Serving mainly freshly prepared Mexican food such as burritos, tacos and quesadillas, Juanita Greenburg's offers daily specials, a happy hour and its popular margaritas. Diners can relax under umbrella tables on the patio or watch TV screens showing sports. A second location is in Charleston's downtown historic district at 439 King Street. On Wednesdays, kids eat free. On-site parking is available. -Natasha Lawrence

Located on beautiful Shem Creek where shrimp boats dock and kayakers explore the marshes, this long-established restaurant is a local landmark. With a daily happy hour in the evenings, the restaurant has specials that include all-you-can-eat shrimp on Mondays or specially priced oyster buckets on Thursdays. Patrons can even take a sunset harbor cruise on Wednesday on the Palmetto Breeze. Check the website for live entertainment schedules. Parking is on site.

Locally owned, this popular eatery features a menu with a long list of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads, soups and assorted munchies. Located in the Belle Hall Shopping Center off I-526, patrons are welcome to bring their dogs and dine under colorful umbrellas in the outdoor patio. Pet water bowls are provided. The restaurant offers a USD4 happy hour menu every day from 4p to 7:30p. Established in 2001, the restaurant also offers catering services for any event. Kids age 12 and younger eat free every Tuesday from 4p to 8p. Discount printable coupons are available off the "Order Online" link on the restaurant website. Check out the website's monthly calendar for drink specials, game nights and entertainment. Two other family-owned locations are at 1117 Park West Boulevard and at 1124 Rittenberg Boulevard, West Ashley.  

Located just across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston, this former 19th century inn features six charming and spacious rooms, private courtyard, a second floor breakfast room and a ground floor tavern and restaurant. Guests will enjoy an "Old Village" ambiance with park benches and fishing pier and parks to watch sailboats and ships go by. Amenities include an expanded Continental breakfast (be sure to try the Pecan Pie Croissants). Staff is friendly and professional. A few steps from the inn are quaint shops and art galleries. This hideaway offers a great escape from the busy city. - Natasha Lawrence

Athens Restaurant & Grill is located on James Island in the Athenian Village complex off Maybank Highway (which also houses Athens Cafe and Athens Pizza Express). Traditional Greek dishes are served in a breezy cafe setting. Try the chicken kabobs: marinated in olive oil, lemon, and Greek spices, the tender pieces are skewered with peppers, onions and tomatoes, and served up with rice and vegetables. Or go classic Greek and order the Moussaka or Pastitsio. For someplace more casual, head next door to Athens Pizza Express (open daily 11a-10p). They feature an abbreviated menu of Athens Restaurant & Grill, focusing on pizzas, Greek sandwiches and grinders. Finally, to curb that sweet tooth, pop into Athens Cafe for some cakes, pastries, ice cream, coffee, or smoothies.

Formally located in downtown Charleston, the Bookstore Café has changed its name to Charleston's Café and moved to the nearby Mount Pleasant district. The warm wooden interior welcomes you as you take in the sounds and smells of sausage and egg sizzling on the grill. Specializing in breakfast, the quaint restaurant is especially known for their "Island Potato Casseroles" which come with chippers (fried potatoes), grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, and are topped with eggs. Try the Kiawah variety, which, in addition to the above, comes smothered with sausage gravy and topped with cheddar cheese. Open for breakfast and lunch only.

Don't let the humble appearance of this on-the-water restaurant fool you. It is built on the site where the empty Richard & Charlene, a North Atlantic-style trawler, was lifted out of the water and crashed during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. It is in memory of that event that the restaurant is named The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene. Most people refer to it simply as The Wreck, and come to enjoy the excellent fresh seafood that is served. There are multiple combination dishes, which include shrimp, oysters, crabs, scallops, and fish prepared in various ways served with red rice, slaw, a hush puppy, and a fried hominy square. The dining is strictly no-frills. Prepare to eat on paper plates and sit on plastic furniture. However, the excellent food and unique location make up for it--the views of Shem Creek are beautiful.

A local favorite, this unpretentious gem within walking distance to the beach offers an extensive Lowcountry menu all day long with burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood dishes, chicken and steaks. This restaurant uses locally caught seafood, and also has a selection of vegetarian dishes. A few examples from the menu include Green Tomatoes Napoleon, pimento cheese grits with crab cakes and an eggplant sandwich. The friendly staff welcomes families. Acme is also available for private events and catering. Come by for happy hour in the evenings. -Natasha Lawrence  

Open in 1997, this popular dining spot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's patio dining with great views of the Atlantic Ocean, a roof top bar (weather permitting) and live entertainment during the season (April 1 through Labor Day). Start the day with a Breakfast Beach Bowl potatoes, scrambled eggs, yellow grit cakes and choice of specialty toppings. Lunch menu includes beef, chicken, BBQ and seafood sandwiches and wraps. The dinner menu features Joe's Shrimp and Grits, Stuffed Tilapia or Seafood Trio. All-You-Can-Eat Crab Legs are available on Thursday and Sunday. Family friendly, the restaurant also has a kids' menu. -Natasha Lawrence

Reputed to be located on the launching site of the Civil War submarine H.L. Hunley at Breach Inlet, this landmark restaurant offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, beaches and dolphins. Featuring locally caught seafood and fresh produce from local farmers, it has an excellent reputation for outstanding Lowcountry cuisine. There is an upstairs bar or first floor porch where you can enjoy a drink or simply take in the landscape before dinner. The restaurant is family friendly and offers a parking lot or valet parking. -Natasha Lawrence