Charleston Favorites
Stick around here long enough and you’ll find a lot of love for Charleston.
Hotels and Lodging:
The Spectator Hotel– located the heart of the hustle and bustle of Charleston’s main tourism area, the Spectator is a welcome refuge. It somehow manages to be old school and modern all at the same time. You have a butler yet nothing about this boutique hotel ever feels pretentious. Adam and I stayed here to celebrate our first anniversary. We were upgraded to a room with our own private patio and I really started to think they may have to throw us out to get us to leave. You know how breakfast at hotels isn’t typically anything to get too excited about? Well let me tell you, the first time I filled out my little card for my next morning’s breakfast, I had no idea how much my mind was about to be blown. You can likely still get Adam to roll his eyes if you ask him what I thought of the biscuits. Perhaps, I talked about breakfast a little bit too much with every person I could for quite a while.
The Dewberry – we haven’t had an opportunity to stay at the Dewberry yet but I did treat myself to lunch at the Citrus Club during a recent trip. Even in the cloudy November weather, you could see why this place is a favorite among tourist and some locals.
Grand Bohemian Hotel– this hotel is an Autograph Marriott property and is a great one to check out if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to cash in or if you are looking for a boutique hotel with a fun vibe. The rooftop bar is another beautiful place to have a cocktail and take in a great view of Charleston.
Belmond Charleston Place – The Belmond is centrally located on King St. and is just as elegant and sophisticated as you would expect it to be. I always love to visit but especially when it is decorated at Christmas. You can find high end shopping on the ground level and one of Charleston’s top-rated restaurants, Charleston Grill. Leave room for desert if you can.
Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms
If you are traveling in a group or with a family, you can find so many options at many different price points on both islands. I’m a little partial to Sullivan’s as I love its adorable little main street with tasty restaurants and its quick access into downtown.
Isle of Palms is another great option and where we stayed the week of our wedding. On Isle of Palms you’ll also find a full grocery store and the Wild Dunes Resort which offer a variety of rental options and beautiful ocean front golf courses.
If you are on IOP and like a casual beach bar, swing by the Windjammer! We’ve previously rented houses from both companies listed below:
https://www.beachsidevacations.com/vacation/category/isle-of-palms-rentals
Food
I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over our trips to Charleston; I no longer pack anything tight. There is a good chance, it will be too snug by the end of the trip. =) Charleston’s restaurant scene is insane! I know the locals have some mixed views on rapid pace of growth and I can understand the fine balance to ensure Charleston doesn’t look its charm. (No pun intended with the TV show.)
Here are a few of our favorites:
Halls Chophouse This is a bold statement but Halls may be my favorite steak house. Even taking a slight edge of two Chicago favorites, Joe’s and Bavettes. Halls just feels old school in all the right ways. The service is impeccable, and the food is, well let’s just say I’ve had an actual dream about their creamed corn. The Gospel brunch is definitely a favorite if you find yourself in town on a Sunday.
The Ordinary is in the same family of restaurants as FIG. FIG has been a Charleston staple and favorite ever since it opened but something about the Ordinary’s vibe makes it my top choice of the two. The Ordinary is located in an old bank with high ceilings and high seafood towers. I get excited just thinking of eating Oysters here. Another favorite aspect is that the menu often changes, and you find unexpected dishes you may not find anywhere else. On a whim, we tried the rutabaga pasta. It was incredible. Every time we are back, we hope it is back on the menu. Oh, and for any of you Southern Charm fans out there, I did see Patricia and Michael at the bar. You know Patricia isn’t bringing Michael and her Hermes Birkin bag just anywhere.
Cru Café Great casual place for lunch. I did a lunch with my bridesmaids here. This place is small, so I recommend making a reservation.
Leon’s Oh the ways I love Leon’s. The patio, the oysters, the fried chicken. There is a reason we usually stop on every trip!
Raw 167 this place is tiny, but it packs a flavorful punch!
Obstinate Daughter I’ve talked about Obstinate daughter in other posts, so I’ll keep this one short. Just trust me and add it to your reservation list. As a bonus, you can check out my favorite Island, Sullivan’s.
Callie’s Charleston Biscuits Biscuits and pimento cheese. Doesn’t get much better! There is a location in the City Market and on King Street. The King Street location has late night hours which might be just the perfect time to grab a biscuit.
HUSK While the food sourced with local ingredients often brings people in; it’s the tucked away hidden gem of the Bar at HUSK that always brings us back.
132 Spring Adam a discovered this gem on our latest trip. It is located in our favorite neighborhood of Cannonborough Elliotborough and most importantly the owners also have a bulldog!
Josephine Wine Bar the best little cozy wine bar with a great selection.
Warehouse Fun spot to grab a cocktail.
Melfi’s with so much delicious food in Charleston, I wouldn’t normally suggest making pizza a must-do. Melfi’s pizza is an exception to that rule.
Vendue In a little more touristy section of town but the rooftop bar is worth a visit.
Shopping
Skinny Dip-Charleston Great little boutique featuring local and east coast designers. Don’t miss the cute cocktail bar on the second floor.
Charleston City Market Daily market featuring various local vendors. A Charleston staple.
Lake Pajamas Can pajamas look pretty? In this store, they do.
Graft Wine Shop Wine shopping is among my favorite type of shopping and Graft does not disappoint! The owner is incredibly friendly and let me sample as I made my decision.
Woof Gang Bakery Like clockwork I stop in on every trip and bring something back for Mabes. They also have super cute Charleston themed pet swag.
Postcards To Mabel 