Broad Street Lunch: A Charleston Institution for Breakfast and Lunch

What Broad Street Lunch is and why it matters

Broad Street Lunch is a counter-service diner in downtown Charleston that has operated continuously since 1946, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the city. It sits on Broad Street between King and Church, in a narrow storefront with a handful of stools and a walk-up window, and serves breakfast and lunch only—no dinner service. The menu is short, handwritten daily, and built around eggs, sandwiches, and plate lunches that reflect decades of Charleston eating habits rather than current food trends.

The restaurant matters to Charleston's food culture because it has remained fundamentally unchanged while nearly everything around it has transformed. The owner works the counter most days. The prices stay low. The food is straightforward—fried chicken, liver and onions, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy—and the portions are generous. People who grew up eating there bring their own children. Office workers from nearby buildings order the same sandwich they ordered ten years ago.

Key Takeaways

• Broad Street Lunch opens for breakfast and lunch only, with hours typically 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., though you should call ahead to confirm.
• The menu changes daily and is handwritten; you order at the counter and eat at one of a few stools or take your food with you.
• Plate lunches—a meat, two vegetables, and cornbread or biscuit—cost under $10 and represent the restaurant's core offering.
• The restaurant is cash-only or accepts cards depending on the day; calling ahead lets you know what payment methods are available.
• Parking is street parking on Broad Street or nearby lots; the location is walkable from the Historic District and near the Farmers Market.

The menu and what to order

The menu at Broad Street Lunch is not printed; it is written on a board or a piece of paper each morning, and it changes based on what the kitchen decides to make that day. You might find fried chicken, shrimp and grits, liver and onions, pork chops, or meatloaf. Vegetables rotate through collards, green beans, mac and cheese, rice and gravy, and okra. Breakfast runs until mid-morning and includes eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and gravy.

The plate lunch is the standard order: you choose a meat, pick two vegetables, and get cornbread or a biscuit on the side. A plate lunch costs between $8 and $12. Sandwiches—fried chicken, egg salad, or whatever the kitchen has made—run $5 to $8. Biscuits and gravy are under $5. The portions are large enough that many people eat half and save the rest for later.

Because the menu is handwritten and changes daily, there is no way to know what will be available until you arrive or call. Regular customers call ahead to ask what is being made that day. If you have a strong preference—you want fried chicken, not meatloaf—calling is the fastest way to know whether to come in or try another day.

Hours, location, and how to order

Broad Street Lunch is located at 99 Broad Street, in downtown Charleston between King Street and Church Street. It opens at 6 a.m. for breakfast and closes at 2 p.m. most days, though hours can shift seasonally or if the owner closes early. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. Call 843-577-7565 to confirm hours before you go, especially if you are planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday when it can be busier.

You order at the counter. There are a few stools inside, but most people take their food to go. The counter staff will tell you what is available that day and ring you up. Payment is cash or card, though this can vary; calling ahead lets you know what the restaurant is accepting that day.

Street parking is available on Broad Street itself, though spaces fill up during lunch hours. The nearby Farmers Market lot and several paid lots within two blocks offer alternatives. The restaurant is a short walk from the Historic District, King Street shops, and the Charleston City Market.

Why Broad Street Lunch represents old Charleston

Broad Street Lunch opened in 1946, when downtown Charleston was the center of the city's daily life. Office workers, shoppers, and people running errands ate lunch at counters like this one. The menu reflects that era: plate lunches were the standard meal, vegetables came from what was in season or what the kitchen had on hand, and the goal was to feed people quickly and affordably.

The restaurant has survived because it has not tried to become something else. It did not add dinner service, did not expand into a larger space, did not rebrand as a "vintage diner experience," and did not raise prices dramatically. It simply kept doing what it has always done. That consistency is rare in Charleston, where many historic buildings have been converted into hotels, galleries, or restaurants aimed at tourists.

For people interested in how Charleston residents actually eat—not how restaurants present Charleston food to visitors—Broad Street Lunch is one of the few places where you can see it. The customers are a mix of office workers, construction crews, older people who have been eating there for decades, and visitors who have heard about the place and want to try it.

What to expect when you visit

The space is small and narrow. There are a few stools at a counter, and the walls are plain. There is no table service, no table decorations, and no music. The focus is entirely on the food and the transaction. You order, you pay, you eat or take your food with you. The whole experience takes ten to fifteen minutes if you eat there, or five minutes if you order to go.

The staff is efficient and matter-of-fact. They will tell you what is available, answer questions about ingredients or portions, and move on to the next customer. There is no pretense or performance. If you are looking for a leisurely meal or an elaborate dining experience, this is not the place. If you want good food at a low price in a space that has looked and operated the same way for seventy years, it is exactly the place.

Expect to see regulars who order the same thing every time they come in. Expect to wait a few minutes during lunch rush, especially between noon and 1 p.m. Expect the food to be hot, the portions to be large, and the bill to be small.

Nearby places to eat and explore

Broad Street Lunch sits in the middle of downtown Charleston, so there are many other restaurants and attractions within walking distance. The Farmers Market, a few blocks away, has produce vendors, prepared food, and a casual atmosphere. King Street, one block over, has shops and restaurants ranging from casual to upscale. The Historic District, also nearby, has galleries, museums, and more dining options.

If you want to eat at Broad Street Lunch and then explore the area, you could walk to the Charleston City Market, browse King Street, or visit one of the nearby historic churches or museums. The restaurant's location makes it easy to combine a quick meal with other downtown activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Broad Street Lunch open for dinner?

No. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch only, closing at 2 p.m. most days. Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., though you should call 843-577-7565 to confirm before you visit, as hours can shift.

What days is Broad Street Lunch closed?

The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, though you should call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays or if the owner needs to close unexpectedly.

Can I see the menu online before I go?

No. The menu is handwritten daily and changes based on what the kitchen makes that day. The best way to know what is available is to call 843-577-7565 and ask what they are serving. This also lets you know if they are particularly busy or if they have run out of something popular.

Is there seating for a large group?

No. Broad Street Lunch is a small counter-service restaurant with only a few stools. It is designed for individuals or small groups who order quickly and eat at the counter or take their food to go. It is not set up for large parties or long meals.

What payment methods does Broad Street Lunch accept?

The restaurant accepts both cash and cards, though this can vary from day to day. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods are available on the day you plan to visit.