best restaurants in charleston

Pakistani Restaurant Opening in Downtown Charleston

Ma’am Saab, a Pakistani Restaurant is coming to downtown Charleston.

Ma’am Saab first began as a pop-up at the popular exploratory restaurant venue Workshop Charleston and was widely popular amongst patrons. The concept was even able to deliver food to customers during the pandemic while Workshop was closed.

Raheel Gauba, co-owner of Ma’am Saab, said “Workshop was a true incubator. It truly served its purpose. We got 10 years worth of experience in one year.”

According to Maryam Gauba, chef and co-owner of Ma’am Saab, is eager to continue to share her culture and love of food with Charleston. She said, “Growing up in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, one can say that I have enjoyed some of the most flavorful foods from an early age….Ma’am Saab was born out of my incurable insistence to share the flavors I crave with my fellow Charlestonians.”

The new restaurant will be located at 251 Meeting Street, where they will be taking the place of Jestine’s Kitchen, a beloved Charleston staple that was forced to close during the pandemic.

Ma’am Saab is expected to open this summer – either by July or August.

Eat & Drink

Popular New Orleans Restaurant Coming to Downtown Charleston

Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group, owners of the popular Louisiana-based restaurant Ruby Slipper Cafe, recently announced they will be opening a new restaurant in Charleston.

The restaurant, Ruby Sunshine, will be taking the place of Blossom, a long-standing restaurant located at 171 East Bay Street and is expected to open in the fall of 2021.

According to their website, Ruby Sunshine’s all-day brunch brings “the same Big East twist to breakfast and brunch classics.” Some of their menu items include BBQ Shrimp and Grits, Sweet Heat Chicken and French Toast Bites and Biscuits and Gravy.

Ruby Sunshine currently has a variety of restaurants throughout the South in places like Tennessee, Alabama and North Carolina. This upcoming Charleston location will be the first Ruby Sunshine location in South Carolina.

Peter Gaudreau, CEO of the restaurant group, said “Charleston is a natural next step for our expansion, and we think the city captures that sense of New Orleans’ hospitality and Southern charm that Ruby Sunshine is all about.”

Eat & Drink

Restaurant Offering ‘Burgers and Brews’ Open in Park Circle

Mixson Burgers & Brews recently opened their doors in North Charleston’s Park Circle and is quickly becoming a hotspot in the area. The space was previously home to Holy Cow Burgers & Brews but has since changed ownership and undergone some updates.

Thankfully, Holy Cow Burgers & Brews most popular item, a three-meat burger filled with ground chuck, brikey and short ribs, is still on the menu.

Mixson Burgers & Brews is not only famous for their mouth-watering burgers and ice cold brews, they also offer wings, wraps and salads.

Shontea Jones Taylor, owner of Mixson Burgers & Brews, has also added some fresh additions to the restaurant including Taco Tuesdays, where patrons can enjoy specialty tacos every Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Taco Tuesdays also come with $5 margaritas, $4 tequilas and $3 chips and salsa.

Check out Mixson Burgers & Brews soon to see what all the hype is about!

Eat & Drink

Two New Restaurants Coming to Downtown Charleston

Even though numerous businesses have suffered immensely throughout the past year, there seems to be some hope. The restaurant scene in downtown Charleston is coming alive again and adding some fresh new faces. Check out these two new restaurants coming to Charleston this spring.

Coterie, located in downtown Charleston, recently opened at 17 Warren Street. Coterie serves up a fusion of Indian and American cuisine with a southern twist like their Okra and Paneer Malai or Bombay Shrimp and Grits. They also have delicious craft cocktails and provide outdoor seating for patrons to enjoy. The restaurant is open from 5:00pm – 11:00 pm for dinner service.

Brasserie le Banque is set to open this spring at 1 Broad Street. This French brasserie, owned by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, will serve classic French pastries for breakfast in combination with a coffee bar and will also provide lunch and dinner for restaurant-goers.

Eat & Drink

Where to Find the Best Cajun/Creole Food in Charleston

Cajun/Creole food isn’t just for Mardi Gras! These Charleston-based restaurants are serving up some of the best southern Louisiana staples all year round.

LoLA

Located in North Charleston’s Park Circle, LoLA is home to Low Country Louisiana cuisine. Some of LoLA’s staples include Creole Jambalaya, Shrimp and Andouille Mac and Cheese and Classic Muffuletta. Finish off your meal with a delicious dessert of Beignets for a classic Creole sweet treat.

Cafe Roux

Cafe Roux, a self-proclaimed “mobile kitchen,” is famous for their traditional southern Louisiana food. Order their Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Blackened Alligator or Creole Red Beans and Rice and get transported straight to New Orleans. You can either place an order online or visit the food truck on Sullivan’s Island.

Charleston Caribbean Creole

The Charleston Caribbean Creole food truck fuses both Caribbean and Creole food. From Creole Fried Catfish Baskets to Charleston Creole Gumbo to Crawfish Tacos, Charleston Caribbean Creole has it all. The food truck is normally stationed at 3316 Ashley Phosphate Road but occasionally travels to other areas around the Charleston area. Check out their online calendar to see where you can catch them next.

Gillie’s Seafood

Who knew James Island was home to some of the best Creole/Cajun food in Charleston? Gillie’s Seafood, located at 805 Folly Road, has an extensive Creole menu. Try their Seafood Purloo, Okra Gumbo or Catfish Charleston – you won’t be disappointed.

News

Workshop Food Court Closing in the Spring

Workshop food court in downtown Charleston is set to close in the spring of 2021.

The exploratory food court, located on King Street near Edmund’s Oast Brewery, first opened in 2019 and provided thirty different concept restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine, many of which are set to open their own standalone restaurants in the near future.

Workshop issued a statement on their decision to close their doors on social media saying, “To our friends, Charleston family and the community– it is with a range of emotions that we announce that Workshop will be closing its doors this spring….Thanks to your support the Charleston culinary landscape has changed for the better….This has been a great opportunity for us, for our food entrepreneurs, and for the community. We are excited to celebrate one more spring with you and to bring Workshop to a successful conclusion.”

While there is currently not an official date that Workshop is expected to close, it will be sometime this spring.

Be sure to check out Workshop’s upcoming events and current restaurant concepts including Ma’am Saab, South Philly Steaks, Blazing Star Cafe, Saha Jordanian and Sushi-Wa Izakaya.

Eat & Drink

Charleston’s Restaurant Week Has Begun

South Carolina’s annual restaurant week has officially begun. Each year the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association hosts a week-long celebration of local restaurants in various cities across the state, where participating restaurants provide special menus and pricing on some of their most popular items.

This year’s event will last from January 7th to January 17th. Foodies can find either lunch or dinner menus ranging in price from $10 to $55 depending on the number of courses and chosen restaurant.

Some of this year’s participating restaurants include 5 Church, Grace and Grit, High Cotton, Slightly North of Broad and Vicious Biscuit. Each restaurant has fully customized their restaurant week menu to create a tailored and indulgent experience for restaurant-goers.

It’s no secret the restaurant industry has suffered immensely during the course of the past year so we encourage people to support some of Charleston’s local hotspots during this year’s restaurant week.

Hungry to help out? Click here for a full list of participating restaurants and their restaurant week menus.

Eat & Drink

Charleston Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Meals

A variety of Charleston restaurants are serving up delicious Thanksgiving dinners for you and your family to enjoy this year. Choose between a sit-down dinner at your favorite Charleston hotspot or pick up some side dishes to round out your Thanksgiving meal.

For those individuals who do not want to lift a finger this Thanksgiving holiday, many Charleston restaurants are also providing full Thanksgiving meals to go. Here are some Charleston restaurants serving up Thanksgiving meals around town.

Caviar & Bananas

A full a la carte menu provides you with the power to pick and choose what you want for your Thanksgiving meal. From whole turkeys to cornbread dressing to mashed potatoes and gravy to blueberry cobbler, you can find something for everyone. Be sure to place your order by November 21st.

Crave Kitchen and Cocktails

Offering a “Take and Bake” menu, Crave Kitchen and Cocktails can do most of the heavy lifting on Thanksgiving. Pick an entree, appetizer, two sides, and a dessert to complete your Thanksgiving dinner this year. They are also offering options for both pick-up and delivery.

The Dewberry/Henrietta’s

Looking for a sit-down dinner in someone else’s dining room other than your own? The Dewberry is providing a family-style Thanksgiving meal in the beautiful dining room at Henrietta’s. Make a reservation for either 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM, or 6:00 PM.

Edmund’s Oast

For just $245, you can get a full Thanksgiving Dinner package to go. Edmund’s Oast is providing classic dishes like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. They are also adding their staple beer Something Cold to their package in addition to three bottles of wine – all of which are available for curbside pickup on Thanksgiving Day.

High Cotton

Traditional Thanksgiving dishes meet southern staples at High Cotton’s sit down Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy classic dishes like stuffing, sweet potatoes, and corn pudding, or opt for Charleston favorites like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and broiled oysters. High Cotton will be open on Thanksgiving day from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM so, be sure to make a reservation soon.

Other Charleston restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals and side dishes include Butcher & Bee, Dockery’s, Home Team BBQ, Magnolia’s, Mercantile and Mash, and Zero Restaurant.