A lot of you have asked me for my favorites here. But since I feel like a fraud making a list from my total of 18 hours in this glorious town, I asked some of my local friends, all with excellent taste. You’ll see there’s a little bit of overlap, which I love, because if it comes down to having limited time and picking just a couple of spots, you’ll know which ones to choose. Over to our contributors… -Y.E.
Brooks Reitz is the founder of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co., owner of several epic restaurants in town, and an amazing writer—with a great newsletter, A Small and Simple Thing.
“Making any favorites list in your own hometown is always fraught with a challenge – the places you go as a local may not always be the experience a visitor is seeking. Sometimes you love a place because you know the staff, the location is convenient, or it’s easy to get into. It may not always be the “best,” but it may well be the “favorite.” To that end, this is a list of some of our favorite Charleston spots. It is by no means exhaustive, and an omission is not a reason to think we don’t like a place. It just may mean it isn’t on our heavy rotation. And because my first thought of the day is always “What are we eating today?,” most of these are food or drink related.
For coffee, we like Baba’s on Cannon. It’s a pint-sized cafe with a lovely streetside patio for meeting friends or taking a meeting. Throughout the day their offerings transition from coffee to cocktails, and their drinks are some of the best in the city. Don’t miss the Gin & Tonic, a pre-bottled offering featuring Jack Rudy’s Extra Bitter Tonic. It is stellar.
If we are in the historic district, we always seek out Harken for a coffee and a small snack. The baked goods are exemplary, and the location, on a quiet stretch of Queen Street, is the perfect refueling spot for a day of antique shopping.
For lunch, we love a grown-up’s lunch (where there is no schedule and the wine is plentiful) at Chez Nous. The cooking is quiet, confident, and seasonal, with some of the best fish dishes in the city. It leans French but not slavishly so. The petite menu (only 6 items) undergoes a wholesale change each day, so you never know what you might get. But you can always trust it will be just what you wanted.
If we are feeling casual and breezy, we like Lewis BBQ for lunch. The large patio means there is always space to sit, and though there is a lot of great barbecue in town, Lewis is our favorite. If we are feeling healthy we opt for the faultless smoked turkey. If we want to party, it’s nachos, all the way.
We love a late afternoon lunch (which sometimes becomes dinner) at Leon’s and Little Jack’s. Though they are my restaurants I never get tired of the offerings – we like to make craveable food that you could eat any day and every day.
On a nice day, we will ride our bikes to Goat Sheep Cow on Church Street for their daily sandwich offering. We will bike them down to White Point Gardens and enjoy a picnic on one of the benches overlooking the gorgeous homes of South of Broad. It’s a must for any visitor who doubts the charms of the city.
For dinner, we love Bar George on James Island. Great oysters, rotisserie chicken, and inventive, seasonal smaller dishes that always leave heavy on local produce. The tunes are great and the staff is kind.
If we are feeling celebratory, we will go to my Italian restaurant, Melfi’s. Pound for pound I think it’s the best “nice” restaurant in the city, and the Negroni’s are certainly the best in town.
For wine, we love Graft for a younger, more laid back environment with a great progressive offering, or Bin 152 for a more classic selection and a more refined, Frenchified environment.
If shopping is to be done, the Preservation Society of Charleston has a lovely edit of many of Charleston’s best makers and manufacturers. It’s next door to Ben Silver, the iconic men’s clothier. For a younger edit, you can’t miss Indigo & Cotton on Cannon, which now sells a small selection of women’s wear, as well. Our favorite store, top to bottom, is Worthwhile, a King Street stalwart with everything from Astier de Villatte to Rick Owens to candles that look like birthday cakes.”
Jaimie Dewberry, of The Dewberry, one of the coolest hotels we’ve stayed at, who gives us her ideal 48 hours in town:
“You must stay at The Dewberry of course! Day 1: Start your morning with rooftop yoga at the hotel followed by coffee from our friends at Second State. Borrow our complimentary Specialized bicycles, cruise the Battery and South of Broad neighborhood. My personal favorite street is Legare!
Grab lunch at Basic Kitchen — delicious food + drinks
Afternoon shopping on King Street, any of the stores on Middle King (fondly referred to as MiKi!) Hampden clothing is a personal favorite for women’s clothing! Also check out Ibu, Billy Reid, and The George Gallery.
If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, head back to the hotel for a spa treatment + a cup of our Dewberry custom blend tea.
Pre-dinner cocktail at Citrus Club, followed by supper at the magical Chez Nous.
Day 2: Venture to Harken for breakfast delights + the best matcha tea latte! Honestly, you can’t go wrong ordering anything on their menu!
Head over to The Gibbes Museum to see the most prestigious American portrait miniature collections in the county. A great spot to learn a bit of Charleston history is the Aiken Rhett House.
If you are craving Southern fare, Leon’s is a must for lunch. Then pop into Fritz Porter, Wynsum Antiques, and Blue Bicycle Books on your way back to the hotel.
Enjoy a bit of live music in The Living Room before heading to dinner at Fig.
Other spots to check out that might pique your interest…
Explore the barrier island beaches (our personal favorite is Sullivan’s Island)—we have Volvo house cars available for guests. You don’t want to miss The Obstinate Daughter for Lowcountry delights while on island.”
Ben and Kate, owners of the Post House, the most lovely small inn in Mount Pleasant, gave us their favorites:
“The Charleston Artist Collective: Borrow a Post House cruiser for a short ride to this incredible gallery! The majority of the artwork that hangs in Post House is sourced from this amazing local gallery a stone’s throw from the inn. We love that they exclusively work with local artists to display one of a kind artwork.
Leeah’s Old Village Wine Shop: This cute little wine shop is just steps away from the inn and perfect for a nightcap or grabbing a bottle to enjoy at home. Bistro tables line the street in front at this Old Village gem.
Out of Hand: This is our go-to shop for hostess and birthday gifts. You can find so many unique pieces, from beautiful candles, jewelry, clothing, and more. Just next door, Out of the Garden offers fresh florals and home goods for the perfect pick-me-up. We guarantee you won’t be able to leave without buying something special.
Pitt Street Pharmacy: Our neighbor is a true blast from the past. This charming old school pharmacy stocks all the essentials from backyard honey to cbd gummies and makes a mean grilled cheese to boot. Beat the afterschool rush and stop by for an ice cream after a long walk through the Old Village.
Basic Kitchen: This is our healthy neighborhood restaurant across the bridge in downtown Charleston. I might be partial, but I can’t get enough of our veggie-forward dishes like the Basic Bowl and the Butter Bean Salad. Cool off with a beet margarita, our backyard is filled with lush greenery and the perfect hideaway.
Leon’s: You can’t come to Charleston without indulging in some fried chicken and the best place to get your fix is Leon’s Oyster Bar. Wash it down with some cold beer and oysters on the half shell, don’t forget a soft serve covered in sprinkles!
Baba’s on Cannon: Whether you need an espresso in the morning or an afternoon libation, Baba’s is the perfect pit stop downtown. We love sitting outside the cafe for aperitivo and people watching. We suggest an As-You-Wish cocktail—pomegranate pressed on the spot with your choice of liquor (we go with tequila)!
Indigo & Cotton: Just down the road from Baba’s, this is a downtown favorite for a tailored selection of clothing with a menswear focus, plus a number of local designers and beautifully-made products.
Worthwhile: A fitting name for this cool and perfectly curated King Street staple established in 1993, the store rotates a number of incredible designers and luxurious home essentials. We can’t go without their handmade incense by Astier de Villatte.”