What’s New in Charleston This Summer

With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely-preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene and friendly locals, Charleston is one of America’s best loved travel destinations. Come, experience what’s new in the Charleston area this summer!

Accolades
New Restaurants
Restaurant News
Accommodations
Retail
Tours & Attractions
Highlighted Special Events

ACCOLADES

NEW RESTAURANTS

167 Raw Sushi Bar
289 East Bay, Charleston | 167raw.com

Seafood spot 167 Raw has relocated and has turned its former oyster bar space into an intimate sushi bar that seats 12 to 15 customers. Guests can expect more than a dozen pieces of nigiri, unique sushi rolls and Japanese-inspired small plates. Opened May 2021. 

Beyond Distilling
2157 Rich Street, North Charleston | beyonddistillingcompany.com

Reimagining classic cocktails with a unique twist, Beyond Distilling will offer a variety of spirits such as rum, gin and bourbon, but the cocktails are not the only unique thing about this distilling company. Co-owned by a behavior analyst, Beyond Distilling plans to have half of its staff including people with cognitive disabilities to allow for unique employment opportunities and training. Opening August 2021.

Bodega
23 Ann Street, Charleston | bodegachs.com

Bodega, a pop-up sandwich shop currently located at its sister restaurant Uptown Social, is moving to a permanent space in a renovated train museum in downtown Charleston. The shop will continue to serve New York style sandwiches such as the Grim Reaper with house made chorizo, pico de gallo and Carolina Reaper Ranch. Opening Summer 2021. 

Brasserie La Banque | brasserielabanque.com
1 Broad Street, Charleston

Aptly named for its location’s previous role as a city bank, Brasserie La Banque is a classic French restaurant coming to historic South of Broad Charleston. Patrons can expect traditional French dishes like Black Cocoa Cured Foie Gras Torchon and steak frites. The cocktail program will highlight traditional French liquors such as Chartreuse. Opening Summer 2021. 

Coterie
17 Warren Street, Charleston | coteriechs.com

Located in the heart of downtown, Coterie serves modern Indian cuisine inspired by Charleston. Patrons can enjoy dishes such as the Bombay Shrimp n’ Grits with coconut oil and stone ground grits and craft cocktails like the Society Street with small batch bourbon and angostura bitters. Opened March 2021.

Dos Taqueria
8-D Line Street, Charleston | dostaqueria.com

A new taco spot has made its way to Charleston! Enjoy traditional Mexican fare along with packed breakfast burritos, featuring avocado adobo crema, while sipping on a Horchata at Dos Taqueria. Opened March 2021. 

Insomnia Cookies
509 King Street, Charleston | insomniacookies.com

Insomnia Cookies has opened a new location on historic King Street and is ready to satisfy all of your sweet tooth cravings, offering cookies, ice cream and cake. INSIDER TIP: In case you can’t make it to King, Insomnia Cookies specializes in delivering warm cookies right to your door! Opened March 2021. 

Jessamine and Vine
164 Market Street | jessamineandvine.com

This new wine shop has officially opened in the Charleston City Market. Jessamine and Vine, named after the South Carolina state flower the Yellow Jessamine, features wine from small up-and-coming family-owned businesses. Spirits, such as tequila and vodka, are also available at this neighborhood store. Opened April 2021. 

The Kingstide
32 River Landing Drive, Daniel Island | thekingstide.com

Accessible by land or water, Daniel Island’s first waterfront restaurant has settled along the Wando River. Featuring picturesque views, this two-story space partners with local and regional fisheries, farmers and purveyors to offer seasonally driven cuisine such as fish with nage, English peas, pine nuts and whipped potato. Opened March 2021. 

Laurel
161 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston | laurelcharleston.com

Bringing Spanish and Portuguese inspired fare to the Lowcountry, Laurel’s menu offers pintxos (small plates) and tapas, such as the Albondigas de Cordero with pecan romesco, and lemon sherry yogurt, complemented by a curated wine list and cocktail selection. Opened March 2021.

Le Chambertin
46 Broad Street, Charleston | lechambertin.net

Aptly located in the French Quarter, French bakery and grocery store Le Chambertin offers coffee, breakfast pastries, baguettes and other imported delicacies from France. Customers can enjoy French macaroons on the outdoor patio at this petite cafe situated just off Broad Street. Opened March 2021.

Lenoir
68 Wentworth Street, Charleston | dineatlenoir.com

Lenoir, an eatery created by James Beard Award Winner Vivian Howard, seeks to tell the story of the agricultural South through cuisine. Going back to her eastern North Carolina roots, Howard has curated a dinner-only menu that highlights shareable meals and seasonal ingredients. You can expect to find dishes such as the Deep Run Summer In A Bowl which includes stewed tomatoes, creamed corn and a cucumber, olive and caper relish. Opened April 2021. 

New Realm Brewing Co
880 Island Park Drive, Daniel Island | newrealmbrewing.com

New Realm, an Atlanta-based brewery, has opened its doors on Daniel Island. The space features an on-site brewery, a restaurant with an outdoor patio, an intimate music venue and dedicated private event spaces. New Realm offers a handcrafted lineup of award-winning craft beers and limited specialty releases, only available locally. The scratch kitchen serves New Realm classics such as the New Realm Burger as well as locally sourced specialties. Opened June 2021. 

Owlbear Cafe
1964 Riviera Drive, Mount Pleasant | owlbearcafe.com

A new cafe with a unique twist has opened in Mount Pleasant and serves breakfast, lunch, house-brewed coffee, beer and wine – though there’s more than just food at this cozy spot! Owlbear Cafe offers more than 50 board and card games for guests! Opened May 2021.

Pink Bellies
595 King Street, Charleston | pinkbellies.com

Former food truck Pink Bellies is now a brick-and-mortar eatery in downtown Charleston. The permanent location serves traditional Vietnamese dishes along with a few new items that have their own unique spin. Enjoy flavorful dishes like the Pho Mai Burger with oyster sauce, onion jam and cured cucumbers. Opened March 2021.

Share House
23 Ann Street, Charleston | instagram.com/sharehousechs

Nestled in a renovated train depot right off King Street, Share House offers an all-day dining and drinking experience. Serving menu items such as the Buffalo Duck Quesadilla with caramelized onions, smoked gouda and roasted garlic aioli, this laid-back eatery will offer both indoor and outdoor dining spaces. Opening Summer 2021. 

The Longboard
2213 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island | thelongboardsullivans.com

Charleston natives Clint Gaskins and Tyler Beckstead opened the first location of The Longboard in St. John, Virgin Islands and are now bringing the island-inspired restaurant and bar to Sullivan’s Island. The seafood-focused eatery will utilize fresh, local ingredients to create entrees such as ceviche and sushi wraps along with bar bites and small plates. The tropical joint will also feature a drink menu composed of kombucha, house-made sodas, frozen drinks and creatively-crafted cocktails. Opening Summer 2021.

Tideland Brewing
4155 Dorchester Road, North Charleston | tidelandbrewing.com

A new spot to grab cold local brew has opened in North Charleston. Tideland Brewing offers 25 taps of pilsners, IPAs, sours and more that can be sipped in the pet-friendly outdoor biergarten. Guests can also enjoy menu items like the Signature Burger and a variety of sandwiches. Opened March 2021.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Beech
1739 Maybank Highway, Charleston | beechrestaurants.com

Family-run eatery Beech has opened a third location on James Island, serving a wide variety of health conscious bites, from Ahi Tuna Poke bowls and Acai Bowls to Guava Jam Bagels. Here you can also sip local brew from Black Tap and local kombucha from One Love. Opened April 2021.  

Coastal Crust
200 Grand Pavilion Boulevard, Isle of Palms | coastalcrust.com

Coastal Crust has opened a new location on Isle of Palms. Located at Wild Dunes Resort, this Italian-inspired restaurant serves made-from-scratch pizzas with locally-sourced ingredients. Customers can enjoy Neapolitan-style pizzas such as the Pesto Soppressata with crushed tomato sauce, basil pesto and pulled mozzarella and a rotating local craft beer selection. Opened May 2021. 

Crust Wood Fired Pizza
45 Romney Street, Charleston | crustwoodfiredpizza.com

Bringing the brand to the peninsula for the first time, local pizza restaurant Crust Wood Fired Pizza is opening its third location in downtown Charleston. Customers can expect pizzas like the Tomato Goat with goat cheese, mozzarella and pecorino as well as an oyster bar and 24 beers on tap. Stop by and grab a slice while enjoying a brew at the indoor/outdoor bar. Opening Summer 2021. 

Juan Luis
1503 King Street, Charleston | lewisbarbecue.com/juanluis

Juan Luis, a food truck from Lewis Barbecue Pitmaster John Lewis, will be transitioning from a mobile eatery to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The restaurant will boast an in-house tortilleria and continue to serve fare such as the Migas Breakfast Taco with crispy corn tortilla strips, avocado and pico de gallo. Opening Fall 2021. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Residences at Zero George
313 East Bay Street, Charleston | zerogeorge.com/residences

The nineteenth century building adjacent to Zero George has been restored to welcome guests for extended stays up to twelve months. Blending contemporary with the historical, each of the five residences, varying from one to three bedrooms, offers sitting areas, kitchens, king-size beds and services such as housekeeping, a biscuit butler and bar valet. Unpack your suitcase and stay a while at these private residences with all the luxuries and amenities of a boutique hotel. Opened May 2021.

The Ryder Hotel
237 Meeting Street, Charleston | theryderhotel.com

Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, this boutique hotel features a modern, laid-back vibe inspired by Charleston’s coastal beauty. Both hotel guests and visitors can head to the lively rooftop bar and lounge, Little Palm, to enjoy flavor-forward dishes or sip craft cocktails next to a lush pool. Opened May 2021.

Sweetgrass Inn
5757 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms | sweetgrassinn.com

Rooted in local culture and tied to the island’s natural setting, Sweetgrass Inn blends the future and past, representing the next generation of Wild Dunes Resort. This 153-room hotel offers amenities including two restaurants, indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces and even retail space. Opened April 2021. 

RETAIL

Sewing Down South
493 King Street, Charleston | sewingdownsouth.com

Southern Charm’s Craig Conover has expanded his online sewing and lifestyle brand into a brick-and-mortar storefront. You can find pillows, clothing and candles at this home goods store located on upper King Street. Opened May 2021. 

The Tiny Tassel
46 Spring Street, Charleston | tinytassel.com

Inspired by her core value of happiness, local Mimi Striplin has opened a boutique in the charming Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood. Founded with the Signature Tassel Earring, The Tiny Tassel has expanded to include vibrantly colored earrings, bracelets and necklaces, hand-made garments by Mimi’s mother, as well as a curated collection of jewelry, accessories and party goods. Influenced by her favorite city, Mimi names each piece after a street name or special place in Charleston. Opened March 2021. 

TOURS & ATTRACTIONS

Firefly Distillery
4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston | fireflydistillery.com

Charleston’s oldest working distillery, Firefly is now offering the Master Distiller’s Experience. The intimate and in-depth tasting experience offers a private tasting with a distillery expert for up to 12 people, featuring samples of Firefly’s extensive spirits lineup including moonshine, vodka, rum, whiskey, bourbon and dessert liquors. This interactive experience gives patrons a behind-the-scenes look at how each Firefly spirit is made.

International African American Museum
113 Calhoun Street, Charleston | iaamuseum.org

The International African American Museum will honor the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country’s most sacred sites. Built on Charleston’s Gadsden’s Wharf, the museum will empower visitors with knowledge of the past through its technology-driven exhibits and The Center for Family History will serve as a groundbreaking resource for the study and advancement of African American genealogy. Opening Spring 2022.

Insider’s Tour of Cypress Gardens
3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner | bulldogtours.com

Conducted by Bulldog Tours, the Insider’s Tour of Cypress Gardens will be a weekly tour, alternating locations between Cypress Gardens, Mepkin Abbey and Old Santee Canal Park. The walking tour will allow visitors to explore trails from the post Civil War era into modern-day natural attractions, including scenes where popular movies, such as “The Patriot” and “The Notebook,” were filmed. 

HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS

Safe Sounds Concerts at Firefly Distillery, April 17 – June 26
fireflydistillery.com

In a socially-distanced outdoor concert series, Firefly Distillery is hosting a new musical group every weekend through the end of June. Concert-goers can enjoy distillery tours and tastings before the concert or any other time Monday through Saturday. In addition to music, concert-goers can enjoy beer, wine and bites from local food trucks. 

Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 11 – August 17
historiccharleston.org

The annual Festival of Houses and Gardens will take place this summer with a variety of both virtual and in-person programming with limited group size in order to accommodate social distancing. Peek behind the garden gates and porch doors of the Charleston peninsula’s most intriguing private residences during these award-winning tours and educational events. The Festival of Houses and Gardens showcases Charleston’s distinctive history, architecture, gardens and culture. 

Lowcountry Juneteenth Week & Festival, June 14 – 20
lowcountryjuneteenthweek.com

Local organization Lowcountry Juneteeth of Charleston is hosting its first ever outdoor festival. The week-long celebration will feature black-owned businesses and hold events throughout the city, including live performances, exhibits and seminars.

Patriots Point Fireworks Blast, July 4
patriotspoint.org

The U.S.S. Yorktown, home of the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum, is a fitting host for this patriotic celebration that includes live music and a professional fireworks show. Offering fare from local food trucks, this family event will celebrate American Independence by lighting up the harbor with red, white and blue fireworks.

Legacy Sports Kickball Tournament, July 9 – 12
instagram.com/legacysportselite

Black and veteran-owned organization Legacy Sports is hosting a co-ed kickball tournament at Johnson Hagood stadium. With the mission of engaging with small, minority and local businesses to expand and unite communities, Legacy Sports encourages kickball as a family-fun sport to remove social, economic and gender barriers. 

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, July
sistinechapelexhibit.com

Bringing the artwork of Italy to the Lowcountry, this life-sized, up close and personal experience will feature 32 of Michelangelo’s frescoes. The artwork will stretch from floor to ceiling and invite visitors into the world of the Vatican City. 

Cooper River Bridge Run, September 25
bridgerun.com

Charleston is gearing up for the annual Cooper River Bridge Run this September. Participants can choose to walk or run this 10K, and a Kid’s Run is offered to those 12 and under. A variety of entertainment will be offered at the Finish Festival in Marion Square including live music, food and drinks, merchandise and more.

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