charleston food

Charleston, SC

Charleston is a gorgeous southern city with the best of both worlds: a fun downtown and the beach!

CHS Tips: 

  • As with anywhere in the deep south, it is HOT in the summer, so plan ahead (or visit between September-May)

  • If you're planning a trip check out my bestie's amazing business to help you celebrate any occasion! Girls weekends, birthdays, engagements, whatever it may be, she will help plan your perfect experience!

Adventures & Ales Top Charleston Recommendations: 

  • The Whale: A fantastic craft beer bar with great taps and a cans/bottles to choose from. It is beautifully designed and has both indoor and outdoor seating.

  • Westbrook Brewing: A large brewery a bit outside the hustle and bustle in Mt Pleasant. They have a large variety of tasty beers, specifically their Stouts!

  • Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company: Edmund’s Oast has two locations in Charleston—the brewery and the restaurant Both are great spots—they have chill vibes, nice patios, a wide array of taps, and tasty eats.

  • Wine & Company: Seriously the best cheese plates I've ever had in my life (& I’ve had a lot of cheese plates). They have an extensive wine selection and a can/bottle list with select beers!

  • Taco Boy: A fun Mexican restaurant with three locations—one on Folly Beach, one in downtown CHS, and one in Summerville. Get the Frozen Screwdriver, you won’t regret it!

  • Folly Beach: A large beach and a cute strip of bars and restaurants—a great place to spend a day!

  • Lewis Barbecue: A delicious spot for eats and drinks! They have a nice patio and very popular BBQ alongside superb sides and nachos.

  • Revelry Brewing: Such a fun brewery with a rooftop and a wide variety of beers for every palate

  • Brown Dog Deli: Mouthwatering sandwiches! Pro Tip: Grab a sandwich to go and eat it on the waterfront just a few blocks away

  • The rooftop bar at Stars: a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and relax with a cocktail. Conveniently located right on King Street

  • Baker and Brewer: From Evo Pizza and Holy City Brewing, this pizzeria and brewery has phenomenal pizzas and delicious beers! They also have nice outdoor seating options.

  • Bowens Island Restaurant: A fantastic spot for fresh-off-the-boat seafood with lovely views and chill vibes! Get here early to avoid the line.

  • Bodega: Such a cute spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch. They have great indoor/outdoor seating and are in the heart of downtown.

Magnolia Plantation

The Classic Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting in Charleston: ​

  • King Street: You could wander up and down King Street for hours on end popping into shops, restaurants, bars, and people watching

  • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: Gorgeous grounds and a lot of history to soak in

  • College of Charleston: A beautiful campus in the heart of downtown, it is definitely worth wandering through!

  • Charleston City Market: Historical site filled with several shops full of good finds

  • Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens: Gorgeous grounds & a ton of history

  • The Battery: The park at the end of the peninsula on the water—a perfect spot for a picnic!

  • Rainbow Row: Just a quick stop, but the houses are gorgeous! 

  • Firefly Distillery: An awesome Firefly spirits tasting experience alongside fun cocktails and frequent live music and events!

Wine & Company

Wine & Company

Other Things to do in Charleston: ​​​

  • Sullivan's Island: Another beautiful beach!

  • Low Tide Brewing: Located on John’s Island, this brewery has a variety of beers and a great outdoor space

  • Charles Towne Fermentory: A brewery with solid IPAs in West Ashley. They’ve also got a food window and board games!

  • Graft: A cute wine shop and wine bar that also has a small food menu

  • Home Team BBQ: A delicious BBQ restaurant with locations downtown, in West Ashley, and on Sullivan’s Island. Their famous cocktail The Frozen Game Changer is delicious!

  • Leon’s Oyster Shop: A fun restaurant set in an old garage specializing in fried chicken, oysters, and unique drinks.

    • Pro-tip: You can only make a reservation if you party is larger than 6, so if there is a long-ish wait, head around the corner to Graft for a glass of wine while you wait!

  • Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: A delicious biscuit shop located both on Upper King Street and in the City Market.

  • Five Loaves Café: A tasty spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. They have locations in Mt. Pleasant and Summerville!

  • The rooftop bar at the Vendue Hotel: Another great rooftop, highly recommend when it is dark outside so you can admire the well lit Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

  • Frothy Beard Brewing: Tonssss of beers on tap here. Located in the West Ashley neighborhood.

  • Azul: A solid spot for Mexican eats with multiple locations around town!

  • Charles Town Landing: ​The original Charleston. Lots of history, lots of beautiful outdoor space

  • Brunch at Shelter: cheap carafes of mimosas and a deep fried peanut butter french toast…. need I say more?

  • Freehouse Brewery: Organic brewery in a scenic setting on the Ashley River. Very chill vibes

  • Holy City Brewing: Solid beers, full food menu, and a large space.

  • LoFi Brewing: A warehouse style brewery with a small tap list but solid brews!

  • Ghost Monkey Brewing: Classic taproom vibes with a variety of beers available

  • Fort Sumter: For the history geek, be sure to check out this famous battle site 

  • Munkle Brewing: Belgian-style brewery with Trappist beers

  • Kudu: A nice spot for coffee and craft beer just off a King Street.

  • Palmetto Brewing Co: Solid beers and nice patio seating with frequent food trucks

  • Pawley’s Island Brewing: A small brewery with solid beers—close to Freehouse Brewery

  • Rusty Bull Brewing: A fun brewery in North Charleston with ax throwing connected to it as well!

  • Tradesman Brewing: A brewery with extremely unique beers and an abundance of outdoor seating

  • Isle of Palms is another great beach to check out! There is less parking and it’s a little less built up than the other beaches but still a gorgeous beach!

  • Kiawah Island is less crowded than Folly, Sullivan’s, or IOP, but it is also a longer drive from downtown. If you’re up for the hike it’s definitely more peaceful!

    • Seabrook Island is located right next to Kiawah but it is a gated community—you have to have a pass to access the island or any of the beaches.