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A plate of fried cauliflower, a bowl of falafel, and a bowl of meatballs.
A spread of food from Basic Kitchen.
Kirk Robert

13 Non-Boring Lunch Destinations in Charleston

Try one of these essential restaurants for lunch.

by Parker Milner and Erin Perkins Updated
View as Map
A spread of food from Basic Kitchen.
| Kirk Robert
by Parker Milner and 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 essential spots instead.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Jackrabbit Filly

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The go-to at Chinese-American-plus-Japanese spot Jackrabbit Filly is usually the local catch chirashi rice bowl, but always be on the lookout for one of chef Shuai Wang’s specials, like a recent chicken katsu sandwich done Italian style with mortadella, salami, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot pepper spread, and lots of garlicky Duke’s mayonaisse.

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 460-0037
(843) 460-0037

Also featured in:

Butcher & Bee

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Butcher & Bee is a leisurely type of lunch place. Order a glass of rosé, start with the whipped feta cheese drizzled with honey, and then decide between the spicy avocado salad with crispy rice or the spicy fried chicken sandwich with Benton’s country ham.

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

Also featured in:

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

Also featured in:

Little Miss Ha

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Vietnamese restaurant Little Miss Ha offers warming bowls of pho, spring rolls, vermicelli noodle bowls, and a kid’s menu. The food comes out quick, so this could be an office pick up, or stay for a few courses and beer.

915 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-7251
(843) 388-7251

Mercantile & Mash

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Located in the old cigar factory on East Bay Street, this specialty food markets’ refrigerator is stacked with anything from sandwiches to kale salads. Order at the counter for a bowl of curly fries, breakfast all day, or a Catalan 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

Also featured in:

Poke Tea House

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Poke Tea House is one of the best spots for poke bowls and bubble tea in the Lowcountry. The cafe offers a variety of bases (rice or salad) with choices of tuna, salmon, chicken, and all sorts of garnishes and toppings.

441 Meeting Street unit E, Between meeting & king on spring st, Charleston, SC 29403
(854) 444-3591
(854) 444-3591
Poke bowls and tea.
Bowls from Poke Tea House.
Poke Tea House

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Mozzo Deli

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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.

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

Ted's Butcherblock

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Ted’s takes paninis very seriously. They offer Wagyu beef version with caramelized onions and a blue cheese garlic aioli or the 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:

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
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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Jackrabbit Filly

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405

The go-to at Chinese-American-plus-Japanese spot Jackrabbit Filly is usually the local catch chirashi rice bowl, but always be on the lookout for one of chef Shuai Wang’s specials, like a recent chicken katsu sandwich done Italian style with mortadella, salami, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot pepper spread, and lots of garlicky Duke’s mayonaisse.

4628 Spruill Ave #101, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 460-0037
(843) 460-0037

Butcher & Bee

1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

Butcher & Bee is a leisurely type of lunch place. Order a glass of rosé, start with the whipped feta cheese drizzled with honey, and then decide between the spicy avocado salad with crispy rice or the spicy fried chicken sandwich with Benton’s country ham.

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

Little Miss Ha

915 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Vietnamese restaurant Little Miss Ha offers warming bowls of pho, spring rolls, vermicelli noodle bowls, and a kid’s menu. The food comes out quick, so this could be an office pick up, or stay for a few courses and beer.

915 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-7251
(843) 388-7251

Mercantile & Mash

701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
Tour Charleston’s First Food Hall Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile & Mash dining room.
Erin Perkins

Located in the old cigar factory on East Bay Street, this specialty food markets’ refrigerator is stacked with anything from sandwiches to kale salads. Order at the counter for a bowl of curly fries, breakfast all day, or a Catalan 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

Poke Tea House

441 Meeting Street unit E, Between meeting & king on spring st, Charleston, SC 29403
Poke bowls and tea.
Bowls from Poke Tea House.
Poke Tea House

Poke Tea House is one of the best spots for poke bowls and bubble tea in the Lowcountry. The cafe offers a variety of bases (rice or salad) with choices of tuna, salmon, chicken, and all sorts of garnishes and toppings.

441 Meeting Street unit E, Between meeting & king on spring st, Charleston, SC 29403
(854) 444-3591
(854) 444-3591
Poke bowls and tea.
Bowls from Poke Tea House.
Poke Tea House

Mozzo Deli

730 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

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.

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

Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Ted’s takes paninis very seriously. They offer Wagyu beef version with caramelized onions and a blue cheese garlic aioli or the 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
Burger and fries
Burger and fries at Cru Cafe.
Cru Cafe

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
exterior of blue building with a bench.
Exterior of Queen Street Grocery.
Erin Perkins

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

Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.

98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
Erin Perkins/Eater

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
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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