Last year, I went back to the USA for a holiday, this time to do more of the California coast, Chicago and a little of the beautiful south. I couldn’t wait to explore this unique region and more importantly, taste mouthwatering southern food.
All the food I’d heard so much about, from fried green tomatoes and collard greens to buttery biscuits and fried chicken. Not to mention, pies, donuts and ice cream.
So I’ve rounded up my favourite places to eat that will leave you with a smile on your face and no more room in your stomach. From melt-in-your-mouth brisket to buttery cherry pie, there is food in Charleston and Savannah worth travelling halfway across the world for.
CHARLESTON
There’s no doubt about it, Charleston has a unique charm that is unlike any place I’ve been across the United States. With it’s colonial architecture, relaxed seaside nature and quintessenial southern food, it’s no wonder it’s a top getaway destination for those living near the east coast.
It’s not a big place. You only need a couple of days to see the sights, but it is pretty. And there’s southern treats galore.
CALLIES HOT LITTLE BISCUIT
476, 1/2 King Street, Charleston
Various locations
Tip: Make your first stop in Charleston, Callies. I’m in love with American-style biscuits and these 👆🏻 were seriously good. I tried three different flavours but my favourite was just the plain buttermilk biscuit with butter. Heaven ❤️
SWIG AND SWINE
1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
Tip: How can you go to Charleston and not feast on American BBQ? For melt-in-your-mouth meats and succulent sides, head on over to Swig and Swine. This award-winning hipster BBQ joint offers BBQ plates, ribs, sandwiches, wings and more. I opted for the brisket, coleslaw and mac and cheese 👌🏻
HOMINY GRILL
207 Rutledge Avenue
Tip: We heard great things about Hominy Grill and it was the perfect place for our first night in Charleston. Their modest homestyle southern cooking makes you fall in love with good food all over again. I opted for the Chicken Country Captain, husband got the Low Country Shrimp Bog and we shared a piece of pecan pie. Highly recommend!
Poogan’s Porch
72 Queen Street, Charleston
Tip: For more southern-style cooking, head to Poogan’s Porch. Set inside a gorgeous Victorian house, this restaurant serves more delicious classics. I absolutely LOVED their fried chicken. It came with sausage gravy. SAUSAGE GRAVY. I don’t even know what that is but it was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.
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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
501 King Street, Charleston
Tip: For a sweet treat in Charleston, visit Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. They have loads of beautiful flavours – really creative ones too, like ricotta toast and salted honey pie. Plus they give you a free waffle cookie! #winwin
SAVANNAH
Savannah blew me away. Honestly, I hadn’t heard a lot about Savannah but it made sense to drop by for a couple of days since we were already in the neighbourhood. But boy, am I glad we did. If I had my time again, I would have spent more time in Savannah.
One of my favourite things to do was simply roam the gorgeous streets and admire the unique architecture. It’s quiet and beautiful and far more leafy than I was expecting. The waterfront is lovely too. But to be honest, I’d come back here just for the food.
Back In The Day Bakery
2403 Bull Street, Savannah
Tip: Back In The Day Bakery was such a hidden gem. We wandered there for lunch and I had this gorgeous chicken salad 👆🏻 Can you see those candied walnuts? This is the place to go for sandwiches and salads, plus they have a beautiful selection of baked goods, including pies, cookies and cupcakes. After eating there, I’ve got my eye on their cookbook!
Rise Biscuits and Donuts
10 W Broughton Street, Savannah
Various locations
Tip: Two of my favourite things to eat in America – biscuits and donuts. You can’t go wrong with a snack from Rise. I tried their raspberry jelly donut. It was the best $2.25 I’ve ever spent.
Leopold’s Ice Cream
212 E Broughton Street, Savannah
Tips: The day we went, it was warm and Leopold’s had a line streaming out the door not long after lunchtime. It was clear this place had a true local following. And for good reason. They have myriad of flavours sold by the scoop and a large seating area which offers air-conditioned reprieve from the Savannah heat.
Pie Society
19 Jefferson Street, Savannah
Tip: Words can’t express how good this pie was. I was actually very close to skipping out on Pie Society, even though it was on our list, because I was too full. But my husband was keen to try a piece of pie and I’m so glad he made us go in. This tiny bakery sells pie – all kinds. And this cherry pie 👆🏻 was hands down the best pie I’ve ever had. We are STILL talking about it.
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen
225 East River Street, Savannah
Various locations
Tip: Who doesn’t love a good candy store? Especially one that also sells delicious ice cream. I visited Savannah’s Candy Kitchen both in Savannah and Nashville. They’re famous for their southern candies and pecan pralines, but I highly recommend their creamy praline ice cream.
Tell me, what are your food recommendations in Charleston and Savannah?
Nichole says
I realize this post is a couple years old but my husband spent our most recent anniversary in Charleston back in February and had THE BEST pizza at a funky little place called D’Allesandro’s. It was a bit of a walk outside the downtown area but well worth it!
Jessica Holmes says
Love that Nichole! I’ll add it to my list for next time.