You simply cannot come to Charleston without stuffing yourself silly with the freshest, most glorious oysters we’ve ever had. And where better to take your pick than Leon’s Oyster Shop. Fans whir overhead and Bloody Marys run strong at this casual restaurant on upper King. If burgers are more your bag, pop next door to sister spot Little Jack’s Tavern for the best of the best.

Simply outstanding. We can hardly imagine a better way to describe this pint-sized bakery. The menu changes daily, and the queue outside can snake around the corner, so we like to call in our orders by phone. If you find yourself with a spare window, scoop up a loaf of the benne sourdough (that’s ‘sesame’ in Gullah, or Sea Island Creole), grab some nibbly bits from goat.sheep.cow. and set up a little picnic at White Point Garden.