Eat well in Charleston without overpaying: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Charleston for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Hannibal's Kitchen has fed the Eastside of Charleston soul food since 1985. At 16 Blake St. Reservations advised. A neighbourhood favourite.
TryCrab rice, smothered pork chop, fried whiting, lima beans
TipCounter order, dining-room seat. Lunch beats dinner; the line peaks 12:30-13:30 weekdays.
Bertha's Kitchen in North Charleston has run soul food cafeteria-style since 1979, the Grant family at the steam table. Fried chicken, okra soup, red rice.
TryFried chicken, okra soup, red rice with two sides
TipCash and card both fine. Lunch only, Mon-Sat; arrive before 13:00 or the chicken sells out.
Dave's Carry-Out runs a Charleston counter-only soul food and seafood window on Morris Street. At 42 Morris St # C. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
TryFried fish sandwich, fried shrimp platter
TipTue-Fri lunch and dinner only, closed Sat-Mon. Order ahead by phone if you want to skip the line.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Explore Charleston's City Market in the historic downtown district on a guided foodie walking tour. Learn about the city's history while enjoying tastings of Lowcountr...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Experience the flavors of Charleston with the help of local guides. Delve into over 300 years of culinary history as you taste your way through the historic city center.
Day trip · 5.5 hours
Explore the beauty of the rural Charleston Lowcountry on this Wadmalaw Island day trip. Visit the Angel Oak Tree, sip on tea at Charleston Tea Garden, and enjoy a wine...
Jack of Cups in Folly Beach runs a seasonally evolving Center Street menu of Asian and Indian inspired comfort food. Located in James Island.
TryGlobally inspired comfort food, Asian and Indian flavored plates
TipClosed Tuesdays. Vegetarian and vegan options run alongside the omnivore menu; sidewalk seats out front, courtyard in back.
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit on King Street fires miniature buttermilk and cheese biscuits to order from a walk-up window in Charleston. Located in Upper King.
TryButtermilk biscuit with cheese-and-bacon or country ham
TipSingle biscuits start under $4. Open from 06:30 weekdays, latest 14:00 close; an upper King reliable before fresh espresso.
Brown Dog Deli on Calhoun Street is a quick-service Charleston sandwich shop that has fed MUSC students and downtown lunch crowds for years.
TryPhilly Collins cheesesteak, Folly Beach Crunch Wrap, sandwich plates
TipOrder at the counter for grab-and-go or sit-down. Sidewinder Fries and the Buffalo Chicken Crunch are the most-ordered items.
Pearlz Oyster Bar on East Bay Street keeps Charleston's reliable happy-hour table: $1.25 oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp and crab dip, weekdays 16:00-19:00.
TryHappy-hour oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab dip
TipWalk-in only at the bar; happy-hour menu is bar-only. The West Ashley Magnolia Road location runs the same special.
Smash City Burgers on Cooper Street runs a stripped-back smashburger counter in the old Fair Deal Grocery on the Charleston Eastside. At 47 Cooper St.
TryClassic Single cheeseburger with crinkle fries
TipOpen Wed-Sun for dine-in, delivery to midnight. Cash or card; build-your-own option for catering orders.
Roti Rolls, Charleston's longest-running food truck (since 2010), rolls kimchi, Creole mac and smoked local pork into roti bread for a quick, cheap lunch.
TryRoti flatbread wraps under $12
TipCheck eatrotirolls.com for the green truck's daily location. The Mother Clucker is the budget standard.
John Lewis's central-Texas pit fires brisket and sausage every morning at the Nassau Street counter. Located in Upper Peninsula. At 464 N Nassau St.
TryBrisket sandwich, sausage plate with two sides
TipOrder at the counter, sit at the picnic tables. The brisket sandwich at lunch is the move when the full plate is too much.