Image credit: Rachel Park via Unsplash
Nothing satisfies quite like a decent brunch, but if you’re in the Holy City, the brunch options can be a little overwhelming.
It’s hard to tell what you’ll end up spending, or whether you’ll be seated on a seaside patio vs. in a cobblestone basement by the tomb of a Confederate general. But these six restaurants in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant won’t leave you guessing.
Whether you’re in the mood for Southern food, Tex-Mex, or French-inspired dishes, the following brunch destinations will make you a believer in the Charleston culinary scene.
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine Average Cost: $$ 550 King St #100, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 203-6297
Image credit: @HopeTaylorPhotography
You’ll find Felix on many of Charleston’s “top ten” lists for a reason. The atmosphere at Felix is classical but laid-back, and their French-inspired Southern dishes make brunch a memorable experience. Felix’s brunch menu offers a variety of inspired cocktails and Franco-American delicacies, including one of the best eggs benedicts in Charleston. Brunch is served on both Saturdays and Sundays until 4pm for the late risers.
Mainland Container Co. Average Cost: $$ 1528 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 284-8174
Image credit: Mainland Container Co.
For a casual brunch in Mt. Pleasant, Mainland Container Co. Kitchen & Bar offers good food, great drinks, and a welcoming patio. This gastropub keeps the menu short but focused, serving Southern brunch staples prepared with fresh ingredients and attention to detail. Basically, it’s biscuits and gravy done right. And Mainland Container also specializes in serving dogs! The brunch menu features two dog-friendly offerings, each with a peanut butter treat on the side. Get there between 10am and 3pm on Saturday or Sunday.
Tavern & Table Average Cost: $$ 100 Church St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 352-9510
Image credit: Tavern & Table
For a perfect brunch on the water in Mt. Pleasant, Tavern & Table has it all: A beautiful dockside patio, a creative list of boozy brunch cocktails, and a brunch menu that is just outstanding. For instance, brunch starters at Tavern & Table include poutine with fried egg and sausage, and hot, strawberry basil doughnuts. Their brunch cocktails are equally as enticing. Don’t leave without trying the fresh-squeezed mimosas or vanilla coconut coffee, 10am to 2pm on Sundays.
Uptown Social Average Cost: $$ 587 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 793-1837
Image credit: Uptown Social
Uptown Social hosts a brunch provider called Bodega from Thursday through Sunday, 8am to 2pm. You can think of Bodega as a brunch food truck, but one with the benefit of a full kitchen! Chef Alec Gropman serves New York-style bodega favorites to go, primarily thick-stacked sandwiches on house-made Kaiser rolls. Bodega’s offerings include breakfast and lunch sandwiches, hair-of-the-dog cocktails, and other treats packed and ready for a day on the water or a stroll through the Historical District.
El Jefe Texican Cantina Average Cost: $$ 468 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 501-7711
Image credit: El Jefe
If you’re craving Tex-Mex for Sunday brunch, El Jefe on King St. is your go-to. El Jefe offers not just brunch, but bottomless brunch. For $25, you get the run of an authentic Texican buffet as well as bottomless mimosas, margaritas, and bloody Marys. The margaritas at El Jefe were voted the best in Charleston. Down a few bottomless margs on a Sunday afternoon and you might be ready to ride La Luna, the mechanical bull.
The Shelter Kitchen + Bar Average Cost: $$ 202 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 388-3625
Image credit: The Shelter Kitchen + Bar
Not far from Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, The Shelter is one of the few places to find brunch not just on Saturdays and Sundays, but Mondays too. Until 3pm, The Shelter serves some deliciously Southern meals for brunch, though you’ll find a few Latin-inspired dishes here too. Of special note is what The Shelter calls “fresh crushes”, involving a mix of fresh-squeezed juices and white spirits. For a perfect hangover cure, pair one with a side of bacon on the patio.
Peak Before You Pick
Having trouble choosing your ideal brunch? Good news! All the restaurants you see above offer diners the ability to take an online peak at the scene, in real time, before arriving. If you’re trying to avoid crowds, want to see what the weather is like for outdoor dining, or if you just want to check out the vibe first, visit the App Store to download the BarGlance app and see what you could be missing. Cheers!