If you are looking for a delicious getaway, look no further than Charleston, South Carolina. It’s a fabulous place for food lovers to explore and learn about the global influences on many popular dishes. The city checks all the boxes for a girls’ trip, with Southern cuisine, history, colorful buildings, shopping, and relaxing spots to grab a drink and catch up with friends! For these reasons, Charleston ranks high on lists of prettiest and best U.S. cities to visit. Dozens of nonstop flights make it convenient to reach from around the country. On a recent getaway with friends, we had the chance to enjoy a few of the popular restaurants. After they left, I ventured out solo on a Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour for even more food! Keep reading to take a glimpse into Charleston’s exciting culinary scene.
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Picking one or two restaurants in Charleston might feel overwhelming with over 350 choices to select from. Luckily we had a few recommendations from locals, and did some of our own research before our trip. The Lowcountry, aptly named for the fact that this area in the southern part of South Carolina sits at or below sea level, offers visitors a chance to try classic dishes like Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, and seafood prepared in a variety of ways. Sauces often are flavored with bits of tasso ham, a type of spiced pork.
My best advice is to do your own research in advance and make one or two reservations at least two weeks out. Otherwise, your choices may be limited to dinner after 8:30 p.m. at some restaurants. This is especially true for dinner at popular spots like Husk, Magnolias, and 82 Queen. If you stay downtown like we did, there are plenty of choices within walking distance. Here are my thoughts on the restaurants we visited plus highlights of the Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour experience on the last day of a four-day weekend in Charleston. 
Where to Eat In Charleston
Charleston Crab House
Our first meal on a drizzly Friday in March was at the Charleston Crab House. Unfortunately with the rain, we couldn’t enjoy the ambience of their rooftop dining, but it was easy to walk in for lunch without much of a wait. The Charleston Crab House reminded me of a typical crab house you might find in an east coast beach town but elevated with a Southern flair—with specialties like Fried Green Tomatoes, the Lowcountry Shrimp Boil, a selection of Southern Fried Seafood, and a delicious Shrimp Po’ Boy. 167 Raw Oyster Bar My friends that I traveled with and I go back over 45 years, so when I say that 167 Raw Oyster Bar on King Street felt like a place for the younger crowd, you will understand my perspective. Lunch hour on a Friday was crowded, so we decided to come back for dinner. At 6 p.m., there was just a short wait for a table. The menu focuses on a selection of raw oysters, and although I’m not a fan, the others enjoyed them. The rest of the menu had an eclectic feel, with small-bite fish tacos, ceviche, and 167 Raw classics like a lobster roll and the Nantucket Bay Scallop Malfadine (a delicious choice). 
Poogan’s Smokehouse
There is an unwritten rule that you can’t visit the South without eating barbecue! While it would have been easy to take a ride-share to either Home Team BBQ or Lewis Barbecue, we opted to stay within walking distance of our hotel and check out Poogan’s Smokehouse in the French Quarter. This restaurant was also a stop on the Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour. If I had taken the tour earlier, I would have skipped the brisket and ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was delicious. Start with the Cast-Iron Cornbread, best enjoyed covered in honey butter! Poogan's Smokehouse, located on East Bay Street, is run by the same owners as Poogan’s Porch. The location is an easy walk from the iconic Pineapple Fountain. 
Magnolias Uptown Down South
Make a reservation a few weeks out to grab a Saturday night table at the popular Magnolias Uptown Down South on East Bay Street. It’s been around since 1990 and the location is thought to be the site of the original Customs House, now located just a bit down the road. Dinner at Magnolias started with the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, which we unanimously voted as some of the best-prepared Brussels sprouts we had ever tasted! For me, the extra flavor from the candied pecans and bacon lardons was what pushed the dish over the top. I wish we had tried the Down South Egg Roll, which we saw on nearby tables. For the main course, our group tried the Shellfish Over Grits topped with fried spinach, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast, and the Vegetarian Paella. All were delicious! 
82 Queen
It seems that no one spends the weekend in Charleston without having brunch! 82 Queen came highly recommended and did not disappoint. We opted for an inside table when we booked the reservation weeks in advance, but the peaceful courtyard would be lovely on a warm day. The intimate dining rooms had a relaxing vibe. The selection of drinks included the Ultimate Bloody Mary topped with a single grilled shrimp and pickled okra. But the real stars were brunch items like the She-Crab Soup, the Crab Cake Benedict, the Lowcountry Breakfast Bowl (with shrimp, grits, and Andouille Sausage), and the Barbecue Shrimp and Grits! Once again, we were grateful that we didn't have a car so that we had to walk off all of the delicious food! 
In between all that eating, we wandered the streets and admired the blooming window boxes, took a carriage ride with Palmetto Carriage Works, rode on the water taxi, biked around town, photographed historic buildings & churches, strolled through the stalls at the Charleston City Market, shopped on King Street, and took our picture by the Pineapple Fountain!
We also popped into Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe one afternoon and grabbed two slices of pie to go—bourbon pecan and chocolate peanut butter! Both Kaminsky’s and Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar (which seemed popular with the late-night crowd) offer boozy coffees and milkshakes. To top off our days of eating, we had a Margherita pizza delivered to our hotel from D’Allesandro’s Pizza!
Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour
Even after eating all weekend, I was still excited to head out on the Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour Monday for more food! I loved that the tour was structured so that our group of 12 shared a long table. As a solo tour member, it made it easy to chat with other members of the group. Our tour guide was well-versed in Charleston's history and shared stories as we walked between restaurants. On a side note, I have taken a few food tours and this tour in Charleston was one of the more pricier tours.
Along the way we enjoyed:
If the tour schedule had worked out, I would have taken the food tour on our first day in town. It’s a nice way to learn a bit of history about a new place as you walk between restaurants. Not to mention getting to sample a lot of food from different restaurants. Read 8 Things to Know About Taking a Guided Tour before booking a tour.
Rooftop Bars & Restaurants Besides all the wonderful restaurants, it was clear to us that the rooftop scene is thriving. Charleston rooftops offer everything from a place for a quiet gathering with friends/family (like the rooftop at The Loutrel for guest access), an upbeat crowd (along with food and drinks) at The Vendue, and tables around the pool at the Pavilion Bar atop the Market Pavilion Hotel. Our food tour guide also pointed out the rooftop at Henry’s on the Market in downtown Charleston. The Loutrel Staying at The Loutrel was a bit of a splurge for me, but I truly enjoyed the extra amenities at the hotel. Each morning there was a delicious breakfast served in the fashionable lobby/bar area. A welcome cocktail, access to a large rooftop area with sofas and tables, complimentary locally made snacks like pralines, plus drinks and fresh water both in the room and in the Clubroom also made the stay extra pleasant. We took advantage of the free guest bikes to roam around the city early on a Sunday morning when traffic was light. Whether you stay at a boutique hotel like The Loutrel, or head across the river to the Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant, the Charleston area offers a variety of accommodations. 
Are you ready to plan a visit to Charleston?
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