We’ll be in CHS mid-week in early December. Any current more up to date information on restaurants. My first visit.
There’s another recent thread within the last few months regarding Charleston dining. If you have any specific questions or requests, I’ll try to provide some guidance. Enjoy your time in Charleston…
James
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Just got back from Charleston.
A few recommended places:
Husk and Fig. The menu looked a little unusual to me so we passed, not to mention you can’t make last minute reservations.
We were exhausted the first night, so we walked 3 minutes from the Grand Bohemian to Hyman’s.
The food was good, but not great. If you have kids, it’s perfect. If it’s just adults, go elsewhere.
We enjoyed dinner at Magnolia’s the following night, followed by dinner at Peninsula Grill. Both places have outstanding food and service. Peninsula Grill has a Wineberserkers type of wine list. 
I’d give a nod to Peninsula Grill because the bar area and the dining room made us feel as if we were having dinner in an elegant home. Peninsula is more $$$$. You can google menus.
For lunch the first day we ate at Fleet Landing. They overlook the water. A very not fancy place to enjoy a meal. Out of all the restaurants we ate at (B/L/D), Fleet had the best and tastiest grits.
We also went to Lewis BBQ for lunch. Be prepared to wait a few minutes to place your order. I got my Texas dose of pulled pork. The cole slaw (meh). The mac and cheese looked like we should have ordered it. My wife had the moist turkey. You can order a sandwich or order by weight. Indoor and outdoor seating.
We visited the Boone Plantation. It’s a 30 minute Lyft/uber ride away. They have a little snack bar where I had a chicken salad sandwich that was delicious, overflowing with food (had to be made fresh), and was only $6.00! Gasp.
We had plenty of breakfast suggestions. Day one we went to Callie’s for a biscuit and egg sandwich (biscuits are good down south). The food was good, but not enough to go back to.
The second morning we had breakfast at Big Bad Breakfast. It’s a casual place with reasonable prices. I got the soft and fluffy waffles served with fruit. This wasn’t your Waffle House experience.
The last morning I walked to Toast All Day (2 locations). Besides getting good reviews, a friend recommended it. There’s a long bar when you walk in plus tables. Very casual. I enjoyed the panko crab cake and poached eggs with fried green tomatoes.
I’d recommend them all.
By the way, if you’re a donut fan. head to Glazed Gourmet. It’s on King Street just a block north of Toast. He’s an Israeli that makes gourmet donuts. Rated 100 points.
Have a question? Let me know.
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Mikhail Lipyanskiy.
Any sushi recommendations in Charleston with Shiki, Sushi-Wa, or Sushi 167?
Doesn’t 167 Raw have a sister sushi bar type restaurant? Go there. Actually, go to both if time allows…
It’s prob been covered upstream in this thread, but James is correct, can’t go wrong with any of the 167 concepts
Booked it. Thank you.
Anything tourist wise we have to see over 3 days?
Bump.
Anything tourist wise we have to see over 3 days?
Sorry, I’m just seeing the “tourist wise” message. I guess that depends on the party. Kids, no kids, etc. If you love history, the Charleston area is enveloped with the past. There are walking or carriage tours of all kinds in DT Charleston (architecture, ghost, etc.). Fort Sumter and it’s place in American history can be visited during your stay in Charleston. The Hunley is still available for viewing in North Charleston. Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown are just across the Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant. Fort Moultrie is at the tip of Sullivan’s Island and easily accessible. The Market in DT Charleston is the ultimate tourist trap. Shopping, galleries, antiques, etc. are a plenty in DT Charleston. Depending on the time of your visit, there are a plethora of outdoor activities with the nearby beaches, kayaking, etc. I really enjoyed a trip to Bulls Island a few years ago. I adore Charleston for the food and drinks. So, plenty of restaurants have been suggested upthread and there are a couple of first rate breweries (Charles Towne Fermentory, Westbrook, Edmunds Oast). If you have specific questions, just let me know. Enjoy your trip and stay in Charleston. I hope to return before the end of the month…
James,
Thank you. Just me and my wife. Having dinner at 1886, The Ordinary, 167 Sushi, and Peninsula Grill one night. Staying at Lindy for a couple nights and Planter’s Inn for a couple nights.
Will definitely do Fort, but looking for some more walking and interesting sites in and around the city.
My Charleston dining:
The Establishment - I had the fabulous crab and gnudi recommended upstream, and the flounder, with a suitable Sancerre BTG. (Strawberry sorbet desert was ok but not exceptional). I’d go back in a heartbeat.
167 Sushi- A couple of great dishes, one very good one, offset by oysters advertised as very briney that were completely non-briney, and a charred octopus that had zero char. A real disappointment.
(The staff is friendly and attentive but unacceptably uncoordinated, and I felt super rushed in spite of asking for some pacing.)
Fig was everything as advertised. I thought my single best bite was their brioche crusted flounder in a dashi based broth. The contrasting textures were great! Their blueberry and lime sorbet was otherworldly.
Next time I’ll go to the Establishment once and Fig twice!
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Really surprised no love on here yet for Vern’s and the Obstinate Daughter. Both great places! OD is a bit of a driveout out to Sullivan’s Island, but if you’ve got a car, it’s worth it.
Definite thumbs up to Zero George and FIG as well.
If you are a cocktail person, Doar Bros. is a must visit (can make reservations).
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Any recommendations for wine shops in the area?
Will actually be in North Charleston during the day.
Kris, we just booked a stay at the Lindy. I am just seeing this; hope it was a pleasant stay
It’s ok; grand bohemian is usually where we stay for can be pricey.
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Graft or Monarch are the two choices. Graft especially if you’re willing to hang out, have a snack, and a drink
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Monarch says it is a “natural wine shop.” Interesting if they really survive exclusively on selling only “natural” wines
Natural in the traditional sense, but also natural in the way Mugnier is natural. Most of their inventory is online i think if ya need a feel for it
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Just following up with this thread. We were in Charleston for a wedding for the past few days. The wedding inhibited our ability to do and dine as we pleased but had a few positive experiences. First night I had a proper shrimp and grits at Fleet Landing, but unfortunately it was the only dish to hit our table that I would order again. But the grits dish was a solid A.
Brunch at Husk was fine. The oat cakes could have used another minute on the griddle. I was not impressed with the sausage but the Broadbent bacon was absolutely top tier.
Lunch at Magnolias was fun too. The crab bisque was a little too viscous for me but everything else I tasted was fine. I would happily return.
We arrived at Leon’s but the idea of more fried food was not appealing so we went across the street to Melfi’s, Leon’s sister restaurant, for Italian. I would happily welcome a place like this in my neighborhood. The menu hits some of the classics and thus takes no risks at all but they were well executed and we had a nice time in a convivial atmosphere.
We won’t stay in the Lindy Renaissance hotel again. Location could not be better, the staff were all great but the beds were atrocious. Too many good options in Charleston for that mess.
I really do love the city. Had wonderful weather for lots of walking, including a day poking around on Sullivan’s Island. If only I had Victor’s money I’d rent a place there.
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