Guidebook for Charleston
Drinks & Nightlife
Mini Bar is quaint and local, offering only wine, craft beers, and a small selection of appetizers. On Fridays, they host live music.
59 locals recommend
Elliotborough Mini Bar
18 Percy StMini Bar is quaint and local, offering only wine, craft beers, and a small selection of appetizers. On Fridays, they host live music.
Cheap drinks! $2 beer and $3 well drinks every night, all night. They also have a fairly extensive bar food menu.
82 locals recommend
Fuel Charleston
211 Rutledge AveCheap drinks! $2 beer and $3 well drinks every night, all night. They also have a fairly extensive bar food menu.
HoM Charleston
They have ping pong tables. Enough said.
Two words: Drunken Milkshakes. Also, a much better alternative for desserts than the over-rated Kaminsky's.
34 locals recommend
Carmella's
198 E Bay StTwo words: Drunken Milkshakes. Also, a much better alternative for desserts than the over-rated Kaminsky's.
Blind Tiger Pub
36-38 Broad StThe oldest pub in Charleston.
Food Scene
Halo
170 Ashley AveGood atmosphere, quick service, great for coffee, breakfast, lunch, or happy hour.
Best-priced breakfast you'll find in Charleston, and a neighborhood secret we'd rather you didn't share with the tourists.
15 locals recommend
Sunrise Bistro Xpress
Best-priced breakfast you'll find in Charleston, and a neighborhood secret we'd rather you didn't share with the tourists.
This restaurant opened earlier this year and has a wonderful small-plates menu and really fun, creative cocktails. Recommended: grits.
8 locals recommend
492 King St
492 King StreetThis restaurant opened earlier this year and has a wonderful small-plates menu and really fun, creative cocktails. Recommended: grits.
They have a great happy hour during the week ($3 glasses of wine and appetizers). Also a solid dinner menu and a popular rooftop bar. Recommended: truffle fries and duck confit sub.
187 locals recommend
Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
495 King StreetThey have a great happy hour during the week ($3 glasses of wine and appetizers). Also a solid dinner menu and a popular rooftop bar. Recommended: truffle fries and duck confit sub.
Fish
442 King StBest calamari in the city.
What used to be a local favorite has grown into a national tourist destination for brunch. However, they do have a solid menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and appealing signature cocktails.
190 locals recommend
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge AveWhat used to be a local favorite has grown into a national tourist destination for brunch. However, they do have a solid menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and appealing signature cocktails.
This is a fun place to gather for coffee and they have several craft beers on tap. The staff is very knowledgeable about their selections. Kudu also has one of the best outdoor seating areas in town.
109 locals recommend
Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer
4 Vanderhorst StThis is a fun place to gather for coffee and they have several craft beers on tap. The staff is very knowledgeable about their selections. Kudu also has one of the best outdoor seating areas in town.
If you're in the Market district, this is one of the best places to grab a latte.
13 locals recommend
City Lights Coffee
141 N Market StIf you're in the Market district, this is one of the best places to grab a latte.
This is a very cosy and inviting espresso bar off the usual tourist tract. They also serve a nice light fare breakfast and lunch, including excellent quiches.
8 locals recommend
East Bay Meeting House
160 E Bay StThis is a very cosy and inviting espresso bar off the usual tourist tract. They also serve a nice light fare breakfast and lunch, including excellent quiches.
Sermet's offers an ecletic menu for lunch and dinner, and has a wonderful jazz bar upstairs Thursday - Saturday nights.
Gentry Bar
276 King StreetSermet's offers an ecletic menu for lunch and dinner, and has a wonderful jazz bar upstairs Thursday - Saturday nights.
Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen
162 Spring StSurprising Vietnamese sandwich shop.
Starbucks
730 Coleman BlvdBecause you'll need your fix at some point.
Everything Else
Parking garage and lot have some of the lowest daily rates in the city.
29 locals recommend
Charleston Visitor Center
Parking garage and lot have some of the lowest daily rates in the city.
Sightseeing
Philadelphia Alley
Philadelphia AlleyOriginal cobblestone walkway, often missed by tourists.
They offer tours, and the property has an interesting history.
34 locals recommend
The Williams Mansion
16 Meeting StThey offer tours, and the property has an interesting history.
Essentials
A quick stop for essentials, located across the street from Veggie Bin, which offers additional groceries and local produce.
24 locals recommend
Charlie's Grocery on Spring
119 Spring StA quick stop for essentials, located across the street from Veggie Bin, which offers additional groceries and local produce.
Harris Teeter
290 East Bay StreetThe only good supermarket downtown.