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What to Eat in Charleston, SC
Charleston is a top foodie destination in its own right. Even if you're not in town for one of the city's culinary events (like the Charleston Wine + Food Festival or Charleston Restaurant Week), you'll still get a chance to sample some low country cuisine at any one of the city's top restaurants.
Travelers and locals alike heap praise on Husk and Magnolias for their contemporary Southern menus and attentive service. Favorite dishes at Magnolias include the down south egg roll, the buttermilk fried chicken breast and the shellfish over grits. FIG and The Ordinary are equally popular for their seafood-centric menus and trendy interiors. Poogan's Porch (a great place for brunch) offers a similar low country menu in a charming, restored Victorian house. High Cotton, another purveyor of low country fare, hosts a popular Sunday brunch that features live jazz from local musicians. If you're in the mood for more casual breakfast or coffee spots, consider The Daily or Second State Coffee. And if you're not too full from a hearty brunch, head to 167 Raw for lunch, an oyster bar that's popular for its oyster selection and lobster rolls. During peak tourist season, waiting for a table at one of these eateries can turn into a long night. If you already know where you'd like to dine while in Charleston, make reservations before you get into town.
You can't make reservations at Hyman's Seafood, so be prepared to battle the line snaking out of the door for a seat at this perennial tourist favorite. With a more casual atmosphere and budget-friendly menu than some of Charleston's other downtown area restaurants, it's easy to see why travelers (especially those with kids in tow) prefer to stake a claim in the line than pay some of the city's other restaurant tabs. You won't encounter too many locals, but you will find a big menu with just about any seafood you could imagine.
Another way to experience all the culinary delights Charleston has to offer is on a food tour. Many of the city's walking tours also incorporate food.
Along with its impressive food menus, Charleston also boasts a bevy of trendy drinking establishments worth checking out. The Gin Joint, The Belmont and The Rooftop Bar at Vendue are all praised watering holes to consider.
Find the Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC
- #1Halls Chophouse#1 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (6261)$$ | American, Steakhouse434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403-6230Read More » - #2Bitty & Beau's Coffee#2 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (126)$ | American159 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401-3123Read More » - #3Revival#3 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (642)$$ | American, Seafood162 E. Bay Street (Next To The Vendue), Charleston, SC 29401Read More » - #4Circa 1886 Restaurant#4 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2188)$$ | American, Contemporary149 Wentworth Street Behind the Wentworth Mansion, Charleston, SC 29401-1733Read More » - #5Charleston Grill#5 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (1944)$$ | American, Contemporary224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401-3102Read More » - #6Peninsula Grill#6 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2755)$$ | American112 N Market St Corner of Meeting and North Market streets, Charleston, SC 29401-3157Read More » - #7167 Raw#7 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (1791)$ - $$ | American, Seafood193 King St, Charleston, SC 29401-1620Read More » - #8Grill 225#8 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2372)$$ | Seafood, American, Steakhouse225 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2608Read More » - #9Lewis Barbecue#9 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (723)$ - $$ | American, Barbecue464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403-3828Read More » - #1082 Queen#10 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (4101)$$ | American, Soups82 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401-2220Read More » - #11Swig & Swine#11 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2080)$ - $$ | American, Bar, Barbecue1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407-7826Read More » - #12R Kitchen#12 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (649)$ - $$ | American, International212 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403-5303Read More » - #13Cru Cafe#13 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2938)$ - $$ | American18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401-2006Read More » - #14Market Street Sweets#14 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (163)$ - $$ |100 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401-3118Read More » - #15Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar#15 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (2935)$ - $$ | American, Bar, Seafood, Soups205 E Bay St Corner of Cumberland & East Bay, Charleston, SC 29401-2608Read More » - #16Christophe Patissier-Chocolatier#16 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (234)$ - $$ | Cafe, French90 Society St, Charleston, SC 29401-1431Read More » - #17Sugar Bakeshop#17 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (277)$ - $$ | American591/2 Cannon Street, Charleston, SC 29403Read More » - #18Magnolias#18 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (7485)$$ | American, Seafood, Soups, International, Contemporary185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2126Read More » - #19Brown Dog Deli#19 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (1588)$ | American, Deli40 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401-3004Read More » - #20Slightly North of Broad#20 of 825 Places to Eat in Charleston
Tripadvisor (4168)$$ | American192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2123Read More »
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