167 Raw moved from a tiny room at 289 East Bay Street, now 167 Sushi Bar, to a long narrow 19th century building on King Street with original brick walls and a walnut bar. It takes no reservations. City Paper readers voted it Best Oysters and Best Raw Bar in 2026, and on r/Charleston the tuna burger is the dish people name.
167 Sushi Bar is the sushi and yakitori room from the 167 Raw group, in the East Bay Street storefront where 167 Raw itself began before moving to King Street.
39 Rue de Jean is a French cafe, brasserie and bar on John Street just off Upper King, with exposed brick, a patio and a private room upstairs. Explore Charleston reported in spring 2026 that it was marking its 25th anniversary with themed wine dinners and expanded lunch. It belongs to Holy City Hospitality, a Charleston group, and City Paper readers voted it Best French in 2026.
82 Queen is the Lowcountry restaurant on Queen Street that City Paper readers voted Best She-Crab Soup in 2026. The top answer in a r/Charleston she-crab soup thread agrees. Opinion on the rest is split: it is offered as the most Charleston restaurant in one thread, and in the same thread a commenter says it is not as good as its reputation.
BellyUp! Charleston / Over 50
Good places to eat and drink in Charleston, minus the nightclubs. When a spot gets loud later or draws a lot of kids, the card tells you.
10 spots
The Post and Courier describes Baguette Magic as a French bakery and cafe with almond croissants, house-made Pop-Tarts, avocado toast and an Italian sub. City Paper readers made it runner-up for Best Bakery and for Best James Island Brunch in 2026.
Explore Charleston describes the aim as seasonal, local produce cooked to be nourishing, with a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes and a staff trained to guide guests through allergens. There is a dedicated kids menu ... almond butter and jelly, veggie sticks, fruit bowls.
Daps opened in 2018 on Ashley Avenue and calls itself a beloved neighborhood spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch. It also caters.
Five Loaves says it goes to great lengths to run a healthy, sustainable and more responsible menu. City Paper readers voted it Best Lunch Spot in 2026 and runner-up for Best Restaurant for Vegetarians. A r/Charleston commenter calls the Mount Pleasant room affordable and delicious; another misses the old downtown one on Coming Street.
Owner Heather Greene opened Lillian's in the corner building that used to be Harold's Cabin, and City Paper calls it a comfortable follower for that much-loved room. It runs all day ... a coffee bar from 7:30am, weekday breakfast, a market selling flowers, prepared foods, wine and goods from local makers, then happy hour and dinner. Executive Chef Todd Garrigan works with local growers, fishermen and ranchers. Private parties use the Jackalope Dining Room, the Jackalope Bar or the upstairs terrace.
Lost Dog is a breakfast and lunch cafe a block off Center Street that calls itself 'a long time Folly Favorite'. It opens at 6:30 in the morning and closes mid afternoon. City Paper readers voted it Best Folly Beach Brunch in 2026.
Millers All Day serves breakfast, lunch and brunch on Lower King Street, with a second room on James Island. Charleston City Paper readers named it Best Breakfast and Best Weekend Brunch in Best of Charleston 2026.
Chef Andy Clay's breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant on Daniel Island. The site says Clay 'brings more than 25 years of global cooking back to Daniel Island'. It opens for Friday happy hour and for what it calls pre-concert dinner and drinks.
Kimana Littleflower, a longtime Charleston food and beverage professional, opened The Junction in 2015 because she saw a need for something different in the Park Circle community she calls home. The plan was breakfast all day, sandwiches, an eclectic brunch menu and cocktails. Charleston City Paper readers voted it Best North Charleston Brunch in Best of Charleston 2026.
Three Little Birds Cafe opened in August 2007 in the Windermere shopping strip in West Ashley, with indoor and outside seating and carry out. City Paper readers voted it runner-up for Best West Ashley Brunch in 2026. Locals name it for breakfast, with one saying the prices keep it from being a regular stop.
The same over 50 spots, sorted by the reasons people actually pick them.
Recommendations from real Charlestonians, always attributed to whoever wrote them.
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