Located in the historic Planters Inn, across from the Old City Market, this four-star restaurant prides itself on elegant cuisine, traditional Charleston charm and ambiance, and attentive service. House specialties include wild mushroom grits with Lowcountry stew and bourbon grilled jumbo shrimp. Chef Robert Carter is well known for his creative menus, and diners will find it difficult to choose from numerous options. And who can forget their amazing wine list, which boasts over 300 selections. A popular dining establishment with locals and visitors, Peninsula Grill was named one of America's Top 50 Hotel Restaurants by Food & Wine. Reservations are highly recommended.
Cru Cafe is located in a classic 18th century Charleston single-style home and offers traditional, American comfort food for lunch and dinner. The chef and owner John Zucker also does catering for parties, so your next event can feature his delicious food. Their seating arrangement is comfortable, and you can opt to sit indoors, on the patio or on the terrace, enjoying the cool breeze while eating. The food is not expensive—with good options even for the vegetarians—and they have an extensive wine list. If you are in a hurry, you can also order take out.
There couldn't be a better way to unwind than to sit in a cozy cafe, such as the Muddy Waters Coffee Bar, and enjoy a delicious frappe while you soak in the lilting tunes of a live music performance. What's unique about this place is that it features the Palmetto Acoustic that was set up with the intention of creating a collaborative space for solo artists and musicians. The Palmetto Acoustic series transforms the cafe into a listening room for acoustic music fans to enjoy free concerts, while they sip on some of the delicious beverages they offer. The warm wooden architecture of the Muddy Waters Coffee Bar is also worth checking out.
Billing itself as an "authentic Irish pub," Tommy Condon's offers three different dining experiences beneath one roof. Diners can opt to enjoy a meal on the large outdoor deck, in the pub section, or in the more formal back dining room. The dining room is decorated in true Irish country style and the entire establishment is adorned with Irish antiques and collectibles, brought straight from Ireland by Condon himself. The atmosphere is family-oriented and children are always welcome. Shrimp and grits sit right alongside fish and chips on the menu, but the big corned beef and cabbage plate is a must try for those yearning for the Emerald Isle.
When you think about grazing, you can only imagine greener pastures and change. That is what Graze stands for, a restaurant which has gone into the greener meadows of contemporary cooking with a dynamic menu. Using only the freshest ingredients, each dish is a delightful experience. The menu has been divided into the 'Tiny Grazing' section, with small plates like lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, and the 'Grazing' section, where you will find dishes like the Korean-style beef barbecue and fried chicken and waffles. Make room for the desserts as well. The selective wine list showcases wine from California, as well as more rare labels.
As part of the culinary and hospitality program of Trident Technical College, two attractive and formal dining rooms are open to the public. The 181 Palmer Dining Room at the Downtown Campus offers an attractive 50-seat dining room lab next to the student-run kitchen. Diners can enjoy a three-course prix-fixe meal (appetizer, entree and dessert) for USD15 per person. The dining room opens for lunch at 12p. The Mikasa Dining Room Mikasa Dining Room at the Main Campus at 7000 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston opens for lunch at 12:15p and dinner at 6p. Prix-fixe price for either lunch or dinner is USD12 per person. Reservations are required, and parking is avaliable on-site. Visit the website for more information, rules of attendance and menu postings. - Natasha Lawrence
As part of the culinary and hospitality program of Trident Technical College, two attractive and formal dining rooms are open to the public. The 181 Palmer Dining Room at the Downtown Campus offers an attractive 50-seat dining room lab next to the student-run kitchen. Diners can enjoy a three-course prix-fixe meal (appetizer, entree and dessert) for USD15 per person. The dining room opens for lunch at 12p. The Mikasa Dining Room Mikasa Dining Room at the Main Campus at 7000 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston opens for lunch at 12:15p and dinner at 6p. Prix-fixe price for either lunch or dinner is USD12 per person. Reservations are required, and parking is avaliable on-site. Visit the website for more information, rules of attendance and menu postings. - Natasha Lawrence
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and located in the heart of the "Four Corners of Law" (Broad and Meeting Streets), this small but charming French cafe offers freshly prepared dishes from scratch. It's one of the few restaurants in Charleston that serves freshly brewed coffee in a French press. Even those in a rush downtown can't resist the delectable croissants filled with ham and cheese or made with chocolate, apple or cinnamon raisin fillings. Night Specials include a glass of French wine, beer, soft drink or Southern Sweet Tea. Menu items include fondue, homemade soups, vegetarian dishes, seafood dinners or Chicken du Jour. -Natasha Lawrence
When you think about grazing, you can only imagine greener pastures and change. That is what Graze stands for, a restaurant which has gone into the greener meadows of contemporary cooking with a dynamic menu. Using only the freshest ingredients, each dish is a delightful experience. The menu has been divided into the 'Tiny Grazing' section, with small plates like lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, and the 'Grazing' section, where you will find dishes like the Korean-style beef barbecue and fried chicken and waffles. Make room for the desserts as well. The selective wine list showcases wine from California, as well as more rare labels.
Made with all-natural ingredients, these fluffy confections have definitely got a fan following. Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts offers a variety of flavors to choose from, from the classic to the slightly odd certainly yummy. Chinese 5 spice, Tiramisu, Curry up, Apple pie cheddar and Kulfi are just some of the options available. The flavors change often, according to what's in season. The place tends to sell out of popular flavors, so get there early for the best variety of options.
Located in the historic Planters Inn, across from the Old City Market, this four-star restaurant prides itself on elegant cuisine, traditional Charleston charm and ambiance, and attentive service. House specialties include wild mushroom grits with Lowcountry stew and bourbon grilled jumbo shrimp. Chef Robert Carter is well known for his creative menus, and diners will find it difficult to choose from numerous options. And who can forget their amazing wine list, which boasts over 300 selections. A popular dining establishment with locals and visitors, Peninsula Grill was named one of America's Top 50 Hotel Restaurants by Food & Wine. Reservations are highly recommended.
Hank's Seafood Restaurant is located in a refurbished warehouse which is nearly 100 years old! It overlooks the Historic Downtown area of Charleston and serves seafood delights. It also has an old saloon-style bar, and an exhibition raw bar where you can taste shellfish. Hank's is only open for dinner and is quite popular. The attire is business-casual.