A Hunt for the Best Brunch in Downtown Charleston, SC: 21 Places

Meeting up with friends for the best brunch in downtown Charleston, SC, or slightly farther afield is still manageable, just not everyday. And I do more often recommend the less-expensive places.

Before exploring town or enjoying a Sunday Funday, a decent brunch in Charleston, SC, is required. Read on to find out where to enjoy the best breakfast first downtown, then farther afield in the Charleston area.

13 of the Best Brunch Restaurants in Downtown Charleston, SC

1. Hominy Grill

This Charleston landmark is always popular. It’s supposedly, “a restaurant for tourists”, though this writer enjoys it. The Southern-inspired menu of Hominy Grill is what put this Charleston restaurant on the map. One of their signature dishes, called the “Charleston Nasty Biscuit”, consists of fried chicken smothered in sausage gravy and cheddar cheese and then accompanied by a biscuit. Terrible for your arteries, but it’s an absolute delight. There are other major staples expected by the Sunday brunch crowd, like:

• buttermilk pancakes
• house-made sausage
• typical egg dishes

But don’t miss the Fried Green Tomatoes.

2. Tattooed Moose in Downtown Charleston

This restaurant is awesome. Their famous duck club sandwich is stupendous, but a Sunday brunch here may well be worth missing church if it means getting a table. Compared to some of the other places to eat on this list, the mimosas and Bloody Mary’s are a steal. The drinks, as well as a bottomless cup of Joe, go perfectly with house-made biscuits and gravy. The amazingly delicious Garbage Plate, which features:

• cheese
• meat
• eggs
• veggies

All on a bed of their famous French fries fried in duck fat and smothered in sausage gravy.

Reading things like that, it’s no wonder obesity is a fairly common problem in the South. The Tattooed Moose has another location on John’s Island. One of my favorite things in Charleston that’s only at the Johns Island location is the Loaded Bloody Mary. It’s a Bloody Mary served with:

1. Fried chicken
2. Pickled okra
3. Hash Browns
4. Candied bacon lardon skewer

Piled on top of the glass.

Plan to be at the Tattooed Moose on a Sunday, as Saturday brunch isn’t served here.

3. Moe’s Crosstown Tavern

Moe’s is my favorite downtown Charleston bar: it’s cheap, and it’s around the corner from my house.

And their Sunday brunch is pretty awesome, too. And it’s cheap for downtown. A filling-breakfast can be had here for under $10 (though not if you’re drinking, of course).

4. Poogan’s Porch

After enjoying a delicious dinner at one of the most romantic restaurants in Charleston, be sure to head back the next morning for Sunday brunch! Guests to Poogan’s Porch are greeted with hot biscuits in a basket before they order any brunch on the menu. Their brunch includes such fantastic items as waffles, fried chicken, the Charlestowne Fry, cinnamon French toast, and omelets. Poogan’s Porch is one of this writer’s favorite fine dining restaurants in downtown Charleston, SC. Though I may have mentioned that before.

5. A.C.’s Bar and Grill

This place is pretty down at the heels, especially when compared to other King Street bars and restaurants like Stars and Prohibition (let alone Hall’s Chophouse). A.C.’s Bar and Grill provides something rare now on King Street, however: delicious but still cheap Sunday brunch. The inside can be a little dark, and the service can be a bit lacking. For example, you place your order at the bar, and grab your food from the counter in back when your number comes up. Seriously, though, let’s face it: you’re here because you’re hungry and likely hung-over after a night out at downtown Charleston bars. I’m not really in the mood to chat it up with waitstaff when I’m in that shape. And fried comfort food is just what the doctor ordered when you’re feeling your worst on a Sunday morning.

6. Virginia’s on King

Located on King’s Street a few streets up from Blue Bicycle Books, this Southern-styled restaurant serves classics like:

• dumplings and chicken

• brown sugar-glazed ham

• barbecue pulled pork sandwiches

• fried tomatoes

• fried okra

This writer often finds himself craving the biscuits and gravy from here. And while the sake-based Bloody Mary at Virginia’s on King is not for everyone, this writer has to admit to being rather partial.

7. Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

I have to put Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit somewhere on this list, so it might as well go here. It’s not exactly a sit-down restaurant, as it’s located in a former alley on Upper King Street. However, the biscuits are pretty damn good. The only frustrating part is waiting in the line. After going every weekend for a month or two, I stopped a while ago. I’m not a fan of long lines, delicious biscuits or no.

8. Edmund’s Oast

Come here for the cornbread served with honey butter, which is as amazing as it sounds. The menu of Edmund’s Oast includes a vast beer selection, biscuits and gravy, creative cocktails, fresh charcuterie and bacon burgers.

9. Toast of Charleston

Voted Best Breakfast in Charleston (and a Must-Eat by the New York Times) this southern restaurant is well-known for their bottomless mimosas. Wash it down with Toast’s special Sweet Tea Glazed Chicken.

10. Butcher and Bee

The cozy though industrial feel of Butcher and Bee serves a perfect backdrop for their sandwiches and late-night servings of food. They’re also known for their Saturday and Sunday brunches as well. Their sandwiches (what they’re best known for) are regularly changing, though always inventive.

11. The Rarebit

This Upper King Street restaurant is known for its breakfast food, regardless of the time of day. Regular featured menu items include tasty tomato soup chicken, waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches and fish and chip. They also serve double track burger, mustard, and pickles. While not necessarily a traditional brunch item, Rarebit Moscow Mules are awesome.

12. High Cotton

The clubby yet elegant atmosphere of High Cotton is certainly appropriate for weekend brunch. The brunch menu is known for its andouille-infused shrimp and grits, apple-smoked bacon, crab cake eggs benedict, and bourbon glazed donuts.

13. Stars Restaurant & Bar

I have to admit I’ve not eaten here, but I’ve walked by the display of Sunday brunch buffet on my way to church on Sunday morning. I must say I’m consistently impressed. While I associate Stars Restaurant more for their rooftop restaurant and bar than anything else, the food looks delicious.