Charleston, SC

restaurants

Poogan's Porch

This place is so good – I’m talking finger-lickin’ down-home-country-cookin-on-the-cutest-southern-porch-y’all-have-ever-seen good. Fried chicken, biscuits, sweet tea glazed salmon, fried pimento cheese, local seafood, filet mignon …. this menu has everything you could ever want and more that you’d ever thought you’d try (fried alligator salad? Only in the south). Check it out for brunch, lunch or dinner – you won’t be disappointed.

Charleston, SC

restaurants

Renzo

each and every one of their inventive wood-fired pizzas will blow your mind. They’re small which makes them perfect to share amongst a group when you want to try all the different kinds. Make sure to head there on the early side, or be prepared to wait, as it’s a small restaurant (only about 12 tables), and they don’t take reservations (you can sit at the bar, though!).My order: The Montepulciano wine, the Shabazi pizza, and the Rocco pizza. (Holy cow you guys these both were easily some of the best pizzas I’ve ever had).

Charleston, SC

restaurants

The Ordinary

Seafood and Sandwiches. 544 King Street. I found out about this restaurant after calling their sister restaurant Fig. There were no reservations available at Fig so they suggested trying The Ordinary. I am so glad that they did. It is a swanky 2 floor seafood restaurant downtown. The drinks and seafood dishes were delicious. And, the service was impeccable.

Charleston, SC

bar • restaurants

The Living Room at The Dewberry

My friend and her husband were in town and they suggested that we meet at The Living Room. It is a chic lounge in the Dewberry Hotel. We tried out a few of their unique cocktails and they were all delicious. They do have a menu consisting mostly of small plates but we were heading to dinner. This is one of the best places to eat in Charleston with friends, especially if you want a drink.

Charleston, SC

shopping

Peace Pie

Imagine your favorite pies as ice cream sandwiches. The salted caramel brownie flavor was delicious.

Charleston, SC

restaurants

FIG

Everything you’ve heard about FIG — Mike Lata’s James Beard award-winning restaurant, helmed by the terrifically talented (and also James Beard award-winning) Jason Stanhope — is true. It’s impossible to have a bad meal here. And because Stanhope and his crew are so thoroughly attuned to the area’s bounty, and wise to how to prepare it, whatever’s on special should provide a suitable welcome to the Lowcountry.

Charleston, SC

bar • restaurants

Marina Variety Store Restaurant

here, in the company of sailors and lifelong Charleston residents who know where to find a good deal on a square meal, you can enjoy a plateful of gator with gravy and grits, or green tomatoes stuffed with crab. The winning order is Lowcountry hash browns, topped with eggs and grilled local shrimp.

Charleston, SC

restaurants

Bertha's Kitchen

If you’re paying Charleston a weekend visit, Friday lunch represents your best shot at Lowcountry soul food. I’d steer you to Bertha’s Kitchen for fried chicken, red rice and okra soup

Charleston, SC

destination • experience

Charleston Farmers Market

where food truckers also offer huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos. Or, if you’d prefer to confine your breakfast to this portion of the planet, you could dispense with convention and make a meal of boiled peanuts. (The Farmer’s Market only operates from April until December).

Sullivan's Island, SC

restaurants

The Obstinate Daughter

you’ll want to take a short trip to Sullivan’s Island, where you can tour Fort Moultrie or spend time on the beach. Sullivan’s also is home to The Obstinate Daughter, a terrific convergence of rustic Italian cooking and Lowcountry seafood under chef Jacques Larson’s stewardship. Try the wood-fired pizza with local clams.