When it comes to food, you’ll hardly do any better than Charleston, SC! From succulent shrimp swimming in savory grits and gravy to a traditional Lowcountry boil, your taste buds are in for a flavorful journey they won’t soon forget. Charleston is home to hundreds of critically-acclaimed restaurants, many of which have been featured on popular food programs such as Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and the Travel Channel. During my time in Charleston, I have become very familiar with the area’s best restaurants and can easily point out which ones are worth the visit. Of course, I never sit at a restaurant in Charleston without Lady in tow! When looking for places to dine with your dog, here are just a handful of my favorite pet-friendly restaurants in Charleston that you won’t want to miss!

5 Pet-Friendly Restaurants in Charleston, SC That Your Pooch Will Love

1. Poogan’s Porch

One of Charleston’s most famous restaurants was named after a dog! Poogan’s Porch is located on Queen St. in Downtown Charleston and is widely recognized for its tasty shrimp and grits and quintessential charm. It earned its name when the owners were in the process of restoring the 17th-century Victorian home into a restaurant. During the renovations, a wandering pooch, known by the neighborhood as Poogan, often spent his time lounging on the porch. Even when the restaurant opened to the public, Poogan would make frequent visits to interact with guests and feast on table scraps that were given to him. He became the establishment’s official greeter, and of course, it was only right for the owners to name the restaurant after him.

In honor of Poogan’s memory, dogs are welcome to dine with their owners on the front porch or back patio of the restaurant. Lady and I have been seated on the front porch many times and enjoy conversing with visitors as they wander in and out of the restaurant or watching the horse-drawn carriages stroll by. Plus, the food has been an absolute delight each and every time. Lady approves of the brunch menu’s fried chicken sandwich!

*Fun Fact:* If you’re into ghost stories, then read on! Poogan’s Porch is a stop for many local ghost tours as its rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Zoe St. Armand, the home’s original resident. The staff has reported dishes and silverware moving on their own, doors slamming shut and then opening, and sightings of an old woman walking up the stairs after hours. Poogan himself might also still be around since many guests have claimed to feel a furry whisk of movement underneath their tables when no dogs are present.

2. Eli’s Table

Also located in Downtown Charleston, Eli’s Table is a 5-star eatery popular with both dogs and their humans! The menu is full of bold and worldly dishes using only fresh ingredients found in Charleston. The best part of my meal at Eli’s Table, however, is the deliciously unique cocktails. After dinner, I always order a sweet dessert drink. The Eli’s Warm Up is my personal favorite as the fresh ground coffee with amaretto, brandy, and fresh nutmeg is just the pick-me-up I need to wind down from a full day of Charleston adventures. The outdoor patio is beautifully surrounded by lush trees and lit by dazzling lights during the evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your dog to enjoy a memorable Lowcountry meal.

3. Lost Dog Cafe

When Lady and I are staying near Folly Beach, the Lost Dog Cafe is our favorite place to grab breakfast! The tiny beach town is filled with many eclectic and fun places to dine, but the Lost Dog Cafe has rightfully earned its place among the best! The large covered porch welcomes you and your dog to feast on menu selections like warm cinnamon rolls, savory biscuits and gravy, or chicken salad croissants. There are also daily specials that allow you to jump-start your day with some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes at an unbeatable price! After your meal, be sure to walk a few blocks down the street to enjoy the Folly Beach Pier!

*Please note that Lost Dog Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch.*

4. FUEL Charleston

You would never believe that this local cantina used to be an old filling station! FUEL is a local favorite that offers pub-inspired dishes with a Caribbean twist. Trust me on this one, the fish tacos are truly out of this world! Your dog can also join you in the restaurant’s outdoor courtyard, which is reminiscent of the filling station’s past. As you indulge in unique menu selections and boozy concoctions, feel free to wander around and admire the antiques that were used in the station many years ago.

5. Taco Boy

During my days as a Charleston resident, Taco Boy was one of my go-to places to enjoy an incredible margarita with my friends after work. Today, I still love to come here with Lady and gorge on authentic Mexican tacos. This fun-loving taqueria offers some of the area’s best Mexican food and massive margaritas that you may have to share with your friends (or not, if you’re me!). The spacious outdoor patio is very dog-friendly, so it’s common for Lady to make some new friends of her own while we’re there.

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We’ve only scratched the surface of all the amazing pet-friendly restaurants in Charleston, SC. During your own travels to The Holy City, we guarantee you’ll never run short on options for places to eat with your four-legged companions. Which of these restaurants is your favorite? Is there another establishment you’d like to see on this list? Let us know in the comments!