We take off for Charleston on Friday...thanks for all of this great info! I wish I had a sitter for Friday night...I'd love to check out Vendue Inn.

There are 8 of us...how hard would it be to get a table at Hominy Grill on a Saturday morning? I'm thinking our family of 3 might just stop by there for lunch on Friday instead.

If I'm not mistaken, the rooftop at The Vendue Inn is kid friendly probably up until 9PM or so.

I'd call Hominy Grill.

We ate breakfast at the Hominy Grill this past Saturday. We got there about 9:30am and had no trouble getting a table outside, however there was a wait for the inside tables. For a group as large as 8, I would definitely call them and see what they recommend. I have eaten both breakfast and lunch there and can't say that one time of day is better than another....grits are good anytime!

Here are a few restaurants/bars that I didn't see mentioned (among the great suggestions above, with the exception of Hyman's--not a fan).

Sermet's Corner (King Street)
Blossom's (East Bay Street, great happy hour apps)
Fleet Landing (just off East Bay St, directly on the harbor--awesome apps, dinner menu looked great, view can't be beaten).
Hanks (near the Market, just can't remember which street)
Sewee Restaurant (if you're heading out of Charleston north on Highway 17, this is an awesome place for lunch--country cooking but a much higher quality than nearly every other such place I've been to--reminds me of Mert's Heart & Soul in downtown Charlotte NC, just on the off chance anyone is familiar with that place).

Have a great time! Charleston is the best SC has to offer.

See Wee was recommended in the NYTimes article on Charleston about 6 months ago. I can't remember who the (famous) author was who wrote it.
Haven't eaten at Mert's in a couple of years because the last time was such a disaster. But we should try again.

Gretchen,

it's been a while since I've eaten at Mert's--used to go there once or twice a week when I worked downtown.

Hope your experience was a rare glitch.

Seewee Restaurant had some of the best veggies I've ever tasted at a restaurant. The fried okra, squash, etc. was very lightly breaded, crunchy on the outside, tender inside . . . YUM.

Glad to hear Fleet Landing has improved.

They had serious problems last summer. We went twice and both time the apps were lousy but will be happy to try again because the view is so outstanding!