Great Restaurants in Charleston
Great Restaurants in Charleston
It is fitting that a city with as much charm and history as Charleston has a tantalizing array of restaurants to satisfy every taste and craving. From steak to seafood and from old world comfort to twenty-first century, innovative design, the eateries here serve the finest, world-class cuisine in the most visitor-friendly environs in the country.
Creating a list of great restaurants in Charleston is not difficult. Trimming such a list, however, becomes a daunting task when realizing that there are dozens of top-tier establishments in this incredible city -- just too many to include in this space.
With that said, here are ten irresistible options for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner:
Dinner
Peninsula Grille - at the Planter's Inn, 112 N. Market Street, 843-723-0700 or 800-845-7082, Sunday to Thursday - 5:30 to 10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday - 5:30 to 11:00 pm. Description highlights: elegant; four-star; superb service; best filet mignon in town; renowned for its huge slices of cocoanut cake; located at the tip of the market area, which provides an amusing ambiance for a leisurely walk before or after dinner. 82 Queen - 82 Queen Street, 843-723-7591 or 800-849-0082, 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, Sunday Brunch at 11:30 am. Description highlights: Classy, yet authentic Lowcountry; great steak and seafood; "must-have" items include the she-crab soup and fried green tomatoes; located across from the side entrance of the Mills House and within a pleasant stroll of the Dock Street Theater and the Footlight Players. Grille 225 - at the Market Pavilion Hotel, 225 East Bay Street, 843-266-4222 or 877-440-2250, Dinner - Sunday to Thursday - 5:30 to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday - 5:30 to whenever necessary, Lunch - Monday to Saturday - 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, Sunday Brunch - 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Description highlights: very much a steakhouse with an intense emphasis on high-quality beef; excellent service; mahogany booths and alabaster chandeliers. McCrady's - 2 Unity Alley, 843-577-0025, Dinner nightly at 5:30 pm. Description highlights: established in 1788; George Washington ate here; classic old-world atmosphere with brick walls and fireplaces; quaintly tucked in an alley off East Bay Street; "Modern American" cuisine with excellent steak, pork, and seafood. Sunday Brunch
High Cotton - 199 East Bay Street, 843-724-3815, Sunday Brunch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Description highlights: Extensive brunch menu - including but not limited to French Toast, Shrimp and Lobster Crepe, Eggs all styles, Trout, Steak, and more; Southern comfort with heart pine floors, brick walls, high ceilings and wide-blade fans, large windows facing ever-busy East Bay Street.
Poogan's Porch - 72 Queen Street, 843-577-2337, Saturday and Sunday Brunch from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Description highlights: delightful "Victorian House" setting with various rooms upstairs and downstairs; Lowcountry hospitality and cuisine with items such as buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, lump crab, she-crab soup; very reasonable pricing. Lunch Blossom - 171 East Bay Street, 843-722-9200, Sunday to Thursday - 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday - 11:30 am to midnight. Description highlights: recent shift to seafood focus with a nice variety of offerings such as fried shrimp, seared tuna, and crab raviolis; booths and tables; courtyard; open kitchen. California Dreaming - 1 Ashley Pointe Drive, West Ashley, 843-766-1644, Sunday to Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday until 11 pm. Description highlights: don't let the fact that this is across the Ashley River dissuade you from going - it is hugely popular for good reason, not the least of which is its panoramic views, overlooking the river with bridges and marinas and the occasional dolphins; very generous servings; traditional American cuisine; "must-have" items include the house salad. Breakfast Hominy Grill - 207 Rutledge Avenue, 843-937-0930, Breakfast Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 11:00 am, Lunch Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Dinner Monday to Thursday - 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Friday and Saturday - 5:30 pm to10 pm, Brunch Saturday and Sunday - 9 am to 2:30 pm. Description highlights: off the beaten path and not very fancy, but definitely worth a visit. Internationally acclaimed and locally loved for simply the best food and fairest prices. You must go here for breakfast and you must have the grits - best in the South. Best Pizza in Town Andolini's - Downtown - 82 Wentworth Street, 843-722-PIES, open lunch to late. Description highlights: people do not visit Charleston for its pizza, but if you are in the mood while in town, you must go here. If the college pizza-joint atmosphere is not for you, get a take-out. New York style, large pies, great crust, absolutely the best pizza in Charleston and beyond. Locations also in outlying areas of West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, and James Island.
