No blog post about a Charleston trip could be complete without mentioning FOOD! Maybe it was all the exciting local history and architecture, or maybe it was the sea air, but everything we ate in the city of Charleston was delicious! And eat we did, a lot and often! Our trendsetting foodie experiences ran the gamut from college area tiny one room spots to the huge and/or famous. There was not a bad meal to be had, though some stood out above the rest.

Five Loaves Café, “A Southern Restaurant,” on 43 Cannon Street is an intimate diner near the College of Charleston. They serve local veggies and only antibiotic free and pasture raised beef and poultry. We were both wholly impressed with our chicken dinners and the prices of $14 for each dinner entree. It was a busy little “seat yourself” restaurant, obviously a neighborhood favorite with hip college students and stroller moms.

Virginia’s on King, 412 King Street, specializes in “Upscale Lowcountry Cuisine” and their shrimp and grits, the entrée that Charleston does best, was quite tasty. The fast service and cold water was truly appreciated on a day of walking our feet off! A bit pricier than the Five Loaves Café but location, location, location (King Street), right?

Stars Rooftop and Grill Room, 495 King Street, was in a restored historic Arts & Crafts building with a dining area that is a 1930’s style grill/bar. What can I say about them other than that the food was out of this world. The mushroom bruschetta was the standout here, though my Plancha Diver Scallops came close. A truly memorable evening  of South Carolina Cuisine with attentive and impeccable service, the best meal we had during our stay in Charleston. Also the most expensive. They have a boisterous rooftop bar that was busy but unfortunately did not have much of a view of the city.

Slightly North of Broad (or S.N.O.B), 192 E. Bay Street, describes itself as “a Lowcountry bistro that brings together an abundance of local ingredients and thoughtful, expert presentation with a friendly, contagious energy.” This is a well known, much reviewed local establishment and tourist destination for many. My rack of lamb was very good, his shrimp and grits a bit on the tomato-y side, service was attentive, but for the upper edge price tag it was not our favorite. Maybe it was the vibe, maybe the rather darkish room. But still, for that kind of money, we wanted to fall in love.

Jestine’s Kitchen, 251 Meeting Street, is an old Charleston restaurant that serves traditional southern food and lots of it with a down to earth price tag. The atmosphere is very casual and rather country. This was one of our favorite eating places, highly recommended by our B&B host, and we would have gone back if they had not been closed on the Monday we showed up. Bring your appetite if you decide to eat there! They are famous for their fried chicken. My husband rated their shrimp and grits as the BEST he had eaten during our visit!

There were other restaurants, other meals, but these were the ones that stood out for various reasons. After our #1 choice – Stars – our favorites for best places to eat were Jestine’s Kitchen and then the Five Loaves Café, which just shows that you don’t have to pay a lot of money for great food in Charleston!