A Student’s Guide to Dining During Orientation

By Ellie Thomson

Dear incoming CofC students:

Welcome to the “World’s Best City” and America’s new food mecca. From walk-up taco bars to James Beard-nominated restaurants, Charleston’s options run the gamut when it comes to food. However, navigating the restaurant scene here takes practice and a willingness to be adventurous. I remember arriving on campus for New Student Orientation during the summer of 2014 and falling into the trap of going to the place next to my hotel, the place with no wait and the chain I’ve been to a million times before and know will suffice. If you’re new to the College, please don’t make the same mistake!

Here are some of the best places near campus to try during New Student Orientation:

Breakfast

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit on Upper King Street offers a quick and delicious start to your day. Go big with the sausage, bacon and fried chicken biscuit or indulge like a true Charlestonian with the crab cake biscuit. (476 King Street)

Lines are not uncommon at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit’s tiny storefront on Upper King Street.

60 Bull Cafe, nestled in the Harleston Village neighborhood just a block and a half from the College’s Addlestone Library, serves a big breakfast spread that will make anyone in the family happy. From a classic bacon, egg and cheddar sandwich to duck confit and all of the Geechie Boy Grits in between, take time in your morning to indulge and relax in this charming neighborhood spot. (60 Bull Street)

CofC Junior Lauren Hollman at 60 Bull.

Lunch

Caviar & Bananas has become an institution for a quick lunch near campus. Make a lunch box from the prepared food section, design your own gourmet sandwich or salad or try some brown rice sushi. You seriously can’t go wrong here. (51 George Street)

Caviar & Bananas is just steps away from The Cistern.

READ ABOUT CAVIAR & BANANA’S ALUM OWNER, MARGARET FURNISS ‘00, AND ALUM MARKETING DIRECTOR, ASHLEY WARNOCK ‘00.

Circe’s Grotto, just a block from Caviar, is another grab-and-go spot. The paninis and salads are fresh, fast and hit the spot every time. (85 Wentworth Street)

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Anybody want a sandwich today ??

A post shared by Circe's Grotto (@circesgrottocharleston) on Feb 3, 2016 at 6:53am PST

Dinner

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits is located, you guessed it, on top of a hotel next to campus.  Come for dinner atop The Restoration and stay for the seventh-story views. This new hotspot is hip and delicious, offering a little bit of everything. Try a chicken Caesar salad or lobster mac and cheese and sit back and watch (pun intended) your new city from the top. (75 Wentworth Street)

My grandmother braving the wind for the views.

Food can be a sensitive subject in the Holy City, with each local having their own favorite places. With any luck, this list will get you through orientation, and when you start in the fall, you can confidently make your own list of dining options for when Family Weekend rolls around. Now, go indulge.

This article was written by Ellie Thomson, a junior from Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in political science in the Honors College at the College of Charleston