Rachel’s Charleston Favorites
Downtown food scene
My favorite restaurants in and around the neighborhood.
Now known as Park & Grove. Great neighborhood cafe just a few blocks away - great for breakfast or lunch. Indoor and patio dining. Beware: it can get busy on the weekends when the weather is nice!
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The Park Cafe
730 Rutledge AveNow known as Park & Grove. Great neighborhood cafe just a few blocks away - great for breakfast or lunch. Indoor and patio dining. Beware: it can get busy on the weekends when the weather is nice!
Super popular lunch and dinner spot with great fried chicken, fish sandwich, and raw and charbroiled oysters less than a mile away. Awesome ambiance and great cocktails. Consider trying the Siam salad and save room for soft-serve ice cream.
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Leon's
698 King StSuper popular lunch and dinner spot with great fried chicken, fish sandwich, and raw and charbroiled oysters less than a mile away. Awesome ambiance and great cocktails. Consider trying the Siam salad and save room for soft-serve ice cream.
Award-winning BBQ joint featured in Netflix's "A Chef's Table" just a few blocks away. Watch the episode on Rodney and go grab lunch or swing thru the drive-thru. Lots of outdoor seating.
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Rodney Scott's BBQ - Charleston
1011 King StreetAward-winning BBQ joint featured in Netflix's "A Chef's Table" just a few blocks away. Watch the episode on Rodney and go grab lunch or swing thru the drive-thru. Lots of outdoor seating.
Wonderful restaurant and brewery with really nice outdoor seating less than a mile away. There is a covered area with heaters and outside bar in addition to a large indoor dining room. Great cocktails, wine selection, charcuterie, and cheese if your heart desires. Don't miss the retail wine and beer shop located next door.
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Edmund's Oast
1081 Morrison DrWonderful restaurant and brewery with really nice outdoor seating less than a mile away. There is a covered area with heaters and outside bar in addition to a large indoor dining room. Great cocktails, wine selection, charcuterie, and cheese if your heart desires. Don't miss the retail wine and beer shop located next door.
Quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizza, pasta, and other tasty dishes. Such a sweet ambiance especially for a date night - or go solo and sit at the bar.
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Renzo
384 Huger StQuaint neighborhood Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizza, pasta, and other tasty dishes. Such a sweet ambiance especially for a date night - or go solo and sit at the bar.
Maison
708 King StHigh-end neighborhood french bistro with indoor and patio seating.
If you're looking for a fancy seafood experience, The Ordinary is a must. Gorgeous renovated bank-turned restaurant; also offers seating on the patio tucked away from King Street. Just over a mile away.
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The Ordinary
544 King StIf you're looking for a fancy seafood experience, The Ordinary is a must. Gorgeous renovated bank-turned restaurant; also offers seating on the patio tucked away from King Street. Just over a mile away.
If you have a hankering for a proper steak dinner, Halls is the place to go. A lively ambiance with fine-dining service, it's a fun way to spend an evening - particularly on a special occasion. Watch out - their martinis are strong and the food is rich!
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Halls Chophouse
434 King StIf you have a hankering for a proper steak dinner, Halls is the place to go. A lively ambiance with fine-dining service, it's a fun way to spend an evening - particularly on a special occasion. Watch out - their martinis are strong and the food is rich!
FIG stands for Food is Good and is a James Beard award-winning farm-to-table experience. Every foodie is sure not to miss this one. Reservations are highly recommended, however, if you go early or late, you may be able to snag a seat at the bar.
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FIG
232 Meeting StFIG stands for Food is Good and is a James Beard award-winning farm-to-table experience. Every foodie is sure not to miss this one. Reservations are highly recommended, however, if you go early or late, you may be able to snag a seat at the bar.
A precious French bistro tucked away in a small historic home. Every day the limited menu changes, but what they serve never disappoints. Try going for brunch or an intimate dinner. The patio is fun on a beautiful day.
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Chez Nous
6 Payne CtA precious French bistro tucked away in a small historic home. Every day the limited menu changes, but what they serve never disappoints. Try going for brunch or an intimate dinner. The patio is fun on a beautiful day.
Some of the best seafood you can eat! Raw oysters, ceviche, tuna burger - yum! Great vibes indoor and out. Strongly recommend and consider going at an off-time to beat the crowd.
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167 Raw
193 King StSome of the best seafood you can eat! Raw oysters, ceviche, tuna burger - yum! Great vibes indoor and out. Strongly recommend and consider going at an off-time to beat the crowd.
Hip asian food in a cool, casual environment. Don't miss the okonomiyaki!
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Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge AveHip asian food in a cool, casual environment. Don't miss the okonomiyaki!
Not necessarily recommending for the ambiance - because its in a strip mall- but the sushi is great. Highly recommend the Super Crunch roll with asian pear. Good for take-out or for a casual dining experience.
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SHIKI
334 E Bay StNot necessarily recommending for the ambiance - because its in a strip mall- but the sushi is great. Highly recommend the Super Crunch roll with asian pear. Good for take-out or for a casual dining experience.
A lively, French staple in Charleston! Fun, community seating. Great lunch specials that include a glass of wine.
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Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.
98 Broad StA lively, French staple in Charleston! Fun, community seating. Great lunch specials that include a glass of wine.
Great place for BBQ, wings, and sports. Have a painkiller and relax.
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Home Team BBQ
2209 Middle StGreat place for BBQ, wings, and sports. Have a painkiller and relax.
Laid back Mexican in a festive environment. Have some chips and salsa on the patio.
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Santi's
1302 Meeting Street RdLaid back Mexican in a festive environment. Have some chips and salsa on the patio.
Popular Sean Brock restaurant. One of my absolute favorite bars in Charleston is the Husk Bar just next door to the restaurant - a small, old building with great character and boozy drinks. Worth going to the Husk Bar on its own.
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Husk
76 Queen StPopular Sean Brock restaurant. One of my absolute favorite bars in Charleston is the Husk Bar just next door to the restaurant - a small, old building with great character and boozy drinks. Worth going to the Husk Bar on its own.
Another one to add to your list if you’re looking for Charleston’s best BBQ! Same chef has a Mexican pop up at the same location: Juan Luis.
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Lewis Barbecue
464 N Nassau StAnother one to add to your list if you’re looking for Charleston’s best BBQ! Same chef has a Mexican pop up at the same location: Juan Luis.
Chubby Fish
252 Coming StTasty little seafood meets Asian spot on a neighborhood corner.
My favorite wine shop
A great wine and beer retail store in the neighborhood. Whether you're looking for a high-quality, affordable bottle or something more fancy, they will hook you up. Tell my best friend, Sarah (award-winning Sommelier), Rachel sent you! They host wine & beer tastings and have happy hours too.
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Edmund's Oast Exchange
Morrison DriveA great wine and beer retail store in the neighborhood. Whether you're looking for a high-quality, affordable bottle or something more fancy, they will hook you up. Tell my best friend, Sarah (award-winning Sommelier), Rachel sent you! They host wine & beer tastings and have happy hours too.
Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar
700b King StMy favorite parks
Take a right out the front door, take your first left on Tenth Street, and walk just a few blocks to this incredibly historic and well-planned park. Walk, bike, or rollerblade, have a picnic, visit the birds at the pond, or grab and bike and continue to explore the city. But first, look up the park's history on Wikipedia.
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Hampton Park
Take a right out the front door, take your first left on Tenth Street, and walk just a few blocks to this incredibly historic and well-planned park. Walk, bike, or rollerblade, have a picnic, visit the birds at the pond, or grab and bike and continue to explore the city. But first, look up the park's history on Wikipedia.
Go splash in the pineapple fountain, take a walk down the pier and look out for dolphin, and walk the park. You can take a break and enjoy the view on one of the rooftop bars down the street at the Vendue or Market Pavilion hotels.
Also, I recommend venturing to the tip of the peninsula to White Point Gardens. Walk the breezeway by the harbor, enjoy the homes on the Battery, or get lost amidst the cobble stone roads.
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Iphaki yaseWaterfront
Concord StreetGo splash in the pineapple fountain, take a walk down the pier and look out for dolphin, and walk the park. You can take a break and enjoy the view on one of the rooftop bars down the street at the Vendue or Market Pavilion hotels.
Also, I recommend venturing to the tip of the peninsula to White Point Gardens. Walk the breezeway by the harbor, enjoy the homes on the Battery, or get lost amidst the cobble stone roads.
Neighborhoods
Visit one of the many waterfront restaurants at Shem Creek - Tavern & Table is nice - and look out for dolphin and pelicans. You can also rent paddle boards here to get a more intimate experience with the creek!
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Shem Creek Boardwalk
Shem Creek BoardwalkVisit one of the many waterfront restaurants at Shem Creek - Tavern & Table is nice - and look out for dolphin and pelicans. You can also rent paddle boards here to get a more intimate experience with the creek!
Visit Folly is you're looking for a bohemian, laid-back beach vibe just about 15-20 minutes away past James Island. Go to the Washout on the east end of the beach to watch the surfers and grab a drink and bite at one of many restaurants on Center Street. For food, I recommend Jack of Cups, Taco Boy, or Chico Feo.
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Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueVisit Folly is you're looking for a bohemian, laid-back beach vibe just about 15-20 minutes away past James Island. Go to the Washout on the east end of the beach to watch the surfers and grab a drink and bite at one of many restaurants on Center Street. For food, I recommend Jack of Cups, Taco Boy, or Chico Feo.
Nice beach just a 15-20 minute drive away through Mount Pleasant. Beautiful homes and good restaurants - have a gamechanger at HomeTeam BBQ or go to Obstinate Daughter if you're around for dinner time. If you want to go a little further, you can visit Isle of Palms.
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Sullivan's Island
Nice beach just a 15-20 minute drive away through Mount Pleasant. Beautiful homes and good restaurants - have a gamechanger at HomeTeam BBQ or go to Obstinate Daughter if you're around for dinner time. If you want to go a little further, you can visit Isle of Palms.
City/town information
Whether you want to have dinner at the Sanctuary, play golf at the Ocean Course, or spend a day on a more private beach, go for a beautiful drive down to Kiawah Island. Takes about 45 mins to get there.
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Kiawah Island
Whether you want to have dinner at the Sanctuary, play golf at the Ocean Course, or spend a day on a more private beach, go for a beautiful drive down to Kiawah Island. Takes about 45 mins to get there.
Sightseeing
Go visit the magnificent, gigantic, and historic Oak tree named Angel Oak on John's Island.
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Angel Oak Road
Angel Oak RoadGo visit the magnificent, gigantic, and historic Oak tree named Angel Oak on John's Island.
Magnolia Plantation is a beautiful setting to stroll the gardens and learn some history. While you’re out there, consider visiting Middleton Place and Drayton Hall too.
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Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River RdMagnolia Plantation is a beautiful setting to stroll the gardens and learn some history. While you’re out there, consider visiting Middleton Place and Drayton Hall too.
The Cistern is at the center of College of Charleston’s campus and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the Oaks. Walk through campus while you’re there.
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College of Charleston
66 George StThe Cistern is at the center of College of Charleston’s campus and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the Oaks. Walk through campus while you’re there.
My favorite coffee shops
If you're on the South side of the peninsula, grab a coffee at Harken.
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Harken Cafe
62 Queen StIf you're on the South side of the peninsula, grab a coffee at Harken.
Extremely popular and high-traffic coffee and breakfast spot about a mile away - grab a latte, juice, and avocado toast to go! Limited seating inside and out.
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The Daily
652 B King StExtremely popular and high-traffic coffee and breakfast spot about a mile away - grab a latte, juice, and avocado toast to go! Limited seating inside and out.
Quaint little shop just a few blocks away. Has a little patio too. Try the best friend cookie!
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The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
1107 King StQuaint little shop just a few blocks away. Has a little patio too. Try the best friend cookie!