Foodie Vacation in Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of our favorite places to visit. It has a rich history, beautiful architecture and is an epicenter of gluten-free food. There is an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops, all of which offer a variety of gluten-free items. The food scene is what I look forward to the most when we visit Charleston. Here are a few of our favorite spots we have enjoyed on our visits to this foodie-centered city.

Fleets Landing

Fleets Landing is a landmark in downtown Charleston. Despite the popularity, it is in a beautiful location on the water during the right time of the year and is the perfect spot to enjoy the nice breeze while eating dinner. It is an excellent place for a night out on the town while you enjoy walking around the historic street. Most days, there is a wait out the door, so making a reservation is highly suggested. I enjoyed their grilled salmon with balsamic vegetables and sauteed green beans. The salmon was cooked perfectly, but the star of the plate was the balsamic vegetables. I have been trying to replicate the recipe since our lunch.

Carmella’s

Carmella’s was an unexpected find while window shopping during our last trip. I wanted coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up and saw their sign which said “cafe and dessert bar.” While waiting in line, I glanced into the display case to see if there were any baked goods the kids would like. To my surprise, I saw a variety of gluten-free desserts. For once, I had options when it came to sweets! I ordered the lemon meringue tart and was not disappointed. It was the perfect compliment to my coffee, and I ate every bite! Carmella’s menu has added new gluten-free desserts since our visit, and I can’t wait to see what they have in the future.

Brown Dog Deli

Brown Dog Deli is by far one of my favorite places to eat for lunch. The deli has two locations in Charleston, one near Rainbow Row (where we dined) and the other on Calhoun St, which is more central to the downtown area. The one on Calhoun St. serves breakfast and lunch, while the one near Rainbow Row is open for lunch. Both locations offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options; however, the delis offer different menus. I enjoyed the Rosemary’s Baby’s Daddy chicken sandwich on gluten-free bread. It was delicious, and the side of broccoli salad was just as wonderful. The variety from both places exceeded expectations, so I’ll be excited to taste the food from the Calhoun St location on our next visit.

Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar

We have eaten our fair share of oysters over the years at various restaurants; however, they have yet to compare to the one served at Amen Street Fish and Saw Bar. My husband and I went on a date night, so we indulged by ordering the Premium Oysters. Those oysters were full of flavor, came with two different sauces, and a dozen oysters were from various places up and down the east coast. After our appetizer, we enjoyed our main course. I loved the flavor, crunch, and texture of the tune tacos while my husband devoured the shrimp and grits. Both dishes are gluten-free and packed with flavor. We will be making this restaurant a staple for all our future visits.