We are going to a wedding in Charleston which is on Sunday April 3. A group of us is arriving there Saturday April 2 during the day…and we would like a decent restaurant at which to eat that night. We are staying at Holiday Inn Express Charleston Dwtn - Ashley River. It’s right downtown so we would love to be able to walk if possible. There will be 6 or 7 of us.
Suggestions??
Unfortunately @thumper1 your hotel is not in the historic part of downtown and would not be easily walkable. What kind of food and what price point are you looking for?
We will have cars…so can drive. The hotel looks like it’s right near the main retail district? Is it not?
Any kind of food…but probably not Italian unless it’s a really great special place.
It is close to downtown closer to the hospitals. Not far from downtown and the Battery but it would be a good walk. Magnolia’s ( nicer restaurant ) Pearlz( more casual seafood place) Peninsula Grill( very expensive) Poogan’s Porch ( moderately priced Southern cuisine) For dessert I highly recommend Kaminsky’s on the Market. It’s a coffee and dessert bar and they make like a dozen different desserts each day. It’s always crowded so there may be a short wait. There are so many choices.
I think you should definitely go for some Low Country/Southern cuisine.
I second Magnolia’s. There is also Blossom which is owned by the same restaurant group. I’ve only been to High Cotton for brunch but the food was very good and they do dinner as well.
A great retail shop worth checking out is Savannah Bee Company.
Another vote for Magnolia’s. We were in Charleston last fall, and Magnolia’s was hand’s down the best restaurant of our trip. Second would be The Drawing Room at The Vendue. The Venduw also has a great rooftop bar.
Make dinner reservations before you leave home!
If you want a wonderful lunch, I would drive out to Hominy Grill on Rutledge. They have great low country food. I had a wonderful piece of Hummingbird cake there. I still think about it. We also had dinner at the High Cotton and it was good too.
There are so many! Adding to the above list, High Cotton and Amen Street are good and right downtown. I agree with the Kaminsky’s rec. I have only been to the Columbia location but it’s great. They are part of the HHG group that owns Pearlz. There are nice rooftop bars with views at the Pavillion and The Vendue for before or after dinner drinks. Make reservations wherever you go and have a great time! We love Charleston.
ETA-Your hotel is probably about 2 to 2-1/2 miles from the hub near Market and Meeting.
+1 for Hominy Grill. Forgot about that place. Very good.
No lunch…only dinner saturday night…April 2.
Definitely make reservations. That’s Cooper River Bridge run weekend and it will be crowded in Charleston
Magnolia’s but I don’t think that is walkable from where you will be.
We tried to get reservations for S.N.O.B but couldn’t get in. We ate at Peninsula Grill, in Planters inn. It was charming, but the scallops were bad (smelled/tasted like ammonia).
Any other suggestions? Right now, Magnolias seems to be at the top of the list.
Can’t go wrong there. Have a great weekend.
Husband and I were in Charleston a few years ago for a get away without the kids and had a fine meal at Magnolias - service was ok and food was fine. Also made it to SNOB (excellent but pricey), Peninsula Grill (good), Southend Brewery (nice lunch), Bocci’s (Italian) and a few other highly reviewed places. Our favorite meal by far was at Hanks Seafood – outstanding service and no other food compared in quality, presentation, or freshness. From soup to dessert - every course and every dish was memorable. We wish we would have discovered it on our first night – we would have returned again – no other meal came close.
We used tripadvisor heavily for advice and we absolutely loved our time in Charleston. Enjoy - it is a wonderful city.
Charleston…I envy you. It is beautiful…and classic…SNOB…excellent. (Slightly North of Broad) Oh heck…we never had a “bad” meal. Make reservations!!! Mr. Ellebud and I had friend chicken, shared it…damn! Next time…no sharing.
Oh, and be aware and afraid…the people of Charleston are lovely…and polite…and helpful. You begin to think that this is “normal”…until you return home. Young people said thank you…gave directions…used Sir or make…
As a resident of Charleston, my favorites:
F.I.G. (the ricotta gnocchi app is life changing)
The Ordinary
MacIntosh
SNOB
Indaco (Italian/pizza). Trattoria Lucca is better Italian IMO but hard to find and nothing else around it).
Cannon Green (Mediterranean)
Hall’s (steak)
Pearlz (casual, if you can get a table - no reservations)
Barony Tavern - Bob Carter’s (of Peninsula Grill fame) new place is pretty good.
For a cold beer and great bar food, check out Craftsman Kitchen
Good for lunch:
167 Raw. (better than Amen Street)
Cru Cafe
Leon’s (in a sketchy area)
Tattooed Moose (also in a sketchy area)
Co Banh Mi
Make reservations now! The city will be overrun that weekend.
I just checked a couple of places…and online anyway…they are not yet taking reservations for April 2.
Cru Cafe…excellent. Make a reservation