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I work with busy families who are ready for a full service photography experience so they can enjoy their printed heirlooms in their homes without having to lift a finger.

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Going out to eat with your kids should be a fun experience, but sometimes, it’s more than a little stressful. Whether your child is a picky eater or lacks any concept of volume control, all it takes is one bad experience to make you never want to leave your home again. If you want to treat your family to a great meal without all the stress, I would love to give you the definitive list of the best family-friendly restaurants in Charleston SC. Whether you’re craving the perfect burger or could use some casual Mexican, I’m positive I have just the spot for you. 

A mom and dad sit on the edge of a bed in a studio holding their two toddler sons in their laps before visiting family friendly restaurants charleston sc

Plan A Stress-Free Night Out At These Family-Friendly Restaurants in Charleston SC

Coconut Joe’s

1120 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451

Since 1997, Coconut Joe’s has been serving up fresh, family-friendly food with a pretty fantastic view in a Charleston SC restaurant. This seaside restaurant takes classic pub foods and gives them a saltwater twist. Try out some baja fish tacos or a beach burger. You can get saucy wings and fried grouper. Their sides include pimento cheese grits, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw. The restaurant has a kids’ menu with favorites such as corn dogs. You can enjoy your meal with a cold drink at the rooftop bar. 

Edmunds Oast Brewing Co

1081 Morrison Dr., Charleston, South Carolina 29403

Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. is an elevated brewery that offers something for every member of the family. During the nicer weather, the patio opens up and gives you an open space where you can move around and enjoy your meal. Leashed dogs are more than welcome to join you for an outdoor meal. The restaurant has a kids’ menu with buttered noodles, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheeses. Adults can try out some beers as well as their loaded sandwiches or pickled shrimp plates. 

Fleet Landing

186 Concord Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Fleet Landing is a Charleston waterfront restaurant with a delicious, family-friendly lunch and dinner restaurant. Throughout the evenings and weekends, the restaurant fills up quickly, so the staff recommends that you make reservations ahead of time. The restaurant has a raw bar and is very accommodating to special diets such as gluten-free or vegetarian. You can order fried seafood platters or fried fish sandwiches. The dinner menu offers appetizers such as fresh bruschetta or mussels. They have a happy hour Monday-Thursday and offer a long list of draft beers and cocktails. 

A mother sits on a bed while playing with her toddler in her lap in a studio before visiting family friendly restaurants charleston sc

Home Team BBQ

126 Williman Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403

Home Team BBQ serves up some of the best Carolina barbeque in town. The restaurant has locations across the area, including downtown Charleston, Sullivan’s Island, and Mount Pleasant. The owners have worked hard to curate a family-friendly space. Not only will your child be able to act their age, but they can also find items on the menu that they’ll actually want to eat. Home Team has pulled pork sliders, quesadillas, peanut butter and jelly, and chicken fingers. Adults will love their barbeque platters as well as their extensive whiskey list. 

Islander 71

80 41st Ave, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451

Islander 71 is an Isle of Palms destination located right near the water. The family-friendly restaurant is built on the deck and gives you an exceptional Charleston SC lookout for your meal. They have a large yard with benches, tables, and bag sets. There’s also a rooftop bar where you can enjoy your meal with a fabulous view. Their kids’ menu offers mac and cheese, chicken tenders, buttered pasta, and cheeseburgers. Adults can order grilled fish, seafood pasta, and filet mignon. The restaurant has a pretty great cocktail menu you can sip with your meal. 

James Island

1271 Folly Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29412

Jalisco Taqueria is a restaurant on James Island that creates some of the best tacos around. The restaurant has loaded nachos, grilled octopus, ceviche, and tacos birria. They have a salsa sampler that gives you the chance to try all the fine-tuned flavors. The kids’ menu features tacos, chicken fingers, cheese quesadillas, and chicken fingers. You can end your meal with a churro or an ice cream sandwich. They offer specialty margaritas you can enjoy either with or without alcohol. 

Happy parents sit on a bed in a studio while dad kisses mom's head

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

1109 Park W Blvd, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29466

The Mount Pleasant Mex 1 Coastal Cantina is the third location from the wildly popular family-friendly Charleston SC chain. But don’t worry, this restaurant never compromises on quality! The Mount Pleasant location is decorated with woodwork carved from pieces of a reclaimed ship. There’s a large deck on the outside where you can enjoy your meal in the sun. The restaurant offers brunch as well as an all-day menu loaded with casual Mexican favorites. Kids will absolutely adore their a la carte tacos or their quesadillas. 

Poogan’s Porch

72 Queen Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401

Poogan’s Porch provides you with a historic building where you can have a superb meal. The restaurant specializes in southern classics. If you want to eat light, you can try out the frisse salad or the house salad with some salmon. If you would prefer to indulge, you can try out the fried chicken or the shrimp and grits. Their kids’ menu features breakfast favorites, fried chicken tenders, and buttered pasta. While you’re there, you absolutely have to try out their apple cobbler or pecan pie!

Early Bird Diner

1644 Savannah Highway, Charleston, South Carolina 29407

What kid doesn’t love breakfast? The Early Bird Diner is a breakfast and lunch place that offers up some pretty memorable dishes. They bring you southern staples, including chicken and waffles, as well as country scrambles. They have pancakes, omelets, fried chicken, and grits bowls. If you prefer to skip breakfast, you can try out their schnitzel sandwiches or their diner burgers. The restaurant offers both hot and iced coffee. Kids will be able to find something they love across the menus. 

A happy mother sits on a bed in a studio with her toddler son kissing her cheek while sitting in her lap before visiting family friendly restaurants charleston sc

The Whole Family Will Find Something To Love At These Family-Friendly Restaurants in Charleston SC

With these family-friendly restaurants in Charleston SC, you can have a delicious meal in a welcoming environment. Check them out today so you can make some memories with your favorite people! 

If you’re looking for more ways to have an unforgettable time, you should stick around! I’m a South Carolina mom as well as a photographer. When I’m not helping parents plan dreamy photo sessions, I’m telling them about places my own family has come to love. If you’ve been searching for the right Charleston family photographer for your crew, let’s chat so you can decide if I’m the one for you. Contact me today to get the conversation started!

Two toddler brothers lay on a bed together in knit sweaters

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