Are you an eat to live, or live to eat type? i am 100% in it for the food. So much so, that I spend the majority of travel planning mapping out our meals and coffee breaks. So, here is part one of our Charleston trip, AKA all the restaurants. Part 2 of everything we did between meals to come.
To note: This was my first adventure with a real camera. I am still not sure how to use it, but my first “homework” assignment from my wonderful professional photographer friend (and teacher) was to shoot only in manual during the trip. There are a mix of iPhone and un-edited real camera pics here. You be the judge of what’s what!
THE FOOD:
Lewis BBQ: Our first meal was a big old plate of meat. According to the Uber drivers of Charleston, the best bqq is a hot topic! Lewis is apparently Texas style, and Rodney Scott’s is more authentic to Charleston, where they smoke ‘whole hog’. Home Team BBQ was NOT recommended.
Huriyali: Acai bowls, smoothies, healthy eats, plus a picture-perfect patio. Great, healthy start to balance out the meats.
Five Loaves Juice Bar and Cafe: As with most trips, I make us walk everywhere. We were starting to get a little warm (aka dripping with sweat by 10:30am), so we made a pit stop at this juice/smoothie bar. Hit.the.spot.
Queen Street Grocery: Gluten-free savory crepes for lunch! And more canine friends. I mean, look at that smile!
Xiao Bao Biscuit: “Authentically inspired Asian comfort food and classic Southern cuisine” inside what looks like a former auto shop. Spicy and really delicious!
Sugar Bakeshop: I heard great things about this tiny little bakery, but sadly it was closed for the holiday weekend.
Husk: The #1 spot everyone talks about in Charleston. Maybe it is overrated for dinner (considering the months-long wait to get reservations), but we walked right in to their bar and enjoyed wine on the patio. I appreciate outdoor seating that has fans. It made 80 degrees and heavy humidity seem bearable.
Harold’s Cabin: Our AirBnB host suggested this spot, and I am so glad she did! I didn’t read about it anywhere else. The location is off the beaten path, but was pretty close to where we were staying. I imagine it is a really cozy spot for brunch or reading with a hot cup of coffee, too.
Inside has a log cabin, rustic feel. The food was spectacular, especially the vegan “charcuterie” board. The chef makes up a selection of the veggies in season from their rooftop garden. I’d easily trade in a meat and cheese board for this selection any day!
Pancito and Lefty: The forecast called for rain the entire time we were in town, but we lucked out and it didn’t pour until our last night. We decided to walk to dinner, which was ambitious considering the deluge of rain. We arrived to dinner sopping wet and ready to eat. Corn tortilla tacos, yess! The guacamole was really good, too.
Other spots that were highly recommended:
Butcher and Bee, Park Cafe, Hominy Grill, Poogan’s Porch, The Daily, Workshop, Le Farfalle, Stella’s, FIG, Raw 167, Chez Nous, Leon’s Oyster Shop, Little Jack’s Tavern, Cannon Green, Zero George, Basic Kitchen, Taco Boy, Mercantile and Mash. Even more ideas on the map at the bottom!
THE COFFEE:
Second State Coffee: This bright, little coffee shop is a short walk off King Street. After a toasty day pounding the pavement, an iced peppermint rooibos tea did the trick.
Rise Coffee: Tucked into the Restoration Hotel, this tiny spot packs a lot of punch. Rosemary Rise below– iced coffee with almond milk and rosemary simple syrup. Simply divine! There are a few seats in the coffee shop, comfy couches just inside the hotel entrance, and ample seating outside.
Miller’s All Day: After spending hours walking around (sense a theme here?), we needed a little rest and strong a/c. Miller’s All Day has a mean cold brew, comfy couch, and insta-worthy decor.
Harbinger Cafe: By far, my favorite coffee shop of the weekend. Gluten-free bread that actually tastes good, hooray! I grabbed a ‘Jam Sesh’ to go. As their website says, it is tahini, chocolate chunks, and house-made jam “like a coffee cake with the virtue of a granola bar” both vegan and gluten-free. Sounds healthy-ish, I will take it!
Other coffee suggestions:
Caviar and Bananas, Gnome Cafe, Kudu Coffee, Revelator, The Bearded Cafe, plus more on the map below.
And with that, I am actually off to Charleston again today for work. Part 2 of Charleston HERE!