
High Cotton Charleston Restaurant
Refined Lowcountry eatery with live jazz, offering exceptional service and signature dishes in a charming Charleston setting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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High Cotton Charleston Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Refined Lowcountry eatery with live jazz, offering exceptional service and signature dishes in a charming Charleston setting.
Reservations are Key
Book in advance, especially for weekend brunch, to secure a spot at this popular Charleston destination.
Explore Signature Dishes
Don't miss fan favorites like cinnamon rolls, crab benedict, or the shrimp and grits.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Southern
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Elegant Southern Charm & Live Music
Experience refined Lowcountry cuisine in a stylish setting with live jazz nightly, perfect for special occasions.

Indulgent Weekend Brunch
Savor southern flavors like fried chicken and waffles or crab cake Benedict, often accompanied by live music.

Exceptional Steaks & Seafood
Indulge in perfectly cooked dishes like wagyu steak and lobster tail, complemented by a fantastic wine selection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations are Key
Book in advance, especially for weekend brunch, to secure a spot at this popular Charleston destination.
Explore Signature Dishes
Don't miss fan favorites like cinnamon rolls, crab benedict, or the shrimp and grits.
Check Menu Times
Be aware of menu service times; the brunch menu is available on weekends, while dinner offers other specialties.
Enjoy the Ambiance
Soak in the Charleston atmosphere, especially with live music adding to the dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations are Key
Book in advance, especially for weekend brunch, to secure a spot at this popular Charleston destination.
Explore Signature Dishes
Don't miss fan favorites like cinnamon rolls, crab benedict, or the shrimp and grits.
Check Menu Times
Be aware of menu service times; the brunch menu is available on weekends, while dinner offers other specialties.
Enjoy the Ambiance
Soak in the Charleston atmosphere, especially with live music adding to the dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
High Cotton is praised for its elegant atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious Lowcountry cuisine, particularly its brunch offerings and steaks. While many rave about the overall experience and recommend it for special occasions, a few diners found certain dishes overpriced or overcooked, with one mentioning a lack of crab in their she-crab soup.
"Beautiful restaurant! Our service was fantastic - very attentive, made great suggestions, super friendly. Our group couldn’t decide between the beignets or the cinnamon roll, so we got one of each (for a party of 5 this was perfect). We also had a basket of blueberry muffins, but my daughter devoured those before I could document them. My daughter split the chicken and waffles with her grandmother (she said the gravy on the side would have been better, just in case you aren’t a huge gravy fan, but she really liked the chicken). The shrimp and grits were a hit, and I very much enjoyed my omelette (plus the sweet potato hash - that was a star of the meal). We split hummingbird cake only because I’m on the hunt for finding one as good as my step-grandmother used to make for holidays. The bar is set super high, but I will say this is one of the better cakes I’ve tried (plus the bananas foster sauce poured on top was delicious!). Highly recommend this restaurant (and we also saw the cutest baby shower being set up in the back, it looked like a great spot for a celebration!)"
Erin Carlson
"For a Wednesday night, this place was packed. Great service, food, and live music. Ordered a seafood tower for two, split a ribeye steak with mashed potatoes, and blueberry pie for dessert. Would recommend and will be back!"
Victoria Thurston
"Stopped by on a Sunday around lunch time excited to try the place out but did not realize it was a brunch only menu so the items I was hoping for and craving was not an option.
We first sat in the bar area but the vibe was just not there and it was very dark so we moved to the dining area which was much better.
But off the bunch menu everything was good from the Beef carpaccio to the crab cake Benedict. The server was very nice and next time we are in the area we will make sure to check the menu times as we heard great things about the place but the brunch was good."
Frank B
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, High Cotton is highly recommended for special occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, and celebrations due to its elegant atmosphere and exceptional service.
It's known for its upscale Lowcountry cuisine, elegant ambiance, live jazz music nightly, and popular weekend brunch.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend brunch, as the restaurant is very popular.
Yes, High Cotton features live jazz music nightly, enhancing the dining experience.
Popular dishes include shrimp and grits, steaks, rack of lamb, French toast, and their signature cinnamon rolls.
Yes, the restaurant participates in Charleston Restaurant Week, typically in September, offering a prix fixe menu.
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21 Best Things to Do in Charleston: Caviar Bars, Jazz Brunch, and Boutique Shopping
Brunch at High Cotton restaurant is a hot ticket—reservations recommended, unless you manage to beat the church crowd and stampede there early. It’s a convivial place divided into four separate dining areas: a cozy, darkly paneled bar where the bluegrass players set up, a rear “French Quarter” room opening to a patio, the more formal “East Bay Room” (the quietest seating, musically), and the grand, sunny main dining room surrounded by street-facing windows. The food is a smorgasbord of southern flavor—fittingly, as brunch is should be an indulgent ritual–and highlights include crispy fried oysters, buttermilk fried chicken over Belgian waffles, and the like.
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New Southern is all the rage as southern chefs pay homage to the foods and flavors of their childhood whilst integrating non-traditional cooking techniques and ingredients. Enjoy a laid-back, slow-moving Sunday brunch at High Cotton where Lowcountry favorites are paired with local jazz. Whether its dohnut holes, crab cakes or chicken and waffles you try, dining at High Cotton is a fine way to get a taste of the Lowcountry with a modern twist.
Where do the locals eat in Charleston?
FAvorites are a fish camp on Sullivians Island that I cannot think of the name of, downtown: Garibaldis, T-Bonz, SNOB, Poogan's Porch, High Cotton, Penninsula Grill, Hyman's (I love the whole fried baby flounder and it is the only thing I ever order there), South End Brewery, the publ on King Street just down from Bob Ellis Shoes, Carolina's, and Magnolias. I know I'm leaving out a bunch.
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My favorite are at SNOB, High Cotton, and the now-defunct (sniff) Atlanticville. Best depends on your taste, of course, and mine runs very simple. If I get shrimp right off the boat I just saute them with some (okay a lot) of butter, make grits with cream or milk, salt pepper and that's it.
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For 11 days each September, more than 50 Charleston restaurants offer a prix fixe menu that allows diners to try fine dining spots they may not otherwise be able to afford. Even if you’re a frequent diner, it’s a great excuse to explore new spots on a reasonable budget.
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Owned and operated by the Hall Family, High Cotton is an award-winning fine dining establishment that offers discerning diners a refined dining experience. Located on East Bay Street, High Cotton features stylishly appointed dining rooms with heart pine floors and antique brick walls and serves dinner nightly as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays against a background of live music. The brunch menu features freshly baked pastries, scones, muffins and other sweet treats, eggs and crab cake Benedict, a variety of omelets and scrambles, brioche French toast, fried chicken biscuit, and a hearty burger, along with fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches.
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This upscale bar and restaurant captures the essence of Lowcountry living, blending refined Southern cuisine with an extensive drink menu. The atmosphere at High Cotton is both elegant and inviting, with rich wood accents and warm lighting creating a cozy yet sophisticated backdrop. The cocktail menu features seasonal ingredients, with standout options including the “Cucumber Collins” and the “Bourbon Smash.” With live music playing on certain nights, this spot is perfect for a relaxed evening of sipping and savoring.
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With over 100 participating restaurants in the greater Charleston area, Charleston Restaurant Week is a foodie’s dream. For two weeks, you can experience Charleston’s finest restaurants, with pre-fixe menus and tasting plates from top notch chefs in this culinary city. This is the perfect opportunity to plan a weekend getaway – choose to stay at one of our luxury downtown vacation rentals, Studio 36 or Upstairs Studio 36, so you can take advantage of the incredible Restaurant Week eateries located nearby!
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Located in the vibrant city of Charleston, South Carolina, High Cotton is a popular restaurant that specializes in serving traditional Southern cuisine with a touch of hospitality. The restaurant is renowned for its inviting atmosphere, featuring heart pine floors and antique brick that perfectly captures the essence of the quintessential Charleston style. If you’re trying to eat somewhere that really encompasses all that Charleston is about, this is among the nice restaurants charleston sc you must try!
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Noah and Allie’s love story takes a turn after Allie goes to college and meets Lon (played by James Marsden) and the couple become engaged. At the High Cotton restaurant in Charleston Noah spots Allie greeting her fiancé through the restaurant’s window. You can still eat at the restaurant on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston where you’ll be served traditional low country fare on white tablecloths against a backdrop of exposed brick and heart pine floors.
Seafood, Soul Food Highlight Charleston's Best Lowcountry Restaurants
High Cotton is a reliably delicious lowcountry restaurant, located on busy East Bay Street, and managed by the well known Maverick Southern Kitchens. Specializing in southern hospitality and fresh, lowcountry ingredients, High Cotton for dinner daily and brunch Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10am through 2pm. While this restaurant is stylish and service is attentive, High Cotton remains approachable, within a budget of $22 to $38 per dinner entree.
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Experience genuine Charleston hospitality as you transition from lively conversations and laughter in the High Cotton bar to the elegant dining rooms with heart pine floors and antique brick. Here you don’t just come for food, but it is a celebration of community, delicious food and drink, and each other never ends. Easily one of the best Charleston restaurants; come here for a beautiful dinner and try the Antarctic salmon or New Bedford scallops.
Charleston Fine Dining Guide - Fine Dining Charleston SC
Husk, Muse, Zero George, and Circa 1886 are in adaptively used historic residences and carriage houses, where guests are seated in formal dining rooms and parlors, while Hall’s, High Cotton, and Peninsula Grill are located in spacious historic commercial buildings recalling the city’s nineteenth century heyday. Topsail and the Old Post Office greet Mount Pleasant diners, and there is a new Hall’s for Summerville residents in Nexton community.
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The ultimate brunch spot for bachelorette parties and girls' trips, High Cotton has been a staple on East Bay Street for years. Their signature Bellini bar will 100% leave you buzzed, so don’t forget to eat all of the food, too (their flaky crab eggs benedict is *chef’s kiss*). Bonus: Brunch here is served on both Saturdays and Sundays (a rarity in Charleston), and it comes complete with a trio of bluegrass musicians.
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This event is executed by Explore Charleston and is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area. During Charleston Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, giving diners the opportunity to enjoy the world-renowned cuisine of the Lowcountry. The menus feature a variety of dishes, from traditional Southern fare to international cuisine.
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A renowned Charleston restaurant that offers a fine dining experience featuring Southern cuisine with a modern twist. The restaurant is in a beautifully restored 19th-century building with elegant décor and white tablecloths. The menu features a mix of classic Southern dishes, such as shrimp and grits, along with more contemporary creations, such as duck breast with sweet potato puree.
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If you’re looking for some good seafood, you might want to consider the High Cotton. Although they’ve recently undergone a transition under new management, they are still considered one of the best seafood restaurants in downtown Charleston. Fried oysters, crab cake, shrimp and grits, whatever you’re hankering for as far as Lowcountry cuisine is likely present on the High Cotton menu.
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Location: 199 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401Cuisine: Southern Fine DiningBest For: Southern charm with a touch of elegance. For a classic Lowcountry experience, High Cotton is an excellent choice. This restaurant offers a blend of Southern hospitality and upscale dining, featuring dishes like shrimp and grits, fresh seafood, and expertly crafted cocktails.
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Mrs. and Smith Hotels has just nominated Zero Café + Bar “Best Hotel Restaurant,” and we can’t think of a better time than Charleston Restaurant Week (September 9-20, 2015) to experience the restaurant and enjoy our menu by Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo. Click here to view our Restaurant Week Menu. Chef has created a delicious three course menu…
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At Babas, owner Edward Crouse and his team are whipping up an espresso martini that takes 12 hours to make, while Vintage Lounge owner Nathan Wheeler says high quality espresso and Sicilian amaro are the key to his joint’s off-menu martini. In fact, the two owners did an espresso martini competition last year to see whose reigned supreme.
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Whether you’ve got 3 days in Charleston SC or more, there is no activity more important than eating, and most especially brunch!. Charleston, South Carolina is a foodie’s paradise because you can find a Lowcountry restaurant every few steps in the downtown area. One of those such places is High Cotton Charleston Restaurant.
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For special occasions, we love to get dressed up and book a table at High Cotton. The decor is elegant and quintessentially Charleston—so much so that a scene of The Notebook was filmed there. Though the upscale vibe sets the tone for a celebration on its own, High Cotton’s food is delicious and well worth the visit as well.
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Magnolia's is owned by the same people and I have not been there yet. I made a point to go to Hymans during a visit before moving here for the seafood because it had gotten so many great reviews by national publications including the New York Times and I was not dissappointed. The she-crab soup was the best I've tasted yet.
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High Cotton Charleston Restaurant has a roomy, elegant feel—think heart pine floors, antique brick, and a bit of old-school charm. The kitchen focuses on Lowcountry fare with ingredients from nearby farms, and they’re big on local seafood. You can settle in at a table in the dining room or grab a drink at the lively bar.
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High Cotton is one of the long-time favorites in downtown Charleston. The meats, seafood and produce are always fresh and local, expertly crafted into the most delicious Lowcountry dishes. The servers are knowledgeable, the dining rooms are stylish with heart pine floors, and the portions are generous.
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High Cotton Charleston rounded out South Carolina’s fine dining restaurants at 23rd on the list. Visitors are welcomed to the restaurant by heart pine floors and antique brick interiors. Tripadvisor recommends that customers not miss the restaurant’s brunch menu, house cocktails and tasty desserts.
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If you’re venturing downtown for an afternoon of exploring, stop by High Cotton!. This high-end restaurant is perfect for enjoying a cocktail and listening to incredible live music!. They feature different musicians daily, so no matter when you stop by, there will be something new to discover!
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High Cotton restaurant is located at 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC, and is available to be booked for private events, including weddings. Their main dining room is able to accommodate up to 100 seated, 150 reception. They also have a French Quarter room and East Bay room available to be booked.
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There’s always cause for celebration” according to High Cotton. This stylish Lowcountry restaurant boasts heart pine floors and antique brick as well as full-on Charleston hospitality. Highlights include the Buttermilk Fried Oysters, Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs, and Braised Elk Osso Bucco.
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Experience the best of Charleston hospitality and Thanksgiving fare in style!. High Cotton is definitely a place of celebrations, and their savory prix fixe dinner includes “holiday classics and autumn specialties” on the menu, offering two courses for $50 and three courses for $55.
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Charleston Restaurant Week: This biannual event takes place in early September and offers diners the chance to try out some of Charleston's best restaurants at a discounted price. If you miss the September iteration, you can schedule a visit for the next Restaurant Week in January!
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199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401843-724-3815 Visit Website. Located on East Bay Street, High Cotton is a convenient spot to stop for a bite to eat while enjoying the photo-ops Charleston has to offer. The photo-ops don’t pause once you walk through the doors, however.
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In the heart of historic downtown Charleston, High Cotton is the ultimate setting for distinctive wedding events. With its blend of Southern style and sophistication, High Cotton takes wedding celebrations, rehearsal dinners, receptions and luncheons to new heights.
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High Cotton lives up to its name, providing a high-end dining experience that emphasizes Southern hospitality. The elegant decor and live music create a lively yet refined atmosphere. The private dining options are flexible, catering to both small and large groups.
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What it's known for: With a larger menu than some fine dining spots, High Cotton combines great local ingredients with expertise. It's a warm, inviting place that's also open for brunch. Don't miss the Charleston She Crab soup - one of the best versions in town.
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– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,662 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value for money (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood– Price: $$$$– Address: 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2605– Learn more on Tripadvisor
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From fine dining to intimate waterfront venues, there are plenty of excellent date night restaurants in Charleston, SC. Enjoy some of the best steak that you will ever try at Hall’s Chophouse, or indulge in delicious Southern cuisine at High Cotton.
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Fun fact- a childhood friend’s grandparents own High Cotton!. The Hall family also owns and operates Slightly North of Broad, Rita’s Seaside Grille and Halls Signature Events. This higher end establishment is all about the low country hospitality.
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High Cotton is a refined and romantic Charleston staple located on East Bay Street in Downtown Charleston. High Cotton offers exceptional menu options, service, and daily live music to enjoy while dining in one of the dining rooms or at the bar.
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– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,731 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood– Price: $$$$– Address: 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2605– Read more on Tripadvisor
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,748 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood- Price: $$$$- Address: 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2605- Read more on Tripadvisor
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High Cotton offers a historic downtown Charleston location, three distinctive private dining rooms, fine food, drink and grand hospitality promise exceptional, memorable events. Private Dining Rooms at High Cotton are a beautiful blend o
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If you love amazing food prepared by world-renowned chefs served in the country’s most-loved city, then you’ve come to the right place. And during the right week. Charleston Restaurant Week starts today and runs through Sept. 14.
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This high-end restaurant has a lovely dining room where you can eat your brunch with live music on Saturdays and Sundays. Plus, they actually have a printed gluten-free menu (a rarity in Charleston). We went this weekend.
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While not a traditional donut shop, we felt High Cotton was worth mentioning on this list for their bacon, apple, and bourbon glazed donut holes offered during Sunday brunch. We’re drooling just thinking about them!
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High Cotton: Journey to the French Quarter and discover the charm of High Cotton, a beloved dinner destination offering upleveled Southern cuisine and impeccable service in a setting reminiscent of the old South.
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An inviting spot with gorgeous ambiance, great service, and live music that transforms every meal into a delightful experience. This was our 2nd time here... We went for my birthday and truly enjoyed it again!!
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Enjoy Southern favorites, including buttermilk fried oysters and Lowcountry boil, along with the sounds of jazz in a classic Charleston setting complete with heart pine floors and antique brick at High Cotton.
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High Cotton and Slightly North of Broad both serve low country fare made from local ingredients. Mosey into either establishment for shrimp & grits, tender ribeye, lamb rack, local seafood, and more.
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High Cotton: This popular establishment is located at 199 East Bay Street (843-724-3815) and provides a variety of Lowcountry cuisine. www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/highcotton/charleston
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If you’re looking for a brunch eatery, the High Cotton Charleston diner has a brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays. Its signature dish is the flaky Crab Eggs Benedict.
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High Cotton's feeling of warmth & celebration begins the moment you step inside & continues with gracious, knowledgeable servers, expertly prepared dishes & remarkable wines.
Meet the SC bread maker supplying artisan loaves to one of Charleston’s top restaurants
He worked at High Cotton, Peninsula Grill, Edmund’s Oast, Rodney Scott’s BBQ, Le Farfalle and, when he returned to Charleston from a brief stint in Las Vegas, Chubby Fish.
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I strongly recommend Lewis BBQ over Rodney Scott's for both food and experience. Southbound is a great new place a bit outside the bustle of King.
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Excellent brunch (Bloody Marys come with bacon…needless to say, Eli LOVES it here) and some of the best shrimp and grits in town.
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High Cotton: With live music seven days a week, this Low Country locale in the heart of the city is always a good time.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit