#1
167 Raw Oyster Bar
$$-$$$
Ansonborough / King Street
Why #1 Lobster roll + raw bar at lunch — fast, serious, no reservations needed
New England-style oyster bar on King Street serving oysters, lobster rolls, fish tacos, shrimp rolls, and daily crudo — wait the line or go right when it opens (11am Mon–Sat) for a fast, high-quality seafood lunch.
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025 (#21 in Charleston overall)Yelp Top 100 spots recognitionResy staff picks for lunch
#2
The Pass
$-$$
Spring St / Cannonborough (downtown); Northcutt Plaza (Mount Pleasant)
Why #2 Chef Marini's Italian sandwiches rival any in the Northeast — Mount Pleasant gem
Artisan deli and Italian market with obsessively crafted sandwiches — the 'Such a Nice Italian Boy' Italian sub and the 'Cacio e Pepe' grilled cheese (with truffle honey) are the main events; also antipasti, salads, and Italian pantry.
Resy Hit List #13 March 2026Viral 'Such a Nice Italian Boy' sandwichCharleston City Paper top quick lunch pick
#3
Lewis Barbecue
$$-$$$
East Central / NoMo
Why #3 Counter-service BBQ at its best — in and out with world-class brisket
Texas-style Central BBQ counter service by pitmaster John Lewis — brisket sliced to order, beef ribs (weekends only), pulled pork, hot guts sausage, green chili corn pudding; gravel patio with picnic tables and a full bar.
Michelin Bib Gourmand (2025)TripAdvisor #6 in Charleston overall (1,000+ reviews)Described by Michelin as 'Texas by way of the Lowcountry'
#4
Queen Street Grocery
$-$$
Beloved corner store and café serving hot-press…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
↓ 1
#5
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
$
Charleston's most famous biscuit brand with a d…
National media recognition (Oprah's Favorite Things,…
↑ 1
#6
Rodney Scott's BBQTemporarily Closed
$$
Whole-hog pit BBQ by James Beard-winning pitmas…
Michelin Bib Gourmand (2025)
↑ 3
#7
Leon's Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop
$$
Retrofitted auto-body shop with excellent fried…
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025
↓ 2
#8
Burbage's Grocery
$
Old-school neighborhood grocery store on Broad …
Charleston City Paper 2025 top quick lunch pick
↑ 3
#9
Dave's Carry-Out
$
Legendary takeout window on Morris Street servi…
Charleston food institution with 40+ year history
—
#10
Pink Bellies
$$
Vietnamese-American restaurant on Upper King se…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
—
#11
Basic Kitchen
$$
Vegetable-forward café close to King Street ser…
Eater Carolinas best lunch list
↑ 1
#12
Hannibal's Kitchen
$
Eastside soul food legend serving rice and bean…
40+ year Eastside institution
New
#13
Boxcar Betty's
$
Counter-service chicken sandwich shop serving '…
TripAdvisor Top 10 lunch (Charleston)
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#14
Mercantile & Mash
$$
Downtown all-day restaurant and bar with ample …
Charleston City Paper quick lunch pick
New