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Palmetto Cafe

18 Power Lunch Spots to Fight the Daytime Doldrums

Just say "no" to the microwaved office meal.

by Erin Perkins Mar 6, 2015, 9:57am EST

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Palmetto Cafe

| Charleston Place

by Erin Perkins Mar 6, 2015, 9:57am EST

Perhaps you need to impress clients, or you're tired of the sad salad at the desk routine — either way, try one of these power lunch spots today. This isn't your quick, drive-through, midday meal, but a leisurely experience of afternoon sustenance. And if you're feeling really relaxed, add a few adult beverages to the mix. The three martini lunch may be dead, but two glasses of rosé during the day sounds perfectly refined.

Picks are presented in alphabetical order.

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167 Raw

Cozy eatery 167 Raw is one of the few places to go if you're craving a lobster roll in Charleston, especially at lunch. Go here if you want super-fresh seafood during the day.

289 E Bay St, Charleston, SC

Also featured in:

Artisan Meat Share

Sandwiches don't sound like a special lunch, but you'll change your mind after visiting Artisan Meat Share. Try the porchetta or the pastrami for indulgent meaty masterpieces.

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC

Also featured in:

Chez Nous

Patrons who visit Chez Nous will feel inclined to order at least one glass of wine, so it's a safe bet to invite a loved one, order an entire bottle, and eschew schedules for the rest of the day. Linger over a multi-course lunch — pretend you're on a European vacation.

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403

Also featured in:

EVO Pizzeria

Clear your afternoon and order the Pork Trifecta — plus a few local beers. Thank us later.

1075 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Husk

Can't get a reservation at Husk for dinner? Try lunch. The afternoon dishes are just as thoughtful as the ones served in the evening — and they always have the decedent bacon-laced burger on the menu.

76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Langdon's

Stop by Langdon's for an upscale lunch in Mount Pleasant. Located in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center, you'd never expect to find beef tenderloin tartare and shaved prosciutto sandwiches in the same strip that houses a take-out Chinese place.

Open in Google Maps

778 S Shelmore Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Visit Website

Leon's Oyster Shop

Once the weather is warm again, it may be impossible to stay away from a glass of bubbles and the patio at Leon's. Add crispy fried chicken and charbroiled oysters, and you'll have a sumptuous afternoon of delights.

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Also featured in:

Minero

It may be hard to concentrate at work after indulging in queso fundido, wings, tacos, and churros from Minero, but you'll want to try them all. The latest from chef Sean Brock and The Neighborhood DIning Group is drawing crowds in the evenings, so it's sometimes easier to sneak in during the day.

155 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Monza

At first glance, pizza for lunch may seem everyday, but Monza specialized in wood-fired creations away from the ordinary desk deliveries. They also have creative salad and pasta specials. Photo: Neighbourhood

451 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Palmetto Cafe

The Palmetto Cafe is a fine dining destination during the day. The ambient light from the outdoor courtyard and white tablecloth service makes for a luxurious afternoon in a fancy hotel setting. Photo: Charleston Place

205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

15 Vital Weekday Breakfast Spots To Know in Charleston

Saint Alban

Saint Alban is good for a quick coffee and toast or a long, lingering lunch over sherry and a carrot salad. There's Wi-Fi, so you can get some work done between bites.

Ted's Butcherblock

Some may forget that Ted's is more than a place to go for an evening pick-up of butchered goods — they also carry an extensive selection of sandwiches, sides, and salads. This month, try the roasted leg of lamb sandwich with creamy sweet pea and feta spread.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Also featured in:

The Glass Onion

If out of town visitors want a Southern experience during the day, take them to The Glass Onion. Try one of the po' boys. There's plenty of parking and choices for classic Lowcountry fare.

1219 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Park Cafe

A convenient stop for Wagener Terrance residents, The Park Cafe has become a popular spot to stop for meetings, coffee, and pork loin hoagies (or avocado toast) during the day.

730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Two Boroughs Larder

Two Boroughs Larder offers a limited sandwich menu at lunch ( be sure to go when soft shell crabs are in season), but they can also make the entire evening menu, plus the famous noodle bowl. It's a one-stop-shop for hungers of every level.

186 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Xiao Bao Biscuit

Xiao Bao Biscuit, housed in an old garage, makes for a hip lunch choice. The food is from all over Asia, and the atmosphere is relaxed. For a spicy afternoon, try the mapo doufu.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Butcher & Bee

The OG sandwich king Butcher & Bee remains the spot for creative takes on protein plus bread. Bring your own booze and share with a friend. There's plenty of options for vegetarians and gluten-free patrons as well.

654 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Slightly North of Broad

The top choice for ladies who lunch, and gentlemen too, Slightly North of Broad has been a staple of the downtown dining scene for over 20 years. Chefs Frank Lee and Russ Moore always offer an express lunch for those on the go or indulgent Southern favorites, like shrimp and grits for those who want to linger.

192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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167 Raw

289 E Bay St, Charleston, SC

Cozy eatery 167 Raw is one of the few places to go if you're craving a lobster roll in Charleston, especially at lunch. Go here if you want super-fresh seafood during the day.

289 E Bay St, Charleston, SC

Artisan Meat Share

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC

Sandwiches don't sound like a special lunch, but you'll change your mind after visiting Artisan Meat Share. Try the porchetta or the pastrami for indulgent meaty masterpieces.

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC

Chez Nous

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403

Patrons who visit Chez Nous will feel inclined to order at least one glass of wine, so it's a safe bet to invite a loved one, order an entire bottle, and eschew schedules for the rest of the day. Linger over a multi-course lunch — pretend you're on a European vacation.

6 Payne Ct, Charleston, SC 29403

EVO Pizzeria

1075 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Clear your afternoon and order the Pork Trifecta — plus a few local beers. Thank us later.

1075 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Visit Website

Husk

76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

Can't get a reservation at Husk for dinner? Try lunch. The afternoon dishes are just as thoughtful as the ones served in the evening — and they always have the decedent bacon-laced burger on the menu.

76 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Langdon's

778 S Shelmore Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Stop by Langdon's for an upscale lunch in Mount Pleasant. Located in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center, you'd never expect to find beef tenderloin tartare and shaved prosciutto sandwiches in the same strip that houses a take-out Chinese place.

Open in Google Maps

778 S Shelmore Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Visit Website

Leon's Oyster Shop

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Once the weather is warm again, it may be impossible to stay away from a glass of bubbles and the patio at Leon's. Add crispy fried chicken and charbroiled oysters, and you'll have a sumptuous afternoon of delights.

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Minero

155 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

It may be hard to concentrate at work after indulging in queso fundido, wings, tacos, and churros from Minero, but you'll want to try them all. The latest from chef Sean Brock and The Neighborhood DIning Group is drawing crowds in the evenings, so it's sometimes easier to sneak in during the day.

155 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Monza

451 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

At first glance, pizza for lunch may seem everyday, but Monza specialized in wood-fired creations away from the ordinary desk deliveries. They also have creative salad and pasta specials. Photo: Neighbourhood

451 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Palmetto Cafe

205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

The Palmetto Cafe is a fine dining destination during the day. The ambient light from the outdoor courtyard and white tablecloth service makes for a luxurious afternoon in a fancy hotel setting. Photo: Charleston Place

205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Saint Alban

Saint Alban is good for a quick coffee and toast or a long, lingering lunch over sherry and a carrot salad. There's Wi-Fi, so you can get some work done between bites.

Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Some may forget that Ted's is more than a place to go for an evening pick-up of butchered goods — they also carry an extensive selection of sandwiches, sides, and salads. This month, try the roasted leg of lamb sandwich with creamy sweet pea and feta spread.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

The Glass Onion

1219 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

If out of town visitors want a Southern experience during the day, take them to The Glass Onion. Try one of the po' boys. There's plenty of parking and choices for classic Lowcountry fare.

1219 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Visit Website

The Park Cafe

730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

A convenient stop for Wagener Terrance residents, The Park Cafe has become a popular spot to stop for meetings, coffee, and pork loin hoagies (or avocado toast) during the day.

730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Two Boroughs Larder

186 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403

Two Boroughs Larder offers a limited sandwich menu at lunch ( be sure to go when soft shell crabs are in season), but they can also make the entire evening menu, plus the famous noodle bowl. It's a one-stop-shop for hungers of every level.

186 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Related Maps

Xiao Bao Biscuit

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Xiao Bao Biscuit, housed in an old garage, makes for a hip lunch choice. The food is from all over Asia, and the atmosphere is relaxed. For a spicy afternoon, try the mapo doufu.

224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Butcher & Bee

654 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The OG sandwich king Butcher & Bee remains the spot for creative takes on protein plus bread. Bring your own booze and share with a friend. There's plenty of options for vegetarians and gluten-free patrons as well.

654 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Visit Website

Slightly North of Broad

192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

The top choice for ladies who lunch, and gentlemen too, Slightly North of Broad has been a staple of the downtown dining scene for over 20 years. Chefs Frank Lee and Russ Moore always offer an express lunch for those on the go or indulgent Southern favorites, like shrimp and grits for those who want to linger.

192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Visit Website

Related Maps