Rotating vendors line the cafeteria-style interior of this Upper King street compound. Find everything here for the flawless lunch break as well as eclectic choices and outdoor seating to survive the afternoon lull.  

Since the Church Street specialty cheese shop added a café arm to its repertoire, the response by customers has been overwhelming. The NoMo space serves cheese boards, sandwiches, and several wines by the glass to wash it all down.

Step into Harbinger to find an overwhelming perfume of fresh baked treats. Scones, breads, and bars are inventive, pairing ingredients such as peanut butter and Sriracha. Seasonal salads and freshly baked quiche offer more variety to satisfy any craving.

Located in the old cigar factory on East Bay Street, this specialty food markets’ refrigerator is stacked with anything from hand-rolled sushi to kale salads. Keep it light with the made-to-order fig and walnut salad or go big with the house pastrami Reuben.

Poke Tea House is the “Chipotle” of poke bowls. Choose from a variety of bases, proteins, toppings, and sauces. Online ordering is available.

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mt. 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.

The name may have the word coffee in it, but Vintage offers that and much more in their cozy space. Find a daily soup, charred brussels sprouts, and sandwiches like the prosciutto and brie with fig jam from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Patrons can also try the $6 toast bar, which offers options ranging from almond butter with toasted coconut to smoked salmon with tzatziki. 

This Southeastern Asian kitchen has two Charleston area locations, each offering salads, toasted baguette sandwiches, and tacos. Protein options run the gamete, from red curry beef to five spiced tofu, and the eatery often has additional daily specials like shrimp summer rolls or cold soba noodles.

Addictive acai bowls and smoothies at Beech keep healthy eating interesting. Make-your-own poke bowls add a fresh twist to this counter-serve location near the College of Charleston.

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.

Head up the stairs at Minero with a coworker for creative tacos and fresh guacamole. The football-sized burrito is smothered in cheese for those who brought an appetite.

Brown Dog offers salads, sandwiches, and hot dogs to the masses. These aren’t just everyday deli sandwiches, as favorites include the pig n’ fig, grateful duck club, and apple butter jeans, all of which have multiple layers of meat, cheese, spreads, and (maybe) vegetables.

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 & paté to a croq’ monsieur, all of which come with a complimentary glass of house wine, tea, or coffee.