Read through where to stay, eat and wander in my Charleston Travel Guide!
Charleston, a charming southern town full of pastel homes, palm trees and the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. The city’s food scene alone has won its fair share of awards and respectfully so. Most city’s have to tip their hats off to the town who’s mastered the art of comfort food right down to their own desserts. From charbroiled oysters, fried chicken thighs on top of sweet potato waffles and hot-out-of-the-oven biscuits – breakfast lunch and dinner is a feast for the eyes and the tummies.
Read through some of my recommendations on where to stay, where to wander and most importantly, where to eat.
STAY
Hyatt House – comfortable stay, located within walking distance to the Historic downtown district.
86 Cannon – a luxury boutique hotel run by a lovely couple. This place has southern charm written all over it with rocking chairs, wrap around porches and happy hour every day where you can have a chance to meet the owners and other hotel guests.
WANDER
King Street – lined with high to medium-end shops, cafes, restaurants and dessert places.
Rainbow Row – lined with pink, blue, green and yellow pastel homes (tip: arrive there early am. Cars are usually parked along side the street so it’s hard to get a picture in)
S Battery – wander in and around this street to see Charleston’s beautiful mansions.
White Point Gardens – a luscious park with a beautiful gazebo worthy of a photo or two.
Harleston Village – even more cute homes and shops.
Sullivan’s Island beach and town – great for a day spent at the beach or wandering around the little town. Just a short drive from Charleston’s historic district.
Plantations – Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, Boone Hall & Charleston Tea Plantation (all plantations charge a cover charge to get in and an extra fee for a tour of the plantations).
EAT
Brunch
Hominy Grill – (tip: order the sweet potato waffle, add a side order of the chicken thighs, place them on top of the waffle and drizzle with maple syrup. A, so don’t forget about their freshly baked biscuit and homemade jam).
Mercantile & Mash – (tip: a market setting where you order first and then find your seat. Get the fried chicken and waffle).
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Lunch
Xaoi Boa Biscuit – A multicultural Asian restaurant with speciality cocktails in a trendy converted gas station (tip: order the Japanese pancake).
Five Loaves Cafe – Small American bite size plates that are shareable.
Butcher & Bee – the menu covers a wide range of food all made in-house.
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Dinner
Husk – Offers a wide range of meals that change on the daily.
The Ordinary – seafood speciality (tip: snack-size plates and platters for the entire table. Oyster happy hour is available during the week).
Leon’s – a Southern-style seafood & fried chicken joint in a laid-back setting (tip: start with the charbroiled oysters and order the brussel sprouts and scalloped potatoes as your sides).
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Dessert
Jeni’s Splendid Icecream – house-made made ice cream in funky flavours.
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Snacking or Cocktails
Hot Little Biscuit – a tiny stand that serves freshly made biscuits.
Gin Joint – a speciality lounge where you pick from their seasonal drink menu or if you’re feeling lucky, opt for the Bartender’s Choice.
The Darling Oyster Bar – a beautiful interior with vintage decor offering up seafood dishes, fry baskets & raw oysters. Happy Hour is every day between 4pm – 7pm, $1 an oyster and $1 off draft beer and house cocktails.
