Charleston, South Carolina, is a city where Southern charm meets coastal elegance. With its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and vibrant culinary scene, Charleston offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modern flair. Whether you’re strolling along the scenic waterfront, indulging in world-renowned Lowcountry seafood dishes, or exploring its historic antebellum homes, the city’s rich past and contemporary appeal make it one of the America’s top cities to visit.
Don’t miss iconic sights like the Battery, Rainbow Row, and the historic City Market, and make sure to savor local specialties like shrimp and grits or a perfectly fried oyster po' boy. With its warm hospitality and picturesque surroundings, Charleston is a place that stays with you long after you leave.
STAY
Zero George
0 George Street
843.817.7900
www.zerogeorge.com
Zero George is a beautiful collection of five restored 19th-century historic residential buildings and carriage houses in a pretty, private landscaped courtyard and small gardens filled with blooming magnolia trees, located in the heart of the Ansonborough neighborhood of Charleston. The casually elegant 16 studios and suites feature original architectural design elements including antique pine floorboards and wainscoting, adjoining verandas, soft natural linens and towels, marble bathrooms and fireplaces surrounded by a pale blue and cream palette. Borrow one of the hotel’s signature bicycles to explore downtown Charleston, the nearby Charleston Museum, and Market and King Street. An added bonus is the buffet style free breakfast. If you are desiring an atmosphere filled with Southern Charm, Zero George fits the bill.
DINE
Bodega
23 Ann Street
843.297.4772
https://www.eatdrinkbodega.com
Down a pretty alleyway lies Bodega, Chef Alec Gropman’s indoor/outdoor restaurant bringing Bodega New York style sandwiches to Charleston. Their breakfast sammies make it easy to grab and go and include their Bodega Classic with eggs, cheese and a wide range of add ons including bacon, sausage, ham, smoked salmon and avocado; the Lowcountry with sausage, egg, cheddar and gravy and their salmon toast with smoked salmon, Boursin cheese, capers, red onions and Everything Bagel seasoning. They also offer great lunch sandwiches as well as bowls, salads and coffee drinks. There are also great cocktails for weekend brunch.
Miller’s All Day
120 King Street
843.501.7342
This bright teal tiled breakfast and lunch spot on busy King Street is the perfect stop for breakfast, brunch or lunch. The interior design gives off a mid-century vibe with stylish white modern chairs, teal accents and a retro bar designed like an old-fashioned pharmacy. The entrance houses a glass enclosed antique mill which mills all the grains for dishes. Standout dishes are the unicorn pink grits, tomato soup with cornbread croutons, French Toast sticks with blueberries and caramel cream cheese, pimento cheese with crackers, Miller’s plate breakfast with eggs and red corn grits, biscuits and gravy, hot honey chicken and eggs on a brioche bun and fried chicken. Open 8am to 3pm.
Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar
198 East Bay Street
843.722.5892
https://www.carmellasdessertbar.com
What looks like a small bar is really a bar, Italian café and dessert spot located close to dozens of bars and restaurants, making Carmela’s a perfect place to get treats and sweets. Their authentic desserts include delicious small cannoli, chocolate peanut butter, carrot, lemon pistachio olive oil, red velvet and chocolate hazelnut cakes that are big enough for three people to share. They also sell turtle cheesecake, key lime pie, tiramisu, banana pudding, butterscotch budino as well as pastries, cookies, gelato, sorbetto, drunken shakes and sweet cocktails.
Melvin’s BBQ, Mt. Pleasant
925 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
843.881.0549
Head over the bridge to Mt. Pleasant for one of the best barbeque spots in Charleston. Melvin’s secret recipe for mustard based wood-fired meat goes back to 1939 and they offer huge portions of pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and burgers. They also have a wide variety of sauces and sides, including mac and cheese, fried okra, barbecue hash, coleslaw, butter beans, sweet potato souffle, hushpuppies and the biggest onion rings in Charleston. Order the Combo Meat Plate with two or three choices of barbecue and two signature sides for a good variety of dishes and make sure to include their banana pudding for dessert.
The Restaurant at Zero George
Caviar Bar
0 George Street
843.817.7900
This romantic, exclusive and cozy spot has only two seatings per evening on the veranda of Hotel Zero George’s main dining room. Set with a view of surrounding palm and maple trees, diners can indulge in a full menu of caviar dishes. The evening begins with brioche, jammy eggs, chips, crème fraiche and a big serving of Regiis Ova caviar. There is also hamachi with huckleberry, tomatillo and caviar; deviled eggs with caviar and a big Wagyu burger with caramelized onions, cheese fondue, truffles and caviar.
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 king Street
843.641.0821
One of the best places to try Charleston’s bevy of seafood is The Darling Oyster Bar, offering delicious and fresh affordable oysters, crab and fish. Housed in a big noisy restored storefront, diners can choose to sit at the 14-seat raw bar and watch the action on King Street or settle into a cozy booth surrounded by brick walls and a white and teal interior design. House specialties include King crab, snow crab, oysters with trout roe and kiwi citrus mignonette, mussels and shrimp, a huge seafood tower, baked crab dip, and a huge selection of delicious affordable oysters. Entrees are equally delicious including shrimp and grits, poutine, crab cakes, blue crab tagliatelle and shrimp, fish and oyster fry baskets with kale slaw and hand cut fries. For cocktails, try their oyster shooter or famous Bloody Mary.
Circa 1886
Wentworth Mansion
149 Wentworth Street
This gorgeous restaurant housed in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion offers sublime dishes in a pretty setting. Perfect for special occasions or just to indulge while visiting Charleston, the intimate space has white tablecloths and soft lighting. Executive Chef Marc Collins menu is luxurious and delicious. Diners can choose from an a a la carte menu or two tasting menus. I recommend the tasting menu, priced at $130 it’s a bargain and includes seasonal dishes such as a foie gras torchon brulee with peach cider curd, toasted pecans and finger lime; blue crab salad with pineapple sorbet; Berkshire pork with gnocchi and a smoked paprika tomato sauce with truffle crema; Wagyu beef with garlic butter potatoes, vegetables and a smoked foie gras demiglace and chocolate truffle cake with poached pears.
Bar Vaute
1 Broad Street
843.779.1800
https://www.brasserielabanque.com
This hidden gem of a bar located beneath the French restaurant Brasserie la Banque is the perfect place for an intimate cocktail. Through the bustling restaurant
DISCOVER
Woodhouse Spa
10 Westedge Street, Suite 150
843.203.1772
Located in the newly renovated Westedge area of Charleston, Woodhouse Spa is the perfect stop to relax and unwind. Book some time in their beautiful private VIP lounge including a fireplace and relaxing lounger and enjoy a special cheese and charcuterie plate and champagne before a massage or facial. They also offer manicures, pedicures, body wraps, scalp treatments and waxing services.
Southern Ruetz Hats Bar
128 Meeting Street
854.219.1381
https://www.southerncharmchs.com
Take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir by visiting the Southern Ruetz Hats Bar. Located in the historic French Quarter, here you can create your own unique had with the help of a skilled hat artist while enjoying a refreshing libation. Pick from Vintage fabrics and pins to create your own special hat.
Charleston Shopping
Charleston is a shopper’s paradise, offering a mix of historic charm and modern boutiques. One of the must-visit spots is the Charleston City Market, a historic landmark where you’ll find everything from handmade baskets to local crafts and specialty foods. For high-end shopping and trendy boutiques, King Street is the place, featuring designer stores, antique shops, and charming Southern fashion boutiques. Just around the corner, Market Street offers a variety of souvenir shops, local artisan goods, and gourmet treats, making it a great place to pick up unique gifts and Charleston-inspired keepsakes.
Charleston Food & Wine Classic
If you plan to visit Charleston in the Fall, make sure to reserve tickets for the second annual Charleston Food & Wine Classic festival, the premier culinary event showcasing the best of Lowcountry cuisine and wine. From November 14 – 16, talented celebrity chefs from across the nation provide cooking demonstrations and there are special food and wine events and exclusive dining experiences throughout the three-day event. For more information, visit https://foodandwineclassicincharleston.com.
