Best Restaurants in Charleston: The Foodie’s Guide to Cannonborough
Charleston is basically Disney World for foodies. Chic eateries, hidden gems, and cozy coffee shops line our picturesque cobblestone streets, and the Holy City abounds in talented chefs, creative mixologists, and unique, mouth-watering dishes.
The hardest part about visiting our sweet city, by far, is deciding which restaurants in Charleston to try! Should you return to an iconic favorite? Or try the trendiest new joint on the block? What's the best spot for Southern cuisine after a long day of sightseeing, and where is the best place to settle in for a glass of wine?
We could write an entire book on all our favorite restaurants in Charleston - and we pretty much did in our Ultimate Oyster Lover’s Guide. Today we're taking a moment for a neighborhood that's so dear to our hearts: Cannonborough. Cannonborough is not only home to the Grit & Grace Cottage, it's chock full of charming watering holes, enticing grab-and-gos, and elegant fine dining establishments. Grab your fork, friends, and let’s dig in.
14 Amazing Charleston Restaurants in Cannonborough
This intimate mercado and tapería is so dear to our hearts (and so near to the Grit & Grace Cottage!). Let the warm, neighborhood vibe and delicious, authentic Spanish cuisine lure you into this Charleston restaurant for a memorable lunch or romantic date night.
Start your meal with boquerones and cogollos al ajillo before moving on to the patatas bravas, paella con mariscos, and grilled pork ribs with cinnamon. Just make sure you save room for pan con chocolate! Stock up on all your favorite specialty market items, imported directly from Spain before, you head out.
photo credit: @andrealynnm79
Grab lunch on the go without sacrificing a bit of flavor at this beloved Charleston restaurant. Bon Banh Mi’s Sandwich Bar dishes up tasty Vietnamese salads, traditional banh mi sandwiches, creative banh mi tacos, and filling bowls. Choose your protein of choice, including five-spice ground pork or tofu, ginger lemongrass chicken, red curry beef, country paté and Vietnamese ham, Taylor ham and eggs, or tamarind shrimp. This adorable, casual eatery is perfect for the foodie on the go.
Sorghum & Salt is anchored in everything local. Though their menu changes frequently, quality local ingredients are a constant in this beautiful Charleston restaurant. Start with the Clemson Blue Panna Cotta or smoked rainbow trout, then share the Parisian gnocchi or flounder with a friend. Can’t decide what to order? Sorghum & Salt also offers four or six-course tasting menus for those foodies truly looking to treat themselves!
photo credit: Ashley Sanders
Carb-load for a busy day of sightseeing by starting your day with a treat from Brown’s Court Bakery, a popular Cannonborough spot.
The smell of freshly baked pastries wafts from the porch of the historic home, and you’ll find a changing selection of breads, pastries, and gourmet coffees. Order a bacon cheddar scone or pear danish, and grab an herb focaccia to snack on throughout your day.
The Grocery has been plating up cravable New Southern cuisine for a decade. This esteemed Charleston restaurant boasts a gorgeous interior, contemporary vibe, vibrant bar area, and fabulous lunch, brunch, and dinner service. Order up a hearty Hangtown fry and charred Bloody Mary for brunch (and then take a nap), or savor the roasted maitake mushrooms and golden tilefish at dinner. Pro tip: The Grocery is also one of the few restaurants in Charleston with a parking lot.
Part gathering place, part gourmet cafe, the Daily is the perfect Charleston restaurant for a quick, quality bite to eat or relaxed business meeting among foodies.
Grab a made-to-order juice or smoothie, refuel with a matcha latte, or settle in with a hummus bowl or whipped feta toast. Keep an eye out for fun pop-ups events at The Daily, as well!
photo credit: @kullinthekitchen
Chez Nous, the sister restaurant of Malagón, is a cozy fine-dining establishment tucked away in a historic Cannonborough home. This pint-sized, convivial Charleston restaurant is known for its ever-changing menu, which consists of two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts.
The cuisine and wine highlight Southern France, Northern Italy, and Northern Spain. Chez Nous, which translates to “our place”, simultaneously makes you feel at home and as though you’ve been transported to an Old World eatery.
photo credit: Nick Riddle
When it comes to scrumptious Lowcountry cuisine, the world is your oyster. One of our favorite seafood restaurants in Charleston, however, is The Ordinary, which is nestled on King Street, on the edge of Cannonborough.
This luxurious, contemporary seafood hall is the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning Chef Mike Lata. Splurge on a 1.5 pound Maine lobster cocktail with lemongrass cocktail sauce, or order The Ordinary Oyster Slider, a local favorite, for an unforgettable meal.
photo credit: Olivia Rae James
Designed for both “seasoned vegans and curious carnivores”, Cannonborough’s Gnome Cafe boasts a delicious and impressive plant-based menu for breakfast and lunch.
Try the cinnamon pancakes or Southern grit bowl for breakfast or tuck into a tempeh Reuben sandwich or pad thai salad at lunch. Whatever meal you enjoy at Gnome Cafe, plan to linger in the lovely sun-soaked space over a perfectly balanced cup of coffee.
For a lively restaurant and bar, check out Estadio. This Charleston restaurant serves up a modern take on traditional Spanish cooking, so grab a friend and come hungry: you’ll want to order one of everything.
Try the matrimonio hashbrown with white and black anchovies, beef empanada, fish crudo, or the tortilla española, and raise a glass to their fun drink menu, which includes a rosé gintonic and a frozen sherry colada.
A veteran among the best restaurants in Charleston is Sugar Bakeshop. Tucked away in the heart of Cannonborough, locals love Sugar Bakeshop for their “small batch from scratch” approach. With menu items like blackberry pie, double chocolate cake, grapefruit cupcakes, and ginger molasses cookies, it’s easy to understand why this is a cherished local eatery. Savor a cupcake or cookie in the quaint courtyard, or take a cake or pie (or two!) to go.
The newest Charleston restaurant from esteemed Chef Nico Romo and Dominique Chantepie, Bistronomy, blends “a cozy, low-lit atmosphere with a vast selection of French wines and a modern, innovative menu that pays homage to classic French dishes.” Favorites on their mouth-watering menu include mussels and frites, calamari escabeche, truffle chicken, and bouillabaisse.
photo credit: Superclear
If pizza is your love language, run, don’t walk, to D’Allesandro’s Pizza. Lovingly known among locals simply as D’Als, the funky, laid-back vibe is the perfect backdrop for their creative, delectable pies. Vegetarians will love the In Bianco or It’s Too Easy Being Green, while carnivores may fight over the last slice of the Luau or Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch.
Whether you’re fueling up for the workday or keeping the food coma at bay between your adventures at all the best restaurants in Charleston, you’ll want to hit up Sightsee Coffee for the perfect cup of joe. Scoop up a vanilla latte, espresso, or cold brew at this adorable coffee-shop-meets-retail-space before you hit the town.
The Grit & Grace Cottage is nestled in the heart of Cannonborough between all of these fabulous Charleston restaurants, and it would be our honor to host you.
We designed our sweet cottage to feel like a home away from home: a soothing, peaceful oasis amidst the excitement and bustle of downtown Charleston, SC.
We hope you enjoy your time in our city and make sure to stop by the Grit & Grace Studio Flagship as you explore the Lowcountry! We’d love to connect with you and help you pick out the perfect Charleston souvenir, such as one of our Ocean Oyster Ring Dishes, a Customized Oyster Jewelry Dish, or a Decoupage Oyster Garland.
One Love & Blessings,