Discover CharlestonCharleston Lifestyle: Dining with a View

By Andrew Braden, Guest Contributor 

Everyone knows about the beauty of Charleston, SC. The city gets millions of visitors per year who come to walk the beautiful historic streets, stay in the luxurious hotels, dine at award winning restaurants and lounge on one of our picturesque beaches. Charleston’s restaurants are one-of-a-kind, but finding that perfect combination of food and a beautiful view isn’t easy.

Here is a list of our favorite spots to grab food and a drink with an amazing view of Charleston:

Blocks from Market Street, off of popular East Bay Street, at the top of the Vendue Inn you can find this gem.  Vendue Rooftop provides great high-end food and beverages and a beautiful view of the Charleston harbor and the famed Battery.    

Pavilion Bar, atop the Market Pavillion Hotel, has one of the best rooftop patios in Charleston.  Located at the corner of East Bay and Market Streets, this magnificent hotel towers above its neighbors on Market Street so you are provided with a wonderful view of the peninsula and the adjacent dining & shopping district of lower Market Street.

 Not interested in the views from East Bay Street? Stars Rooftop gives a unique view of King Street and the surrounding “Upper King ” area.  It is the only rooftop location on King Street with a huge patio, where you can eat and drink with a large group of people in this trendy, up-and-coming area home to some of Charleston’s hottest new restaurants.

Only a short, scenic drive from downtown Charleston is Shem Creek, located in the adjacent town of Mt. Pleasant. Take I-17 over the spectacular Ravenel Bridge towards Sullivans Island.  Shem Creek is a historic waterway for Charleston’s beloved shrimping community and is still home today to what remains of the hard-working shrimping fleet.  Whether it be drinks and seafood at Red’s Ice House or brunch at Tavern and Table, Shem Creek is an awesome place for fun in the sun or to grab a drink to watch the sunset.

One of the best-kept secrets of James Island is the family-owned Bowen’s Island Restaurant.  Sit on the raised deck or down on the old dock, have a drink and some fried seafood. If you want the full experience, stay and watch the sun set over the marsh, reflecting over the water making for one of the most beautiful Charleston sunsets to be found.

Enjoy playing pool in a laid back environment? Salty Mikes is the place to go!  It’s a perfect little dockside bar located off of Lockwood Drive, under The Marina. Stop by for a drink and walk the mega dock to admire the boats and water views of Charleston Harbor and the Ashley River.  If you’re lucky you may even get to see one of the many yachts that dock in Charleston throughout the year.

No matter what area of the city you live in, or visit, there is sure to be a restaurant or local neighborhood joint that suits your Charleston lifestlye.  There are even great places to dine or hang-out that invite you to bring your dog too!

Note:  The beautiful weather and diverse culinary scene means there are seemingly endless year-round opportunities for outdoor dining and spectacular views, a staple of life in Charleston.