Local Approved Italian Food + Best Happy Hours in Charleston

Love Italian food but not sure where to go? There are plenty of overpriced restaurants catered towards tourists, so I’ll take you through which ones are loved by locals. Hit “reply” on the email and let me know if I missed any - I’ll give the member with the best suggestion a shoutout on Friday’ edition.

🦪Opened in 1998, Mondo’s (menu) on James Island has been part of the Charleston dining scene for over 25 years, no small feat in a city known for its restaurant landscape. It’s known for generous portions of pasta, chicken dishes, bruschetta, and seafood, paired with a cozy, lively atmosphere featuring indoor seating and a popular outdoor bar and patio. If you plan to go in the evening, expect a possible 30+ minute wait, as demand is high and they don’t take reservations.

🌿Wild Olive (menu) on Johns Island is one of those places locals keep coming back to. It’s been around since 2009 and is known for comforting, house-made Italian food that feels elevated but never stuffy. The pastas are the standout, the menu changes with the seasons, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, perfect for a date night or special dinner without feeling formal. It regularly lands on Charleston “best of” lists and has built a reputation over the years for consistency, quality, and doing Italian food the right way.

🧄Le Farfalle (menu) is an elevated Italian spot downtown that has great options at reasonable prices. The menu leans modern Italian with house-made pastas and thoughtful dishes like squid ink spaghetti, paired with a strong wine and cocktail program. It’s a go-to for celebrations and occasions, and one I return to for birthdays and other notable events because the food and experience are consistently on point.

Bingo Monday (More Info) · 6-8pm · DIG in The Park, North Charleston · FREE · Family-friendly BINGO night at neighborhood favorite bar & grill.

Live Music - Open Mic (More Info) · 7-10pm · Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Downtown · FREE · Enjoy free live music from locals, or sign up to perform!

Learn to Crochet: Beginner Class for Adults/Teens (More Info) · 5-6pm · Park Circle Community Building, North Charleston · $20 · Participants age 13+ are invited to learn the basics of crochet from Emily Enloe of SweetEnloe Crochet.

Matthew Morrison Rhythms and Revelations (More Info) · 7:30pm · Gaillard Center, Downtown · $35 · Best known for Glee and his Broadway career, Matthew Morrison delivers an intimate evening of music, movement, and storytelling that goes beyond the stage.

Writers Group (More Info) · 4:30-6pm · Daniel Island Library · FREE · a welcoming space for writers of all skill levels and disciplines to share work, practice their craft, and spark creativity alongside fellow storytellers.

Live Music + Oyster Roast (More Info) · 6-9pm · The Washout, Folly Beach · $15 · steamed oysters and live music at The Washout.

Senior Health & Wellness Fair (More Info) · 9am · Folly Beach Baptist Church & Folly Beach Community Center · FREE · Connects older adults with trusted resources in nutrition, home health care, and senior living options to support healthy, informed aging.

Galentine’s Girls Night (More Info) · 6pm · Harlow and Pearl, Mt Pleasant · $25 · Includes charcuterie cart, valentines arts and crafts, Champagne and mocktails.

⚖️South Carolina lawmakers have effectively shelved casino gambling for 2026 after the House sent a bill approving a proposed Santee-area casino back to the Ways and Means Committee, with leaders acknowledging the proposal didn’t have enough votes to pass and was taken off the calendar for the year (The City Paper).

🚲Charleston weighs new e-bike safety rules as city leaders are reviewing potential updates to local e-bike regulations aimed at improving pedestrian safety, clarifying where e-bikes can be ridden, and giving police clearer enforcement tools in response to growing community concerns (The Post and Courier).

🏈A new professional football league, the ApexPro Football League, is set to launch in spring 2027, with Charleston named as one of its founding cities. Home games will be played at Johnson Hagood Stadium on The Citadel campus.

🍖Home Team BBQ is running a “Queso for Clayson” fundraiser through Feb. 28 to support blood cancer research, donating a portion of queso sales from all its locations in Charleston and other cities in honor of Clayson Smith, a young local who died of blood cancer and whose family is raising funds through the campaign (More Info).

🌴Little Palm is hosting live Olympic Winter Games screenings in The Backyard, with multiple projectors and TVs, heated seating with firepits, a limited-time international cocktail menu, and a synthetic curling rink available for guests (More Info).

We’ve all been to happy hours where the prices barely differ from regular hours. In this segment, I’m highlighting my favorites where you actually get real savings.

🦌 Tattooed Moose (full happy hour menu) is a local-favorite spot in Johns Island & Park Circle that has live music and great food. Their happy hour includes duck fat fries - $3, corn dogs - $4, smash burger - $7.50, ½-order wings - $8.25, and a trio of duck club sliders - $10. Drinks are grouped into simple, affordable specials on drafts, tall boys, house liquor and wine that keep the overall tab low without much fuss.

🌮 Craving margaritas, tacos, and queso? Pink Cactus (full happy hour menu) delivers all three at genuinely reasonable happy hour prices, with margaritas for $7 or a $30 pitcher that’s a great option for groups. The $5 queso is a standout, served in a generous portion that’s easily filling on its own.

🍣 While this one is more of a weekly special, I think it’s worth including because of how good the deal is. Locals Sushi & Sports Pub (Menu) on James Island offers half off sushi starting at 3pm on Wednesdays. Stack that on top of their daily happy hour from 4-6 (half off select beers, wine, sake, appetizers) and you’re getting your entire meal for half off.

That’s all for this edition. Thanks for spending a few minutes here, and as always, support local when you can. Have a great week, Charleston.

Be sure to check out the weekend issue this coming Friday morning!

- Ryan from All Things Charleston