The Most "Charleston Restaurants" + Citadel Mall Transformation

This segment highlights Charleston’s most quintessential restaurants. These are the spots that truly capture the Charleston vibe. Places visitors consider a must-try and that locals genuinely love and return to again and again. Vote below what you think, or give me a suggestion I can include in next week’s segment.

🦪 Bowens Island Restaurant
A Lowcountry classic with unbeatable marsh views, Bowens Island Restaurant is the kind of place locals bring visitors for a true Charleston experience. Known for its legendary oyster roasts, fried seafood platters, and laid-back dockside vibe, it’s all about fresh seafood and sunset views over the creek. Take a look at the menu before you go.

🍤 Circa 1886 Restaurant
Tucked inside the historic carriage house at Wentworth Mansion, Circa 1886 Restaurant serves an elevated take on classic Southern cuisine. Think refined Lowcountry dishes, seasonal ingredients, and one of the most romantic dining rooms in Charleston. Browse the menu to see what’s currently in season.

🍳 Page’s Okra Grill
Few places capture Charleston’s comfort food scene quite like Page's Okra Grill. A longtime local favorite for brunch and hearty Southern staples, you’ll find shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, biscuits, and plenty of crispy fried okra on the table. You can peek at the menu here.

🍔 The Cooper Hotel's dining concepts are planned to open on 3/30 at 176 Concord St., debuting alongside Charleston's newest luxury waterfront hotel. CurrentBurger brings smash burgers and sodas in a retro diner with a jukebox, terrazzo floors, and a walk-up window, while Cooper Coffee & Wine doubles as a boulangerie by day and a wine bar by night with marina views. The hotel's signature restaurant, The Crossing, features waterfront views, a raw bar, and coastal Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients. Three concepts, one gorgeous waterfront address. Check out more info here.

🏌️ Greyson Clothiers has landed on King Street. The premium golf and performance apparel brand is has a space inside The Nickel Hotel on upper King Street, bringing its popular golf polos, outerwear, and athleisure gear to Charleston. It’s a solid addition for the city’s golf crowd, giving local players a dedicated spot downtown to pick up stylish on- and off-course gear. Check out their website to see apparel offered.

🍩 Annie’s Hot Donuts is closing. The Mount Pleasant favorite will serve its final donuts on March 22, 2026, after the building was sold and the new landlord raised the rent beyond what the owners could agree to. If you’ve been meaning to go, now’s the time to stop by and grab a box before they close their doors. Click here to see all their donuts.

Flowertown Festival (More Info) · 3/27-3/29 · Summerville · FREE · One of the Southeast’s largest arts and crafts festivals with 200+ vendors along Main Street and Azalea Park.

Party at the Point (More Info) · 4/17-7/17, Fridays 5-9pm · Patriot’s Point, Mt Pleasant · $15 · Charleston’s premier Happy Hour concert series with plenty of food and drinks.

FRIENDS Spring Book Sale! (More Info) · 9:30am-5pm · Otranto Road, North Charleston · FREE · snag some amazing books at unbeatable prices while supporting local literacy.

20th Annual Walk for Water Kick Off Celebration (More Info) · 4pm-7pm · Firefly Distillery, North Charleston · FREE · 20th Anniversary Kickoff celebrating 20 years of raising water crisis awareness.

Final Oyster Roast (More Info) · 7pm-Until · Red Palm Tavern, Downtown · FREE · Final oyster roast of the season at Red Palm Tavern

Dunleavy’s St Patrick’s Block Party (More Info) · 10am · Sullivan's Island · FREE · Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Irish potato chowder, beer wagons, and a kids zone with sidewalk chalk and games.

Sip & Shop Market @ Indigo Reef Brewing (More Info) · 12pm-4pm · Indigo Reef Brewing, Daniel Island · FREE · Over 40 local craft vendors while drinking great beer and listening.

Thrifters & Drifters Artisan Market (More Info) · 1pm-5pm · The Royal American, Downtown · FREE · artisans, collectors and crafters, bringing you a beautiful collection of vintage and locally curated art, jewelry, vintage clothing, and crafts.

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party (More Info) · 12-5pm · Park Circle · FREE · Live music, street vending and fare from Olde North Charleston restaurants, a Kid’s Zone, and more.

Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (More Info) · 4-9pm · Starts at Bay Street Biergarten, Downtown · $24 · Visit multiple downtown bars with drink specials, themed drinks, and St. Patrick’s Day parties throughout the night.

Bedazzle a Book (More Info) · 1pm-3pm · Love Spell Books, Summerville · $13 · Rhinestone a book cover while enjoying coffee and talking about books.

Where Bach Meets Jobim, Porto Seguro with Alva Anderson (More Info) · 3pm-4:30pm · Gage Hall · $25 · Brazilian music ensemble blending classical concert hall with soulful grooves.

Spring Break at the South Carolina Aquarium (More Info) · 9am-5pm · South Carolina Aquarium · $36+ · Interactive dive shows and more to make Charleston day feel like vacation.

See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s brand-new Women’s Expedition.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side, this trip gives you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

Part of Intrepid’s Women’s expedition range, this eight-day adventure has been thoughtfully designed to support local women in tourism while delivering immersive experiences specifically for women travellers.

You’ll traverse the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos trail in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, spend time in an Andean village learning about daily life, take part in a traditional textile workshop led by local women and experience a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a female shaman.

Find your adventure

🏥 Citadel Mall tenants told to relocate as MUSC plans expansion
Three businesses inside Citadel Mall have been given 90 days to vacate as Medical University of South Carolina prepares to expand healthcare services in West Ashley. The plan would convert a portion of the mall into medical space, continuing the long-term transformation of the property as traditional retail declines and healthcare and mixed-use projects move in.

💧 Charleston Water System planning $115M in wastewater upgrades
Charleston Water System released its latest wastewater report outlining about $115 million in upgrades to treatment facilities and related infrastructure. The improvements are intended to boost capacity and improve water quality as population growth and development put more pressure on the region’s sewer system.

💰 SC House passes flat tax bill, now heading to governor
The South Carolina House of Representatives voted 71–49 to approve legislation that would overhaul the state’s income tax structure by gradually shifting toward a flat tax. The bill now heads to Henry McMaster, and if signed into law it would change how South Carolinians are taxed by reducing the number of income brackets over time.

🚲 Charleston reviewing e-bike rules with public input
Charleston City Council is taking another look at the city’s e-bike ordinance and seeking feedback from residents as officials consider possible revisions. With e-bikes becoming increasingly common around town, the discussion centers on how they should operate on sidewalks, bike lanes, and shared paths throughout the city.

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

- Ryan from All Things Charleston

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