Looking For A Cozy Spot To Grab Food? Here’s The Best Casual Restaurants In Charleston SC!

This port city was founded in 1670, known for its cobblestone streets, fascinating historical sites, gorgeous beaches, and renowned restaurants. Charleston in South Carolina is one of America’s favorite small cities! It’s no wonder that in a city so full of life that you’d want to go out, have a nice meal at a restaurant, and not necessarily have to worry about dressing up. That is where we invite you on a quick little journey into reading about the best casual restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina!

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Butcher & Bee

An ever changing menu created for all who come on by!

Chocked full of flavor in this burger, looking amazing! Image courtesy of the Butcher & Bee Instagram page.

1085 Morrison Dr | Charleston | butcherandbee.com 

It started with one thing, a vision, a vision of a sandwich. That’s the jumping off point for Butcher & Bee, to bring the quality and perfection to all of the ingredients that make up a sandwich. From the cheeses, to the meats, to the veggies, and bread, every part of the sandwich should be made with care to make the perfect sandwich. Now that Butcher & Bee have successfully achieved that goal, they have branched out to all types and styles of foods!

What’s fun about Butcher & Bee is they have a “chef’s choice” option, where their amazing team of talented chefs will give you what they think is best for the whole table! Their ingredients are locally sourced to make sure every menu pick is the freshest it can get for you! Roasted chicken, spicy avocado salad, lamb loin, seared local fish, a whole dessert menu, inventive cocktails, and more are here for you to enjoy!

“We loved the Butcher & Bee.  The pitta was the best I have ever had and the whipped feta and hummus were amazing!! The drinks and food were very good and we will definitely be back!!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Harold’s Cabin

A hot and trendy laid back spot for drinks and a meal!

Colorful food = Delicious food. That’s just it. Image courtesy of the Harold’s Cabin Instagram page.

247 Congress St | Charleston | haroldscabin.com 

Harold’s Cabin has a rich history that starts all the way back in 1913, when Harold Jacobs was born in Charleston. Throughout his life, his family and himself created a slew of places for people to come in, enjoy, and get food! Eventually Yarrum Properties opened a reimagined store and café in celebration of what Harold’s has become. Seating up to 65 people, market section, and even a rooftop garden!

From smoked trout dip, veggie nachos, and bread basket small plates. To Comeback Chicken Sandwich, Pimento Cheese BLT, and other delicious sandwiches. Large plates, salads, sides, kid’s menu, and desserts are all available for dinner, while they have a whole menu for happy hour and a cocktail/wine list to either pair nicely with your meal or to enjoy while you’re out on the town!

“The food is fresh and locally sourced, and it always tastes great. I have dined here a few times, for brunch and dinner. The staff is friendly and prompt. I especially love the quirky atmosphere inside this cool spot. It's a great place to grab a beer before going to one of the Riverdogs Baseball games, too!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Xiao Bao Biscuit

Multicultural Asian cooking in a creatively converted gas station.

Just looking absolutely down right tasty! Image courtesy of the Xiao Bao Biscuit Instagram page.

224 Rutledge Ave | Charleston | xiaobaobiscuit.com 

Specialized select dishes from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan prepared locally right in Charleston, Xiao Bao Biscuit brings all of these blends of flavors to a rotating menu! Named after the co-owner Duolan Li, this restaurant was inspired to open after their honeymoon in Asia back in 2009. 

With their goal in mind, Xiao Xiao Biscuit was born a little while later to create a cozy atmosphere for those who’d like to enjoy a good meal. Som Tum with Chicken, Pad Kra Pow, Green Curry Fish, Mapo Tofu Vegan (with greens), Som Tum Salad, and other Asian dishes to add a new item to any palate ready for a nice day out!

“Lots of good choices here, pretty much the whole menu.  Get the cabbage pancake and green curry with local fish.  We had flounder.  The other items were all standout.  I'd return in a heartbeat.  Great place” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Swig & Swine

In house smoked meats and unique sides in this swanky BBQ spot!

The comments are saying it all with this tasty sandwich! Image courtesy of the Swig & Swine Instagram page.

1217 Savannah Hwy | Charleston | swigandswinebbq.com 

At the Swig & Swine, they believe that hard work and long hours should go into every piece of barbecue, and that’s what they do! They cook their barbecue low and slow, making sure all of their juicy flavors are ingrained into every piece of meat. With that, they have a drink menu that goes great with each of their dishes to add to that level of content-ness.

BBQ plates, sandwiches, family platters, regular platters, wings, appetizers, salads, sides, desserts, cocktails, craft beers, whiskey, non-alcoholic beverages, and wines…phew! That is a lot of menu sections for any meat lover in the Charleston area!

“Awesome BBQ! Such a fun atmosphere & really awesome staff. I love their whole hog & pork rinds. This always makes for a yummy quick choice to have dinner. We also have gotten their platter for dinner at home, which is equally as amazing!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Cru Cafe

Eccentric takes on American comfort food served in a historic house!

Food with a view! Now that’s what I call comfort! Image courtesy of the Cru Cafe Instagram page.

18 Pinckney St | Charleston | crucafe.com 

John Zucker, the owner of Cru Cafe has been providing comfort and good cuisine to the city of Charleston for two decades! Cru Cafe is known as the “hidden gem” of casual restaurants, with their talented chefs and waiters, they make sure to have every meal one to remember. They offer lunch and dinner, with a selection of wines/beverages to have with any dish!

Each menu at the Cru Cafe has a large range of foods to choose from. Just some of the lunch menu items include, Chinese Chicken Salad, Cru Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari, House Smoked Salmon, Garlic Chicken Club, and Gourmet Grilled Cheese. While their dinner menu contains things like, Fried Goat Cheese Salad, White Wine Truffled Mussels, Grilled Pork Chop, and Poblano & Mozzarella Fried Chicken! So much food, you’ll want to come back the next day!

“Came here with a couple of girl friends and I loved that they had vegan friendly options. It seemed like farm to table because they used fresh ingredients to create a unique spin on some dishes. The cocktails are good too!” -Yelp Review 

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Little Jack’s Tavern

Classic tavern, classic comfort food, and classic design all in one!

Those fries. Those fries look so amazing! Image courtesy of the Little Jack’s Tavern Instagram page.

710 King St | Charleston | littlejackstavern.com 

“Old fashioned American tavern,” that’s what Little Jack’s Tavern is setting itself up as. Classic cocktails, cold beer, good wine, fine spirits, amazing burgers, fresh salads, and of course…comfort food galore! An all day neighborhood restaurant bar combo that is one of the spots to go enjoy a meal and drink while you’re out on the town!

From Shrimp Cocktails, Brussel Sprouts, Warm Garlic Knots, Chopped Salads, Tavern Burger, Veggie Burger, Surf and Turf, and Crab Cakes. To Margaritas, Irish Coffee, Pinot Noir, Champagne, and Rose, Little Jack’s Tavern has it all when it comes to a good ol’ bite to eat after a nice day out!

“Hands down best Brussel Sprouts and Burger I've ever had in my life. Of all the restaurants I've been to in Charleston, this is 100% the best. You will not be disappointed with the food or the ambiance.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Basic Kitchen

Beautifully lit space featuring locally produced foods!

Something healthy, something savory! Perfect combo! Image courtesy of the Basic Kitchen Instagram page.

82 Wentworth St | Charleston | basickitchen.com 

Big into diverse flavors and using inspiration from other dishes around the world, Basic Kitchen uses local ingredients, whole grains, legumes, a “rainbow” of spices, healthy and nutritious oils, and sustainably raised meat! Now all of that would peak anyone's interest, Basic Kitchen has a healthy and beneficial impact on the environment!

Basic Kitchen wants you to enjoy their food in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that will have you remembering every moment you were there. With a rotating menu featuring their “delightful” dishes, this place has got a good eye for being the best! 

Lunch, dinner, brunch, and drink menus, Basic Kitchen has food items from small plates, sandwiches, sweets, and bowls to choose from, so there is plenty to come back to if something else piques your interest while you are there for the first time!

“Loved all of their involvement and initiatives and I also really liked their menu and seasonal items! Their menus were so good, light, and refreshing! All Of which were also equally as delicious!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

If you’re looking for a comfortable and cozy space to enjoy a nice meal with your friends or family, then these are some of the best casual restaurants in Charleston South Carolina! Plenty of amazing restaurants to visit in town, so take a look and see what you like, there’s something out there for everyone!