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A fun night in Charleston often goes hand-in-hand with the late-night hungries. With so much to see and do, it is not unusual for the appetite to awaken just as you are strolling back to your hotel after a play, concert or evening spent busting moves on a local dance floor.
But even when the clock is rolling over to the next day, Charleston has you covered.
Here is a sampling of some of your best bets for snagging an after-hours snack or meal.
511 King Street
Open daily 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; kitchen closes at midnight
The warm, sophisticated environment of The Belmont cocktail lounge is just right for a pre-bedtime drink, charcuterie grazing and tucking into a warm, house-made pop tart.
119 Spring Street, Suite 2
Open daily 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Note: Knock on the door to place your order.
The owner’s Philly roots infuse the fare at this small but bustling take-out-only shop. South Street Cheesesteaks prides itself on authenticity. Think house-made rolls, freshly cut beef, grilled onions and that gooey, cheesy “Wiz” (or provolone and other cheeses, depending on your preference). Of course, you can customize your beef or chicken Philly.
428 King Street
Open daily at 11 a.m.; kitchen open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dueling pianos aside, John King’s is your late-night hotspot for juicy burgers, loaded fries, wings, wraps and more.
439 King Street
Open daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
A long-time King Street mainstay, Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale is where bleary-eyed Charlestonians and visitors go for affordable Mexican-ish food made to order and served up fast. Nachos topped with everything from tofu to chorizo to shrimp are popular palate-pleasers.
5 Cumberland Street
Kitchen open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and 11:30 to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; closed on Tuesday
At Bumpa’s, the bar fare has been thoughtfully conceived by a skilled staff of kitchen wizards. But one menu item is a clear favorite of the late-night ravenous: the Big Bumpa Burger, a crafty, elevated spin on the classic Big Mac.
353 King Street
Open 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Charleston’s oldest pizza joint, Gilroy’s has been addressing the late-night munchies of college crowd, locals and visitors for more than three decades. This is dive eating at its greasy best. There’s nothing like a hot-from-the-oven, cheesy, pepperoni pizza to cap off a rousing good time in downtown Charleston.
467 King Street
Kitchen open from 11 a.m to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Sunday
Burgers, nachos, chili, fries and sandwiches—including the toasty warm New England oven grinder stuffed with Italian salami, pepperoni and provolone—draw the night owls to this unassuming locals’ favorite.
714 Rutledge Avenue
Kitchen open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
A vintage pub located near Hampton Park, Moe’s Crosstown Tavern is a local haunt for great bar grub. Burgers, wraps, sandwiches and such are guaranteed to quiet your tummy monster.
970 Morrison Drive
Kitchen open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
The Royal American serves up all kinds of goodies well into the night: house-made beef jerky, house-ground beef burgers, patty melts and spicy muffalettas. Always in the spotlight, the Disco Fries— smothered in black pepper brown gravy, cheese sauce, bacon, scallions and jalapenos—will hustle and snap their way across your taste buds.
40 N Market Street
Open 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday
Convenient to revelers strolling the vicinity of Charleston City Market, Pizzeria di Giovanni is a must-stop for late-night pizza done right. Got a crowd? Everybody can get their fill when they take a seat at the “home of 28-inch pizza!”
