31. Jack’s Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 723-5237
Address: 41 George St.
Description: The turnaround at Jack’s is fast, and the food is as typically American as the no-frills apple or peach cobbler. College of Charleston students, professors, and alumni as well as King Street merchants frequent Jack’s for old-fashioned burgers (served in plastic baskets) and milk shakes. The value is definitely part of the draw, but so is the vegetable soup (and, in fact, all of the food). People eat at booths, the counter, or around a few tables. It’s all very low-key and functional. Take-out service is available. Jack’s is open weekdays only for breakfast and lunch. No credit cards.
32. Kaminsky’s Most Excellent Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 853-8270
Address: 78 North Market St.
Description: Kaminsky’s is an A-plus addition to the list of indulge-thyself Peninsula eateries. The surprise is its just wonderful desserts and the right coffees and spirits to accompany them here. The handsome brick walls of the Market Street location make a backdrop for a nice showcase of art, and the cafe’s intimate size contributes to its appeal. Try an exotic coffee or nonalcoholic drink with a delicious dessert. The milk shakes, for instance, are legendary. Be prepared to face a dilemma: There are 150 other choices. Relax with a martini or hot toddy Kaminsky’s is open every day from 4 p.m. until late night Mon through Thurs, and Fri and Sat beginning at noon.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Address: 891 Island Park Dr.
34. Long Island Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 886-8809
Address: 1515 Palm Blvd.
Description: Long Island Cafe became a local favorite soon after its doors opened way back in 1986, and it still has a loyal following. The changing menu is always interesting. The stuffed shrimp baked with crab, parmesan-crusted salmon, and pork loin with ginger-garlic sauce are all popular with patrons. A nice selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches is also available. The management is terrific with children and sometimes displays kiddie artwork on a wall. Long Island is open every day for dinner, and lunch Mon through Sat. Its Sunday brunch, where the cheddar-ham-and-apple omelet is a favorite, is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Address: 90 Folly Rd.
36. Metto Coffee & Tea
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 216-8832
Address: 354 West Coleman Blvd.
Description: For a delightful treat, try Metto’s salads, panninis, pastries, and bagels, and the like while taking advantage of the large selection of fresh-brewed coffees and teas. One exciting plus is that Metto’s has a drive-up window to make it handy for pick-up lunches or java-to-go. It’s open Mon through Sun from early morning until late afternoon.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Address: 130 Market St.
38. Saffron Cafe & Bakery
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 722-5588
Address: 333 East Bay St.
Description: This is a light and airy restaurant, contemporary in design and good for solo ventures or joining friends. The pitched-roof, modern building is divided into a gourmet product section with imported pastas and olive oils; a full bakery (you’ll be seduced by the scent and leave with a loaf of bread); and a dining room with booths and tables scattered about. Popular menu items include the seafood and spinach salads, pasta dishes, and the classic carrot cake. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. Saffron does a Sunday brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
39. Sea Biscuit Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 886-4079
Address: 21 J. C. Long Blvd.
Description: This is one petite charmer—complete with a tiny front porch, substantial side porch (for dining), and really good island fare. The Sea Biscuit, tucked away on one of Isle of Palms’ less chaotic streets, serves breakfast or brunch with the house specialty: fabulous biscuits. Try shrimp and gravy with grits and eggs, seafood omelets, quiche, and even eggs Benedict. The cafe serves a delicious house tea, and children can order a pancake that’s a Mickey Mouse look-alike. Get there early, or expect a wait. Lunch is served after breakfast Tues through Fri; breakfast only is served Sat and Sun. No credit cards.
40. Wild Wing Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 722-9464
Address: 36 North Market St.
Description: Wild Wing Cafe is popular with the younger-than-30 bar crowd, but also has appeal to those of us who have topped out the age group but not our attraction to a good time. Wild Wing serves a wonderful platter of chicken wings (of course), dressed in all kinds of herbs and spices—from the Ginger Wing to the Flying Fajita. There are great dips, sandwiches, and salads as well as buckets of beer for a table packed with thirsty friends. The bar serves a variety of bottled beer and spirits as well as nonalcoholic beverages. Wild Wing is open for lunch and dinner every day. Visit the website for additional locations.
41. Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream and Sandwich Cafe
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 766-4854
Address: 474 Savannah Hwy.
Description: This is a quick stop but a change from the usual fast food. There are several locations within our coverage area and a few more beyond. This cafe serves triple decker sandwiches, homemade soups, and, of course, lots of ice cream. There are scores of flavors. Their 10-slices-of-bacon BLT and the all-beef hot dog are big hits, too. If you use the drive-through window, you may want to call ahead for soup and sandwich take-out orders. All the food is delicious, and local kids love this place. Hours are midmorning through late night daily. Check their website for more area locations.
42. 39 Rue de Jean
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 722-8881
Address: 39 John St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Here’s a little bit of Paris on South Carolina soil. That is, this restaurant is all about French food served in the best tradition of the genre. Located across John Street from the visitor center, this is a great place to begin a dining tour of Charleston. It’s known for braised short ribs with espanole sauce and steamed mussels available in 6 different presentations. If you want, a large assortment of French wines is available, but domestic labels are offered too. The full-service bar is a popular stop for locals as well as first-time visitors to our city. A favorite dessert is the crème brûlée. Rue de Jean is open for lunch or dinner every day from 11:30 a.m. until late night. Their Sunday Brasserie Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Address: 3140 Maybank Hwy.
44. Gaulart & Maliclet (Fast and French)
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 577-9797
Address: 98 Broad St.
Description: Tucked neatly into what was once a long, narrow doctor’s office, with lovely old molding, G&M (called Fast and French by locals) is a tiny Parisian-style cafe serving delicious, contemporary French fare. The counter-style service offers cheese plates, salads, and house specials. The owners (French, of course) know what they are doing and are pleasant while doing it. Some favorites are the curried sesame chicken and the Swiss fondue with French bread. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day except Sun. No dinner is served on Mon.
45. Athens Greek Restaurant
City: Charleston, SC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (843) 795-0957
Address: 1939 Maybank Hwy.
Description: The line moves quickly at Athens, in the Athenian Village, where there is usually a crowd eager to dine. Specialties at this popular Greek place include Greek chicken, spanakopita, lemon chicken soup, Greek salad with feta cheese, and baklava. A full range of spirits is available. Athens is open every day for lunch and dinner. Dashing diners will appreciate their Express Cafe and Pizza Express for a quick bite or takeout, located next door in the same building. A second Pizza Express has been added in the West Ashley area at 1798 Ashley River Rd., Unit D (843-302-8888).