Guidebook for Charleston
Food Scene
Beautiful courtyard dining, a unique wine list and delicious Italian food.
36 locals recommend
Le Farfalle
15 Beaufain StBeautiful courtyard dining, a unique wine list and delicious Italian food.
Café Framboise
159 Market StQuick, affordable and filling coffee and pastries.
This little bodega is a treasure trove. They have a small mexican kitchen called "La Cocina". The sign says it's M-F 10a-3p, but I was just there on a Saturday afternoon. The carne asada torta was delicious. It came with salsa rojo, but if you want verde, they'll probably give you some. That comes with the chicken milanesa. I've also heard the burrito is good. Prices are perfect. The torta was the size of my head. Grab some pork cracklins or any flavor of Herr's chips, they literally have 20 different options. Pick up a 40oz Tecate and go hang out in the shade at nearby Hampton Park. Just please don't feed the ducks. (NO SEATING HERE).
Torres Superettes Inc
843 Rutledge AveThis little bodega is a treasure trove. They have a small mexican kitchen called "La Cocina". The sign says it's M-F 10a-3p, but I was just there on a Saturday afternoon. The carne asada torta was delicious. It came with salsa rojo, but if you want verde, they'll probably give you some. That comes with the chicken milanesa. I've also heard the burrito is good. Prices are perfect. The torta was the size of my head. Grab some pork cracklins or any flavor of Herr's chips, they literally have 20 different options. Pick up a 40oz Tecate and go hang out in the shade at nearby Hampton Park. Just please don't feed the ducks. (NO SEATING HERE).
Local shop, pour over coffee. No decaf. Nice pastries. M-F 7a-7p, S-Su 8a-6p
60 locals recommend
Second State Coffee
70.5 Beaufain StLocal shop, pour over coffee. No decaf. Nice pastries. M-F 7a-7p, S-Su 8a-6p
Coffee & Beer!!
They will make anything you need them to, very nice baristas. Great beers on tap. Cute patio to relax and hang out.
Mon-Fri: 6:45am - 9pm Sat: 7am - 9pm Sun: 8am - 8pm
109 locals recommend
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer
4 Vanderhorst StCoffee & Beer!!
They will make anything you need them to, very nice baristas. Great beers on tap. Cute patio to relax and hang out.
Mon-Fri: 6:45am - 9pm Sat: 7am - 9pm Sun: 8am - 8pm
Mexican food, mezcal, tecate, and the el Satanico (it's weird, try it. Only frozen). Another Sean Brock venture but who cares. The country fried steak at brunch is pretty sweet. Open Lunch and Dinner (Fri and Sat till 11pm) and Brunch on Sunday.
44 locals recommend
Minero
153B E Bay StMexican food, mezcal, tecate, and the el Satanico (it's weird, try it. Only frozen). Another Sean Brock venture but who cares. The country fried steak at brunch is pretty sweet. Open Lunch and Dinner (Fri and Sat till 11pm) and Brunch on Sunday.
WINE & CHEESE. Grab stuff to go to make your own plates. They offer a small selection of daily sandwiches. Get a board catered for a picnic in the park.
13 locals recommend
goat. sheep. cow.
106 Church StWINE & CHEESE. Grab stuff to go to make your own plates. They offer a small selection of daily sandwiches. Get a board catered for a picnic in the park.
Cool atmosphere. This greek restaurant has been making delicious food since it opened in Spring 2017. The chef also has a restaurant in Richmond, VA. Some items can be pretty heavy, and portions are large so order short and add more. Love the octopus. Mushroom saganaki, lamb shank, kotopuolo (grilled chicken), brunch. The chios fizz is a great cocktail, and don't miss their traditional desserts.
Open Lunch, Brunch, Dinner and Happy Hour.
M-Th 11-3p & 4-10p, F 11-3 & 4-11p, Sat DINNER ONLY 5-11p, Sun BRUNCH ONLY 10-3p HH M-F 4-6
44 locals recommend
Stella's
114 St Philip StCool atmosphere. This greek restaurant has been making delicious food since it opened in Spring 2017. The chef also has a restaurant in Richmond, VA. Some items can be pretty heavy, and portions are large so order short and add more. Love the octopus. Mushroom saganaki, lamb shank, kotopuolo (grilled chicken), brunch. The chios fizz is a great cocktail, and don't miss their traditional desserts.
Open Lunch, Brunch, Dinner and Happy Hour.
M-Th 11-3p & 4-10p, F 11-3 & 4-11p, Sat DINNER ONLY 5-11p, Sun BRUNCH ONLY 10-3p HH M-F 4-6
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music, good food, good service, and a funky outdoor courtyard.
64 locals recommend
Blind Tiger Pub
36-38 Broad StLive music, good food, good service, and a funky outdoor courtyard.
One of the few late night spots offering a quiet place to sip wine, with delicious cheese, meats, and some beer. Open till 2am. Worth every penny.
Note: It's usually chilly in here.
34 locals recommend
Bin 152
152 King StOne of the few late night spots offering a quiet place to sip wine, with delicious cheese, meats, and some beer. Open till 2am. Worth every penny.
Note: It's usually chilly in here.
The best cocktail bar in Charleston. Don't rush through here. Ask questions. Enjoy small sips.
Mostly meats and cheeses for food options. I think the selection is top notch. I prefer Bin 152 for meat and cheese, but their plate is not going to disappoint.
This is quintessential Charleston cocktail bar.
M-Su 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m
FULL MENU till 1AM!!
68 locals recommend
The Belmont
511 King StThe best cocktail bar in Charleston. Don't rush through here. Ask questions. Enjoy small sips.
Mostly meats and cheeses for food options. I think the selection is top notch. I prefer Bin 152 for meat and cheese, but their plate is not going to disappoint.
This is quintessential Charleston cocktail bar.
M-Su 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m
FULL MENU till 1AM!!
Locally owned, fun events. One of the original hosts of pop-up dinners in the city. Regular pop-ups. Beer and wine. Quaint and cozy.
Monday – Thursday: 5pm - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm - 11pm
Happy Hour: 5pm - 7pm
$2.50 Lager, $5 House Wine
59 locals recommend
Elliotborough Mini Bar
18 Percy StLocally owned, fun events. One of the original hosts of pop-up dinners in the city. Regular pop-ups. Beer and wine. Quaint and cozy.
Monday – Thursday: 5pm - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm - 11pm
Happy Hour: 5pm - 7pm
$2.50 Lager, $5 House Wine
Sightseeing
Interesting church and a beautiful overgrown cemetery that cuts through to King street.
9 locals recommend
Unitarian Church in Charleston
4 Archdale StInteresting church and a beautiful overgrown cemetery that cuts through to King street.
Arts & Culture
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting StBest art museum in Charleston.
Charleston Gaillard Center
95 Calhoun StLive music and theater performances.
Getting Around
Biking is the easiest way to get around, but be safe because Students and Visitors are easily distracted by our beautiful city.
23 locals recommend
Holy Spokes
7 Radcliffe St Biking is the easiest way to get around, but be safe because Students and Visitors are easily distracted by our beautiful city.
Entertainment & Activities
Quaint theater is the best for arthouse flicks and there are great dinner options nearby. Check out The Lot or Maybank Public House.
118 locals recommend
The Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank HwyQuaint theater is the best for arthouse flicks and there are great dinner options nearby. Check out The Lot or Maybank Public House.
Essentials
Great quick breakfast or lunch stop. Grab a sandwich and head to Colonial Lake for a Picnic. Don't forget to check out all their local goods and great selection of party essentials including wine and beer.
44 locals recommend
Queen Street Grocery
133 Queen StGreat quick breakfast or lunch stop. Grab a sandwich and head to Colonial Lake for a Picnic. Don't forget to check out all their local goods and great selection of party essentials including wine and beer.