The Top Places to Eat in the Holy City
Charleston’s food scene is a perfect combination of old Lowcountry cuisine and modern dishes. From classic Southern dishes to fresh seafood, there is something for everyone. Here are my favorite places from my recent Charleston trip and what I loved about each place (and dish).
The Brick
A favorite neighborhood tavern with locals and tourists alike, The Brick is a great place to listen to live music, watch live sports, drink with your buddies, and play bar games on the patio. There are a bunch of different places to sit; from the bar stools and high tables balanced on wine barrels to square tables and outdoor seating. The Brick is also decorated with tons of sport memorabilia and signs - the bathroom signs are incredibly funny. I had a late lunch, so I wasn’t visiting during peak hours, but I could tell that this would be a fun place to hang out with friends and watch a game (or two).
What I Ordered: I got the Brick dog, an all-beef frank, with fries. The hot dog was savory and a bit smoky, and the fries were crispy and not too thick - just the way I like them!
Restaurant Information
📅 Open daily 11am - 2am.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits
When you think of Southern food, one of the things that undoubtedly comes to mind are biscuits. Soft, buttery, and flaky, biscuits are beloved by millions in the U.S. and the world. So naturally, I had to get some hot and fresh while I was in Charleston. While researching where to get the best biscuits, Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits kept popping up and boy, I’m glad I tried them. I visited their flagship location (Upper King Street) and it’s such a cute little shop. Seating is at a premium though, so I recommend getting their early if you want to sit while you eat.
Callie’s Hot little Biscuits was founded over 20 years ago by Carrie Morey. Her dream was to bring the delectable handmade biscuits of her mother to people across the U.S. Since then, Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits has become a iconic Southern brand with grab-and-go cafes in Charleston, devoted fans around the U.S., and exposure in grocery stores like Whole Foods, Publix, and Harris Teeter. You can also order biscuits and some of the mixes from their online store.
What I Ordered: I ordered the You-Pick-3 box with my choice of biscuits being Buttermilk, Cinnamon, and Shortcake. All 3 were delicious, it was a tie between the buttermilk and cinnamon biscuit; I just can’t choose.
Upper King Street Location
📅 Open daily 8am - 2pm.
Meeting Street Location
📅 Open daily 8am - 5:30pm.
Carmella's Café & Dessert Bar
If you’re in the mood for tasty treats and delectable drinks, you have to try Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar. While the restaurant does offer sandwiches and artisanal pizza (which is pretty good by the way), Carmella’s is known for its smooth gelato, cool sorbet, mouthwatering desserts, and fresh, locally roasted coffee. There is no shortage of desserts to choose from including chocolate peanut butter cake and tiramisu, to cannolis and black bottom macaroons.
The shop’s atmosphere is chic, yet laid-back. It’s the perfect place to meet up with a small group of friends as it is a lively little place. When I went, there were quite a few people, but even so, the staff were fast and efficient, taking orders and serving dishes more quickly than I anticipated. If I lived in Charleston, I would definitely make this one of my go-to cafes.
What I Ordered: In addition to the pepperoni pizza, I got the chocolate gelato and it was so good! Rich, cold, and decadent, it was the perfect treat for a humid Southern afternoon.
Restaurant Information
📅 Open daily from 8am - 12am.
Island Provisions
Island Provisions is a cute, neighborhood market with two locations in the Charleston area. The cafe is all about healthy, wholesome foods, exquisite coffee, friendly service, and an active atmosphere. Island Provisions offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options, including bagels, pastries, toasts, sandwiches, and smoothies. The John’s Island location does not have a ton of tables, but they do have a bar-type counter and outdoor patio seating. It would be a nice place to work remotely.
What I Ordered: I got the BLT sandwich with sea salt chips. The bacon was crispy, the lettuce and tomatoes were fresh, and the bread was toasted perfectly. A perfect fresh lunch
John’s Island Information
📅 Open Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm, Saturday 8am - 6pm, & Sunday 8am - 4pm.
Downtown Charleston Information
📅 Open Monday - Friday 7am - 6pm & Saturday - Sunday 8am - 7pm.
La Pâtisserie
If you’re a pastry lover, you have to visit La Pâtisserie, a Parisan cafe located in the iconic Hotel Bennett. The vision of renowned French Pastry Chef and 2024 James Beard Award nominee, Rémy Fünfrock, La Pâtisserie serves freshly roasted coffee, homemade pastries, and savory sandwiches. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy artisanal bread, sweet delicacies, and flavorful sides. The cafe is great for dining in or on-the-go with lots of comfortable seating, both inside and out. With a light and airy feel, this chic cafe is perfect for meeting with family and friends.
What I Ordered: I had a busy morning planned so I was in and out, grabbing a blueberry muffin as my pastry of choice. It was warm and decadent, the perfect snack to eat while walking around downtown Charleston.
Restaurant Information
📅 Open daily 7am - 8pm.
Poe’s Tavern
Poe’s Tavern is a charming cottage restaurant with food and decor dedicated to enigmatic author Edgar Allan Poe. In 1827, Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie as a 18-year-old private in the U.S. Army. Later on, Poe would use Sullivan’s Island as the setting for “The Gold-Bug”, a short story about a mystical golden beetle who could be used to locate a pirate treasure chest filled with jewelry and coins. During his lifetime, Poe wrote many incredible works such as “The Raven” and “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and is considered one of the quintessential American authors.
Poe’s Tavern opened in 2003 on Sullivan’s Island, a beautiful, laid-back small town just southwest of Charleston. The restaurant is housed in a cozy 1920s cottage and is decorated floor to ceiling in Edgar Allan Poe decor and memorabilia - even the walls in the bathroom are covered in pages of Poe’s works. It is a lively, eccentric little place that I loved. The staff were attentive and efficient, and of course the food was wonderful.
What I Ordered: I got the grilled marinated chicken quesadillas that came with guacamole, pico de gallo, and chipotle sour cream. This was easily my favorite meal - the chicken was perfectly grilled, the cheese was gooey, the tortillas were soft, and the toppings were tasty. If I lived in Charleston, I would definitely make Poe’s Tavern one of my go-to restaurants.
Restaurant Information
📅 Open daily 11am - 10pm.
Toast! All Day
Since opening in 2005, Toast! All Day Restaurant has been hailed as a must-eat by the NY Times and voted best breakfast in South Carolina. Toast! prides themselves on their food being southern, fresh, and homemade. They have four locations across the Charleston area. I went to the one on Meeting Street and it was the cutest little restaurant. Tucked into a historic building, Toast! is a colorful and lively space with lots of seating options including outdoor patio seating, a cozy bar, and plenty of tables and booths.
This was one of my favorite restaurants that I visited during my trip to Charleston. Not just for the mouthwatering food, but the excellent customer service. My server was incredibly welcoming and attentive, and she was always checking up on me.
What I Ordered: I ordered the Belgian waffle and bacon. It was fluffy, sweet, and incredibly delicious.
King Street Location
📅 Open daily 7am - 3pm.
Meeting Street Location
📅 Open daily 6am - 3pm.
Mt. Pleasant Location
📅 Open daily 7am - 3pm.
West Ashley Location
📅 Open daily 7am - 3pm.
Turbo Cone
What I Ordered: I got the chocolate soft serve ice cream on a waffle cone.
Restaurant Information
📅 Open daily 12pm - 10pm.
Happy travels!