While summer Fridays may be dwindling down, cooler days are just on the horizon — and a nice breeze seems like the perfect excuse to take an extra long lunch. Whether you need a break from the cubicle or you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, these are some of our favorite spots for noshing, sipping and staying a while.
Downtown
Malagón
Head to the tiny Spanish taperia and mercado for tapas, cheeses, charcuterie and some larger plates like La Bomba de la Barceloneta (a pork stuffed mashed potato “bomb” with tomato and aioli) when you venture out for your next nice lunch. Pair your meal with a glass of wine (or two, it’s your special midday meal, after all) and pretend you’re whiling away the afternoon in Spain.
Open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday. malagonchs.com
Magnolias
An East Bay stalwart, Magnolias is a great spot for a lunch with coworkers or pals. Get an order of fried green tomatoes (at Magnolias they’re served up right with white cheddar and caramelized onion grits, country ham, tomato chutney and tomato butter) for the table and split a bottle of wine while you peruse the entrees.
Open for lunch Monday through Saturday. magnoliascharleston.com
Park & Grove
Park & Grove calls itself a seasonal eatery and it’s easy to see why when scanning the menu. Choose from items like the au pistou soup, made with seasonal veggies; a peach salad made with peaches from local Shuler Peach Company and grilled local shrimp served over (local, again) Spade & Clover pepper salad. Pair your meal with a seasonal cocktail or keep things buzzing with a fun caffeinated drink, like the toasted honey latte.
Open for lunch Monday through Friday. parkandgrovechs.com
West Ashley
The Glass Onion
Pop over to West Ashley for a chance to enjoy some of chef Chris Stewart’s fresh and inventive takes on comfort food. The Glass Onion’s menu changes daily and always features as many local ingredients as possible. Some recent dishes include the braised pork belly, made with Keegan Filion pork and served with smashed potatoes, butter beans and sweet pepper relish and a cornmeal fried shrimp po boy, with Atlantic shrimp and Kurios Farms bibb lettuce and tomato.
Open for lunch Monday through Saturday. ilovetheglassonion.com
La Bonne Franquette
Another West Ashley destination, La Bonne Franquette is serving a bustling bistro lunch off of St. Andrews Boulevard. The menu is simple and so very French, with classic options like quiche, oysters and cheese and charcuterie. Sip on a cocktail or a couple bottles of wine and pretend you’re lazing by the Seine, if only for the afternoon.
Open for lunch Tuesday through Friday. labonnefranquettechs.com
Mount Pleasant
Five Loaves Cafe
Either the Mount Pleasant or Summerville location of this longtime Charleston staple will fulfill your needs for a nice, slow lunch. While Five Loaves is great for takeout and quick service, it’s also ideal for lingering, especially if you’re keen on ordering a bottle of wine (or a cocktail from the full bar). Pair your lunch drinks with the soup sampler and half a sandwich and salad to try as many bites as possible.
Open for lunch Monday through Friday (Summerville) and through Saturday (Mount Pleasant). fiveloavescafe.com
Tavern & Table
Take in a view of Shem Creek while enjoying new American cuisine at Tavern & Table. Keep things snack-y with charcuterie and raw bar offerings or dive into bigger bites like flatbreads, burgers and classic dishes like shrimp and grits. The cocktail list offers some very reasonably priced drinks, too, so you might as well sip on a few Black & Blue Mules, made with Stolichnaya vodka, ginger beer, blueberry and blackberry compote and fresh lime for just $11.
Open for lunch Monday through Saturday. tavernandtable.com
North Charleston/Summerville
MOMO Riverfront Park
Nestled against the backdrop of the Cooper River, MOMO serves some solid raw bar offerings, fun appetizers and big sandwiches. Whether you’re looking for a double seafood tower (add an oyster shooter for just $5!) or a smattering of apps like deviled eggs, brussels and smoked whitefish pate, MOMO has got you covered. Be sure to check out the inventive cocktail list, too. We’re fond of the caprese martini made with burrata-washed Tito’s.
Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday. momocharleston.com
Oscar’s of Summerville
Head to Oscar’s for a classic all-American long lunch, with menu items like French onion soup and salmon Caesar salad. The longstanding Summerville restaurant serves fresh, filling entrees like the Charleston crab melt, braised short ribs and sweet tea pork chop. Don’t miss out on the rotating blue plate specials — we’ve got our eyes on Thursday’s barbecue ribs. The spot has wine, beer and a full bar to boot.
Open for lunch Monday through Saturday. oscarsofsummerville.com
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