Alyssa & Colin
Alyssa & Colin
After almost 7 years in one of the south's best food towns, we have tried some of Charleston's top cuisine! We put together a guide to all our favorite spots in town (and this is only a very small chunk of what the city has to offer!).
Scroll to the bottom of this page for more restaurants broken down by category, along with activities/things to do in town.
Our go-to date night spots
Pink Cactus
A quaint, laid back Oaxacan-style mexican joint that never disappoints. Do yourself a favor and get the trio (chips + salsa + guacamole) with one of their delicious cocktails.
Our favorite cocktails are the Pink Cactus Water and the Mezcal Margarita!
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
One of the few true waterfront dining restaurants in downtown, Fleet Landing gives you great views and fresh seafood. They're open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
We recommend making a reservation, especially for nights and weekends.
Chubby Fish
Chubby Fish is one of our favorite restaurants downtown. They don't take reservations, but if you want a spot for dinner, you'll need to show up around 4:30 PM to put your name down. Or, download the app, "Task Rabbit" and have someone else wait in line for you for a small fee while you're busy building up an appetite and exploring Charleston.
Eating dinner here is always a five star experience. And since you can't go wrong with anything, we recommend just letting the waiter / waitress order for you.
Maya
An elevated Mexican eatery that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with a coastal twist. The menu changes frequently, but we never leave without ordering some tacos.
Highly recommend sitting out on the open-air patio!
Fuji Sushi Upper King
A laid-back Japanese restaurant with a variety of signature sushi rolls and hibachi entrees. Another great dinner spot that includes a rooftop to enjoy a cocktail while you watch the sunset!
Some other favorites
1) Bowen's Island (James Island / Folly)
4) Vern's
5) Angel Oak Restaurant (Johns Island)
8) Southbound
13) Home Team BBQ
More Restaurants and Bars, By Category:
1) Coffee & Breakfast, 2) Rooftops, & 3) Bars & Breweries
1) Coffee & Breakfast
2) The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
6) The Daily
7) Harken Cafe
8) Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
(* Photo above: Marina Variety Store; this is walking distance from the room block hotel.)
2) Rooftops
2) Citrus Club
(on top of The Dewberry)
3) Little Palm at the Ryder Hotel
5) The Watch
(on top of The Restoration Hotel)
(on top of the Market Pavilion Hotel)
(on top of the Grand Bohemian Hotel)
9) Ritual
11) Charleston Harbor Fish House
12) The Loutrel
(Photo above: Little Palm at the Ryder Hotel)
3) Bars & Breweries
1) Last Saint
(You'll want to check out the Annex @ Last Saint located behind the yellow door in the very back!)
2) Palace Hotel
3) The Brick
10) Frothy Beard (West Ashley)
11) Red Palm Tavern
12) Blind Tiger Pub
14) Salty Mike's
15) The Gin Joint
things to do
1) A day at Shem Creek: you can build up an appetite by kayaking, biking, fishing or walking around before settling in at one of their outdoor restaurants just in time to watch the sun set over the water.
5) Sail around the harbor on the Palmetto Breeze
6) Visit the Angel Oak tree
7) Walk the Battery and Rainbow Row
9) Morris Island Lighthouse (Folly Beach)
11) Charleston Farmer's Market (Saturdays 8:00am - 2:00pm)