Restaurant Recommendations off of Kiawah Island

If you want to know where the best restaurants are in the area you ask a local.  Here is where the locals go when they want to leave the island for a great meal.  If you feel like getting off of the Island for the day, here is a Very Long List of recommendations for Great Restaurants in Charleston and Mount Pleasant.  You just can't go wrong in Charleston.


"Right here on our Island, we have a world-class chef.....who delivers fantastic dishes right to your door, at a very reasonable price.  You couldn't make it for what she charges!

I am not a good cook, and more importantly, I don't like to cook.  My husband and I think we have died and gone to Heaven.  I have now tried most of Laura's dishes, and I can honestly say that they are ALL incredible.

She has no idea that I am writing this, and I definitely don't want her to get so busy that she is unable to cook for me.....but I feel that I should share my good fortune!

If you want to look at her menu, go to Dinners2Go.net."

"Eurasia, in the Whole Foods Shoping Center in Mt Pleasant is terrific, 915 Houston Northcutt Boulevard Mount Pleasant, (843) 606-2616.   Lana's,  210 Rutledge Avenue Charleston(843) 720-8899 katty corner to Hominy Grill is very good and also Trattoria Lucca,  downtown, 41 Bogard St # A Charleston, 843-973-3323."

"If you want good Asian, Mt Pleasant has Bambu-- VERY good.  604 Coleman Boulevard Mount Pleasant, (843) 284-8229."
"FIG is our current favorite.  232 Meeting Street Charleston, (843) 805-5900
If you want to take a trip over the Cooper River bridge
Red Drum in Mt Pleasant, 803 Coleman Boulevard, (843) 849-0313

 Atlanticville on Sullivan's Island, 2063 Middle Street, (843) 883-9452

The Boathouse on Isle of Palms, 101 Palm Boulevard, (843) 886-8000."

"If you want charm, Fulton Five, 5 Fulton Street Charleston, (843) 853-5555."

"Husk is Southern Gourmet.  No, I assure you that is not an oxymoron.  Husk touts all fresh ingredients. 
 I had the squab, truly magnifico.  Pigeons shot that morning in Battery Park I believe. 
76 Queen Street Charleston, 577-2500Stop at their bar in adjacent building for thin sliced country
ham & libation."

"If you like Italian…..we have been to Pane e Vino….several times and it has been terrific
each time. 17 Warren Street Charleston, (843) 853-5955 "


"We  highly recommend Chez Fish. 768-8901  We have just had dinner there and the service and food
 were very good.  Give it a try if you have not done  so since it reopened."  Located at 3966 
Betsy Kerrison Pkwy.

"I love Mexican Food.  The place that I go to most often is ZIA, 406-8877, 19564A Maybank Highway, (near the Terrace Theater).  When ever we go to a movie at the Terrace we go there.  It is very inexpensive and very good.  You order your food at the counter and it's delivered to you fresh and hot while you are snacking on fresh tacos and salsa.  It's very informal, owned by Kevin Grant a University of Houston graduate who follows the Tex-Mex style. There have never been any of our local Mexican friends there.

When my wife is away as she will be next week I go the El Mercadito, 559-7216 next to the Big Piggly Wiggly.  Very authentic, very cheap. very Mexican, not Tex-Mex.  I am usually the only or one the few gringos there but I love a pitcher of San Gria and if I have a waiter that speaks English I explore different things. They have a $5.00 lunch Buffet that can't be beat."

"We've had lunch, dinner and brunch at a great, new Charleston restaurant.  For all of you who love great Italian, try "Cesca Ristorante & Trattoria, (843)718-2580" Charleston.  It is located right behind SNOB off East Bay.

Wonderful New York atmosphere, great food, good prices.  Really yummy
"Husk and McCrady's and their executive chef, Homer Sean Brock, are the subject of this New Yorker article, "True Grits: In Charleston, a quest to revive authentic Southern cooking" by Burkhard Bilger."  "It might be a little more difficult to get a table now."
"Let me put my two cents in since we live part of the week in Charleston.

Our two favorite restaurants are SNOB, 843-723-3424, and FIG. But the bar on the 2nd floor of Cypress, 727-0111,  is fabulous for cocktails, wine, appetizers or a late night light dinner. Of course, Peninsula Grill, 723-0700, is a great dessert stop - especially if you like their celebrated coconut cake.
Brunch Sunday is at High Cotton, 724-3815,  - the best. Hominy Grill, 937-0930, any lunch time for true Charleston home cookin' and the best desserts, IMHO.

The Rooftop at the Vendue Inn, 577-7970,  is a fun stop, young and touristy with a fabulous view and music. Market Pavilion Hotel, 877-440-2250,  is a little more upscale, also with view. Social,  577-5665, on East Bay is also young and has many options for wine. Who doesn't want to tap into what 20-30 somethings are into now?

Closed for Business, 853-8466,  on north King St. if you're a beer aficionado. Also, on N. King for cocktails and great music - Chai - cool outdoor garden in Basil, 724-3490."
"SNOB (Slightly North of Broad) on East Bay-great food, atmosphere & service."

"When our son and his wife were visiting last week, we had a drink at the rooftop bar in the Market Pavillion Hotel (I think its 225) that is on EastBay across from The Customs House. The view is wonderful! 877-440-2250"
"Also, two of my favorite restaurants are FIG and Circa 1886, (843) 853-7828."

"I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hege's. It is our favorite for a restaurant close to Kiawah. (843) 768-0035."

"The request was specifically for Charleston. Otherwise, I would have said Atlantic Room and Ocean Room! Both are on Kiawah Island.

Red's Ice House on Bohicket Marina, 843-518-5515, is for atmosphere, sunsets, drinks, music and inexpensive food.  Something Kiawah has needed for a long time. They are also doing the sunset boat rides from 6:30 to 8:30 on Mon, Wed and Fridays, cash bar, and you can bring your own food/picnic. Cost is $25 for Adults and $15 for 13 and under.

Hege's is  consistently good food with a great atmosphere. Jasmine Porch, is too expensive, but good. Rosebank Farm's Cafe, 768-1807, and Lucy's Red Sky Grill 768-8118, are really good for fresh local seafood and veggies."
"Best Steaks - Grill 225 (amazing escargot)
Best Seafood - Dressy Peninsula Grill, Anson's, Hank's
Best Seafood - Casual Coast, 82 Queen
Best Regional - FIG, Magnolia's and Poogan's Porch
Best Fresh Local Ingredients/Veggie dishes  - Cru Cafe, Hominy Grill
Best All around  - Charleston Grill, SNOB, High Cotton"

"Our favorite brunch will guests is the Mills House.  Usually very nice music and great food choices from the local farms and seafood houses.  Get  a reservation and ask sit near the piano player.  To me the "food walk" is something we did when we were young.  That said the Market Pavilion is great for cocktails and SNOB , Hymans or Magnolias is the best for dinner.  Frankly I can't imagine going just for dessert unless it's after theater.

One day in Charleston..not enough."

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