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Charleston, SC: A Roadmap
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items A mix of my personal favorites and some of the city’s most highly recommended spots. From brunches and coffee runs to beach days, seafood, and pretty places to wander, it’s all here. If you hit a few of these, you’ll get the full Charleston experienc...
Map
Sections
7
Brunch
Coffee
Lunch
Seafood
Dinner
Sweets
Brunch
A mix of fancy and casual for the best brunch spots in town
My favorite brunch spot in Charleston. It’s got a really fun atmosphere. It’s a gorgeous space and the food is so good. Perfect for a longer, “let’s sit and enjoy” kind of brunch.
Frannie & The Fox
Trendy spot right in the middle of downtown. It’s in an old church, so the atmosphere is super cool, and the food is just as good as the setting. Definitely more of a “make a whole outing of it” kind of brunch.
Church and Union Charleston
It’s a great place if you want something a little quieter and more low-key than the downtown scene, but still just as delicious. The food is fresh and really well done. Elevated takes on Southern classics.
Post House
Casual, laid-back café vibe with really good coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. Perfect for a quick bite before heading out for the day, or if you just want something easy and not a full sit-down brunch.
Island Provisions
One of Charleston’s most popular brunch spots. They serve breakfast all day and are especially known for their biscuits and pancakes. The vibe is casual, so it works if you just want something light, but you can also go all in with a full brunch
Millers All Day
The menu leans a little healthier, but still super flavorful. Creative twists on brunch classics. It’s a good pick if you want something lighter and fresh, but still in a pretty, sit-down setting.
Park & Grove
A Charleston staple. Tiny, grab-and-go style spot that’s all about the biscuits. It’s quick, casual, and perfect if you’re wandering around downtown and want something easy
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
Coffee
Some of my favorite coffee spots!! (Good for brunch too)
In the same building as Frannie & The Fox, so it’s super convenient if you want to try both. Their iced lavender latte is a favorite, but honestly everything’s good
Clerks Coffee Company
Trendy café with really good coffee and a strong food menu (their breakfast sandwiches are a big deal). Known for their iced honey latte, which is kind of a Charleston favorite. It’s a little busier since it’s popular, but definitely worth it for the...
The Daily Cafe - King St
Italian café/market hybrid with a really cool, European vibe. Great spot to grab a coffee and a pastry if you want something quick but still elevated. They’re especially known for their affogatos which are sooo good
Sorelle Mercato
Cozy little café tucked away downtown with a super charming, almost European feel. It’s small, so more of a “slow morning” stop than a grab-and-go, but the vibe makes it worth it.
Harken Cafe
A Charleston fav! Great for a quick stop or to just sit outside and people-watch.
Babas
Relaxed, family-friendly spot over in Mount Pleasant. It’s got a beachy, coastal vibe and a big outdoor area that’s perfect if the weather’s nice. Known for their cold brews and fun seasonal lattes, plus a solid food menu if you want more than just c...
Vintage Coffee Cafe
Super casual, surfer-y spot with a drive thru. Perfect if you’re on the go heading to the beach. Known for their fun flavored lattes (the honey lavender and salted caramel are local favorites). It’s quick, easy, and has that laid-back coastal vibe.
Point Break Coffee & Drive Thru
Half coffee shop, half vintage store, so you can sip while you shop. It’s got a quirky, eclectic vibe and feels very local. It’s a fun stop if you want something different than your standard café.
Herbert’s Vintage & Coffee
Lunch
Great lunch spots (can also double as dinner spots)
Cool little neighborhood sandwich shop with a creative menu. The bread is baked fresh and makes the sandwiches next level. It’s casual, order-at-the-counter style, and perfect if you want something quick
Berkeley's
Laid-back, island-style spot on Sullivan’s Island, great for a beach day lunch. The menu leans coastal and fresh, with things like poke bowls, ceviche etc. It’s casual but stylish, and the vibe feels very vacation-y. Perfect if they want to grab lunc...
The Longboard
Super casual sandwich shop near the College of Charleston. Known for their pressed paninis and wraps, big portions, fresh ingredients, and really affordable compared to most downtown spots. Perfect if you want a quick, easy lunch
Circe's Grotto
One of Charleston’s go-to lunch spots. Super casual but always packed because the food is that good. They’re famous for their fried chicken and chargrilled oysters (kind of a must-order). The vibe is laid-back! Great stop if you want something that f...
Leon's
Waterfront spot over in Mount Pleasant with a gorgeous view of Shem Creek. The menu mixes Southern comfort with coastal favorites (their crab dip is super popular). It’s a little more of an “experience” spot where you’ll want to sit, relax, and enjoy...
Tavern & Table
Seafood
Some of Charleston’s most highly recommended seafood!
One of the most popular seafood spots in Charleston, expect a wait, but it’s worth it. Known for super fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and fish tacos. The space is small and always buzzing, so it feels more lively than sit-and-linger, but the food is t...
167 Raw Oyster Bar
Upscale seafood spot set in an old bank building, so the space is really cool and dramatic with high ceilings. Known for their raw bar, oysters, clams, crudo, and creative seafood dishes that feel a little more elevated. Definitely more of a “nice di...
The Ordinary
A Charleston classic and super popular with visitors. It’s definitely more on the touristy side, but it’s fun if you want that “classic Charleston seafood feast” experience.
Hyman's Seafood
Laid-back spot right on Shem Creek with one of the best waterfront views. The vibe is casual and fun. Think buckets of seafood and BBQ while you watch boats go by (and maybe spot dolphins)
Saltwater Cowboys
Cool, retro-inspired seafood spot right on Sullivan’s Island. It’s fun and laid-back but with really fresh seafood. Great place to hit after a beach day since it’s just steps from the ocean. The vibe feels very “beach town casual”
Sullivan's Fish Camp
Fun, casual spot in North Charleston that mixes Lowcountry seafood with Louisiana flair. Po’boys, gumbo, crawfish boils, and all the classics with a Cajun kick. It feels more like a local hangout than a polished downtown spot
LoLA
Dinner
Some fancier dinner spots with a couple casuals mixed in
One of my personal favorites. It’s right on the water at Daniel Island, so the views are gorgeous and make it feel like a little getaway. The menu is seafood-focused but elevated. Definitely more of a “special night out” spot.
The Kingstide
French bistro vibes but with a Charleston twist. The space is small, stylish, and feels very Parisian, and the menu leans French classics with super fresh, seasonal ingredients. Definitely a more intimate, date-night kind of dinner spot. Great if you...
Maison
One of Charleston’s hottest new spots and definitely more on the upscale side. It’s Italian and everything feels really elevated. The space itself is beautiful too, so it’s a whole experience, not just dinner. Perfect if you want a “dress up and make...
Sorelle
Bright, modern Italian spot downtown that’s known for its fresh pasta. The atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming, so it works for either a casual dinner or something a little more dressed up. The pastas are definitely the highlight, especially th...
Le Farfalle
Super popular dinner spot on Sullivan’s Island with a cozy, coastal vibe. The pasta is the star here, homemade, super fresh, and some of the best you’ll find in Charleston. They also do great wood-fired pizzas and seafood, but definitely go for at le...
The Obstinate Daughter
Sweets
Such a Charleston hotspot. If you feel like you just need to see it, go for dessert!
Camellias | Hotel Bennett Charleston
The original Carmella’s - worth looking at for dessert!
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar
Things to do
My favorite places to go in CHS
One of my favorite spots in the Charleston. It’s right under the bridge with gorgeous views of the water and skyline. There’s a big pier you can walk out on, swings along the waterfront, and plenty of space to just relax
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Best beach by far!!! Wide, clean, and way less crowded than Folly or Isle of Palms, so it feels super laid-back. Plus, you can walk right off the sand to great restaurants and bars like The Obstinate Daughter or Sullivan’s Fish Camp
Sullivan's Island
A Charleston must-see. It’s a waterfront promenade lined with huge historic homes, old cannons, and massive oak trees. Super pretty for a walk, especially around sunset when the light hits the water. It’s more of a sightseeing stroll than an activity...
The Battery
Such a fun way to see Charleston from the water. It runs between downtown and Daniel Island, so you get the boat ride and the chance to check out restaurants right on the water like The Kingstide. Super scenic, relaxed, and way more fun than just dri...
Daniel Island Ferry
Probably the most iconic spot in Charleston. It’s a stretch of brightly colored historic homes right along the waterfront, super pretty and perfect for photos. It’s a quick stop (you don’t need a ton of time here), but it’s one of those “you have to ...
Rainbow Row
Right by where they’ll be staying in Waterfront Park. Super iconic and a fun little stop. It’s pretty both day and night (the fountain lights up after dark), and the whole park is a nice spot to walk around or sit by the water.
Pineapple Fountain