The best brunch in Charleston, SC runs from Poogan's Porch, which serves it daily in a Victorian house on Queen Street, to Husk, High Cotton, and Magnolias for dressed-up weekend tables. Brunch in Charleston is less a meal than a weekend ritual. Locals take their time with shrimp and grits, buttermilk biscuits, and a carafe of mimosas, while visitors build entire mornings around a single reservation.The city's kitchens treat the late-morning table as a showcase for Lowcountry cooking, from stone-ground grits to fresh seafood. Whether you want a quiet porch in the French Quarter or a quick sandwich before a day of sightseeing, there is a table that fits.

Quick Take

Best For	First-timers, Sunday-only trips, special occasions, vegan-friendly tables, quick morning sandwiches
Cuisine	Modern Southern, Lowcountry, steakhouse, Italian, seafood, New American, NYC-style
Brunch Days	Daily at Poogan's Porch and Bodega. Saturday and Sunday at Husk, High Cotton, Frannie & The Fox, Park & Grove, and Basic Kitchen. Sunday only at Magnolias and Halls Chophouse.
Price Range	Mains run from about $14 to $49 (High Cotton, Magnolias, and The Darling Oyster Bar post prices)
Reservations	Recommended for weekends. Seven of the 11 take bookings through Resy.
Where	Downtown Charleston, the French Quarter, Upper King, Hampton Park, and Mount Pleasant (Bodega's second location)
Updated	October 2026

Table of Contents

What is the best brunch in Charleston, SC?

1. Husk
2. Poogan's Porch
3. High Cotton
4. Magnolias
5. Halls Chophouse
6. Frannie & The Fox
7. Virginia's on King
8. The Darling Oyster Bar
9. Park & Grove
10. Basic Kitchen
11. Bodega

Which brunch fits your plans?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best brunch in Charleston, SC?

 

For a first visit, Poogan's Porch is the safest answer: it serves brunch every day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a restored Victorian house on Queen Street. For a special occasion, High Cotton, Magnolias, and Halls Chophouse run the most formal dining rooms. For a lighter morning, Park & Grove and Basic Kitchen fit better.

The picks run from the most established Southern dining rooms to the most casual counters, and the right one depends on the day, the dress code, and the appetite. A vegan-friendly plate at Basic Kitchen and a steakhouse Sunday at Halls solve different problems. Compare days and hours in the table before you choose.

#	Restaurant	Best For	Brunch Days and Hours	Address
1	Husk	Modern Southern	Sat to Sun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	76 Queen St
2	Poogan's Porch	Classic Southern, any day	Daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.	72 Queen St
3	High Cotton	Upscale seafood brunch	Sat to Sun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	199 East Bay St
4	Magnolias	Lowcountry classics	Sun, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.	185 East Bay St
5	Halls Chophouse	Steakhouse Sunday brunch	Sun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	434 King St
6	Frannie & The Fox	Wood-fired Italian	Sat to Sun, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.	181 Church St
7	Virginia's on King	Southern comfort food	Sun, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	412 King St
8	The Darling Oyster Bar	Seafood	11 a.m. to 2 p.m.	513 King St
9	Park & Grove	Relaxed weekend brunch	Sat to Sun, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.	730 Rutledge Ave
10	Basic Kitchen	Vegan-friendly	Sat to Sun, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	82 Wentworth St
11	Bodega	Quick sandwiches	Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.	23 Ann St

1. Husk: Best Modern Southern Brunch in Charleston

Husk serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 76 Queen Street in downtown Charleston. Husk is the pick when the menu itself is the reason you came. Its brunch menu is separate from dinner and changes with the season. Husk is Michelin Guide Recommended and ranks number 15 on Robb Report's list of the 100 greatest American restaurants. Two of its named suppliers, Keegan-Filion Farms in Walterboro and Storey Farms on Johns Island, sit in the Charleston region.

Good to Know: Husk's Bar and Patio occupies a nineteenth-century kitchen house next to the main building and seats guests first come, first served. Its posted hours begin at 4 p.m., so it does not cover brunch. For a weekend morning, book the main dining room on Resy.

2. Poogan's Porch: Best Classic Southern Brunch, Any Day of the Week

Poogan's Porch serves brunch every day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 72 Queen Street, in a restored Victorian house that has operated as a restaurant since 1976. Along with Bodega, it is the most flexible brunch in town. Shrimp and grits is the dish the restaurant promotes first.

The house is named for Poogan, a neighborhood dog, and the restaurant leans into tales of resident ghosts. Diners praise the fried chicken, the biscuits, and a Cobb wedge built with marinated butter beans. It also holds a Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice badge and a place in Southern Living's 2026 legendary restaurants feature. Because weekday brunch is rare downtown, Poogan's is the strongest answer for a trip that does not include a weekend.

3. High Cotton: Best Upscale Seafood Brunch in the French Quarter

High Cotton serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 199 East Bay Street in the French Quarter. Mains include Chicken & Waffles at $20, Crab Cakes Benedict at $22, and Shrimp & Grits at $28. Reservations go through Resy.

The brunch menu opens with a High Cotton Cinnamon Roll at $10 and five beignets with blueberry compote at $15, then moves to oysters and a raw bar. The Mimosa Trio puts three carafes on the table (peach nectar, cranberry, and orange juice) with a full bottle of sparkling wine for $45, or a half bottle for $30. The dining rooms have heart pine floors and antique brick. Reservations are a must, even for brunch.

4. Magnolias: Best Sunday Brunch for Lowcountry Classics

Magnolias serves brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 185 East Bay Street, a building on the site of Charleston's original Customs House. The restaurant opened in July 1990 and still cooks Lowcountry classics under Culinary Director Kelly Franz. Brunch is Sunday only.

The brunch menu runs from an $8 cinnamon roll and a $13 Down South Egg Roll with collard greens, tasso ham, and peach chutney to a $49 filet of beef. Banana Pudding French Toast with bacon and peanut butter syrup is $24. Shrimp & Sausage over Grits with tasso gravy is $28 for a full plate or $18 for a half, which leaves room for a starter. Vegetarians can order the $22 Buddha Bowl with red peas and rice, sunny eggs, and grilled avocado, which lists no meat.

5. Halls Chophouse: Best Steakhouse-Style Sunday Brunch

Halls Chophouse serves Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 434 King Street. The steakhouse also runs a separate Saturday lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Recommended attire is business casual. The Hall family opened this location in 2009, and the restaurant describes itself as an old-school steakhouse with attentive service and a selected wine list. Cut-off T-shirts are prohibited and baseball caps stay out of the dining rooms, though the bar areas set aside walk-in tables for casually dressed guests. Same-day tables go through the phone line at 843-727-0090, and advance bookings run through Resy.

6. Frannie & The Fox: Best Wood-Fired Italian Brunch in a Courtyard

Frannie & The Fox serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 181 Church Street, inside Hotel Emeline. The kitchen cooks over wood fire with Italian sensibilities and shareable plates. Reservations are recommended and run through Resy.

The courtyard and an adjacent greenhouse offer open-air dining, which is the seating to request on a pleasant morning. Cornmeal and buttermilk pancakes with sorghum butter and maple syrup are a brunch-table favorite. Weekend brunch starts at 8 a.m., which ties Bodega for the earliest start in town. Breakfast runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., so the same kitchen covers weekdays too.

7. Virginia's on King: Best Southern Comfort Brunch on King Street

Virginia's on King serves upscale Lowcountry cooking at 412 King Street, and brunch is a point of pride for the kitchen. The menu centers on tomato pie, pimento cheese, shrimp and grits, sawmill gravy, crab cakes, and fried chicken. Call 843-735-5800 to confirm brunch hours before you go.

The dish the kitchen highlight for brunch is Sawmill Poutine, loaded with cheese curds and gravy. Sunday brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a quick call confirms whether Saturday service is offered. Weekday breakfast runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday. Upstairs at Virginia's is a separate dining room used for private events, so ask about it if your party is large.

8. The Darling Oyster Bar: Best Seafood Brunch on King Street

The Darling Oyster Bar lists brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 513 King Street. The menu leans seafood, with Shrimp & Grits at $24, Crab Cake Benedict at $19, and a Lobster Roll at $29. Reservations are taken by phone at 843-641-0821.

Hush puppies with sorghum butter are $7, a glazed blueberry biscuit is $8, and an oyster shooter with pepper-infused vodka is $8. A Seafood Frittata with blue crab, shrimp, and goat cheese is $20, and chowder fries with local clams are $15. Fry baskets of shrimp, fish, or oysters run $22 for one choice, $27 for two, and $32 for three. Call ahead to confirm brunch days before you plan around these prices.

9. Park & Grove: Best Relaxed Weekend Brunch Near Hampton Park

Park & Grove serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 730 Rutledge Avenue, steps from Hampton Park. It is a seasonal New American restaurant, and free parking is available in the lot across the street. Reservations go through Resy, and groups of 9 to 12 should call 843-410-1070.

Parties of 13 or more books through an inquiry form instead of Resy. Street parking also runs along Rutledge and Grove Street, which keeps the plan simple compared with the King Street corridor. The same dining room runs weekday lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour, and dinner Monday through Saturday. A loyalty rewards program makes it an easy repeat for locals.

10. Basic Kitchen: Best Vegan-Friendly and Gluten-Free Brunch

Basic Kitchen lists weekend daytime hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 82 Wentworth Street, with a separate brunch menu built around seasonal, vegan-friendly dishes. Weekday daytime hours run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations go through Resy.

The brunch menu includes cauliflower wings with house vegan ranch, a vegan Caesar with crispy chickpeas, a Veggie Hash with farmers market vegetables and two sunny eggs, and a gluten-free banana bread with brown butter cream cheese. Meat eaters get a double-patty burger on grass-fed Brasstown beef and a plate with chicken sausage. The kitchen also invites guests to buy it a burger for $5 and matches the purchase.

Good to Know: Basic Kitchen adds a 3 percent service charge to every check, and the menu states that this charge is not a tip. Parties of seven or more also pay a 20 percent tip. Both policies are printed on the menu, so keep them in mind before you split a bill.

11. Bodega: Best Quick NYC-Style Breakfast Sandwich

Bodega serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week at 23 Ann Street downtown, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with a second location in Mount Pleasant. The menu follows the New York bodega model, built around breakfast sandwiches on kaiser rolls. Both locations have a full bar.

Executive Chef Alec Gropman built the menu around old-school brunch staples, some with a Charleston twist. The kitchen also pushes its coffee program. On Fridays and Saturdays the downtown room reopens from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., so the same space works at both ends of a weekend. Of the 11 restaurants, Bodega asks the least of your schedule, and the Mount Pleasant location helps if you are staying across the Cooper River.

Which brunch fits your plans?

Start from the limit that matters most, usually the day of the week. Husk, High Cotton, Frannie & The Fox, Park & Grove, and Basic Kitchen serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday, while Magnolias and Halls Chophouse serve it on Sunday only. Weekday brunch is less common downtown than many visitors expect.

Your plan	Start here
First visit, any day of the week	Poogan's Porch
Sunday only, dressed up	Magnolias or Halls Chophouse
Early start (8 a.m.)	Frannie & The Fox or Bodega
Vegan-friendly or gluten-free	Basic Kitchen
Seafood and oysters	The Darling Oyster Bar or High Cotton
Group of 9 to 12	Park & Grove (call 843-410-1070)
Staying in Mount Pleasant	Bodega

Most of these restaurants take reservations, and the sit-down ones are worth booking ahead on weekends. If a table is full, a neighbor is usually close: Husk and Poogan's Porch share the same stretch of Queen Street, and High Cotton and Magnolias are both on East Bay Street. Check each restaurant's hours the week you travel, since menus and schedules change.

Related Guides

• Breakfast & Brunch in Charleston
• Downtown Charleston Area Guide
• Things to do in Charleston, SC, the full guide to attractions, tours, and activities across
• Where to eat and drink in Charleston

About the Author

Robert Smith is the owner of Charleston.com and the founder of The Chart Group, a Johns Island media company that has spent years producing photography, video, and web work for Lowcountry businesses. He writes from first-hand experience: the restaurants he has eaten at, the shows he has seen, and the trips he has actually taken. He has been getting shut out of the Beachwalker lot since long before there was a virtual queue for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need reservations for brunch in Charleston? 

Yes, book ahead for weekend brunch at sit-down restaurants. Husk, High Cotton, Magnolias, Halls Chophouse, Frannie & The Fox, Basic Kitchen, and Park & Grove all link to Resy. Halls takes same-day requests by phone at 843-727-0090, and Bodega has its own reservations page.

Which Charleston restaurants serve brunch every day? 

Poogan's Porch lists brunch daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 72 Queen Street. Bodega serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 23 Ann Street. Magnolias and Halls Chophouse serve brunch on Sundays only.

How much does brunch cost in Charleston? 

Mains run from about $14 for French toast at The Darling Oyster Bar to $49 for a filet at Magnolias. High Cotton's Shrimp & Grits is $28, and its full-bottle mimosa trio is $45. Taxes and gratuity are extra.

Where can you get vegan or vegetarian brunch in Charleston? 

Basic Kitchen at 82 Wentworth Street markets vegan-friendly dishes, including cauliflower wings and a vegan Caesar. Magnolias' Buddha Bowl and High Cotton's Farmers Market Omelet list no meat, though both include eggs or dairy. Menus change seasonally, so confirm ingredients with your server.

Where is the best shrimp and grits brunch in Charleston? 

High Cotton serves it with andouille and brown gravy for $28. Magnolias uses tasso gravy and speckled grits, at $28 or $18 for a half. The Darling Oyster Bar tops cheddar grits with country ham for $24, and Poogan's Porch promotes its version as a signature.

Which brunch spots have outdoor seating?

 Frannie & The Fox offers open-air dining in a courtyard and an adjacent greenhouse at 181 Church Street. Hall's Chophouse also has outside patio seating. Husk's Bar and Patio opens at 4 p.m., so it does not cover brunch. Ask about patio seating when you reserve.