Where to Eat in Charleston, SC
Charleston is quickly making a name for itself as a top destination for foodies from all over the world. The city has some of the best soul-food in the South, with iconic dishes like shrimp and grits and she-crab soup found at nearly every restaurant and prepared in almost infinite ways. Visitors can also sample all our traditional Lowcountry favorites, like fresh-from-the-water seafood, southern barbeque, and Gullah inspired dishes alongside international cuisines.
From casual fare to experimental flavors, Charleston offers up a culinary journey that will surprise and delight even the most discerning of diners. When you stay at Emeline, you’re right in the heart of the historic French Quarter and exceptional dining, like our very own Frannie & The Fox, is never far away.
Emeline’s Frannie & The Fox
At Emeline, you’ll find Frannie & The Fox, a wood-fired eatery with menus highlighting the flavors and ingredients of South Carolina and taking inspiration from traditional Italian techniques. The courtyard and greenhouse are a lush open-air setting that invites shared meals and warm reunions.
Tucked inside the dining room at Frannie & The Fox, you’ll find The Den a hidden watering-hole where locals and visitors gather for creative cocktails, stimulating conversation, and wood-fired sharables.
Start your day without even stepping foot outside Emeline at Clerk’s Coffee Co., our cozy dining option for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. On your way out the door? Stop by to grab your morning coffee and a fresh baked good to fuel up for the day’s adventures.
If you’re in the mood to stay in and cozy up, our In-Room Dining is the ideal way to get a taste of Charlelston without leaving the comfort of your room. From breakfast in bed to late night snacks and beverages, enjoy seasonal ingredients and inspiring dishes from Frannie & The Fox right to your door.
Restaurants near Emeline
Emeline is set in the heart of Downtown Charleston, so some of the best restaurants of the city’s culinary scene are just a stone’s throw away.
A meal at Hank’s Seafood Restaurant is a must for any trip to Charleston, and you’ll find this local institution next door to Emeline. Voted best seafood restaurant in Charleston 20 years running, Hank’s is a true celebration of the bounty of seafood we enjoy in the Lowcountry. Try the shrimp and grits, it’s one of their most beloved dishes and a Southern staple.
Embrace the coastal spirit at Little Palm, a poolside retreat in the heart of Charleston with a tropically inspired dining menu and cocktails perfect for sipping under a palm. Take a dip, have a snack and then retreat to The Backyard, where you can try savory dishes right off the grill in an open-air courtyard oasis.
The Coffee Counter at The Ryder is a warm and inviting gathering place, with light eats and homemade goods, your favorite caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages, and a second-floor space that’s perfect for playing a board game, catching up on your reading, or socializing with friends.
Dining in the Lowcountry
The cuisine of South Carolina has something for everyone: fine dining to casual, seafood to steak, craft breweries to specialty cocktails, all prepared with that trademark Southern warmth and hospitality.
For an upscale dining experience, steeped in Southern flavors, find your way to Magnolia’s, a cornerstone of Charleston’s food scene for over 30 years and the go-to for elevated Southern cuisine. Try brunch, lunch, or dinner and sample Lowcountry specialties like Fried Green Tomatoes, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast, and Country Ham & Cheddar Biscuits, alongside an extensive wine list.
Peninsula Grill is another choice for elegant dining that is sure to be a highlight of any visit to Charleston. In a stunning garden setting, Peninsula Grill is the ultimate culinary destination for fine dining featuring seafood, prime beef, and an award-winning wine list. It’s also home to The Ultimate Coconut Cake™, named as one of the Best Cakes in America by The Food Network.
Charleston is not just for fine dining, at Charleston Crab House you can try classic Southern seafood dishes like a Lowcountry boil and crab leg, in a laid-back, family-friendly setting. Their rooftop location in the city’s Historic District gives you a skyline view of the Charleston City Market while you enjoy some of the best seafood around.
Best Bars in Charleston
One of the best ways to get to know a city and the people who call it home is to head to one of the local watering holes for an evening.
For stunning views and a lively atmosphere, The Rooftop at Vendue has been awarded Charleston’s “Best Rooftop Bar” for almost 20 years straight and has snacks made for sharing and happy hour specials that you won’t want to miss.
A visit to Prohibition Charleston feels like a step back into the Roaring Twenties with decor that takes its inspiration from a classic speakeasy. Inside, you can sip inventive cocktails and Southern fare with a modern twist, and musical performances that start in the morning and take you to late night.
Taste the best hops that the South has to offer at The Griffon. Their extensive beer list will take you on a tour of breweries, cideries, and craft cocktails from across South Carolina, the United States, and includes international staples. Unapologetically cool, The Griffon was named one of the “Best Bars of the South” and is a great spot to pull up a bar stool and get to know the locals.
We’ve Saved You a Seat
You don’t need to go far to taste some of the best food in the South when you stay at Emeline. From our on-property dining at Frannie & The Fox and Clerk’s Coffee Co. and local favorites just steps away, you’re perfectly situated to discover incredible cuisine and modern Lowcountry hospitality when you stay at Emeline.
Make Emeline your homebase for discovering the history and charm of Charleston and book one of our exclusive packages to help you make the most of your time in our storied city.