Restaurant Suggestions!
In the Charleston, Alexandria, or Chapel Hill area and don’t know where to eat? Here are some of my favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner places. Click on the links to begin your journey.
"I only eat in three places: here, there and everywhere!
-Daniel Worona
Charleston, SC
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
- Huriyali & Beech: if you love a good HEALTHY & FRESH meal these are your places! Smoothies, coffee, bowls, sandwiches, salads, snacks…they’ve got it all (even vegan and vegetarian options!). A great breakfast spot for sure, but don’t sleep on these two for a light lunch as well!
- The Marina Variety Store: a Charleston CLASSIC. This place is shakin’ eggs and bacon and will satisfy all your classic breakfast cravings. Diner vibes overlooking the harbor, it doesn’t get much better than that!
- 132 Spring Street: a favorite new find. Neighborhood coffee shop that truly does it all food wise. Incredible never thought of breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of daily lunch specials.
- Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: calling all biscuit lovers! This little spot will leave you feeling warm and full. Order one of their various biscuit flavors or turn it into a sandwich! You won’t regret.
Lunch
- Queen Street Grocery: for a local, neighborhood spot you cannot go wrong with QSG! An all-time favorite for myself. Sandwiches, crepes, salads, smoothies: whether you want breakfast, lunch, or a mid-day snack they can do it all.
- Caviar and Bananas: think Dean and Deluca! A local, mini shop that does coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, catering, & drinks. Design your own or order one of their menu favorites! A quick, easy, and delicious breakfast, lunch, or snack go-to.
- Circe’s Grotto: big panini fan? You don’t need to look any further. Arguably my favorite sandwich shop, and that thing will leave you satisfied all day. They also do breakfast, wraps, and salads!
- Basic Kitchen: FOR MY VEGAN PEEPS. Happy vibes all around, I’m not even vegan and I’d still be here every day if I could! Make anything on the menu vegan or not! For actually good and satisfying plant-based meals, it can’t be beat.
Dinner
- Monza: good Italian food you ask? Say no more. The best salads, pasta, and pizza you could ever need. I might go as far as to say it’s little Italy in Charleston.
- Oku: the best sushi you’ve ever had in your life. Dramatic, maybe, but I dream about it often. Other items on the menu, and nothing will steer you wrong.
- Little Jack’s Tavern: it’s literally called Little Jack’s! So cute! If you’re looking for a delicious, satisfying, and casual meal for dinner this is definitely the place.
- 167 Raw: I could go ON and ON about this place. If you like seafood, you best be going here for at least one meal (if not two!). You can get back to me after you love it.
Alexandria, VA
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
- Toastique: I could not love this place more. So many different types of toasts and smoothies, truly the perfect little breakfast spot.
- Stomping Ground: for the biscuit lovers again! This place is awesome. Do whatever with your biscuit and add a quality coffee too!
- SouthBlock: ACAI PEEPS this is your place! From smoothies, to bowls, to juices to snacks this is definitely a go-to.
- Del Ray Café: if you love a little neighborhood café this is the breakfast place for you! Classic and quality breakfast—it doesn’t get better.
Lunch
- Best Buns: if you’re like me and love a good sandwich, do not sleep on Best Buns. I’m not one for chicken salad usually, but their chicken salad sandwich is the best thing I’ve ever had.
- Sweet Green: y’all, if I could get this every single day for lunch I WOULD. Salads and grain bowls, it simply cannot be beat. Think Cava and Chopt on steroids.
- Alexandria Pastry Shop: the warm place you want to be on a chilly day. Soup, sandwiches, desserts, and MORE.
- Lena’s, Café Pizzaiolo, and Red Rocks: three of my all-time favorite Italian restaurants. Perfect for lunch OR dinner and so many great options other than just pizza!
Dinner
- Guapos & Don Taco: we all need a little Mexican food, and these are my two favorites. Guapos is definitely a classic Mexican restaurant while Don Taco is more of taco boutique but can’t go wrong with either.
- Brabo: the Lorien Hotel’s restaurant. A relaxed and nice dining atmosphere, and I swear the food is always to die for.
- Medium Rare: the closest location to AVA is a bit of a drive, but it is SO worth it. Steak house with a set menu: salad, steak (cooked the way you like it), fries, and dessert. AND…wait for it…they give you refills on your meal. How can you say no to that?
- Il Porto & Landini Brothers: for all your high-end Italian food needs. I leave this place happier (and a little bit heavier) every time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chapel Hill, NC
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
- Brandwein’s Bagels: Chapel Hill has been NEEDING a local bagel place, and it’s finally here. Design your own or order one of their special crafted ones, you won’t be disappointed.
- Carolina Coffee Shop: kill two birds with one stone: coffee and an unbeatable breakfast meal (and both are amazing).
- Sunrise Biscuits: this place is a Chapel Hill classic and some of the best biscuits I have ever come across.
- The Purple Bowl: a local smoothie and açai bowl shop. They love their customers as much as they love the freshness they put into their menu!
Lunch
- Sutton’s Drug Store: if you’re in Chapel Hill, this is a NECESSARY STOP. The best lunch (or breakfast) meal in town, and you can’t get it anywhere else.
- Tru: design your own sandwich or salad! Chapel Hill’s best sandwich shop if you ask me. Sit inside or out, the atmosphere is perfect for a nice day on the hill.
- Med Deli: just your classic Greek Deli. Perfect for lunch, dinner or even catering! With so many options, you simply cannot go wrong.
- Merritt’s Grill: just like Sutton’s, this is a must while in Chapel Hill. The best BLT you’ve ever had in your life, and I’m not kidding.
Dinner
- Al’s Burger Shack: craving a burger and fries? This is one of Chapel Hill’s best local spots, and it is always calling my name.
- TOPO: eat and enjoy an incredible view of the hill. Your classic American food, and it cannot be beat.
- Lucha Tigre: sounds out there but imagine Mexican PAIRED with Asian food. Y’all it’s awesome.
- IP3: for all your Italian food needs: salad, pizza, pasta and more. The best comfort food for sure.