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Off the Beaten Path: 5 Charleston Restaurants to Try

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Article & photos by Abby Tierney

It’s no secret Charleston, S.C., is known for its “foodie” scene. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they visit, however, is limiting their vacation eats to the classic, better-known restaurants located in the King Street and South of Broad areas.

What most don’t know is that some of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets lie just beyond the usual tourist trail, past the Crosstown and edging closer to the outskirts of the peninsula. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, branch out for your next meal on the town and try one of these new spots – your taste buds will thank you.

 

Harold’s Cabin

Harold's Cabin, Charleston, SCTucked away deep in Hampton Park Terrace, Harold’s Cabin is unassuming at first glance. Inside, however, the feel is like being transported into some Alice in Wonderland/deep woods cabin hybrid – the interior is rustic, imaginative and completely charming.
After sipping rosemary lattes and devouring everything from biscuits to bison burgers, it’s safe to say you’ll want to cozy up and stay awhile.

At Harold’s Cabin, the rooftop garden is the real star of the show – with a staff committed to local and sustainable produce, most of restaurant’s greenery is cultivated just above diners’ heads or sourced by other local farmers.

Bonus: It’s owned by famed actor and man-about-town Bill Murray. So watch for a celebrity sighting. 247 Congress St., Charleston

 

Luke’s Craft Pizza

Luke’s, a shoebox of a building on Ashley Avenue, opened last May and has been redefining carry-out pizza ever since. Owned and operated by Chef Luke Davis and his wife, Brittany, Luke’s offers artisan pies crafted on hand-tossed dough.

Luke's Craft Pizza, Charleston, S.C.Patrons are encouraged to have it their way, choosing either the weekly special or from a list of fresh, seasonal toppings. The dough is made by hand in house, the fixins’ include everything from fennel sausage to pickled banana peppers, and every pizza is made to order.

Next time you’re thinking takeout, call Luke’s. But do so quickly – pies are only available each night while supplies last. 721 Ashley Ave., Charleston

 

Little Jack’s Tavern

It is impossible to talk about Little Jack’s without talking about aesthetics; if you haven’t been yet, you’ve probably seen an Instagram photo of this restaurant.

The tavern has an old school feel – think vintage silver, checkered tablecloths, and scuffed hardwood floors.

It looks like it’s been around for ages, but make no mistake, the menu lives up to the standards of Charleston’s growing culinary scene. Little Jack’s offers everything from signature tavern fare to whimsical cocktails, but the menu’s real winner is clear: a burger slider topped with melted American cheese, available for just $7.

The burger is so indulgent that it appears once more on the dessert menu, just in case you want to go back for more. 710 King St., Charleston

 

Goat Sheep Cow North

Though a good bit larger than the restaurant’s first location (still open on Church Street), Goat Sheep Cow North stays true to the shop’s devotion to the finest meats, cheeses and wines.

Goat Sheep Cow, Charleston, S.C.The new shop offers the rich selection of provisions and much more.

Doubling as a gourmet market and sleek wine bar, the expansive building feels European in nature with clear Southern influence.
On the restaurant side (which also includes an expansive patio space), guests cozy up inside the brick interior and indulge on everything from beautifully crafted meat-and-cheese plates to artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches.

If you’re on the go, however, there are perks for you, too – visit the market side for a quick espresso and take home whatever catches your fancy. 804 Meeting St., Charleston

 

Rodney Scott BBQ

Rodney Scott BBQ opened its doors on North King Street in March 2017, and even after its stellar first month of operation (think line out the door on opening night), barbecue lovers continue to flock here by the dozens.

There’s a reason the city is crazy for what barbecue pitmaster Rodney Scott is dishing up – with a menu dominated by the whole-hog (but also offering everything from rib-eye to pit-cooked chicken to fried catfish and an array of classic sides), this place is the real deal.
From the lifelong barbecue experts to the newcomers to the scene (those surprised to find that pork could have such a devoted cult following), the beauty of Rodney Scott BBQ is that it truly is food for everyone. 1011 King St., Charleston

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Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

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