Charleston Bound
Dear Readers,
I am heading to Charleston, South Carolina for a literary festival and have never been. Everyone raves about this beautiful city so, please, any and all recommendations are welcome!
xPreston
A heartfelt thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! Shopping, siteseeing, and a lot of walking will be my activities outside of the festival talks. I am thinking of this as a scouting trip for a future trip with my husband, when we can plan properly. As Dawn recommends, next time I will “…book dinners, then hotel, then flights…” Again, thank you for the Charleston intel!
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If you have time, tack on Savannah. Possibly more charming. And an easy drive away.
The Ordinary and Chez Nous for dinners! Enjoy!
Went to Charleston Literary Festival last year…it was brilliant.
Restaurants we loved…The Establishment (steak), Church & Union and LeNoir…..Even though it was November it was sunny and mid 70s….we went to the beach at Sullivan’s Island….Also rode BIKES all over Charleston Enjoy!
Spend all of your time in Charleston- there’s plenty to see and do. Husk, Fig, and Poogan’s Porch are great places to dine, and don’t miss the coconut cake at The Peninsula – amazing! Hampden Clothing is a must visit – all the best labels in clothing, shoes, and accessories. And if you’re looking for fine jewelry, Croghan’s Jewel Box is a special treat.
Have a wonderful time!
Fig and Indaco pizza!
Stay at The Dewberry or Zero George Street Hotel. Eat at The Ordinary and Zero Restaurant & Bar. Hampden is an incredible women’s clothing store.
Seconding all of Cat’s suggestions
Loved staying at Zero George
I live here and would highly recommend you take a walk along Murray Boulevard for a gorgeous view of the Ashley River and some pretty stellar homes too. Walk on Legare Street (pronounced LA GREE) there are amazing homes there too. Restaurants- Le Farfalle is great, go sit at the bar because it’s more fun and also Maison (my personal favorite in all of Charleston) which is on Upper King Street, you can take an Uber to and from. Lowland is great if you can sit in the back room which is very cozy. Also, Brasserie Le Banque which is on Broad and East Bay. If you have time, take one of Tommy Dew’s walking tours. He’s great and has been written up in the WSJ as one of the best tour guides in Charleston. If you can, take an Uber up to Hampton Park which is right next to the Citadel. The park will remind you of Europe. RTW on King Street is a great place to shop too-classic pieces with a twist and a great sales staff. Enjoy!!
Yes to coconut cake at the Peninsula !
Chubby Fish for the win! They don’t take reservations so get there early and enjoy the authentic, non-tourist casual atmosphere.
FIG for wonderful, innovative, locally sourced food.
Chez Nous !!! Atmosphere and food. Highly recommend.
My daughter has lived in CHS since 2013. I tell anyone who asks to book dinners, then hotel, then flights…in that order! Stay at the Dewberry or Bennett; both within walking distance to everything. I love the charm of Zero George but it is a bit of a walk to restaurants, etc. Book dinner at the Post House Inn–my favorite place to eat (and stay) in the charming old village of Mount Pleasant–a quick Uber over the Ravenel Bridge. Graft is great for a drink, as is the roof top bar (Citrus Club) at The Dewberry. My favorites are Sorelle, Melfie’s, Chez Nous, Chasing Sage…I heard the chef from Fig is now at Lowland. I second the rec to have the Coconut cake at the Penninsula-yum! If you have a car make the trip to see the Angel Oak on John’s Island, @ 30 minutes away. To eat on John’s Island: Wild Olive, Royal Tern, Minero, Bar George, CudaCo.
Try fried green tomatoes, sea food, and
check with Steven of late night fame.
Preston, A must is Tommy Dew’s private walking tour. Dinner at High Cotton and shopping at Hampden. Basic Kitchen for a healthy lunch.
Can’t wait to hear about your trip! We are going to Charleston for the first time through Christmas. Enjoy, Preston!
Charleston is lovely. Just enjoy and wander – it’s a city made for exploration. Have fun!
We are in Charleston as I reply, having visited here from Atlanta (and now NY) my whole life, I recommend FIG (it was a junior chef that left, and it is still stellar), High Cotton, and Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) for dinner. Magnolia’s and Millers All Day for brunch. Do a walking tour with Two Sisters Tours downtown and a sunset sail in Charleston Harbor. Only leave downtown if you have more than a couple full days – golfing in Kiawah or beach time in Sullivan’s Island. Stay downtown as close to the aforementioned restaurants as possible. Shopping antiques and locally-made sweetgrass baskets is the best kind of shopping here. Enjoy!
More suggestions in addition to the other great ideas: The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island (if you can get a reservation) and shop at Out of Hand while you are there. (just steps away from Post House which is a great spot to eat as well) 167 Raw Oyster Bar on King Street for great oysters and atmosphere (their other location is on Nantucket). Leon’s for fried chicken and to experience an authentic southern ‘joint’.. Save time to stroll down several of the streets in the ‘South of Broad’ area, such as Church Street and Legare. Garden & Gun magazine is based in Charleston so they have lots of great recommendations for places to eat and visit. Drayton Hall is definitely worth a visit if you have a car.
Since everyone is giving you food and shopping ideas, I will give you something a bit different. Edisto Island Botany Bay Boneyard Beach is a bit of a drive to find but beautiful sunrises are to be had here. Make sure to have a copy of the instructions on how to find it before you go. Boone Hall Plantation and Garden is still a working plantation and worth a visit. The Angel Oak tree on John’s Island is pretty spectacular. And, since we are so close to Halloween, a Charleston ghost walk tour might be a fun way to see olde town Charleston at night.
Grace Atwood The Stripe just did a great post on Charleston. The food scene is delicious, so many great places to eat. My favorites are Fig, Chubby Fish and 167 Raw. I also love Leon’s for lunch, definitely casual and delicious! You have all the shopping you could want in NYC but Hampden Clothing is the closest. Wentworthbygbs is suppose to be fantastic housewares and I’m excited to say I am stopping by tomorrow. I come a few times a year and love it here! Have a great time & enjoy your stay.
Our daughter is at C of C and we go to Le Farfalle every visit ! Also recommend Obstinate Daughter and a stroll around Sullivan’s island, a gorgeous store called Ponytail open by appointment only and one we haven’t been yet but looks great call Wentworth. Ben Silver is the classic menswear place! Have fun!
Charleston is charming but I agree with natalie that Savannah is even more so.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church – at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Street – built in 1700’s, an adorable church with adorable history. George Washington worshiped there in Pew 43. On an Easter break visit to my then-college daughter in nearby NC, we made a road trip to Charleston. All I can say, is church like I’ve never experienced it before. Best in all categories (sermon, music, enthusiasm, architecture). After the service, there was full blown brunch and mimosas in the charming old graveyard out back, young men in bow ties, ladies in hats, children in dress. After 10 minutes, we were best friends with everyone.
Chez Nous for dinner, but jump on reservations here and elsewhere! A month out is not uncommon.
Agree with Tracey that walking the streets of Charleston looking at homes, architecture, and gardens is the best way to spend the day.
Visited Kiawah Island two years ago. Unless you’re a golfer, love new construction, and have a penchant for alligators, I wouldn’t bother. 🙂
Another vote for Savannah
all that Spanish moss is moody magic
P.S. Wherever you have dinner, drop by The Plantation Inn for their coconut cake. It’s also a wonderful mail order dessert for holidays.
Live in Charleston and all of the restaurant suggestions are great. Coming from NYC though you might want to veer more towards good seafood and Southern cuisine (shrimp and grits) while you’re here. A little off the beaten path but if you want the best fried chicken sandwich you’ve ever had try Box Car Betty’s on Savannah Hwy for lunch one day. Magnolia serves a truly Southern menu and it is always good. Chances are you will have to attend many more literary festivals to experience all that Charleston has to offer.
Adding: for sites to see and history to appreciate: Fort Sumter. tour was wonderful. Also, visits to plantations were amazing.
Hampton Clothing is a must
A recent find is Cramers Restaurant in Mt Pleasant, which is AMAZING! It is a unique concept run by Chef Owen, who will be there with his small team. The restaurant seats approximately 30, and the concept is designed to make you feel like you are a guest in Owen’s kitchen. The menu changes daily, and he can accommodate food sensitivities. It is an easy Uber from downtown Charleston and worth it!
I hope you enjoy your time in our beautiful state!
Beth
Yes to the coconut cake at Peninsula Grill. Go to the bar and enjoy a slice with a glass of champagne. If you absolutely cannot eat another morsel, get a slice to go. I once brought a piece back to NY in my carry on bag, they package it beautifully. What a treat when we got back to NY.
If time is limited, downtown has lots to offer as most have mentioned. The Cubby Fish was recommended above – I second that recommendation. The food is outstanding.
I live on Johns Island – Kiawah and Seabrook are there. If you visit the Angel Oak tree on Johns Island, grab dinner at Lost Isle on Maybank. It was recently named by the NYT as one of the top 50 in the US. Everything (including the kitchen) is outside. No roof so I wouldn’t go if it rains. The Sanctuary on Kiawah is also pretty special if you are not staying downtown or want to stay longer and visit the beautiful beaches. You ca even go for a bike ride on the beach.
The Old Village in Mt. P was also mentioned above – it’s one of my favorite spots. Also, while touristy, take the boat ride to Ft. Sumter.
Dear Preston,
You are correct. Charleston is pure heaven. You may like to consider the Zero George Street Hotel, which is quite chic and located on a street named for my family. (Early planters in the area)
I’ve been with you for quite a few years & have profited from many of your suggestions. It would be so nice that I could repay you with a good idea!!
Do enjoy every particle of this historic city.
C. George
Croghan’s Jewel Box
Hi! Another local here offering some suggestions in addition to the great ones you’ve already received. First, make sure you bring good walking shoes and flats as the sidewalks are uneven and difficult to walk in (even in wedges). If you want local food, as others have suggested, try Magnolia and High Cotton. Even if you don’t stay in a hotel in the main part of town, Ubers and pedicabs are readily available. The rooftop bar at the Market Pavillion hotel has great views and heaters to watch the sunset at night while sipping cocktails. Also, the Gin Joint on East Bay has creative drinks and makes their own tonic. Kudzu serves great lattes and you can go to Christophe to pick up some French pastries to enjoy with it. They also make their own chocolates. As others mentioned, walking the streets in the Battery and the historic district is always entertaining. Philadelphia Alley is a favorite for pictures. This time of year the tea olive trees are blooming, so if you smell something sweet, look for either a bush or tree with tiny white flowers for the source. If you want to venture outside of downtown to visit a plantation, I would recommend Magnolia. The camelias are just starting to bloom now. If you’re a fan of oysters, you may want to look into seeing if there will be any oyster festivals going on to coincide with your visit. Enjoy your trip!
Please go to Wentworth and report back, it looks fabulous!
Vern’s was mentioned in this week’s Financial Times How to Spend It.
Met you on the line to get our books signed today. I hope you had a great dinner and that you’ll be back with your husband to explore Charleston!
The recipe for the 12 layer coconut cake for anyone who is ambitious: https://thelocalpalate.com/recipes/peninsula-grill-s-ultimate-coconut-cake/
Susannah, remind me of the book you recommended, please! I’ve been wracking my brain. Loved chatting with you!