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    The James

    4.4 (177 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    The James Photos

    THE JAMES ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
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    Caesar with salmon, prime rib
    Liz G.

    I'll start off by saying that I love the James and the food and the service. However, the past two times I've been I've gotten the prime rib. There is so much fat that you have to pick around it. Our bartender/waiter was awesome, but someone else stopped by the table and asked how everything was and we told them about the prime rib having a lot of fat. Their response was huh. I understand the prime rib can have quite a bit of fat however, for the amount you pay for it I would hope that 90% is edible. Hoping the next time I go, I don't run into this again.

    Prime rib, medium rare. (Look how lean!) Puréed potatoes and both au jus and creamy horseradish sauce.
    Laura A.

    I have to give another shout out to The James! I ordered to go food thru door dash on a rainy wednesday. The food was amazing. I ordered chicken piccata and the salmon, and the famous mushroom soup. Everything delicious! The mushroom soup was a little salty/rich for my taste, so I added a bit of sour cream and it was perfect. The salmon entree was mouthwatering! I will be back soon! My compliments to the chef!

    Loaded Potato Soup
    Telisha T.

    This post is definitely for the soup lovers. I really begun to enjoy spending a Sunday afternoon here for brunch this time. I decided that I was craving soup. I initially knew that I wanted to try the mushroom soup. Something about that puff pastry dome on top was calling my name and oh baby, that was delicious. The combination of the soup with the bread just made for such a delicious bite I also have to say that the loaded potato soup was flavorful to the point. I wanted to put the bowl down and just drink it from the bowl. My friend ordered the French onion soup and I had some of that and now I know what I'm gonna order the next time I go back it's a great space located on James Island It has an indoor and outdoor seating. I've never been on the back patio, but it looks like a cute space to sit and sit for a while. Come spring. The service is always good and everybody's very nice.

    Garlic shrimp pasta, bolognese, and classic burger
    Gisella Picos

    It was my mother in laws last night in town and she wanted to have a nice dinner before she left. We have been talking about trying out The James for a while so we figured it would be the perfect chance to do so! We started off with glasses of wine and a dirty martini. She really enjoyed her Chardonnay and I loved my glass of Sancerre. We ordered dipping shrimp as an app which took a little bit to come out. The dish itself was very tasty and came with three dipping choices. She got the burger as an entree, I got the garlic shrimp pasta and my boyfriend got the bolognese. While the dishes itself were delicious, the food was not that warm and felt like maybe it has been sitting ready for a while before it was served to us. Our server Mac was amazing and he seemed to really enjoy doing his job which made the whole dinner experience amazing!

    Baby back ribs
    Sarah B.

    This time we had tuna tartar, calamari, and the baby back ribs- with a cab franc from the loire valley, and the apple crisp with ice cream. It was all super yummy. I would for sure get the tuna again!!

    Melissa F.

    Came in with a larger group and sat in the bar area (first come first serve). Our waiter was so lovely, picked up on the vibe of our group and joked with us the entire time. Food was delicious and perfect portions. Chicken piccata was so good and delightfully lemony.

    French martini
    Ravyn W.

    This was my first time and I was delightfully impressed. It is in a small area so parking is scarce. When first walking in we we greeted with amazing decor, it was open, and modern. You have your choice of seating (main dining room, patio, or bar). The staff was very accommodating and helpful (thank you ). I had the fish and chips, which was seasoned very well, crispy and juicy. I definitely recommend a visit when you are in James Island

    Menu Front for Lunch!
    Dr. Scott C.

    Stopped into The James for lunch! Excellent atmosphere in Bar Area! TVs showing the Noon ACC Football Game! Hostess was very nice and seated us right away in a booth by the Bar. Bartender on point and came right over for our drink order. We ordered the Fried Green Tomato Appetizer and it was delicious!! For lunch we ordered the French Onion Soup and 1/2 Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and I had the Prime Rib Melt with Fries of course the food was delicious as usual!! Easy 5 Stars !!

    Don't forget too ~ "Take to go" orders if you're on the run!
    Karen L.

    Lunch is available Wednesday through Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with my lunch here today. My favorite salad - the beet salad- I try to get in several places around the Charleston area but this one eats all others! I savored every morsel and thoroughly enjoyed this salad. Will return again very soon for another stab at savoring my beet salad! Owned by The Neighborhood Dining Group The James offers traditional American fare where there is something for everyone. The service was friendly and efficient and management does circulate to ensure that you are enjoying your dish and everything is perfect. The restaurant space is open and airy with tables and booths along the wall and by the windows. Indoor and Outdoor seating is available and hightops in the bar area are available also. This is truly a gathering place for friends and family and yes I will return again and again. Book a reservation through the Resy App Ron guarantee a table, lunch was busy on the day I decided to stop and try The James and I had a brief wait for a small booth. Parking in front and behind The James. Large lots. Contemporary American cuisine.

    Cosmo for my mom!
    Jeffery B.

    The four dishes we selected were all considered tasty, and hit the spot for each diner. My pasta was a ragu, and was super flavorful. Highly recommended. I thought the ribeye looked a little strange, but it was tender, juicy, and had good flavor. I didn't taste the prime rib sandwich or the wedge salad, but both dinners raved about their orders. We were well tended to by our waiter, who kept our glasses full and make sure we didn't run out of their signature bread with honey butter. It was a cold night, I thought the restaurant could have turned the heat up just a little... My only complaint. Good addition to the James/Johns Island corridor.

    French Dip
    Emma P.

    One of the best spinach dips in Charleston. I wasn't expecting tomato in it, but it was a welcome addition. The French dip was also an absolute must. My only complaint is that I don't care for their fries. Too thin. The service was very friendly and she gave us all the time we needed to chat and make up our mind without feeling rushed. The space is large if there isn't parking up front there is more in back. Well lit, and welcoming environment.

    Anthony T.

    We are vacationing in the Charleston area with my family of 4 (18 and 16 YO girls and my wife). They wanted a place that they could get dressy for and while The James is certainly a a beautiful place, there isn't a strict dress code so they felt a little over-dressed. That concern went away once we were seated and greeted by the wonderful Mac G. He admitted that he was new and a little unsure of the ordering system. He managed to charm his way through it and was a fantastic addition to the night. He was attentive and continued to bring his personality. My daughter got the filet which was perfectly cooked to a temperature of medium-well. She didn't leave an ounce of steak. In fact, we cleaned all of our plates. I got the prime rib sandwich. I left off the cheese so it didn't hide the delicious flavors of the rib which was a great choice. It was probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. My other daughter did the shrimp and pasta. She said that the pasta sauce was fantastic but the shrimp lacked. She did appreciate the toasted breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy texture. My wife had the bolognaise which she loved! it wasn't too creamy or thick and the flavors were amazing. All in all, we had a fantastic time at The James and would highly recommend it.

    Jennifer S.

    Took our family here for the first time and we nearly ordered half the menu! The food was fantastic, the service was amazing and the ambiance was so nice at dinner time. Easily a family dinner spot or if you want to dress up and have date night! We will be back

    Kids chicken tenders

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    3 months ago

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    Melanie D.

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    5 days ago

    Good restaurant with a great menu and service! Get the she crab or the wild mushroom soap! The artichoke tip is excellent!

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    4 months ago

    Incredible mushroom soup! Nothing like it! Served with a beautiful topping of pastry. A work of art.

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    5 months ago

    The food is excellent. Everything is nice and fresh. The waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Try it I'm sure you'll love it

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    Melanie D.

    Thank you Shirley! We cannot wait to have you back soon!

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    6 months ago

    Very delicious, excellent service, and relaxing environment. Will definitely be back.

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    Thank you Mark! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

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    4.9(276 reviews)
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    A great find in the city with beautiful and tasty craft cocktails. The staff was great walking us…read morethrough the menu and giving recommendations of what we might like best. We stopped in for some drinks and snack before dinner and opted for the Middleton and the Ticket to paradise (made with vodka) and a cheese board the snack on. Everything was great, the Middleton tasted like Christmas to me (in a good way!) and the cheese board hit the spot. A great find and can't to try them again!

    The last trip to Charleston, we made a reservation for Doar Bros to pop in for a cocktail after…read moredinner. I loved the atmosphere! It's super cozy, very chic, and pretty small. The service was on point and the bartender was killing it at the bar - multitasking making 3 drinks all at once. It was super impressive and I took a few videos of him. I'm giving 4 stars because the first cocktail I ordered was SO SWEET that I couldn't get it down. I tried to drink it but had to send it back. We asked when we ordered about the flavor profile and supposedly it wasn't sweet, but all 3 of us agreed it was way oversweet. My black manhattan was phenomenal and my husband had a mocktail moscow mule that was awesome. Overall, I'd come back again - just be mindful of the ingredients in the drink and modifying as needed for sweetness. Make a reservation if you can!

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    Paddock & Whisky - 17 Year Old Fitz

    Paddock & Whisky

    4.7(43 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    We went to the Terrace Theatre's special showing of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me for my birthday…read moreand wanted to grab a bite first, but I wanted to stay REAL CLOSE to the Theatre on Maybank Hwy. I asked my foodie group for recommendations and read reviews here and chose this place because they have a Sushi Ninja popup on Wed-Thur-Fri. We LOVE SUSHI! And hubs loves whiskey! Traffic was SO BAD it took an hour and a half to get to the Terrace from Goose Creek. Left at 4:45, parked at 6:15. Show at 7:30. This is why I stick close to home. But we hit Paddock & Whiskey and had the best time, great drinks, and excellent Sushi Ninja sushi! Best in Charleston? That's a high bar. But wow. This was excellent sushi. I ate a piece before the pic, it looked so good. We got the Nigiri Mori at the recommendation of the amazing bartender, and I also got her favorite gin and tonic. Local, very fruity and naturally sweet. Lovely! The drink was good too LOL Seriously, though, the Tropical Gin from Beyond Distilling Company is sweet and fruity-good. The Aburi scallop is not to be missed! I swear I got an almost Bleu cheese taste from it, in the most pleasant and pungent way. The A5 Wagyu was also a hit. The Bluefin Tuna, Hamachi, and regular scallop with smoked sea salt were all so fresh and delicious. It was all so good. The sushi chef came out since he was told it was our first time and was so kind and genuine in his appreciation for the fish. I am impressed. The sushi was gone in a minute so we ordered another round and hubby was offered a discount dram (or 2) of a special bourbon and of course he couldn't say no. It was worth it. The space is tight but that makes it cozy and sincere. I would totally hang out all the time if I were local. The outdoor seating is great, too. This is an incredible locals bar tucked away in an art theater strip mall with an amazing sushi meal three nights a week. Where do I sign up? If you're in the area, check 'em out! If you're on the way, be patient and turn up the music. It's all waiting for you. Would brave the horrific traffic again for it.

    Great place to go for good food, drinks and relaxing vibes. Great service. Tapas style menu which…read moreis a great way to get a variety of different dishes. Nice spot to unwind

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    Prohibition - Brasstown Burger - very tasty!

    Prohibition

    4.1(1.3k reviews)
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    If you're looking for a spot in Charleston that truly leans into the holiday spirit, Prohibition…read moregoes all out with its Christmas decorations from the moment you walk in. It sets the tone immediately, and the festive energy carries straight through the meal. We kicked things off with Bloody Marys and a Morning Fog -- simple, classic, and done right. For starters, we shared the Hula Hoisin Wings. They were definitely on the heavier side with the hoisin, but still absolutely delicious. The Mistletoe Mango Tuna Poke Tacos were a standout. They come as a small plate with three appetizer-sized tacos, and every bite was bright, fresh, and beautifully balanced. The Buddy the Elf Burger offers a choice of a single or double patty; ours was cooked perfectly. The smoky bacon really brought everything together and gave it that extra "wow" factor. We rounded things out with the O Come, All Ye Fried Rice with Hanger Steak, which was another winner -- perfectly cooked, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. As if the meal wasn't great enough on its own, we happened to be there while Emily Curtis was performing. She's truly incredible and added such a fun, memorable vibe to the day. I'd be remiss not to mention Kevin our server. Go see him. He was great. The whole team works great together. Don't let the bar-like atmosphere fool you -- Prohibition is far from your typical bar food or bar scene. There's a great space in the back, and the elevated menu makes it absolutely worth the visit. A festive, flavorful, all-around fantastic experience.

    Food and drinks were both good... not the best I've ever had but good…read more Lunch on a Friday... several ppl at the bar but we were the only seat customers. The waitress was indifferent and seemed as they we were bothering her ....which is fine, as I was equally "bothered" by her and her attitude. I liked the bar and restaurant and the menu was solid. Our service would have made this 5 stars but we have lots of other choices on King Street that will have staff more excited for our business.

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    Seated at the bar.

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    Last Saint - Bar

    Last Saint

    4.5(63 reviews)
    3.5 miEastside

    My first time visiting a speakeasy since living in Charleston, and the Annex absolutely blew me…read moreaway. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was intimate, beautiful, and the perfect setting for a relaxed Saturday night cap. What made the experience truly special was the bartender. There's no traditional menu, instead, he takes the time to learn what you like and crafts drinks based on your taste. I've never experienced anything like that before. The level of knowledge and creativity behind the bar was incredible. Every drink he made was stunning and tasted even better than it looked. I was honestly so impressed that I couldn't even remember all the ingredients he mentioned because I was too busy being amazed at how good everything was. It was one of those moments where you realize there are real levels to this craft. I walked in thinking I knew a thing or two about mixing drinks at home, and left with a whole new respect for the art of it. The atmosphere, the personal attention, and the quality of the cocktails made this place feel truly top tier. Huge shoutout to the bartender, easily a 15 out of 10. Cool, knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does. If you're looking for an intimate spot for date night or just want to experience thoughtfully crafted cocktails in a beautiful setting, the Annex is the place. I will absolutely be back as soon as possible.

    My husband and I visited Last Saint for cocktails before a group dinner when we were in Charleston…read morelast weekend, and it was the perfect place for drinks before a dinner. (On occasion, I rant about how we need more cocktail bars and wine bars that don't serve food at all or just snacks like nuts - don't get me started.) Last Saint is a really cool dual concept cocktail bar. The front of Last Saint is more casual - small, cozy, allows walk-ins. But you can also make reservations (or try to get lucky walking in) at the Annex. The Annex is their weekends-only cocktail experience in the back of Last Saint. You walk to the back of the bar and press ring the bell by the yellow door. Someone answers and seats at one of six seats at the bar and three small (but private) tables. The Annex is a no-menu experience. The friendly and creative staff ask you questions about your preferences for drinks and then make you something that fits the bill. It was personal and fun, and we enjoyed all the drinks we had. A reservation at the Annex is good for a 1.5 hour time frame, which was perfect for us to have two drinks before closing out and heading to our dinner reservation. We sat at the bar, which I loved, because we got to chat with the staff and watch them make our and others' drinks while we enjoyed our creative cocktails. The staff have a wide knowledge of cocktails and an almost endless supply of ingredients to choose from when making your drinks. A truly fun experience. One I haven't had in any other city. I wish there were more bars like Last Saint!

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    Bar seating looking toward the front door

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    Arcade machine

    The James - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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