Charleston: The Ultimate Guide
Charleston, South Carolina… the ultimate girls trip, couples getaway or solo adventure. This place truly has my heart and I am so blessed to call it my home so I’d love to share my favorite spots to eat, drink, party and relax. Come on and head down south where magnolias bloom and palmetto trees and fried green tomatoes are in abundance! This list could go on for days, literally. But here is the best of the best for a short trip:
Food (Downtown)
~ Please note, reservations are highly encouraged and most of the time needed. Book them as early as you can! ~
Breakfast/Brunch
Miller’s All Day (walk-ins only, get there early!)
Church & Union (get the big A$$ brunch, you won’t be disappointed)
82 Queen (ask to sit on the patio in your reservation!)
Daps Breakfast and Imbibe
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Marina Variety Store
Harken Cafe
Lunch
Queen St Grocery (best sandwiches downtown!) sit on the patio outback.
Basic Kitchen (don’t let the vegan/veggie menu fool you)… this place is one of my top recommendations. Their Tempura Cauliflower is amazing, and so is basically everything on their menu. Also great for dinner!
Brown Dog Deli
Mason’s Lobster Rolls (is it a chain, yes. do they have the best lobster roll in town? also yes.)
Burbadges Grocery. Off the beaten path and the South of Broad locals are going to kill me but if you’re walking around the neighborhood and want a hotdog, this is your spot. Get the Charleston Dog… you won’t be disappointed.
Dinner:
S.N.O.B (Slightly North of Broad) go here for a special occasion and the live music!
Chez Nous (I borderline do not even want to mention this place because I’ll never get a reservation ever again. 11/10. Must go. Cozy, romantic, sitting inside or out is an experience. They change their menu everyday and only serve 6 items… only go if you are adventurous!)
High Cotton (where a scene in the Notebook is filmed!)
Poogan’s Porch (great for any meal, but I loved taking my mom here!)
The Bar/Patio at Husk (a hidden secret, no reservations needed but you get the full menu!)
Stella’s (Greek food for the win!)
Leon’s Oyster Bar (want oysters and fried chicken? this is your spot!)
The Ordinary (fancy and delicious)
Le Farfelle (want homemade pasta, and amazing Italian? Check this tucked away gem!)
Melfi’s (another Italian gem! I’ve heard the NYCers love it haha)
Shiki (best sushi downtown, very quaint and off the beaten path.)
Saffron’s Bakery (tired of the crowds? don’t have a reservation? want to sit on a patio and relax with amazing Indian food and pastries galore? you have come to the right place.)
Pink Bellies (ah-mazing Vietnamese spot that just opened!)
Drinks/Bar seating:
Amen Street Raw Bar (go for the oysters and a glass of wine!)
Bin 152 (My favorite place in the world. amazing wine, great cheese and chaccuterie selection.)
Vintage (great wine bar!)
Prohibition (great pre-dinner drinks but also a great night out!)
Uptown Social (if you want to reminisce on your college days)
Juanita Greenberg (is it a shit hole? yes. are the margs strong? yes. sit on the back patio for the coolest spot on King St.)
Citrus Club (for my bougie girls who want the best rooftop experience and don’t mind spending little cash)
Pearlz Oyster Bar (great and low key oyster bar with amazing gumbo and apps!)
Felix Cocktails (Paris in Charleston? You bet.)
The Darling Oyster Bar (Oysters…. oysters…. oysters.)
Henry’s on Market (great rooftop, and great music!)
Tobin’s Market (very tucked away, outdoor bar that has great small eats and always has a fun theme or live music happening!)
Treats:
Carmella’s Dessert Bar (if I could live here… I would. Get their boozy milkshakes and thank me later.)
Jeni’s Icecream (such amazing ice cream, they usually have a line!)
Peninsula Grill (a great steakhouse, but I always dream of their layered Coconut Cake. That and glass of champagne to end the night is never a bad idea!)
Activities
Shopping on King St. and the Historic Market (duh!) some of my favorite shops on King St are: Impeccable Pig, Madison Mathews, Croghan’s Jewelry Box (a must see!), Beau & Ro, Tiny Tassel, The Preservation Society Store (perfect for gifts and unique pieces!), and Charleston Shoe Co. When you’re at the Market, check out Henry’s for a rooftop like no other and the new Port of Call Food/Brew Hall!
Walking (pack some comfy shoes - seriously!) this seems like a simple activity but you will come to find that you can walk everywhere in Charleston and it is my favorite method of transportation. Great walks are: The Battery, Waterfront Park (where Pineapple fountain is located, and you can hit Rainbow Row along the way), East Bay St/City Market (has great restaurants, and art galleries, and be sure to check out the city market for unique little goodies by local artists.) Up and down the little alley ways and street.. my favorite to walk are Tradd St (where my first apartment was!), Legare St, Queen St, South Battery St!)
Shem Creek, (more on that later!)
The Beach! Charleston is unique in that you have many different beaches within a 20 min radius of downtown! My favorite is Isle of Palms (IOP) and Sullivan’s Island. IOP has a more touristy feel that has great amenities like being able to rent chairs/a ton of restaurants (and more readily available parking!) It is also dog friendly! Sullivan’s Island is more remote, has a few amazing restaurants that are more bougie… but definitely stop by the Co-Op for their famous frose if you go! I love Sullivan’s when I just want to relax, and read a book. Folly Beach is also a great option if you want a more lively bar and restaurant scene. I’ll give a full breakdown of places to eat/drink under “Shem Creek/Beach” section!
Breweries! Charleston has an awesome brewery scene. A bit higher from downtown, but you can walk to the best BBQ places and breweries because they are all next to each other! My faves are: Hometeam BBQ (great for day drinking, get the wings and their frozen drinks!), Lewis BBQ, Edmund’s Oast, Revelry Brewery, Container Bar are great places to grab a few beers and drinks!
Shem Creek/Beaches
Shem Creek, argueably my favorite part of town. There is no limit of fun to have here on the water whether you go for brunch, dinner, or to drink the night away.
Red’s Ale House. Food is great, drinks are better and the nightlife on the weekends is great especially when there is a live band 10/10 IMO!
Saltwater Cowboys. You’ll get a younger crowd here, and you might see a few Southern Charms celebs… it’s a great place and I love grabbing drinks there before I head to Red’s!
Tavern & Table. More bougie than the previous two, you’ll want to dress a bit nicer for this spot. It is amazing for brunch, definitely get the Shrimp & Grits… arguably my fave in the world
Muddy’s. If you are looking for a beer and a sunset on a picnic table, this is your spot. Nothing fancy but a good time all around. I love walking the boardwalk and then stopping for a beer.
The Boardwalk! Have an hour wait for a restaurant? Walk the boardwalk! It takes about 25 mins, and it is beautiful. Watch out for the dolphins and the yachts!
The Mill Street Tavern is a great spot for yummy diverse food, great drinks and a beautiful sunset on the rooftop!
Post House Inn is technically Mount Pleasant… but it’s close enough to Shem that you could walk if you wanted to on a nice day! It’s an adorable Inn with a great restaurant/bar with a patio attached. One of the most picture perfect spots in all of Charleston with delicious out of the box food and fun drinks!
The Beaches (IOP and Sullivan’s)
Papi’s Taqueria
Coconut Joes (go for the Pina Coladas, stay for the view!)
Dinghy’s (perfect spot to get some shade, a beer and a wrap which are the best!)
ACME Lowcountry Kitchen (go, get everything on the menu plus a speciality Bloody Mary… thank me later)
Co-Op (get the rose flight or one for the road!)
Mex 1 Taqueria
Poe’s Tavern (the burgers are the best, and my boyfriend’s fave in the world)
Longboard (oysters, oysters, and more oysters)
Where to Stay
Full disclosure, I have never stayed at a “hotel” in Charleston, only because I always had a residence or AirBnB (my fave option). However, based on my friend’s reccomendations here are the best, but not only, options! Hotels and B&Bs are in abundance!
Charming Charleston Rentals - Maxine is the best host, and I love staying with her! All of her properties are centrally located. I stayed at the Tradd St. apartment linked here. Great option for longer stays! Follow her Charmingly Charleston instagram for most info and local guides!
The Dewberry (for my bougie ladies, or a high end getaway)
Hotel Bennett (another bougie option… if you want to be IN on the action, this is the hotel for you, directly on King St., they have a great spa and pool!)
The Venue (I love this option. You’re in East Bay which is right by the water, and they have a great rooftop bar!)
Indigo Inn (Cute and quaint!)
Emelie (my friends have loved this hotel, very centrally located and they have a great restaurant Frannie & the Fox)
The Mills House (quintessential Charleston, it is pink… it has a pool… perfection!)
20 South Battery (tbh if I only had a few days in Charleston and I had the money I would be staying here, no questions asked. A newly renovated house on the Battery? Say. Less.)
John Rutledge House Inn (Another top contender of a place I’d love to stay! Gorgeous old house that is classic Charleston)
The Elliott House Inn (A smaller inn, but near a bunch of great resturants and right off of King St!)
Shem Creek Inn (Rather be near Shem? This is the spot. You are literally on the boardwalk and you have a pool!) I love this idea for a family or group that wants to be right between downtown and the beach!)
