August 6, 2024
As its name implies, Mount Pleasant is a place where visitors are invited to sit back, relax and take in the scenery. The restaurant owners and chefs here delight in the details, from sourcing ingredients locally to perfecting comfort food classics, ensuring that no matter where you dine, you’ll savor the flavors of this charming destination. Here are six places to try.
73 & Main
The upscale American fare at 73 & Main, located in the historic Hosiery Mill, showcases the finest cuts of beef and a stellar selection of seafood, but it’s really the 100-strong bourbon lineup that steals the spotlight. Featuring rare and antique bourbons, including a locally distilled bourbon from Mt. Pleasant’s very own Southern Grace Distilleries, the menu is a tour de force of impressive spirits. For dinner, start with the crab and shrimp cocktail, then move on to the prime rib (so juicy) and lobster tails (nice and buttery).
Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse
When deciding what to order at Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse, you have your work cut out for you. The meats — smoked traditionally — are all delicious. The brisket is moist, the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, the burnt ends are crispy, the pork melts in your mouth and the pulled chicken tastes great piled high on a thick slab of Texas toast. Try any of the meats on a sandwich or enjoy as a platter with a choice of sides: hush puppies, mayo slaw, fried corn on the cob, and more.
The Bakery at Mount Pleasant
Confections in pastel hues, gooey cinnamon rolls, sugar-dusted cannoli, buttercream-capped cupcakes… These are just some of the treats you’ll find at The Bakery at Mount Pleasant. Here, everything is made in-house and from scratch for a rotating menu that changes daily. Stop by in the morning for flaky croissants and warm blueberry scones or in the afternoon for fudgy brownies and chewy cookies. Housed inside the historic 1912 Lentz Building, The Bakery also serves up coffees and teas to pair with its decadent delights.
Cantina 73
Food fusion is the name of the game at Cantina 73. Though the dishes are Mexican, the owner infuses his Indian heritage into the cuisine in tasty ways, such as the Eastern-spiced tofu tacos. North Carolina’s Southern culinary traditions show up in surprising places, too. Take, for instance, the tacos stuffed with fried okra or the “Go Pantherita” margarita, a nod to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Opt for the made-daily guacamole as an appetizer, followed by street tacos and Mt. Pleasant enchiladas — three corn tortillas loaded with shredded chicken.
Café Lentz
At Café Lentz, everything is imbued with a European feel. Sidewalk tables shaded by red umbrellas dot the patio. Locals linger over coffee and chat about the weather. Leashed pups doze under the watchful gaze of their owners. The menu leans into the Parisian bistro vibe, too, with pastries like cream horns and crumble cakes, flavorful flatbreads, soups in bread bowls, green salads and stacked sandwiches. Must-order: grilled chicken sandwich with Conviction bourbon barbecue sauce or the pimento cheese and bacon melt. Grab an apple cake for later.
What-A-Burger No. 13
Do as the locals do and eat at What-A-Burger. A Carolina staple since 1969, this family-owned joint is the go-to spot for classic burgers expertly made. About a dozen burgers grace the menu, from the original What-A-Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard to chili-topped burgers. Conclude the meal with a heaping plate of funnel fries.
Stay A While
This small community has so much to explore, from dining and shopping to museums, historic sites and more. Continue the adventure in Mount Pleasant with inspiration from our guide to the town.
