A Foodie’s Guide to Charleston: The Hello Team’s Favorite Eateries
Charleston, South Carolina, is a culinary paradise where Southern charm meets innovative flavors, creating a dining scene that’s as vibrant as the city’s historic cobblestone streets. From cozy hidden gems to bustling seafood shacks, the Holy City offers a feast for every palate. The Hello Team has scoured Charleston to bring you our top picks for unforgettable meals and drinks, categorized by dining experience. Whether you’re craving a decadent brunch, a quick yet delicious bite, a fine dining experience, or a perfectly crafted cocktail, our guide has you covered. Join us as we dish on the eateries and bars that make Charleston a foodie’s dream destination, now with even more favorites to explore.
Brunch Is Always A Good Idea
Start your day with Charleston’s unbeatable brunch scene, where bold flavors and creative dishes set the tone for a perfect morning.
Millers All Day: A King Street staple, this all-day breakfast spot serves creative biscuits and their famous “unicorn” grits, paired with craft cocktails like The Remedy, a vodka-based elderflower delight. It’s a nostalgic yet modern brunch haven.
Beautiful South By Kwei Fei: Sunday’s offer an extensive dim sum menu from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dim sum menu items include turnip cakes, Hong-Kong style French toast, Taiwanese custard powder chicken wings and more.
Vicious Biscuit: A must try menu item - The namesake: Vicious, a cheddar jalapeño biscuit, crispy fried chicken, maple sausage gravy, cowboy candy, maple syrup drizzle.
Red Drum: Their shrimp and grits, featuring plump shrimp over creamy, stone-ground grits with a spicy tomato gravy, is a brunch standout for its bold Southern flavors.
Big Bad Breakfast: On King Street, this spot serves hearty Southern breakfasts like the Lowcountry skillet with shrimp, andouille, and cheese grits, delivering big flavors in a casual vibe.
Harbinger Cafe: The avocado toast, topped with local heirloom tomatoes and a sunny-side-up egg on house-baked sourdough, is a fresh, plant-forward brunch favorite in a cozy, eclectic setting.
Cozy Coffee Shops
Metto Coffee & Tea: Their honey latte is a must try! Paired with their house made Nutella pop tart - making for the perfect combination!
Harbinger Cafe: The chai latte, spiced and creamy, pairs beautifully with their house-made vegan pastries in a plant-filled, eco-conscious setting.
Brown Fox Coffee: Their nitro cold brew, smooth and bold, is a standout in a sleek, modern shop with a focus on sustainability and local roasts.
Mercantile & Mash: The iced lavender latte, enjoyed in a spacious, industrial-chic market with gourmet pastries and charcuterie, makes for a perfect all-day caffeine stop.
Casual Bites & Hidden Gems
For those laid-back meals or unexpected finds, these spots deliver big flavors in relaxed settings.
Mozzo: This deli shines all day—grab a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on an everything bagel for breakfast or a warm Chicken Caesar Wrap for lunch.
Nick’s German Kitchen: The schnitzel sandwich, served with crispy breaded pork and tangy mustard on a pretzel bun, is a hearty crowd-pleaser.
Tattooed Moose: The Lowcountry Cuban, packed with slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles, is a must-try for its rich, savory profile.
Revelry Brewery: Pair their Never Sunny New England IPA with the food truck offerings, often featuring local tacos or sliders, for a laid-back rooftop vibe.
Tutti Pizza: The Margherita pizza, with its thin, crispy crust and fresh basil, delivers simple, authentic Italian flavors.
Island Cabana Bar: The fish tacos, loaded with fresh catch and zesty slaw, are perfect for a casual beachside bite.
Edmond’s Oast Outdoor Bar: The spicy pimento cheese dip and fried shrimp, with a creamy, fiery kick and crispy batter, are irresistible bar snacks.
Cramer’s Kitchen: Their ever-evolving seasonal tasting menu, featuring 5+ courses of locally sourced Lowcountry seafood and Southern-inspired dishes, offers a unique, chef-driven experience.
Seafood Heaven
Charleston’s coastal location means seafood is a must, and these eateries showcase the freshest catches.
167 Raw: The Lobster Roll is a fan favorite, packed with succulent lobster in a buttery bun. Their Guacamole and Chips, 10 Hour Pork Carnitas Taco, and the Best Margarita in Town make this spot a must-visit. Pro tip: Join the waitlist early, stroll downtown, and return for your table.
Leon’s Oyster Shop: Their raw bar, featuring pristine local oysters, Crispy Fried Shrimp Roll, and the fried shrimp po’boy, piled high with crispy shrimp and zesty remoulade on a soft roll, are iconic for their fresh, flavorful simplicity.
High Thyme Cuisine: The crab-stuffed flounder, drizzled with a lemon beurre blanc, showcases fresh, delicate seafood flavors.
Grace & Grit: Their signature grit flight, featuring a trio of unique grit varieties like smoked gouda and roasted corn, paired with the indulgent fried oysters Rockefeller topped with creamy spinach and bacon, is a Lowcountry treasure. One of our favorite cocktails - The Honeysuckle Martini.
Sullivan’s Fish Camp: The grilled swordfish, served with a citrus herb sauce, highlights the island’s fresh catch.
The Ordinary: The seared scallops, perfectly caramelized with a buttery finish, are a luxurious treat.
SNOB (Slightly North of Broad): Their pan-seared scallops, served with a delicate citrus beurre blanc, are a refined highlight of Lowcountry seafood.
Italian & Comfort Classics
When you’re craving pasta, pizza, or soul-warming dishes, these restaurants deliver.
Obstinate Daughter: The Radiatore alla Vodka is creamy perfection, while the Faro and Brussels and Rutledge Pizza offer bold, shareable flavors.
Wild Olive: The house-made gnocchi with braised short rib ragu is a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth dish.
Savi Cucina + Wine Bar: The eggplant parmesan, with its crispy breading and rich marinara, is a vegetarian delight that rivals any meat dish. Another crowd pleaser is their signature SAVI meatballs.
Evo Pizzeria: The pistachio pesto pizza, topped with creamy burrata, offers a unique, nutty twist on classic pizza. Pair with one of their amazing salads.
Barbecue Bliss
Charleston’s Southern roots shine through in these dishes, elevated with modern flair.
Rodney Scott’s BBQ: The family value packs, paired with standout sides like collard greens and baked beans, offer a feast of smoky, soulful flavors.
Melvin’s BBQ: The pulled pork sandwich, topped with their signature golden mustard sauce, is a Lowcountry classic.
Home Team BBQ: The BBQ nachos and smoked wings, tossed in Alabama white sauce, are addictive game-day favorites.
Lewis BBQ: Their Green Chile Corn Casserole is a smoky, cheesy side that steals the show.
Palmira Barbecue: Palmira blends Texas and Carolina BBQ styles with Puerto Rican influences, with buttery beef cheeks as a must-try.
Ethnic Picks
Spiced Palate: An Indian Cuisine Gem - The lamb biryani, fragrant with saffron and layered with tender meat, is a vibrant Indian standout.
Pink Bellies: One of our favorite Vietnamese Restaurants. Order the garlic noodle bowl with crispy pork belly delivers bold Vietnamese flavors in every bite.
Basil: The pad see ew, with its wide rice noodles stir-fried in a savory soy sauce, and the pad thai, with its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, are Thai classics that shine.
El Pincho Taco: The al pastor taco, with pineapple-marinated pork and fresh cilantro, brings authentic Mexican street food to Charleston.
Sweet Endings
No culinary journey through Charleston is complete without indulging in its decadent desserts. From towering cakes to innovative puddings, the Holy City’s sweet offerings are as rich in flavor as they are in history.
Sorelle: The tiramisu, layered with espresso-soaked cake and mascarpone, is a decadent Italian-inspired treat. Sorelle’s Limone, featuring whipped ricotta with Coosaw Farms blueberries and graham cracker crumbs, offer a decadent and refreshing Italian-inspired duo.
Red Drum: Their warm, sugar-dusted donuts, served with a berry compote, are a brunch dessert highlight.
Off Track Ice Cream: The cookies and cream ice cream, churned with house-made Oreo crumbles, is a creamy, nostalgic delight.
Christophe Chocolatier: The dark chocolate truffles, handcrafted with rich ganache, are a luxurious bite-sized indulgence.
Kudzu Bakery: The oatmeal cookies, chewy with a hint of cinnamon and packed with plump raisins, are a comforting Southern classic.
Carmela’s: Carmela’s, a beloved dessert bar in downtown Charleston, is famous for its authentic Italian sweets, with their cannoli stealing the show. These delectable treats feature crisp, flaky shells filled with creamy, perfectly sweetened ricotta, often garnished with chocolate chips or pistachios. A favorite among locals and visitors alike, the cannoli at Carmela’s brings a taste of Italy to the Holy City.
Page’s Okra Grill: A Mount Pleasant gem, famous Key Lime Pie and Banana Pudding.
Craft Cocktails
Charleston’s cocktail scene is a vibrant blend of history, creativity, and Southern hospitality, with bars that elevate mixology to an art form.
The Gin Joint: A pioneer in Charleston’s cocktail renaissance, this cozy speakeasy on East Bay Street is known for its “Bartender’s Choice” option, where you select two flavor profiles, and mixologists craft a bespoke drink. Their Smoldering Manhattan, featuring Madeira and smoky notes, pays homage to Charleston’s historic fortified wine and is a crowd favorite.
Camellias: Located at Hotel Bennett on King Street, Camellias, often called the Pink Room, is Charleston’s premier champagne cocktail lounge, famous for its opulent pink-on-pink decor inspired by Fabergé jewels. Their signature Princess cocktail, a champagne-based drink with St-Germain, lemon, and lavender, is a refreshing and elegant choice that complements the bar’s luxurious ambiance.
Zachary’s Daiquiris: The South of Broad daiquiri, a frozen blend of rum, citrus, and tropical fruit, offers a refreshing, Charleston-inspired sip with a vibrant, coastal vibe.
Citrus Club: Perched atop The Dewberry Hotel, Citrus Club offers Charleston’s highest public rooftop views alongside tropical-inspired cocktails. Their Garden Mojito, made with basil eau de vie, vodka, Italicus Bergamot Liqueur, mint, and lime, is a vibrant, crushable drink perfect for soaking in the city’s skyline.
Lenoir: On Coming Street, Lenoir’s bar program shines with Southern-inspired cocktails like the Lowcountry Negroni, featuring bourbon and local bitters, in a cozy, eclectic setting.
Little Palm: At The Ryder Hotel, this retro poolside bar serves tropical cocktails like the Paloma with fresh grapefruit and hibiscus, offering a vibrant, Instagram-worthy vibe.
