Best of Charleston

• The Glass Onion: There are so many reasons that I love this place. It is your good comfort home food. Their food makes you happy. My favorite dishes are the shrimp, Anson Mill grits, biscuits & gravy, and omelets. The menu changes often, but there is always something good. (Southern, West Ashley)
• D’ Allesandro’s Pizza: I may be easy to please for pizza since I am a starving college student, but I can honestly say that they have some of the best pies in the city. I like the meat lovers pie especially. They also have subs and salads and amazing wings. There is a large beer and wine selection. (Pizza, Downtown)
• Bowen’s Island Restaurant: Bowen’s may just be my absolute favorite restaurant anywhere. You may find “rustic” seafood restaurants such as The Wreck of Richard and Charlene in travel guides, but this is as rustic as you can get. Since the original restaurant burned down a couple of years ago, customers go to the register, order, and then have their food brought to them at tables in the deck house overlooking the water. You can get oysters and mussels by the bucketful, heaping plates of shrimp and fish, and sides of fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. There are many regulars, so you know it’s good. (Seafood, Folly Beach)
• Fleet Landing: This may be pricier than my other recommendations and is definitely on the more touristy side of town, but I always enjoy it. It is the only seafood restaurant on the water downtown and is housed in an old Navy shipyard. The modern industrial interior is fun but the real highlight is the food. I love the shrimp platter, crab cakes (light and fluffy, not dense), and pan roasted tilapia. (Seafood, Downtown)
• Cupcake: Yes, this is an establishment that serves only cupcakes. It is right around the corner from my house and it gets very dangerous. Their cupcakes, which range in flavors depending on the day, are piled with lots of icing. (Dessert, Downtown)
• Fuel: This formerly dilapidated fuel station is now a hip restaurant in the Cannon-Rutledge block. The atmosphere is fun and summer-y, especially the outdoor Bocce ball court. Drinks are good and beer is cheap. The Caribbean menu includes jerk chicken, tacos, and other flavorful dishes. My favorite is the large appetizer Grilled Chicken Nachos. It is a complete meal, so don’t let the appetizer title fool you. (Caribbean, Downtown)
• Jim N Nicks: This place may be a chain, but it fits right into the King Street atmosphere. I eat here entirely too often. I recommend everything because I’ve eaten everything. Chicken tenders, ribs, nachos, baked potatoes, hand pulled pork sandwiches, salads, catfish, hamburgers, etc. And the best sweet tea. (Barbecue/Southern, Downtown)
• Juanita Greenberg’s: World famous margaritas (according to their sign) and nachos that look like pizzas. They come out on huge trays piled with cheese, onions, peppers, chicken, and more. They also have great fish tacos and salsa. (Mexican, Downtown)
• Santi’s Ristorante Mexicano: The best, most authentic Mexican restaurant in Charleston is found in a rough neighborhood right before North Charleston. This small restaurant has to die for margaritas and traditional Mexican dishes. I enjoy the taco dinner with rice and beans. (Mexican, Downtown Neck)
• Vickery’s: Until recently, I didn’t know that this great restaurant started in my home town of Atlanta. I figured that it was a Charleston original, but it sure has established a place here. With one location downtown on Beaufain Street and another on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, Vickery’s has everything from seafood to wings to burgers. They also have a very extensive bar. The downtown location hosts more of the college crowd in it’s courtyard, while Shem Creek hosts a different clientele. (American, Downtown/Mt Pleasant)
• Poe’s Tavern: This Sullivan’s Island favorite is often chaotic and crowded and you have to fight for a table, but once you do, you will be glad. Named for Edgar Allan Poe’s tenure at the island’s Fort Moultrie, the restaurant is decorated with Poe memorabilia. The burgers are the star of the menu and for good reason. The fries are also amazing, seasoned perfectly. My favorite is the Gold Bug, a story Poe wrote while here, which has smoked Applewood bacon and Cheddar cheese. The fish tacos are also great. (American, Sullivan’s Island)
• Marina Variety Store Restaurant: I almost forgot about my favorite brunch spots (terrible, I know!). The Marina is a very local dive diner at the Ashley Harbor Marina that serves the best grits in the city. It’s family run and has lots of regulars, but service tends to be sort of slow, so stay patient. Local business owner Jackson Davenport (a serious regular) told my family about this place when we were visiting one weekend and we have been addicted ever since. (Diner/Southern, Downtown)
• AC’s Bar and Grill: This place may give off the wrong impression for the best Sunday brunch, but don’t let the grunge-y bar interior throw you off. The crowd is mostly tattooed PBR lovers who were there the night before and have shown up Sunday morning for the ever-changing menu. My absolute favorite is the Chicken and Waffles. They also serve bloody marys, mimosas, and their “champagne,” Miller High Life. (Bar/Southern, Downtown)

Stores

• Exchange Factor: This Meeting Street store is a crazy consignment shop and piercing shop that you may not bring the grandparents to. However, you will find some great funky vintage finds for cheap. They also purchase clothing at their North Charleston location.
• Urban Outfitters: Yes this chain is found in every city, but if you don’t buy their overpriced “vintage” clothes and home goods, at least go see the building. It is a former theater that has been restored. The balcony and other aspects of the theater are still in their former glory.
• Francesca’s: This King Street store is often steep for college students, but their sales are great. They have a huge selection of cute dresses, jewelry, and gifts.
• LulaKate: Charleston designer Katherine McDonald has had a lot of hype for her adorable dresses, shirts, skirts, and wedding attire. She custom makes the dresses in different fabrics, so she can personalize just for you.
• The Trunk Show: This consignment store neighbors The Exchange Factor, so swing by here when you are on Meeting Street. It’s like your very fashionable grandmother’s closet. Vintage designer clothing is brought in every week. You can find your inner Carrie Bradshaw by trying on Manolo Blahniks.
• 52.5 Records: I have had a void in my life since the closing of Millennium Music on King Street and when I discovered this store, it was complete again. Here on Upper King you will find vintage records, indie movies, and all the cds you could ever want. They also sell specialty beers here.
• Page’s Thieves Market: The market is a huge barn on Coleman Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant that houses beaten up antique furniture. They also hold auctions every week. Be sure to find the map in the back and put a pin in your hometown.