Caroline’s Charleston Favorites
There is nothing I love more than this city. If you're visiting, here's a list of my go-tos. I could write pages and pages of recommendations! I hope this helps!
First, let's get our bearings.
The peninsula is home to Downtown Charleston. King Street runs straight down the middle of it and is covered with fun shops and restaurants. At the end of King Street, you run into Broad Street. "South of Broad" is the neighborhood (you guessed it) South of Broad. These houses ooze charm. The gardens are unbelievable. When you reach the end of the peninsula, you'll find Battery Park. Right on the water, this is such a beautiful spot.
Over the Ravenel Bridge, you'll find Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant is home to a super charming neighborhood called The Old Village. If you love house-watching, take a walk or drive through here. If you keep driving through Mount Pleasant, you'll reach Sullivans Island. Sullivans is right on the beach and the cutest, most Americana beach town ever.
In the other direction, you'll find West Ashley, James Island, and at the bottom of James Island - Folly Beach. Keep traveling South, and you'll reach Johns Island and Kiawah Island.
LET'S START WITH COFFEE
Harken is my favorite spot. Located downtown and filled to the brim with magic, it's the perfect place to grab a latte, one of their bakery treats, and keep walking on Queen Street and the South of Broad. The Daily is on Upper King and has excellent breakfast burritos, smoothies, etc. Sorelle is located on Broad Street and brings all the romance of an Italian coffee bar to South Carolina. I love Baguette Magic (on James Island or downtown!). Their sausage sammy is life-changing; you can order online to skip long lines. Babas is downtown right off King and is so chic. Perfect location to grab some coffee, do some people watching, and keep wandering down King Street.
so much good food
Wow, it's hard to pick just a few places. I tried to organize these from snacks to fancy meals. If you're coming to Charleston, come hungry.
Welton's Tiny Bakeshop is fantastic. You have to go. Huryali (downtown or in my neighborhood on James Island!) is a great vegan place. I love their nachos, breakfast burrito, or smoothie bowls. Holey City Bagels has the best bagels. Sugar Bakeshop has the best cupcakes. Fast & French is on Broad Street. I love going for happy hour, sitting outside, and having a glass of wine, soup, and French bread. It's the perfect, easy, inexpensive, and local spot. Also fabulous for fondue - very French! The Co-Op on Sullivans Island has great sandwiches and amazing frose. My best tip is to order ahead online so you can pick up your sandwich right when you get to the beach.
If you're looking for a casual but fun spot - Home Team BBQ downtown or on Sullivans Island - it has the best BBQ and drink called the Game Changer (I love these). Great to hang with a large group (no reservation needed) and watch a sports game - if you're into that? Remember to order their tater tots for the table.
Leon's is one of my absolute favorites. No reservation is required (but you often have to wait) - it's the perfect Southern comfort food spot. I love their chicken sandwich, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters, and side of potatoes - ugh, it's all so good. Melfi's is across the street from Leon's (reservation required!) and is an unbelievable Italian restaurant. Their pasta is so good—upscale, dim lights, posh, with great food. Basic Kitchen (recommend getting a reservation!) is downtown off of King and is a great restaurant for lunch or dinner. A clean take on American classics, Basic is also one of my favorites. Try their sweet potato fries and the beet margarita.
Craving Mexican? Rancho Lewis is excellent. No reservation required (you might have some wait time) - I love their nachos and margs. Xiao Boa Biscuit is another spot if you're looking for unique cuisine. Asian cooking in a converted gas station and soooo good.
The Ordinary is a Lunne family favorite. Downtown and upscale - incredible service, even better seafood. A great place to sport a fun or fancy dress! Bar 167 is so fun and good, also off of King Street downtown.
Post House Inn is in The Old Village in Mount Pleasant. So great for brunch and wonderful for dinner or lunch. It's a boutique hotel with so much charm. It is a must-stop! And the branding — too much to handle for this marketing gal.
Pizza in Charleston? I love Coastal Crust. The West Ashley location has great outdoor seating and is the perfect place to bring kids and let them run around. Also wonderful to pick up and take to the beach for a pizza picnic! (they also have a great GF option)
JUST FOR DRINKS?
Back to Babas. Monday - Friday from 4-6 pm, you can get their "bucket of cocktails" and have a bucket of Aperol spritzes delivered to your table. So fun. Bar Rollins is a local and up-and-coming spot. Such a fun wine bar with the best vibes. Little Palm is downtown inside the Ryder Hotel. Have a fun cocktail poolside—such great girly energy. The Dewberry has a rooftop bar called the Citrus Club which is lovely. Great views! Last Saint is on Upper King and is also a fun, new, trendy bar. I love sitting at the Felix bar.
POST DINNER DANCING
The Commodore is a 23+ bar that has great wedding band vibe music. Dusty, hole in the wall, kind of vintage feeling. Fun. Henry's is a wild multi-floor bar with different music in each room. Many live bands. So fun! If you're feeling karaoke - Bangkok Lounge is so fun. Cross the bridge into Mount Pleasant and bar hop on Shem Creek. Salt Water Cowboys is a country classic.
SHOP
Where do I even start?! So much great shopping here!
King Street is the obvious. I'd start at the top and work my way down. So many great stores. My favorites on King are Candle Fish (you can also sign up for a candle-making class here!), Beau & Ro, and The Impeccable Pig. Off of King, you'll find another favorite, my friend Mimi's store, The Tiny Tassel. The Historic Charleston Museum and The Preservation Society shops are very well-curated. Chrogan’s Jewel Box is a famous jewelry shop in Charleston - right on King. Hampden is so colorful, fun, and a great stop (also on King).
At the top of King is Hart Jewelry. Such an inspiring store! I love their meaningful jewelry.
I love Out of Hand (next to The Post House Inn) if you're in Old Village. If you're venturing to James Island or West Ashley, Rhodes Boutique has great finds and the best selection of dresses.
For home and garden, I love Celadon in West Ashley, Elizabeth Stuart is so breathtaking (located in the Old Village), and Abide Awhile is also a great home and garden store (in Mount Pleasant).
ANTIQUES
The Mount Pleasant Mall is full of finds. I love to frequent Terrace Oaks Antique Mall and Antiques of South Windemere.
CHURCH
They don’t call Charleston ‘The Holy City’ for nothing! I go to mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Their 9 am mass is a great one for families. St. Marys is also a beautiful Catholic Church downtown. Bright City always has a wonderful and encouraging service. If you go, say hey to my friend Jess! There is also a perpetual adoration chapel at Blessed Sacrament in West Ashley. Find the door on the right of the Church.
EXPLORE
Just taking a stroll South Of Broad and looking at all the gardens and homes is a fabulous way to spend an afternooon. The Angel Oak on John's Island is a cool thing to see. If you're here on a first Friday, join the Art Walk downtown (free wine and lots of beautiful art to look at.) Cypress Gardens is about 20 minutes outside of Charleston. You can rent a canoe and float through the river where the Notebook was filmed! The Sunday Brunch Farmer's Market at the Pour House is my go-to. They usually have live music and fun all day long. Explore Mepkin Abbey (about 30 minutes outside Charleston) for a spirtual garden experience and visit with the monks.
The Battery (South of Broad), Hampton Park, and Colonial Lake are great places for a walk or picnic.
Get out on the water on the Palmetto Breeze or contact my friend Will at Blueprint Yachting for a private boat experience!
BEACHES
My favorite beach is Sullivan's Island - a bit more "upscale." Folly is also a great spot - more beachy with a dash of hippie. Isle of Palms is a blend of the two. You'll always find me at Sullivan's on a summer Saturday.
catch the SUNSET
You know I love a sunset. My favorite places to enjoy it include the park in my neighborhood - Plymouth Park, The Pitt Street Bridge (in the Old Village) is a great place, also Sullivan's Island beach.
Have fun! I can't wait to hear about what you love. If you love something about Charleston I didn't mention, tell us in the comments below! The more recs, the better.
Enjoy!