The Dinner Club Guide to Charleston

Hello hello,

I’m freshly back from a magical week in Charleston, South Carolina where I had the time of my life. Despite the muggy weather (I now lovingly refer to Charleston as a “midday shower” town), we had a phenomenal time, and I cannot wait to go back and explore even more.

I put out an open call on Instagram before the trip asking for recommendations, and got flooded with so many excellent suggestions, so I thought I’d share a more detailed breakdown here in case you’re planning a trip sometime soon.

And yes, I am writing this from the comfort of my couch while wearing a size 2XL Sewing Down South t-shirt, as God intended.

A beautiful Italian restaurant with a lovely all-day menu. We went for dinner on the last night of the trip, and I loved every bite. Most people will talk about the pillows of gold- a ricotta tortellini with prosciutto and a butter sauce, and while they are fabulous, I’d really recommend any of the fish dishes as well.

What to Order: Bread service, aperitivo plate, cauliflower amatriciana (working on a copycat version rn!), line-caught swordfish piccata, carpaccio pizza, zeppole, affogato

A lovely little spot at the northern end of King Street with a menu of well done, familiar favorites. The energy inside is intimate, cozy and casual- perfect for a group lunch, easy dinner or eating at the bar. Four of us went in for lunch and split a bottle of Lambrusco- heaven!

What to Order: The burger, garlic knots, crab cake (!), chicken Milanese

Charleston is full of people who love to make polite conversation. Nearly every time someone learned I was visiting, the first thing they ask is, “Where are you eating?” Any time I said FIG, they would gasp in delight, and for good reason. I went here for a dreamy dinner with my manager and her husband, and it was easily my favorite of the trip. The menu rotates seasonally, so if you score a table, rely on your server for recommendations. However, I can guarantee whatever you order will be immaculate.

I went for the flounder en croute, imagining a piece of fish encased in pastry, but instead they press a thin slice of brioche on one side, and pan sear it extra crispy. It’s a technique I really want to try at home soon. The crudo and broiled oysters were just as fabulous.

What to Order: Anything and everything

One of my good friends went to school at Clemson, and would come out to Charleston from time to time- this is one of his favorite places! Casual, with a nice oyster selection, shrimp corn dogs that we ordered twice, and a crispy fountain Diet Coke. Great choice if you’re in the neighborhood!

What to Order: Shrimp corn dogs, oysters, tuna tartare

Ok. It had to happen. There is no chance I was coming to Charleston and not hitting as many Southern Charm/ Southern Hospitality hotspots as humanly possible. I admit, I was going into my BTW experience a little tepid, having been unlucky enough to eat at SUR in the past. Sue me for having a low expectation of a Bravolebrity-owned restaurant, okay!! By The Way pleasantly surprised me. The service was excellent, the food was good, the restaurant is very well-decorated, and I am now and forever a By The Way Believer. Shout out Craig and Austen.

What to Order: Pornstar Martini, wagyu meatballs, whipped feta, turkey club

There comes a time on every trip that your body is screaming out for vegetables and lean protein so loudly that you simply can no longer ignore it. When you get to that point, head to Basic Kitchen. I left thinking, “Oh if this was in Dallas, I’d be here twice a week.” We sat on the bright, airy patio which was outfitted with plenty of fans to keep the muggy Charleston air moving around. It’s very central, so it’s easy to pop in for a quick lunch in between swiping your card up and down King Street.

What to order: Arnold Palmer with hibiscus tea, salmon bowl, buffalo cauliflower

Of all the Charleston-area restaurants that folks recommended, The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island was far and away recommended the most frequently. For good reason, too. We went for lunch and split some of the small plates, pasta and a few pizzas, which was the perfect way to go for a crowd our size. Make a day of it and walk up and down Sullivan’s island, or rent some beach chairs and take a post-radiatore nap under an umbrella.

What to Order: Flatbread with butterbean puree, Pigs in Zen pizza, Miss Carolina pizza, Old Danger pizza

Hailee and I went here on our last morning before flying out. We ran into Molly from Southern Hospitality in the parking lot (queen), but the highlight for me was the breakfast burrito, which my friend Macy recommended. The hot sauce, especially, was incredible. It’s the ideal hangover breakfast, and you can walk it off right down King Street on the way back.

What to order: three egg burrito with hot sauce & the biggest iced coffee you can get your hands on

My sister Caroline went to Sabatino’s for a couple slices late one night, and there was one leftover in the box when I made it back to the room. A piece of cold pizza in a hotel bed is another level of euphoria, and it was a very solid slice!

Off Track ice cream came highly recommended by my manager, but sadly I didn't have the time for it this trip. However, all of her recs are actually gospel, so I trust you’d love it, and it felt worth including!

This is another spot that came up over and over again in your recommendations. There are multiple locations around town, but we visited the one on Wentworth nearly every day of the trip. They have a fantastic all day menu, so it feels a little wrong to stick this in the coffee category, but that’s why we came in! People go nuts for the peanut butter drink, but their espresso was easily my favorite in town. Another place that I’d be at every single day if I lived in Charleston.

What to order: toasted banana bread, iced cortado, breakfast tacos, avocado toast, orange juice

Another super cute coffee shop at the northern end of town that’s right next door to a lovely boutique. Plenty of seating if you need to get a little work done, and some of the cutest merch I’ve ever seen in a coffee shop.

What to order: your go-to coffee

I didn’t go to Mudhouse myself, but some of my friends did and really enjoyed their coffee. Great choice if you’re up and down King Street and need a pick me up!

We stopped in for drinks before a reservation at FIG (it’s right across the street). Great spot for a pre-dinner martini, and they can make non-alcoholic versions of a lot of their cocktails on the menu, which was so nice to see. I stick to a vesper martini nearly everywhere I go, and theirs was lovely!

What to order: brown butter truffle popcorn, La Chinesca, martinis

As much as I love a good drink, visits to bars (other than Dudley’s and Republic) were a little scant this trip! (I did enough drinking at Republic for the whole week, let me tell you.) So, more often than not we ended up posting up at the Living Room bar at the Dewberry for a nightcap or pre-dinner drink. It’s everything you want in a lobby bar- cold martinis, little snacks and warm chocolate chip cookies for dessert. The Citrus Club upstairs is also lovely if you want a sunnier experience and a chilly glass of orange wine.

What to order: martinis, chicken sliders, chocolate chip cookies

After this trip, Dudley’s has achieved hallowed ground status among my friend group. This place is all you want from a divey gay bar- weeknight drag shows, karaoke, and prosecco in a plastic cup.

I’m not sure if I’ve seen a more beautiful store than Wentworth. It’s a concept home store that’s filled with a combination of linens, antiques, candles, housewares, and tiny, beautiful things. Worth stopping in if you’re in the neighborhood for a special something to take home.

My friend Kenzie and I hosted an event at the Needlepoint.com store and had an absolute ball meeting everyone and hanging out all evening. If you’re a needlepointer, the store is a must visit. Loaded with tons of Charleston-specific canvases, and every thread imaginable. The team is so lovely and pulled out all the stops for our little event!

Lowcountry Needlepoint is a little ways off the peninsula, but is absolutely worth the trip. The owner Leigh is so kind and knowledgeable and the store really packs a punch for its square footage. We had no issue getting Ubers to and from the store, either!

One of the many antique stores that line King Street, I stopped in looking for an antique wine coaster (which I found), but left with a beautiful painting of a pink lowcountry house that is currently on its way to me. They had a great selection of silver, artwork, and furniture that’s a joy just to browse and get a break from the humidity.

A lot of people recommended Candlefish, a fragrance boutique on King Street. It’s a delightful little store with unique scents, small trinkets and gifts that’s absolutely worth stopping into.

Right next door to Candlefish is the Juliska flagship store. Juliska is a tableware brand that’s based in Charleston, and I have several pieces from them that I love. They’ll ship your order home for free if it’s over $150, but if you just want to leave with something small, their place cards are the best in the business.

Is there anything more fun than a local bookstore on vacation? Ladybird Books had a great selection if you need to pick up a new beach read, and had a small Charleston-themed section if you’re always buying children’s books for your nephews like I am.

That’s all for today! Thanks again to everyone who came to our stitch night at Needlepoint.com and to the whole city of Charleston for being such a welcoming and delicious place to visit.

XOXO

– Harrison