Where to Eat in September: Bar at High Wire, Philosophia, Palmira, and More

There’s not a much better place to take advantage of milder temps than this spot, tucked into a historic building on the former Navy base in North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. Breezes off the Cooper River, just steps away, make for a good accompaniment to raw oysters, espresso martinis, and steak frites. Need a little more? Splurge on a seafood tower inside or on the patio. Bunch makes Riverfront Park an ideal meeting place to start a Sunday Funday, with plenty else to do in the nearby Park Circle neighborhood.

Corrie and Shuai Wang’s Park Circle neo-izakaya is in the rotation for most Charleston-area food-lovers, and for good reason. With must-order staples like fish tartare, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), fried rice, and more on the menu at dinner, plus new dishes that land on the menu nightly, there’s more than enough of Jackrabbit Filly’s craveable flavors to go around. Already been for dinner? Check back during the day for a weekly sandwich special unlike any other. Or on Sunday, get the week started right with dim sum brunch paired with killer cocktails like The Ox, a take on a michelada. And be sure to check the JF Instagram for news on the couple’s upcoming China-meets-Carolinas barbecue restaurant nearby: King BBQ.

What if 167 Raw had a little cocktail bar to send ravenous fans while they waited for their oysters and sandwiches at the raw bar? Well, now it does, with the opening of its sister spot around the corner on Fulton Street. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be waiting to file into the space you may remember formerly as Fulton Five. You can even order yourself a steak or crudo to accompany your cocktail — bubbly spritzes and old classics await, including two gin and tonics on draft.

Call 843-253-0300 or learn more at 167Raw.com.

Out of the gates fast, this new Mount Pleasant hot spot already is turning out dishes packed with Mediterranean flavors like spanakopita, Greek meatballs, and saganaki — fried and flambéed kefalograviera cheese served with pita. Offerings aren’t limited to small plates though: char-grilled branzino, stuffed leg of lamb, and pastitsio will also tempt you. Behind the bar, you’ll find Greek and Macedonian wines among the selections. The restaurant is the culmination of a dream for chef and co-owner Justin Hunt, who combines a decade-long obsession with Greek cooking with stints at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain and The French Laundry. Grab a Resy inside, on the spacious patio, or try your luck as a walk-in at the wrap-around bar.

Pitmaster Hector Garate is serving up some of Charleston’s best barbecue daily at the Port of Call food hall on Market Street. But follow him closely, and he’ll likely also pop up in your neck of the woods — the perfect chance to snag some of the city’s best smoked meat. Drawing on his Puerto Rican roots, Garate infuses Latin technique into whole-hog barbecue; smoked beef cheek (supercharged brisket); sausage with gouda, plantains, and spices; rice topped with hash; baked beans and green beans; and more. Catch him on the road or at Port of Call, where you’ll find other Charleston chefs like Setrini Sison of Bok Choy Boy serving up creative fare. (There are also a few bars and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.)

Put your order in early at PalmiraBBQ.com.

High Wire Distilling recently expanded its tap room to offer snacks, sandwiches, and salads along with its enviable lineup of vodka, botanical gin, rye whiskey, and amaro, all mixed into cocktails and some available in different specialty variations. Bites lean light, think cheeses and cornbread on the snack side. Lowcountry panzanella, smoked ham sliders, and a local shrimp po’ boy lead the main dishes. You can’t go wrong with any of the sips, but a Hat Trick gin and tonic is a surefire way to start. Pop in for a tasting or sit down for lunch — go ahead and reserve your spot with a Resy.

Walk into this Folly Road joint inside a nondescript retail strip and you’ll instantly catch smells of meatballs, hot melty cheese, and crispy bread. Yes, that is a life-size cutout of Allen Iverson on the wall and yes, the signature jawn is a shaved beef and prosciutto hoagie named for Nick Foles. This is a true Philly spot, so don’t be surprised when the guys behind the counter demand your order almost immediately. But don’t worry, you can’t go wrong. The hot Italian is big and filling (the perfect beach companion if you’re heading out to Folly), and of course the cheesesteaks are on point. 

See the menu before you place your order at YousGuys.net.

This corner hot spot in downtown’s popular North Central neighborhood has put on a masterclass in creating a welcoming, satisfying eatery fit for date nights and family dinners alike. Sit down under the bistro lights on the patio or settle into a booth inside and take your pick from decadent sandwiches, salads, and more. There aren’t many places where you can find preparations of fresh seasonal produce, knockout cheesesteaks, and pan-seared salmon, but they’ve done it here. You won’t feel limited on drinks either, with generous selections of beer and wine, and even frozen options: Your Pinot Freezio awaits.

Somehow finding the perfect balance of homespun and on-trend, this so-called “wine dive bar” opened in late June in a rehabilitated single house on downtown’s East Side. After gaining steam with a series of sceney pop-ups at some of Charleston’s hottest spots, co-owners Chris Rollins and Jess Vande Werken have served a steady stream of natural wine to curious barflies. (There’s no sign or even an address listed online, but just trust us that 194 Jackson St. is where it’s at.) Food is light, but does the job, from sliced meats to salty spreads and seasonal fruits and veggies.

More details can be found at BarRollins.com.

This under-the-radar restaurant and bar sits just inside the lobby of the Hotel Emeline. It may be a few feet from Market Street, but tourists and locals will find something to like. An ideal spot to duck in for a drink during a walk downtown or to start a night out, look for creative cocktails at the bar like the Spirit Animal, a take on the traditional pisco sour with orgeat and mezcal. Stopping by before dinner? Check the aperitivo menu for a slew of spritzes and snacks. The interior courtyard makes for an ideal spot to order an array of cocktails and snacks, or even a taleggio-spotted wood-fired pizza with burnt honey and black pepper.