Guidebook for Charleston

Sarah
Guidebook for Charleston

Food Scene

Only a minute walk from the house and THE best chicken wings I've ever had. The ribs are not to missed and have won awards. Try the "Gamechanger" frozen cocktail... boozy and delicious!
265 locals recommend
Home Team BBQ
2209 Middle St
265 locals recommend
Only a minute walk from the house and THE best chicken wings I've ever had. The ribs are not to missed and have won awards. Try the "Gamechanger" frozen cocktail... boozy and delicious!
My favorite fancy sushi place. Inventive cocktails- try the habanero mojito! Mon/Wed/Fri happy hour offers 1/2 price rolls. Quite the dance club late nights on Friday and Saturday. Whodathunk?
94 locals recommend
O-Ku
463 King St
94 locals recommend
My favorite fancy sushi place. Inventive cocktails- try the habanero mojito! Mon/Wed/Fri happy hour offers 1/2 price rolls. Quite the dance club late nights on Friday and Saturday. Whodathunk?
Awesome Italian food! Great pasta and good wine list. For a casual bite, eat at the bar or on the spacious patio! Also open for lunch.
33 locals recommend
Al Di La
25 Magnolia Rd
33 locals recommend
Awesome Italian food! Great pasta and good wine list. For a casual bite, eat at the bar or on the spacious patio! Also open for lunch.
Small place, good fish tacos, etc. Walking distance from the house!
13 locals recommend
the Taco Spot
1301 Ashley River Rd
13 locals recommend
Small place, good fish tacos, etc. Walking distance from the house!
Fresh, local delicious food with a cajun flair. Menu changes, fried chicken on Tuesday nights has to be reserved 24hrs in advance! Their shrimp&grits changes seasonally and is always awesome.
38 locals recommend
The Glass Onion
1219 Savannah Hwy
38 locals recommend
Fresh, local delicious food with a cajun flair. Menu changes, fried chicken on Tuesday nights has to be reserved 24hrs in advance! Their shrimp&grits changes seasonally and is always awesome.
Great Brunch! Cheap burger night on Mondays. Casual, new southern cuisine.
12 locals recommend
Ms. Rose's Fine Food & Cocktails
1090 Sam Rittenberg Blvd
12 locals recommend
Great Brunch! Cheap burger night on Mondays. Casual, new southern cuisine.
If on Sullivan's, stop here for an inventive burger or fish tacos. Lots of outdoor seating. Edgar Allen Poe themed.
205 locals recommend
Poe's Tavern - Sullivans Island
2210 Middle St
205 locals recommend
If on Sullivan's, stop here for an inventive burger or fish tacos. Lots of outdoor seating. Edgar Allen Poe themed.
Second location of my favorite BBQ spot. Gamechanger to drink, wings and ribs to eat! Can't go wrong.
265 locals recommend
Home Team BBQ
2209 Middle St
265 locals recommend
Second location of my favorite BBQ spot. Gamechanger to drink, wings and ribs to eat! Can't go wrong.
Small, romantic, Italian restaurant downtown.
14 locals recommend
Fulton Five
5 Fulton St
14 locals recommend
Small, romantic, Italian restaurant downtown.
In my top 3... Make sure you have a reservation, this is one of the most popular restaurants in town! Chef Mike Lata won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2009 for FIG.
177 locals recommend
FIG
232 Meeting St
177 locals recommend
In my top 3... Make sure you have a reservation, this is one of the most popular restaurants in town! Chef Mike Lata won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2009 for FIG.
In my top 3... I love this restaurant! Chef Craig Deihl has been nominated many times for the James Beard Award. Great for a special occasion and $5 burgers in the bar on Mondays!!
9 locals recommend
Cypress
167 East Bay Street
9 locals recommend
In my top 3... I love this restaurant! Chef Craig Deihl has been nominated many times for the James Beard Award. Great for a special occasion and $5 burgers in the bar on Mondays!!
Delicious wood-fired pizza and outdoor patio seating.
30 locals recommend
Monza Pizza Bar
451 King St
30 locals recommend
Delicious wood-fired pizza and outdoor patio seating.
The most expensive (and probably the best) steakhouse in town. They have a fancy "Gospel Brunch" on Sundays as well.
306 locals recommend
Halls Chophouse
434 King St
306 locals recommend
The most expensive (and probably the best) steakhouse in town. They have a fancy "Gospel Brunch" on Sundays as well.
An absolute MUST for breakfast or brunch. My favorite shrimp&grits in town. Awesome bacon, stone-ground grits... get the "Big Nasty Biscuit" if you're feeling brave!
190 locals recommend
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave
190 locals recommend
An absolute MUST for breakfast or brunch. My favorite shrimp&grits in town. Awesome bacon, stone-ground grits... get the "Big Nasty Biscuit" if you're feeling brave!
Amazing sandwiches. Lunch and late-night hours only.
119 locals recommend
Butcher & Bee
1085 Morrison Dr
119 locals recommend
Amazing sandwiches. Lunch and late-night hours only.
Great rooftop view of Charleston! Food is nothing special so just go for a couple drinks :) Make sure to walk all the way up to the top floor!
187 locals recommend
Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
495 King Street
187 locals recommend
Great rooftop view of Charleston! Food is nothing special so just go for a couple drinks :) Make sure to walk all the way up to the top floor!
I've only been to the rooftop bar, but I've seen good reviews of the food. The rooftop is a little fancy, but not inaccessible and is a unique setting for a drink downtown on Upper King.
187 locals recommend
Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
495 King Street
187 locals recommend
I've only been to the rooftop bar, but I've seen good reviews of the food. The rooftop is a little fancy, but not inaccessible and is a unique setting for a drink downtown on Upper King.
Crazy award winning and buzzed-about restaurant. Chef Sean Brock has become internationally famous. Book your reservation early! Also open for lunch- but you'll still need that reservation!
183 locals recommend
Husk
76 Queen St
183 locals recommend
Crazy award winning and buzzed-about restaurant. Chef Sean Brock has become internationally famous. Book your reservation early! Also open for lunch- but you'll still need that reservation!
Newly opened and highly buzzed-about seafood restaurant and raw bar by Chef Mike Lata (of FIG, a fav of mine). This is on my short-list of places to eat next and I've only heard great things!
165 locals recommend
The Ordinary
544 King St
165 locals recommend
Newly opened and highly buzzed-about seafood restaurant and raw bar by Chef Mike Lata (of FIG, a fav of mine). This is on my short-list of places to eat next and I've only heard great things!
The place to go for high-end, inventive interpretations on southern food.
88 locals recommend
Magnolias
185 E Bay St
88 locals recommend
The place to go for high-end, inventive interpretations on southern food.
Awesome food... That's all I can say! Fresh, local, inventive "new american" type cuisine. Great Brunch as well and new back patio dining area.
49 locals recommend
The Macintosh
479B King St
49 locals recommend
Awesome food... That's all I can say! Fresh, local, inventive "new american" type cuisine. Great Brunch as well and new back patio dining area.
Very fancy (slightly stuffy) place in the carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion. I've been here during restaurant week and we had such an amazing meal! Not my fav atmosphere but I'll go back!
23 locals recommend
Circa 1886 Restaurant
149 Wentworth St
23 locals recommend
Very fancy (slightly stuffy) place in the carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion. I've been here during restaurant week and we had such an amazing meal! Not my fav atmosphere but I'll go back!
In my top 3... I'm never disappointed when I eat here! Can sit at the bar for a more casual meal. Good cocktails and wine list. Love The Grocery. And they have a parking lot!!
57 locals recommend
The Grocery
4 Cannon St
57 locals recommend
In my top 3... I'm never disappointed when I eat here! Can sit at the bar for a more casual meal. Good cocktails and wine list. Love The Grocery. And they have a parking lot!!

Sightseeing

Beautiful walking/biking trails and river scenery and even a small "zoo"! There is an entry fee of $7.50 per adult.
10 locals recommend
Charlestowne Landing
10 locals recommend
Beautiful walking/biking trails and river scenery and even a small "zoo"! There is an entry fee of $7.50 per adult.
Visiting this tree is truly an amazing experience. I could sit and look at this tree for hours!
6 locals recommend
Angel Oak Road
Angel Oak Road
6 locals recommend
Visiting this tree is truly an amazing experience. I could sit and look at this tree for hours!
Folly is my favorite beach in the area. Less pretentious than Sullivan's or IOP- which are both beautiful. Walk out on the pier and take some photos underneath it for a cool effect.
93 locals recommend
Folly Beach Pier
101 E Arctic Ave
93 locals recommend
Folly is my favorite beach in the area. Less pretentious than Sullivan's or IOP- which are both beautiful. Walk out on the pier and take some photos underneath it for a cool effect.
Beautiful downtown waterfront. Walk on the pier and have a swing on the swings! Pineapple fountain is quintessentially Charleston. Keep your eye out for dolphins!
321 locals recommend
Waterfront Park
Concord Street
321 locals recommend
Beautiful downtown waterfront. Walk on the pier and have a swing on the swings! Pineapple fountain is quintessentially Charleston. Keep your eye out for dolphins!
Open air shopping market. Get all your Charleston trinkets and souvenirs here! Beware, some of the restaurants in this area are just plain 'ol tourist traps, nothing special.
7 locals recommend
North Market Street
North Market Street
7 locals recommend
Open air shopping market. Get all your Charleston trinkets and souvenirs here! Beware, some of the restaurants in this area are just plain 'ol tourist traps, nothing special.
Historic waterfront park. Could spend hours walking through the streets looking at the historic mansions surrounding The Battery. Again, look for some dolphins!
154 locals recommend
White Point Garden
2 Murray Blvd
154 locals recommend
Historic waterfront park. Could spend hours walking through the streets looking at the historic mansions surrounding The Battery. Again, look for some dolphins!
Follow Pitt St to the end and you'll find a bridge that goes nowhere! A great spot to bring a picnic and watch the sunset over the Cooper River.
Pitt Street
Pitt Street
Follow Pitt St to the end and you'll find a bridge that goes nowhere! A great spot to bring a picnic and watch the sunset over the Cooper River.
Saturday mornings (8am-2pm, April to late December) find the bustling Charleston Farmers Market here for some artisan gifts, local produce, and delicious food tents/trucks!
379 locals recommend
Marion Square
379 locals recommend
Saturday mornings (8am-2pm, April to late December) find the bustling Charleston Farmers Market here for some artisan gifts, local produce, and delicious food tents/trucks!
Pretty walking/biking trails take you to views of the Stono River. $1/person admission. Bikes can be rented here as well.
Campground at James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr
Pretty walking/biking trails take you to views of the Stono River. $1/person admission. Bikes can be rented here as well.
Check out a SUP (stand up paddleboard) on Folly Beach! This company offers rentals and tours through the intracoastal waterways/marshes.
22 locals recommend
Charleston SUP Safaris
83 Center St
22 locals recommend
Check out a SUP (stand up paddleboard) on Folly Beach! This company offers rentals and tours through the intracoastal waterways/marshes.
Kayak and SUP (stand up paddleboard) rentals and tours. See Charleston's beautiful scenery up close and hands-on! Also offer chartered tours and fishing charters.
32 locals recommend
Charleston Outdoor Adventures
1871 Bowens Island Rd
32 locals recommend
Kayak and SUP (stand up paddleboard) rentals and tours. See Charleston's beautiful scenery up close and hands-on! Also offer chartered tours and fishing charters.
This company offers a Blackwater Cypress Swamp kayak tour during certain times of the year. It is amazing!!
Charleston Kayak Company
4279 Ashley River Rd
This company offers a Blackwater Cypress Swamp kayak tour during certain times of the year. It is amazing!!
Historic gardens and plantation. Beautiful place to spend the day walking, eating, sightseeing.
395 locals recommend
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River Rd
395 locals recommend
Historic gardens and plantation. Beautiful place to spend the day walking, eating, sightseeing.
Historic landscaped gardens and plantation.
192 locals recommend
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Rd
192 locals recommend
Historic landscaped gardens and plantation.
My favorite downtown carriage tour company. Knowledgeable tour guides, beautiful mules! Learn some history and see some downtown sights.
67 locals recommend
Palmetto Carriage Works
8 Guignard St
67 locals recommend
My favorite downtown carriage tour company. Knowledgeable tour guides, beautiful mules! Learn some history and see some downtown sights.

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun late-night bar scene and tasty eclectic tapas type bar food. Mondays are half-priced tacos all night!
54 locals recommend
Voodoo Tiki Bar and Lounge
15 Magnolia Rd
54 locals recommend
Fun late-night bar scene and tasty eclectic tapas type bar food. Mondays are half-priced tacos all night!
Excellent raw bar and seafood menu. Try an oyster shooter! Fun place for happy hour.
129 locals recommend
Pearlz Oyster Bar
9 Magnolia Rd
129 locals recommend
Excellent raw bar and seafood menu. Try an oyster shooter! Fun place for happy hour.
Small, quieter Avondale spot for a craft beer or glass of wine.
17 locals recommend
Oak Barrel Tavern
825 Savannah Hwy
17 locals recommend
Small, quieter Avondale spot for a craft beer or glass of wine.
Dive bar with great beer selection, pool, darts, shuffleboard, and board games to keep you entertained! Good bar food- the corn dogs shouldn't be missed if you're here.
48 locals recommend
Gene's Haufbrau
817 Savannah Hwy
48 locals recommend
Dive bar with great beer selection, pool, darts, shuffleboard, and board games to keep you entertained! Good bar food- the corn dogs shouldn't be missed if you're here.
Funky dive bar, often has live music (sometimes a cover charge). Go here if you're looking for something way off the Charleston tourist's map!
12 locals recommend
Tin Roof
1117 Magnolia Rd
12 locals recommend
Funky dive bar, often has live music (sometimes a cover charge). Go here if you're looking for something way off the Charleston tourist's map!
Delicious craft cocktails on Upper King St.
34 locals recommend
Proof
437 King St
34 locals recommend
Delicious craft cocktails on Upper King St.
Fancy craft cocktail lounge on Upper King. Expect to wait on weekend nights.
209 locals recommend
The Cocktail Club
479 King St
209 locals recommend
Fancy craft cocktail lounge on Upper King. Expect to wait on weekend nights.
Beer bar with great bar food and super cool decor.
43 locals recommend
Closed for Business
453 King St
43 locals recommend
Beer bar with great bar food and super cool decor.
A friend of mine owns this fun english-style divey pub. Make sure to add a decorated dollar bill of your very own to the walls in this place! Music on weekends. Good food too!
32 locals recommend
The Griffin
18 Vendue Range
32 locals recommend
A friend of mine owns this fun english-style divey pub. Make sure to add a decorated dollar bill of your very own to the walls in this place! Music on weekends. Good food too!
Craft cocktails, absinthe, cool ice cube shapes! Pre-prohibition style. Can get busy but the cocktails (and food!) are delicious.
50 locals recommend
The Gin Joint
182 E Bay St
50 locals recommend
Craft cocktails, absinthe, cool ice cube shapes! Pre-prohibition style. Can get busy but the cocktails (and food!) are delicious.

Shopping

King Street is the place to shop, with the most stores located between Calhoun and Market St. GAP to Louis Vuitton. The 2nd Sunday of each month, the street closes and is foot traffic only!
42 locals recommend
The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place
205 Meeting St
42 locals recommend
King Street is the place to shop, with the most stores located between Calhoun and Market St. GAP to Louis Vuitton. The 2nd Sunday of each month, the street closes and is foot traffic only!

Arts & Culture

Rainy stay? Catch a flick at this indie-dominated movie theater. They have wine, beer, and tasty snacks!
118 locals recommend
The Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank Hwy
118 locals recommend
Rainy stay? Catch a flick at this indie-dominated movie theater. They have wine, beer, and tasty snacks!
My favorite local music venue. Inside is pretty divey... Check out the back deck during happy hour for free music and a cool outdoor setting.
177 locals recommend
The Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy
177 locals recommend
My favorite local music venue. Inside is pretty divey... Check out the back deck during happy hour for free music and a cool outdoor setting.

Everything Else

Disc golf, waterskiing, and wakeboarding!
13 locals recommend
Trophy Lakes
3050 Marlin Rd
13 locals recommend
Disc golf, waterskiing, and wakeboarding!
Friends of mine own it. If you're into this kind of thing (I personally am not!) definitely visit them for a kick-your-butt workout. Coach Jimmy (my wonderful boyfriend) is the best, I'm sure :-)
Iron Bridge CrossFit
1935 Belgrade Ave
Friends of mine own it. If you're into this kind of thing (I personally am not!) definitely visit them for a kick-your-butt workout. Coach Jimmy (my wonderful boyfriend) is the best, I'm sure :-)
Barre is my latest work-out of choice. It's so tough but so effective! This is my favorite studio. Give it a shot! Mostly ladies, but men are not discouraged.
70 Folly Rd
70 Folly Road Boulevard
Barre is my latest work-out of choice. It's so tough but so effective! This is my favorite studio. Give it a shot! Mostly ladies, but men are not discouraged.
The best hot, sweaty, flow-based yoga in town! Baptiste style.
14 locals recommend
Charleston Power Yoga
857 Houston Northcutt Blvd
14 locals recommend
The best hot, sweaty, flow-based yoga in town! Baptiste style.
A variety of classes are available at this small, neighborhood studio. Cheaper than the rest!
8 locals recommend
Community Yoga
815 Savannah Hwy
8 locals recommend
A variety of classes are available at this small, neighborhood studio. Cheaper than the rest!