visit charleston
Activities & Attractions
See the website for a full guide on all things Charleston. There is so much history, character, and charm here in Charleston. Some of our favorite things include walking the cobblestone streets of downtown (the Battery, King Street, East Bay Street, “Rainbow Row”), wandering the City Market, taking a tour of the city and it’s historic homes, visiting the Angel Oak tree on John’s Island, and of course enjoying the scenic beaches (Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms). Fun fact: we got engaged at the lighthouse inlet heritage preserve on the northernmost point of Folly Beach!
Chubby Fish
"Chubby Fish proudly offers fresh, Lowcountry seafood with innovative preparation. The Chubby Fish menu spotlights fresh catches straight from the waters of Charleston and changes daily." One of our all-time favorites.
Edmund's Oast
"Edmund’s Oast is a unique combination of brewery, seasonally-focused kitchen, and encyclopedic bar program. The menu includes bar snacks, house made charcuterie, small plates, heartier entrees, and classic desserts with a contemporary spin." Great food, great beer and cocktails, great ambience.
Fleet Landing
"Southern seafood staples served in sleek, light-filled quarters, with a patio overlooking the water." Fleet Landing is one of two waterfront restaurants on the Charleston Peninsula. Aside from the regular lunch and dinner menu, they offer a wonderful weekend brunch that is best enjoyed on a warm, sunny day. Fleet Landing has some of our favorite shrimp and grits in town and their brunch quiche of the day is always a winner.
R Kitchen
"It's a kitchen not a restaurant. R Kitchen occupies an interactive yet intimate atmosphere with a newly constructed five-course menu every day." Some of the best, creative food in Charleston. You see and hear the chefs up-close and in action. Due to the small, intimate setting, a reservation is usually needed at least a few weeks in advance. Two locations: Downtown and West Ashley.
Lewis BBQ
"John Lewis honed his barbecue chops at Franklin Barbecue in Austin, TX then brought Texas-style beef eastward to pork-centric South Carolina. Lewis’s menu stays true to its Lone Star roots—brisket, ribs, turkey, and house-made 'hot guts' sausage, all sliced fresh to order and served on paper-lined trays with sliced onions and pickles on the side." Incredible Texas-style BBQ. The brisket and corn pudding are things to write home about.
Home Team BBQ
"The culinary concept of Home Team BBQ is to create a fusion of fundamentals and traditional processes with the slow-cooked meats and comfort food of the South. With a side of welcoming hospitality, elevated, but still approachable, multi-regional barbecue is paired with a wide-ranging bar offering highlighted by an expansive American whiskey selection, fun frozen cocktails, and a broad variety of craft beer." A lively atmosphere, tasty BBQ, and infamous frozen drinks.
Butcher & Bee
"We write our menu by selecting from the finest and freshest seasonal items. These locally sourced ingredients and sustainably raised meats are then prepared for the day. So when you sit down to eat, each dish bursts with rich, wholesome flavor." Family style dining with a mediterranean flare. Always fresh and exciting flavors.
The Daily
“This jumping little spot puts out quality breakfast eats and take away salads, cold press juices and kick butt Java. All breads are baked on premise, and yes this makes a difference. I have had a lot of 'avocado toast' safe to say, the bread does changes everything. Open in the AM so plan accordingly.”
Xiao Bao Biscuit
"Asian Food - Select dishes from China, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam prepared locally & inspired by kick-ass grandmothers everywhere. Menu changes seasonally, with rotating daily specials and family style dinner service."
Millers All Day
"Millers celebrate everybody's favorite meal by shining a spotlight on small batch grains, perfectly turned eggs, delicious proteins, craft cocktails, and gentle surprises designed to delight even the most hardboiled diner. (See what we did there?)" One of the best breakfast places in town. Be sure to get there early or risk a long wait.
Marina Variety Store
A Charleston staple, but nothing fancy. Breakfast or brunch are our favorite meals to enjoy here. It is one of two waterfront restaurants on the downtown peninsula. The Variety Store overlooks the Charleston City Marina and you can walk off your meal down the Mega Dock with its yachts and the buzzing Ashley River. It is also located right next to the Historic Rice Mill where our Welcome Drinks event takes place.
Husk
"Centrally located in historic downtown Charleston, Husk transforms the essence of Southern food. Executive Chef and Lowcountry native, Travis Grimes, reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in the South." Next door, Bar at Husk has a more laid-back environment and a delicious burger.
FIG
"Once a humble corner bistro, FIG has blossomed into one of the Southeast’s top culinary destinations. The staff is passionate and polite. The room is simple and modern. The menu is creative and seasonal. The menu is the heart and soul of the restaurant. It will change often, fluctuating with the seasons and availability of product."
Kaminsky's Dessert Bar
"Kaminsky’s entices visitors into its cozy atmosphere with a rotating selection of delectable desserts made in-house daily, in addition to heaping milkshakes, specialty coffees, and cold beverage creations. Delight in over-the-top varieties of classic childhood desserts, signature hot spirited specialties, dessert martinis and hot toddies." No better place to end a night. We love the Tollhouse Cookie Pie and the Mixed Berry Cobbler (a la mode).
Gin Joint
"The Gin Joint has been offering an expansive list of classic cocktails along side an ever changing seasonal menu since 2010. If our whimsical creations and large spirit collection isn’t enough be sure to take a look at our well curated bar bites menu." Best cocktails in town.
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co. @ Workshop
"Brewing Director Cameron Read produces an array of beers for both immediate consumption and barrel-aging. The facility includes an area dedicated to extended non-sour or wild barrel-aging, and a sealed area for sour and wild fermentation.. The food is casual and approachable—with selections including pizza, sandwiches, and entrees. The Taproom’s interior sports a 65-foot bar featuring 26 taps of house-brewed beers, wines, and cocktails. There is patio seating overlooking the courtyard and neighboring businesses." This is one of our favorite and most frequently visited places. The Workshop in the same location is a food court with some great up-and-coming chefs. You can get food from any of the 6 kitchens on site and enjoy a beer from Edmund's Oast in the outdoor patio.