Featured Image Credit: Facebook/ Revelry Brewing

Sometimes it feels like there are too few parking options for when we want to go eat downtown. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a spot, meter parking will cost you $.025 for 15 minutes. Who has that many quarters on them? If you’re 15 minutes late feeding a meter, expect a ticket tucked under your windshield wiper when you return to your car.

The next best option might seem like a parking garage, but due to all the new development in areas that use to house cheap lots, spots have become more scarce, and not to mention more expensive. It can be super frustrating.

SO, we did the research so you don’t have to. Here are the best restaurant/bars in places in downtown Charleston that offer free parking, whether that be its own parking lot or a few spots that are first come first serve. You can thank us later.

Barsa
Elevated Spanish tapas, paella & cocktails are the draw at this stylish lounge.
Address: 630 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 577-5393

Santis
A collection of eclectic chandeliers light up the Mexican & Southwest food & frozen drinks.
Address: 1302 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 722-2633

Little Jack’s
Casual chophouse serving steaks, salads & sandwiches, plus martinis, in vintage surrounds.
Address: 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 531-6868

The Alley
Bright, cheery hangout featuring 8 bowling lanes, American comfort food & 3 bars with flat-screens.
Address: 131 Columbus St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 818-4080

Workshop
Six vendors share space in this trendy food court, offering coffee & an eclectic mix of cuisines.
Address: 1503 King St, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 996-4500

Royal American
Cozy, low-key bar & concert venue featuring local & regional musicians, plus hearty pub grub.
Address: 970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 817-6925

Hominy Grill
Busy yet relaxed eatery dishing up Lowcountry classics in homey digs, also popular for its brunch.
Address: 207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0930

Rutledge Cab Co.
American comfort food with a twist, plus drinks, in trendy, retro-style digs with a covered patio.
Address: 1300 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 720-1440

Saffron Restaurant and Bakery
Sweet & savory baked goods, a global foods market & a comfortable Middle Eastern/Lowcountry cafe.
Address: 333 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-5588

Magnolia’s
A refined take on traditional Southern cooking served in a warm, sophisticated environment.
Address: 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 577-7771

Salty Mike’s
Address: 17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 937-0208

Edmund’s Oast
Hip spot offering New American fare, beer brewed on-site & craft cocktails, plus a patio.
Address: 1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-1145

Butcher and Bee
Hip outpost offering a rotating menu of inventive, seasonal cuisine made with local ingredients.
Address: 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 619-0202

Lewis Barbecue
Texas-style house-smoked meats served in an industrial-hip space with a bar & outdoor tables.
Address: 464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 805-9500

Taco Boy
Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.
Address: 217 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 789-3333

Bay Street Biergarten
Rustic-chic spot for Southern pub grub with Bavarian flair, plus craft beer with pour-your-own taps.
Address: 549 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 266-2437

Recovery Room
No-frills bar offering pinball, darts, pool, pinball & bocce, along with wings, sandwiches & beer.
Address: 685 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-0999

Revelry Brewing Company
Address: 10 Conroy St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 203-6194

Fuel
Refined pub eats with Caribbean twists in a repurposed 1950s-era gas station with a big patio.
Address: 211 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 2940
Phone: (843) 737-5959

Palmetto Brewing Company
Address: 289 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0903

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
Southern seafood staples served in sleek, light-filled quarters, with a patio overlooking the water.
Address: 186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-8100