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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.