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A chopped pork sandwich covered in melted cheese, next to a bag of chips.
Chopped pork sandwich at King BBQ.
Mike Ledford

15 Non-Boring Lunch Destinations in Charleston

Choose from chopped pork sandwiches, al pastor tacos, avocado toast, and more

by Erin Perkins Updated
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Chopped pork sandwich at King BBQ.
| Mike Ledford
by Erin Perkins Updated

Quick and easy doesn’t have to mean flavorless when it comes to lunch in Charleston. These destinations provide options, local ingredients, and fast service. Everything is made with care, allowing Charlestonians to not waste the midday meal — even if crunched for time. Skip the stale packed lunch this time and try one of these spots instead.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

King BBQ

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The group behind Jackrabbit Filly recently opened barbecue spot King BBQ. The menu mixes Chinese flavors with Southern favorites. Look for char siu pork rice bowls, five-spice duck noodle bowls, fried shrimp sliders, garlicky greens, and more.

2029 Carver Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

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The Daily Morrison Drive

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The Daily took over the former Butcher & Bee address on Morrison Drive, so now there’s plenty of space to spread out with a laptop, an iced coffee, and avocado toast for lunch. The cafe also serves hearty fall grain bowls, chicken pitas, whipped feta toast, and smoothies.

1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 619-0202
(843) 619-0202

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El Molino Supermarket

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Find the taqueria inside of El Molino Supermarket for some of the freshest tacos, tortas, quesadillas, and burritos around. Choose from lengua, barbacoa, pastor, carne asada, cachete, cabeza, and carnitas. Order in the supermarket and take them to go or sit on one of the sidewalk tables.

1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 301, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-8244
(843) 225-8244

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Mercantile & Mash

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Located in the old cigar factory on East Bay Street, this specialty food market’s refrigerator is stacked with anything from sandwiches to kale salads. Order at the counter for a grain bowl, breakfast all day, or a green goddess salad.

701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 793-2636
(843) 793-2636
Tour Charleston’s First Food Hall Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile & Mash dining room.
Erin Perkins

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Mozzo Deli

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Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli, which added a downtown location last year. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins such as chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on 10 different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

730 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-5755
(843) 388-5755

Babas on Cannon

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Cannon Street eatery Babas offers a menu inspired by pintxo bars in Spain, aperitivo in Italy, and small cafes in France. Look for interesting wines, well-crafted cocktails, coffee drinks, pickled shrimp, fancy grilled cheese, big salads, and jambon beurre.

11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 284-6260
(843) 284-6260

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Pink Cactus Charleston

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If lunch calls for margaritas, tacos, and tortas, grab a seat on the patio at Spring Street restaurant Pink Cactus. On Tuesdays, it serves al pastor and on Thursdays, birria is the special of the day.

100 A Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 764-9343
(843) 764-9343

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Xiao Bao Biscuit

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Asian soul food spot Xiao Bao Biscuit was one of a kind when it opened on Spring Street in 2012. The kitchen offers items not commonly seen in downtown Charleston, like okonomiyaki covered in “pork candy” and the extra spicy mapo tofu. The menu pulls inspiration from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, so there’s always something new and unexpected to sample.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29401

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Ted's Butcherblock

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Ted’s is a butcher shop, but Ted’s also takes lunch very seriously. It offers super-filling paninis, like a wagyu beef version with caramelized onions and a blue cheese garlic aioli or a chicken, pancetta, and avocado choice. The chopped salads, charcuterie boards, and soups offer a non-carb option for customers.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
(843) 577-0094

Also featured in:

Cru Cafe

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Cru Cafe is doing serious comfort food for lunch in an 18th century Charleston single-style home. The post-lunch desk nap required will be worth it for the fried green tomatoes with pork belly croutons.

18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 534-2434
(843) 534-2434
Burger and fries
Burger and fries at Cru Cafe.
Cru Cafe

Basic Kitchen

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This chic space close to King Street offers a ladies-who-lunch type experience with grain bowls, veggie burgers, grilled salmon, and other light options. Basic Kitchen keeps it light with plenty of vegetables, but it also serves a great chocolate tahini tart and fun cocktails.

82 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-4568
(843) 789-4568

Also featured in:

Queen Street Grocery

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Hidden among houses in a quiet corridor of downtown, Queen Street Grocery is home to hot-pressed sandwiches, fresh salads, and all-day breakfast. The hallmark of this one-of-a-kind corner store is the crepes filled with savory or sweet ingredients. Don’t miss out on s’mores in crepe form with the James Island, which is filled with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker.

133 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-4121
(843) 723-4121
exterior of blue building with a bench.
Exterior of Queen Street Grocery.
Erin Perkins

Also featured in:

Le Chambertin

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The owners of long-standing bakery Macaroon Boutique, Fabrice Rizzo and Fabienne Docco, run Le Chambertin for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. The petite cafe sits just off Broad Street and serves a daily lunch, along with coffee, pastries, breads, and imported goods from France. The couple says they wanted it to feel like dining in a small shop nestled in Burgundy. 

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 640-3332
(843) 640-3332

Also featured in:

Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.

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This pint-sized eatery has the nickname Fast & French for good reason, as patrons can stop in for a quick bowl of soup or mill over a special of the day for hours. Here, the cafe has served cuisine reminiscent of home-cooked meals in France since 1984. Lunch specials include anything from cheese and pate to a croque monsieur, all of which come with a complimentary glass of house wine, tea, or coffee.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9797
(843) 577-9797
A two-story white building with a palm tree in front. Erin Perkins/Eater

Also featured in:

CudaCo

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It’s all about seafood at James Island spot CudaCo. It’s a fish and oyster market, but it also happens to utilize those ingredients to give customers some of the freshest lunch catches around. The coconut sticky rice bowl is topped with a choice of tuna, scallops, or shrimp with a delicate avocado mousse. The crispy flounder sandwich with American cheese is said to be one of the best in Charleston.

765 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 789-3105
(843) 789-3105

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King BBQ

2029 Carver Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

The group behind Jackrabbit Filly recently opened barbecue spot King BBQ. The menu mixes Chinese flavors with Southern favorites. Look for char siu pork rice bowls, five-spice duck noodle bowls, fried shrimp sliders, garlicky greens, and more.

2029 Carver Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

The Daily Morrison Drive

1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

The Daily took over the former Butcher & Bee address on Morrison Drive, so now there’s plenty of space to spread out with a laptop, an iced coffee, and avocado toast for lunch. The cafe also serves hearty fall grain bowls, chicken pitas, whipped feta toast, and smoothies.

1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 619-0202
(843) 619-0202

El Molino Supermarket

1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 301, Charleston, SC 29407

Find the taqueria inside of El Molino Supermarket for some of the freshest tacos, tortas, quesadillas, and burritos around. Choose from lengua, barbacoa, pastor, carne asada, cachete, cabeza, and carnitas. Order in the supermarket and take them to go or sit on one of the sidewalk tables.

1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 301, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-8244
(843) 225-8244

Mercantile & Mash

701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403

Located in the old cigar factory on East Bay Street, this specialty food market’s refrigerator is stacked with anything from sandwiches to kale salads. Order at the counter for a grain bowl, breakfast all day, or a green goddess salad.

701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 793-2636
(843) 793-2636
Tour Charleston’s First Food Hall Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile & Mash dining room.
Erin Perkins

Mozzo Deli

730 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli, which added a downtown location last year. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins such as chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on 10 different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

730 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-5755
(843) 388-5755

Babas on Cannon

11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403

Cannon Street eatery Babas offers a menu inspired by pintxo bars in Spain, aperitivo in Italy, and small cafes in France. Look for interesting wines, well-crafted cocktails, coffee drinks, pickled shrimp, fancy grilled cheese, big salads, and jambon beurre.

11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 284-6260
(843) 284-6260

Pink Cactus Charleston

100 A Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

If lunch calls for margaritas, tacos, and tortas, grab a seat on the patio at Spring Street restaurant Pink Cactus. On Tuesdays, it serves al pastor and on Thursdays, birria is the special of the day.

100 A Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 764-9343
(843) 764-9343

Xiao Bao Biscuit

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29401

Asian soul food spot Xiao Bao Biscuit was one of a kind when it opened on Spring Street in 2012. The kitchen offers items not commonly seen in downtown Charleston, like okonomiyaki covered in “pork candy” and the extra spicy mapo tofu. The menu pulls inspiration from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, so there’s always something new and unexpected to sample.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29401

Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Ted’s is a butcher shop, but Ted’s also takes lunch very seriously. It offers super-filling paninis, like a wagyu beef version with caramelized onions and a blue cheese garlic aioli or a chicken, pancetta, and avocado choice. The chopped salads, charcuterie boards, and soups offer a non-carb option for customers.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
(843) 577-0094

Cru Cafe

18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401

Cru Cafe is doing serious comfort food for lunch in an 18th century Charleston single-style home. The post-lunch desk nap required will be worth it for the fried green tomatoes with pork belly croutons.

18 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 534-2434
(843) 534-2434
Burger and fries
Burger and fries at Cru Cafe.
Cru Cafe

Basic Kitchen

82 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401

This chic space close to King Street offers a ladies-who-lunch type experience with grain bowls, veggie burgers, grilled salmon, and other light options. Basic Kitchen keeps it light with plenty of vegetables, but it also serves a great chocolate tahini tart and fun cocktails.

82 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-4568
(843) 789-4568

Queen Street Grocery

133 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

Hidden among houses in a quiet corridor of downtown, Queen Street Grocery is home to hot-pressed sandwiches, fresh salads, and all-day breakfast. The hallmark of this one-of-a-kind corner store is the crepes filled with savory or sweet ingredients. Don’t miss out on s’mores in crepe form with the James Island, which is filled with chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker.

133 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-4121
(843) 723-4121
exterior of blue building with a bench.
Exterior of Queen Street Grocery.
Erin Perkins

Le Chambertin

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401

The owners of long-standing bakery Macaroon Boutique, Fabrice Rizzo and Fabienne Docco, run Le Chambertin for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. The petite cafe sits just off Broad Street and serves a daily lunch, along with coffee, pastries, breads, and imported goods from France. The couple says they wanted it to feel like dining in a small shop nestled in Burgundy. 

113 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 640-3332
(843) 640-3332

Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401

This pint-sized eatery has the nickname Fast & French for good reason, as patrons can stop in for a quick bowl of soup or mill over a special of the day for hours. Here, the cafe has served cuisine reminiscent of home-cooked meals in France since 1984. Lunch specials include anything from cheese and pate to a croque monsieur, all of which come with a complimentary glass of house wine, tea, or coffee.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9797
(843) 577-9797
A two-story white building with a palm tree in front. Erin Perkins/Eater

CudaCo

765 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

It’s all about seafood at James Island spot CudaCo. It’s a fish and oyster market, but it also happens to utilize those ingredients to give customers some of the freshest lunch catches around. The coconut sticky rice bowl is topped with a choice of tuna, scallops, or shrimp with a delicate avocado mousse. The crispy flounder sandwich with American cheese is said to be one of the best in Charleston.

765 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 789-3105
(843) 789-3105

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