Every year in early March, Charleston throws a great big foodie festival. Spring is one of the best times to explore the city, with all the gardenias and azaleas in bloom and the Charleston Wine + Food attracts visitors from all over the country to it’s best restaurants.

And the ladies hit it this year.

We go every other year or so and this year we were again ready for a visit. My friend Nolie, planned it for a small group of friends. We actually started going a few years before she started her travel business, Galavant. We hadn’t been since BC - Before Covid. It’s a great, good time in a wonderful city known for its’ homes, gardens and food scene - this year was no exception. There is a fabulous restaurant and a gorgeous vista around every corner.

Here’s the scoop…

We got there Thursday afternoon and checked into The Loutrel. This is a newer hotel and we just loved it. The staff and service were outstanding, the decor was killer, and the rooms were wonderful! There was a free stocked mini bar and they had Dyson hair dryers! Woah. And a wonderful breakfast buffet each morning. I think it has really caught on, here is a review on Conde Nast Traveler.

We then had our first Signature Dinner that night at The Grocery. This is a great spot featuring low country fare with locally sourced ingredients. We had wine pairings with each course. A yummy blast.

Next up was an easy morning of shopping and brunch at Church and Union . This was a great place for brunch and we loved the decor - so interesting. It’s an old church made into a restaurant. The ceilings have the words to “The Art Of War” painted all over them. The food was great too and we had a nice time. Then off to shop for awhile on King Street!

We freshened up afterward and took off in our van for our favorite event “Shucked” which is always on the water right outside of town. It features oysters and bluegrass. There is always more good food, in addition to oysters and beverages abound. A great time always.

This evening we went to an event, El Barrio, at a local brewery which featured salsa music and dancing and Latin food. More fun. Too much fun for pictures. 😉

Saturday was all about the Culinary Village which has grown exponentially and is tons of sampling of wine, brews, cocktails and tasty bites everywhere you turn. There is also a live band, cooking demos and the silent disco - hilarious dancing fun.

Yes - that’s me and Austin from Southern Charm. 🤩

Our last event was another Signature Dinner at the north end of town at The Three Sirens, a tiny gem. Such a great atmosphere and the food was spectacular. We had wine pairings with each course again. It’s a cool but cozy neighborhood seafood restaurant.

REstaurants

You’re looking for great local seafood and that perfect little biscuit! And fried chicken, oysters or softshell crabs, fried green tomatoes, crawfish, grits, and wonderful cocktails. Seasonal food is a year-round deal here - always plenty of tasty options.

Best Restaurants In A Sea of Deliciousness…

*Most of these places need a reservation in advancE

• FIG - an institution, internationally recognized - the chef brings his South American background to southern food - Food. Is. Good.

• Husk - housed in an old residence, it looks like the storybook Charleston place - still a favorite among all tourists

• The Ordinary - housed in a 1920’s bank building, this has a Parisian feel - lots of black and white - fancy and fabulous seafood

• Edmund’s Oast - they take the food and the ale very seriously - not your average pub food

• Chez Nous - each day the chef writes the menu by hand - seasonal, elevated European comfort food!

• Magnolias - one of the city’s best high end restaurants in the historic district

• Hall’s Chophouse - sister to Slightly North of Broad and High Cotton, which are also good too

• Bertha’s Kitchen - home to low country cooking, soul food and sweet tea - over the counter and inexpensive

• The Obstinate Daughter - on nearby Sullivan’s Island and a combination of French, Italian and Spanish Cuisine - fresh local food

• Hank’s Seafood - overlooking the historic city market, this 1940’s style fish house is a seafood lover’s dream

• Rodney Scotts’ BBQ - it’s all about the food - red baskets lined in paper and filled with BBQ, smoked chicken, mac and cheese and more

• Chubby Fish - some of the best seafood in a seafood town - no reservations - you stand in line

• Circa 1886 - tucked in the carriage house of a mansion, white tablecloths and candles make this a very romantic spot - a luxurious and elegant menu

• 167 Raw - perpetually packed, this seafood restaurant is a good one - no reservations on this one either - cousins with the one in Nantucket

• Xiao Bao Biscuit - in an old gas station, you’ll find Asian comfort food - be prepared for spicy!

• The Grocery - the freshest vegetables and local ingredients you can find

Must Do’s

…(Besides Eat & Drink)

• Stroll along Rainbow Row on the Battery

• Walking house and garden tour and/or walking history tour

• Visit The College of Charleston Campus

• Visit some of the beautiful churches - it’s called the Holy City for a reason!

• Visit one of several Farmer’s Markets

• Shopping on King Street

• Visit plantations and or mansions in the area

• Walk or bike across the Ravenel bridge

if you go…

• Get tickets for the events as soon as they go on sale. This is usually late August or early September the year before! Events sell out very fast.

• Make your reservations for lodging then as well.

• If you’re going to go to events that are not walking distance from your hotel, I encourage you to arrange transportation beforehand. You wait forever for an Uber.

• If you want to go but don’t want to deal with the planning aspect for your group, email my buddy at Galavant, and she’ll set y’all up!

Hope you enjoyed Charleston with us. It’s great in the fall too. If you’ve never been, you should go and see Savannah too! Next, I’ll be talking my current Faves and Finds, and then on to the best gardening stuff plus some problem solving plants for your gardens this year!