Danielle Jeanjaquet
Charleston, South Carolina hosts some of the most amazing places to eat in the Southeast.
Whether you want a quick bite, or an upscale dining experience, the Charleston restaurant scene has got you covered.
I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Charleston restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This list covers Southern comfort, seafood, low-country classics, and more! My tummy is always happy after leaving one of these eateries, and yours will be too.
Just a quick Charleston travel tip: try to make restaurant reservations before you go! Downtown Charleston can get pretty busy on weekends especially, resulting in longer wait times at many of these famous eateries.
While some places are first-come-first-serve, a lot of these restaurants have reservation or call-ahead options, so be sure to check out their websites below to avoid waiting extra long for your shrimp and grits.
Without further ado, let’s jump in with some delicious Charleston breakfast joints!
Charleston Places to Eat for Breakfast!
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
If you are looking for a quick, but filling, bite to start off your day, check out Callie’s!
They have two locations in downtown Charleston: one on Meeting St., and the other on King St. It’s an easy stop for some fresh-baked biscuits on your way to go shopping or sightseeing.
Of course you have to try their house-made biscuits while you’re there! They offer a wide assortment of buttermilk biscuit sandwiches. I’m a big fan of the sausage, egg, and pimento cheese biscuit.
They also have biscuits bowls, and tons of yummy jams and whipped butter flavors to try!
And, if you order ahead online, you can skip waiting in line and get straight to enjoying your delicious biscuits.
The Palmetto Cafe
For a more posh breakfast environment, check out The Palmetto Cafe, located in the courtyard of the Charleston Place Hotel. While a little more on the pricey side, their delicious selection of breakfast dishes does not disappoint!
A huge favorite is the Palmetto Omelet, which is stuffed with a generous portion of crab meat and lobster knuckles.
For a non-seafood option, you might like their southwest-inspired Huevos Rancheros, or the French Toast made with Hawaiian sweet bread!
They also have a wide variety of juice and kombucha selections, a refreshing combo with the greenery and natural light that decorate the restaurant.
Millers All Day
For a more laid-back Charleston breakfast, you can head to Millers!
This Charleston eatery serves their breakfast and lunch options all day long. You might enjoy the delicious Steak & Eggs, or turn it up to lunchtime with their Millers Smash Burger!
They also offer a wide variety of mimosa and bloody mary concoctions, as well as an extensive coffee and cocktail list.
And, you can’t leave without grabbing a bite of dessert from their bakery. They are especially famous for their pie slices and cream-filled donuts!
Charleston Places to Eat for Lunch!
82 Queen
There are countless places to eat lunch in Charleston, but I’m a major fan of 82 Queen.
Nestled in Charleston’s French Quarter, you’ll find this intimate restaurant down a slim alleyway off of Queen Street.
The restaurant is spread throughout three historic buildings, as well as a lovely garden courtyard.
Just the atmosphere is enough to enjoy, but their food is to die for as well. Their version of She-Crab Soup, a South Carolina delicacy, is one of the best I’ve ever had.
And, you are sure to be impressed by their Barbeque Shrimp & Grits, or the Carolina Crab Cakes, that you might pair with a local SC beer or specialty cocktail.
On Saturdays and Sundays, they also offer a weekend brunch! Many of their staples stay the same, but they add some delicious late morning cocktails and eats to the menu as well.
Church and Union
Church and Union is a Charleston restaurant I have more recently discovered, and I don’t know why I waited so long to check this place out!
You’ll find this historic church building located off Market St. Much of the church decor still stands, with the high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows.
Don’t forget to ask your waiter about the story behind the words on the walls. Church and Union gets an A+ for atmosphere!
For a tasty bite of Southern comfort, you might try their Fried Chicken Sandwich. Their Southern Salad with shrimp will hit the spot as well.
This restaurant also offers Saturday + Sunday brunch until 3:30pm. The Breakfast Skillet is amazing, and you’ve got to check out their Mimosa Flight!
Poogan’s Porch
Poogan’s Porch is a Charleston favorite when it comes to Southern places to eat.
The restaurant is located in a Victorian townhouse with plenty of outdoor porch space to dine on (surprise!).
The eatery is named after a pooch named Poogan who used to be the dog guardian of the restaurant and greeted customers in the 1970’s.
Even if you dine in for lunch, you will technically be eating off of their brunch menu, which lasts until 3pm.
Poogan’s sure does Southern cuisine right, with their yummy Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken, and their fun take on a Barbecuban Sandwich.
Charleston Places to Eat for Dinner!
Hyman’s Seafood
For a famous bite to eat in Charleston, check out Hyman’s Seafood! This place has won best seafood restaurant in Charleston over and over again.
Hyman’s walls are covered with pictures of the celebrities that have dined at their restaurant, from Oprah to Dolly Parton. Just take a look at all the recognizable faces you pass as you walk to your table!
You can also see who has sat at the same table as you by checking out the brass plaques attached to your table. Last time I was at Hyman’s, I sat in the same seat as Samuel L. Jackson!
As far as what to order, I love their Carolina Delight, a super creamy version of shrimp and grits. You can also build your own seafood platter.
Don’t forget to ask about the Catch of the Day for some fresh fish off the Charleston harbor! And, they offer Kosher options as well.
Magnolias
If you want that classic, fine-dining experience, Magnolias is THE place to eat in Charleston. You are sure to fall in love with their upscale southern cuisine and fancy atmosphere.
They know how to take the southern classics up a notch, with their Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Bourbon Maple Glazed Salmon, as well as their amazing Down South Egg Roll appetizer.
While their prices are a bit steep, their portions are massive, so you might end up enjoying a second meal from Magnolia’s in your to-go box the next day.
They also offer an extensive wine list, and, if you really love the food, you might buy the Magnolia’s cookbook to try to make some of their beloved dishes at home!
Fleet Landing
Fleet Landing is the perfect place to eat for waterfront dining in Charleston!
It’s a nautical restaurant right on the Charleston harbor, so of course they offer some really yummy seafood. Their Stuffed Hush Puppies make an amazing appetizer, and you get to sample a little bit of everything with the Lowcountry Seafood Pasta.
As always for Charleston restaurants, the Fresh Catch is a great way to go. And, they offer a wide variety of cocktails, wine, and beer choices. You might check out their Monday-Friday Happy Hour at the bar from 4-6pm.
That’s all for my list of places to eat in Charleston!
For a full itinerary of what to do and see in Charleston, check out my Charleston Weekend Travel Guide here.
What is your favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner restaurant in the Charleston area?
Let everyone know in the comments below!
[…] South Carolina’s Restaurant Week also takes place for a couple weeks in January, so you can get some great winter deals at amazing Charleston restaurants, like 82 Queen, Fleet Landing, Hyman’s Seafood, and Poogan’s Porch. (For more restaurant suggestions, check out my Charleston Restaurant Guide here.) […]