This was the most horrible experience I've ever had dining in downtown Charleston and I've lived here for almost 15 years and eat out REGULARLY!! It was our anniversary dinner. My husband and I got stuck behind an accident on East Bay and called to let the restaurant know we were going to be 3-5 minutes late (we were only a mile away). The maître d' answered the phone and when I gave him our name and reservation time he said "I know you're late! You know it too! Get here when you can and if we have time we'll seat you." We shrugged it off thinking maybe it was his poor attempt at humor. So we get to the restaurant and we are taking up to our table in the upstairs back room to the right of the staircase. My husband ordered the she crab soup as a starter and I ordered a Caesar salad. The she crab soup was about a half cup serving and my husband said it was pretty tasteless. My salad was just OK at best. My husband ordered the shrimp pasta and I ordered the New York strip special, cooked medium temperature, with potato purée and chard broccolini. I have several autoimmune diseases and cannot eat undercooked meat. I specified this to our server and he verbally stated his understanding. When our meals came there was a pool of blood underneath my steak leaching into my potato purée. I cut into my steak and there were blood clots all through it. I stated to the server assistant that I could not eat my steak this way and asked if they would please bring me another. He took my plate, and moments later brought me the same plate back to the table and said the chef said that it was fine to eat that way. I graduated from culinary school and know that that's not safe to eat at all. I emailed the restaurant on Saturday but gave them six days to answer due to the bustling dinner service of downtown Charleston. After not hearing back all week I called. I spoke with Phil and this was his response "I don't necessarily believe your story about our food, service or how your steak was cooked. I'll speak with our Chef and if I feel it warrants a return call I will give you one, but I wouldn't hold my breath." Now I'm going to dispute the charges with my bank. There was a way to handle this and that surely wasn't it. We paid $165 for dinner to celebrate our anniversary and had the most inexcusable poor experience in any downtown Charleston restaurant we've ever had. Definitely won't be going back! read more

Excellent food and service!! The fried green tomatoes and Brussel sprouts were delicious appetizers! All the main courses were delicious as well! Perfect place to celebrate a special birthday! read more

This was our first visit to Anson. We were celebrating our anniversary and they treated us first class. We got a great circle booth. Fried green tomato appetizer was extremely good, one of the best in the area. I got the red snapper special. I like fish, but honestly this was the best red snapper dish I've had. It came with a sucotash that was melt in your mouth, bacon beans deliciousness. read more

Anson - Snapper with shrimp bean medley.. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I loved this restaurant. Excellent food and the wait staff were delightful, helpful and friendly. We were there during the last part of The Masters and our waiter kept us up to date with results. It was a lovely dining experience and I will most certainly return. Cappy Hall Rearick read more

When I review a restaurant I try to take into account what my expectations are before I walk into the building. If I'm going to a fine steak house that I know is pricey I certainly expect more then walking into McDonald's. Let's face it , if the restaurant wants me to spend over 100 per head they better be prepared to provide more then just a meal. At Anson's I got great food. I started with calamari that was probably the best I've ever had. I realized while I was eating it that I didn't even want to use the marinara sauce that came with it. This is a must try! My main course was swordfish in a bacon cream sauce. It too was very good but was disappointing in serving size and only came out warm instead of hot. Service was good but did not measure up to what I experienced the night before at another Charleston steakhouse. Overall I was pleased and would return but can only give 4 stars when you pay this price. read more

Anson - The main course at Anson's - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My first "Favorite" restaurant in Charleston! Not only is the restaurant itself so cute and very old Charleston, but the food is delicious. The fried catfish is always my go-to but everything on the menu is delicious! A little off the beaten path from right on King or East Bay making it a little less crowded generally, but that makes it even better! read more

Everything was phenomenal. The service was great & I had a fantastic evening catching up with an old friend over classic Charleston fare. The restaurant gets all the stars when it ropes me into several courses and at Anson I started with the fried green tomatoes SO good. The combination of the pimento cheese & bacon jam- amazing. I had the flounder which was everything I hoped it to be & then finished with our server's recommendation: the blackberry cobbler. I could've died. Everything was on point. I never felt rushed toward the end of the meal and we were both welcomed upon arrival and greeted on our departure. I'll be back again. Oh! And we sat upstairs which was gorgeous. We sipped cocktails as the sun set and it was everything. Great for special occasions. read more

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Try the she-crab soup. It is delicious. The shrimp and grits entree is amazing. It has a smokey flavor that separates this dish from all the other local offerings. The banana cream pie is out of this world. The menu has many incredible choices and our food was outstanding. Our waiter was extremely courteous, knowledgeable and attentive. read more

Before venturing to the south, i had a plan to consume a different version of shrimp and grits daily. However after having them on my second night in Charleston at Anson, i made a vow to not have any more in the near future. Why u ask? Because they were so delicious and i did not want another restaurants version to taint my experience. Upon walking in to the restaurant, it appeared a bit dated with the servers wearing matching suits and the clientele being in the older demographic, but surprisingly the menu was quite modern. I started with a classic Cesar salad, the ratio of garlic to citrus was perfectly balanced. My sis had the compressed watermelon salad with heirloom tomatoes. The salad was bright and refreshing, and the addition of the compressed watermelon was inventive and unexpected. For our mains i had the shrimp and grits and only one word comes to mind: perfection. One note i will make is that i liked the addition of tomatoes in the dish, it added a layer of depth. My sis had the grilled catfish with shrimp on a grit cake. The catfish was slightly spicy and the grit cake was crispy on the outside while remaining tender in the middle. Overall if you want to go out for a meal in Charleston and want to experience a true southern experience, you must go to Anson Restaurant. read more

Anson - Best shrimp N' Grits in Charleston - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We arrived to a very plesant dining area. The hostess seated us with menus. The server arrived and said he was there to answer all of our questions. I said - why don't you tell us about the restaurant and the specials. He stated that "they had just called him in ". Then asked what we would like to drink. I started with Peligrino, and then excused myself to the ladies room and asked my hubby to order me a Manhattan on the rocks. (same drink I always have). I returned to find a Manhattan no rocks. Hubby went up to the bar and changed it. Server returned and told me he didn't know I wanted a Manhattan on the rocks, if I order a Manhattan I should say rocks or it will come straight up. Thanks for the drink lesson. Then he started to pour the Peligrino with the cap on. Hubby told him the cap was on. We had the corn meal crusted oysters - very yummy. I had the scallops and Hubby had the flounder. The food was very good. Service was terrible. Server asked if we were finished, he brought the bill, then took the bill and the credit card. After a while he came back with a card and put it at the table next to us with another couple. Then he came to our table and asked if we wanted anything else. I said I would like my bill and credit card that he left at the other table - I could see the confused looks on those diners faces. He said he was confused lately. Hmmmm. read more

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I live in Charleston and have eaten there many times. My husband and I even rented the restaurant for our son's rehearsal dinner. It's the charm of Charleston personified. The service and the food have been exceptional. Thank you so much for such a great experience at every visit! read more

Anson - Anson Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Roaches where crawling up the wall and one landed on my son-in-laws shoulder which then crawled across the table. When I approached the manager and told him he had a roach problem he just turned and walked away. I would not recommend this restaurant to any one. read more

In Charleston visiting from Las Vegas where covid has completely destroyed our reputation for great customer service, food, experience, etc. Sadly out west we have gotten used to waiting 20+ mins for drinks and having to be patience with servers who are just overwhelmed and stretched so far thin and being understaffed. NOT AT ANSON! It was one of the best dinners and service I've had in years!! Our server Darnell was 5 stars, he was just outstanding. Friendly, personable, made sure we could hear him under his mask given the noisy ambiance, conscious of my food allergies, I mean this guy didn't miss a beat. Highly recommend eating a meal at Anson, and be sure to recommend Darnell as your server! read more

While all the other restaurants were completely overflowing with people on a very busy weekend, Seawee festival, Garth Brooks is in town and Valentine's Day weekend, Anson's was great retreat after some sightseeing on first night in town. Our waiter was attentive and accomodating to whatever we needed, as was all the busters. read more

We spent several days in Charleston enjoying the sights and restaurant experiences. Anson's was by far was the highlight of the foodie part of the trip! We had several appetizers and all were stellar. The Caesar salad was excellent-the dressing was so flavorful with hints of anchovy without the visible fishes! The fried okra with goat cheese was great and an absolutely huge portion. The fried green tomatoes and she crab soup were great. The star of the evening meal, and the reason to return, was the House special Crispy Flounder. The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were just wonderful. Excellent meal. The atmosphere is lovely and service is good. read more

Anson's food is really good. I got a lamb special, it had a pure grilled flavor that was just great and paired very nicely with a light springy sauce. I also liked the fact that their wine list had about eight half-bottles. Don't even think about sharing the she crab soup. It's tiny... and delicious. read more

I am so glad this restaurant has reopened after the fire. I took 14 people here last week for dinner and everything was fantastic! Everyone raved how good their dish was and the most amazing thing is they all came out at the same time. We also celebrated 2 birthdays and one retirement that evening. Oh - and they had blue cheese stuffed olives for my martini (half Stoli and half Sapphire). The crispy flounder that I had was the best I've had - a real low country gem. read more

Anson - Happy 48th Birthday Richard! - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

One of the better places I've eaten at in Charleston! The restaurant's vibe is a bit more old school than I prefer, but my experience was very enjoyable. I dined at the bar and Jeremy the bartender was a joy to converse with - very charming and friendly and gave me some great suggestions for siteseeing in the area. The seared scallops appetizer with avocados, grapefruit and onions was especially bright and refreshing. I also enjoyed the she crab soup, and was surprised at how creamy and it was. My one disappointed was that the tilefish was a tad too salty and visually too gray looking under the lights. Definitely go and check this restaurant out - the food is delicious and the service is great! read more

Was fortunate to get a table at this popular Charleston restaurant and had an added benefit of it being Restaurant Week in town! I enjoyed a delicious pan fried Catfish over rice and Red Eye gravy. it was a great combo that I would like to try at home. Came with a mixed green salad and dessert was Pecan Pie! Great dinner and very reasonable ($30). Service was excellent as well. Can't wait to try again! read more

Excellent restaurant...but for the price tag you can afford to go to Circa 1886 for a better experience. Two menu items that stood out: The pork belly appetizer - Excellent but i prefer my pork belly a bit crispier. The flavor was spot on though The whole flounder entree - A perfectly cooked whole fish. The apricot chutney they cook it with goes perfectly with the mild fish. And the way that they cube the flesh makes it very easy to eat. This is a lovely spot in Charleston...but for the hefty $, go to Circa 1886 read more

Lovely dinner....best in Charleston during our stay. I had the flounder which was unbelievable! Would definitely recommend, and don't leave without trying the creme brûlée. It was the best I had had since I enjoyed it in Cannes, France. read more

We had a great night at Anson's on Sunday night. The service was awesome and the food was even better. I got the vegetable pasta and it was delicious. Highly recommend for a nice weekend dinner. read more

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Excellent service and food. I had the snapper with pineapple chutney and it was fantastic! Friends had the friend green tomatoes and loved them. The server was wonderfully attentive but didn't hover. We were allowed time to really enjoy our food check checked on appropriately. read more

Great choice for a 5 star near Market St. The menu is full of local fare and all of it is excellently prepared. The only fault I could find were that some dishes were a little salty for my taste. An all around solid choice. read more

Anson - The locally farmed pork belly is a must try! - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Food is 5 star and our waitress did a great job. The hostess lost them a star because she was bored and it showed in her face and body language. The rest of the staff tended to gather and joke with one another rather than check the room. A sign that they are a bit too comfortable with the manager. All in all a good time, good food and I would recommend and return. read more

Was VERY disappointed to endure a large screen above the bar playing football while we were trying to experience this fine dining restaurant that has been my #1 choice in Charleston for decades. Football?? Is this the new trend that we must be subjected to? Our appetizers, champagne, entrees and service were good, but the upscale menu and premise demand an ambience which was ruined by a television playing sports that can clearly be seen from every table. I would have asked to be moved upstairs but it seemed closed and we didn't want to move. I hope the owner will consider putting a dividing wall up to preserve the integrity of the dining experience, or just throw that TV in the Cooper River. read more

Anson Restaurant was absolutely superb in every way. We actually arrived 1 hour early for our reservation and the hostess quickly accommodated us. She was sweet, cute and accommodating. Immediately after we were seated, our server came to the table. He was absolutely excellent - helped with the menu, made us feel comfortable, etc. - and immediately brought us water and the wine and beer we ordered. When the food arrived, it was absolutely exquisite! It was so delicious! My husband had the Whole Crispy Flounder (which our server recommended) and he said the sauce absolutely made it; he ate every bit of it. I had the Salmon Dinner and it was the tastiest meal I think I've ever had. We will definitely return to Anson on our next visit to Charleston! read more

The food was extremely salty and not worth the price. We were charged for water!!! That said, the only redeeming quality was the service. Alexandria was attentive and quick. We experienced a small snafu and she was incredibly helpful. read more

Bad service compounded by terrible and overpriced food and watery drinks made tonight's dinner an expensive, frustrating and disappointing experience. Not only was the waiter inattentive, he was also arrogant. Ordered she crab soup at $8/cup - was broth, not creamy, full of red bell pepper, and not a hint of sherry. Then had Caesar salad which was awful. For $14 you'd think they'd at least use romaine leaves, not the chopped stems we were served. The salad was floating in an almost inedible dressing that was the worst Caesar I've ever tasted - vinegary and watery. I must have gotten the dregs of the bowl because over half of my serving was congealed parmesan. Fortunately we stopped there and did not order an entree. I have seldom been so disappointed. Will never eat here again. read more

We came here with our family, including 3 children, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food was amazing and we look forward to coming back with our next Charleston adventure! read more

Cannot recommend this place more!! Wow. Where do I start. We came here for a bachelorette party and it was the best decision. The service is next level, our server Kyle treated us like queens. The manager gave the bride a complimentary drink. THE FOOD, all 8 of us loved our meals and appetizers . I will be thinking about the flounder for awhile. A must go when your in Charleston. read more

We were just walking by and decided to try this place after looking at the menu. We are glad we did! We sat at the bar and the bartender was awesome! The manager walked around to check on everyone and he was very friendly. The chicken was delicious! read more

Newly rebuilt, this restaurant has excellent seafood and steak...some fowl Offerings. I had scallops ( three) and ham one inch x an inch.My wife had the flounder. It was more substantial.The dark ale was very tasty. Oh yes the fresh hot bread was yummy and the basic salad was shared. read more

We had a nice experience, could have been better, but overall it was good. Firstly, amidst pandemic, they did a good job following the restrictions unlike other restaurant we visited while in Charleston. The place was sanitized, tables were quiet far away from each other, staff had mask on all the time, toilets were clean. I had reserved a table for 2 to celebrate my wife's birthday. We started with a glass of champagne, by the way, they have fewer wines by glass but a large collection of red and white wines by bottle and half bottle. Starting with their service, our waitress was right on time with every course. For appetizer we ordered shrimp cocktail and they were delicious; perfectly cooked, soft and not very strong cocktail sauce. For entree we shared their then special seared scallops with basil risotto and it was also good; tasteful, fresh basil, and decent portion size. I had their pomegranate martini and I loved it. Never had martini before so I do not have a reference but it tasted so good. Finally we wanted to finish with a small cake since it was her birthday and apparently they ran out of their only blueberry cheesecake. Although we did enjoy our time and had an amazing dining experience, it would have been perfect with cake at the end. read more

Went here during Restaurant Week with a group. Great ambiance and the selections on the menu were outstanding. Loved the sword fish and the chicken liver pate. Pate was smooth as butter and went well with the warm bread. Sword fish was cooked well. Dessert was the panna cotta which was delicious as well. Tried my friends' filet and peach gazpacho and they were very flavorful and fresh as well. Total came out to around 70 bucks after tip, and that included bottles of wine. Good value. Great food. Friendly service. Warm and inviting environment. read more

So pleased with the food and the staff! The food is very good and the prices aren't bad at all. Want a nice romantic night, this is the place to go. read more

Great place and great service. This is a quaint little restaurant in the middle of historic Charleston right off of market Street. We tried a couple of appetizers and then split an entrée. Everything was delicious and the service was great. Our server also turned out to be a great resource for other places to eat in Charleston. The deviled eggs were the best deviled eggs I have had in a restaurant and we order them in different cities all the time. Almost as good as Grandmas! Ansons is also a great place to pick up a carriage ride after eating or go hang out next-door at Henry's. I would definitely eat here again. read more

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Top 5 meals I have eaten out...EVER! Service was excellent. Every item my wife and I ate was amazing. We ordered two entrees that were specials for the night - both were amazing! From the bread to the desert, every bite was amazing. If you are in Charleston, this restaurant is a must. My wife and I made reservations ahead of time and were seated at the bar for a few minutes to enjoy a glass of wine. It was the beginning of one of the best culinary experiences I have ever partaken. My favorite restaurant in Charleston. read more

I come here every year with my family. The menu is stable, something for everyone to like. This place does a nice job of capturing the Low Country. It is located in the heart of Charleston, very accessible location. They have a fantastic private room on the second floor which can seat almost 50 people. I deducted a star because they never mix it up. I feel the specials are always the same, they need to add variety. read more

Everything was amazing! Fried flounder, specialty of the house, blackened catfish, fried calamari, brussel sprouts, okra, she crab soup, salmon, shrimp with pasta, all EXCELLENT. Leah was excellent! Outstanding service! Would go back in a heart beat. close to town center. AMAZING! read more