Where to Eat in October: Gingerline, Tippling House, Millers All Day, and More

It’s steps from the center of Charleston’s tourism universe, but this newly christened Market Street space would be just as at home overlooking a beach in Costa Rica or Peru. The bright and natural decor underscore fresh focuses like red snapper ceviche spiked with leche de tigre or even oxtail ropa vieja tostones topped with citrus slaw. And of course there are cocktails. A traditional Sandia awaits — blanco tequila, citrus liqueur, watermelon, basil, and lime. Or cool off with a Coco Piña, a crushed-ice drink with coconut rum, banana, creme de coco, pineapple and lime juice. No flip-flops required.

With the original King Street spot being one of the most popular breakfast spots in Charleston, the new location on James Island may well be an easier table to snag if you’ve just got to get your fix of three-cornmeal pancakes or fried chicken biscuits with a house-mixed spicy pepper bloody mary. And a quick drive from downtown on Maybank Highway, it’s even open until 8 p.m. — just late enough to sneak a little breakfast for dinner (or slice of brown coconut cream pie … we won’t tell).

Call 843.501.7342 for more information.

The Mount Pleasant following is strong for this under-the-radar Vietnamese spot in the Whole Foods shopping center, and we can see why. Chef-owner Janice Hudgens channels the Vietnamese comfort food from her mother’s kitchen. What started as private dinners for friends evolved into a booth at the now-defunct Workshop food hall in 2018, followed by her move over to Mount Pleasant. Now, dishes range from traditional pho and noodle bowls to warming curry. The steamed bao buns filled with braised short rib or tofu are worth a trip on their own, to be honest. But go crazy and order up sesame noodles or a vermicelli bowl if you’re feeling ambitious.

This may be the neighborhood pizza delivery spot for Park Circle residents, but one look at the menu and you’ll see it’s far from normal. Not only do standards like the Marquee (pepperoni, feta, banana peppers) create craveworthy slices, original creations like the McPark (literally a Big Mac pizza, complete with pickles and sesame seeds) will keep you coming back. And don’t forget the pizza of the month — for October it’s the Curdy Bee: whipped cheese curd base with lemon, mozz, topped with sliced soppressata, basil, and a hot honey drizzle.

Call Park Pizza Co. at 843.225.7275.

The dinner parties kick off every Wednesday annd Thursday at this Coming Street wine bar that’s quickly become a neighborhood favorite. With a year under their belts in an old converted house on Coming Street, co-owners Matt Conway and wife Carissa Hernandez are releasing Resys for 18 guests to join them each Wednesday for a $65 three-course “dinner party” tailor-made for folks looking for a good time. On offer: Dishes like fresh flounder over couscous and cauliflower prepped two ways, topped with golden raisin relish. Conway, a transplanted NYC somm, has the dining room covered with the daily bottle list designed to interest wine drinkers of all experience levels. Conway’s selections lean pocket-friendly, with most bottles $50-65. Feeling adventurous? Ask about “Matt’s Stash.”

Views of Marion Square greet you as you step off the elevator to Charleston’s newest rooftop bar, situated in the heart of downtown. From behind the bar, tequila and mezcal concoctions match the Mexican resort vibe. The Cocoa Tulum Martini blends chocolate-tinged mezcal, amaro averna, and spicy bitters, while the Holy City Girls brings blanco tequila, strawberry, lime, and soda to the party in a shareable large-batch cocktail. A slew of small plates are ready to land on the table, with beef empanadas, tequila mussels, and Yucatan wings to split among your crew before things turn up for the night.

Yes, all of you east of the Cooper River can finally source those addictive smoked wings without crossing any big bridges. Conveniently on U.S. Hwy. 17 in northern Mount Pleasant, the latest location carries over many of the same crowd favorites from earlier locations downtown, in West Ashley, and on Sullivan’s Island, including the frozen Gamechanger cocktails — essentially a Painkiller — as well as the dialed-in beef brisket and pulled pork. Of course, Home Team remains a family friendly option to grab a bite, a drink, and watch the game.

Call Home Team at 843.225.7427  (ext. 5)

This Spring Street patio might be some of the best people-watching in Charleston, and it’s even better when the temps cool into fall. Chef-owner Brooke Warden blends flavors and techniques inspired by Oaxacan traditions, offering tacos ranging from steak asado to al pastor, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and more. And the margaritas? I’m telling you … Selections change often, but Warden’s prickly pear marg rules the roost (and comes in frozen form, by the way), but check @pinkcactus.chs on Instagram for the latest.

Bon Manh Mi may seem like your normal locals lunch spot, but one bite of the five-spice pork however you want it — in a bánh mì, salad, taco, or rice bowl form — and you might as well just head back to the register for more. The pork is hard to skip, but the red curry beef and ginger lemongrass chicken are more than capable stand-ins. This riff on a familiar bánh mì comes filled with cucumber, pickled, pickled daikon, cilantro, Thai basil, crispy shallots and velvety chili-mayo. Order the sandwich or two tacos and you’ve stumbled onto one of the few remaining lunch options for less than $10. Just a couple bucks more and you can treat yourself to a Vietnamese iced coffee or local kombucha.

One of Charleston’s best bars and best patios are located a block off lower King Street at a postcard-pretty Beaufain Street trattoria that’s become a reliable go-to for locals since opening in 2016. Chef Michael Toscano and wife Caitlin strike the careful balance of comfort and hospitality with knockout menu offerings — one of those places where you can be totally content ordering the same thing every time or criss-crossing the menu with each trip. Housemade pastas like duck confit agnolotti and spicy squid ink spaghetti with clams get things started, with splurge-worthy chops and a textbook chicken parm holding down the main offerings. Grab a spot at the deep marble bar or on the patio to enjoy that Sbagliato or trust the barkeep with a selection from the generous wine list — by the bottle or glass.