Charleston has a multitude of fun weekend activities to offer visitors, including a variety of dining experiences, from fine dining restaurants to local cafes and eateries. And if you’re looking for a delicious weekend brunch while visit the beautiful beaches, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog post, I’ll explore the top 10 brunch spots in the city. Whether you’re a local or just passing through on a weekend trip, these brunch restaurants are sure to satisfy your taste buds!
List of the best brunch spots in Charleston, SC
- Miller’s All Day
- Early Bird Diner
- Poogan’s Porch
- Obstinate Daughter
- High Cotton
- Vicious Biscuit
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
- Vintage Coffee Cafe
- Swamp Fox Restaurant
- Basic Kitchen
List of the Best Brunch Spots in Charleston, SC
When it comes to brunch, this coastal city is home to some of the best restaurants in the South.
Whether you’re in the mood for southern classics like chicken biscuits and grits or something more modern like avocado toast and French toast, you’ll find it all in Charleston.
1. Miller’s All Day
Miller’s All Day is one of Charleston’s most popular spots for brunch lovers. It’s owned by celebrated Southern chefs and they source many of their ingredients locally.
Fun fact: The restaurant’s name pays homage to the fact that they serve breakfast all day long, making it the perfect spot for those who love breakfast food!
Some of Miller’s All Day’s popular dishes include eggs benedict, avocado toast, and grits. For those with a sweet tooth, their French toast is a must-try.
And, you can’t do Sunday brunch without a mimosa or creative beverage. Miller’s offers many fun and unique mimosa choices, like:
- The classic, with bubbles and orange juice
- The pomegranate, with bubbles and pomegranate puree
- The bellini, with prosecco and peach puree
- The blueberry, with prosecco and blueberry puree
Miller’s All Day has two locations. The original spot is located in the heart of downtown Charleston, which is most popular with visitors staying downtown. They also have a location on James Island and a food truck.
Location: 120 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
2. Early Bird Diner
Located in West Ashley, the Early Bird Diner has been a local favorite since 2008. The restaurant has a retro diner vibe and serves up classic Southern fare with a twist.
This is a great place to stop by on your way to hunt for shark’s teeth on Folly Beach or James Island!
Early Bird Diner has a Sunday Brunch menu, as well as a daily breakfast and lunch menu. On the brunch menu, you’ll find classic brunch dishes like buttermilk pancakes and biscuits and gravy.
If you want to switch it up, go for a fun dish with a Southern flair, like the chicken and waffles. It comes with pecan fried chicken and a cinnamon waffle with honey mustard BBQ sauce and syrup.
And if you stop by for lunch, go for their fried green tomato sandwich with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and bacon on toasted white bread. It’s a fan favorite for a reason!
Location: 1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
3. Poogan’s Porch
Poogan’s Porch is a staple of the Charleston brunch scene and has been serving up delicious Southern fare for over 40 years. This is one of the best places in Charleston for Sunday brunch!
Located on charming Queen Street, Poogan’s Porch is housed in a Victorian-style home that dates back to 1888.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves up classic Southern dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner. And if you’re looking for a great dinner spot, Poogan’s is also on our list of best restaurants in historic Charleston, SC!
Poogan’s Porch puts a modern touch on traditional Lowcountry cuisine. For starters, try the she-crab soup or pimento cheese fritters for a taste of the South in a single bite.
And here are some of the delicious brunch entrees you’ll find on the menu:
- Brioche French toast with an orange maple bourbon syrup
- The chicken fried pork chop with eggs, stoneground grits, and gravy
- A traditional breakfast plate with eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns or grits
One of the highlights of brunch at Poogan’s Porch is their famous bloody mary. Made with their house-made mix and served with pickled okra, it’s the perfect pairing to their savory brunch dishes.
Location: 72 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
4. Obstinate Daughter
Obstinate Daughter is a popular Sullivan’s Island restaurant that offers a unique twist on brunch. This bright and airy brunch spot is known for its Italian-inspired cuisine and inventive cocktail list.
The atmosphere at Obstinate Daughter is relaxed and welcoming, with plenty of outdoor seating available for those who want to enjoy their brunch with a view of the ocean.
One of the standout items on their brunch menu is the OD Skillet, which is made with potatoes, peppers, onions, chorizo, cheese, and eggs. The Frogmore chowder with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes is also a must-try for seafood lovers.
And for those with a sweet tooth, their chef’s choice sweet roll is a decadent treat!
Location: 2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
5. High Cotton
High Cotton is a fine dining restaurant in downtown Charleston’s historic district. While the restaurant is known for its delicious dinner menu, it also offers a great weekend brunch menu.
Whether you’re in the mood for classic comfort food or innovative twists on traditional dishes, High Cotton has got you covered.
Here are some of the delicious brunch offerings you’ll find on their menu:
- Crab Cake Benedict: lump crab cake, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce on a grilled English muffin
- Brunch Burger: A spin on a classic burger with a sunny-side-up egg on top and a side of truffle fries
- Chicken and waffles: Crispy buttermilk fried chicken served over a Belgian waffle with a sriracha-honey glaze
And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, you have to try High Cotton’s cinnamon roll with vanilla glaze!
In addition to the delicious Southern food, High Cotton offers a large cocktail menu with creative many beverages. They also offer different juice options for their mimosas, like cranberry juice, peach puree, or classic orange juice.
Pro tip: High Cotton’s atmosphere is perfect for a romantic Sunday brunch date. And for other romantic date ideas in Charleston, check out this blog post.
Location: 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
6. Vicious Biscuit
Vicious Biscuit is a casual brunch spot in Mount Pleasant, which is a short drive from Downtown Charleston. It’s a cozy and casual eatery known for its delicious biscuits.
They also offer outdoor seating and a fun atmosphere that makes it a great place to grab brunch with friends.
One of the most popular dishes on their brunch menu is the Chicken Biscuit, which features a crispy fried chicken breast sandwiched between two fluffy biscuits. This is a must-try at Vicious Biscuit!
They also have a delicious Huevos Rancheros biscuit! It comes on a cheddar jalapeno biscuit with a black bean spread, avocado, pico de gallo, and a sunny-side-up egg.
To wash it down, they offer a variety of alcoholic beverages and hand-crafted coffee drinks.
Location: 409 W Coleman Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
7. Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
For one of the best brunches on King Street, check out Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. This small, cozy shop is located in the heart of the city’s historic district and offers a range of delicious homemade biscuits, as well as other Southern treats.
One of the most popular items on the menu is the classic buttermilk biscuit. They are made fresh daily! The flaky, buttery biscuits come with your choice of topping, with offerings like:
- Blackberry jam
- Pimento cheese
- Cinnamon butter
- Peach bourbon jam
- Sausage gravy, and more!
They also offer classic biscuit sandwiches, like a bacon, egg, and cheese. For those with a sweet tooth, the shop’s cinnamon biscuits and chocolate biscuits are a must-try.
If you can’t make it to Callie’s but you still want to try their biscuits, they’ve got you covered. Callie’s sells their biscuits directly from their website to your doorstep!
And since you’ll be in the middle of Charleston’s historic district, make the most out of your Sunday and find a historic Charleston walking tour. We rounded up the top 5 walking tours in historic Charleston in this blog post!
Location: 476 1/2 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
8. Vintage Coffee Cafe
If you’re looking for a great brunch spot in Charleston, Vintage Coffee Cafe is definitely worth a visit.
The cafe is located in a historic building in the charming Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood. It’s a favorite spot for a laid-back Sunday brunch!
One of the highlights of the brunch menu at Vintage Coffee Cafe is the classic waffle, with honey butter, maple syrup, and a side of scrambled eggs. Lighter brunch fare includes avocado toast and acai bowls.
Vintage Coffee Cafe is also known for its excellent coffee, which is locally roasted and brewed fresh each day. They offer a range of classic espresso drinks, as well as unique seasonal beverages.
One of the best things about Vintage Coffee Cafe is the outdoor seating area, which is perfect for enjoying a sunny Sunday morning with friends or family.
Location: 219 Simmons St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
9. Swamp Fox Restaurant
Swamp Fox is located in the historic Francis Marion Hotel in the heart of downtown Charleston, South Carolina. The restaurant offers a fine dining atmosphere with a focus on Southern cuisine.
Fun fact: the restaurant is named after the Revolutionary War hero, Francis Marion, who was nicknamed the “Swamp Fox”.
The brunch menu at Swamp Fox Restaurant features a variety of classic breakfast dishes with a Southern twist. Here are some of the brunch favorites on their menu:
- The award-winning shrimp & grits with shrimp and lobster gravy over local grits
- The eggs benedict
- The cinnamon vanilla French toast
And, they also offer plenty of lighter cuisine!
If you don’t want a full meal but still want to try Swamp Fox, look at their grains and fruit menu items. This includes dishes like their house granola served over honey Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.
And in addition to the great food, Swamp Fox Restaurant has an elegant dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Marion Square.
Location: 387 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
10. Basic Kitchen
Last but not least is Basic Kitchen. Basic Kitchen is a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Charleston. Basic Kitchen uses only fresh, local ingredients from nearby farms to create its delicious dishes.
Basic Kitchen has a bright and airy dining room with plenty of outdoor seating. It’s the perfect place to start your day with Sunday brunch before exploring the city.
The dishes on the brunch menu are healthy and light. The menu is split up into small plates, sandwiches, bowls, and salads. Here are some of the most popular dishes on the menu:
- Gluten-free banana bread with brown butter cream cheese
- Avocado toast
- The basic bowl with roasted sweet potato, broccoli, kale, chickpeas, and grains
- The vegan Caesar salad
And, you can pair your brunch with a fresh juice or smoothie from their drink menu! They also offer a rotating selection of craft beers and organic wines.
Location: 82 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Table of The Best Brunch Spots in Charleston, SC
| Restaurant Name | Description | Avg. Google Reviews & Number Of |
|---|---|---|
| Miller’s All Day | -serves the most important meal of the day “all day” |  (1,430+ reviews) |
| Early Bird Diner | -Local favorite known for Chicken & Waffles | (3,240+) |
| Poogan’s Porch | -Charming location of a beautiful Victorian townhouse -Classic Southern | (4,140+) |
| Obstinate Daughter | -unique blend of Italian, French, and Spanish cuisine with coastal Carolina influences | (1,720+) |
| High Cotton | -elegant, Southern-style brunches | (1,990+) |
| Vicious Biscuit | -innovative biscuit-based dishes -fun, relaxed atmosphere. | (1,910+) |
| Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit | -amazing biscuits and wide variety | (1,600+) |
| Vintage Coffee Cafe | -family-friendly cafe perfect spot for a casual brunch, along with coffee & smoothies | (575+) |
| Swamp Fox Restaurant | -classic Southern brunch with a touch of elegance -traditional dishes like shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes. | (575+) |
| Basic Kitchen | – healthy food that tastes amazing – fresh, flavorful dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. | (870+) |
Other Ideas for Brunch and Breakfast Places in Charleston
Also, check out these recipes for the days you want to make your own delicious breakfasts:
Or check out The Breakfast Bible on Amazon for a cookbook.
Also, I use Lodge Cast Iron or a Carbon Steel pan for most of my cooking, including breakfasts!
Conclusion to The Best Brunch Spots in Charleston, SC
Charleston’s brunch scene is a reflection of its unique culture and history. From classic southern cuisine to modern twists on breakfast favorites, the restaurants in this city offer something for everyone.
And while you’re in the Holy City, make sure you check out all the fun attractions, entertainment, restaurants, and more the city has to offer:
