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.
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 six days a week and brunches on Saturdays and Sundays, Virginia's offers changing menus using fresh, local ingredients. An example of a lunch special includes Candied Pecans and Apples over grilled Chicken and Mixed Greens with an Apple Citrus Vinaigrette. For dinner try the Seared Jerk Flounder with Pineapple Relish and Red Onion Marmalade served with Carolina Gold Rice and Steamed Broccoli. Monday through Thursday from 4p to 7p, bottled wine is half price. Evening valet parking is available from 6p. There is metered street parking or garage parking within short walking distance. -Natasha Lawrence
Don't let the humble appearance of this on-the-water restaurant fool you. It is built on the site where the empty Richard & Charlene, a North Atlantic-style trawler, was lifted out of the water and crashed during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It is in memory of that event that the restaurant is named The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene. Most people refer to it simply as The Wreck, and come to enjoy the excellent fresh seafood that is served. There are multiple combination dishes, which include shrimp, oysters, crabs, scallops, and fish prepared in various ways served with red rice, slaw, a hush puppy, and a fried hominy square. The dining is strictly no-frills. Prepare to eat on paper plates and sit on plastic furniture. However, the excellent food and unique location make up for it--the views of Shem Creek are beautiful.
Located in the 1901 building for the original Crystal Ice Company and Clinchfield Coal Corporation, an upstairs bar and first floor restaurant exist here. Open since the 1970s, both have grown into a popular dining and drinking destination. The 2nd floor pub offers over 100 beer selections as well as creative fruit infusions and rums with fruit. No food is sold; however, they have free hot dogs on Saturdays and Sundays. Happy Hour begins at noon and lasts until 8p. Smoking is allowed, but patrons can take their drinks downstairs and relax on the back patio or in rocking chairs on the front porch. The downstairs restaurant is decorated with photos and memorabilia from the 1920s. Family friendly, there is a kids' menu. Parking is off-road along the front of the building.
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
Set in the Zero George Hotel, is Zero Cafe and Bar. This is a delightfully cozy restaurant and bar, with its elegant and simple decor is the perfect place for a romantic date night. Beautifully created appetizers, entrees and desserts are created with the freshest and most exciting of local ingredients. Dishes like the Pan Roasted Monkfish (crisped fermented garlic, kale, rock shrimp poached in butter, with a mushroom jus), Pan Roasted Octopus (charred endive, chorizo rangoons and piquillo) and Deviled Eggs (bacon and eggs, poached truffle, caviar, and pickled mustard) are plated to perfection and taste divine. Enjoy a luxurious meal here with a specialty craft cocktail, with intriguingly named options like Sun, Moon and Truth, Moneypenny, The Red Scare and others to choose from. They also serve a variety of local craft beers.
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
Just over the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston is this popular and elegant gourmet establishment. Serving locally produced fruits and vegetables and freshly caught seafood, Langdon's serves enthusiastic diners lunch and dinner. Owner and Executive Chef Patrick Langdon Owens serves three- and four-course meals with creative dishes. In addition to seafood, patrons can also choose from beef, lamb, chicken and duck entrees. With an extensive wine list, this is a relaxing social center for after-work patrons. Parking is on site. -Natasha Lawrence
Located in historic Lodge Alley, one of the oldest streets in Charleston and a part of the French Quarter, Magnolias opened in 1990, quickly became a favorite of locals, and is still a place to see and be seen. Adorned with specially commissioned expressionistic oil paintings, it offers a variety of dining experiences, from the intimate Gallery to the bistro style Chefs Room. The menu concentrates on down south dishes with a sophisticated flair: Shellfish Over Grits and Carolina Carpetbagger Filet are just two of the many delectable offerings. Brunch is also offered on Sundays.
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.