Neighborhood Favorite Harold’s Cabin Finally Reopens

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated round-up of restaurant openings big and small across the Lowcountry. For all the restaurants in the winter and spring of 2020, check out this list.

September 17, 2021

WESTSIDE — Congress Street restaurant Harold’s Cabin has finally made its comeback to its Westside neighborhood. The menu changed a bit to include family friendly comfort food like chicken nachos and a smash burger. Status: Certified open. 247 Congress Street; website.

JAMES ISLAND — Look for bagels, croque madames, and more carb-y goodness at the new food truck Girl Nextdough. The mobile kitchen comes from former FIG executive pastry chef Caitlin Schumacher. Take a look on Instagram for dates and locations. Status: Certified open. 1230 Camp Road (location may vary); website.

EASTSIDE — Meeting Street bar Last Saint is quickly becoming the see-and-be-seen spot in Charleston. Fans of veteran bartender Joey Goetz (the Belmont and Bar George) pack the space for a chance to order a cold brew coffee cocktail with oat milk and Irish whiskey or one of the best martinis on the peninsula. Status: Certified open. 472 Meeting Street; Instagram.

ANSONBOROUGH — Former East Bay Street dive bar Big John’s Tavern is back as a more polished space for interesting cocktails, crave-worthy food, loads of local beers, and nods to the Citadel and past owner Big John all over. Status: Certified open. 251 East Bay Street; website.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Bull & Finch offers a pub-like atmosphere east of the Cooper with food like duck sliders, fish and chips, burgers, and fried Brussels sprouts. Status: Certified open. 1710 Shoremeade Road; website.

August 30, 2021

MOUNT PLEASANT — The owners of Ma’am Saab, Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba, bring Pakistani cuisine to east of the Cooper with the opening of Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen in the Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. The menu includes street food flavors like chaat papri, beef shami bun, cholay biryani, masala fries, and more. Status: Certified open. 1333 Theater Drive; website.

MONCKS CORNER — Chef Carlos Brown brings collard green spring rolls, Gullah wings, fish and grits, and more to Moncks Corner with Shrimp & Grits Cafe. This is Brown’s second location of the restaurant; the first location is at the Citadel Mall. Status: Certified open. 484 US-52 Bypass; website.

August 19, 2021

NOMO — The former Juan Luis food trailer next to John Lewis Barbecue is now JL’s Southwest Brisket Burgers. JL’s serves wedge fries, margaritas, custards, and different variations of smoky brisket burgers, including one smothered in hatch chilies. Status: Certified open. 464 North Nassau Street; website.

WAGENER TERRACE — Park Cafe reopened as dinner-focused eatery Park & Grove with redesigned interiors, a revamped menu, and brand new vibe. Chef Ramon Taimanglo keeps the fare seasonal on the new South menu with the emphasis on local products and produce. Status: Certified open. 730 Rutledge Avenue; website.

ISLE OF PALMS —Lawrence’s Seafood Company takes over former Binky’s Seaside Oyster & Liquor Bar’s space. The new restaurant serves fried oysters, lobster rolls, fish tacos, and more. Status: Certified open. 1130 Ocean Boulevard; website.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — Island-inspired restaurant the Longboard took over the former 450 Pizza Joint space on Middle Street. Executive chef Will Fincher (formerly of the Obstinate Daughter) puts forth a menu of Caribbean touches, like croquettes with a green curry, mango and cucumber salad, drunken prawns, and a whole roasted fish with mole rojo. Status: Certified open. 2213-B Middle Street; website.

July 29, 2021

CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — The Pass serves as a small market and lunch destination during the day and transitions to a 12-seat dinner spot in the evenings. Chef Anthony Marini offers interesting sandwiches combinations like the JLT with jamon, arugula, oven-dried tomatoes and spicy morbier mayonnaise on an open-faced ciabatta bread. At night, the Pass offers one seating to an eight-course chefs tasting. Status: Certified open. 207 A Saint Philip Street; website.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Entrepreneur Christian Keith recently opened Vined The Vegan Experience hoping to attract vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. Vined serves loaded nachos and fries, along with vegan “wings.” Status: Certified open. 5117 Dorchester Road, Unit G; Facebook.

ANSONBOROUGH — Fast casual spot Danny’s Philly Steak and Seafood serves exactly what’s in the title: Philly cheesesteaks, fried seafood, and Cajun seafood, in addition to po’boys, and cheesesteaks. Status: Certified open. 320 East Bay St. website.

July 20, 2020

ANSONBOROUGH — West Ashley Thai restaurant Ti-Ney Bangkok now has a downtown outpost in the form of Thai Zapp. It’s the same owners and a similar menu, with Thai classics like pad Thai, tom kha gai, pad see ew, Bangkok beef noodle soup, and more. Status: Certified open. 200 Meeting Street; website.

SOUTH OF BROAD — There’s a hidden cocktail spot underneath the almost-open Brasserie la Banque. Enter the door on the East Bay side of the historic building at 1 Broad Street and go down the stairs to find basement lounge Bar Vauté. The Art Deco room houses an intimate bar surrounded by small tables meant for sharing drinks and food from the limited menu, like caviar service or steak frites. Status: Certified open. 1 Broad Street; website.

July 6, 2020

LOWER KING — Hailing from Alabama, Hero Doughnuts and Buns brings brioche to Charleston in a big way. Sweet breakfast items, like the banana pudding doughnut, and savory lunch options like the Buffalo chicken sandwich, are available for dine in and takeout. Status: Certified open. 145 Calhoun Street; website.

CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Chasing Sage was originally set to open in March 2020, but had to delay due to the pandemic. Now the restaurant is ready to premiere the dining room with the original concept of a new American menu focused on Lowcountry products. The menu features small plates, ranging from $9 to $19, with choices like English pea dumplings, swordfish crudo, and sweet corn cavatelli with crab. Status: Certified open. 267 Rutledge Avenue; website.

NORTH CENTRAL — Neighborhood restaurant Berkeley’s wants to be the go-to spot for relaxed dinners and patio hangs. The menu features a French dips, cheesesteaks, a wedge salad, fried calamari, braised short rib, chicken parmesan, roasted salmon, and more. Status: Certified open. 624 ¹⁄₂ Rutledge Avenue; website.

FRENCH QUARTER — From the team behind Bodega Todo comes new poultry-heavy restaurant Rudy Royale. There’s plenty of fried chicken and sides, but the kitchen also utilizes a wood-fired oven to create dishes like charbroiled oysters and braised short rib. Status: Certified open. 209 E Bay Street; website.

DANIEL ISLAND — With a heavy Southern expansion, New Realm Brewing has recently opened its fourth location on Daniel Island in the former Dockery’s space. Known for craft beer, New Realm Brewing has also entered the distilling game bringing its own London dry gin, Tennessee Style bourbon, and vodka to the bar. Status: Certified open. 880 Island Park Drive; website.

ANSONBOROUGH — The team behind the always-packed seafood restaurant 167 Raw has opened a new sushi spot in Charleston. 167 Raw Sushi Bar has a menu of classic choices of nigiri, sashimi, and hand rolls. The eatery also offer izakaya options like a katsu sando and yakatori. There are a number of ever-rotating options. Status: Certified open. 289 East Bay Street; website.

HARLESTON VILLAGE — Located on the second floor of the newly renovated Ryder hotel, Little Palm greets guests with a vintage South Beach vibe. Fun tropical drinks are perfect for an Instagram photoshoot by the sparkling pool. The food menu is full of snack-y items like iced crudite, grilled watermelon, and oysters. The bar comes from hospitality group Gin & Luck, which are the same proprietors of world-famous Manhattan bar Death & Co. Status: Certified open. 237 Meeting Street; website.