1956 Maybank Hwy. Charleston, SC 29412 • (843) 793-2231
AN OVERVIEW
"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name". That was a driving factor in the owners' vision of How Art Thou Cafe and Wine Bar. Add to that a creative finesse, fresh, local ingredients and suppliers to help create the menu, and a vast array of beverage options from specialty juices to craft beers to fine wine, and you've found How Art Thou Cafe on James Island.
4 Vanderhorst Street, Charleston, SC 29403 • (843) 853-7186
AN OVERVIEW
Vanderhorst Street is not the most well traveled in downtown Charleston, but Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer is increasing its traffic as it becomes more and more popular among peninsula residents. Their website simply claims, "We are awesome. Seriously. Come see for yourself", and people have been. They serve coffee (specializing in African blends) to early risers and host live music and introduce folks to their favorite selection of craft beer in the evening.
843- 722-7224
Hours:
Closed: Mondays
Jestine's Kitchen is my favorite restaurant downtown. Period. It's not the fanciest. It's not the most expensive. It's chef doesn't have the best pedigree in Charleston. But none of that matters to me. It's been my favorite since the first time I ate there. It is Lowcountry cooking at it's finest. You couldn't eat there every night...your arteries would eventually revolt. But when you want to treat yourself, it is the place to be. The down-home southern atmosphere is great. The service is outstanding. The ham steak is awesome. Fried chicken, awesome. Squash casserole (a daily veggie specialty), awesome. Coca Cola cake, awesome. You get the picture. The only draw-back is that there's a bit of a wait for a table most days, but that's to be expected considering its reputation. The restaurant doesn't take names and put you on a list with a wait time as many restaurants do. If a table is not available, you simply stand in line until one opens up. So if you arrive and there's a line, get in it. The wait can sometimes be avoided by going early or late for meal times. Even if you end up waiting a bit for a table, the meal will be worth it. Don't miss this place.
251 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 722-7224
AN OVERVIEW
Dana Berlin, owner of Jestine's Kitchen, named the restaurant as a tribute her family's caretaker and friend who was born in 1885 and lived to an impressive age of 112. The restaurant serves the recipes Jestine used to make, a mouth-watering combination of soul food and Lowcountry cuisine. Guests can expect to find hearty meatloaf, flavorful fried chicken, and sides like mac and cheese, okra gumbo, and green beans that don't disappoint. Save room for dessert and order a piece of the Coca-Cola Cake. This recipe uses Coke to sweeten this chocolate delight instead of sugar, and is a unique taste not to be missed.
82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 723-7591
AN OVERVIEW
82 Queen quickly comes to mind when when locals think of classy southern hospitality and fine Lowcountry cuisine. 82 Queen combines fresh, local ingredients with a 300 year old address to create a memorable dining experience. Guests can enjoy local favorites such as Lowcountry jambalaya, lump crab cakes, and award-winning she crab soup.
72 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 577-2337
AN OVERVIEW
Poogan's Porch is a mid to upper scale Lowcountry restaurant with a southern influence and a modern twist that opened its doors in 1976. Guests will find pleasing menus for lunch and dinner daily, as well as brunch Saturday and Sunday. Menu highlights include pimiento cheese fritters, pulled pork or crab cake benedict, pan seared jumbo scallops, bourbon braised short ribs, and plantation fried chicken. Chefs incorporate local ingredients from Blackbird Farms, Thackeray Farms, and Joseph Fields Farms in various menu options.
158 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 720-2121
AN OVERVIEW
Bocci's is a fantastic Italian restaurant located just south of the historic open air market in downtown Charleston. The menu includes homebaked Italian bread, soup, salad, a variety of pastas, which are made onsite, as well as fish and meat entrees. The wait staff is friendly and pleasant do receive service from. Lunch and dinner are served daily, and the restaurant is a nice option for familys, friends, or couples.
