At the Table

A Weekend in Charleston

By: The Local Palate

Weekend in Charleston: Friday

After a travel day, chances are you want a casual spot with hefty portions to start your weekend in Charleston. Enter Lewis Barbecue, traditional Texas-style, complete with by-the-pound brisket orders and not a single plate in sight.

Grab your butcher paper and a beer and snag a picnic table on the patio (as long it’s not no-see-um season).

Want to hit the town before you hit the hay? Charleston has a bevy of rooftop options to choose from. To keep the lowkey vibes going, there’s Revelry Brewing Co., a boisterous rooftop bar perfect for grabbing a pint and watching the sunset. Or take things up a notch with Fiat Lux, set atop the Hotel Bennet—the swanky setting is reflected in the drink menu, which makes the most of seasonal produce.

Weekend in Charleston: Saturday

Start your day off right with breakfast from a local haunt. Marina Variety Store is everything you’d want in a diner breakfast, plus commanding views of the water. Go early or be prepared for a wait.

Take a stroll down King Street to tuck into any number of charming shops. To the south, you’ll find boutiques, galleries, and antique stores. Farther north is everything from ultra-preppy (Collard Greens,Vineyard Vines,Chubbies) to edgy and trendy (HAVENS,Hampden Clothing,SHOP SXC).

If it’s time for lunch, make your way to Circe’s Grotto, a tiny sandwich shop just a block off King. Go for the gooey Circe’s-style grilled cheese with cheddar, gouda, tomato, and avocado.

The best way to get to know the city is a walking tour—check out Bulldog Tours for options that explore the city’s architecture, African-American history, and, of course, ghost stories.

Plan ahead and grab a dinner reservation in the charming courtyard at Frannie & the Fox.Tucked inside the Emeline hotel, this wood-fired Italian spot serves up crusty pizzas, small plates, and stellar craft cocktails.

The royal red shrimp, bathed in tomato and lemon juice, are a must. Pass on the dessert menu and instead head over to Off Track Ice Cream. This hyperlocal spot partners with local producers to inspire their flavors—the Salted Chocolate-Covered Pretzel is life-changing.

In need of a nightcap? Post up at the bar at Bin 152. Turn to the knowledgeable staff to help you navigate the extensive wine list (there’s more than forty by the glass and 200 by the bottle).

Weekend in Charleston: Sunday

Brunch is a way of life in Charleston, and Millers All Day capitalizes on the aesthetic with retro-chic decor. The biscuits are giant, fluffy pillows of heaven and the homefries are delightfully crisp. You’ll want to carb up for the afternoon ahead.

For a quintessential stroll that hits the iconic highlights, turn left out of Millers and cross Broad Street. Staying on King, take a stroll through the neighborhood of historic homes. The street dead-ends at the Ashley River next to White Point Gardens. Head east through the park and you’ve reached the tip of the peninsula. Follow East Bay street as it curves along the Battery, past a lineup of historic Charleston homes—dip in for a tour of the Edmondston-Alston House to see its extensive collection of nineteenth-century art and artifacts.

Back on East Bay, keep heading north past Hazel Parker playground and dog park on your right. At the corner of East Bay and South Adgers Wharf, look to your left to see Rainbow Row, a collection of colorful Charleston homes. After a quick photo op, walk down the cobblestoned South Adgers Wharf until it curves to become Concord Street. You’ve reached the southern end of Waterfront Park, home of the iconic Pineapple Fountain.

Date Published: 02.15.22
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