The Best of Charleston Hospitality

Start making your reservations – we’re highlighting some of our favorite local spots for each meal of the day (and more!).

Charleston is on the pulse of all things hospitality.

The city boasts incredible food, luxury stays, and incomparable Southern charm that will have you planning your next trip before you even leave.

With so many dining options and so little time, it’s hard to know where to begin your Charleston dining journey.

Fortunately, the Charleston City Paper makes that task a little easier with their annual “Best of Charleston” list, recognizing local favorites across a number of categories including dining, drinking, attractions, and more.

Start making your reservations – we’re highlighting some of our favorite local spots for each meal of the day (and more!).

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you’re going to want to make sure you do it right.

Head over to Millers All Day, voted the Best Breakfast in Charleston, for an extensive menu that features something for everyone. From a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich to shrimp and grits to biscuits and gravy, it’ll be hard to choose just one item from the Millers All Day menu.

It’s no secret that biscuits are a southern staple. If you’re looking for a biscuit like no other, you’re going to want to check out Vicious Biscuit.

Named the Best Biscuits in Charleston, Vicious Biscuit piles its biscuits high with toppings like pulled pork, fried chicken, shrimp, pimento cheese, gravy, and more. ‍

Lunch

With so many fun things to do in Charleston, you’re going to want to make time to refuel midday.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of delectable lunch options that will do the trick.

It’s hard to turn down a good burger – especially if it’s one from Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island. Voted the Best Burger in Charleston, Poe’s Tavern boasts a number of creative burger options all named after short stories written by the restaurant’s namesake.

BBQ is nearly synonymous with the South. If you’re in the mood for some BBQ that won’t disappoint, you’re going to want to stop by Home Team BBQ.

Home Team racked up the Best of Charleston awards this year, bringing home the titles of Best Wings, Best Nachos, Best Tater Tots, Best Mac and Cheese, and - good news for parents - Best Kid Friendly Restaurant.

Needless to say, you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose on the Home Team menu.

If you’re looking for lighter fare or a vegetarian option, head over to Five Loaves Cafe’s Mount Pleasant or Summerville locations. Their portobello goat cheese burger, citrus tofu, and eggplant fritters are sure to hit the spot!

Happy Hour

There’s no doubt that Charleston is a foodie city but the local beverage scene is not to be overlooked.

Voted the Best Happy Hour in Charleston, you’ll want to check out one of Edmund’s Oast’s downtown locations for a wide selection of sours, IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers. And if beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry – Edmund’s Oast has an array of specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages for you to try.

If you’re looking for a happy hour with a view, stop by Saltwater Cowboys in Mount Pleasant or The Citrus Club downtown.

Named the Best Waterfront Bar, Best Outdoor Patio, and Best Mount Pleasant Bar, Saltwater Cowboys has picturesque views of Shem Creek and is a great spot to soak in the sun on the weekends.

The Citrus Club, located on top of The Dewberry, has panoramic views of downtown Charleston, earning them the title of Best Rooftop Bar. Their eclectic cocktail menu has something for everyone!

Dinner

Whatever type of cuisine you’re looking for, you can likely find it in Charleston.

Halls Chophouse is a Charleston institution known for its mouthwatering steaks. Named the Best Restaurant and the Best Wait Staff in Charleston, Halls is a fine dining restaurant that offers an unparalleled guest experience.

Jackrabbit Filly in Park Circle offers up the Best Asian Fusion. From chili crab noodles to gnocchi in garlic sauce to seafood stir fry, you’ll have a hard time choosing just one entree.

Looking for the perfect date night spot? Check out 82 Queen in downtown Charleston, named the Best Romantic Restaurant. Serving up southern staples, like seafood gumbo, jambalaya, and their award-winning she-crab soup, 82 Queen’s outdoor patio offers a romantic ambiance that is sure to “wow!” your date.

Charleston is no stranger to seafood – especially oysters! Voted the Best Oysters and Best Raw Bar in Charleston, 167 Raw is a must-try for any seafood connoisseur. Their raw bar features oysters, little neck clams, and jumbo shrimp – and if you’re in for a real treat caviar service is available.

Dessert

It’s easy to eat your way through Charleston but make sure you leave some room for dessert!

You’re not going to want to miss out on Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar, located just a few steps away from some of Charleston’s top restaurants.

With an array of cheesecakes, freshly filled cannolis, and boozy milkshakes, it’s no wonder that Carmella’s was named the Best Specialty Dessert Bar in Charleston.

Serving the Best of the Best

Although we’ve shortlisted some of our favorite local spots, you really can’t go wrong with the food and beverage scene in Charleston.

Charleston’s hospitality industry is unlike any other – and while a restaurant might tout the best food or the greatest drinks, the service is what can really make or break an experience.

Whether you’re seeking out available hourly opportunities in the industry, or you’re a hospitality business that could use some extra hands, shiftNOW can help.

We connect hospitality’s finest brands to a high-quality temporary workforce. Our platform is a trusted resource for hourly shift workers to find shifts available at competitive rates and for businesses to find trusted workers who are available when they need them.

Interested in learning more?

To find available shift workers, visit app.shiftnow.com to create a Business Account.

To find and apply for open hospitality shifts, download the shiftNOW mobile app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.