North Charleston was home to a naval base from 1901 until 1996; it was the largest civilian employer in the state. Its closing was feared to be the death knell for Charleston’s economy, but the city had other tricks up its sleeve. North Charleston is now a diverse town in transition—the desirable Park Circle neighborhood draws residents with (relatively) affordable housing and walkable shops, bars, and restaurants rivaling those downtown. Part of the old Naval base is now Riverfront Park, home of the annual High Water Festival, which promises to return in 2022. The North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center also plays host to major music acts as well as the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team.
TLP’s Guide to North Charleston Restaurants
FRATELLO’S ITALIAN TAVERN You’ll find nice Italian classics like chicken cacciatore, linguine with clams, and lasagna in a casual setting here. fratellostavern.com
EVO PIZZERIA Evo is a neighborhood staple in Park Circle that’s busy most nights, so prepare to wait—it’s worth it. You’ll be rewarded with damn fine pizza, and when you see the name “EVO” as the purveyor of baguettes and rolls in local restaurants and cafes, you’ll know it’s all from the bakery around the back. evopizza.com
JACKRABBIT FILLY A late 2019 addition to Park Circle, Jackrabbit Filly comes from Shuai and Corrie Wang of Charleston’s much loved Short Grain food truck. The menu fuses Shuai’s Chinese heritage with his love of Japanese cooking and Lowcountry ingredients. Look for the ramen special on Sundays. jackrabbitfilly.com
LA NORTENA TAQUERIA & MEXICAN GRILL Here, you’ll get authentic Mexican food with a hyper-extensive menu that includes ceviche, street corn, and tortas. Plus, there are eight different margaritas to choose from. lanortenamexican.com
THE CODFATHER This is generally regarded as the most authentic English fish and chips spot in the Charleston area—no frills and huge portions, both of which are fine by us. 843.789.4649
H&L ASIAN MARKET This insanely large market offers a sauce and condiment aisle that will fulfill all of your Asian cuisine needs. But there’s also a small lunch counter with a handful of booths, serving up authentic pho. It’s pretty far off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. 843.745.9365
STEMS & SKINS Ask anyone where to go in Park Circle and they’ll point you to this wine bar. The menu is constantly changing, and you can take bottles to go for half price. stemsandskins.com
ORANGE SPOT COFFEE A cute and vibrant little coffee shop, Orange Spot offers a solid breakfast and sandwich-centric lunch menu, plus an out – door seating area. orangespotcoffee.com
MIXSON BURGERS AND BREW Burgers are the draw here, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the meat, too, like in a philly cheeseteak wrap or short rib quesadilla. The three-meat patty blend, though, takes the cake, especially when it’s topped with macaroni and cheese. 843.377.8120
MAYA DEL SOL Chef Raul Sanchez takes center stage at this chef’s table restaurant, putting out five-course meals during dinner service. Taking inspiration from his own family’s recipes (some of which are hundreds of years old), the dishes range from beef tenderloin with chimichurri to tres leches cake. Reservations are required. 843.225.2390
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