Southbound has only been opened since February, but has generated tremendous buzz in the Charleston restaurant scene. It's located in a home that was totally rebuilt following a fire. There is dining space on the first and second floors, plus the outdoor patio. The bar is on the second floor. To really experience what makes this restaurant superb, you need to sit at the chef's counter. You get to meet the three chefs, Peter, Zack and Michael. They were fun to chat with and gave us the backstory on many of the dishes. The restaurant is known for its "Live Fire Cooking," so be prepared for it to be a tad warm while you dine at the counter. One of the best things about sitting there is the food was literally prepared right before your eyes. The menu usually changes daily, so it's hard to tell which of the items we tried will be available when you dine there. We started with the Dry Aged Steak Tartare and the Split Creek Farms Feta with Watermelon, Cucumbers and Blistered Tomatoes. A perfect combination for our party of four. Beautifully plated, yummy tasting. For entrees, we went with the Braised Wild Boar Shank, the Crispy Long Island Duck Breast, Fire Roasted Swordfish and Filet Mignon. My wife had ordered the Spring Chicken, but changed to the Wild Boar Shank based on recommendation of the chefs. I'm a big fan of duck and will say it was incredibly tender, perfectly prepared. However, I wish the portion was larger. Luckily, my wife shared her Boar Shank. And for sides, the Smashed Yukon Golds and Braised Greens were excellent. We decided to splurge and ordered all three desserts, including the Grilled Peaches of Cream, Campfire Chocolate Espresso S'More and Key Lime Posset. All were equally incredible. The wait staff was awesome, the craft cocktails were super tasty and the restaurant features a unique interior design. Everything adds up to an amazing evening. How satisfied were we? We'd order pretty much everything again in a heartbeat! read more

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Very very good meal. A+ on the espresso martini. Bone marrow could have used a clove of halved garlic for guests to rub on the bread. Great service. Came for the steak tartare which had been on the menu since opening but was not on when I went. Shame. Ambiance 3.5 Service 4 Food 3.5 Overall 3.8 One other dissapointment was the decision to not have backs on the chefs counter stools. If I'm going to eat for 2 hours I'm going to want to lean back. Had to alter my reservations to a dining room table because of this. read more

Southbound - S'mores and espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Beautiful location, very small intimate seating., specially cocktails & select menu options, everything is cooked on an open fire. Attentive service, Special occasions or date night., not necessarily kid friendly. read more

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Ambiance is amazing we sat on balcony and had pineapple daiquiri and a spring st " mocktail" since I don't drink. The food is to die for duck breast was cooked to perfection. Got to make this place a regular dinner night out read more

Southbound - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Can't beat the ambience here! The outdoor porch is so peaceful and serene. The drink menu is extensive and every drink was absolutely delicious. For starters the steak tar tar was interesting I would say 3/5, unfortunately the crudo I would give a 1/5. It was bland and unfortunately very fishy. The bisque was super sweet and yummy, something I would enjoy for dessert. For entrees the flounder I would give a 5/5 and the pork chop I would give a 3/5. Overall service, ambiance, and drinks get a 5/5, food on average 3/5. read more

Southbound - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Let's start with Customer Service, from the minute we walked in, I love being welcomed by the hostess Cami, she started us off at the front door with Champagne because we were celebrating our anniversary then escorted us to table. The ambience is clean and coastal and the food... combining flavors is their specialty, each dish a specific flavor different from the next dish that's a true chef! Each sauce is homemade and incredibly flavorful. whether you're having a creamy citrus or a chimichurri, your taste buds will be wowed! The NY strip was cooked perfectly..... one of the best I have had . They have a wood fired grill which adds a great dimension to the flavor of the food, specifically the octopus that we had was delicious. Last time we were here the monkfish ! The bartender Kyle is a master mixologist.... Drinks are sophisticated and amazing! This is a must visit if you are in Charleston. read more

Located in a historic home on Cannon Street in downtown Charleston this charming establishment was full of character. The renovation of the building was done very well. I was lucky enough to dine at the chefs table where all of the action takes place. The steak tartare was perfectly prepared. The Ono fish entree was delicious and such a good size I had to bring home for later. We also had the pork chop and it was very tasty. Nothing overpowered the flavor of the meat itself which is nice to experience when the quality is at its best. The staff was very friendly and the chef and his counterparts were also friendly and accommodating. I would recommend giving them a try! read more

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Very impressed with the cuisine, atmosphere, and service. Would 10/10 recommend. Very cute place for a date night. The menu had a wide variety, and changes every day!! Can't wait to return. read more

Southbound - Menu *changes every day* - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I had one of the best restaurant experiences of my life at Southbound. Southern hospitality and fine dining in cozy house. Greeted by a super kind gentleman and offered a toast to celebrate the reason for our visit. All staff we warm and kind, even the ones that cleared our plates or brought the food. Our server was informative, patient, and attentive. Everything we ordered was outstanding. The only thing I would change would be for there to be more honey on the cheese plate. Favorites were the steak tartar and the bok choy, which was like a warm caesar salad. Definitely go and indulge and feel taken care of. read more

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Came with our friends for a belated birthday celebration double date night and we were thrilled! I am a big fan of everything Heather Hutton does, and when I saw she was now the pastry chef here, we HAD to go. But first - dinner! We started our evening at the bar, as we found parking easier than expected. Right on time, we were seated at our table right around the corner. The ambience is really an upscale vibe. There were four of us, so we ended up ordering a good bit of the menu and just sharing with each other. I LOVE steak tartare and order is pretty much anytime it's on the menu, so that was a favorite for me. While my steak was delicious, the pork was the star of the table (and 2 people chose it)! The sides were all yummy, but our least favorite was the kimchi potato (just not very kimchi-y). The kale was delicious and the gournay potato was INCREDIBLE. NOW FINALLY - It was time for dessert. We got everything, because why would we not? As expected, I loved it all but the hot fudge chocolate hazelnut napoleon - *chefs kiss*. I want to eat it daily. All in all, we will definitely be back. I love that they change up their menu, I love the vibe and service, and I love the food. Go and enjoy! read more

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Where do I start? It was my husband's birthday as well as our belated anniversary dinner. I made our reservation on Resy which asks about special occasions. A friend recommended Southbound but we didn't have any expectations. We were so impressed! We booked a table but upon arrival we were upgraded to a better table based on the notes on our reservation. We were introduced to the guys creating magic in the open kitchen and then we were guided to our table. The presentation was well thought out but never pretentious. We were given a complimentary glass of champagne and I was given a rose. Our server was Alex. She was very well versed in the menu. Everything from food to wine to cocktails. She was very personable and took her time with us when we asked for guidance. I cannot stress how much we loved this meal. It's not just the food. It's the ambiance, the culinary experience, and the special tribute to the historic Charleston home that has been reborn. Every staff member made us feel welcomed, appreciated, and heard. They asked for feedback and checked in to make sure that we had a great experience without being intrusive. I know that the menu changes but I'll mention my favorites. Appetizers: octopus; shrimp, Mains: NY strip; Tuna, sides: carrots: heirloom tomatoes. This does not do the menu justice. Just know that we have been in the restaurant and hospitality world for years and appreciate all levels of food elevation and culinary diversity. These dishes had tons of flavor! The bright notes combined with eclectic flavor profiles created savory dishes in various capacities. We left with a handwritten note from the amazing staff and the satisfaction of knowing that we discovered a Charleston gem. We cannot recommend this restaurant enough! read more

Southbound - A rose with my champagne - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Many areas for improvement. First, have a nice cocktail menu without the products or mixologist to execute it. Old Fashioned, nothing but bourbon and an Orange rind. No blue cheese olives or cocktail onions for a Martini. Food was good, but overpriced for what you received. Add to that the restroom upstairs needs some added space and updating and a 3% charge for using a credit card in an expensive restaurant. No need to revisit with so many good restaurants in Charleston. read more

We had an amazing date night! Everything we ordered was delicious, customer service was stellar, and it was nice sitting on the porch and having the evening to ourselves. It was easy to find parking as well! read more

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I rarely leave reviews but Southbound absolutely deserves a positive one. I took my girlfriend for her birthday and we were blown away by the experience. From the moment we got there, we were greeted on the porch with a glass of champagne and she received a rose. The meal was superb - the rabbit gnocchi, octopus, and duck were incredible. After we finished the meal, they came over with a personalised birthday card for her and because she's allergic to eggs and couldn't eat the desserts, they brought her a little homemade chocolate treat to enjoy. Aside from the incredible experience, the restaurant is gorgeous, and the wait staff are all so lovely and attentive. Would very much recommend if you're looking for a special meal in the area. Will be back again next time we visit! read more

Southbound - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We came here for our anniversary yesterday and had the best time! We chose to sit in the dinning room which was great because the weather was iffy and it does get warm near the open fire kitchen. Their menu changes daily but they do post it on instagram day of. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable. We got the steak tartare which was incredible, the gnocchi which I would skip it was just ok, and the pork belly which soo good and was unlike any I've ever had. We shared a steak and got the most amazing sweet potatoes I'm still thinking about. We were too full for dessert but we will have to go back. Highly recommend! Make reservations in advance. A million/10 : ) read more

Southbound - Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Outstanding food, exceptional service, and phenomenal experience overall. The live fire cooking is so so cool and I love the fact that they have no ovens or stoves. Made my mom's birthday a wonderful experience, with special touches and attention to detail. Blown away by this place. Highly recommend sitting at the chefs counter to watch the action!! read more

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Lovely in every way. Southbound lived up to its reputation during our visit, being a sister restaurant of Honeysuckle, this elegant and romantic spot sits in a lovely historic home on Cannon Street. The live-fire cooking as you enter the home is the center of attention, although the artwork and architecture throughout the restaurant are just as captivating. More than dinner, Southbound engages your senses and creates an exceptional dining experience. Seating tips: Our suggestions are the immersive chef's counter, the romantic porch swings, and during warm weather months- the outdoor terrace or the second floor balcony overlooking the courtyard. My entree was the Scallop Crusted Halibut, Artichokes a' la Barigoule, Smoked Shiitake. read more

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The ambience is great and the renovation is beautiful. BUT this restaurant has a long way to go on improving the food quality for the prices they are commanding. The crab cake was outstanding, however, it was only an appetizer. My entree was sea bass which was charred and terribly dry. The side of asparagus was $14 and it was served cold with cold hollandaise sauce? Absolutely not worth the money. It appears they change their menu frequently. Seems they may want to focus more on doing same dishes well if they want to succeed in food heaven Charleston! Total disappointment read more

In town with a group of guys for work and we decided to stop in to celebrate a coworkers birthday. The maître d' recommended we sit at the Chef's Table which was an absolutely incredible experience to watch everything being prepared. Food was amazing, drinks were great, and service was top notch. Will definitely return when in the Charleston area. read more

Really great service and the chefs table is outstanding. Highly recommend for a special occasion or date night !

Great place to eat "off the beaten track" a bit. Steaks are amazing service is great, would recommend over Halls any day.

We recently celebrated a friend's birthday at Southbound. We were greeted at the door by the manager who have everyone in our party a complimentary glass of champagne. Awesome touch! Appetizers were delicious - we shared the octopus, scallops, and Mexican street peppers. The peppers were soooo good. Two of us had the NY strip and two had the tilefish. Both were outstanding. The tilefish includes 3-4 baby clams. Unfortunately, my wife's order was served with only the clam shells as they probably slipped off as they were being plated. She pointed this out to the server who ran back to the kitchen to get her a couple more. She said the chef wanted us to know that sometimes they fall off and they could be under the fish. (No dumbass, they weren't.) Then another server came over and repeated that the clams might actually be somewhere on her plate. He looked and sure enough they WEREN'T. Service was exceptional - very attentive and plenty of great recommendations. Other than the chef, everything was great! read more

Food made me violently ill! I called and an Andrew called me back. Told me I was a liar and came across very threatening! If you don't want to get sick I'd stay away from this place! read more

We were in Charleston for our honeymoon and went to Southbound on our last night in town. It was wonderful! A great experience! The waitress was great. We sat at the chefs counter it was so fun watching the cooks. The food and drinks were amazing. They even gave us a card congratulation us on our wedding. We will be back! read more

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So I know most restaurants don't want to hear from a vegetarian point of view, especially one that has a meat and grill focus but I REALLY enjoyed dinner here. The grilled mushrooms were AMAZING. I've never had chargrilled mushrooms before. The cocktails were unique and delicious. We sat at the grill so service was amazing. My only recommendation would be to have a few more appetizers to choose from:) read more

i was really excited for this place, dining room and kitchen look awesome!! I think the bar was set too high with the decor. Food was mediocre, very chewy duck, monotone dishes, service was completely inattentive( maybe because I'm in my younger 20s people don't think I can tip well enough? I hate it when I'm profiled as such). With so many competitive restaurants in Charleston this one is not worth a revisit. Disappointed for a place with incredible potential!! read more

The service here was impeccable. Little details mattered and really heightened an experience. The menu changes frequently if not daily and so it's tough to know if they will have something that fits your mood. I didn't love the short rib but enjoyed the smash potatoes we ordered as a side. Sides come separately here. Overall, would recommend based on ambiance and service read more

Southbound - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I had heard great things about this restaurant. It was good but nothing extraordinary. Service was nice, so was the ambiance. The food wasn't bad either, I got the pork chop which was nicely cooked but arrived in a lukewarm temperature. So did our appetizer. Nothing seemed to come out of the kitchen actually warm/hot, and that affected my experience. Reading other reviews too I see that this is a trend. For the type or restaurant this one is trying to be you shouldn't have to worry about the food temperature. read more

Super excited to come back here for dinner tonight. Our 4th time being here since opening. Unfortunately the food was not the same . We came here to celebrate my daughter's birthday and was super disappointed . 2 stars is for the wonderful service but without the great service there be no stars , sadly food went down hill since the opening. We ordered Ny strips they say they ran out of them so instead we upgraded to a similar steak because they told us to which is a ribeye but would cost extra money. I was like OK that's fine. We got our steak but it was actually a New York strip it was so cold and chewy. We waited an hour for our food and bacically it was waste of time. The smashed potato was not smashed and it taste like a undercooked potato.. without the oyster and a service I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Southbound - Steak oyster - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I really enjoyed trying this restaurant. It felt like you are entering someone's house and letting them cook for you. The inside is very scenic and there were a couple outdoor seats to sit and swing. I also loved the little touches this place had including a well stocked and loved bathroom haha! I started with a mezcal old fashion. Tbh I love mezcal and tequila and I wish they had a different type of featured cocktail to showcase tequila/mezcal than one that tastes like a bourbon. They had a couple classic tequila drinks but I wanted to see what they could do other than just classics. Now the food is amazing. I got bone marrow for started. The bone we received didn't have too much marrow to be able to share btwn 2 people.... I've gotten bone marrow before and I think we either got a bone with naturally less marrow so I would enjoy at least another bone on the plate to make it seem more substantial of an appetizer. Otherwise, a little overpriced for one. Although I enjoy the additional ingredients on top. The patatas bravas were a little too spicy. I think maybe a little less spice and add a tomato/red pepper sauce to add acidity. The mushrooms were by bar my favorite dish. You can taste how the grill effected the cook on those. Lastly the steak. We asked medium rare and I think it was cooked slightly too long but despite that it still tasted amazing. I think the spinach with the steak could be taken out but the seasoning and sauce on the steak were also amazing. I wish I had a chance to try dessert but we were in a rush for a spoleto event. Overall, I enjoyed this place a lot and would love to go again. read more

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We went out to eat with my in-laws and this has been on my list of new places to try. It's an old home tucked in the middle of active houses in downtown Charleston. With that being considered, the same is small and it gets very loud very quickly due to so many people being in a small room together. But other than that, the food was amazing and the service was pleasant. In a restaurant like this, you cannot expect portions to be worth the price but the quality of food is. I highly recommend a quality date night here. read more

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Last Friday a week ago I had the best culinary experience in Charleston. We went to Southbound on Cannon St. Everything was perfect. The ambiance, service, food and the attention to detail were all superb. They even had cute blankets outside if you got chilled. They also had a little stool for your purse so you did not have to sit it on the ground. We sat on the porch swing for dinner (and no it does not actually swing). We had the pork belly, octopus, lamb and venison. Everything is cooked on an open grill. We enjoyed every bite. Details in the pics. read more

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This was my first visit to Southbound. It was the BEST dinner experience I have ever had. When we walked up to the restaurant, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The minute we walked in the door, we were welcomed into the restaurant by the staff. We made a reservation at the Chef's Table and loved the experience. We were a party of two, and each ordered an appetizer and a side but ordered the whole fish entree to split. When choosing what to order, Drew was there in front of us to answer any questions we had. The food for the entire restaurant is cooked in front of the Chef's Table, so you can see most dishes prepared before you order. Everything we ate was just DELICIOUS! There are many different seating areas to accommodate everyone. read more

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Their terrace is wonderful. Their menu excites me. The stylish bathrooms, the bar, the smell of the wood burning--all wins. Service was good too! The tartare was especially superb. Someone in our group's steak was dry and over cooked. We also saw someone dining at another table remarking about the dry over cooked meat. read more

I don't know how they can have less than 5 stars. Their service was superb. The window for making a reservation closed and we arrived without one. They were quick to accommodate and make us feel special. The staff was passionate about their food and their location. The food was phenomenal and I would recommend them time and time again. They seem to be an up and comer because no one knew of this place. Everyone had heard about it, but never tried it. So, my partner and I couldn't help but boast about Southbound. We ordered the steak tartare, lightship scallops, and shared the duck (they were kind enough to cut it and put it on 2 separate plates for us). For dessert, we had the s'mores dish. Everything was perfect. The Cabernet was delicious and paired well with the dishes. We missed our chance to check out the upstairs bar because we didn't want to get caught in the rainstorm, but it was highly suggested to us. I'd come back to Charleston JUST for this restaurant. It tops every other restaurant we went to. The ambiance, chefs, cuisine, and service checked everything off our list. read more

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Our monthly girls dinner lead us to the almost brand new (30+ days open) restaurant Southbound. It's an old house in the heart of downtown CHS on Cannon St. We were able to find street parking a couple blocks away. Greeted at the door, we were escorted upstairs to our table. Originally 4 of us were going but due to last minute circumstances it was just Bre and I. Our server was Adam. He brought us dinner menus that are printed daily to match what dishes they'll be making. The drink menu is a 25 or so page book with wine, beer, and different cocktails depending on your liquor of choice. I got the $17 rum specialty cocktail called the Palmetto Daiquiri. Nothing special but not bad. It's just going to take me a while to get used to spending $15-$25 for one cocktail when drinking downtown. Bre had 3 drinks to my one which cost her over $63!!!! Moving onto the food. I would go back right now and sit at the bar and order the grilled oysters casino again and again. The first bite of the night and easily the best bite of the night. Next we had the shishito peppers and the dry aged steak tartare. I would have liked the shishito peppers to have punched me in the face more. More salt. More aioli. More lime. More cotija. Some spice would have been great too. And less peppers. For two people it was a big bowl of peppers that we didn't finish. The tartare was the second best bite of the night and something I would go back for again. When you ate a bite of the tartare without the miso butter toast it needed salt. But with the toast it came together beautifully. And finally my poor poor burnt soft shell crab. I hadn't had one yet this year and they've been in season for a couple weeks. When we saw it on the menu we had to order it. Unfortunately it was a major disappointment. That poor delicate crab was burnt to a crisp. I was able to scrap off some of the char but it just left that burnt char taste in your mouth anyway. Because of the wins being bigger than the losses, I would try this place again. read more

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The Service staff was very friendly and accommodating, but my duck entree was super late, cold, very undercooked (the skin was cold and rubbery), and not worth $44. I left very hungry. read more

If I could give Southbound more than 5 stars I would! Currently my top favorite in CHS and top restaurant I tell people who come visit to try! We've been three times and each time it gets better. MAKE a reservation at the chefs counter! SOOO worth it and such a cool date night experience. Side note - the chairs at the chefs counter do not have backs and bothered my MIL, but the experience outweighed that ha I could list out all the things you should try, but their menu does change every day. Follow them on instagram to see the menu of the day or just wait to be surprised there (I don't operate like that haha must know what I'm getting!). I am dairy free and gluten free (not celiac FYA - I can handle cross contamination) and honestly it's hard to go to places that change their menu daily because I don't know what to expect, BUT southbound was extremely accommodating and made it work! Every cocktail is a must - margarita and espresso martini were our top choices Grilled octopus - delicious and I don't even like octopus Shishito peppers - amazing, full of flavor Filet - delicious every time... cooked perfectly, must get the smashed potatoes on the side Pork chop - STAR of the show! Absolutely amazing, flavors profile, how it's cooked, everything about that dish is a 10/10 Wild boar - was incredible! Not gamey, fell off the bone like a short rib would Dessert - s'more was delicious, can't go wrong! We also got a peach something that was good, but I'm more of a chocolate dessert gal. Next time we go , we're going to try to make a reservation on the swinging benches on the porch - they are so cute! read more

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Some of the best meals that have passed over my lips! WoW! I tried the lamb and have to say, "Money in 'Da Bank"! So darn good. By far, the Best lamb that I have very had. I tasted another diner's pork and it too was fantastic! Beautifully cooked. I swear 2" thick and fork tender. These people are at the top of the restaurant game. I'm headed back when visiting Charleston! read more

Both the food and the service were exceptional. The foie gras appetizer and the crab appetizer were both to die for. I had the black cod main which was also fabulous and perfectly cooked. My husband had the (enormous) pork chop which in his estimation was slightly overcooked, but still very good. The place is upscale but friendly. We sat upstairs in the bar at a high top, which was just fine. read more