Hi there! I have hotels booked for a 3-night Charleston and 2-night Savannah trip in late April, and am now working on restaurant reservations after reading a multitude of great trip reports on Fodors. Just from my initial research, I can see there's too many restaurants I'd like to try during our trip (it'll be me and mom), so I'd love some help narrowing down the options. I know my mother will want to dine simply during the day (would love to find a nice bakery/cafe similar to Olive & Gourmando in Montreal), but for now am focusing mainly on dinner. These are a few I'm considering so far for dinner (or possibly lunch, if they are better afternoon destinations):
SNOB
Eli's Table
Blossom
Magnolia's
Cru Cafe
I know they're well-known, but Husk and Fig didn't really call to me as much as I expected when reading the menus. But if you had only three dinners in Charleston, which of the above would you choose? Or do you have another suggestion? We'll be staying in the historic district, so anywhere we can walk to would work. And neither of us drink, so wine list is not important. But we love fresh, local foods, and don't have strict restrictions other than well prepared food (and not so pricey that dinner ends up costing hundreds of dollars. My mother would not enjoy that even with me paying!) Thanks!
Charleston Dinner Suggestions
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Argh. Even with previewing, I messed up. By strict restrictions, I meant neither of us has any key allergies or dislikes that would limit us to certain types of food or restaurants.
We ate at Hanks and it was excellent.
We also ate on the water but I forget the name. Also, very good.
We had dinner at the Amen Street Raw Bar. Fabulous meal and wine.
Amen is just down the street from SNOB
DH and I have eaten at all but Eli's Table and have had very good meals at all. DH's favorite is Magnolia's. I would go with the places with menus that you really like.. There are so many terrific places it is hard to narrow it down! Note that Cru Cafe is not open Sunday or Monday; we tried to go not once but twice on a Monday because we forgot! Do have she crab soup and/or shrimp and grits while you are in Charleston.
I'd pick Cru, Magnolia's and SNOB. I think the best she crab is at 82 Queen. My Favortie S&G are at High Cotton.
I agree with suewoo.
Our kids both liked Hank's and Amen Street. Remember, there is always a lunch or two!! Sue definitely "knows". ;o)
Thanks for the responses, everyone! And suewoo, as the "I'm pretty sure everyone you've ever helped would agree" Charleston expert, I was so hoping you'd see my post too. What's funny is I never really even heard of she crab soup as a specific item to seek out before planning this trip. Now I can't wait to try it. Would 82 Queen be a good spot for lunch? I love grits, and hadn't heard of High Cotton, so I'll need to look that one up to.
dsgmi, thank you for that mention about Cru's hours. I feel so stupid now, because I'd been trying to make reservations there either Sun or Mon, and couldn't believe they were already completely booked. It never even occurred to me to check whether they were open. Doh!
Again, thanks to Myer, Rich, dsgmi, suewoo, Ackislander and Gretchen for offering your thoughts. Sounds like Hank's is one I should research too. I'm going to look up menus for all the restaurants mentioned here and hope I can find a way to fit as many in as I can. I get more excited about this trip every day!
Our Charleston visit last year was heavily accented with dining. We ate at SNOB; I liked my meal much more than DH did. He found the service lacking and his meal was just OK. I had shrimp and grits and liked very much.
Our best meal by far was Magnolias. The scallop appetizer may have been one of our all time favorites. Service was outstanding, not rushed, friendly.
Basically, you can hardly go wrong in Charleston. Just ask Suewoo!
i live in Charleston and these would be my choices.
Lunch-SNOB and Cru-their daily specials are always great
Dinner- My favorite is Trattoria Lucca(love food but loud),Macintosh, Ordinary
Bar- Pearlz for oysters-happy hour Mon-Fri is FUN!!!!
I suggested SNOB and Cru for lunch although we eat at both restaurants for dinner regularly. This gives you the chance to try more restaurants in Charleston.
I have never been that impressed with Husk, FIG,or Hanks. Just when you think you have decided on restaurants. ENJOY!!!!