Breakfast/Bakery

  • Cold Shoulder Gourmet (West Ashley)

    While sandwiches are not traditionally breakfast, I’ve added this spot under breakfast because if you plan to get there at lunchtime you’ll likely be disappointed.

    They sell the sandwiches until they sell out (likely by 11am) and the owner is incredibly nice. There isn't a true menu because they're different daily based on what is sourced - he'll just walk you through each of the six sammies and you choose from the case.

    CSG
  • The Daily (Downtown)

    The breakfast burrito and whipped feta toast are (my) crowd favorites. This is great for either meeting up with a few friends or reading by yourself, but there aren't reservations so your seat selection is based on time of day - don't worry, they're on Door Dash too!

    *see the Coffee page - they’ve got great coffee too!

  • Welton's Tiny Bakeshop (Upper Downtown)

    Be prepared for a line on a Saturday morning and to takeaway the treats back home.

    WTB
  • WildFlour Pastry

    My favorites include the sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit and fig and prosciutto quiche.

— just a quick FYI

Resy and Open Table are the most common reservation methods. If you're local, check out Blackbird, the new rewards app for a growing number of restaurants/coffee shops around town.

Lunch/Dinner - Downtown

  • The Darling Oyster Bar (Downtown)

    Great $1 oyster happy hour! Below is also the blue crab dip - a perfect "happy hour for dinner" if you ask me.

    I'd consider this more of "fresh seafood" vs fried seafood (both, of course, have their place and pick around Charleston) so keep that in mind when perusing.

  • Little Jack's Tavern (Downtown)

    Everyone is going to tell you that you need the double burger with truffle fries. While I agree about the truffle fries, I go for the single burger and it’s just right.

    I recommend sitting on the covered patio when the weather allows (most of the year).

  • Wild Common (Downtown)

    Great for a celebratory dinner with a chef’s selection changing regularly. They went all out with a balloon and chocolates for my birthday, which was a sweet surprise.

Lunch/Dinner - West Charleston (James Island, John’s Island, West Ashley)

  • CudaCo Seafood House (James Island)

    The coconut rice bowl with salmon or Tuna is the perfect meal to take on your way to Folly Beach.

    In addition to prepared foods, they also offer standard seafood cuts that you can buy by the pound and cook up yourself at home.

    Don't forget half price oyster Tuesdays!

  • Ellis Creek Fish Camp (James Island)

    No reservations, the parking lot is small in a residential neighborhood, and you order at the counter, but get the grilled shrimp tacos and thank me later.

  • Edison James Island

    The menu here is always changing but I haven't been led astray yet! Start with the forage & fig for a simple appetizer and end with the "chocolate bomb" (chocolate cake in a hard shell).

  • Famulari's Pizza (James Island)

    More commonly referred to as “Fam’s” because of the brewery they’re inside, this is a great and casual place to get some pizza and wings.

    Not so secret tip - Sunday night’s are half price appetizers. My favorite “pizza” is their cheesy breadsticks + pepperoni and a side of ranch so it’s wins all around.

Lunch/Dinner - East Charleston (Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island)

  • Post House (Old Village, Mount Pleasant)

    This restaurant is inside a beautiful inn within Old Village, a picturesque neighborhood within Mount Pleasant that I love to walk around.

    I love their seasonal pasta and the burger is always a crowd favorite.