all about ceese

Downtown Charleston

Breakfast | Brunch:

• Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit ($):  Known for its biscuits, Callie’s 2 locations in Downtown are a great crowd pleaser, but keep in mind it’s more of a to-go location.  You can find Callie’s on upper King, and in the Market. 
• Caviar & Bananas ($): This gourmet market offers an array of menu items that can be enjoyed inside, or to grab-and-go if you’re in a rush.  This cafe is located near the College of Charleston, just off of George Street. 
• La Patisserie ($): This is definitely one of my favorites, whether you’re able to have breakfast there and enjoy the ambiance (the floors are gorgeous!), or just grabbing a coffee and pastry to-go, it’s sure to delight several of your senses.  This is located near Francis Marion Square, in Hotel Bennett (both street & hotel access). 
• Miller’s All Day ($$): This is probably my all time favorite brunch spot on the weekends.  Although easily substituted for breakfast during the week, Millers has a wonderful selection of items to start your day off right.
• Ruby Slipper & Ruby Sunshine ($$):  Being a restaurant that is solely a breakfast and brunch spot, you can’t go wrong with anything on its menu, including one of its Eye-Opening Cocktails.  You can find one location on East Bay Street, just a few blocks from Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park. 

Lunch:

• A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack ($): Located on King Street, this restaurant is not quite a restaurant, yet not quite a quick service, yet still boasts wonderful seafood.  Still a great spot to grab a quick lunch in the midst of meandering throughout downtown. 
• Basic Kitchen ($$): This fresh restaurant is very simple, while still maintaining fresh, clean ingredients.  Tucked just behind the shopping on King Street, this restaurant is located off of Wentworth near the College of Charleston.  
• Benne’s ($): This elegant quick service restaurant is very much a delightful extension of Peninsula Grill.  Although both locations are known for the Coconut Cake (try this at least once while you’re in Charleston!), the rest of their menu definitely hits the spot.  Both of these wonderful locations are located at Planter’s Inn, next to the Charleston City Market.  
• The Darling Oyster Bar ($$): This simplistic menu is sure to be a crowd pleaser, although their Bloody Mary’s are a meal in itself.  Located on upper King Street. 
• Fleet Landing ($$): this Charleston staple is a must try when you’re here.  Known for being Charleston’s only waterfront location on the Cooper River, the hush puppies are phenomenal along with just about anything else featured on their menu, and also has a great Happy Hour.  Located at Waterfront Park. 
• Harken Cafe ($):  This casual cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch and uses locally sourced ingredients.  Their fresh salads are rotated seasonally and is a great option for any vegetarians.  Located on Queen Steet.  
• Poogan’s Porch ($$-$$$): This southern staple has the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had.  They have seating options both up- and down-stairs as well as outside.  Located off of Queen Street, between King and Market. 

Dinner:

• Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar ($$-$$$): Being just a few blocks south of the Charleston City Market on East Bay Street, this wonderful restaurant is a great staple for Oysters and Shrimp & Grits.   
• Bay Street Biergarten ($$): One of my favorite places in the area to grab a pint and schnitzel (their pretzels are great too).  This German themed menu is great whether you’re sitting inside or out on the patio. It’s a fun place to hang out with friends and watch a game or two.  Not quite in the heart of everything, it’s located on upper Bay Street, just past the South Carolina Aquarium.
• Church & Union ($$): This sophisticated restaurant is in the heart of it all by the Charleston City Market and still boast its cathedral ceiling, stained glass windows, and hardwood floors.  Even though this restaurant was once home to the Church of the Redeemer, it has a great happy hour.   **Reservations are strongly encouraged. 
• Coast Bar & Grill ($$): This atmospheric restaurant is sure to delight with its menu, any of its seafood offerings are amazing, with the inside decor being casual and giving a sense of being inside a secret warehouse.  The entrance to this hidden restaurant is down an alley way it shares with a few other Holy City Hospitality locations. 
• Indaco ($$): Located on upper King Street, this restaurant has a wonderful selection of Italian dishes, and I’m talking more that pasta.  
• Lowland ($$): This simple restaurant makes you feel like you’re someplace other than Downtown Charleston.  With the vibes feeling of the outdoors, their menu is quite a delight to your palate (also would be why it’s a Michelin Guide restaurant).  Their Celery Salad is my favorite! 
• Slightly North of Broad ($$$):  practically across the street from Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, this restaurant has a slightly elevated feel to it once you step inside.  

Drinks + Desserts:

• Carmella’s ($): what’s not to love about Carmella’s dessert drinks?  Not far from the Market, their creative take on desserts is something worth grabbing while people watching.   The cakes they offer are also enjoyable, especially when splitting between at least 2 people.  
• Grand Bohemian Wine Bar ($$): This indoor-outdoor wine bar offers more than just a by-the-ounce wine bar; take advantage of its eclectic art, live music, and Winemaker Demonstrations will sampling the small plates and charcuterie.  Located on Meeting Street, this wine bar is a great way to relax and unwind in the evening while still just far enough away from all the hustle and bustle of the downtown of King Street.  
• Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe ($): located on Market Street, this must-do location is a great late-night treat.  From milkshakes to slices of pie (or maybe just a boozy drink), it’s quite the hot spot here in Charleston.  
• Saffron Bakery ($): This is probably my favorite, simply due to its array of dessert selections.  Whether you’re dining-in, or simply taking this to-go, it’s a wonderful spot to satisfy your sweet tooth!
• Uncork Charleston ($$): Whether you’re here to just grab pre-dinner drinks, joining for dinner, or stopping by after dinner for their live entertainment on evening, this is the place.  This hidden gem is located on King Street in the heart of downtown Charleston.  

James Island + Folly Beach

Breakfast | Brunch

• Miller’s All Day ($$): This is probably my all time favorite brunch spot on the weekends, and yes you guessed, Millers has 2 locations in the area.  Although easily substituted for breakfast during the week, Millers has a wonderful selection of items to start your day off right.  
• Three Little Birds Cafe ($): whether you’re in the area or just finished part of the West Ashley Greenway, this cute cafe is a great way to grab something to eat.  Whether you’re having coffee or smoothie with your meal, it’s a great way to grab breakfast or brunch!

Lunch | Dinner

• Bowen’s Island Restaurant ($-$$): this local spot has some of the BEST seafood in the area.  From fresh oysters (when they’re in season) to any of their platters, there’s something about this place with its incredible views of the harbor.  
• Ellis Creek Fish Camp ($): This casual location is an Order-At-The-Window kind of place, while being able to enjoy the atmosphere outside on the patio. While the views from this James Island location are quite stunning, the parking can be tricky.  

John’s Island + Kiawah + Seabrook Islands

Lunch | Dinner

• Angel Oak Restaurant and Bar ($$): This local gem offers a fresh menu, giving it that farm-to-table southern vibe.  
• The Royal Tern ($$-$$$): Boasting the charm of the low country, this gem is a definite great location for a date night. The seafood has always been fantastic every time we’ve been there.  **Reservations are highly recommended.  
• Salty Dog Cafe ($$): This local seafood chain still boasts its legendary charm, extending from it’s Hilton Head Island location.  Definitely a fun vibe to experience if you’re enjoying a day at the beach in either Kiawah Island or Seabrook Island.  Located in Bohicket Marina.
• Stono Market & Tomato Shed Cafe ($-$$): This casual restaurant is known for its home cooking.  Also offers select produce and gifts.  
• Wild Olive ($$-$$$): Located next door to Low Tide Brewing, this popular Italian restaurant is such a hidden gem. **Reservations are highly encouraged.

Dessert + Drinks

• Forty-Eight – Wine Bar & Kitchen ($$):  With all of the stations filled with a great, eclectic wine selection, you’re sure to discover something to enjoy, from wine and cheese to having lunch or dinner.  
• SOMM Wine Bar ($-$$): This recently opened wine bar is a great addition to John’s Island.  Great for stopping in just for a drink, or even gathering for wine and cheese.  

Mount Pleasant, SC

Breakfast | Brunch

• Gala Cafe Bakery + Bar ($): This charming bakery in Old Town Mount Pleasant boasts an incredible menu simple menu of items along with pastries, desserts, drinks.  Yes, also open for afternoon drinks as well.  

Lunch | Dinner

• CRAVE Kitchen & Cocktails ($$): their Mac & Cheese is a must try here!  It’s so good that it’s won numerous awards. Definitely a must try if you’re staying in the Mount Pleasant area.  
• Page’s Okra Grill ($$): This southern focused restaurant is incredibly popular that the wait times can be lengthy as it’s Walk-In only (does not accept reservations).  Don’t be afraid to sit at the bar and eat.  Their ‘Redneck Rolls’ (appetizer) is out of this world (does contain pork).
• Wando River Grill ($$): Looking for something that provides a great view of the Wando River?  This is the place, it’s perfect for something a little out of the way and nice and quiet (with the exception of the Marina traffic).  Try either their fish tacos or shrimp tacos.  

Drinks + Dessert:

• Ardoa Wine Bar ($$): This French inspired location has a wonderful selection of meats, cheeses, and wine.  I always love a wine shop that has wine dispensers.  
• The Wine Bar ($$): Located in the Belle Hall Shopping Center, this place is very much my ideal wine bar to go to.  Their charcuterie boards are beyond amazing, and are paired well with their wine selection.  
• Wine Shop Old Village ($$): 

Sullivan’s Island

Lunch | Dinner

• The Obstinate Daughter ($$-$$$): this amazing spot is wildly popular, so be sure to make a reservation, whether for Brunch or Dinner.  The decor is a wonderful combination of its environment and food.  

Charleston’s West Ashley neighborhood

Breakfast | Brunch

• Eggs Up Grille ($-$$): 
• Ruby Slipper & Ruby Sunshine ($$):  Being a restaurant that is solely a breakfast and brunch spot, you can’t go wrong with anything on its menu, including one of its Eye-Opening Cocktails.  You can find Ruby’s secondary location in the Avondale neighborhood. 
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Lunch | Dinner

• Frothy Beard ($-$$): This local brewery is great for either grabbing a pint or having one with dinner; don’t be afraid to get a pint, as it offers too many choices on draft. The casualness of this location is nice for when it hosts events such as Trivia Night.  
• Home Team BBQ ($-$$):
• Middleton Place Restaurant ($$-$$$):  Located on the Plantation itself, this restaurant offers a fresh and local farm-to-table cuisine when you’re visiting the Plantation district.  While lunch is a first come, first serve, reservations are required for dinner.  
• Ms. Rose’s Fine Food & Cocktails ($$): Ms. Rose’s has an eclectic vibe: modernly southern food combined with an ambiance and nod of days gone by.  
• No Bull Burger Bar ($-$$): These juicy burgers aren’t for the faint of heart; come hungry!  Parking is limited. 
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Dessert + Drinks

• All My Exes ($) – Avondale’s newest hangout, stop by for one of their crafty cocktails and light bights.  Great for an after hours spot.
• Avondale Wine & Cheese ($): this cute location is named after its location; it’s great for meeting up with a small group for wine and a charcuterie board.