Traveling for work and was looking for good New Orleans cooking, I found it here. I stopped for lunch, got hear right as the doors opened and the place was full by the time we got our drinks, good sign. Service was friendly and attentive, good atmosphere. The food only topped off the good first impression. For appetizers we got gator bites ( seasoning was so good they didn't even need sauce) second was the Andui and shrimp Mac & Cheese (amazing) I could have just eaten these and been satisfied. The shrimp and crayfish porboy was large and tasted so good, man the seasoning on the fries was so good. The batter on the fish was amazing as well. We left with food to spare and already planning on what we will get next time we're in town. And only 15min from the airport. Great job Lola!! read more

LOLA does crawfish boils on Tuesdays, and we went specifically for that. They offer a few different options--$17.99 for one pound, around the mid-$20s for two pounds (don't remember exact), and $39 for three pounds. The crawfish was cooked well and had great flavor. The only thing we noticed was they were a bit juicy--we think they may not have soaked in the boil as long, which usually helps absorb more flavor. My husband really enjoyed them (this trip was mostly for him!), but they were a little spicy for me. I ended up getting a Caesar salad with fried crawfish tails instead, and it was huge--I only made it through about half. We also got margaritas during happy hour--both were really good. I had the lychee margarita, and my husband got the mango with a Cajun rim. Service was very good--our waiter was attentive and friendly. The only small downside was that we did feel a little rushed. It does say on the menu that they ask guests not to stay longer than 1.5 hours, so just something to keep in mind. They are pet-friendly, and we sat outside. There was plenty of outdoor seating, and the tables had umbrellas, which was nice. The only other thing we weren't thrilled about was the credit card surcharge--it was around 3-3.5%, which feels a bit high, especially since most people don't carry cash anymore. Overall, a great spot--especially if you're a crawfish fan! read more

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Arrived in Charleston on a busy Thursday afternoon, famished. I selected this place on the way to the hotel because of the yelp rating and once again it did not fail me. After reviewing the menu I settled on 6 Lola oysters and the crawfish and shrimp etouffee. The oysters were very good but at $21 for six rather small pieces, it was a tad pricey. The etouffee was also very good. The flavors were solid, although not exactly in the same league with NOLA versions, it was certainly better than average. Overall, Lola's was a good experience and I would recommend this place to those craving Cajun fare while in the Charleston area. read more

Lola - Crawfish and shrimp étouffée - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Second time to Lola - first time was 3 years ago and I still think this place is severely overrated. My husband is obsessed with all things Cajun and had a positive memory so we went back. Good news for me is that he said he never wants to go back. Service - very mixed to bad. Our server came out for order and bill - thanks! They automatically charge 3.5 or 3.8 percent for credit cards just fyi. Decent seating outside except we got the dreaded tent with zero atmosphere. The food was meh, not horrible but in no way remarkable nor even good especially for what they charge. I got the flounder since I remember the supposed new Orleans style food being slop and my fish was overcooked, semi burnt. read more

Lola - Happy hour - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

We were in Charleston and were looking for a place to eat lunch. We searched around and found Lola, a seafood restaurant, which had good reviews. We walked into the restaurant and saw it was pretty packed with people enjoying their lunch on a weekend. We checked in at the counter and got seated at our table. We got our menus and after checking them out, we ordered the Duck Fries, Fish Tacos, Jambalaya, and Tropical Storm. The Tropical Storm was a great drink to start our lunch. Then we got our lunch dishes, which were Duck Fries, Fish Tacos and Jambalaya. We started with duck fries, which were really good and cooked well. They had extra cheese, too. We then got the fish tacos and the jambalaya, and they looked delicious. However, when we ate them, they didn't really fit our taste and we were disappointed. A good seafood restaurant with great dishes and drinks. read more

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In town for a conference and wanted some seafood. Found Lola's on Yelp and decided to give a whirl after all had some good reviews. Arrived at the restaurant and found plenty of parking across the street. I wanted to try a little bit things and I was Hungary. I ordered the Gator bites, they are good. I ordered the shrimp poboy and substituted dirty rice (w/ an up charge) and I also ordered a slice of pecan cornbread. The shrimp poboy was outstanding. There was a ton of shrimp on that sandwich! I liked the dirty rice and thought it was good as well. The pecan cornbread had a great flavor but it was a little too dry and it crumbled too easy. All in all I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling or living in the area. It appears to be more of a local spot which I preferred over box chain restaurants. I refuse to eat anywhere that I can eat at home. So this place was definitely worth the find. The service was great and very prompt. The local feel gives a nice fun atmosphere and the drink menu is definitely giving off the New Orleans vibe which is how the place is themed. read more

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We came down to Charleston for mother's day weekend. The hotel receptionist recommended Lola's. We sat outside. We ordered drinks and dinner. I had the fish tacos and man were they delicious! We will come back read more

The shrimp étouffée is a MUST, and the fried green tomatoes are also a must! Everything was so delicious. I'm just visiting, but I'll definitely be dreaming about this place when I go back home. Lola's did not disappoint the customer service was amazing. You can really feel the Southern charm here! read more

Lola - Fried Green Tomatoes with pimento cheese - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Amazing food and service. Wait staff was the BEST. Small place so had to sit under the tent still nice but not hot yet. Great DRINKS.

Ahhhh the food is so good!! The shrimp/crawfish etouffee, cornbread and red beans and rice was amazing! We had a group of 10 people and I think 6 of us ordered the etouffee with no disappointments. It does have a tiny kick to people who think black pepper is too hot, just a warning. I thought it was perfect! It was a nice day so we sat outside under the tent and were comfortable. The staff were all very polite, friendly and fast. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

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LoLa is one of the best Park Circle restaurants hands down! Authentic LA food! Make a reservation if you can because the space is small but well worth the wait! We've been here many times and the food is always phenomenal with a no frills atmosphere. Be sure to get a hurricane (or two!). read more

Lola - Hurricanes - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

I'm convinced that those who wrote raving reviews have NEVER EVER EVER had true Creole food before because if they did, they would be just as disappointed as I was. I was in town for business and a colleague recommended this place. I ordered raw oysters (just ok), seafood gumbo with a piece of pecan cornbread. The gumbo was just ok and that cornbread was a disgrace. The best thing about the experience was the margarita. read more

LoLa continues to be a consistent neighborhood favorite and for so many reasons. I recently branched into sharing a few apps as a meal with a friend and it's an excellent way to explore more of the menu. My favorite dish is the shrimp and crawfish etouffee, but my only gripe is that it's very heavy and sometimes more than I'm looking for at dinner time. On my last visit, we decided to share apps instead. Of course I had to get my favorite cajun angels. They are bacon wrapped scallops with cajun seasoning over a bed of street corn. I don't think I've ever come here and not ordered them. We also go the shrimp poppers, which even as a small, had plenty of shrimp. We weren't starving so honestly we should have stopped there, but we had already ordered the gumbo fries. These things were loaded and honestly could have been their own meal. If you're a seafood lover, the menu at LoLa will become one of your favorites in Park Circle. read more

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Atmosphere, staff, locals, & the food were amazing. I had gumbo, jambalaya, greens, oysters. Highly recommend for anyone staying in the N Charleston area... bonus if you can figure out the origin of the name of the restaurant! read more

Lola - Gumbo, oysters, greens, jambalaya - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Lola's is great! The service is wonderful. Every waiter, host, manager, or bartender you come in contact with is going to be so great! We sat outside under the tent and even with it being July it was still really pleasant! About the food. Truthfully I'm probably not the best person to give their opinion on Cajun food in Charleston. I grew up eating Cajun food regularly as I lived a majority of my life in southern Arkansas and Mississippi. If you've never experienced true Cajun food and want to experience it on a more subdued level then DEFINITELY give Lola's a try. If you're a long time Cajun food connoisseur, grew up making your own gumbo and eating crawfish every week then go in knowing it's not going to be your grandmas cooking. I did really enjoy the boudin balls and their cocktail menu is awesome!! All in all I would definitely recommend Lola's. They do have something for everyone, just don't come to Charleston expecting to eat the best Cajun food of your life. Head over to New Orleans for that lol. I will recommend trying a good cold Anita beer, testing out the boudin, and sharing a po-boy! read more

Lola - Grilled shrimp and Cajun slaw - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Perfect for crawfish and a cold beer. We've spent a lot of time in NOLA and was happy to find Lola, which brings exceptional and reasonably-prices Cajun cooking to the Lowcountry. read more

We love the food and service here!! AMAZING!! We spent a day in Charleston and decided to drive over to Lola, which was a bit further out. It's a local spot. Even though, we were clearly tourists, the staff was very welcoming. There was seating on a Wednesday evening. The restaurant was quite busy though. It serves Southern Cajun food. We ordered seafood gumbo, vegetarian jambalaya, Creole Captain's Platter (Cajun shrimp and flounder basket), and chicken fettuccine alfredo. Each dish included a side of their iconic praline pecan cornbread. The portions here are quite generous. We also got to try their half lemonade half sweet tea drink, which was tasty. The seafood gumbo was delicious. It included shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, and oyster. The portion was quite large, mouth-watering, and hot. My cousin appreciated the vegetarian options that were available. She had the vegetarian jambalaya and loved it. Our Creole Captain's Platter had a good assortment of our choice: shrimp and flounder along with fries. Because of our meals and this appetizer, we did get some of our Captain's platter to go. The praline pecan cornbread was buttery warm. They do impose a surcharge on credit cards, which is 3% of the balance due. So bring cash if the 3% is too much for you. This is a must stop when you are in Charleston. read more

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Went here for a lunch date recently. I had heard great things about this place. I ordered the flounder basket, side of dirty rice & strawberries and cream beignet parfait. My date ordered the jambalaya, cup of gumbo yaya and Captain Matt's hurricane drink. Keep in mind these are Louisiana creole inspired dishes so even the fries had my tongue tingling. I love how they cut my flounder up. It was well-seasoned and fried perfectly. The beignets were good, but had just a tad bit too much whip cream. I ordered sweet tea that was infused with lemon and lime. It was ok. The praline cornbread was a nice change from the norm and was delicious! The dirty rice was just ok. My date liked his jambalaya and drink. He was disappointed in the gumbo. He wasn't sure if it was the sauce in it or something else that didn't taste good. He mostly eats everything so that says a lot. Personally, I wouldn't take a large group here because they do have a few rules and time constraints. I felt a little stressed reading all of the "rules." I would go back for the fish and cornbread alone. My date wants to try some other items on the menu next time. They have indoor and outdoor seating. My server was very nice. read more

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My girlfriend and I came here while in town for the Riverfront Festival. She had never eaten Cajun food so we tried a little of everything. We started with boudin balls and fried green tomatoes, then we got the fried crawfish, char grilled oysters, greens, red beans and rice, dirty rice and seafood gumbo. We loved everything but the fried green tomatoes. They weren't bad just not how I like them read more

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Always flavorful food and drinks. My Crawfish poppers were delicious. I switched out the remoulade with the boom boom BBQ sauce. The Red Beans & Rice is always delicious. Sitting at the bar is always a delight meeting new people and getting to know the bartenders. Our bartender was so full of energy and helpful. She went on a break and jumped right back in when she saw that it had gotten real busy since the other bartender relieved her. Always a good vibe at Lola. Everyone is happy and welcoming. read more

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Was in town and stopped by to try out Lola. It's located in a cute downtown community with plenty of parking and other restaurants and breweries to get to on foot. There is plenty of outside seating with a covered picnic style area out back. There is even an outdoor window for you to sit at the bar. The inside is pretty spacious too. Our server was Josh and he was the sweetest ever. He gave us some of their recommendations and even brought a dairy free menu for me which a lot of places do not do! The dairy free menu still had some of the classics listed so you don't miss out on some good grub. We came on a Wednesday during happy hour where a few appetizers and drinks were discounted. A few bottle of wine selections and the etouffee and jamabalya were also half off on Wednesday. Love a place with weekly deals. I ordered the blackened redfish with a side of mixed vegetables and corn. My fiancée ordered the etouffee. Everything was really good and well seasoned. My fish was cooked to perfection. Nice and soft on the inside with the perfect sear on the outside. The corn and mixed vegetables were also really good. My fiancée really enjoyed the etouffee as well which came with dirty rice and their pecan cornbread. I tasted a bit of the cornbread and would liked to have tasted more pecan but it was really good regardless. For dessert I ordered a few things to go for my parents. I ordered the beignet (basket of 4), sweet potato pecan pie, and the creole warm bread pudding. My parents loved everything! Their favorite was the creole warm bread pudding. I tried a bite of the sweet potato pecan pie and it was really good. Again, wish I could taste more pecan but delicious nonetheless. Overall, everything here was a hit! If I'm in town I will definitely be back to try more items! read more

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First time here and loved it! The food was delicious! The drinks were good as well 10/10 The service was also excellent, our waitress was very friendly and got us everything we needed. read more

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There's something about walking into Lola in North Charleston that feels like you've stumbled into the back porch of a friend who just happens to cook like a New Orleans grand-mère with a Michelin star in her pocket. The air hums with music and fryer crackle, the purple picnic tables dare you to relax, and every plate that hits the table tells a story worth listening to. I started with gator bites--crispy, golden little morsels that hit that perfect sweet spot between chicken-tender comfort and swamp-born swagger. Dunked in the house sauce, they're a handshake and a punchline all at once. Then came the shrimp & crawfish étouffée, a deep, copper-colored lagoon of flavor poured over a bed of rice. The sauce was a slow jazz number--smoky roux, peppers, the gentle heat of someone who knows the difference between spice and punishment. Each shrimp and crawfish tail tasted like it had been baptized in butter and bourbon. I wrapped it up the only proper way: beignets dusted in a blizzard of powdered sugar. They arrived hot enough to fog my glasses, soft as a dream, and unapologetically messy--the kind of dessert that makes you forget you own a napkin. Service? Joshua deserves a standing ovation. He knew the menu like a seasoned tour guide, cracked jokes like a late-night host, and kept the whole experience light and easy without missing a beat. Lola isn't just a restaurant; it's a love letter to the Lowcountry with a Cajun accent. If you crave food with guts, soul, and a sense of humor--where the beer is cold, the flavors are bold, and every bite feels like a high-five--pull up a purple bench and let Lola show you how it's done. read more

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This restaurant was not on my radar at all when I first got to Charleston.. However, as I was searching the area for seafood, this place came up with great reviews! Best decision by far. Our waiter was delightful and the food was delicious. The ambiance was a little loud and hot but nothing that couldn't be ignored. Get here ASAP! read more

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Absolutely the best! Had lunch today and ordered the muffuletta sandwich with creole seasoned fries. The sandwich was so good! So big, I had to bring half home. The fries were the perfect amount of spicy! Already thinking about what I will order on my next visit. Service was great too! read more

Lola - Muffuletta w creole seasoned fries - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

Super fun and friendly place. Try the chicken and sausage Gumbo and bread pudding with Bourbon Sauce. They ran out of Red beans and Rice but will be back. It's like having Bourbon Street in North Charleston/Park Circle. They had live music tonight. This place is a Must!!! read more

Great place for fried oysters! Small building but mighty delicious! My friend requested to go here for her birthday dinner and it was awesome! read more

Food tastes even better when it's served by people who care. The hostess makes us feel like we're arriving "home." Servers are friendly, knowledgeable and passionate. Food is fresh- just perfect. The shrimp risotto cake is worth the trip. Don't leave without trying it. read more

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We had heard all positive comments. I don't understand the low stars because everything was off the charts. Your staff was so informative and professional. I forgot the Hostess's name but she was one of the greatest parts of our dining experience, It was so good we went back for their Anniversary! I am shipping an original piece of artwork as a thank you for everything! Hope to see you again soon! Art H. read more

Lola - The Most Beautiful & Friendly part of our dining experience! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

This place was very good! I will say it was more expensive than other southern places but can be a good splurge. The crawfish was good and the shrimp and grits. I would probably come back again for the crawfish when I want to splurge. The service and vibe was chill and had outdoor heaters making for a good option in the winter too. read more

Had the gator bites were a little tough but everything else we had was really good. Gumbo was a hit. Burger and fettuccine was decent. Chicken in the fettuccine was not so great but it was ok. The servers were great since we decided it was too hot to sit outside. read more

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Very good place and highly recommend. Food and service were fantastic. We got to restaurant 10 minutes early before they opened and got in a long line but everyone was able to get seated. We had the jambalaya and the gumbo. Both were very good. The jambalaya was a bit tomato tasting. I like spicy and the tobasco sauce didn't get me there but it was good. The beignets were very good. The place was well decorated and clean. Waitresses came by continuously and hostess was checking in always. read more

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The service was good but the food was nothing to write home about. The crawfish were flavorless as well as the gator bites. The gatorbites were more breading than anything else. The catfish was really good though. I couldn't eat my food because it was not good. They do put bugs pray on the tables which was nice. The etoufa and gumbo were descent. The oysters are not worth it. Wouldn't go back again. Not worth the money. read more

Lola - The outdoor dining area. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

I'd drive the two hours just to eat. We came straight off the road an hour before closing. Service was still great. Food was AMAZINGGGGGG!!! Catfish was the star of the platter. So tender so don't be fooled by the dark color. Cornbread was delicious...again not pretty but sooooo good and that crab and corn chowder babbbyyyyyy get the BOWL! Bar like interior. read more

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Lola. This place will forever be a core memory. The service was amazing searching for a little bit of Cajun and a lot of southern hospitality. Our group started with gator bites and the duck fries and boy did they deliver. I had the Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee with grits and oh my oh my-- someone's nana stuck her foot in this meal. The rue was cooked low and full of body to tenderly give way for the shrimp and crawfish. The grits, oh the grits, were creamy, full bodied (I loved that they were not runny and could hold up to the Etouffee. Bonus points- it held up reheating as well. Solid grits and amazing meal. Although we chose to sit outside, the service was still handled well. We never went without drinks be topped off, check in's, and the ambiance walking through the main restaurant felt like we were in someone's home, with a sprinkle of New Orleans, and lot of bit of Charleston. Super cute and practical decor that makes you forget you are in an industrial park area. Highly recommend-- even our Louisiana family members felt like they were at home in Charleston! read more

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Staff is very friendly and professional. The environment is welcoming. The food is good, especially those duck fries. read more

Lola - Duck fries - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

One of my FAVORITE places to eat in Charleston. I was brought here the first time by my now fiancé and this was where we ate the day I proposed. The food and drinks are fantastic and the indoor and outdoors seating can't be beat. The staff is great, and I always feel like they go above and beyond whenever we visit. read more

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I planned a special weekend in Charleston, SC to celebrate my mother's 65th birthday and brought my family of 30 to Lola on O'Hear Avenue. The restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived, but we were immediately met with resistance. The hostess informed us that parties over 20 would automatically be charged a 20% gratuity and that they only had three servers -- I let her know that was fine. Then she said that for parties over 10, they require one check. I explained that was too many for one check and we were happy to split into smaller groups. She responded that if we did, we wouldn't be seated at the same time. Again, I told her that was fine -- we weren't in a rush. At that point, she just stared at me in silence. Three employees were now standing at the hostess stand listening, and none offered a solution or showed any willingness to accommodate us. I asked to speak with a manager three separate times and was told the manager was on break. No manager ever came out to speak with us. After a long, awkward silence, I finally said, "I guess we'll need to go to another restaurant," to which one of them simply replied, "Okay." That response confirmed they had no interest in serving us. No one attempted to offer alternatives -- just reasons why they couldn't serve us. It was clear they didn't want our business. We ended up going across the street to Commonhouse Aleworks, where there were only two servers, Tyler and Ellen, and they didn't hesitate to welcome and accommodate us. The food and service were excellent, and we were treated with respect. I do not recommend Lola. Their customer service was awful, and their staff seemed more interested in hanging out and filming videos than doing their jobs. Based on my experience, they had no desire to serve a large group and lacked even the most basic hospitality. Extremely disappointing! read more

I always want to love this place more than I do when I actually show up and eat here. It's a welcoming, New Orleans leaning Cajun joint with boudin, gator bites, and collards. I loved the boudin sausage. It reminded me of the first time I ever tried it with a Creole family in Louisiana. The rest of the meal was aggressively over seasoned. Look, I'm the first to say "more salt and pepper please". But there's an edge too far. The Shrimp Risotto's cream sauce flavor was spot on, but it was so salty you could only have a few bites. Then I had the Blackened Redfish with collards and dirty rice. The fish again was way too salty and it was also hammered; it was so over cooked I was trying to saw through the fish with a steak knife. I loved the collard greens. Surprisingly, they were seasoned perfectly. The service was pretty good for the young staff that they have. And they served some very cold beer which I appreciated trying to wash down so much salt. Hey, maybe that's their secret?!!! Or maybe this is how southern restaurants cook and I'm not used to it anymore. We are trying several places while in CHS, so I'll let you know. read more

Lola - Fresh Atlantic Oysters - Cajun/Creole Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Wow! Amazing food, incredible service, AND live music! We were looking for something delicious that would also be family friendly, and this place delivered. A really awesome time. I can't recommend enough! My five year old said, that was the best restaurant ever! read more

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