I was kind of surprised how the Harlow on James Island has stayed under the radar. This neighborhood restaurant and bar is loaded with charm and perhaps some of the friendliest staff around. They are a burger/oyster bar with a diverse menu that has unique offerings. As far as I know this is the only true oyster bars on the Island. There are plenty of restaurants that serve raw oysters but no with a wide-ranging selection of oysters from various locales. I don't care for raw oysters myself, but I saw a lot being served. We started with cocktails with my wife ordering the "Don't Call It a Skinny" with Tequila, Guava, Lime, Agave, and Lime Salt. They say try it spicy if you are feeling feisty and she was. The drink was light with a wonderful back heat on the end. I enjoyed the Smoked Praline Sour with rye, hazelnut, Montenegro, praline, citrus and bitters with a nice smoke for added flavor. It tasted just like a praline, and I had a tough time getting it back after my wife had a try, We ordered some fried oysters Buffalo style with a ranch sauce for dipping. Being an oyster bar they were very fresh and full of flavor. Our favorite starter was the popular Jam Jar with ricotta cheese and seasonal jam with toasty bread. The jam was tomato and our server gave us a great pro-tip. Empty the bowl it comes in and dump the contents of the jar then swirl the two together then spoon it up on the bread. It was absolutely delicious and can't be missed! We decided to get a couple of burgers which are a mixture of brisket, chuck and short rib. I got the Harlow burger which has American Cheese, Comeback Sauce, Pickles, and Shredded Lettuce. I was pleased that instead of a smash burger which everyone seems to do these days, it was a thick juicy burger. It was so juicy I needed to wipe my hands and mouth after each bite. The comeback sauce was unique and definitely added to the spectacular flavor I was experiencing. Poe's used to be my thick burger go to and they have been dethroned! My wife chose the Southern Roots with Bacon, Pimento, Shredded Lettuce, and Pickled Green Tomatoes. It was obvious that the pimento cheese was homemade and packed with cheesy goodness. The fries were perfect burger fries being neither steak nor shoestring but just perfectly crispy and light, similar but better than McDonalds in every way. Zach, the general manager came over to chat for a bit and offer us a complimentary cocktail to try. The Section 112 was Bourbon, tarragon, preach, bitters, and a streusel foam. They purposely leave out a straw so that you taste that foam with each sip. I couldn't have had a better time. Friendly service that was top notch. Drinks that were creative as well as fulfilling and food that will linger in my collective memories for a long time. You need to make a reservation as they are so popular that walk ins may have a tough time. read more

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We visited The Harlow for the first time and it did not disappoint. My first soft shell crab sandwich of the season was on point and fairly priced. The fries were also crispy and delish! The service and atmosphere were great and we didn't have to wait long for our meal. A solid choice! read more

The Harlow - Softshell crab - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Followup with more pictures. Excellent burger perfect medium as I like. Fries are really good and the oysters are terrific. The best presentation for oysters! The tuna tartare was the least favorite. It tasted good enough but certainly not fantastic enough for the very small portion and big ticket price. read more

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Went to try out the Harlow on a Friday night. It was crowded and table service had a 30 minute wait but we were able to sit at the bar immediately. The bartenders were friendly and talked about all of the new drinks they had on the menu. The ambiance was fun, comfortable temperature and a pretty lively crowd. I had a chicken sandwich on gluten free bun with fries - the food was pretty solid. You can also pay with Blackbird here which is convenient. Overall we had a good experience! read more

The Harlow - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I have gone to the Harlow twice since my last visit and have been disappointed in the prices. We went and a friend had a dirty martini and was charged $6 extra for olive Juice! This could be a great spot, but it is too overpriced. The other concern has been the lack of appetizer options. There just isn't usually anything that we really enjoy unless we want oysters. I would love to the see the Harlow have more offerings and better prices. read more

The Harlow - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I like this spot when I have visitors and it is too cold out to sit outside somewhere. Great selection of oysters, and delicious brussel Sprouts. I love their lobster mac because it is not too rich and the lobster taste isn't over powering. They have a fantastic cocktail menu as well. read more

GET THE JAM JAR! I've been to The Harlow twice now, both were great experiences. Staff is always friendly, the restaurant itself is clean and modern, and the menu is small but has enough options to make everyone happy (even kids!). On our most recent visit we started with the Jam Jar which was fantastic. We also had the grilled oysters and they were good as well. My husband got a burger which was huge and delicious. My son had the kid's burger and he enjoyed it as well! After two appetizers I wasn't too hungry so I went with the tuna tostada which was the perfect size. Overall we had a great meal and will definitely return. read more

Super well done!! The place looks amazing. You can tell they didn't go cheap on anything when renovating the space. Service was 10/10! The food was great. I loved the market fish, and my husband got the burger with crab on top. The Jam jar appetizer was good, but I wouldn't order it again. Cocktails looked amazing! Fresh and fun. definitely come for happy hour, it's an amazing deal. read more

The Harlow - Jam jar - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We had a very good meal at The Harlow on James Island! The atmosphere in the dining room was cozy and stylish, with just the right mix of modern and welcoming. Open to the outside front raw bar and outdoor patio seating available. Each table had a bug chaser fan as even inside is open to the outside. Our server was attentive and very friendly, helping to make the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. The burger special was a standout -- a maple bacon burger stacked with crispy onions that added the perfect crunch and flavor. It was juicy, flavorful, and beautifully balanced between savory and sweet. The fried chicken sandwich was also good but a bit over fried though still juicy inside -- super crispy on the outside and served with the crispy onions, maple bourbon sauce and bacon (requested the burger special but with the fried chicken was a customized order not on the menu). Every bite was satisfying! Shoestring French fries were crispy and plentiful. The raw bar seemed to be the big draw as we saw plate after plate of oysters going to tables. The quality of the food, the friendly service, and the relaxed yet refined vibe make The Harlow a true gem on James Island. Parking is challenging and tight but there is a big strip mall next door with deep parking. menu! read more

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Tucked just a short Uber ride from downtown Charleston, The Harlow came highly recommended by our friend Jason who lives nearby--and it did not disappoint. The Royal with Cheese was phenomenal, and the wedge salad with grilled shrimp was exactly what we were hoping for. We started off with the Main Harbor View Old Fashioned, which was a perfect pre-dinner cocktail. Even though our reservation didn't show up in their system, the staff was accommodating and made sure we were well taken care of. Excellent service, delicious food, and a great recommendation all around. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Really enjoyed the food. Weird ketchup stain on wall... the staff could pay a little more attention to cleaning the space. The patio is great and has lots of heaters. read more

Our 4th time at the Harlow and again it doesn't disappoint! Excellent service, food and drinks!! We had the Harlow burger, fried shrimp, Brussels, loaded fries and of course the oysters are the best!! Great place!! read more

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I really loved our meal at Harlow! The rest of the family did too. Great service and food was fresh. Will definitely be back when in the area! read more

I forgot to take pictures of our food but as you can see by the first picture there were no leftovers! My friend and I got Something Cold beer by Edmond's Oast Brewery (my personal favorite local beer). I got the fried oyster plate and my friend got the wagyu burger. Both were good. The oysters were a little on the chewy side which is why I have knocked this down a star. The staff was pleasant and the place itself cute. This place is surprisingly popular with its easy to miss location. Def a go to for locals. We sat at the outdoor bar that was cool and bug free. read more

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A nicely appointed spot and we were looking forward to trying it, after hearing all the buzz. It seems to be mainly an oyster bar, and since we don't do oysters, this review will not be for you. We had the tuna tartare, which was very tasty, as were the margaritas! (They were delicious!) For our main, we each ordered a different burger, Southern Roots & The Connector, and we cut it in half to share. We could not tell the difference between the two - that is how much they lacked flavor. However, we did order the garlic fries and those were absolutely delicious!!!! Our service was great, and in looking at the menu, there are things we would like to try, so we will go again, in hopes the flavor is a bit more, well, flavorful. read more

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We just ate at Harlow's for the first time in four years. Great experience and the food was very, very good. The service was spot on. Very nice and southern sheik establishment. read more

Highly recommend this place! My date and I really enjoyed our food, beer, and enjoyed our time at The Harlow! I had the Charleston Hot Chicken sandwich and it was hotter than Nashville! Our server was fantastic. The painted oyster shell was a wonderful surprise and well done. Will be back again soon! read more

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Yes, 5 stars! Mostly because the service was great! I went here with a friend after a walk and we debated on going here or to the restaurant next door and I'm so happy we went here. The oysters were my favorite item. The burger was okay, I had to ask for lettuce which I think every burger should come with veggies on the side. They also don't have regular tomatoes, the vinegar ones were great by themselves but not something I'd want to put on my burger. We sat outside at the oyster bar and got to peek at the setup! The banana pudding was delicious! I would definitely go again! read more

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Festive atmosphere with live music. Expert service staff; knowledgeable about their food and attentive but not intrusive service. I felt like I was getting Michelin star level service! The Shuckers Dozen was fabulous. Seemed like the oysters were just caught!! We also had a Daniele salad, an amazing Caesar salad, and the market fish was perfectly cooked and fresh. I had a special request for dry grilled shrimp which they provided perfectly prepared! We ended with the banana pudding and chocolate tart which were both divine! I totally recommend this rest and will definitely make it a must for my next visit to Charleston!! read more

Entered without expectation. Immediately appears as a bar that also provides food. It was comfortable level of noise and lighting. The service was spot on; quick and drinks delivered. We settled on burgers and they were good, but not more noteworthy. We thought the cost was a little on the high side. We will visit again, but not on our list of favorites. read more

Went here with some friends to celebrate a birthday last night. I've never been so I came with an open mind! First thing I want to say the cucumber martini is yummy get it!! I can't remember the bourbon cocktail my husband got but it was yummy, unfortunately the only pictures I got. One of our friends got the cheddar pasta salad, umm I tried it wasn't a fan. I can't place my finger on it but between then under cooked pasta (had a bit of crunchy pasta in it) or the lack of seasoning (honestly didn't think it had any flavor) or the very unappetizing yellow orange color the whole thing was (it was giving Kraft Mac cheese powder) can't say I'll give it another go. As far as food we both got the blackened chicken sandwich and fries. I would say the sandwich was good but way too messy. I think next time I'll ask for no comeback sauce (not the biggest fan of it no matter where I'm at) sub honey mustard and I'll get the sauce on the side. The fries were awesome just like McDonalds without the salt. Over all the food was decent! I'll server was so sweet very helpful and funny! She did great making sure the whole table had drinks and water. The overall restaurant was cute. But I did notice a ton of kitchen towels hanging from the ceiling in two different spots thought it was interesting. And also the music was ungodly loud. I get wanting a vibe but I could barely hear the people at our table. I do want to thank the GM that came by and talked to the table and gave a free birthday dessert she loved it. I'll definitely think about coming back at some point! read more

The Harlow - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We had a very good meal at The Harlow- Sunday afternoon seated on the heated patio. The table was weirdly big so we decided to sit next to each other since sitting across we were a bit far away for conversation. I had the shrimp and grits which were a bit atypical in that they had a tomato sauce- it was delicious and a large portion I couldn't finish! The shrimp was perfectly done. My friend had the wedge salad with chicken and she LOVED it! read more

The Harlow - Wedge salad add chicken - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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What can I say that hasn't already been said? The saltine cracker are TO DIE. The fish sando (blackened) changed my life. The saltine crackers were also specifically tasty. Our sever, Henny, was an old soul with charisma and instinct that can't be taught. The saltine crackers were also pretty sublime. My dill martini was subtle and salty and left you wanting for more while giving you everything you need. Also, the saltine crackers, shockingly, were a table favorite. What can I say? We'll certainly be back. read more

This is just the place James Island has needed! Thrilled to add Harlow to my rotation. I can't say enough good things about this place. I had previously been with some girlfriends and forgot to review. Having been just this past week, I can say without hesitation that the food is consistent! There's a great variety of choices which makes it easy to visit often. I took two of my close friends this past week and they have been singing their praises ever since. On two separate visits I have tried the dill creek martini and also a dirty martini. Both delightful! The dill creek is a nice twist and very fresh. I would suggest this one for someone looking for a little variation on the traditional martini. For starters we tried some of the house dressed oysters. These are raw oysters with cream, caviar, and chives. I'm personally a sucker for anything caviar so this was a must try! They were quite tasty! Along with these, we split several different raw oysters. Some from Jersey and a few PEI. They were both good choices. We then tried the fried oysters served with a lemon aoli. These were just right to split. The lemon aioli makes it! Also, for starters we had a side of fries to tie us over. The aioli was served with these as well. For the main, one of us had the caesar with grilled shrimp. He could not stop talking about the croutons and of course the shrimp. Great choice! My other girlfriend had the wedge which she was quite pleased with. I could not pass up the royale with cheese. Messy as all get out but worth every bit of it! I added the house salad as my side. Decent little salad to balance out the burger. The other visit at Harlow, a few of us split the chicken sandwich and it was amazing. To finish, we had to try the espresso martinis- great finisher. Lastly, we were sent home with some of the nanner pudding! So so good! The owners and GM were very welcoming and are truly happy to have you at the restaurant. Really look forward to my next visit! read more

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I have to agree with some other Yelpers, great addition to James Island. Service is excellent. The space is small, maybe 10 - 12 tables, but is surprisingly "open". Charleston Hot Chicken was excellent, her Flounder fish sandwich was also tasty. Fries were perfect and the Blonde Ale was ice cold. We have to try the oysters next trip!! read more

Tyler Cordina is the best waiter. Carolina chicken great. Oysters are great. The wait list was for 8 pm and they had an open table. I think Tyler needs a raise. Management seems great as well. Coming back. read more

Incredible place for a chill Sunday afternoon! I came with four other people during lunch break and we had multiple different items and all were incredible. Birds island oysters were delicious, hot chicken sandwich was incredible, service was warm and friendly. We also had the chance to meet the owner and his family and he was incredibly personable, and told us his vision for the restaurant. Wish I could leave a higher review! read more

The Harlow - Birds island oysters - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Sitting outside on the side of the building may have detracted from the ambiance for our first time here. Came for dinner on a Thursday night and it was packed. Although our server greeted us by saying she "doesn't really work there, but was just helping out," she seemed to know the menu and provided prompt, friendly service. We got the wings as an appetizer; they were definitely on the small size and nothing to write home about. The Muhammad Ali drink was well balanced and delish. Ordered the S.O.B. burger medium on the server's recommendation. It was good, but not as satisfying or flavorful as anticipated given the boursin cheese. I'd like to come back and give them another try by sitting inside and ordering some seafood items. Decor very cute from what I glimpsed of the inside. read more

The Harlow - a glass of lemonade and a plate of food - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Flies were everywhere The burger was mushy not well done as ordered. Salad wilted and fries sucked. Help was friendly. The location better as a dry cleaner read more

Great oyster selection and speciality cocktails. Nice vibes and chill spot! Highly recommend.

Brand new Oyster Bar in James Island and it's already becoming a big hit. I met the Chef afterwards just to compliment him on the impeccable meal. I love the burgers myself but my friends said the oysters were incredible. Top notch bar and bartenders, wait staff didn't miss a beat. Thank you again for the perfect ending to my day! read more

The Harlow - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great atmosphere! The oysters are a must have! If you like caviar get the house dressed oysters.

Everything was great - the atmosphere, customer service and food. We got the Black and Blue Burger (pictured), the Southern Roots burger and the wedge salad with blackened chicken and there was nothing left on our plates. Will definitely be returning! read more

The Harlow - Black and Blue burger - so good! - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Worst grits I've ever had in Charleston. The flavor of the shrimp and grits was good, but the grits themselves were offensive in their preparation. There is not a Southerner in that kitchen or this would not have been served to paying customers. Overall, the cocktails were good, the brunch options were okay, and the service acceptable. The place itself was noisy even at half capacity but comfortable. Nice bathrooms too. I'd give them another try, but... never for brunch again. read more

It's a burger and oyster restaurant. In a roadside mini-mall. With a neon and grass entry wall. The place is staffed by children, so, don't expect top tier knowledge or an understanding of cuisine. the ambiance is kind of tacky. The menu is unimaginative; but it makes for an ok neighborhood eatery. What we had: Dozen oysters Crab claws -all ok, it's fresh seafood Crab Mac -obviously dry pasta from a box Fries -frozen from a bag Charleston hot chicken sandwich- Costco quality "sando" We tried two cocktails and closed the check. It wasn't going to get any better. Pro Tip: Skip. read more

First time at this neighborhood restaurant. Went for brunch on Sunday. Drinks were good, omlette was delicious, burger was meh. Service at the bar was great. Will definitely be back! read more

The Harlow - Brunch Burger - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Well this is such a hidden gem! We found this place last time we came to Charleston and went almost every other night for the 2 weeks we were in town! The fried chicken sandwich and fried fish are SO good! The crunch is on point! Also the oysters are a must have! read more

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Har-low Country Boil on Sunday evening was amazing! Oysters always perfectly shucked and fresh, get the ones from NJ! Thank me later! Drinks amazing, service friendly! read more

The Harlow - Har-Low Country Boil - Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great food and excellent service. I love the Harlow cup oysters and they make a perfect Classic Martini

We had the best experience at The Harlow for happy hour! The staff was so accommodating and our server took great care of us. The food and drinks were delicious! We can't wait to go back. read more