Summerville’s food and fun scene is growing

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Downtown Charleston gets a lot of love when it comes to celebrating culture, food, fashion, and arts… but Summerville is proving to be a destination of its own.

Shaniequa Washington is a business owner and community-focused tastemaker who has called Summerville home for the last five years. She is spreading the word about the big things happening in Flowertown lately.

Community members are calling it a Summerville renaissance as local businesses start to stand out to a larger audience.

Washington shared some insight on some of the must-see spots both new and old. Among them is the Italian restaurant “Laura” on North Main Street, which is operated by the same group as Nico, a popular oyster bar and seafood restaurant in Mount Pleasant. It opened in 2022 and was named the #1 hottest new restaurant in Charleston by “Easter.”

It also earned several “best of” nods from the Charleston City Paper.

And when it comes to sweets, “Swank Desserts” is a black and woman-owned small business in downtown Summerville going viral on social media with millions of views on TikTok showcasing their classic banana pudding and macrons.

When it comes to casual spots to grab a coffee and gather with neighbors for conversation or workspace, Washington says “Cuppa Manna” has been serving that up along with unique flavored coffees, bubble teas, and bakery items for nearly 10 years.

Washington reminds us that the Sweat Tea Festival returns to Summerville this month. The town coins itself the birthplace of sweet tea, and the festival celebrates fresh home-brewed goodness with live music, food, and plenty of tea.

She added that while many Summerville businesses are making a name for themselves on their own, the draw doesn’t stop there. Washington said the town continues to evolve, and in many ways, it remains untapped with special experiences happening every month that some may be unaware of.

“I am telling you- we got art, we have food, we have festivals, we have all the things. Come on over to the other side where we are building on the other side of the bridge,” she said.

Washington said people should check out Third Thursday where streets are blocked off in the downtown area with vendors, food trucks, shopping, and local artisans.

“I am telling you they put on, that little square that’s up there, the music, the vibes the everything — we are dancing in the streets,” she said.

You can find her on Instagram just search Shaniequa L. Washington where she shares community-centered reviews and recommendations on all things food, fashion, and beauty.

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