Restaurants in Historic Downtown (Charleston)

Cumberlands Pub & Grill

Cumberlands is the kind of place you'll want to go when you just want to hang out with the locals and don't have to worry about getting all dressed up. Blue jeans are the average attire here and the pub is very popular with 20-somethings and local downtown workers. There is live music featured most nights, with bands ranging from blues to rock-and-roll or even club dance mix. The pub also highlights some of the more popular Charleston groups. Performances vary, so it is wise to call ahead for the schedule.

FIG

Visit one of the most comfortable and affordable restaurants in Charleston—FIG, which is an abbreviation for their slogan, "Food is Good"! This eatery has simplistic interiors, community tables, and a bar serving up fresh farm dishes and excellent sea-food. The menu changes often, but the quality and quantity are consistent. Try the Hakurei turnips, pork shank, and cauliflower with pancetta—everything tastes heavenly! You'll be blessing the chef when you leave!

Hank's Seafood Restaurant

Hank's Seafood Restaurant is located in a refurbished warehouse which is nearly 100 years old! It overlooks the Historic Downtown area of Charleston and serves seafood delights. It also has an old saloon-style bar, and an exhibition raw bar where you can taste shellfish. Hank's is only open for dinner and is hugely popular, so make sure to reserve your table in advance to avoid disappointment. The attire is business-casual, so don't wear flip-flops or shorts!

Shoney's

This cafe serves quick-bites like sandwiches, burgers, desserts and beverages. Located in the Historic Downtown District of Charleston, Shoney's is what fast-food is all about—a great place to hang out with the gang, reasonable prices and great food—try it!

McCrady's

Housed in a building that dates back to 1788, McCrady's Restaurant in Charleston stands at a quiet corner in the Historic Downtown neighborhood. This sophisticated eatery serves up excellent Progressive American cuisine in inimitable style. The interior is a fusion of both traditional and contemporary essentials, boasting of skylights, leather chairs, bluestone tiles and a bar. The food is prepared from the finest fresh ingredients, and the service is efficient. So what are you waiting for? Plan your visit today!

Peninsula Grill

Located in the historic Planters Inn across from the Old City Market, this four-star restaurant prides itself on outstanding, elegant cuisine, traditional Charleston charm and ambiance and attentive service. House specialties include Wild Mushroom Grits with Lowcountry Stew and Bourbon Grilled Jumbo Shrimp. Chef Robert Carter is well known for his creative menus and diners will find it difficult to choose from numerous options. A popular dining establishment with locals and visitors, Peninsula Grill has been awarded accolades as one of America's top 50 hotel restaurants in Charleston. Reservations are highly recommended.

Fulton Five

You will find Fulton Five covered in vines and tucked in a small alley off of King Street. Dinner here is usually reserved for a special occasion. The atmosphere is very romantic--think Lady and the Tramp. Pale green walls and candlelight reflecting off of brass accents only add to the charm. The food is mostly Italian, and the menu varies according to season. Dishes like mushroom and goat cheese crostini, pan-seared red snapper, and filet mignon are all impeccably prepared. However, the wonderful atmosphere and food do not come cheap, so bring your credit card. Reservations are highly recommended.

Wasabi Japanese Restaurant

The atmosphere at Wasabi is island-chic, with lots of bamboo and huge paper umbrellas, like the kind you stick in a tropical drink. A long sushi bar runs the entire length of a wall so you can watch chefs prepare your sushi in front of you. Wasabi has won the "Best Sushi" category from the Charleston City Paper numerous times and after dining there it's easy to see why. Rolls are prepared with fresh ingredients in innovative ways. However, sushi and rolls are only a part of the menu. You can also choose from appetizers and a full list of entrees prepared on the hibachi which include filet mignon, chicken, shrimp, scallop, or salmon, as well as a number of teriyaki and tempura dishes. At night, the restaurant turns into a club with DJs, live music, and free-flowing drinks.

Music Farm

Located in a railroad storage depot listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Music Farm is your station for live music. Outside, the building looks like what it was, a train depot. On the inside, hog wire, sheet metal and plywood convey the feeling of a farm gone electric. Although the majority of acts that play here are not typical radio fare, the Farm has featured nationally known jazz, bluegrass, reggae, folk and rock music acts since 1991. And unlike most music venues, the bar is easy to access.

Anson

Dine amidst historic charm and traditional Charleston decor at Anson. Located at Old City Market, this southern eatery is graced with understated elegance: lovely floral wallpaper, topiaries, lots of windows and a full, wood-paneled bar. The décor is complemented by the hospitality, as Anson prides itself with offering attentive professional service with a friendly Southern flair. Start off with the Roasted Sweet Potato Ravioli, which comes with Sage cream, Virginia ham and spiced walnuts. Or sample the Charleston Bouillabaisse, fragrant and fairly teeming with local seafood. Anson also features an extensive wine list.

52.5 Record Store

52.5 Records has long been considered one of the best record stores in the Southeast, and an avid supporter of independent musicians.They stay emphatically involved in the Charleston local music scene, yet that takes a back seat to their refinement process, in selecting only the most interesting music to grace their shelves.Breaking the stereotypes of the "elitist record store owner", their friendly staff is always willing to help expose you to a new artist.in addition they have an excellent selection of unique art books, underground novels, band t-shirts, posters, and rare DVD's.

Doe's Pita Plus

This restaurant is the perfect choice for those who want to pick up some 'healthy fast food'. Limited seating is available, but most people come in for takeout. Offerings include Tasty Chicken Pita Pocket, filled with plums, celery, chicken, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. Or try Doe's in-house Baba Ghanouj, Tabouleh, Hummus, or Lebanese Potato Salad. Order peanut butter and jelly (in a pita pocket) for the kids; non-alcoholic beverages are also available. There are also two other locations in Mt. Pleasant and North Charleston; call for information.