Magnolias
East Bay Street
Classic upscale Southern, easy for groups.
Map ↗For the welcome or rehearsal dinner
Mid-range and special restaurants, with the most group-friendly first.
Leon's Oyster Shop
Upper King
Casual, fun and good for a group.
Map ↗Husk
Queen Street
Southern ingredients only, in a Victorian house.
Map ↗FIG
Meeting Street
Award-winning farm-driven cooking. Book weeks ahead.
Map ↗The Ordinary
Upper King
Oyster hall in a former bank. Great raw bar.
Map ↗Slightly North of Broad
East Bay Street
Known as S.N.O.B. Shrimp and grits done right.
Map ↗Poogan's Porch
Queen Street
Brunch favorite in a historic house.
Map ↗167 Raw
East Bay Street
Lobster rolls and tuna burgers. No reservations.
Map ↗For the day-after brunch or a casual night
Rodney Scott's BBQ
King Street
Award-winning whole-hog barbecue.
Map ↗Hannibal's Kitchen
East Side
Gullah-style soul food. Try the crab rice.
Map ↗Bertha's Kitchen
North Charleston
Lunch counter with legendary fried chicken.
Map ↗Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
King Street
Hot biscuits to go. Perfect hangover breakfast.
Map ↗Booking a group dinner in Charleston
- Ask for a private dining room or a prix fixe menu for groups over 10.
- Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.
- Tipping: Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.
- Book two to three months ahead for groups over 20, especially in high season (March to June, September to November).
- Ask about deposits, minimum spend and the cancellation policy in writing.
- Plan transport back to the hotels. Holy Spokes bike share has stations all over the peninsula.
For a splurge night
- Husk Queen Street
Southern ingredients only, in a Victorian house. - FIG Meeting Street
Award-winning farm-driven cooking. Book weeks ahead. - The Ordinary Upper King
Oyster hall in a former bank. Great raw bar.
Or make the welcome night an activity
- Ghost and graveyard walking tour. Charleston's spookiest stories, told by lantern light in old churchyards.
- Sunset harbor cruise. Drinks on the water with views of the Battery and Ravenel Bridge.
- Cocktail history walking tour. Historic bars and the drinks Charleston made famous.
Questions
Where should we hold a welcome dinner in Charleston?
Good options from our list include Magnolias (East Bay Street), Leon's Oyster Shop (Upper King), Husk (Queen Street). Book early for groups.
What time is dinner in Charleston?
Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.
Do we need to tip at a group dinner in Charleston?
Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.
More: things for guests to do in Charleston · Charleston wedding weekend itinerary · wedding weekend events guide
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