Your Guide to Exploring Charleston, South Carolina!

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Charleston has always been high on my list of places to visit within the United States so when an opportunity to go with one of my besties came up, I jumped at the chance. Keep on reading for tips, tricks, and plenty of restaurant recommendations!

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT CHARLESTON

All The History
Endless Marshes
Beautiful Beaches
Cobblestone Streets
Fresh, Local Seafood
Lowcountry Cooking
Stunning Architecture
Gullah-Geechee Culture
Historic Plantations & Gardens
Oak Trees Adorned With Spanish Moss
And Of Course – Endless Southern Hospitality

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Charleston International Airport is just a 20 minute drive from the heart of downtown.
If you’re not renting a car, there are plenty of ride-share drivers ready to take you all around Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and the surrounding islands. We had great success using Uber since they were always quick to arrive and reasonably priced.
Downtown Charleston is very walkable so pack comfortable footwear.
I’ve read that spring and fall are the best times of year to visit Charleston.
However, if you decide to visit in the summer like we did please know that it will be hot & humid – very humid – too humid for some! We went in August, and the climate was very sticky yet mostly overcast with the occasional bursts of sweltering sunshine. So please be sure to drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated.
Despite the extreme heat, the weather in the summer can change on a dime – rain one minute; sunshine the next. So if you’re smart, carry an umbrella, poncho, or light jacket if rain is in the forecast. The day we came prepared, we only encountered a few large rain puddles from the night before and a brief, light sprinkle in the afternoon. The next day when we didn’t bring our umbrellas or wear our rain boots, is the day we got poured on! And when I say it poured – I mean it. We tried to briskly walk to our next destination but had to take cover under the awning of someone’s front door located up an elegant flight of Victorian stairs. I literally thanked them in their doorbell camera as we waited for the deluge to turn into a steady drizzle. Good times 😉
It’s no secret that mosquitoes love humid environments so don’t forget to pack some bug spray before any trip to Charleston or the south in general.
Charleston is a major bachelorette party destination. Who knew? I was shocked to see so many brides-to-be running around with their besties. So if you are visiting on the weekend, don’t be surprised if you come across various groups of gal pals traipsing up and down King Street at night.

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN

Tour at least one historical home or museum; we visited the Edmondston-Alston House.
Go to the beach; there are plenty to choose from. We ended up at Sullivan’s Island.
Visit at least one plantation; we decided on Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens.
Visit Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, and the other military landmarks in town.
Check out the famous, colorful houses on Rainbow Row.
Feast on some local seafood, especially the oysters.
Indulge in a some delicious Lowcountry fare.
Wander through Charleston City Market.
Stroll up and down King Street.
Hop in a pedicab.

There are so many other activities that we did not get a chance to do during this first trip. I cannot wait to return to Charleston so I can experience one of their famous ghost tours, harbor cruises, and marsh excursions. Viator is a great place to find the best guided tours & tickets to popular attractions. Click here to view everything that the city of Charleston has to offer to both locals and tourists alike!

WHERE TO STAY

There is an endless supply of hotels & private rentals throughout Charleston to fit everyone’s budget.

For this first trip to South Carolina, my friend chose a lovely Bed & Breakfast for us to stay at!

Zero George – Situated just a few blocks north of Market Street and three blocks east of King Street, Zero George is a boutique hotel comprised of three historic buildings and two carriage houses that have been elegantly restored. The renovated property boasts 16 guest rooms, various courtyards, charming verandas, a stylish lounge, a small bar, and even a high-end restaurant. Amenities include high quality beds with Italian linens, in-room Nespresso machines, a breakfast buffet every morning, happy hour in the afternoon, turndown service, complimentary bike rentals, and so much more. Location wise – I thoroughly enjoyed being a few blocks away from the loud, hustle & bustle of Charleston’s busiest streets yet still walking distance from all the fun! Price wise – let me be frank. Zero George is well out of this blogger’s budget, but my friend was able to snag our luxurious stay in the Veranda King with her well deserved credit card points! Overall, our room was incredibly comfortable, but if I had to find any faults with our stay it would be the slight tilt in the flooring of one section of our upstairs guest room which I’m sure is just due to the historic nature of the 19th century building we were residing in. Other than that, I highly recommend Zero George if you enjoy upscale accommodations, quaint properties, a quiet neighborhood, top-notch service, and historic architecture.

ADDRESS > 0 George Street • Charleston, SC 29401

WHERE TO DINE

There are a plethora of great eateries to choose from in Charleston proper and the surrounding neighborhoods. See below for a list of the restaurants that my friend & I visited on our first trip to South Carolina.

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit – I researched where to find the best biscuits in Charleston prior to this trip, and Callie’s came up several times. To my great fortune, their famous miniature biscuits were available at Zero George’s darling breakfast buffet! The biscuits were buttery, flaky, and moist! And although I got my fill at our bed & breakfast each morning that did not stop me from visiting their location at Charleston City Market my last afternoon in town. For an in depth review of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit & to see how their bake-at-home biscuit mix fares, please click here. Also, if you decide to purchase anything from their website, use the code SPRINGFORCALLIES to receive 15% OFF your purchase from now until May 31, 2023 🙂 You’re welcome!!

ADDRESS > 188 Meeting Street • Charleston, SC 29401
ADDRESS > 476 1/2 King Street • Charleston, SC 29403

Kiki & Rye – This popular restaurant is located within a cute shopping plaza in the large suburb of Mt. Pleasant. My friend and I were super excited to try out their brunch on our first full day in town since they had live music on Saturday mornings! The pros: beautiful decor, lovely ambiance, family friendly, nice servers, and plenty of parking if you’re driving. Also, my girlfriend said that her Cobb salad was fantastic since it came with both salmon & chicken! The cons: First off, the musicians hardly played any music which we thought was hilarious. Secondly & much more important – the center of my quiche was cold 😦 I kindly asked our server if they could quickly reheat it which she immediately said yes to. The kitchen ended up firing a whole brand new quiche for me which was incredibly sweet but took almost twenty minutes to come out. Despite the wait, I was thrilled to dive into the new, warm quiche, but to my great dismay, it was shockingly still cold. And just in case you were curious – I was too lazy & hungover from the night before 😉 to ask for it to be heated through yet again. And as far as taste goes – the quiche, unfortunately, lacked flavor. If you find yourself in Mt. Pleasant, feel free to give Kiki & Rye a chance, but if you’re in downtown or on a nearby island – I have to recommend going elsewhere since cold food is never a good thing.

ADDRESS > 656 Long Point Road • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

LUNCH SPOTS

The Royal American – An employee at Tavern Wine & Spirits aka “America’s Oldest Liquor Store” told us to check out a place called The Royal American on our third day in Charleston. So after getting caught in a rainstorm on Rainbow Row, we jumped in an Uber in desperate need of a drink, something to eat, and a warm place to dry off! To our surprise, our driver took us much further than we were expecting and dropped us off at a nondescript bar & grill located between a busy thoroughfare and some train tracks. Suffice it to say, the Royal American was not the swanky, southern speakeasy I was picturing in my mind 😉 After my friend dodged a cup of ice water being flung by a patron who didn’t see her walking up the exterior stairs and then crossing the rain soaked patio together in laughter – we entered a charming dive full of regulars. I got a local beer on draft, my girlfriend got a cocktail, and we shared some crispy fries and a killer double, patty melt made with jalapeños [Lance’s Way] – hence the reason, I highly recommend The Royal American for lunch! After our meal, we enjoyed a second round of drinks in the back patio along the railroad. We listened to the light rain, watched a train slowly chug on by, and enjoyed the early parts of the afternoon relaxing at this unpretentious bar away from the trendier areas of downtown Charleston. Fun fact: The Royal American is also a popular music venue in the evenings which makes it a triple threat in my opinion – full bar, great food, and live music! Do yourself a favor, and please check it out.

ADDRESS > 970 Morrison Drive • Charleston, SC 29403

Lewis Barbecue – This spot was also recommended to me by a local on my last night in Charleston. She said that she worked at Lewis Barbecue as a bartender, that it was some of the best food in town, and that I should try to go before leaving. So the very next day after checking out of Zero George on my way to the airport, I stopped at Lewis Barbecue for lunch. The interior was light, bright, and inviting which only highlighted the order counter teeming with exquisite looking food. Like most traditional barbecue joints, the price for sliced protein is determined by weight. After some back and forth regarding what I should get, I settled on some brisket with a side of collard greens and one last local beer to wash it all down. The beef was tender, and the collards were flavorful as were the complimentary pickles, onions, and barbecue sauces that accompanied my meal. I cannot wait to return so I can try their smoked ribs, sausage, poultry, and slew of other side dishes. My mouth is literally watering as I type this review. Do yourself a favor, and check out Lewis Barbecue if and when you ever find yourself in Charleston!

ADDRESS > 464 North Nassau Street • Charleston, SC 29403

HAPPY HOUR

The Darling Oyster Bar – Like any other type-A, oyster obsessed, deal-loving person – I researched Happy Hours prior to flying to South Carolina. We were arriving on Saturday afternoon, and I was thrilled to learn that The Darling had Happy Hour the entire weekend – not just Sundays – which made it the perfect place to kick off our trip to Charleston! After settling into our hotel, we enjoyed our 15-minute walk over to all of the action on King Street. This chic looking restaurant was jam packed, but we snagged two-seats at the busy bar after hovering nearby for a few minutes while deciding what to drink. After getting our beverages, we ordered a dozen oysters and their baked crab dip which was so good! The bartenders were all super sweet, and the vibe so energetic that we were soon enjoying a second round of drinks and half a dozen more oysters with their signature hot sauce! Our time spent at The Darling Oyster Bar was honestly the perfect introduction to Charleston in my humble opinion – great food, great crowd, great ambiance! I highly recommend it.

ADDRESS > 513 King Street • Charleston, SC 29403

The Longboard – During our second day in Charleston, I noticed the Oyster Hour sign while strolling along the main drag of Sullivan’s Island which of course motivated us to stop in for an afternoon snack and drink. The interior was light, bright, and colorful with a modern beachside flair. I couldn’t get enough of the sea glass countertops and other design features sprinkled throughout the restaurant. After grabbing a seat at the bar – we ordered a local beer, glass of rosé, and white fish croquettes. Our small meal was lovely, the service was great, and the ambiance was relaxing. We would have definitely tried some oysters and a few more items, but we didn’t want to eat too much prior to our dinner reservation at Nico later that night. If you ever find yourself exploring Sullivan’s Island, I would absolutely visit The Longboard.

ADDRESS > 2213-B Middle Street • Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482

DINNER

Slightly North of Broad – After going back and forth for a few days prior to arriving in South Carolina, I made a reservation at S.N.O.B. (as it’s locally known) for our first official dinner in town! Long story short, it was the best meal that I had during our 3-night trip to Charleston. And in my humble opinion, the entire experience was just perfect! First and foremost, we were seated right away. Our incredibly friendly server, Kevin, stopped by within moments to introduce himself, share the specials, and offer his opinions when we asked about the cocktails. A short while later we were feasting on local clams, cornbread, sourdough, and two very liquored-up libations. My girlfriend ordered the locally-caught fish as her entree plus a glass of white wine. I selected the shrimp & grits with housemade sausage and country ham plus a local Kolsch which paired perfectly with my meal. We were both so full that we chose to skip dessert, but I’m sure it would have been just as delicious. If you are looking to patron an upscale restaurant serving traditional yet elevated Lowcountry cuisine – I thoroughly recommend Slightly North of Broad! And just to note – S.N.O.B. also does weekend brunch which I imagine is just as phenomenal as their dinner service.

ADDRESS > 192 East Bay Street • Charleston, SC 29401

Nico Oysters + Seafood – For our second night in town, I made a reservation at Nico – a french seafood restaurant in the Shem Creek neighborhood. For all of you Southern Charm fans out there – I was unaware that it was partially owned by the family of one of the cast members of this popular Bravo reality show. I only selected Nico for the great reviews and tasty sounding menu! My girlfriend on the other hand, definitely knew about Nico and was super excited that I chose it for dinner. Okay, on to more important things. For an appetizer we ordered half a dozen Local Oysters, two Caviar Oysters, and Escargot in addition to some wine of course! The snails were wonderful, but we both agreed that the oysters were just okay despite being expertly shucked. For our entree, we shared the Steak + Frites. The beef was perfectly cooked to our medium rare request and accompanied by a flavorful bordelaise. The fries were crispy and seasoned well. Last but not least we ordered the Crème Brûlée for dessert. The sugary top was caramelized tableside and served with three double chocolate cookies! Both of which were incredibly tasty to say the least. Overall, Nico is a lovely restaurant with excellent service and delicious food. It’s definitely worth a visit.

ADDRESS > 201 Coleman Boulevard • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop – To keep things exciting, I didn’t make a dinner reservation for our last night in town so my friend and I could choose something together. Some local who I cannot recall but I assume was one of our Uber drivers or bartenders that day 😉 mentioned that we should check out a place called Leon’s when we asked about the best oysters in town. Immediately after the recommendation, my girlfriend replied with something along the lines of, “Yes! Leon’s. My coworker suggested that we go there.” So with guidance from two separate individuals, we walked into this raved about Poultry & Oyster Shop later that night. For a Monday evening, the restaurant was bustling! Since we didn’t have a reservation, we quickly snagged two seats at the bar, and since it was our last night in Charleston – we ordered up a storm. First up – half a dozen Raw Oysters plus Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp. The local oysters that we chose were excellent and by far the best tasting that we had during our trip. The shrimp were large, sweet, and unabashedly finger-licking good! For our entree we, of course, had to order some fried chicken which was juicy, flavorful, and crispy! Last but not least, we skipped dessert and ordered a Fried Catfish Sandwich with a side of their famous, “Old School” Scalloped Potatoes. The sandwich was killer, and the potatoes were creamy and delicious. The interior of Leon’s is casual and cozy, and the energy of the diners was through the roof. Everyone in that restaurant was happy which I assume is due to the great food and excellent service. Overall, our final dinner in Charleston was a quintessential South Carolina meal and one that I won’t soon forget. Thanks, Leon’s.

ADDRESS > 698 King Street • Charleston, SC 29403

WHERE TO DRINK

You can clearly get cocktails, wine, and beer at all of the establishments listed below & many of the restaurants listed above. However, I still decided to separate this section to make it a little more fun. Enjoy!

SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

Proof – I read about the cocktails here prior to our trip and that it was a great spot for live music. So after an amazing dinner at S.N.O.B. we hopped on a pedicab and got dropped off by our awesome, pedaling driver right outside of Proof which is located along the heart of King Street. I have no idea if the owners of Proof got in trouble with the fire department at some point, but they had a door man escorting guests inside based on available seating. After a five-minute wait, we were allowed to enter. And although Proof is indeed quite small, the bar did not seem at capacity one bit. Despite my confusion with guests having to wait outside, I desperately had to use the restroom so I hit the ladies’ room while my girlfriend headed to the bar. Upon my return, she told me that she ordered two Cosmopolitans. My tipsy self was thankful but definitely wanted something more unique. The menu was gigantic so although I wanted to read everything over, I just asked the bartender to change my Cosmo to something on the tart side with herbal or citrus notes. I have no idea what he made me, but it’s the orange cocktail pictured below and was quite delicious. We took a seat by the open air glass windows and people watched the night away as we toasted our coup glasses to a fun, first night in Charleston. Other than the odd experience at the door, it’s important to note that we were both definitely disappointed to learn that they no longer have live music which was the primary reason we came to Proof. Otherwise – the bartender was cool, and our drinks were tasty.

ADDRESS > 437 King Street • Charleston, SC 29403

Dalila’s – I randomly found this tiki style cocktail bar on Yelp while getting ready for dinner our last night in Charleston. The website mentioned Happy Hour from 7pm – 8pm which is an odd time for discounted drinks, but heck – it worked for me since I love a good deal. Plus, it just so happened to be in the same direction as Leon’s – our chosen dinner spot for the evening. So with a plan in place, my girlfriend and I arrived at an incredibly cute bar on a nondescript side street called Spring. The small interior was chic yet warm & welcoming. We arrived shortly after 7pm on a Monday, and there were just two other patrons enjoying drinks. Although the island inspired cocktails sounded and looked phenomenal, I selected their Brut Cava since wine was 50% off during Happy Hour which meant $6.00 pours and no next day hangover for me 😉 My girlfriend on the other hand, ordered a gorgeous dirty martini to start followed by a tasty daiquiri. One of the owner’s, Mike, was bartending that night. He was incredibly kind and excited that we stopped by since tourists usually don’t patron his bar. After some great conversation and two rounds of delicious drinks we finally headed to dinner as a variety of locals started to arrive for a weeknight libation. I highly recommend Dalila’s if you enjoy fun, creative cocktails, an intimate environment, and relaxing vibes!

ADDRESS > 441 Meeting Street – Suite F • Charleston, SC 29403

IMPORTANT NOTE: The address above is a bit confusing. Their space must be the back unit of a much larger building whose main entrance is on Meeting Street. Please know that the front door of Dalila’s is actually on Spring Street which is located directly between King [to the west] and Meeting [to the east] 🙂

WINE, BEER, & LIQUOR

Élevé – I had read that Charleston had a plethora of rooftop bars before heading to South Carolina, so I knew that I wanted to visit at least one during our trip. So on our first day in town after Happy Hour at The Darling and a quick refresh at our hotel, we walked down to Élevé for a drink before our dinner reservation at S.N.O.B. The main bar is located within a restaurant on the top floor of a small building. While I ordered drinks, my girlfriend found us a cozy seat on the adjacent, rooftop patio. We both took in the sunset while I enjoyed a glass of dry rosé and she a vodka soda with lime. The drinks and service are nothing to write home about, but the views of Charleston and overall ambiance do make Élevé worth a quick visit.

ADDRESS > 55 Wentworth Street • Charleston, SC 29401

The Royal American – As I mentioned in the “lunch” section above, The Royal American is a charming local bar located outside the hustle and bustle of Charleston’s main drags. It’s teeming with good energy, plenty of beer, and endless liquor. If you’re looking for a casual yet fun place to drink amongst easy going locals, this is your spot. The Royal American also has a small but mighty food menu, a large front patio, a smaller back patio, a cool wraparound bar, and live music multiple nights a week. The only thing they don’t have is PBR according to a sign on a wall. Sorry to all you Pabst lovers out there 😉 If cheap canned beer is your thing though, don’t worry, as they’ve got plenty of other options! Other than the atmosphere, the best thing about The Royal American are the insanely affordable prices. If you’re on a budget, definitely check out this beloved bar & grill.

ADDRESS > 970 Morrison Drive • Charleston, SC 29403

Tavern & Table – Although this is a popular restaurant, we specifically came here for a pre-dinner drink and to enjoy Shem Creek at sunset. We had the side, back patio pretty much all to ourselves which meant unobstructed views of this famous, Charleston waterway before walking to nearby Nico for dinner. I do look forward to trying the food at Tavern & Table the next time I’m in Charleston, but for now – I’ll say that the outdoor deck is a great place to enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail, or beer!

ADDRESS > 100 Church Street • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Red’s Ice House – After our dinner at Nico, we headed back to the waters of Shem Creek for a nightcap. We ended up at a no frills, sports bar called Red’s. Since it was around10:30pm on a Sunday night, the crowds had pretty much dissipated, but we were still able to relax at the outdoor bar with a few other locals before turning in for the evening. Our bartender was super sweet, and the beer was ice cold which makes Red’s a great spot for a casual drink during any trip to Charleston.

ADDRESS > 98 Church Street • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Mercantile & Mash – My friend and I walked past Mercantile & Mash on our stroll home from The Royal American on our last day in town. After having dinner at Leon’s later that evening, our awesome server mentioned that it was a great place to go to when we inquired where we could find some live music on a Monday night. We immediately recognized the name and Ubered on over to this local bar & restaurant. The band was stellar, the locals were friendly, and the bartenders were great. Our server from Leon’s even headed over with his girlfriend after he got off of work which goes to show that Mercantile & Mash is a beloved neighborhood staple.

ADDRESS > 701 East Bay Street • Charleston, SC 29403

And there you have it folks!

Charleston is a beautiful city with a deep history that every American should take the time to visit. If you have any questions regarding planning your vacation, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below.

Until then…

Safe Travels & Happy Eating!