Charleston FYI

Menu

Charleston Restaurant

Eat & Drink

National Doughnut Day

National doughnut day is nearly upon us. Every June 5th, doughnut shops across the country pass out sugary bites, free of charge. The holiday was originally created not as a marketing ploy, but rather a way to boost morale for soldiers in World War I back in 1938. Considering we could all use a reason to celebrate, here’s a round-up of participating doughnut shops in Charleston. 

Krispy Kreme

Over these last few months, time has seemed to be on a course of its own. Days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. The good news? Krispy Kreme gets it. Instead of celebrating national doughnut day on its usual June 5th, this year you can get your favorite doughnut, free of charge from June 1st – 5th. Limited to one doughnut per person. For more information visit here.

Dunkin’ Donuts 

As if we needed another excuse to go to Dunkin! This national donut day they’re offering what they call, “The Sweet Treat American Deserves.” Participating locations will be offering a free donut of your choosing with any beverage purchase on June 5th. You’ll want to stop in quick before they run out of your favorite sprinkled treat. In case you can’t make it on the 5th, order off GrubHub from June 6th-7th for a free half dozen on all orders $10 or more. Interested in free donuts for a year? All it takes is your best slogan ideas answering the question, “What does The Donut Party stand for to you?” To enter, use the #DunkinDonutPartySweepstakes on Instagram. For more information visit here.

Duck Donuts

Not one, not two, but three days of celebrating is in store for Duck Donuts’ lovers. From June 5th – 7th all online, app, or carry-out orders will be receiving a free cinnamon sugar donut. And if you download their rewards app prior to June 4th, a second cinnamon sugar donut will be headed home with you! For more information visit here. 

Eat & Drink

Charleston Restaurant Week

Charleston Restaurant Week is here! The event has been extended through the 22nd of September so there’s still plenty of time to experience the deals throughout the Holy City.

Slightly North of Broad
Deal: 3 Courses for $45

Magnolias
Deal: 3 Courses for $40

Butcher and Bee
Deal: Seasonal Tasting Menu for $25

The Macintosh
Deal: 3 Courses for $35

Peninsula Grill
Deal: 3 Courses for $45

Let us know which restaurant you’re most excited to try!

Eat & Drink

The Best Spots for Barbecue in Charleston

Featured Image: Eater

No one is surprised when they hear about the rise of Charleston’s food scene, and the expanse of barbecue restaurants is no exception. These five Charleston barbecue restaurants will give you plenty of southern food that you’ll be hungry to write home about.

Lewis Barbecue

Just two years ago, John Lewis changed the barbecue scene here in Charleston. Having established himself as a prized pitmaster in Austin, TX, he made his way to the Holy City to make his mark on Charleston with the opening of Lewis Barbecue. Welding the custom-designed smokers himself, Lewis wakes up at 4 a.m. to tend the fire that slow cooks meat for 18 hours.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Welcome to the Monday morning smoke show. #pitcrew

A post shared by John Lewis (@lewisbarbecue) on

Rodney Scott’s

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ is deep-rooted in heritage and tradition. At a young age, Scott learned to cook whole hog barbecue watching his family do the same in the hog pits they built behind their convenience store in Hemingway, SC.

Word got out about how good the smoked meats the Scott’s were selling out of their convenience store was and people began traveling hours each week just to try it. With so much popularity, Rodney Scott decided to leave the family business and open up his own BBQ joint here in Charleston in 2016. In 2018, Rodney was named the James Beard Best Chef in the Southeast for his restaurant.

Home Team BBQ

With several locations, now expanding as far as Aspen, CO, Home Team BBQ is a fresh and local-minded restaurant right down to their sauces. With experimentation always in mind, the Home Team crew is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to use smoked meats. With award-winning dishes, an expansive bar, and a fun, family-friendly environment, Home Team is the whole package!

View this post on Instagram

How much for one rib?

A post shared by Home Team BBQ (@hometeambbq) on

Smoke BBQ

In the heart of Charleston on upper King Street is Smoke BBQ. Smoke is one of the most diverse options of the Charleston BBQ scene. With plenty to choose from, including tacos and pastrami that is cooked 16 hours, Smoke stands out in the crowd. Check it out the next time you’re downtown and looking for some southern barbecue.

Swig & Swine

Swig & Swine features classic, all-wood smoked barbecue that delivers the juiciest smoked meats the Lowcountry has to offer. With four locations in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and West Ashley, Swig & Swine restaurants are serving up to barbecue lovers all around.

Eat & Drink

An Afternoon in the French Quarter

An afternoon spent in historic downtown Charleston is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re lucky enough to call the Lowcountry home or just stopping by for a visit, downtown Charleston provides the perfect setting for a summer afternoon. Just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes while out exploring (we’re headed for cobblestone streets!) and get ready to enjoy the French Quarter.

Located on the southeastern corner of the peninsula (and with Broad, Meeting, East Bay, and South Market streets acting as its perimeters), the French Quarter gets its name from the French Huguenots that settled in the area seeking religious freedom. The historical significance of the area is apparent throughout the neighborhood, with well-known and well-loved churches peppering every street, including the French Huguenot and St. Philip’s Episcopal churches.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Good morning from #Charleston

A post shared by Charleston SC official account (@explorecharleston) on

History isn’t the only thing this charming area has to offer. The French Quarter is filled with delicious spots to grab a bite to eat, so start your afternoon by heading to lunch at Minero on East Bay St., where you’ll find a variety of affordable, quality, and casual Mexican dishes. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can even try to tackle their biggest menu item, simply named The Burrito, that is packed with flavorful and fresh ingredients. Also in the area are a few timeless Charleston classics such as Brown Dog Deli on Broad St. or Poogan’s Smokehouse on East Bay St. Both places offer quick lunch options so that you can move on to enjoying the rest of your afternoon.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Taco game strong at Charleston Wine & Food. ??: @katkinsman

A post shared by Tasting Table (@tastingtable) on

After lunch, stroll down the cobblestone streets, popping into the countless art galleries that you’ll find on every street within the French Quarter. Narrow streets like Church, Cumberland, Chalmers, and Queen are full of galleries as well as Gallery Row on Broad. (We know, we’re shocked they have art galleries there too.) Wherever you go, you’re guaranteed to find something unlike any other, as many places support a combination of both well-known and up-and-coming artists.

After stopping into a few galleries, be sure to take a stroll over to Charleston Waterfront Park on Vendue Range for a great view of the Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River. Stop for a quick picture, enjoy the swings by the sea, and be sure to keep your eye out for some playful dolphins in the water below!

Finish off your afternoon with happy hour at one of the many bars throughout the French Quarter. The Blind Tiger Pub on Broad St. has $10 mimosa carafes (who says they’re just for brunch?!), but also plenty of cocktails and beers to choose from. For a sky-high view of the Holy City, check out the rooftop bar at The Vendue, which has been named the best rooftop bar every year since 2007 by the Charleston City Paper. For something off the beaten path, The Griffon Pub is your spot. The first thing visitors might be surprised by are the walls covered in dollar bills and the unique feel of the pub, providing an atmosphere that is both comfortable and special to Charleston.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Rooftop on the rocks. Join us tonight for Happy Hour from 4-7pm.

A post shared by The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue (@venduerooftop) on

While Charleston is full of beautiful neighborhoods, it’s hard to beat an afternoon spent in the French Quarter.

Eat & Drink

The Best Spots for Fresh Seafood in Charleston

Feature Image: SCIWAY

With Charleston being surrounded by water, it’s no surprise that seafood here is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. With tons of options for seafood restaurants, it may be hard to narrow down just where to go, so here are some of our favorite spots around town.

Crosby’s Fish and Shrimp Co.

Starting off this list is not a restaurant, but Charleston’s premier fish market. Located on Folly Rd., Crosby’s has a long-standing reputation of being one of the finest suppliers of seafood in the Lowcountry. They feature an ever-changing, yet always high-quality, massive selection of fresh seafood from the Charleston area local fishermen for you to take home and enjoy with the family. While you’re there, be sure to order any number of fresh-cooked seafood selections they have on their menu – from soft shell crab sandwiches to fried flounder.

Coast Bar & Grill

Coast is located in the alley off of John St and is widely regarded as one of the best seafood spots in Charleston. Listed by Explore Charleston as one of the 24 best spots to get oysters in the Holy City, Coast also brings its own style and flair to seafood with a wood-burning grill which gives their fresh catch of the day a different and amazing flavor.

Fleet Landing
Located literally on a dock extending into the water in Charleston’s historic district, Fleet Landing has been a local favorite for a number of years. With daily fresh catches, fried seafood platters, and plenty of good ol’ fried Southern food to go around, Fleet Landing is family-friendly and well known as a great place to go where there’s something on the menu for everyone.

167 Raw

One of Charleston’s newest and most popular restaurants, 167 Raw offers up a unique seafood experience. Located on East Bay St., their menu features a selection of oysters, samplers, fish tacos, and plenty more. However, 167 Raw is particularly lauded for its famous Lobster Roll, which many consider to be one of the best in Charleston.

The Darling Oyster Bar

Found on Upper King and one of the newest restaurants on this list is The Darling Oyster Bar. As the name suggests, their raw bar is their main feature and they usually have several different types of oysters from a variety of locations every night. Check them out for happy hour for dollar oysters and $2 Miller High Life ponies. In addition, they also have several hot entrees including a fresh market catch.

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

Right in the middle of downtown Charleston, just a short walk from the Market on Hayne St. is Hank’s Seafood, which has been considered the standard for seafood in Charleston for years. With an expansive menu featuring tons of different options, you can’t go wrong at Hank’s. Their grilled swordfish with fried okra is a particular favorite amongst long-time fans. Hank’s has certainly earned its high reputation and is one of the best places to stop in The Holy City.

The Ordinary

On Upper King sits The Ordinary, a beautiful restaurant with a bar that is always packed with people. The Ordinary is anything but and features an extensive raw bar, both hot and cold appetizers and entrees, a fantastic lineup of daily specials and their signature shellfish tower. The Ordinary has been critically acclaimed as one of the best overall restaurants Charleston has to offer.

Eat & Drink

Best Dessert Spots in Charleston

Featured Image: Peace Pie

Charleston is famous for its fantastic restaurants and bars, and those with a sweet tooth will find plenty of great places to get dessert as well. Check out our favorite dessert spots in the Holy City.

1. Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe
With locations both downtown on Market St and one in West Ashley, Kaminsky’s remains a Charleston classic. With delicious pies, cakes, cheesecakes, and even dessert-inspired martinis, Kaminsky’s has it all.

2. Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar
Carmella’s is one of Charleston’s premier dessert spots. Located on East Bay St, Carmella’s serves up both classic desserts and Italian specialties. Cannolis, gelato, sorbets, cakes, even drunken milkshakes are found here at Carmella’s.

3. Peace Pie
With two locations on Meeting St and King St, Peace Pie specializes in dessert with a twist, large ice cream sandwiches with pie filling. In 2017, Buzzfeed ranked this popular spot with the 18th best ice cream sandwich in the country. These unique creations are sure to please any dessert lover. The “Key Lime Pie” is particularly popular.

4. Saffron Cafe and Bakery
Found on East Bay St. in the heart of Downtown Charleston, Saffron serves up plenty of delicious dessert options. With tons of unique desserts and pastries, Saffron remains one of the top spots to sweeten up your Charleston visit. Try out their award-winning deserts or stop in for their Sunday buffet.

5. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Located on Upper King St, Jeni’s has a variety of ice cream flavors and options. From your classic flavors to unique options such as “goat cheese with red cherries,” there is something at Jeni’s for everyone. And with their home-made waffle cones and high-quality ingredients, Jeni’s more than deserves a spot on this list.

Eat & Drink

Charleston Restaurant Coziest In The State

Charleston Restaurant Named Coziest In The State By Travel + Leisure

Image Source: Harold’s Cabin FB

Travel + Leisure recently went on a mission to find the coziest restaurant in each state. They then compiled a list of spots which embody a “holiday-time feeling of friendliness, familiarity, and relaxation”.

So, what’s the most welcoming restaurant in South Carolina? Harold’s Cabin.

Located on Congress Street in downtown Charleston, Harold’s Cabin first served residents of the Lowcountry between the 1920s and 1950s. It started as a snowball shop followed by a corner grocery and lunch spot. Now Harold’s is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Friday, and for brunch and dinner on the weekends.

Boasting a rooftop garden, a lively bar, a grab-and-go market, and a dining area with seating for sixty-five, the article states Harold’s decor includes “woodsy bathroom wallpaper, “reclaimed wood,” and “mounted antlers” which “channels everything we love about the outdoors, sans the cold and bugs, plus the beer.”

While the cozy feel is welcoming, many people stay for the food.

With great specials, herbs and greens picked right from the rooftop, and a menu unlike any other, Harold’s Cabin is a great place to eat.

If you haven’t been there go see why Travel + Leisure dubbed this as the coziest restaurant in the state.

Check out the full list at Travel + Leisure.