We had a 5:00 reservation and had never been here before -- it ended up being surprisingly very good. The menu had a lot of great options, to the point where I easily could have picked multiple dishes to try. For drinks, we ordered the Adeline cocktail, a Negroni, an espresso martini, and a special that was similar to a margarita. All of the drinks were well-balanced and enjoyable. The espresso martini was good, but pretty average -- nothing that really stood out compared to others we've had. For appetizers, we got the tuna crudo and a 1/2 lb of the roasted shrimp. Both were very good, but the shrimp specifically was incredible -- honestly some of the best shrimp we've ever had, and we go out to eat a lot. Next time, we'd probably just order that on its own as our appetizer. For mains, we had the swordfish and a special lobster ravioli. The ravioli itself was filled with corn and polenta, with about 2 ounces of lobster added on top. Both dishes were very good, nicely portioned (not too large), and beautifully presented. Service was great -- the staff and our waitress were friendly and took the time to explain everything. The atmosphere was also really cool and a bit different from your typical restaurant. At the very end of the meal, the waitress brought over two glasses of cognac and a flower for the women at the table, along with an explanation behind it (I won't spoil it so you can experience it yourself). It was a unique and memorable touch. Overall, a great experience and definitely worth visiting. read more

See all

I wasn't sure what to expect prior to dining in at Tempest, but I was impressed with both the service and food from start to finish and left the restaurant feeling more than satisfied. They curated their menu and offered a streamlined and limited selection that made the decision making process easy for guests, and gave me the impression that they prioritized quality over quantity. The stained glass ceiling caught our attention immediately, and based on my elementary SparkNotes-level understanding of Shakespearean literature, I'm assuming it has something to do with the restaurant's namesake. Aside from minor wear and tear on the booth we sat at, everything else appeared well maintained and clean. Our server provided helpful recommendations and feedback when placing our order, and we received warm and friendly service from the staff throughout our stay. The nori milk bread was fluffy and flavorful, and the cocktails well crafted and refreshing. We enjoyed the chilled oysters, although I thought it had a bit of a lingering aftertaste. I've never eaten Swordfish before, and I found the flavor profile and texture interesting especially with the charcoal smokiness, but I personally prefer a richer, melt-in-your mouth quality. On the other hand, I found the Rigatoni Bolognese outstanding, and I devoured that within minutes. The portions for the main courses were on the smaller side, however ordering a dish off each section of the menu helped to create a perfectly balanced meal that didn't have us feeling underfed or overstuffed. Tempest was a refreshing departure from the overcrowded and high energy "touristy" establishments we visited. In comparison, we found the atmosphere far more relaxed, the food just as impressive, and the value better overall. I would add Tempest closer to the top of my "must eat" restaurants on a future trip to Charleston, and I'm curious to see how their menu will evolve over time! read more

See all

I came here with a few friends for restaurant week and it was... okay... I arrived first and was shown to our table for three upstairs. The host that sat me was very nice and chatted a bit - while most of the restaurant was pretty quiet, there was a large party upstairs as well. After I sat, I took a look at the drinks menu when our waiter came up to check in. She gave me the impression that she was really rushed, so I assumed (ultimately, incorrectly) that she was helping with the large group. My friends were running a few minutes behind so, after she checked in again, I decided to order a glass of wine while I was waiting. Once my friends came up, they hadn't yet settled in before she was back asking about drinks for them - they asked for a minute and she came back again quickly. They also were picking up on the harried energy so I was glad it wasn't just me. We ended up with an order of rolls, each got the salmon crudo, each ended up with the steak frites, and then had 2 s'mores desserts and one panna cotta. The food was alright; the crudo was pretty tasty and my s'mores dessert was good as well, but the steak wasn't my favorite. My friends felt similarly about the food. Ultimately, the server was coming to collect plates when we weren't even quite done. While she wasn't rude or anything like that, we just all felt rushed and, for the cost of the dinner, that was unfortunate. The other puzzling part was that we saw her with one of her other tables and she was chatting and pacing the food fine, so not sure what was going on with our table. Overall, I think I'd probably pass. There's such good food in Charleston that an okay meal with okay service isn't going to be where I spend my money. I'll keep my fingers crossed it was just an off night. read more

I wish I could give 6 stars. I can't remember our servers name now but she was fantastic! The restaurant was having an event inside so we sat out on the patio and felt like we got. a lot of special attention! We learned so much about the restaurant and chef Jamie Lynch - and then got to meet him! What an amazing experience. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet! Everything was superb. The ocean rolls, the shrimp entree, the cacio e pepe with handmade noodles - wow. But the best thing we ate was the side of vegetables! They were so perfectly cooked and coated in butter, what more could you want! And can't forget the sunburst lemon dessert that was so delicate and tangy, and the dessert cognac service! What a fun way to end the night. I can't recommend this place more. Thank you thank you thank you! read more

See all

Do not go there. Can make this review any clearer. Ordered the Tuna Cruedo. It was grade C Ahi and to try and hide the grade they top it with the hottest jalapeño pepper they can find. Wat too many Charleston options to waste your money here. read more

My boyfriend and I chose to celebrate his birthday here while we were visiting Charleston because of all the great reviews. The food definitely lived up to the hype--we ordered the tuna, swordfish, bolognese, and the s'mores dessert. The tuna and swordfish were by far our favorites, and everything came out surprisingly quickly. Unfortunately, the service left us disappointed. I mentioned multiple times when making the reservation and upon arrival that we were celebrating a birthday, but it was never acknowledged. We felt like we were simply shuffled in and out rather than welcomed or made to feel like we were celebrating a special occasion. To make matters worse, we overheard a nearby table celebrating an anniversary receive a description of an off-menu dessert and a complimentary dessert, while our celebration wasn't acknowledged at all. The food was excellent, but for a restaurant with such a strong reputation and at this price point, I expected a more thoughtful and consistent dining experience. Because of the lack of hospitality, I don't think we'll be returning. read more

See all

Tempest is a cool spot! We sat at the bar for dinner and then realized that happy hour went until 7. Ordered the HH burger and wedge salad. Both were good and not your typical burger or wedge. The burger was simple but delicious. Not drenched in sauce or toppings so you could taste and appreciate the quality meat and bun. The bartender was fabulous! Very friendly and fun to talk to. The drinks were great. Loved the stained glass ceiling cocktail! read more

The food was delicious! Service was good. The Pavlova was delightful. The ceiling of the restaurant is beautiful. They give the ladies roses at the end of the meal and you get a little shot of liquor. I appreciated that they poured a glass of water for my daughter so she didn't feel left out. I would order the flounder, calamari, salad, again. The fish tacos were not my favorite. The tortilla was not all warmed through and a little dry, but everything else was out of the park. read more

Tempest - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

EXCELLENT!! EXCELLENT!! The service was awesome!! Never asking for anything and every need being met! They had great recommendations and wonderful options!! The swordfish and New York strip were prepared to taste! I truly enjoyed the experience!! read more

Tempest - Cognac - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The Tempest was such a wonderful surprise and truly a great find. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was beautiful and cozy, and our waitress was incredibly sweet. I also loved the thoughtful traditions here -- ladies receive carnations, and every guest gets a small taste of cognac or whiskey. Those little touches made the experience feel extra special. Definitely a place worth visiting. read more

What a treat! We visited Tempest on a rainy Friday that made us miss our reservations. We had let them know and when we arrived a half hour late found they had reserved two spots at the bar for us. Very thoughtful and a great solution! The restaurant itself is beautiful. The lowered glass ceiling is gorgeous and the driftwood piece at the end of the bar is tremendous! Our dinner was excellent. The N/A-negroni mocktail was a fun start, with its hint of orange and floreal. We shared the tasty calamari and each devoured a beef dinner: I enjoyed the steak frites, medium rare, with shoe string fries; he loved the short ribs with mashed potatoes. Great meal, nice staff. A new favorite! read more

See all

I loved this place! We ate upstairs which is a beautiful open room with a lot of light. I had the bolognese and it was delicious! My date had the cacio e Pepe which was good, but missing a little something (which is the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars, but It was still a wonderful experience). The bolognese was the star of the show. We had a side of fries which were perfectly cooked. The wine list was great. As tradition since the 80's, the lady of the table was given a rose which was so sweet. We were also offered a complimentary cognac tasting. Romantic spot I enjoyed! read more

This was our first time eating at Tempest and we were very impressed. The food and service were amazing! This is a great place to go for a celebration dinner. We were celebrating my birthday and they made it feel special. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing spot to take my family while they were in town visiting us. We ate on their patio with a party of 7 including a 1 year old. The patio allowed him to stay entertained watching people walk by. Being outside, we felt relaxed and not like we were bothering anyone if he squealed. The barramundi was a favorite - wonderfully flakey and paired nicely with the sweet potato. read more

See all

right off the bat, we experienced a bit of hostility from the host. when we told her the name for the reservation, she gave us attitude and said "are you sure it's not for Church and Union." we had to point out the name to her as if she was purposely trying not to see it. other than that, the service was amazing. our server was so sweet and continued to fill up our waters when they'd get low. for the appetizers we got the fried calamari(8/10), the shrimp(6/10), and the ocean rolls(8/10). for the main i ordered the barramundi. the sweet potato had a lot of flavor and the kale on top was a nice touch. the fish itself didn't have a lot of flavor (7/10). as for dessert, we got the special lemon meringue, which is perfect if you love sweet, and the s'mores, which is perfect if you love a more heavy flavor, both so delicious. the place had great music and it was so asthetic. i recommend! read more

Tempest - barramundi - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

Was in town for the weekend visiting our son for his birthday. Heard good things about the place and we're able to get a reservation for Saturday night on short notice. Had the ocean rolls which were so delicious. Steak Frites and the Some More for dessert. While everything was good nothing stood out as a wow. Service was very good and they did comp a dessert for my son's birthday which was a nice touch. read more

We had an amazing experience at Tempest during our weekend in Charleston. Our Uber driver recommended and we were able to walk right in on a Friday night - though I think that was pure luck since it seems quite popular! The location is so unique and the beautiful art inside attracted us in. The staff was super friendly and helpful throughout the whole meal. I very much enjoyed a pasta dish and wine, but my favorite part was at the end of the meal. We were surprised with a complementary port, a flower to take home, and a copy of The Tempest that served as a guest book. So cute and unique! read more

Tempest - A surprised at the end of the meal - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

We arrived to an empty restaurant. We were quickly attended by the host and server. The music played through the speaker is upbeat and the lighting is appropriately dimmed for dinner with a lit candle on each table. The menu has drastically changed from a fish-centered menu to a menu with sparse fish entrees - there is but one now. Guessing there has been a chef change and they are trying to make the restaurant food choices their own. The roasted shrimp were very tasty. Would recommend. The fish tacos are very nice. Good balance of flavors. The cacio e pepe is fine. Too much butter - greasy. Not enough pecorino. This is not the same restaurant that was once voted best restaurant by USA readers in 2020. The Tempest of today is not sure what it wants to be. It has elements of Italian, elements of a steak restaurant, very limited seafood entrees, etc. It should change its name to Miscellaneous from Tempest, because the menu does not have a clear focus. We asked to change the preparation of the Filet Mignon to have an au poivre sauce with shoestring potatoes. Irish potatoes have a cabbage flavor and the texture is off-putting. The shoestring potatoes were great, the filet mignon was tender and had a great flavor but needed more au poivre sauce. The Mahi Mahi was good, but it doesn't knock it out of the park. Do not ask for a half portion of pasta because that is not allowed. Do not ask for traditional mashed potatoes because they are pre-prepared and the kitchen cannot accommodate. It's comical to see all of the ocean decor on the walls with this no longer being a fish-focused restaurant. The "tradition" of giving ladies roses, men cigars, and a taste of brandy has been downgraded to carnations and no cigars. Truly an inferior substitute. There were nicer flowers on the tables at Chik-fil-a on our drive to Charleston. If the feel of this new version of Tempest is to be an upscale, sophisticated dining experience, carnations are not the flowers to favorably impress. The bar is still wonderful and making excellent drinks. Cheers. The desserts were on par for previous visits. EASILY the highlight of the meal. The s'mores dessert is phenomenal the chocolate ice cream is the most creamy and most rich ice cream I've had in a long while. In short, skip dinner here, but definitely order dessert. Our server was very friendly as was the host. We are now in the market for an excellent seafood restaurant in Charleston - this is sadly no longer it. read more

See all

I've been to the Tempest before and enjoyed it, but not as much this time. The food was so-so for my group. I really liked the oysters, but the pavlova was hard. Why even serve it if you know the humidity makes it impossible to enjoy? Odd! Ordered a wedge salad, and nothing on the menu stated that onions were served with the salad. Why?? I would have ordered without the onions, but no, the salad came out with raw onions all over it. Too many to pick off to the side, so I had to send back and wait for another. By the time my salad came out for the second time, the others in my party had already finished theirs. Just seemed like an uneven night. The manager apologized for the salad and dessert and offered a complimentary dessert to make up for it, which was appreciated. With so many great dining choices in Charleston, missteps like this are tough to make me want to try again anytime soon. read more

Tempest - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Our server, Angela, was fantastic. She helped us with our food selection and we were so thrilled with our choices. Started with the must-have ocean rolls, friend calamari, roasted shrimp, and local oysters. Then Rigatoni and NY Strip for the mains. Finished our meals with a delicious smores-like dessert. At the end of our meals, we were presented with a flower and two glasses of brandy, which is a tradition passed on from decades ago that the original restaurant used to do... My only regret - not getting another dessert to go! read more

See all

Had such a great time here! We had reservations so we were sat immediately & all our food came out at a reasonable time. Speaking of the food - out of this world. I'll be thinking about the braised short rib until I'm able to come back. At the end of the meal they gave the girls in our group flowers and all of us a brandy to sip on... such a cute thing that they do complimentary! Highly recommend the smores dessert read more

See all

This place is a night time beauty!! It's hard to not enjoy your dining experience in this absolutely stunning location. And on top of that the food is absolutely amazing!!!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Our experience was amazing. We would definitely return here for another CHS dinner. read more

See all

First the high points: The Ambiance is great! The flounder was perfectly cooked. Low points: We sat at the bar and had terrible service. The bartender was not familiar with the drink menu or the food menu. He completely forgot to put in our oyster "appetizer " order. Ugh. He needed more training especially for serving on a busy Saturday night. read more

This used to be my favorite restaurant in Charleston, and I so looked forward to coming back. If you used to love Tempest, there is a good chance you won't like it quite as much. Previously synonymous with excellent, fresh seafood - some of the best in Charleston, now 7/8 entrees are not seafood - this restaurant is the same as the original in name only. Get: rigatoni bolognese (one of the best I've had), Adeline cocktail, filet mignon, best item overall - Some More dessert Avoid: spaghetti cacio e pepe (too much butter and not enough pepper), mahi mahi, Irish mashed potatoes The calamari was room temperature when presented but the lemon aioli was nice and the fried, pickled peppers were great. The charcoal roasted shrimp were good but were not completely deveined - they need to be properly cleaned. The mahi mahi tacos are nice but not remarkable. The mahi mahi (last remaining seafood entree) was okay but missed the bright, unique flavor combinations of the original Tempest. The filet mignon was very tender but the Irish mashed potatoes are a very strange accompaniment. To reduce costs, many items made multiple appearances on the menu - ie the only fish available was present in the appetizer and entree, the only potato side (Irish potatoes) was present in two entrees with limited options. The previous tradition at dessert - giving ladies roses and men cigars with a taste of brandy transitioned to carnations for ladies and brandy for all. Cutting corners is always noticeable and makes you wonder what areas in the kitchen are being looked over. The desserts were great - the Some More dessert is really incredible and has been amazing for years! The Spill the Tea dessert needs a small amount of sweetness in the earl grey cream - otherwise nice. Espresso martinis are nice. read more

See all

Very good dinner in Charleston. Great servers. Food right on point. It was our first time in Charleston. Easy to find location.

We came here for my oldest daughter's birthday and it did not disappoint. The place is very cozy and the food was outstanding. The ocean rolls, which were ordered twice, were so good. We also had the calamari which was cooked perfectly. For entrees we had flounder, and several pastas. Desert was their version of a smore. Since I mentioned it was my daughter's birthday they brought out a card wishing her a happy birthday and signed by the staff. Nice touch. I highly recommend coming here. read more

See all

My husband and I dined here while in town for our anniversary. One thing Charleston has no lack of is good restaurants. Tempest popped up during my search for the perfect restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, and we made reservations. When we walked in, the restaurant was quaint and packed. Our table was ready at the time of our reservation it was a Saturday. The hostess was amicable and seated us immediately. Tempest is an upscale seafood restaurant. The dinner menu is small, but rest assured that anything you order will be made perfectly. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. I started off with the turning point cocktail, which was well crafted. My husband had an old-fashioned and it was also made well. As an appetizer, I had the Baby Gem Salad. It was delicious with the miso dill vinegarette being the star of the show. Both my husband and I ordered the grouper as our entrées. I'm no fan of carrots, but these carrots were amazing along with the fresh grouper, which was flavorful and cooked to perfection. We ended with a complimentary celebratory dessert for our anniversary, which was delightful. This restaurant goes above and beyond with how they thank you for dining. All the wonderful details had me in awe. We did not just have dinner,it was truly an experience. If you are looking for a nice restaurant to celebrate an occasion or to impress a date, Tempest won't disappoint. read more

See all

Great vibe. Cool and similar to the sister church and union. Got the swordfish. The bread was great. Cool service with a cool story about the building itself. read more

The stained glass ceiling is beautiful. Service was great. Food was delicious. It's one of the most storied bars in Charleston. Loved it. read more

See all

While the food was good, service was great. The price is way overpriced for what you get. While the short ribs I had were good. They weren't phenomenal. My short ribs that I cook tasted better. The wedge salad was delicious. Was it worth $16? Not quite. To make matters worse and the main reason for the 2 star review. They charge a 4% service fee for the kitchen.... What the heck is that? You already charge high prices and are making a fortune on the mark up, to add a 4% fee for the kitchen is absurd. read more

Excellent dinner with friends! We started our evening at the bar enjoying great service and drinks. Among our group we enjoyed a glass of Pinot Noir wine , the "Stephano", "Harriott's", and the "Adeline" cocktails All of which were excellent! Our waitress was very friendly and informative about the menu. Everyone enjoyed their entrees! At the end of dinner we were told of the tradition where ladies receive a red carnation and all can enjoy a tasting of brandy. Such a simple but heart warming gesture Absolutely recommend Tempest! Also, be sure to check out the Driftwood Octopus near the bar area and other beautiful art work in the restaurant! read more

See all

Very nice looking place. Great setting. The service was good. The food was very good. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Buffet for Easter Brunch 2026 was horrible. Extremely limited and food so bad that we barely ate. We would never return nor recommend this place to anyone. At $70 per person they served powered eggs! Never again. read more

This meal was incredible!! We did three courses: app, entree and dessert. Then at the end we all got a shot of some kind of liquor and a rose. Inside is gorgeous with the stained glass artwork and drinks were delish. Service was top notch! Great choice when dining in Charleston! read more

See all

Such a great spot for dinner in Charleston! Service was great and the food was even better! The stain glass ceiling was so unique inside and should be a must try in CHS! read more

See all

We had an an amazing dinner. We started with the wedge salad, and I got the arugula squash salad. I then ordered a wedge for me again as it was so good I did oysters on the half shell grilled, and my husband had the tuna tartare the honey pot for dessert is a 20. Byrce our waitress did a great job and made sure our water glasses stayed full. Adam, the general manager was really friendly too, and made us feel welcome. read more

See all

As I walked into Tempest, I observed it was a quaint restaurant and the staff had nice outfits. We were greeted and sested at the bar as we only stopped bar for a drink. The bartender immediately came with menus. I mentioned we only stopped by for a drink. He left us with a drink menu. After 10 minutes, I used the restroom, which was tidy. I came back out and my date had been served. I patiently waited for the bartender to take my order. Now it has been 25 minutes and my date was finished with her drink. I got up and walked over to the bartender and asked for the check. I do love not being rushed and my dated enjoyed her drink! I am giving Tempest a solid 4+ star review. I look forward to my next visit! Recommend! read more

Tempest - This is a menu. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Such solid food and amazing service for large parties! Came for a work event where we even had a customized menu printed out (for maybe ~40 people in total). Apps came out to share and we could choose from a variety of entrees and desserts. For apps we had a seafood tower, lobster tail, ceviche and more. All the seafood was so fresh and everyone loved the food! Dietary constraints were also considered and they were very careful to outline which foods could not be eaten by those with restrictions. I got the steak and a honeycomb dessert (honey pot creme? or something like that). Steak was pretty good - a bit over cooked though. Dessert was great! I also tried a chocolate dessert and a few bites of other people's entrees and can say that you cannot go wrong with any dish. read more

See all

We enjoyed a lovely meal on the patio, some specialty cocktails, bolognese, and mahi mahi. read more

See all

Food service and ambiance were nice. We sat at the bar. I didn't order a drink so when bartender knew it was my bday he comped us on the ocean rolls (since that's what I had ordered). We ordered a few apps while we were waiting for church and union to free up. Shrimp was really good. Steamed oysters not the best. Not sure if it had cilantro or what exactly but still giving five stars. read more

Tempest - Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all