In a city known for food, finding a quick, affordable lunch is sometimes, well, just plain challenging. Whether you need a spot for a hassle-free lunch meeting or are looking to fuel up before heading back to the office, we wanted to find out where people go when they need an easy lunch.
Here are 10 top lunch spots enjoyed by readers, based on an unscientific Instagram poll (listed in alphabetical order):
Burbage’s Grocery
Burbage’s Grocery is a neighborhood grocery store on Broad Street that offers everything from deli items to local products to prepared foods. A neighborhood favorite since 1946, this family-owned store scratches almost every lunch itch. A variety of hot dogs are offered and a made-to-order deli counter has Boar’s Head meats and cheese. The cold cases hold items like deviled eggs, premade sandwiches and an outstanding pimento cheese. More: @burbagesonbroad on Facebook
Café Roca
A relative newcomer, Café Roca has been bringing delicious eats to West Ashley since July 2025. It has a great coffee program and a new small bite menu available after 4 p.m., but its lunchtime salads got two thumbs up. Think a Caesar with crumbled bacon and grated egg, a Cobb with house-made ranch dressing or a carne asada salad with chimichurri-marinated steak, all the veggies and a chipotle cilantro dressing. More: @caferoca_chs on Instagram
Huriyali
Huriyali’s original location near Hampton Park is going strong along with a newer location in Riverland. From acai bowls and avocado toast to tofu Banh Mi or a turkey panini featuring a delicious house-made sweet potato hummus, both locations offer outdoor seating for the perfect lunch with a friend or a solo work session. More: huriyali.com
LoLa
LoLa’s two locations — in Mount Pleasant and Park Circle — bring the bayou to Charleston with authentic Louisiana cuisine. New Orleans barbecue shrimp are served with Tabasco-Worcestershire butter and you can get your mac’ and cheese with crawfish, chicken or shrimp and andouille sausage. There are a few takes on gumbo with shrimp, andouille, crawfish and oysters, along with New Orleans sandwiches, including a classic muffuletta alongside a selection of po’boys. More: lolaparkcircle.com
Mercantile & Mash
Mercantile and Mash offers ample downtown parking, all-day breakfast, soups, salads and sandwiches. On the seasonally changing menu, you might find items like duck confit tacos, a black bean burger, a fried bologna sandwich or a harvest salad with greens, apple, fennel, walnuts, cheddar and mustard herb vinaigrette. More: mercandmash.com
Mozzo
You can find Mozzo downtown and in two locations in Mount Pleasant. The joint’s salad section offers classics like a Caesar, chef and a cobb, and you can find an endless sandwich menu that has everything from an eggplant parm to a Reuben. You can also build your own and any sandwich can be cold, heated, pressed or grilled. More: @mozzochs on Instagram
Pink Cactus
If you find yourself at this Oaxacan-style Mexican restaurant during lunchtime, it might be hard to order just one thing. The elote dip is Mexican street style corn with queso, jalapeño and onion and is a great starter before a taco plate or a torta. Enchiladas come with green or red mole and are a delicious choice after snacking on queso fundido, baked cheese with roasted poblanos. And if it’s a boozy lunch, pick from margaritas, a mezcal negroni or a paloma. More: pinkcactuschs.com
Queen Street Grocery
As Queen Street Grocery’s website states, it’s “not your average corner store” and it practices what it preaches. Classics like a Cuban and Italian are offered along with the Tenacious Turkey, ciabatta stacked with turkey, brie, green apple, sprouts and honey basil aioli. The Queen Street salad has goat cheese, walnuts and green apples on spinach and the grocery’s Caesar and chef salads are delicious iterations of the classics. More: queenstreetgrocerycafe.com
Saffron Bakery
Saffron Bakery has been serving Charleston from its East Bay location since 1986. Mediterranean and Persian flavors are found with fresh baked bread and delicious pastries. Falafel with hummus is a great pairing with the pearl couscous salad containing roasted peppers, onions, garbanzo beans, olives, fresh herbs, lemon olive dressing and grilled tofu. Gyros come with lamb or chicken and the shirazi salad has diced English cucumber, Roma tomatoes, red onions, herbs and lemon juice. You can also find classics like a tuna melt, a turkey club and a fried chicken sandwich. More: saffronfoods.com
Three Little Birds
Tucked away in the South Windemere shopping center in West Ashley, the lunch menu at Three Little Birds has smashing sandwiches, salads and pasta. Rosemary ham and smoked gouda is served on Tuscan bread and the birdhouse burrito is stuffed with black beans, tofu, peppers, onions and sweet potatoes. Salad options include a classic Caesar and a Greek and the three little B’s salad has roasted Brussels sprouts, beets, bleu cheese, onions and pumpkin seeds over greens with a lemon basil vinaigrette. More: threelittlebirdscafe.com
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