Dining on and off the College of Charleston Campus

Charleston has a reputation as a food town, but you don’t have to leave campus for a good meal. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer within a stroll of the classrooms and residence halls.

Yes, there’s a Chick-fil-A on campus full of the fast food favorites you know from home.

City Bistro, in Berry Residence Hall, is one of the College of Charleston’s residential all-you-care-to-eat dining hall. With seven stations, this facility offers an upscale rotating menu, consisting of items such as delicious seafood, brick-oven pizzas and gourmet burgers.

Marty’s Place (Photo by Reese Moore)

If you need a quick breakfast, stop by Einstein Bros. Bagels for a sandwich on the way to class.

Liberty St. Fresh Food Company is an all-you-can-eat location features unlimited buffet style options. Choose from flame-grilled entrees, brick-oven pizza, vegetarian stir-fry, pasta, or an abundant salad bar.

For vegan, vegetarian, and kosher meals, check out the newest dining option on campus, Marty’s Place. The Sriracha cauliflower is super popular.

The Stern Center Food Court is the place to indulge in your favorite national and local brands. Stern Center Food Court features Olilo (Mediterranean grain bowls & salads), Boar’s Head Deli, Jole Mole, and fresh sushi prepared on site daily.

You don’t have to go off campus to find tasty bites, but is you do decide to wonder off, here’s a few spots run by College of Charleston alums.

For a quick dinner of bright salads, meaty sandwiches, or fresh sushi, stop in Caviar & Bananas at 41 George St. Co-owned by Margaret Furniss ’00, this café is popular with students for its grab-and-go selections.

Pizza at Liberty St. Fresh Foods. (Photo by Reese Moore)

If you feel like going Greek, visit Stella’s at 114 St. Philip St. Owner Steven Niketas ’90 wanted to bring his family’s recipes to Charleston and has everyone talking about the huge portions of lamb frites, dolmades, and calamari.

Chef Jeremiah Bacon ’95 runs the kitchen at new American restaurant The Macintosh. The menu draws inspiration from the abundance of Lowcountry produce and products, like a seared wreckfish with rainbow chard and snap beans.

If you’re looking for raw oysters and lobster rolls, take a pedicab from campus to 167 Raw on East Bay Street. Owned by Jesse Sandole ’10, this petite eatery packs in fresh catches on a daily basis.

Michael Shemtov ’00 wrote a business plan for a Mellow Mushroom eatery near campus as a final paper for his business coursework. Now, you can benefit from his project with piping hot pizza close to the school.

Nick Stella ’13 runs sandwich shop Circe’s Grotto, which is a popular mid-day stop for many students and faculty.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, student Ellie Thomson has a few.

Feature photo by Reese Moore.