We all know food and views drive my travel plans. Charleston's buzzing restaurant scene, color architecture, cobblestone streets and southern hospitality is a dream for the eyes and taste buds.
If you are looking for tips to get around Charleston and where to stay, I have a blog post coming titled Best Guide for First Time Visitors.
Before we get started with the list, I cannot stress enough how important reservations are in this charming city. We tried to sneak into a spot for lunch and waited 20 min just to grab two seats at the bar. Things book quickly around here and the restaurant scene has something for absolutely eveyone's taste.
Here are my recommendations:
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Husk
Southern cuisine that plays a twist on your favorite brunch items. Husk is located on charming Queen street in the French Quarter. I recommend arriving a bit early and waiting for your table at Husk bar next door. The bar is charming and they have a smaller version of the restaurants menu. Order a mimosa with fresh peach puree and mint. It was refreshing on a hot day and very tasty!
Make sure you order the yogurt, it sounds basic but it is anything but. It has pistachios, fresh honey, blueberries and mint. If it had been appropriate, I would have licked the bowl. The home made biscuits and jam are also a must try.
Harken Cafe
Also located on Queen street, this charming cafe serves up a handful of lite breakfast menu items and pastries but also has a full coffee bar menu. We only tried their coffee but Dave had a regular hot coffee and I opted for a cold brew. It was really good. Had great brightness and not bitter.
Palmetto Cafe
Located in the beautiful Charleston Place hotel on Meeting Street. This was the one spot we did not make reservations and walked in for breakfast around 8:30 and were able to snag a table. I will say, it quickly filled up after we were seated. They offer both breakfast (daily) and then brunch daily over the lunch period. They are not open for dinner.
Their menu covers everything from oatmeal to sweet and savory breakfast items, french pressed coffee to fresh smoothies and juices. I loved the french toast with fresh fruit. Dave said his eggs benedict was one of the best he had in quite awhile. We also ordered the fresh green juice and it was delicous!
Lunch
Obstinate Daughter- Sullivans Island
If you want a beach day, I recommend Sullivans Island in my blog post The Best Guide for 1st Time Visitors to Charleston. If you just want an EXCELLENT, and I do mean that, meal, I recommend taking an Uber over to the island to dine at Obstinates Daughter. It's bougie and beachy and the food is top notch! Reservations are a must, athough we dined at 2pm and a small party could've walked in and been seated fairly quickly. I think this was my surprise meal of the trip. I had heard great things about this place and it was recommended to me by a couple of my local followers, but I was still stunned at how amazing everything we ate tasted.
What are must eats? Farro w/chicken (pictured below). This dish was chicken with brussel sprouts, peanut, balsamic and black truffle. We ate the entire thing. The flavors were amazing.
Raw Oysters, If you happen to be visiting September- December make sure you order Oysters. They have multiple options depending on how much or little brine you like. I loved them!! Dave said that was the first time he enjoyed oysters.
Ok, now for their signature dish, Ricotta Gnocchi. This is made with housemade gnocchi, short rib ragu that is braised in red wine, rosemary, tomato sauce and pepper for 24 hours. It is garnished with horseradish and pine nut gemolata. This dish was OUTSTANDING! I would not sleep on this spot. It looks like a beach hole in the wall when you drive past it, but I am dreaming of that gnocchi still.
Magnolia
When in Rome, or in this case Charleston, we had to add one Southern restaurant to our list. Magnolia was a last minute restaurant pick for us based upon local recommendations. We had to wait about 20 min at lunch time and were able to sit at the bar. We tried a couple of things that were not bad, but the fried chicken sandwhich was delicious. As most of you know, I stay away from fried food. That is an entirely different blog post, but it is for taste and health reasons. Our waitress recommended this menu item and it was not greasy, the chicken was moist and the sauce was a yummy combination. Highly recommend the chicken sandwhich.
Dinner
Peninsula Grille
This restaurant located in the Planters Inn has received many awards over the years. With all the new spots popping up this restaurant continues to bring in the locals because of the consistent quality of food. This is great for a romantic date night. I recommend reserving a patio spot as their patio is beautiful.
The lobster 3 way was very good. The fish was fresh, the scallops were cooked perfectly. But my favorite item was their famous coconut cake. Did you know they have a take out window just for their coconut cake and they run out each night. It is also big enough to share with the table. We could not finish it.
Southbound
This is one of the newest spots. It is also a bit out of the way and you will need an Uber or bike to get you here as there isn't any on-site parking. The charm of the city allows for unique restaurant sites and seating options and this one has both. One of the most unique seating options I have found in my travels, the front porch swing table and of course, that is the table I had to reserve.
I do recommend you have an adventurous pallet to dine at Southbound but the food is delicious and so the service is wonderful! The menu changes regularly, but you can look online to get a sample menu. We loved our entire meal, except for our dessert. In fact, it was the best duck I have ever had and one of my favorite scallop dishes (which I consider myself a connoisseur).
What we loved?
Whipped Ricotta with candied butternut squash and maple veru. This was absolutely delish. The flavor combinations were amazing.
Grilled Nantucket Lightship Scallops with charred corn and nduja aioli. They were cooked perfectly and the flavors were delicious.
Cast Iron Duck Breast. I typically get my meats medium but when the chef recommends a temperature I always go with their recommendation. Otherwise it can be overcooked. This was done medium rare and the flavors and seasoning was perfect!
Dining Experience
zero george
This was a pre-fixed unique dining experience. The price is around $140 pp and that does not include alcohol. It is a multi-course meal and we were quite full by the end. Here is a sample menu as it changes frequently.
Reservations open up a month ahead of time and they book fast. You can dine inside, on the porch or on the below patio. We dined on the porch, it is a little more quaint to give you more of a date night experience. The weather was perfect and the view is the courtyard of the Zero George Hotel. If you are staying in the French Quarter it is under a 1 mile walk to the restaurant.
The taste of the food was very good. We loved the entire dining experience. What made it so unique was the presentation of the food. I have to share some of the photos with you all. They are pieces of art.
My second favorite part of our experience was the 1st course which was finger food. They had not brought us utensils. I loved it! I am a sucker for unique experiences and this certainly was one from start to finish! Highly recommend dining at ZeroGeorge and
Tip: Make sure to add on caviar bump!
Cocktails
The great news is you can walk up and down East Bay Street (at the end of the Charleston Market) and bar hop. There are 3 or 4 great options along that street.
HIgh Cotton
This is a popular spot and we were told to dine here as well by many of the locals. The bar typically has live music. We grabbed a cozy table, cocktail and enjoyed a date night after dinner listening to the musician. It was a fun place! This is more old school and low key.
Hint: Order the Bills Bramble cocktail, it was delish!
Pavilion Rooftop Bar
This bar has tons of seating and great views of the city. It is always busy and has a fun vibe.
Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar
There is a resaurant on the main floor, a beautiful bar on the 2nd floor and when you climb to the top you get a rooftop bar that has lots of seating and some tvs. It would be a great place to watch a game or hang with a larger group.
Here is a list of other restaurants we did not make it to but came highly recommended.
Frannie & The Fox - woodfire pizzas and adorable patio
FIG-
Tempest- Seafood
Amen- Southern cooking
The Ordinary
Chubby Fish- this was the most recommended spot and they do not take reservations, it is first come first serve but they said getting there early and waiting in line is worth the wait.
Church and Union- mix of foods and the building used to be a church so it is beautiful inside
Halls Chophouse- we were told this is the best steakhouse in the quarter.
Where is your favorite spot in Charleston to dine. Tell me in the comments?
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