most when it’s dark outside. The vibe in there just warms up and is so cozy. I also think it might be slightly better for a date night, or a double date, rather than a large group because their service isn’t the most sweet and gracious in town. (I’m sorry but it’s not, ha! Worth it though.) The bruschetta, arancini, and sort-of-spicy caesar salad are what we always start with. Yes, all three. Brandon always gets the rigatoni and I never do not get the cacio e pepe. Goodness gracious… my mouth is watering thinking about it. I made a reel on this place here! This food is heavenly.
Obstinate Daughter: Sullivan’s Island
OD is one of those places that absolutely everything they create is going to be the best thing you’ve ever tasted. They use local ingredients to create a menu that is seasonal, creative, and will leave you feeling nice and full. Here, you’ll want to order a bunch of things and share! Favorites include: local lettuce salad (it’s impressive!), farro piccolo (seriously you cannot not order this), any of the pastas—and they sometimes change seasonally but the gnocchi is always a winner, and then the “Old Danger” pizza. (It comes with an egg on top!) I also highly recommend the King’s Honey cocktail! It’s beyond.
FIG: Downtown
It’s probably the top restaurant in Charleston, so like all of these places, make a reservation well in advance! The chef is incredibly talented and comes up with the most unique, yet filling and tasty dishes. It’s a culinary experience! While this isn’t the most beautiful interior in town, you won’t even notice because off how distractingly tasty the food is.
Frannie & the Fox: Downtown
Also mentioned on the brunch list, I might like this one for dinner even more! They have the cutest patio with outdoor fireplaces, so make sure to head out there to lounge around with a cocktail, or ask for your table to be outside if the weather is right! Their menu is actually insane and perfect for groups, since the food highlights are all share plates. Here’s what my girlfriends and I always order: The Blue Crab Fritters, The Pizzaiolo Chopped Salad, and the #1 group favorite, the Taleggio Pizza.
O-Ku: Downtown
The best sushi with a trendy atmosphere! Definitely start with the rock shrimp tempura salad. The salmon and lemon wrapped roll is my favorite!
The Ordinary: Downtown
This building is so stunning! I’ve loved everything I’ve ever eaten at this seafood restaurant, especially their crispy oyster sliders.
Indaco: Downtown
If I were going on a date night, I’d probably choose Melfi’s over Indaco since they are both Italian, but for a group… definitely Indaco! The ambiance is wonderful—it feels lively yet cozy at the same time. Definitely check out their pizzas to start. They change seasonally, but if you can order their brussels sprouts pizza, absolutely do it! I also love the Tagliattele, which is creamy deliciousness on a plate, complete with pork tesa and a runny egg on top.
