Guidebook for Charleston
Food Scene
Delicious and trendy asian-inspired cuisine in a funky atmosphere, a converted gas station.
212 locals recommend
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge AveDelicious and trendy asian-inspired cuisine in a funky atmosphere, a converted gas station.
Great brunch and breakfast food! Beautifully decorated, dog-friendly (on patio), and there are always fun pop-ups visiting in the parking lot. Close to Hampton Park!
97 locals recommend
The Park Cafe
730 Rutledge AveGreat brunch and breakfast food! Beautifully decorated, dog-friendly (on patio), and there are always fun pop-ups visiting in the parking lot. Close to Hampton Park!
Wonderful atmosphere, delicious food (specializing in fried chicken & champagne), and fun drinks (frosé anyone?)!
230 locals recommend
Leon's
698 King StWonderful atmosphere, delicious food (specializing in fried chicken & champagne), and fun drinks (frosé anyone?)!
Many don't know that Oak Barrel Tavern, a small bar serving craft beer, has some of the best sushi in Charleston! Sushi Ninja has taken up a full-time gig here, and they do not disappoint.
17 locals recommend
Oak Barrel Tavern
825 Savannah HwyMany don't know that Oak Barrel Tavern, a small bar serving craft beer, has some of the best sushi in Charleston! Sushi Ninja has taken up a full-time gig here, and they do not disappoint.
On the Top 50 Best New Restaurants list in Bon Appetit magazine, Little Jack's is very unassuming, but delicious! Try their infamous burger, on the appetizer, entree and dessert list.
73 locals recommend
Little Jack's Tavern
710 King StOn the Top 50 Best New Restaurants list in Bon Appetit magazine, Little Jack's is very unassuming, but delicious! Try their infamous burger, on the appetizer, entree and dessert list.
One of the best happy hours in Charleston! Get a dozen house oysters for $9.99, cheap well drinks and house wine.
24 locals recommend
Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar
205 E Bay StOne of the best happy hours in Charleston! Get a dozen house oysters for $9.99, cheap well drinks and house wine.
Tasty baked goods, outstanding coffee, and adorable interior design!
59 locals recommend
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
1107 King StTasty baked goods, outstanding coffee, and adorable interior design!
Delicious and such a fun atmosphere! Over 50 drinks on tap, and not just their creative beers. Also an outdoor bar!
142 locals recommend
Edmund's Oast
1081 Morrison DrDelicious and such a fun atmosphere! Over 50 drinks on tap, and not just their creative beers. Also an outdoor bar!
This place is high quality, really delicious food! Brunch, lunch and dinner are all phenomenal. Israeli/Mediterranean-inspired, so you don't leave feeling too weighed down. In a newer area close to many other great spots such as Edmund's Oast, Goat.Sheep.Cow & others.
119 locals recommend
Butcher & Bee
1085 Morrison DrThis place is high quality, really delicious food! Brunch, lunch and dinner are all phenomenal. Israeli/Mediterranean-inspired, so you don't leave feeling too weighed down. In a newer area close to many other great spots such as Edmund's Oast, Goat.Sheep.Cow & others.
The Gospel Brunch on Sundays is not to be missed! A live gospel choir travels from room to room performing songs. The service and [southern] hospitality at Hall's is really on point - a really fun time.
306 locals recommend
Halls Chophouse
434 King StThe Gospel Brunch on Sundays is not to be missed! A live gospel choir travels from room to room performing songs. The service and [southern] hospitality at Hall's is really on point - a really fun time.
Some of the best seafood in Charleston! The restaurant is very small, and there's almost always a wait, but the food is to die for. This is definitely a special night out place, as the prices are quite high, but always worth it for the fresh, quality seafood.
154 locals recommend
167 Raw
193 King StSome of the best seafood in Charleston! The restaurant is very small, and there's almost always a wait, but the food is to die for. This is definitely a special night out place, as the prices are quite high, but always worth it for the fresh, quality seafood.
Delicious, healthy food - their green smoothies, acai bowls and wellness shots will give you tons of energy needed for a day of touring around the city. They also just opened a little market, with local produce and goods, and a coffee bar. Lovely patio area!
56 locals recommend
Huriyali
401 Huger StDelicious, healthy food - their green smoothies, acai bowls and wellness shots will give you tons of energy needed for a day of touring around the city. They also just opened a little market, with local produce and goods, and a coffee bar. Lovely patio area!
Arts & Culture
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting StGorgeous building, also features local Charleston artists.
Modern, local and innovative! Redux is very different from most Charleston art galleries, and definitely worth checking out.
22 locals recommend
Redux Contemporary Art Center
1056 King StModern, local and innovative! Redux is very different from most Charleston art galleries, and definitely worth checking out.
Absolutely gorgeous historic theatre in the French Quarter area of Charleston. The plays are usually affordable and worth attending, if only to hang out inside the building!
101 locals recommend
Dock Street Theater
135 Church StAbsolutely gorgeous historic theatre in the French Quarter area of Charleston. The plays are usually affordable and worth attending, if only to hang out inside the building!
Really awesome two-story art gallery in the "French Quarter" area of downtown Charleston. The art is mostly modern, with some local Charleston flair. This is a particularly fun place to go during the First Fridays Art Walk.
22 locals recommend
Robert Lange Studios
2 Queen StReally awesome two-story art gallery in the "French Quarter" area of downtown Charleston. The art is mostly modern, with some local Charleston flair. This is a particularly fun place to go during the First Fridays Art Walk.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lively & local craft brewery! They have lots of board games and host delicious pop-up restaurants Th-Sun.
26 locals recommend
Charles Towne Fermentory
809 Savannah HwyLively & local craft brewery! They have lots of board games and host delicious pop-up restaurants Th-Sun.
Lovely rooftop restaurant and bar atop the modern Restoration Hotel! While the rooftop patio is small, it has great views of the Holy City, especially at sunset.
50 locals recommend
The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits
75 Wentworth StreetLovely rooftop restaurant and bar atop the modern Restoration Hotel! While the rooftop patio is small, it has great views of the Holy City, especially at sunset.
Fun & funky, Voodoo has some of the best and most affordable tiki bar food & drinks. Grab a Fish Bowl with friends and sample their innovative appetizers during happy hour. They also play great music!
54 locals recommend
Voodoo Tiki Bar and Lounge
15 Magnolia RdFun & funky, Voodoo has some of the best and most affordable tiki bar food & drinks. Grab a Fish Bowl with friends and sample their innovative appetizers during happy hour. They also play great music!
Gorgeous rooftop with views of the Ravenel Bridge and Harbor! Delicious local beer.
150 locals recommend
Revelry Brewing
10 Conroy StGorgeous rooftop with views of the Ravenel Bridge and Harbor! Delicious local beer.
Great live music in a fun atmosphere! They also host the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market in their parking lot on Sundays starting at 11am.
177 locals recommend
The Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank HwyGreat live music in a fun atmosphere! They also host the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market in their parking lot on Sundays starting at 11am.
Sightseeing
Not as well-visited as Charleston plantations, but gorgeous views of the Ashley River, live oaks, tons of history, and a nature center (animal forest)!
123 locals recommend
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Towne RdNot as well-visited as Charleston plantations, but gorgeous views of the Ashley River, live oaks, tons of history, and a nature center (animal forest)!
Iconic Charleston homes - grab a coffee on Broad St. and wander throughout the neighborhood, headed towards the battery.
37 locals recommend
South of Broad
Iconic Charleston homes - grab a coffee on Broad St. and wander throughout the neighborhood, headed towards the battery.
Starting at Market St. wander down East Bay Street. Stop in a restaurant for happy hour, and end up at Rainbow Row, a row of colorful iconic houses. This area is at the edge of the "French Quarter" which has the quiet cobblestone streets and gas lamps that Charleston is famous for.
467 locals recommend
Rainbow Row
83-107 E Bay StStarting at Market St. wander down East Bay Street. Stop in a restaurant for happy hour, and end up at Rainbow Row, a row of colorful iconic houses. This area is at the edge of the "French Quarter" which has the quiet cobblestone streets and gas lamps that Charleston is famous for.
Walk or bike the Ravenel Bridge - Great views of the city skyline, Fort Sumter, the surrounding marsh land and the USS Yorktown.
64 locals recommend
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Walk or bike the Ravenel Bridge - Great views of the city skyline, Fort Sumter, the surrounding marsh land and the USS Yorktown.
Entertainment & Activities
Cute, independent, art-deco movie theater! Grab some bites or a glass of wine before heading into the theater.
118 locals recommend
The Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank HwyCute, independent, art-deco movie theater! Grab some bites or a glass of wine before heading into the theater.
Affordabike Bicycle Shop
677 King StBike rentals!
Essentials
Harris Teeter
290 East Bay Street24/7 grocery store w/all the basics & very close by!
Veggie Bin
96 Spring StAwesome place for cheap, local produce!
Rite Aid
1934 Ashley River RdPharmacy that is close by.
Parks & Nature
Hiking trails, which can be hard to find in the lowcountry!
17 locals recommend
Francis Marion National Forest
2967 Steed Creek RdHiking trails, which can be hard to find in the lowcountry!
Sullivan's beaches are gorgeous and far less crowded than Folly! The beaches themselves are quintessential east coast beaches, complete with white sand, dunes, wooden docks and wild reeds. Head to the Co Op and get some snacks & beverages before heading out to the beach! Poe's Tavern has great brunch, the Obstinate Daughter is a nice place for dinner, and Beard Cat's gelato is the best!
346 locals recommend
Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's beaches are gorgeous and far less crowded than Folly! The beaches themselves are quintessential east coast beaches, complete with white sand, dunes, wooden docks and wild reeds. Head to the Co Op and get some snacks & beverages before heading out to the beach! Poe's Tavern has great brunch, the Obstinate Daughter is a nice place for dinner, and Beard Cat's gelato is the best!
Folly is a Charleston staple! We prefer the beaches farther away from the main drag (take a left on one of the streets running parallel to the ocean). See the beach rules if you plan to bring a dog (certain restrictions on time of year & time of day). See live music and grab some tacos at Chico Feo, or some delicious food at Jack of Cups. Lost Dog Cafe is also a fun, dog-friendly breakfast/brunch spot (though there's usually a wait).
581 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueFolly is a Charleston staple! We prefer the beaches farther away from the main drag (take a left on one of the streets running parallel to the ocean). See the beach rules if you plan to bring a dog (certain restrictions on time of year & time of day). See live music and grab some tacos at Chico Feo, or some delicious food at Jack of Cups. Lost Dog Cafe is also a fun, dog-friendly breakfast/brunch spot (though there's usually a wait).