Charleston Family Restaurants

Sit on the patio and enjoy Charleston's warmth while sampling Low-country and Southern specialties like Dixie-Style baby back ribs, "Bucket of Boat Trash" shrimp, fish and lobster claws flash fried with Cajun spices, and any number of shrimp dishes you can think of. A kids' menu features smoothies like "Run Forrest Run" with oranges, strawberries, bananas and non-fat raspberry yogurt.

If mom and dad can steal away for a date night, this intimate eatery tops Charleston's best list annually with its locally grown, sustainable foods on a seasonal menu. Menu items may include wild neetle gnocchi, Kobe-style wagyu beef tartare, and capers inlet oysters on the half shell in a cabernet vinegar mignonette. Open for dinner only.

After filling up on Mt. Pleasant's historical attractions, refuel at Gilligan's for hot or cold peel-n-eat shrimp direct from Charleston Bay. Other Low-country dishes are prominent on the menu, as Southern traditions like fried green tomatoes. For less adventuresome kids, a kids' menu features the traditional kids' menu fare, along with mahi-mahi fingers and popcorn shrimp.

Organic pizza before organic food was cool, this groovy pizza place with pizzas like Kosmic Karma with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes and pesto. Don’t worry, traditional toppings are available, as are killer salads, calzones, hoagies and not-to-be-missed garlic and parmesan pretzels.

For a hearty surf and turf menu, hit the Gill & Grill for a selection of seafood, chicken, ribs and steak dishes, including filets, strips, sirloins, ribeyes and T-bones. Sandwiches, salads and burgers are also available.