5 Budget Friendly Restaurants in downtown Charleston, SC that will also immerse you in the local scene 

By Mark A Leon

Here are some of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Charleston, SC, where you can enjoy great food without overspending:

• The Griffon (18 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401): A cozy British-inspired pub offering fish ‘n’ chips, burgers, and craft beer with prices between $10–20. It’s casual, has fast service, and is great for lunch or dinner. FYI – Bring a dollar bill – The entire wall and ceiling are covered with dollar bills with notes from patrons over the years that have sought good food and libations. Click HERE for menu.

• Hannibal’s Kitchen (16 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403): This is soul and Gullah food at its finest in the heart of the historic East Side of Charleston, South Carolina! A family-run spot known for homey Southern soul food like crab rice and shark steak, with meals priced around $13-25.  It’s casual, cozy, and offers fast service with free parking nearby. Click HERE for menu.

• Brown Dog Deli (225 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401): Popular for deli sandwiches in a funky retro setting, with prices in the $15-25 range. It’s great for lunch or dinner, offers outdoor seating, and is known for fast service and good value. This one of the gems of the West Side. Trust us when we say this: Follow their TikTok. They bring theatrics and musicals to the restaurant world in a way that is so charming and fun. Click HERE for menu.

• Moe’s Crosstown Tavern (714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403): A neighborhood pub with American comfort food, billiards, and sports on TV. Prices are $12-25, with friendly service and a casual atmosphere. Right in the heart of an emerging urban Mecca with the lights of Hampton Park, The Citadel, High Wire Distilling, Palmetto Brewing Company, Renzo, Berkeley, Leon’s, Little Jack’s, Park & Grove and Herd Provisions just a heartbeat away. Click HERE for menu.

• Big Gun Burger Shop & Bar (137 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401): Creative burgers and Southern small plates with craft brews, priced $15-25, It’s a cozy spot with live music and quick service. Just across the street from Calhoun Square and next to Frontier Lounge and Club Trio, this is truly the central heart of the city. Not to mention it is situated strategically between King and Meeting Streets. Click HERE for menu.

These spots combine good food, friendly atmospheres, and affordable prices, making them ideal for budget-conscious visitors in Charleston.  We assure you that you will co-exist among the locals surrounding yourself with the narrartive and atmosphere of the Southern coast. 

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