This brunch spot ranks No. 1 in South Carolina. What makes it a ‘sweet escape?’
A brunch restaurant offers a “sweet escape” in a popular South Carolina tourist spot — and customers can’t get enough.
So much so, the restaurant now ranks as the No. 1 place to eat brunch in the state, according to results published April 14.
Harken Cafe in Charleston tops the list from Yelp. To determine the best brunch restaurant in each state, the review website said it studied feedback left over time from Elite users, described as those who are active on the platform.
“We identified businesses in the breakfast and brunch categories, then ranked those spots based on the volume and ratings of reviews given by Yelp Elite Squad members for each business,” the website wrote in its report.
The results were released before Mother’s Day, which falls this year on Sunday, May 11. Another review website, OpenTable, said 73% of moms want a family brunch to mark the occasion, according to survey results shared in a news release.
Why the SC brunch restaurant ranks No. 1
Though people often go out for brunch on Mother’s Day, Harken Cafe has gained fans month after month. The Charleston restaurant said it serves comfort food from its tucked-away location off Queen Street.
“Purposely hidden, and around the corner from the main street, with earthy hues, warm woods, exposed brick and subtle Old World influence, we designed Harken to be your sweet escape — even if just for a few rejuvenating minutes,” the restaurant wrote on its website.
In its report, Yelp called the brunch spot a “hideaway located in the bustling French Quarter. The menu is inspired by local fare and seasonal ingredients. Their popular ‘Butter Me Up’ breakfast sandwich has herby cheese, egg souffle, and pickled shallots on a homemade ricotta biscuit.”
On Yelp, some fans called the restaurant a “hidden gem,” helping it earn 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers also raved about the flavor of the Green Thing, the restaurant’s spin on avocado toast. Other beloved menu items include coffee, pastries and The “GG” Bowl — a mixture of salad, hummus and bread.
It may not come as a surprise that the top-ranked South Carolina brunch restaurant is in Charleston. Earlier this year, the city was named one of the nation’s best destinations for food lovers to visit, McClatchy News reported.
