Brian Nagele
With a lavish spread of morning treats, Charleston, South Carolina, a city known for its culinary prowess and historic charm, invites you to indulge in the magic of weekends. The city’s dining scene comes to life at brunch, offering a distinctive fusion of traditional Southern flavors and modern culinary innovations. The city is home to charming waterfronts and cobblestone streets. Weekend brunches in Charleston are more than just a meal; they’re beloved customs that unite residents and visitors to enjoy the diverse range of flavors the city has to offer. Charleston’s breakfast and midmorning dining options will satisfy any palate, be it traditional favorites like shrimp and grits or inventive creations that redefine brunch fare.
Millers All Day
120 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
843-501-7342
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There is nothing quite like a slice of warm banana bread with a side of chocolate-hazelnut cream cheese to start your day. Nestled amongst the historic shops and quaint antique stores, Millers All Day is the perfect spot for you to take a break from shopping and enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing beverage. While the menu options range from frittatas to quiche to steak and eggs, my favorite brunch dish at Millers All Day is only offered one day of the week, which happens to be my favorite day for brunch. Stop by on Friday for a Bagel & Lox and enjoy the perfect combination of cream cheese, smoked salmon on fresh garden vegetables. Pair with the Big Bourbon Bloody and hear your taste buds sing.
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-641-0821
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With a sea-inspired menu, The Darling Oyster Bar is a Charleston brunch destination locals rave about. In the mix of the hustle and bustle of historic King St., this brunch nook makes a great stop while checking off items on your to-do list. If you are a smoked salmon connoisseur, it will be difficult for you to sit down for brunch at The Darling Oyster Bar and not order the Smoked Salmon Quiche. The house-made pie crust mixed with smoked salmon, feta cheese, and chives served with the seasonal berry salad and topped with a strawberry vinaigrette is a dish you will think about the rest of the day.
Halls Chophouse
434 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-727-0090
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The quaint and almost antique feel of Halls Chophouse makes it fit in perfectly with the vibes of King St. encompasses. Halls Chophouse’s reputation makes it a South Carolina staple with statewide locations in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, and Nexton. The Blackened Salmon Salad gives you a taste of the culture as it is paired with pears, oranges, buttermilk blue cheese, candied pecans, and a white balsamic dressing. Another entree favorite is the Southern Sweet Potato Pancakes.
High Cotton
199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
843-724-3815
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Located on East Bay Street, High Cotton is a convenient spot to stop for a bite to eat while enjoying the photo-ops Charleston has to offer. The photo-ops don’t pause once you walk through the doors, however. After taking your seat and ordering a High Cotton Sticky Bun, you’ll want to capture the delicate beauty of the baked treat with the vanilla glaze with butterscotch and topped with candied pecans. With brunch offerings like the classic southern Chicken & Waffles dish, and the sea-inspired Shrimp & Grits, you are sure to find the perfect entree to satisfy your hunger before hitting the streets once again.
The Obstinate Daughter
2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-416-5020
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If you’re looking for a Charleston brunch spot that screams culture, The Obstinate Daughter is your destination. With cuisine inspired by a French, Italian, and Spanish influence, you will receive the quality food, service, and experience you deserve. While I am an advocate for a good quiche—and they do have some excellent quiche—the OD Skillet is your must-try dish at The Obstinate Daughter. The mixture of potatoes, peppers, onions, chorizo, provolone cheese, mushrooms, and eggs mixed and cooked in a large skillet is a hearty meal that makes it difficult to say no.
Daps Breakfast & Imbibe
280 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
843-718-1098
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The laid-back atmosphere at Daps Breakfast & Imbibe is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a casual, on-the-spot brunch decision. The atmosphere of Ashley Ave is all about the hustle and bustle of work-life and constant movement as you find Daps Breakfast & Imbibe is a popular destination for on-the-go locals. With a coffee menu that offers everything from drip coffee to cold brew and cappuccinos, Daps ensures you have everything you need to be ready to take on the day. If you’re in for a more leisurely brunch, try one of the Daps Mimosas, where you have the option to try a seasonal flavor.
Grace & Grit
320 Wingo Way #100, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
843-698-4748
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If you couldn’t tell by the restaurant name, grits are the specialty at Grace & Grits on Wingo Way in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Grace & Grits screams southern charm as their menu options are all about classic, southern cooking, and the vibe of the restaurant makes you feel like you are in your grandma’s kitchen. Dive into some decadent, gluten-free, gourmet grits from the extensive grit menu. I’m all about spicy foods, so my go-to grit plate at Grace & Grit is the Jalapeno Cheddar grits. Pair the spicy grits with smoked bacon and farm-fresh eggs, then wash it all down with a Honeysuckle Martini for a refreshing brunch experience.
The Junction Kitchen & Provisions
4438 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
843-745-9189
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Known as a gathering spot for the local community, The Junction Kitchen & Provisions is the perfect spot to enjoy a Saturday or Sunday brunch. Popular items on the brunch menu include the Breakfast Sandwich, Mexican hash, and the classic southern Biscuits & Gravy. My favorite item on the brunch menu is the Buzzed Doughnut. You read that right; the Buzzed Doughnut is a biscuit donut, filled with coffee-rubbed bacon and an over-easy egg, with a mocha dip and shredded hash browns on the side. Talk about unique!
Basic Kitchen
82 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
843-789-4568
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As I have previously expressed, I have a weak spot for anything smoked salmon, which means my go-to dish at Basic Kitchen is the Smoked Salmon Toast. You’ll love the house-smoked salmon, mixed with the herby cream cheese, pickled onion, and dill on top of sourdough toast. The Breakfast Sammie Sandwich is my other go-to for brunch as the mung bean falafel patty takes you back to the Middle East and the harissa tehina, farm-fresh egg, and English muffin complete the dish. Pair with a cup of hot tea to savor your experience.
The Grocery
4 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-302-8825
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Just like any grocery store, the staples at The Grocery are produce, seafood, and meat. Product offerings include delicious Marinated Beets, Roasted Delicata Squash, and Charred Broccoli. Pair a fresh produce item with a seafood or meat option to complete your cultural experience at The Grocery. Seafood options are plentiful as some of the menu options include SC Albacore Tuna Crudo, Smoked Mackerel Tartine, and even a whole Roasted Snapper. Maybe seafood isn’t your forte, which is no problem as the meat portion of the menu has Creekstone Farm Strip Loin, Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, and a favorite, Jimmy Red Cornbread, which is a duck liver dish.
Slightly North of Broad Restaurant
192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-3424
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The laid-back yet up-scale environment of Slightly North of Broad Restaurant makes you want to keep coming back. While the environment is a key draw to the restaurant, the menu is what draws in the crowds. A brunch-specific menu at Slightly North of Broad Restaurant ensures you know the freshly prepared dishes are available just for you and the rest of the brunch crowd. Spend your Sunday morning enjoying a Snob Punch cocktail while enjoying the Grass Fed Beef Carpaccio. Tastet the difference of the fresh Butternut Squash Bisque and indulge yourself in a piece of Warm Sour Cream Apple Pie complete with a walnut streusel and vanilla ice cream.
Maple Street Biscuit Company – James Island
1739 Maybank Hwy Suite U, Charleston, SC 29412
843-203-3889
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Known for their fresh biscuits, all-natural chicken, house-made jams and jellies, and unique sausage or shiitake gravies, Maple Street Biscuit Company is one brunch stop you don’t want to overlook. The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to enjoy your hearty, southern-style biscuits. With several biscuit options to choose from, it can be tough to make your final decision. The biscuit you can’t leave the restaurant without is The Farmer, a fried-chicken biscuit topped with house-made apple butter. If The Farmer doesn’t make your mouth water, try a unique biscuit option by consuming The Squawking Goat, complete with fried goat cheese and house-made pepper jelly. Did we forget to mention that The Squawking Goat was featured on Food Network?
East Bay Meeting House
160 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-3446
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Served all week long from 10 AM to 2 PM, the brunch option at East Bay Meeting House is a flat fee of $25 per person that includes your choice of a mimosa or bloody mary and one of the brunch menu offerings. Although there are only a handful of brunch options to choose from, the delicious state of each one makes the decision-making process difficult. Choose between a Spinach and Parmesan Quiche or Portobello, Ham, and Cheddar Quiche. Or, perhaps a French Toast Stratta or Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Carolinas.eater.com and Ccharlestoncvb.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-brunch-charleston
https://www.charlestoncvb.com/blog/best-brunch-spots-charleston
https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-new-brunch-charleston
https://charlestonguru.com/guide/best-brunch-spots-in-charleston/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g54171-zfp10606-Charleston_South_Carolina.html
https://styleblueprint.com/everyday/best-brunch-in-charleston/
