Living the Dream Guide Book
Food: Breakfast
Baguette Magic
792 Folly RdThree Little Birds Cafe
65 Windermere BoulevardMarina Variety Store Restaurant
9 Lockwood DrLost Dog Cafe
106 W Huron AveHighfalutin Coffee Roasters
989 Harbor View RoadThe newest coffee shop to join James Island
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar
1739 Maybank HwyThe original James Island coffee shop
Food: Casual
Casual good food but doesn't require a reservation
Known for locally harvested oysters, fried shrimp, hushpuppies, Frogmore stew, beer, & the undisturbed view of the river, marshes, islands, & wildlife!
171 locals recommend
Bowens Island Restaurant
1870 Bowens Island RdKnown for locally harvested oysters, fried shrimp, hushpuppies, Frogmore stew, beer, & the undisturbed view of the river, marshes, islands, & wildlife!
House-smoked meats & creative sides served in a funky BBQ spot with outdoor seating, beer & bourbon.
82 locals recommend
Swig & Swine
1217 Savannah HwyHouse-smoked meats & creative sides served in a funky BBQ spot with outdoor seating, beer & bourbon.
James Island's only craft brewery serving craft beer, New York and Chicago style pizza.
33 locals recommend
Fam's Brewing Co.
1291 Folly RoadJames Island's only craft brewery serving craft beer, New York and Chicago style pizza.
Funky outdoor cafe with live music, beer & a festive vibe serving diverse eats, from tacos to pho.
103 locals recommend
Chico Feo
122 E Ashley AveFunky outdoor cafe with live music, beer & a festive vibe serving diverse eats, from tacos to pho.
A one woman show, open only for lunch during the week, featuring southern specialties like fried chicken, biscuits and fried fish on Fridays
Workmen's Cafe
1717N Grimball RdA one woman show, open only for lunch during the week, featuring southern specialties like fried chicken, biscuits and fried fish on Fridays
Cozy cafe serving all-day breakfast & coffee plus sandwiches, salads & wraps has a dog wall of fame
170 locals recommend
Lost Dog Cafe
106 W Huron AveCozy cafe serving all-day breakfast & coffee plus sandwiches, salads & wraps has a dog wall of fame
Our favorite restaurant in Charleston. Rotating seasonal menu
117 locals recommend
Jack of Cups Saloon
34 Center StOur favorite restaurant in Charleston. Rotating seasonal menu
cheap food, cheap beer dive bar made for locals. $1.50 Budweiser all day, everyday
22 locals recommend
Lowdown Oven and Bar
967 Folly Rdcheap food, cheap beer dive bar made for locals. $1.50 Budweiser all day, everyday
El Pincho Taco
616 Meeting StHands-down the best Mexican in Charleston (authentic)
Seafood market plus an incredible food truck! Check hours as they vary.
They rent kayaks and SUP from this same location. On Friday nights during the summer they have live music on their dock. Check social media for updated information
22 locals recommend
Crosbys Fish and Shrimp Co.
2223 Folly RdSeafood market plus an incredible food truck! Check hours as they vary.
They rent kayaks and SUP from this same location. On Friday nights during the summer they have live music on their dock. Check social media for updated information
Excellent sandwich shop! freshly made bread and lots of options. eat in or take to go on your way to the beach
Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - James Island
Excellent sandwich shop! freshly made bread and lots of options. eat in or take to go on your way to the beach
Food: In-between casual and reservation
Fine wine bar-meets-store offering curated tastings, plus craft beer & charcuterie & cheese.
45 locals recommend
Avondale Wine & Cheese
813 Savannah HwyFine wine bar-meets-store offering curated tastings, plus craft beer & charcuterie & cheese.
Sichuan Chinese food known for its vibrant, colorful, and piquant flavors. Restaurant situated in the Pour House concert venue
28 locals recommend
Kwei Fei at Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank HwySichuan Chinese food known for its vibrant, colorful, and piquant flavors. Restaurant situated in the Pour House concert venue
Creative, multicultural Asian cooking & specialty cocktails in a trendy converted gas station.
212 locals recommend
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge AveCreative, multicultural Asian cooking & specialty cocktails in a trendy converted gas station.
Leon's
698 King StRelaxed joint serving oysters, Southern-style seafood & fried chicken
Industrial seafood fixture in a former warehouse with a raw bar, craft cocktails & an outdoor patio with excellent happy hour from 4-7
19 locals recommend
Oyster House Seafood Restaurant
35 S Market StIndustrial seafood fixture in a former warehouse with a raw bar, craft cocktails & an outdoor patio with excellent happy hour from 4-7
Great oyster happy hour! Two locations, downtown and West Ashley.
129 locals recommend
Pearlz Oyster Bar
9 Magnolia RdGreat oyster happy hour! Two locations, downtown and West Ashley.
167 Raw
193 King StI have heard nothing bad about this place. Expect a wait
Reservations available. Small plates or full meal options. Whipped Feta is excellent
119 locals recommend
Butcher & Bee
1085 Morrison DrReservations available. Small plates or full meal options. Whipped Feta is excellent
oh the brisket... if you sit at the bar you can order from the bar menu (brisket nachos), otherwise it is counter service and find your own seat. Build out your bbq plate with per pound pricing on meats and sides
186 locals recommend
Lewis Barbecue
464 N Nassau Stoh the brisket... if you sit at the bar you can order from the bar menu (brisket nachos), otherwise it is counter service and find your own seat. Build out your bbq plate with per pound pricing on meats and sides
Food: Reservations Required
Top quality food in an upscale environment. Ask the waiter of preferences and seasonality to get the best
183 locals recommend
Husk
76 Queen StTop quality food in an upscale environment. Ask the waiter of preferences and seasonality to get the best
Indoor and outdoor seating with locally sourced fish on the menu
58 locals recommend
Coast Bar and Grill
39D John StIndoor and outdoor seating with locally sourced fish on the menu
Multi-course chef created menu. No decisions required, just enjoy. 2 locations: downtown and west Ashley. The one in WA includes alcohol so the price per person is higher.
32 locals recommend
R Kitchen
212 Rutledge AveMulti-course chef created menu. No decisions required, just enjoy. 2 locations: downtown and west Ashley. The one in WA includes alcohol so the price per person is higher.
Make reservation as soon as possible. It's worth the hype if you're a foodie.
177 locals recommend
FIG
232 Meeting StMake reservation as soon as possible. It's worth the hype if you're a foodie.
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 King StDelightfully cute with amazing seafood
Voted best Italian and best on James Island for several years
64 locals recommend
Mondo's Italian Restaurant
915 Folly RdVoted best Italian and best on James Island for several years
Craft Brewery
Revelry Brewing
10 Conroy StOne of our favorite breweries. Roof top bar
Check out their social for what food truck will be on site. The are in our top 5
19 locals recommend
Munkle Brewing Company
1513 Meeting Street RdCheck out their social for what food truck will be on site. The are in our top 5
Ship's Wheel
1033 E Montague AveCider!
Holy City Brewing
1021 Aragon AveNow in it's new Park Circle location and bigger than ever
Charleston's first micro-brew. Typically have live music outside in the summer. check their website
61 locals recommend
Palmetto Brewing Company
289 Huger StCharleston's first micro-brew. Typically have live music outside in the summer. check their website
Great brewery next to the Charleston Distillery on Johns Island. They also have great coffee if you're nearby in the morning.
10 locals recommend
Estuary Beans & Barley
3538 Meek's Farm RdGreat brewery next to the Charleston Distillery on Johns Island. They also have great coffee if you're nearby in the morning.
Tideland Brewing
4155 Dorchester RoadVery large outside area that is dog friendly. Inside has been updated significantly
A local couple opened this craft beer bar and hang out spot in July 2022. Not a brewery but will have locals / regional beers on tap, to buy individually or as to go 6 packs
Odyssey Bottle Shop
987 Harbor View RoadA local couple opened this craft beer bar and hang out spot in July 2022. Not a brewery but will have locals / regional beers on tap, to buy individually or as to go 6 packs
Delicious beer, near good food, nice outdoor seating area
62 locals recommend
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.
1505 King StDelicious beer, near good food, nice outdoor seating area
The newest brewery to join the Charleston scene. Opened in July 2022 this European style brewery is providing something a little different to the area
Bevi Bene Brewing Company
1859 Summerville AvenueThe newest brewery to join the Charleston scene. Opened in July 2022 this European style brewery is providing something a little different to the area
Fam's Brewing Co.
1291 Folly RoadThe only James Island Brewery!
Brewlab
2200 Heriot StreetVery large selection of beers. On weekends they have poke bowls special
Local distillery that uses local products in their products. Just outside our neighborhood!
Cannon Distillery
Local distillery that uses local products in their products. Just outside our neighborhood!
Neighborhoods
Situated between downtown and Folly Beach, James Island has many restaurants, shops, and one brewery.
11 locals recommend
James Island
Situated between downtown and Folly Beach, James Island has many restaurants, shops, and one brewery.
Folly Beach - a bohemian vibe with a pier, lighthouse, restaurant and shops
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueFolly Beach - a bohemian vibe with a pier, lighthouse, restaurant and shops
Park Circle has been adding new restaurants and shops for several years now. It is a cute walkable area in North Charleston.
2 breweries, 1 cidery, 2 wine shops, 1 distillery and many restaurants in the area
125 locals recommend
Park Circle
Park Circle has been adding new restaurants and shops for several years now. It is a cute walkable area in North Charleston.
2 breweries, 1 cidery, 2 wine shops, 1 distillery and many restaurants in the area
Outdoor Sports
City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course
2110 Maybank HwyLocal golf course. Reasonable cost
Charleston RiverDogs
360 Fishburne StLocal minor league baseball team
South Carolina Stingrays
5001 Etna StLocal minor league hockey team
Large park - walking/running trails, large dog park, multiple playgrounds, BBQ areas
234 locals recommend
James Island County Park
871 Riverland DrLarge park - walking/running trails, large dog park, multiple playgrounds, BBQ areas
Melton Peter Demetre Park
640 Wampler DrGreat view of downtown from the James Island
Charleston Outdoor Adventures
1871 Bowens Island Rdkayaking rentals and boating drop offs at morris
Crosbys Fish and Shrimp Co.
2223 Folly Rdlocal seafood, food truck and kayak rentals