Best Shrimp & Grits in CHS + Flowertown Festival Rundown

If you’re from Charleston then you’re probably going to have a strong opinion on the topic below - Shrimp & Grits. As someone who was born and raised in Charleston, I’ll give you my favorites. Happy to hear what y’all think as well!

Slightly North of Broad (SNOB)
One of the most consistently praised versions in the city, and a big reason Charleston's food scene earned its reputation. Their shrimp and grits features local shrimp, house sausage, country ham, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, marsh hen mill grits. Classic, well-executed, and never disappoints. Located in a 19th-century brick warehouse in the French Quarter downtown. Check out their menu.

Hannibal’s Kitchen
You may recognize Hannibal's Kitchen from our Hidden Gems section, but it earns a second mention here and for good reason. This institution has been serving authentic Gullah-Geechee cooking on Blake Street since 1985, and their shrimp and grits is one of the most talked-about versions in the city. Sautéed shrimp over creamy grits with a rich, deeply seasoned gravy that tastes like it's been perfected over decades. Because it has. Check out their menu here.

Magnolias
A Charleston institution that has earned its place on this list many times over. Their shrimp & grits has sausage, tasso ham gravy, and marsh hen mill speckled grits. It has been one of the most talked-about dishes in the city for decades. Located on East Bay Street in the historic district. Check out their menu here.

*Sponsored*

Suspense thrillers born in the Lowcountry. Local author, Paul Attaway, has delivered a powerful new novel. Blood Rivalry, Paul’s third novel, completes the Atkins Family Lowcountry Trilogy – and does so in dramatic fashion. Already an Amazon Best Seller, Blood Rivalry was a Top Ten New Release in several genres including Political Thrillers & Suspense, Legal Thrillers and in Southern Fiction. Paul’s books recount a series of interlocking stories surrounding the lives of two brothers living in Charleston. Secrets once thought buried continue to ripple across generations as families fight to free themselves from the grip of the past.

“Charleston functions as an active force within the story rather than a simple setting. Its preserved charm, insulated elites, and quiet networks of loyalty underscore the divide between polished appearances and ethical compromise. Legal offices, private clubs, backcountry paths, and neglected stretches of water form a layered landscape where privilege and power quietly intersect.”- The Prairies Review.

To learn more, click here.

Now in its 53rd year, the Flowertown Festival takes over historic downtown Summerville and Azalea Park this Friday through Sunday, drawing more than 200,000 visitors and consistently ranking as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast. It's one of those weekends that reminds you how good spring in the Lowcountry can be.

More than 200 jury-selected artists line Main Street and Azalea Park selling handmade goods spanning jewelry, fine art, pottery, and more. Local food trucks serve up Lowcountry eats throughout the grounds, and a farmers market runs Saturday and Sunday. Main Street Reads will have local authors on site at the farmers market location all weekend. Add in live music on the main stage, a kids area with rides and games, and blooming azaleas, wisteria, and dogwoods throughout the park, and you've got a full day out.

A heads up on logistics: Main Street will be closed during the festival and parking fills up fast. A mix of free and paid parking options are available around town. Check summervilleymca.org/flowertown for the most current parking details before you head out. Admission is free. Hours are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Family-Friendly Easter Activities at Wild Dunes Resort (More Info) · 3/30-4/5 · Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms · $35-$115 · Family Easter celebration with breakfast, egg decorating, and festive holiday activities.

Ride The Lowcountry 2026 (More Info) · 4/11-4/12 · Awendaw Municipal Park · FREE-$95+ · Annual outdoor cycling event hosted by Coastal Cyclists with multiple route options.

Walk MS Charleston (More Info) · 4/11 · James Island County Park · FREE · Community walk bringing together 400 participants in unity for multiple sclerosis awareness.

2026 City of Charleston Small Business Expo (More Info) · 9am-3pm · Gaillard Center, Downtown Charleston · FREE · Free event for everyone to connect with local small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Buried Alive (Phish Tribute) at Charleston Pour House (More Info) · 6-9pm · Pour House, James Island · $13-$15 · Adam Knight's Phish tribute band performing live on the deck stage.

Outdoor Movie Night on the Village Green (More Info) · 5:45-7:45pm · The Village Green at Point Hope, Mount Pleasant · FREE · Free screening of A Minecraft Movie on the Village Green, with popcorn, food from nearby restaurants, and leashed dogs welcome.

Cooper River Bridge Run (More Info) · 6:30am-9:30am · Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant · $70 · With 38,500 participants doing a 6.2 mile course, expect the bulk of road closures and activity to be concentrated between roughly 6 a.m. and noon.

Credit One Charleston Open: Session 1 (More Info) · 11am · Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island · $12+ · Qualifying event for Professional women's tennis tournament session at Credit One Stadium

Easter Egg Hunt (More Info) · 1-4pm · Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston · FREE event with price of admission · Easter celebration for the whole family with egg hunts by age group, sack races, face painting, crafts, and more.

Tripping Billy Goats - A Dave Matthews Tribute Band (More Info) | Post Bridge Run Party · 6-9pm · Mainland Container Co. Kitchen & Bar, Mount Pleasant · Expect the classics you know and love, some deeper cuts, along with a few extended jams and solos to keep the energy high.

Firefly Oyster Roast Series (More Info) · 11am-4pm · Firefly Distillery, North Charleston · $45+ · Sunday oyster roast series with drinks and waterfront atmosphere at the distillery.

Cirque Ma’Ceo (More Info) · 1pm, 4pm · Johns Island County Park · $65+ · Featuring world-class horsemanship, acrobatics, and aerial artistry

Braxton Keith - on the NUTRL Beach Stage (More Info) · 6pm · The Wind Jammer, Isle of Palms · $25 · San Antonio-based singer-songwriter blends classic country storytelling in the vein of Merle Haggard with a modern sound

🏛️ Charleston City Council approved a new design review ordinance that adds an additional layer of oversight for development and building projects across the city. It faced pushback from some residents and developers, but passed nonetheless. If you're planning any construction or renovation, this one is worth paying attention to.

⚡ South Carolina utility regulators are holding public hearings on Dominion Energy's request for a rate increase. If you want to weigh in before a decision is made, this is your opportunity.

🏘️ A new analysis projects the Charleston region will need roughly 7,000 additional housing units over the next five years to keep up with demand. For anyone watching home prices and rents in the area, that number tells you a lot about where things are headed.

⛽ South Carolina lawmakers have introduced a bill that would temporarily suspend the state gas tax to provide some relief at the pump. The legislation is still working its way through, but it's one to watch if you're feeling the pinch at the gas station.

That's everything for this Friday. Enjoy the weekend, Charleston. We'll be back in your inbox Monday morning.

- Ryan from All Things Charleston

Search Properties for Sale or Find Your Home Valuation:
michelle.charlestonhomeguides.com

Michelle Wells, REALTOR
843.607.3621
[email protected]