ism / ˈizəm / noun
a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement.
Edition No. 10 — Charleston, SC
“I'm going to Charleston, back where I belong. I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn't something left in life of charm and grace,"
— Rhett Butler (as he leaves Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind)
Charleston is a paradox done beautifully. A historic port city, meticulously preserved yet never frozen in time. Its streets have seen war, storms, and deep social reckoning, and still the city persists. Not by clinging to the past, but by stretching forward, building something modern atop a formidable foundation.
Over the last two decades, Charleston has quietly become one of the most compelling food cities in America. Its chefs cook with reverence and restraint, earning national acclaim and a shelf full of James Beard recognition along the way.
In today’s Travelism, we cut through the noise with a curated guide to explore this destination. From classic shrimp and grits to thoroughly modern okonomiyaki, this is Charleston in full dimension. Layered, evolving, and deeply rooted.
Welcome to the Holy City.
Salud,
The TRAVELISM Crew ✈️
Charleston, SC: Lowcountry charm, served with a modern polish.
The vibe: Pastel-hued streets, layered history, design-forward dining, coastal ease, and a confident Southern rhythm with style.
Entrance to the Dewberry
Where To Stay
The Dewberry Charleston — Quiet Luxury Meets Modern Classic. A masterclass in refined design — spaces feel crafted rather than styled. Interiors blend mid-century touches with Southern grace, croquet club coolness, and quiet corners for afternoon cocktails. The rooftop bar is a perfect pre-dinner perch, and the lobby feels tailored for lingering conversations.
Why it’s cool: Elegant materials, thoughtful design details, strong sense of place
The vibe: Chic, composed, quietly luxurious
Bar at the Citrus Club
Food & Drink: Meticulous design meets culinary magic
Citrus Club: Perched eight floors above the city, Citrus Club is Charleston’s highest rooftop and one of its best vantage points. A refined terrace with citrus-driven cocktails, light bites, and sweeping skyline views that stretch to the harbor. Come early. Seating is first come, first served, and golden hour waits for no one.
Living Room: The Living Room is composed, inviting, and unmistakably Charleston. Mid-century furnishings frame a statement brass bar and curated reading library, making it an easy stop from morning coffee through evening aperitifs. Subtle details carry the story, including handcrafted wooden bowls by local artist Hugh Jeffers, carved from a 150-year-old white oak that once stood nearby.
Deluxe marble bathrooms
Deluxe Rooms: The Dewberry’s 153 guest rooms and suites are designed for lingering. Custom Stickley armoires in the hotel’s signature botanical pattern meet bathrooms wrapped in Danby, Vermont marble. Thoughtful indulgences abound, from Irish-made mattresses to chef-curated in-room bars.
Consider this your warning: once inside, leaving feels optional. a sunset backdrop that looks like it was rendered by a travel dream algorithm. 🍽️🌄
The spa at the Dewberry
The Spa: The Dewberry Spa is an exercise in quiet luxury. Cypress-covered walls create a cocooning warmth, setting the tone for deeply restorative treatments thoughtfully curated by renowned spa expert Lydia Mondavi. Comfort, care, and intention guide every detail.
Why It Stands Out
🌿 Cypress-clad interiors that feel warm, grounded, and serene
✨ Signature treatments curated by Lydia Mondavi
🧴 Natura Bissé products known for innovative formulas, refined textures, and unexpected sensorial moments
Lowcountry, But Elevated
The dining room at FIG
Husk
A modern cornerstone of Charleston dining, Husk reframes Southern cooking through a sharper, seasonal lens. Ingredients are hyper-local, flavors are confident, and the setting balances historic gravitas with contemporary ease.
What to Order
🍤 Shrimp & grits, reimagined with restraint
🥃 A classic cocktail (think Bourbon Manhattan) at the bar before dinner
FIG
FIG is understated excellence at its best. The menu leans European in technique while staying deeply rooted in Lowcountry ingredients. Nothing flashy, everything intentional. It’s the kind of restaurant cities are quietly proud of.
What to Order
🐟 The day’s fresh catch, simply prepared. The Tomato Tarte Tatin is next level.
🍷 Let the staff guide the wine pairing
Oyster Bars Worth the Stop
Historic bank converted into The Ordinary dining room
Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oysters
Leon’s feels casual, confident, and quietly iconic. A converted auto body shop turned neighborhood institution, it balances impeccable seafood with a laid-back, come-as-you-are attitude. No frills, no fuss, just very good things done right.
What to Order
🦪 A half-dozen local oysters, whatever’s freshest
🍗 The fried chicken, yes, at an oyster bar
🍾 Grower champagne or a cold beer to keep things honest
The Ordinary
Housed in a grand former bank, The Ordinary delivers drama without pretension. The marble bar, soaring ceilings, and pristine seafood make it feel special from the jump. It’s polished, buzzy, and built for lingering over plates and pours.
What to Order
🦪 Oysters at the raw bar, mix East Coast and local
🐟 Crudo or chilled seafood to start
🍸 A martini or crisp white wine to match the room
Two oyster bars. Two moods. Both essential Charleston.
New Wave, Charleston
Okonomiyaki at XBB
Xiao Bao Biscuit
XBB is Charleston off-script. A former gas station turned global comfort kitchen, it blends Asian-inspired flavors with Lowcountry ingredients and a distinctly unpolished cool. It’s casual, creative, and quietly influential. The kind of place locals protect and visitors remember.
What to Eat
🥞 The okonomiyaki, savory, layered, and worth the hype
🍜 Dan dan noodles or a rotating noodle special
🥬 One seasonal vegetable dish to balance the table
Little Jack’s Tavern
The tavern feels like a European bistro dropped into downtown Charleston, dimly lit, buzzy, and effortlessly cool. Leather booths, a compact bar, and a late-night hum make it a favorite for industry insiders and night owls alike. It’s polished without trying too hard, and perfectly suited for one last stop that turns into two.
What to Order
🍔 The Tavern Burger, rich, indulgent, and absolutely non-negotiable
🍸 A classic martini or house cocktail to match the mood
🍟 Fries for the table, no exceptions
Wine All The Time
🍾 Bin 152
Bin 152 is a candlelit hideaway tucked just off Upper King, where the pace slows and the pours get thoughtful. Exposed brick, shelves of Old World bottles, and a quietly buzzing bar set the tone. It’s intimate without being precious, and effortlessly cool in a very Charleston way. Ideal for easing into the evening or lingering long past plans.
What to Order
🍷 Ask for a glass of something Old World and off-the-beaten-path
🧀 The charcuterie and cheese board for grazing and sharing
🥖 Finish with a small plate or two and let the night unfold naturally
Dessert At The Steakhouse
Hall’s Steak House
Known as an upscale steakhouse and it is, but the move is the bar. The scene feels straight out of Southern Hospitality. Order dessert or an after-dinner cocktail, catch the live piano, and let the room do the rest.
What to Order
🍮 Crème brûlée — elegant, rich, and a timeless steakhouse finale
🍰 Blueberry crumble cheesecake — a comforting, fruit-forward option
🍞 Bread pudding with sauce — classic Southern-leaning sweetness
Bottom Line
Charleston delivers layered history, confident dining, thoughtful design, and coastal ease. A city that honors tradition while evolving forward, rewarding travelers who linger, explore beyond the obvious, and savor every well-timed meal and sunset stroll.
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