Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Circa 1886 Restaurant

    4.5 (401 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Circa 1886 Restaurant Photos

    CIRCA 1886 RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Circa 1886 Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lim K.

    Celebrated my husband's birthday on Friday the 13th in March. This was our first time trip to Charleston and we chose to celebrate his birthday here based on the menu and the Yelp reviews. We each selected a different tasting menu to share the whole experience and added a seared foie gras. The food presentations were beautifully done and we mostly enjoyed the food. The highlight of our meal was the combination of the beef and seared foie gras. It was so delicious. The service was amazing throughout the entire evening. Overall, we had a great meal with a very relaxed atmosphere.

    We tried the "tasting menu". Overall the presentation was superb. Some dishes like the salmon wasn't that great. But most of the dishes were excellent. Service was excellent. Ambiance is very intimate and very appealing. Recommend white wine was pricey and it was not that good. Prices are on the high side.

    02/06/2021
    Ara A.

    I have to admit my 1st visit was better than this recent visit. Started with the pork on toast app and it was not great, i actually considered sending it back. It was dry and lacked flavor. The tenderloin was very good but I missed the venison that we had last time. All in all our serve Angel was great. The ambience was great.

    Duck

    Very charming building on the outside, classy on the inside. Very pleased with atmosphere and seating comfort. Service was great in the sense of timeliness, keeping your glass full etc. However the friendliness wasn't quite there for me. We ordered both tasting menus. Highlights were the bread, the duck, the pork belly and the salmon. The beef has a lovely demi glaze, but lacked coarse seasoning you expect on a fillet. Perfectly cooked and tender though. Dessert was simply masterful. I was disappointed that there was no offering of coffee or tea with dessert or at least after as a digestive. I certainly would return, but not until I've tried some other fine dining establishments in the area first. I give 4 stars. I took one away due to the lack of seasoning with the beef, and the lack of warmth from the server.

    Planning for the dinner.
    Dale Z.

    Quite the experience. This was our splurge dinner while visiting Charleston. My girlfriend and I opted for the tasting menus. With wine pairings these ran $220 each. Rather spendy, yes, but also very good. She had the ASHLEY TASTING MENU, consisting of: SOUP & SANDWICH--Open Face Brioche Lobster "Roll", Chives, Lobster Bisque / ARCTIC CHAR--English Peas, Poached Garlic Bechamel, Fingerling Potato Chips, Meyer Lemon / FRIED POULET ROUGE--Caviar, Gold Leaf, Preserved Roma Tomato, Pickle Buttermilk Dressing / LAMB CHOPS French Onion Potato Napoleon, Asparagus, Black Garlic Demiglace, Butterless Hollandaise / APPLE COBBLER SOUFFLÉ--Cinnamon Soufflé, Caramel Apple Ice Cream, Vanilla Anglaise. I opted for the COOPER TASTING MENU, which included: FOIE GRAS TORCHON "BRULEE"--Peach Cider Curd, Toasted Pecans, Finger Lime, Basil / BLUE CRAB SALAD--Pineapple Sorbet, Cucumber, Radish, Romesco Sauce, Tequila Vinegar Gel, Cilantro, Tortilla Crisps / BERKSHIRE PORK Gnocchi, Smoked Paprika Tomato Sauce, Manchego, Truffle Crema / WAGYU BEEF Garlic Butter Whipped Potatoes, Petite Vegetables, Smoked Foie Gras Demiglace / CHOCOLATE & PEARS--Chocolate Truffle Cake, Port Poached Pears, Grand Marnier Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream, Blood Orange Gel. Everything we had was artfully prepared and presented. The "journey of taste" we went on was one of wonder. We shared and mixed and matched between our two menus. The wine pairings were exquisitely done. Perhaps somewhat ironically, I very much enjoyed the wine pairings from the Ashley with the foods from the Cooper. At the end of the night, with tip, we dropped almost $600 for the two of us. Was it worth it? Probably. Service was excellent. We had a great time. And it was quite memorable. I wish I had taken some pictures of the meal.

    Matt B.

    Amazing dining experience, from the ambiance, to the wine list, to the service - we were blown away. This was my first time trying fine dining and it was an absolute delight. The tasting menus were so good and well thought out, each course builds and dessert was fantastic. Thank you for making my birthday a special one.

    62 degrees celcius egg
    Kirstie D.

    There's nothing superior to Circa 1886 in Charleston. From the exquisite atmosphere, the the superb menu, and the incredible top tier service you get from the time you enter until you have laid down your fork- it's divine (Craig is amazing- cannot say enough good things about him and he always times our plates so well). We always order both chef menus to really get to experience the high caliber quality food they put out but have also ordered entrees like the tenderloin and it's so good you'll be audible about it.

    Shrimp n' Rice Grits
    Arthur N.

    Tucked away in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion, replete with its original pine floors and enchanting architectural accoutrements, Circa 1886, as their website so understatedly notes, "evokes the romance and Old-World charm of historic downtown Charleston." An understatement, indeed, considering that in 2020 the restaurant was cited as one of "The Most Romantic Restaurants in the World" by Architectural Digest. But Circa 1886 offers diners infinitely more than alluring ambience, as the restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the finest the city of Charleston has to offer. For over a decade, Executive Chef Marc Collins has worked with local farmers and fishermen to create an innovative seasonal & local menu that has taken Lowcountry cuisine to new culinary heights... In 2019, he launched a unique four-part menu that takes diners on an historical journey through South Carolina's fascinating foodways - Tastes of Native Tribes... Flavors Brought from Africa... Influences from Europe - and how these elements have been fused into a decidedly modern take on Lowcountry cuisine... South Carolina Today. Needless to say, the menu presented so many intriguing possibilities that it was extremely difficult knowing what to choose. Somehow or other - undoubtedly by pure chance - my dining partner and I managed to put a dent in all four categories. I began with the Foie Gras (from Europe), which, when I happen to spy it on a menu is almost impossible to resist. Mr. Collins version was particularly avant garde, bewitching the palate with such delicious traveling companions as cassava pudding, pomegranate strawberry jam, lime basil oil, and smattering of hazelnuts. My dining companion's Shrimp n' Rice Grits (from Africa; pictured) was equally au courant, incorporating smoked ham hock gravy, Burden Creek Dairy goat cheese, and tiara of cabbage leaves. It was a rather warm evening in Charleston, so we decided to take the piscatorial route. I opted for the Paprika Grouper (from Europe). Pillowed on a seabed of leeks n' kale, it was accompanied by crispy fingerling potatoes and garnished with Manchego cheese and an intriguing preserved tomato & caper crudo... A captivating combo of flavors and textures to say the least. My dining partner's Rainbow Trout (Native Tribes; pictured), however, was even more thought-provoking. The filet was enveloped in an ethereal sunflower sumac crust and kissed by an enticing corn sauce, with a wild rice porridge, arugula, and cranberry paint in strong supporting roles. Other interesting items that are definitely worth a try... Butternut Squash & Peanut Soup: grilled scallion lacquer, dried mango; Southern Grilled Cheese: pimento cheese mousse, grilled brioche, Surryano ham, paddlefish caviar, cured yolk powder; Chicken Fried Duck Breast: Hoppin' John, turnips & tops, orange & grapefruit salad, buttered biscuit gravy; Peri-Peri Pork Belly: coconut red rice, collard greens, red onion piccalilli, guave purée; Sea Scallops: blue corn grits, copper carrots, Brussels sprouts, vanilla bean vinaigrette. Desserts continued the kitchen's winning ways with one representative from each of the menu's above-mentioned four culinary categories: Sweet Corn and Huckleberry (Native Tribes): sweet corn Bavarian, Johnny cakes, huckleberry sorbet, puffed hominy; Coconut Sombi (from Africa): Carolina gold rice pudding, fresh mango, coconut sorbet, benne seed tuile; Mousse au chocolat (from Europe): dark chocolate mousse, caramel crèmeux, pecan profiterole, chocolate sauce. Our denouement of choice, however, was the Strawberry Shortcake Soufflé (South Carolina Today; pictured): beautifully textured buttermilk soufflé, rich, decadent Grand Marnier ice cream, and sweet fresh strawberries... Incomparable. One final note. Circa 1886 also has a fabulous wine list... including a Bucket List Wines by the Ounce, with one, three, and five ounce pours of some extraordinary vintages. And their innovative specialty cocktails are certain to raise a few eyebrows as well as spirits... Like Spring on Wentworth: Vodka, Limoncello, Lemon, Basil; Ladies Man: Glenmorangie, Cocchi Americano, Orange Bitters; or Little Bird Told Me: Spiced Rum, Campari, Pineapple. If you are visiting the Charleston area, Circa 1886 is certainly worth a visit. Check that... a journey.

    Entrance
    Kris U.

    This was my "splurge meal" while visiting Charleston. | Food | I enjoyed the Cooper tasting menu, which included an amuse-bouche and the following items: 4 stars - Foie Gras Torchon "Brûlée" with Peach Cider Curd, Toasted Pecans, Finger Lime, Basil Blue Crab Salad with Pineapple Sorbet, Cucumber, Radish, Romesco Sauce, Tequila Vinegar Gel, Cilantro, Tortilla Crisps 4 stars - Berkshare Pork with Gnocchi, Smoked Paprika Tomato Sauce, Manchego, Truffle Crema. The pork was delicious, however the gnocchi was a bit gummy. 5 stars - Wagyu Beef with Garlic Butter Whipped Potatoes, Petite Vegetables, Smoked Foie Gras Demiglace. The wagyu beef was so tasty and perfectly crusted. Amazing dish! 5 stars (And I'm not even a chocolate fan) - Chocolate & Pears with Chocolate Truffle Cake, Port Poached Pears, Grand Marnier Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream, Blood Orange Gel | Atmosphere | The restaurant is on the grounds of the historic Wentworth mansion hotel, and is in the original carriage house. The front entrance walkway consists of a lovely seasonal garden. Inside feels very "old money" with a formal dining room and circular tables with white linens. | Service | The service is impeccable. Our server, Craig, was very professional and handled out group with aplomb (including seamlessly removing a place setting when one person was a no-show to ensure we had more space). We wanted for nothing throughout the entire meal. He was amazing with explaining the details of every course and also the wine pairings. Pro Tip: If you can enter the restaurant by way of the Wentworth mansion entrance and lobby for a peak inside the gorgeous mansion! (There is a cutoff time by which you can enter the mansion).

    Joy L.

    My husband and I did the tasting menu for our anniversary dinner. The location is a bit off the main drag and close to the college. Upon arrival you walk through a historic house that has been turned into a bed and breakfast. The restaurant is in the back, which was the old carriage house. The food was flavorful paired with the wines, however, we were one of the last seatings that night and felt rushed. The food came out quickly and there was not much time between our courses. If your looking for a tasting menu in a cool location, this is a great place. Unfortunately overall I won't be back again and will looks elsewhere next time.

    Caviar
    Valerie K.

    The chef's tasting menu with wine pairing is out of this world. The food was perfect. Inventive, delicious and small portions, which I prefer. Service is amazing. Great fine dining experience, best in CHS imo. ~300pp.

    My private table~ perfect for people watching
    Karen L.

    From start to finish this was the quintessential fine dining experience set in a lovely historic property. The delivery of food and the attention to detail reminded me of fine European dining establishments -- and the timing of each course was spot on! Definitely a date night, special occasion or worked for me ~ a solo diner ~ just wanting to enjoy some good food and divine service, I highly recommend Circa 1886 for a superior meal. On the grounds of the Wentworth Mansion, the environment is beautiful and there is ample parking available both in the hotels' parking lot and on the street. Service is courteous and professional with a touch of European flair, dishes were perfectly presented and timing was good with delivery of each course~ the servers assist each other so there is a nice flow. Each course that is set before you is described in detail before they place it. Nice touch! Would highly recommend ~for that special evening.

    Chocolate Soufflé
    Grace K.

    Circa 1886 Restaurant is a true Southern delight. It is located in the original carriage house within the Wentworth Mansion. I highly recommend making reservations about 2 weeks (14 days or more) from your desired date and time. The reservations open up 30 days in advance on Resy. As soon as you walk into the garden area, you will arrive at the main entrance. You will walk into the main bar with the hostess in front. The main dining room is to the right, with about 18 tables or so. I highly recommend sitting in the more secluded booths. You will feel the old charm of historic Charleston. FOOD: Executive Chef Marc Collins has been at this establishment for ~15 years. You can pick "Ashley" 5-course tasting, "Cooper" 5-course tasting, and a la carte. If you decide on the first two tastings, you can only substitute the dessert. 1. Complimentary Beet with Goat Cheese and Potato Leek with Lemon Oil (5/5): This was delicious! The star was the potato leek with the drop of lemon oil, as I could eat 5 more of these! Everything tasted well thought out and put together in this simple dish. 2. Southern Grilled Cheese (4/5, Pimento Cheese Mousse, Grilled Brioche, Prosciutto, Paddlefish Caviar): I am not a fan of grilled cheese sandwiches, but the prosciutto and caviar added a nice twist. The pimento cheese was not over-powering, and the flavors all complemented in a way to bring out each distinct ingredient. 3. Crab Salad (3/5, Mango Mousse, Roasted Pepper, Garlic Parmesan Crostini, Chive Oil): The presentation was visually amusing, also in a way I appreciated how it was put together. However, it was OK. It was slightly on the fishy side. 4. Truffle Risotto (3/5, Toasted Hazelnut, Lemon Parsley Crunch, Chive Oil): This is a simple dish, and I was a fan of the risotto, itself. It was cooked perfectly! 5. Sous Vide Pork Belly (4/5, Annatto, Crispy Egg Yolks, Blood Orange Gel, Asparagus, Radish, Raclette Velouté): The pork belly had the right crisp and equal parts of fat and meat. It was an intriguing take with the crispy egg yolks, but I did not love the overall dish. I would try another entree before ordering this again. 6. Chocolate Soufflé (4/5, Chocolate Soufflé, Caramel Hazelnut Ice Cream, Hot Fudge Sauce): This was tasty, and the souffle was light. You cannot go wrong with hot dessert and ice cream. I recommend making a center opening in the souffle, pouring the hot fudge into the center, then adding the ice cream on top of the fudge. The service was phenomenal from the beginning to the end. The food, itself, is a solid 4-stars. However, an extra star was added due to the service and ambiance of the restaurant. Would I come back? Yes.

    STRAWBERRIES & CREAM

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lim K.
    0
    782
    1388

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ara A.
    222
    1164
    5041

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dale Z.
    999
    1414
    2439

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt B.
    0
    10
    11

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris U.
    613
    1157
    1479

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Mo C.
    730
    1089
    344

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anna J.
    36
    12
    16

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nia S.
    3
    41
    10

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    The food was delicious but the service was not great. We had to repeatedly ask for things and felt ignored in a room with tons of diners.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Excellent, upscale evening Food, service and ambience were amazing. Desserts were off the chart

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Skip E.
    156
    66
    5

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paige T.
    35
    38
    52

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay B.
    0
    66
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cecilia P.
    14
    79
    100

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 2
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Circa 1886 Restaurant

    What is the dress attire for dinner?

    I'd say dressy casual. Jeans w button down shirt for guys. Dress or nice top w jeans for ladies ok too.

    How are the meal portions? Can two people share an entree?

    Not really. The portions are just right . . . for one adult.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for New American 12,096 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    FIG - Ricotta Gnocchi + Lamb Bolognese

    FIG

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    0.5 miAnsonborough
    $$$

    WOW! Go!! This…read moreplace was fantastic. Top notch service free m beginning to end. Our server Justin was a star. My wife has a fish allergy and they offered to prepare a vegetable plate for her. They prepared three vegetable dishes, which were all excellent. He recommended the boulliabase which was phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to anyone. My wife also had the arugula salad, which was excellent. I started with the chicken liver pate, which is all it is claimed to be. I honestly did not think that the blue crab ravioli was anything special. In fact I could have skipped that dish and had been fine and would've had more room to finish the shrimp in the boulliabase. Desserts were outstanding. Chocolate budin (pudding) was delicious. Rice pudding was also quite nice with the fresh strawberries. The place itself was nice. Dark lighting. They did a great job of staggering seatings so you're not sitting on top of each other. Wonderful meal and night.

    Started off on the wrong foot, server didn't get our drink order until 10-15 mins of being sat…read more Country ham was delicious and the best country ham ive had, but the peach left a lot to be desired, it had no flavor whatsoever. Maybe that was intentional to not overpower the ham... Golden tile fish was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had perfectly cooked and the flavors balanced so well. Wife's bavette steak was excellent with the peppers. Potato purée was not worth the price at all. $16 for some pretty good mashed potato's, I don't care how good a potato is or who you are, that's just insane to me. Last complaint was there was a film of dust lining the wall we were sat next to. So all in all, some really good dishes. I would love to come back, but the price is pretty high to have those imperfections.

    Photos
    FIG - Wallpaper in bathroom

    Wallpaper in bathroom

    FIG - Wagyu Beef Carne Cruda Toast

    Wagyu Beef Carne Cruda Toast

    FIG - Bouillabaisse

    See all

    Bouillabaisse

    Church and Union - Avocado Toast

    Church and Union

    4.1(2.2k reviews)
    0.7 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    absolutely loved this restaurant. The atmosphere alone makes it worth visiting -- it's an old…read morechurch transformed into a modern space with such a unique vibe, especially with The Art of War inscribed across the ceiling. We started with the Moroccan meatballs, which were so good I forgot to even take a picture before digging in. I ordered the lamb burger with fries, and everything was cooked perfectly -- the burger was flavorful and juicy, and the fries were amazing too. My friend got the fried chicken and said it was the best he's ever had. I tried some myself, and the seasoning was incredible. Highly recommend this place if you're looking for great food and a really cool atmosphere!

    Church and Union was phenomenal. I honestly regret not taking more pictures because the space…read moreitself is beautiful. There's artwork and writing all over the ceiling, and the whole place has a very intimate, moody vibe. I would 100% bring a date here. Our bartenders were also phenomenal and really added to the experience. We came to celebrate during my birthday and started with a champagne flight, which was such a fun touch. For food, we ordered the steak and eggs and the Applewood bacon omelette. My girlfriend's steak and eggs were phenomenal. Truly no notes. Everything was cooked well, the pacing was great, and we never felt rushed. I ordered the Applewood bacon omelette, and this was really my only disappointment. There was almost too much bacon, which sounds ridiculous to complain about, but hear me out. The bacon was diced extremely fine, almost to the consistency of bacon bits, while the onions were left sliced. I think it would have worked much better if either the bacon had been cut a little larger or the onions had been diced down to match. The textures just felt mismatched. I could absolutely see the vision, and the flavor was there, but the execution was a little off. I ended up regretting my choice a little and wishing I had ordered the mushroom omelette instead. That is definitely what I'll be trying next time. I also wish there had been an option to substitute the home fries. This is definitely more of a personal preference, but home fries feel so overdone as a brunch side, and I would have loved another option. Those were really my only critiques in an otherwise fantastic experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the bartenders were phenomenal, the pacing was great, and the food overall was delicious. Church and Union is absolutely somewhere I would come back to, whether for another celebration, brunch, or a date night.

    Photos
    Church and Union - Table setting

    Table setting

    Church and Union - Chicken Sandwich

    Chicken Sandwich

    Church and Union - Lamb Burger

    See all

    Lamb Burger

    Oak Steakhouse

    Oak Steakhouse

    4.1(531 reviews)
    0.7 miFrench Quarter
    $$$

    This was a birthday dinner, and the experience didn't disappoint…read more First of all, the building is an old bank, so three levels of seating. The first floor was composed mainly of booths; the second level (where we ate) had table seating; and the third floor had tables as well. Like any great steakhouse, there was a lot of wood, but thanks to the rugs and curtains, the restaurant never became loud. The food was absolutely superb! The steak was perfectly cooked, and my tile fish could not have been flakier or tastier. The sides were spectacular. The crab cake had coleslaw as a topping. I had never seen that combination before. It sounds strange, but it really worked! The oysters, just try them, and you will have them again. Great food without great service leaves an experience unfulfilled. The service at Oak was exceptional! It was my wife's birthday, and I noted that on the online reservation. She was greeted at check-in with a happy birthday wish, the menu had "happy birthday" printed on it, and the dessert she ordered was brought to our table, as shown in the photo. Our server was absolutely exceptional. Just a great experience that will be repeated.

    After living in Charleston for 9 years I'm shocked it took us this long to visit Oak and I really…read morewanted to enjoy it more than I did. The restaurant itself is lovely in a historic setting with 3 floors and a lot of classic, traditional touches. First things first, the service was wonderful. We had a reservation and were immediately sat by the hostess and greeted by our server. He gave us recommendations and told us half orders of the sides were available since it was only my husband and I. We had a glass of rose and a glass of red, nothing special but what you expect and at a place like this you expect to pay $15/glass. We ordered the New York strip, half orders of Brussels and mushrooms and the steak frites with truffle fries and bernaise sauce. The steaks were cooked very well which was great (it is a steakhouse), but honestly just tasted like pepper. The bernaise sauce was watery, cold and flavorless. The Brussels had some flavor, but nothing to knock your socks off and pretty much the same with the mushrooms. Honestly, the star of the show were the truffle fries. Crispy, lots of flavor and hot. You obviously have higher expectations when coming into an establishment such as Oak and sadly it let me down. There's other fabulous restaurants in Charleston and honestly other steakhouses I'd recommend. I'm glad we tried it, but I won't be rushing back.

    Photos
    Oak Steakhouse - Upstairs dinning area

    Upstairs dinning area

    Oak Steakhouse - Mac && Cheese

    Mac && Cheese

    Oak Steakhouse

    See all

    Circa 1886 Restaurant - newamerican - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...