One of the main reasons my friend Sarah and I picked Charleston for our girls’ trip was because of the food. We heard it was a foodie hotspot and after eating at some of the best restaurants in Charleston, we found it to be true! We thoroughly researched and made reservations before our trip to create a trip schedule. I’ve included restaurant hours, reservation information, and tips to help make your dining experience in Charleston extra tasty!
Sugar Bakeshop
Following my tradition of eating cupcakes when I travel, I found Sugar Bakeshop was one of the most popular places in Charleston. We split this scrumptious Vanilla Blueberry Cupcake with Lemon Curd filling. If you’re not into cupcakes, they also make cookies, tarts, and pies.
Offering: sweet treats for anytime
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am to 6 pm; Sat 11 am to 5 pm
Address: 59 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
While Jeni’s is not homegrown in Charleston, it’s a delightful treat when you’re walking around downtown. The cute shop smells of waffle cones and their ice cream flavors will have you salivating. I enjoyed the brown butter almond brittle and salted peanut butter with chocolate flecks. The good thing is you don’t need to go to Charleston to try it; buy it in a grocery store near you or online.
Offering: sweet treats for anytime
Hours: Noon to 11 pm daily
Address: 501 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
WildFlour Pastry
We needed to grab a snack for the airport (it started as an excuse to visit but it ended up being truth), so we stopped by here after breakfast. We grabbed quiches, lemon cake, and a cupcake. These were all happily enjoyed as we made our way home. My favorite thing was the mushroom and gruyere quiche! I hear their sticky buns are amazing but those are only offered on Sunday morning and sell out quickly, so plan accordingly.
Offering: One menu for breakfast, lunch and snacks
Hours: Tues-Fri 6:30 am to 4:30 pm; Sat 8 am to 3 pm; Sun 8 am to 1 pm; Closed Mon.
Address: 73 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
FIG
Our first dinner was at the popular restaurant FIG. Its dark restaurant was intimate and casual. The service was outstanding. We split some amazing dishes: Ricotta Gnocchi and Grass-Fed Beef Bolognese (my favorite of the night), Golden Tilefish, Suckling Pig Confit and Sticky Sorghum Cake. The decadent, soft pillows of ricotta gnocchi were so good, I slowed myself down to savor every single bite of the dish. Though it will put a larger dent in your wallet than other restaurants, it’s definitely a worthy place to try!
Offering: Dinner
Reservation Tip: Reservations can be made a month (exactly) in advance, and plan accordingly because those reservations are snatched up quickly.
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Fri-Sat 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm; Closed Sun
Address: 232 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
Butcher & Bee
After looking at the menu, we knew we had to fit this simple spot into our schedule. We enjoyed the kale slaw, crispy Brussels sprouts, double burger and fries and turkey hash. The juicy burger and the kale slaw were my favorites at Butcher & Bee! Their menu is fairly short and the daily menu is posted on their Facebook page.
Offering: Lunch, Weekend Brunch, Late Night
Reservation Tip: No reservations since it is counter service.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am to 3 pm; Sat-Sun 10 am to 3 pm; Fri-Sat 10 pm – 3 am
Address: 654 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
The Daily
Butcher & Bee’s sister shop next door, The Daily is a coffee shop and quick snack store. We made a stop here after eating at Butcher & Bee and got some buttermilk muffin donuts to go. They are the perfect sweet snack dipped in sugar and only $1.10 each.
Offering: Coffee, cold-pressed juice, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, grab-and-go items
Hours: 7am-7pm Mon-Fri; 8am-7pm Sat; 8am-4pm Sun
Address: 652 B. King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Rooftop at The Vendue
This hotel has a hot spot rooftop bar and restaurant that gives you some of the best views of Charleston. We enjoyed some cocktails here as the sun set. They have live music every Sunday from 2-5pm. That view!
Offering: Lunch, Dinner and Drinks; Live music every Sunday from 2-5pm
Reservation Tip: Does not take reservations
Hours: 11:30am–10pm Sun-Thurs; 11:30am-12am Fri-Sat
Address: 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
Husk
This was another fantastic dinner spot during our trip. Led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock, Husk focuses on the bounty of Southern ingredients, working closely with local farms. You’ll see the ingredients and its origins listed on their website and prominently in the lobby of the restaurant. When we were there, we enjoyed Cheddar Pimento Cheese and Hoe cakes; Country ham with buttermilk biscuits, mustard and bread-n-butter pickles; slow cooked pork ribs with puffed pork skins; and Cornmeal-dusted catfish with shrimp rice, roasted fennel and mustard greens. If I had to pick a favorite dish, it would be the Cheddar Pimento Cheese. Every dish was exceptional, the service was pleasant and attentive, and the environment was casual yet special.
Offering: Lunch, Sunday Brunch, Dinner
Reservation Tip: Advance reservations are very necessary if you want to eat here. We made our reservation about a month in advance.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2:30 pm; Sun 10 am-2:30 pm; Sun-Thurs 5:30-10 pm; Fri-Sat 5:30-11 pm
Address: 76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
This spot was not on our food schedule but we passed by it several times when walking along King Street. After smelling the biscuits from outside and seeing many people taking orders to-go, we knew we had to make room somehow. We made it for breakfast and it was such a good idea! I enjoyed the biscuit sandwich with sausage, fried egg and pimento cheese. It was messy, flavorful and filling.
Offering: One menu for breakfast and lunch
Reservation Tip: No reservations since it is counter service
Hours: 8 am – 2pm daily
Address: 476 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Xiao Bao Biscuit
This Thai restaurant is a favorite among visitors and locals. The unassuming, casual eatery was a happening place on a Monday, and we managed to get two seats at the bar without waiting. The menu is short, sweet and truly authentic. Sarah had been craving a papaya salad of the same caliber of those she enjoyed in Thailand last year and this one, the Som Tum with Chicken (black bean fried chicken over rice and papaya salad) satisfied the craving. My dish, the Pad Kra Pow (minced beef, beans, Thai chili, basil, rice and egg), was so tasty and fresh.
Offering: Lunch and Dinner
Reservation Tip: Does not take reservations.
Hours: Mon- Sat 11:30 am- 2 pm; Mon- Sat 5:30 – 10 pm
Address: 224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29401
167 Raw
This 18-seat restaurant will make you wait but it’s worth it! On a Monday night around 6:30pm, it was about a 15-minute wait. We started with ahi poke, which came with chips. I enjoyed three freshly shucked oysters and the fish taco. Sarah enjoyed the incredible lobster roll. If you love seafood, this is the spot!
Offering: Lunch and Dinner
Reservation Tip: Does not take reservations
Hours: Mon-Thu 11 am-9 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm
Address: 289 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hominy Grill
For our last meal in Charleston, we decided we needed a traditional Southern meal. Hominy Grill satisfied our taste buds. We split the Charleston Nasty Biscuit (chicken biscuit sandwich covered in gravy) and the shrimp and grits. I’ve eaten a handful of shrimp and grits in my life and I can easily say this one was my favorite!
Offering: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch
Reservation Tip: Does not take reservations
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am–9 pm; Sat 9 am-9pm; Sun 9 am-3 pm
Address: 207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
We had many restaurants on our list after our research but weren’t able to visit all of them. Here are some more noteworthy options I’d recommend checking out:
- Edmund’s Oast: This gastropub is the place for craft beers and cocktails. It’s located far north.
- Bay Street Biergarten: This cute biergarten would be a perfect chill spot during nice weather.
- Wild Olive Restaurant: Located on Johns Island, this “rustic chic” restaurant will satisfy your need for Italian food and quality wine.
- McCrady’s: You’ll find Southern fine dining at McCrady’s, located in the French Quarter. Chef Sean Brock of Husk is also the chef here. It was opened in 1778 as a tavern.
- Two Boroughs Larder: We had been looking at this spot for weekend brunch, but they also serve dinner and happy hour. It’s focus is on seasonal American dishes and noteworthy wines and beers.
- The Ordinary: This not-so-ordinary restaurant was a James Beard finalist in 2013 and a place to indulge in seafood. You’ll find an oyster bar and grilled fish dishes here.
- Indaco: Indaco (the Italian word for indigo) is an Italian restaurant in downtown Charleston. At this finer dining restaurant, you’ll enjoy pizzas, pastas, and cured sausages.
- The Grocery: Known as warm and welcoming, The Grocery focuses on a seasonal menu for weekend brunch or dinner. You’ll find mostly American-style dishes with ingredients from local purveyors.
- Palmetto Brewing Co: In looking at Charleston’s breweries, this one seemed to be noteworthy and popular.
- Westbrook Brewing: I enjoyed two of Westbrook Brewing’s beers (White Thai and One Claw) in Charleston and their brewery (outside of downtown) would be fun to visit for a tour.
- Proof: This craft cocktail, beer and wine bar is a cozy speakeasy to relax in.
Westbrook Brewing Co’s White Thai
Have a Charleston restaurant you’d recommend? Leave a comment below!
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