We can all agree, brunch is a staple of any good vacation. The mid-morning combination of breakfast and lunch, with a tasty cocktail, is hard to beat. This is even more true in a foodie destination such as Charleston, where seemingly every restaurant serves up their own unique twist on southern breakfast favorites. From elevating humble grits to incorporating locally caught seafood into traditional egg dishes, or a dish of oysters plated over ice, Charleston knows how to do brunch. It wouldn’t be a southern brunch without a cool, sippable cocktail, like the over-the-top Bloody Mary garnished with okra, pickles and even bacon, or the bottomless pitchers of bubbly mimosas. In no particular order, here are our top 7 “lesser-known,” but still savory and scrumptious brunch spots in Charleston SC:
THE GROCERY Styled to evoke the feel of a small-town grocery store, The Grocery partners with local farmers & fishermen to serve up familiar flavors that leave you feeling at home at in their dining room. Menu highlights include the Knife & Fork Pork Biscuit with a side of Pimento Cheese Grits, wash it down with a Charred Tomato Bloody Mary. Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m
THE PARK CAFE As you would expect, right across the street from Hampton Park sits The Park Cafe. Keeping things simple with crisp interiors, hanging plants, and tons of natural lighting, The Park Cafe offers a “Farm to Fork” dining experience with fresh menu items including their Egg & Bacon Ravioli and Blackened Turkey Sandwich. The perfect spot for brunch with friends as you explore the park and Wagener Terrace part of downtown! Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
GRACE & GRIT Just across the Ravenel Bridge, it’s quickly become Mount Pleasant’s newest brunch hot spot. With a name like Grace & Grit, it goes without saying that the Grit Flight is a MUST, along with the Smoked Bacon Benedict and the uniquely southern Green Tomato Mule. Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR Located in the the city’s old Cigar Factory, a blend of original features paired with modern styling provide the perfect backdrop for the elevated fare served up by Rappahannock Oyster Bar. While their brunch menu boats classics including Crab Benedict and Potato Hash, it’s their full menu that really shines – A seafood lover’s paradise! Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m
BASIC KITCHEN A fusion of hand-crafted and minimalist styling make up the atmosphere at this this fresh, ultra healthy restaurant. Recently opened, the Basic Kitchen builds their menu around the principles of the clean eating movement, offering fresh and nutritious food to fuel & energize the body. Brunch favorites include their fresh take on Breakfast Tacos, avocado toast, oatmeal bowls and their signature Basic [rice] Bowl. Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
THE DARLING OYSTER BAR In the trendy Upper King Street district, you’ll find this architecturally stunning 115-year old building and when you enter you’ll immediately feel the vibe of modern-meets-50s in what they call an “instant classic” with round booths, exposed brick, and an impressive raw bar. From their raw oysters, to salmon cake Benedict, The Darling Oyster Bar covers the basics and more. We dare you to try their Darling Bloody Mary complete with a lobster claw, crab leg, hush puppy, and jumbo shrimp tail as garnish – a meal in itself! Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
MILLER’S ALL DAY Just opened on King Street (around the corner from our office!), Miller’s All Day is serving up everybody’s favorite meal all day, BRUNCH! Diners will find brunch classics including biscuits & gravy, shrimp & grits, and fried chicken biscuit, in addition to several signature creations. Their full bar serves up spicy Bloody Mary’s, sweet Mimosa’s, and your favorite cocktails alongside their breakfast fare. Be among the first to check this new hot spot out!
With so many delectable options and new restaurants popping up seemingly every week, you may not be able to try them all in one visit. Whether it’s your first trip or your 100th, trying out a new culinary creation is a big part of a Charleston weekend. Start planning your getaway and let us know if we can schedule a brunch, lunch, or dinner reservation for you to explore and savor on your own while you’re in town!