Amazing food. Cute little restaurant with great ambiance. Can dress up or be more casual. Recommend sharing plates to try more! read more

Lowland Tavern - NY STRIP with polenta spin rossa, bordelaise, chimichurri SHELLS + SEAFOOD RAGU with rock shrimp, lump crab, parmesan - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Here's the lowdown on Lowland. We will breakdown our review below: (1) Ambiance: 9/10, very nice, warm, romantic interior and decor. (2) Staff: 6/10 Friendly but not well dressed for a Michelin star restaurant. Jeans and casual attire for a hostess is not what you expect. We were expecting a more polished staff presentation we see at other Charleston dining spots. (3) Service: 7/10 Adequate and friendly service but lacks polish for a restaurant that is ostensibly a Michelin ranked establishment. Our table had crumbs after our appetizer and salad but table was not cleaned. Restaurant doesn't have a phone! We were unable to notify them that we were running late due to a serious accident on the bridge. (4) Value/Cocktail: 5/10, We ordered an Old Fashioned and while it was OK, it was very expensive at $20 relative to all Charleston restaurants we've dined at except Halls Chophouse, where the same cocktail is almost twice the pour. The poor value impacting the rating. While we didn't order their burger, it's listed at a ridiculous $28 and their menu notes that if you want pickles, it will be an extra $2. So a $28 burger here (vs $18 at Halls Chophouse) doesn't even get you pickles. You may get pickle-n-dimed if this is representative of how add-ons to appetizers and entrees are priced. (5) Biscuit: 6/10, served cold and obviously not recently baked for $8. We had it before and it was very good then. (6) Celery Salad: 8/10, and very good but very expensive and not a good value at $22. (7) Entrees: 4/10. The rigatoni with pork sugo had noodles that were overcooked and not al dente. The sugo was unremarkable and had an off putting taste like Chef Boyardee. We prefer the pasta at Wild Olive, Indaco or Le Farfalle. The pork schnitzel was similarly unremarkable in taste, and a poor value at $42 to let's say the $38 thick pork chop with accompaniments at SNOB. In summary, we wouldn't return as we dine often and there are better options for us in Charleston. It's unclear how this is a Michelin ranked restaurant based on our experience. This Michelin fell flat. read more

From the moment my brother and I walked in ... we were greeted with such a great energy. We were 30 minutes early and the way the hostess and bartender, server and even management took care of us was next level. We enjoyed the steak tartare , the Caesar salad, burger and swordfish ! Everything was incredible from food to drink to service and atmosphere! read more

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This was hands down the best food we had all weekend in downtown Charleston. Our waiter, Davis, was fantastic. He gave us lots of good recommendations and was very attentive. We shared lots of things as a group! The pork was soo good and the carrots and celery salad were also delicious!! I loved the fritters and shells and seafood ragu as well!! Ashley, who also works there was SUPER helpful. We were visiting from out of town and made some amazing coffee shop recommendations and attraction for us too! Their drink and cocktail menu u was vast! I loved the mocktail options!! read more

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Visiting from out of town. I thought the atmosphere of the restaurant and the service was excellent. The food selection just didn't hit a high note for me, especially for the price. I had the steak which turned out to be sirloin and was very chewy. My wife did get the pork schnitzel and that was enjoyable. Not sure if I would go back, not horrible but I've had better in town.... read more

The restaurant is beautiful older building and the atmosphere is eclectic and homey. The bar area in the back is also very warm and charming. The service was GREAT throughout the evening and the drinks were AWESOME! The appetizers were tremendous, the oysters were sweet and flavorful. The celery salad is a must and we also had the Shrimp Pasta which was so good we ordered it TWICE. The steak and potato purée was also INCREDIBLE! Lowland should be a must on your dining list and you will definitely want to go back for more!!! read more

The vibe is exquisite: cool soul music, a grand old house repurposed with beautiful artwork, and a 20-item menu with no skips. Every item was delicious, simple, and accessible. We started with the biscuit, the celery salad, the curried fritter and finished with the tender pork schnitzel. Service was quick and attentive: we commented that each server only had a couple of tables to attend to, which made the service friendly and fast. If you're looking for a high-end meal in an approachable place, I would recommend Lowland any time. read more

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Amazing service, food, cocktails and experience. They couldn't have been nicer. Celery salad is outstanding as was the tilefish, shrimp cocktail, short ribs and wine selection. Beautiful ambiance to boot. read more

Lowland Tavern - Front - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My husband and I came here on a Monday night during our trip to Charleston. The hostesses were a little off putting as they looked us up and down and went back and forth on where they should seat us. They eventually led us to the tavern portion and sat us at the edge 2 top table where the chair is basically in a crowded hallway that servers run back and forth and near the restroom. The lovely older couple we were sitting next to told us they had originally sat at our table and also asked to move. After a couple close calls with hustling servers, we asked if we could move tables (it was a slow night and we saw tables open near by) however our server just checked out and grabbed the manager to handle us. The manager let us sit in the upstairs dining room which was great, vibes were good up there and our server up there was even better. The food was okay, wine was good but of course, we both got food poisoning later that night. Not sure what we gave off to give us the worst seat in the restaurant and to be eyed by the hostesses. I would not recommend this restaurant with all the other amazing restaurants with impeccable service around Charleston. read more

We really enjoyed our meal. The room upstairs was very nice. Our waitress was great. Food was very good. We started with oysters and biscuits, both were very good. Then we had the shells & seafood ragu and wreckfish. Wreckfish was good, but the seafood ragu was outstanding. read more

Atmosphere is lovely, service is somewhat lacking, and I didn't care for the food. Tuna crudo, on a plate of rice, is good fish but more like poke the way it's served. The skate ribs were unusual in that they were breaded and fried, and served with tzaziki sauce which didn't enhance the bland flavor (and wait staff neglected to pack the sauce along with the 2 out of 3 ribs I took to try at home with salt, pepper and tartar sauce.) I thought the chocolate mousse was a big mess of "boozy cherries" overwhelming the plate and with very little mediocre mousse hidden under some kind of chips. It was disappointing and not a very good dark chocolate mousse. I didn't see any after dinner drink like a Calvados or an Ice Wine that might have enhanced the dessert. read more

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I have been to Lowland once and enjoyed it but this time I came back to order a burger and was informed that the chef would not make any changes. Bear in mind I simply wanted a cheeseburger with lettuce, which is what I had gotten the last time. There is nothing quite a customer unfriendly in a restaurant experience as the words "The chef will not let..." read more

Wonderful experience! Henry made exceptional cocktails and Alex was such a pleasure to talk to during the meal and met our every need. We started with a biscuit, then celery salad and a burger. Amazing! Can't wait to come back! read more

Out of this world. The service was beyond excellent. Our waiter went above and beyond to make sure our family was happy and was very helpful with our baby. The food was exceptional. We had the seafood pasta, burger, sirloin, tartar and biscuits. It was a memorable dinner and will go right to the top with best dinning experiences we have ever had, and that's before the amazing decor! read more

Absolutely phenomenal! We dined with a friend and did all shared plates. Every dish was a culinary treat from the chicory salad to the steak with chimichurri sauce, to the banoffee pudding, we savored every bite! I also tried the Spaced Cowboy cocktail and loved the spicy smoked flavor. The muraled walls and all the decor details are beautiful. The bar downstairs is homey and feels like you stepped into a true British pub. If in Charleston, you must go to Lowland! read more

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A friend and I snagged a reservation at the Lowland Tavern in early December before the Allman Betts Family Revival concert. We were excited. When we arrived, we were seated at a table in the corner of the empty dining room. We ordered drinks. When I specified my gin, I was told that I could have a classic martini with that gin but not the martini they'd crafted for the menu. I said, fine, I'd like to try the menu martini. It was taking some time to get our cocktails, and we quickly realized we were actually not in a great spot. Lowland Tavern had only been open for about a month. One knows that it takes some time for a new restaurant to figure things out. There was a station for the servers in the corner beside us, and two servers stood there chatting. We didn't really want to listen to their conversation. This is a beautiful and cozy upscale restaurant, where one would expect that training would teach them not to talk or to whisper when guests were there. Since we were the only customers so far, I asked if we could move. Again, it took some time, but when our cocktails were finally presented, they moved us to another table, which was out of the line of the serving chatter. Good. The menu was confusing. Everything offered was under a "Dinner" heading. We wondered if these were all small plates. When we asked the server, he said, no. There were appetizers (or small plates?) and then what turned out to be entrees, which we'd thought could have been small plates depending on serving size. The menu could've been a little less precious and more clear. We wanted to taste a variety of the offerings. We asked if we could start with a couple of items and then order as we went. The server disappeared again (he had a trainee with him the whole time), and when he finally returned, he said that chef wanted everything to be ordered from the start. Really? I mean if that's what we have to do, okay. It seemed a little formal. We wanted to savor the experience, so we asked for our choices to be brought out one at a time. In all, we ordered Deviled Eggs (yes!), Celery Salad (yes!), Crispy Quail (disappointing), Sweet Potato Soup (tasty!) Pork Belly and Lobster Bucatini (not memorable). Banoffee Pudding (yum!) for dessert. Besides the martini, I had a glass of lovely champagne. While we were there, I went to the restroom which was in the bar. The dining room had filled up with guests, but the bar was where the fun was being had and where alll the action was. Next time, I'd make a reservation there. It was lively and joyous. We dropped some cash. In the end, we felt like the Tavern needed more time to smooth things out. For one thing, our server had an attitude, and he needed more training, although I doubt he thought so. His trainee was better than he was. (Many problems in restaurants and hotels could be solved by better and more extensive training.) And it was a little too precious. I'd be happy to go back and try it again, although I wouldn't run to get there until they've found their groove. I understand there is now a testing menu. read more

Lowland Tavern - Tavern Martini - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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What an incredible dinner! Beyond the beauty of the interior, the staff and food were beyond expectations. Every dish we had was better than the one prior. Thankfully we don't live in Charleston, or we would be there daily! read more

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The food was delicious ! Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and enjoyed his service. The atmosphere is laidback not pretentious and comfortable. We will return! read more

Amazing service and AMAZING food cannot recommend enough ! Went with a group of six people and every single person couldn't say enough great things about the food read more

Hands down one of the best restaurants we have eaten at! Service, food and ambiance were all AMAZING! Our server (Laura), was the BEST! Very helpful in suggestions (which were all out of this world)! Into to follow other reviews, but the Celery Salad...AWESOME! The fresh fish...incredible, the biscuit fantastic!...the seafood pasta...just WOW!! I highly recommend Lowland Tavern!! Best secret in Charleston!! read more

Wonderful dining experience here! We sat upstair and were very pleased by the cool ambiance. The food was incredible-- we started off with the pickle plate, arugula salad, and biscuit. For our entrees, my boyfriend ordered the shells and seafood ragu and I got the bluefin tuna rice bowl. The shells and seafood ragu was incredible and much lighter than we expected. I had asked the server how big the tuna rice bowl was and I wish he had been more explicit about how small it was...I think it's considered an appetizer but I don't know how anyone could share it...I finished it in a few bites. It's tiny (it comes in a very small bowl) but absolutely delicious and wish it were at least 2-3x bigger. Luckily I had filled up on the other things so it wasn't the biggest deal but it did make me crave for more. Everything was cooked to perfection and I'm still dreaming about that arugula salad...I could have eaten a pound of it!! We will definitely come back the next time we come! read more

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We stayed at The Pinch the first weekend in December and we stopped into Lowland for a late night post dinner drink. Loved the rustic decor and romantic lighting. Had amazing cocktails and all the food served around us looked amazing. Chuck the bartender gave us amazing recommendations for our weekend trip and made some of the best drinks we've ever had! Will most definitely be back! read more

Lowland Tavern - a glass of white wine on a bar - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Food was amazing - Ambiance was absolutely stunning & historical - even the wallpaper stood out. Was not too impressed with one of the staff, but will not deter me from going back - really loved it - thus 4 vs 5 stars read more

Lowland Tavern - Bar in the Back - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Our first time eating at lowland, and it certainly won't be our last. Our entire diner was a treat, from the biscuit appetizer to the pistachio haze cocktail, and seafood ragu. The service was impeccable, and the restaurant itself is a cozy, inviting house. A wonderful spot for a delicious dinner. Lowland has placed itself in our top restaurants in Charleston, and we are looking forward to another visit in the future. read more

Lowland is a must. The food was amazing from start to finish. The biscuit with farmers cheese and pepper jelly was so good we ordered another. The rock shrimp was tasty and I could have drank the sauce. I wasn't sure about the pork schnitzel but it exceeded expectations, it was moist and a very large portion. It paired perfectly with the celery salad. We finished the night off with the hand apple pies! Definitely recommend read more

Lowland Tavern - Rock shrimp - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I'm a local to Charleston and love to try all the places that pop up. The atmosphere here is great, as is the service. I ordered a couple of apps - the grouper fritters, which I loved. They have a more fishy taste, which I like, but just so you know ahead of time. The sauce is awesome! The server recommended the celery salad so I tried that. It wasn't my favorite dish, but it was done well, it just wasn't the right choice for me. My friend got the burger and it was great. I would def be back and continue trying new items, as they change the menu often. read more

Our server was amazing. I can't remember her name but we had a large group and she was so kind and took the time explaining everything. The food was so good and the decor was very inviting. read more

Lowland Tavern - Outside - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Very disappointed. We always enjoyed dining in a bar environment so that's where we booked our table. Our food was not delivered in the order that we requested. My entree salad was the first item delivered! Salad and martini..yum. Two of the three items we ordered as starters were delivered a while later and eventually the third item came out. Then they sent out the same late item twice. Entrees were just ok. We were seated next to the patio door, which every server kicked open to get outside, and every incoming guest held open letting in blasts of hot air and hitting our table with their purses and bags. The worst part was the screaming loud group of intoxicated people sitting at the end of the bar. There was no person in charge present so my husband asked them to lower it a bit but they were so drunk it didn't even register with them. Conversation was not possible for us until they left. After that I couldn't wait to leave too. The beef tartare was the best thing we ordered but it's not enough for me to come back any time soon. All other food items were very forgettable. I can't recommend this restaurant. read more

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Probably my most exciting meal of my Charleston trip. Knowing that Chef Stanhope won a James Beard award, my expectations were high here. This meal exceeded all expectations. Superlative. I had the biscuit with pepper jelly, the eggs with anchovy, & the celery salad. read more

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Great location and super nice renovation. Solid menu and good food (not great and don't be expecting FIG quality and creativity) Poor and unrefined service in virtually all respects. Maybe give it one chance but there are 25 better choices all within 1/2 mile. read more

I've dined here twice now, the first in the dining room for an anniversary dinner with my husband and the second in the bar area. While the first experience was far better than the second there was room for improvement- for example service was very slow, drinks took a very long time and we noted we were dining for a special occasion but did not receive any celebratory touch. For my second visit I went to try the burger as I had heard rave reviews. I was very disappointed not only in the food but also in the ambiance. For starters the vibe was off -the AC was either not working or barely on, the water served was warm in a hot glass that just came out of the dishwasher, lastly there were 3 young children (6-9 yrs maybe) who were running in the small bar space, screaming, climbing on furniture, etc...just not something you would expect to see at one of the nicer bar/restaurants in Charleston. My burger tasted charred and burnt with no flavor or seasoning. It also only comes with onions, I think it would have been better with more toppings. I just couldn't get over the overwhelming charred taste, not sure if this is intentional or not. Lastly the service still lacked. While my bartender/server was nice the service was still slow and I found it odd that most servers were congregating in the back bar area mostly talking to each other. It contributed to the off vibe and made it seem like you were in the servers place vs enjoying a drink or snack at a cozy intimate bar. read more

My husband and I went to dinner last weekend and were blown away by the flavors and service. We started with the arugula salad and farmers day biscuit. For entrees we got the NY strip au poivre and the bucatini alla gricia. Everything was amazing and so were the drinks! To drink, I got the Sugaree and their espresso martini. It may have been one of my favorite espresso martinis ever. They also have great NA options for non-drinkers. The Psychedelic Sally was super flavorful and refreshing. Finish your meal with the Granny Smith hand pies, YOU WON'T REGRET IT! read more

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Don't bother. What a disappointment. I'm visiting from out of town and in the food industry but my son lives here and works in the food industry. Our waitress took 30 min to take our food order. Restaurant was busy but not that crazy that it should take that long. Food was nothing special. We ordered a few different items. The pasta with Calibrian chili was bland and the pasta was mush. Definitely not Al dente. One of the other items, the burger came on what I would call a market bun. And not a good one. Overall not impressed read more

We were extremely disappointed with tonight's dinner. After reading fantastic reviews of Lowland, we decided to dine there on our first night in Charleston. The restaurant itself is beautiful, each dining room with its own uniqueness. Our server was pleasant and cocktails were inventive and delicious, however, our enjoyment stopped there. The shrimp cocktail with cognac sauce was portioned well, however, the sauce resembled a highly diluted remoulade with no taste of cognac whatsoever. The tuna bowl was bland, chinsy and offputting. It was not only not memorable; but quite forgettable. The quail appetizer came with two minuscule quail legs in a diluted "buttermilk dressing" that did not add to the dish. They were however, beautifully fried and tasty. The shells with seafood ragu with shrimp and lump crab had a decent portion, however, there was no "scampi like" sauce, and instead tasted saturated with butter, perhaps a touch of cream and some sweet chili spice. All 3 diners were throughly disappointed at the 4.5 star review, especially in a city with so many fine dining establishments. Definitely not a great first impression read more

This place is really good but not great. We had quail and tuna crudo to start. The carrots on the crudo was interesting. The 2nd course was pasta and who doesn't love well roasted chanterelles. Where it went south was the entrees. I had the Sunday chicken, which was cook properly and was moist. The skin was soggy. My husband had the trigger fish and it was not good. It wasn't bad but it was lackluster and was just meh. He gave it to the pups. The guy beside us had the burger and my husband wishes he had that. Now they have Maine "lunch" for a beer and that is amazing. The wine is really priced high but I think that must be a SC thing. read more

Can't wait to go back! Food is inventive & fabulous!!! Love the atmosphere- only dined downstairs but both the back bar area for more casual dining and the front room for more elegant dining is lovely. read more

Small quaint restaurant. The food was good, but in my opinion, not the greatest. Everything felt a middle mid range for the price. I think you would get more bang for your buck else where. The biscuits were buttery and good, the steak was pretty good and cooked well, but the sides and look of the plate was sub par. Didn't give me that excitement to eat it, although it was good. I was disappointed they did carry honey for the tea. Just seemed like that was a bit of a miss. I'm sure I'd go back if someone wanted to go there, but I don't necessarily think I'd choose this over another restaurant. I do believe that my taste isn't everyone's taste so I could confidently say it is worth a try. read more

Cozy & incredible! I highly recommend checking this place out. We had an amazing dinner with unique flavors & perfect execution. I will be dreaming about that ravioli dish for a while. Cheers to the chef. read more

Lowland Tavern - a drink and menu on a table - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We went here last night. It was an incredible experience. We will definitely be back. The food, atmospheric and service were all top notch.

Excellent! Great service, outstanding meals! Wonderful ambiance and decor in this old house.