KPS's Charleston Guidebook
My favorite place to get coffee in the morning
It is hands down my favorite local brew shop and it’s just a five-minute walk from 2 Rutledge. Try the Lavender Latte; the creamy drink with the hint of lavender. I can’t leave Charleston without having one!
60 locals recommend
Second State Coffee
70.5 Beaufain StIt is hands down my favorite local brew shop and it’s just a five-minute walk from 2 Rutledge. Try the Lavender Latte; the creamy drink with the hint of lavender. I can’t leave Charleston without having one!
Lunch Spot
You can find delicious sandwiches, salads, or smoothies at Queen Street Market for very reasonable prices. If you’re on-the-go and need to grab a quick lunch, Queen Street Market is your spot.
44 locals recommend
Queen Street Grocery
133 Queen StYou can find delicious sandwiches, salads, or smoothies at Queen Street Market for very reasonable prices. If you’re on-the-go and need to grab a quick lunch, Queen Street Market is your spot.
Speciality Food Store
Goat Sheep Cow is a gourmet specialty cheese shop South of Broad featuring world-class artisanal cheeses and wines of the southeast. Great for an early evening snack on the porch!
13 locals recommend
goat. sheep. cow.
106 Church StGoat Sheep Cow is a gourmet specialty cheese shop South of Broad featuring world-class artisanal cheeses and wines of the southeast. Great for an early evening snack on the porch!
Food scene
Poogan's Porch is a Charleston institution. A true diet-killer of a restaurant. Since it opened in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been one of Chucktown’s most popular restaurants. Whether it’s a warm homemade buttermilk biscuit and sausage gravy for brunch, a bowl of she-crab soup for lunch, or their buttermilk fried chicken for dinner, your meal at Poogan’s will be unforgettable.
92 locals recommend
Poogan's Porch
72 Queen StPoogan's Porch is a Charleston institution. A true diet-killer of a restaurant. Since it opened in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been one of Chucktown’s most popular restaurants. Whether it’s a warm homemade buttermilk biscuit and sausage gravy for brunch, a bowl of she-crab soup for lunch, or their buttermilk fried chicken for dinner, your meal at Poogan’s will be unforgettable.
If you’re in the mood for Italian, walk up the street to Le Farfalle. It is a bright, upscale Italian restaurant located just north of Broad street in Harleston Village. The chef formerly led Perla in the West Village. If you go, start with the rosemary focaccia and whipped ricotta. For a main course, you can’t go wrong with the Linguini with shrimp or the Agnolotti (essentially duck ravioli).
36 locals recommend
Le Farfalle
15 Beaufain StIf you’re in the mood for Italian, walk up the street to Le Farfalle. It is a bright, upscale Italian restaurant located just north of Broad street in Harleston Village. The chef formerly led Perla in the West Village. If you go, start with the rosemary focaccia and whipped ricotta. For a main course, you can’t go wrong with the Linguini with shrimp or the Agnolotti (essentially duck ravioli).
FIG stands for: Food Is Good. And good it is. FIG is an elegant, upscale low country restaurant.
177 locals recommend
FIG
232 Meeting StFIG stands for: Food Is Good. And good it is. FIG is an elegant, upscale low country restaurant.
In my opinion, The Oak is Charleston’s best steakhouse. They also have a great bar, if you’re looking to grab a quick bite with a great glass of wine.
49 locals recommend
Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad StIn my opinion, The Oak is Charleston’s best steakhouse. They also have a great bar, if you’re looking to grab a quick bite with a great glass of wine.
Cru Café is awesome. It used to be a secret local place, but the secret is out. It is one of the highest-rated lunch and dinner places in town. I never knew I could love a Turkey sandwich so much.
49 locals recommend
Cru Cafe
18 Pinckney StCru Café is awesome. It used to be a secret local place, but the secret is out. It is one of the highest-rated lunch and dinner places in town. I never knew I could love a Turkey sandwich so much.
Looks can be deceiving. Leon’s doesn’t look like much, but it’s one of the best casual dining spots on Upper King. Famous for its oysters and fried chicken.
230 locals recommend
Leon's
698 King StLooks can be deceiving. Leon’s doesn’t look like much, but it’s one of the best casual dining spots on Upper King. Famous for its oysters and fried chicken.
Bar
In addition to being a favorite bar in Charleston, Blind Tiger also serves great casual food that always hits the spot.
64 locals recommend
Blind Tiger Pub
36-38 Broad St In addition to being a favorite bar in Charleston, Blind Tiger also serves great casual food that always hits the spot.
The Cocktail Club occupies the second floor above its sister restaurant, the Macintosh, and it feels like an old speakeasy. The big cocktail bar has an appealing blend of rustic and sophisticated style, invoking a nightclub improvised in a Prohibition-era warehouse.
209 locals recommend
The Cocktail Club
479 King StThe Cocktail Club occupies the second floor above its sister restaurant, the Macintosh, and it feels like an old speakeasy. The big cocktail bar has an appealing blend of rustic and sophisticated style, invoking a nightclub improvised in a Prohibition-era warehouse.
The Rooftop is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering fantastic views of the Charleston Harbor, Waterfront Park, The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and more.
119 locals recommend
The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue
19 Vendue RangeThe Rooftop is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering fantastic views of the Charleston Harbor, Waterfront Park, The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and more.
Exercise
Your typical hot power yoga class, but it can get pretty crowded. The Buti yoga is a fun experience, and get ready to let loose!
14 locals recommend
Charleston Power Yoga
857 Houston Northcutt BlvdYour typical hot power yoga class, but it can get pretty crowded. The Buti yoga is a fun experience, and get ready to let loose!
If you like going to the gym and being left alone, Pivotal Fitness is your best bet in Charleston. They sell day-passes for $20 and week-passes for $40.
6 locals recommend
Pivotal Fitness - Downtown Charleston
69 Wentworth StIf you like going to the gym and being left alone, Pivotal Fitness is your best bet in Charleston. They sell day-passes for $20 and week-passes for $40.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Walk Market Street
One of Charleston’s main attractions, the city market was established in the 1790’s as the main location for commerce. Today, vendors sell souvenirs and other items ranging from jewelry to sweetgrass baskets. Market Street is a great place to pick up an authentic Charleston gift while you’re in town.
Don't miss
Shopping on King Street
Stroll down Charleston’s version of Fifth Avenue. King Street is the busiest strip in Charleston and boasts high-end stores. Instead of browsing in H&M, Banana Republic, or Lululemon, walk further north and pop your head in local stores like Dumas Brothers or Peyton William.
Don't miss
Get Lost South of Broad
Walk back in time as you meander through the streets South of Broad. As its name suggests, South of Broad is located south of Broad Street, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula. The neighborhood is largely residential and hands-down Charleston’s most photogenic area. South of Broad is also home to Rainbow Row, one of the most famous streets in all of Charleston.
Don't miss
Walk the Battery
Stroll around the Charleston Battery and ogle at the waterfront mansions. The battery overlooks where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers intersect at the tip of Charleston (much like the Hudson and East rivers meet at the tip of Manhattan).
Don't miss
Take the Tommy Dew Tour
If you’d like to hear the fascinating history of Charleston, then sign up for the Tommy Dew tour. Tommy will walk you through the fascinating history of Charleston, starting with its founding in 1670. Some words of warning: Tommy pulls no punches when talking about Charleston’s ugly history with slavery and the Civil War. Some people appreciate Tommy’s direct style, while others may find him insensitive. Either way, you’ll learn a ton.
Don't miss
Play a round of Golf
Charleston boasts some of the best golf in the country. The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island hosted the 2012 PGA Championship and is just a 40-minute drive. If you’re not PGA-tour ready, don’t worry. Kiawah Island has 5 other (easier) courses on the island that are all excellent quality. There are also great courses closer to downtown: Wild Dunes, Patriots Point, Stono Ferry and Oak Point.
Don't miss
See a Baseball Game
We are a baseball family. While we don’t go often in Charleston, when we do, the Riverdogs don’t disappoint. Charleston plays host to the single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Players like Aaron Judge, Bret Gardner, and Gary Sanchez have all spent seasons in Charleston in recent years.
Don't miss
Farmer's Market at Marion Sq
Every Saturday in Marion Square, over 100 local Charleston vendors open pop-up stores. Peruse the aisles, where you will enjoy a wide variety tents, including: Farmers & Growers, Sweet & Savory Food Concessions, Artisans & Crafters, and Live Music.