The fish was dry...no flavor..The dessert was wonderful...I had a worm in my mojoito and they apologized and offered to bring me a new drink ( which I declined) but still charged me $13.00..I will never go back...the waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable..don't waste your $$ on this mediocre restaurant. read more

Great space (former bank with high high ceilings), tasty cocktails and great presentation but awful wine list and "entrees" either too salty or too bland. The service was excellent, the oysters and caviar were delicious and beautifully presented, but if you want anything else, the selection is limited and either bland (crab cocktail) or too salty. Coming from Napa we were shocked at how bad the wine list was (and I have travelled to most wine regions in the world) and how beyond the oysters, there was no sense of a restaurant offering more than after work appetizers. Meh. read more

This has become one of our favorites when visiting Charleston. Everything is top notch from the ambiance, the staff and most certainly the food. Extremely fresh and the preparations are unique and delicious. The smoked oysters and oyster slider are fantastic. We also really enjoyed the wahoo. Actually, we really enjoyed everything! read more

Wasn't sure what the vibe would be like at this cute little downtown restaurant . The menu was unique with a nice spin on seafood. Fresh, clean raw oysters. The fish schnitzel is something I've never tried before , it was exceptional! The bar tender was terrific! read more

Excellent food and service and ambience. The raw shellfish tray was incredible. The smoked or oysters were equally as awesome. The service was on point and the ambience was awesome. Bravo for ordinary to maintain its standards. 5 stars. read more

The Ordinary - On the way up the stairs to the second floor. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Anything but ordinary (clever amirite?) Sat at the bar with a group of 3. Service was fantastic from the start. Great cocktails, and the food was outstanding. Foodwise, we ordered the seafood tower, ceviche, and fried oyster sliders. The seafood tower was magnificent, although the bartender did tease me because I didn't know how to peel shrimp. In my defense, I grew up in the desert...we don't do too much seafood. The oyster sliders were also really good and surprisingly filling. Not sure when I will be back in Charleston, but I hope it's on lobster roll night. read more

The Ordinary - Tower of power - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Favorite restaurant in Charleston. The food is amazing, and the service is always top notch. Adam one of the managers is super friendly and always finds a way to squeeze you in. Get the smoked fish dip and hush puppies!! read more

Always a stellar experience. Service, food, atmosphere - 5 star, visit after visit. I love getting a seat at the bar or raw bar (full menu available) and sharing bubbly and several plates. The oyster selection is fantastic with both SC and northern oysters available. All the seafood is fresh and creatively prepared, it seems with the aim of being surprising yet featuring the seafood. The caviar service is so much fun - certainly adds to the fancy feels of a special occasion. And lots of bubbly to complement. The steak tartare with fried oysters is probably one of my all-time favorite Charleston dishes and might be my death row appetizer. Dessert here should not be overlooked - especially if the Carolina Gold rice pudding is on the menu. Talk about a dish of the city! Pricey but worth it. read more

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Best meal of my life! Went for my birthday and spent far too much ordering almost everything off the menu. And everything was fabulous. Stunning interior and amazing food. read more

Very inventive and delicious dishes. Best seafood meal I've had in a very long time. Good service and atmosphere even considering their COVID protocols (spaced tables, masks etc). Dont sleep on the amberjack schnitzel. If you are in the mood for an elevated seafood feast look no further. read more

The Ordinary - Oyster Sliders - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had! The service was genuine and helpful. The atmosphere was elegant and historic. The food was delicious! The Kentucky BBQ shrimp on sourdough was to die for. The oyster sliders was the perfect bite of food. The gumbo was delicious and had the perfect amount of spice. Definitely coming back again! One of my favorite restaurants. read more

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It's a great place if you are a seafood lover. I highly, highly suggest ordering a few of the oyster sliders. They are addicting so much you just can't have one. But be prepared to make a reservation or wait for long periods of time. It's a comfortable crowded ambiance for chatting with your date or the person next to you. Charleston southern charm. read more

Got oysters and alcohol. Tasted fresh. Get the razor oysters. I'd go back again and see what the rest of the menu taste like

Went here in the fall and it was great. Last night we went and the service was abysmal and the food just mediocre. Most of the meal was spent without drinks and wondering where our waitress was. The food and drinks when they did actually show up were just okay at best. Really not a fun way to spend $500 bucks. read more

Food was excellent. Very seafood forward menu. Staff was very friendly, but not very attentive. Our server took our order and we didn't see her for over fifteen minutes after our food was served. I wanted a few things like lemons for my seafood. Had to ask other wait staff. Loved the preparation of the food. read more

As our girl's night downtown continued, we headed into the Ordinary with plans to belly up to the bar and have another cocktail and some more apps. The bar was packed, so that plan halted to a screeching stop quickly. Luckily a hostess/server asked us what we wanted to drink and went and got us cocktails as we stood behind people seated at the bar waiting for a spot. Then things all of the sudden turned even more towards our favor as another hostess informed us she had an actual table ready we could have. SCORE! This was my second visit to the Ordinary so already knowing what to expect, I knew I was in for a treat. Our server Jay was awesome. Very attentive and a lot of fun. Since we were seated at a table instead of the bar we ordered a lot more dishes than we probably would have. I had three different outstanding bites that I would love to go back and have again today. That' s how good they were! First was the broiled oyster with ramp butter and Parmesan. So amazing! The table census was that this version of their broiled oysters was even better than Leon's char-grilled oysters. And if you've read my Leon's review, you know how much I enjoyed their oysters. Next up was the ceviche. It was one of that evening's specials so I can't remember what the fish was, just that it was a local fish and it was delicious. The fish was surrounded by some of my food favorites including avocado and cilantro. So so good. My third and final, could eat again right now favorite bite, came from the garlic soup. I know, crazy right! You're at this beautiful seafood restaurant and the soup was your third favorite bite?? I'm telling you, it is amazing. Amazingly smooth consistency and seasoned perfectly with a wonderful peppery kick. As I finish typing this review, I've decided to up it to the full 5 stars. I had it at 4 before I started writing, but then realized how highly I feel about all aspects of the experience you have at the Ordinary and had to up it to a 5. ;-) read more

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I am certain that I was not alone in anxiously awaiting Mike Lata's (Fig Restaurant, Iron Chef, Can't-possibly-win-another-cooking-award-if-tried, you get the picture), new restaurant on upper King Street - The Ordinary Fancy Seafood Oyster Hall. Although they had planned for a fall opening, they just opened last week. The restaurant, a former bank (the vault still intact), has kept the look and feel of the bank with large, 12 foot windows and incredibly high ceilings. The mezzanine level, which had just opened the night we went, provided excellent views of the entire restaurant. Our server actually said, "If I could choose any table to be seated at it would be this one." We casually watched the evening go by as we perused the menu. True to its' name if you don't like seafood you're out of luck at The Ordinary. It's all seafood all the time. Not a bad thing, but if you're looking for an alternative, it's not available. The food quality, not surprisingly was outstanding. The Baby Collards Caesar Salad was incredible. What an interesting use of collards. The dressing took away some of the bitterness of the greens and the white anchovies were terrific. The Pissaladiere, an appetizer recommended by out server, who, by the way, way terrific, was a caramelized onion tart that was sweet, delicate, light appetizer that we all enjoyed. One of the evening's specials, the Swordfish Ceviche was incredibly fresh and an unbelievable combination of flavors. Needing a quick snack we also ordered two orders of the Sea Salt Potato Chips. At $5.00 it seemed a bargain, but once delivered each order only had about 12 chips and little salt. This was the start of seeing that The Ordinary, though tasty, was very pricey. Our dinner included a Crab Cake (which included a salad and dessert for $30.00), arguably the most economic dish of the evening. A great salad preceded two fresh full-o'crab, crab cakes. These are very different from the panko crusted traditional crab cakes and a nice change. These cakes were light, fresh and hearty. It was also served with an apple tart that the table shared and thoroughly enjoyed. The Ordinary Lobster Roll advertised in their on line menu for $22.00 was actually on their in-restaurant menu for $25.00. My husband and I have lived in New England for many years. It is common to pay $12.00 - $14.00 for a lobster roll in the summer. But $25.00 for a lobster roll on a hot dog bun with chips - $25.00!! Are you kidding me? Our server told us that it was "well over a half pound of lobster meat", but based on the portion, it just didn't seem feasible. Although it was awesome, it was still a bit pricey. Our friend ordered the BBQ White Shrimp. He's a guy that likes hearty meals and may have taken a wrong turn here. The five, very messy peel 'n eat shrimp were an appetizer at best. Though tasty, the dish left a lot to be desired. Both of our friends also ordered New England Fish and Grouper Chowder. Although served in a "bowl", the serving was a cup of chowder at best. For $12.00 we had a bit of sticker shock. Everything seems to be down sized with large prices at The Ordinary. Draft beer, at 10 oz., yes, just about a Dixie Riddle Cup of beer, is priced at $7.00 - $12.00 a glass. Wine is also served in a small portions for $8.00 - $12.00 a glass. Although I may be naïve in my pricing of a seafood appetizer, The Ordinary's Triple Shellfish Tower came in at a rousing $125.00. It made me smile to think that I had paid $150.00 for my first car. I'm just sayin'. read more

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Really love The Ordinary. This was my second trip to The Ordinary and I felt that it was just as great as the first time. We ordered oysters and the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Grapefruit and Avocado salad. The oysters were yummy and briny. The Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Grapefruit and Avocado salad was absolute perfection. The waitstaff at The Ordinary is always great. Love this place! read more

The Ordinary - Grapefruit, avocado and blue crab - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great restaurant with perfectly executed food and a beautiful ambiance. The seafood tower is very well done with the different sauces to accompany the seafood. The chowder is also very good. The dessert are standout, especially the fruit pavlova. Drink are great as well with a wide assortment of craft cocktails. read more

The Ordinary - Plum Pavlova - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Incredible meal and service. This place is a Charleston institution you don't want to miss.

Delicious food but not the place if you have a big appetite. I think it's better for drinks and appetizers. We had the small tower, wahu and strawberries, hush puppies, zuchinni carpaccio, and a few other dishes. Everything was delicious. read more

Great food and very knowledgeable and friendly waitress (I should have noted her name) My first time in this restaurant and loved it Thank you read more

The Ordinary is extraordinary! Skip Magnolias and head to this former bank for some bangin' low country fare and libations where they care about what they serve.I ate here twice over two days( a rarity for me) and it gets better and better. Ate: Oyster sliders Smoked phat lady oysters w/creme fraiche saltines & house hot sauce Salad of young lettuce, satsuma, fennel and walnuts Sunday fish fry Hawaiian rolls Key lime pie Drank Revelry gullah cream ale The architecture of the former bank is an elegant dining destination. No it's not cheap, but if you're a fan of low country then this is the spot. Oysters rule here and the little sliders w/ coconuty cabbage are killer. The fresh baked Hawaiian rolls- parker w/ coconut are like Parker house rolls on crack. The smoked fat oysters were such a taste surprise- I ate them the way the friendly bartender- Lane told me- saltine, creme fraiche oysters and hot sauce- wow. Sunday fish fry with rocket sauce was rockin' Only little mistep was the salad- could be perfect if the walnuts are toasted, otherwise they were out of the bag and not integrated into the mix/ Key lime with toasted meringue was pie perfection and that creamy ale- Oh yeah! read more

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If I could eat here every week, I would! This restaurant is one of my favorites in Charleston. It's a bit on the pricier side, so it's a "special occasion" place for us. I love the old bank building and the atmosphere and decor inside. The service is great; another review said it perfectly - it's casual, yet structured and detail oriented. Get the shellfish tower!! We shared the two-tier between two of us and it was the perfect size. It comes with a variety of oysters, clams, peel & eat shrimp, lobster claws, and scallop ceviche. Everything was fresh and flavorful; I didn't want it to end. We each had one oyster slider before the tower which was as good as every review says. The price tag is a little steep for a slider, but totally worth it (get two if you can). Their specialty cocktails are also good. I believe they change fairly often. I'll definitely order the smoked oyster app the next time we go. Apparently their in-house hot sauce is something extra special. The table beside ours asked for a bit to-go and their server brought them some. When we asked about it, our waitress explained how much it is loved and offered to bring us some to take home, too. Very nice of her! read more

The Ordinary - Double Shellfish Tower - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

There is no doubt that The Ordinary serves up some of the best seafood in all of Charleston. Chef Mike Lata (also the chef at the immensely popular FIG) offers a menu of mostly seafood-based small plates. My only complaint is that ordering for the table is a bit tricky, since most of the plates are small in portion but big on price. The "Hot" and "Cold" dishes that take up most of the menu, while all delicious and expertly cooked, are all appetizer-size, with only 3-4 entrees offered per night. With that being said, The Ordinary is a great place to go for a big blow-out meal, celebration or when Papa is paying. If you really wanna go big or go home, The Shellfish Towers are pretty incredible, offered in platter, double and triple size portions. Either way, ordering some variety of oysters to the table is a must, whether smoked, fried, broiled or raw. Must order items: Oyster Sliders BBQ White Shrimp w. Charred Bread Smoked Oysters + Saltines Broiled Oysters w. butter & parmesan read more

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We grabbed two seats at the bar for cocktails and to try some oysters for the first time. The bartenders were great helping us select drinks and small plates that were outside our normal routine. And really did not make us feel silly for having no idea about this type of food. I went with a melon wine and my husband had a rum cocktail -- we liked them both. We first tried smoked oysters, which were tasty, and then fried oyster sliders that were great. The bar staff really made this a fun night out for us to try something new. read more

The Ordinary - Smoked Oysters with seasoned Saltines and hot sauce - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We had a delicious meal here for our first night in Charleston. Everything was tasty and fresh, creative and perfectly seasoned. We especially enjoyed the zucchini carpaccio, the salad with buttermilk dressing, the gumbo and the oyster sliders! We sat outside on the heated patio (it was a cold snap in SC) and were so comfortable. For dessert we had the chocolate pot de creme with caramel at the bottom. Not to be missed! read more

This is one of the best restaurants on the east coast for fresh seafood. They are legendary and they should be. They are bringing back SC oysters in a big way. The vision behind this restaurant is brilliant, service is perfect and the old bank it's housed in is so cool. Trust this staff for great recommendations on food, wine and what's best. I wish this place was a secret but that has long passed so get a reservation. read more

The Ordinary - The bar - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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This is probably my favorite upscale restaurant in Charleston. Lately, it's been harder to find a place that isn't for the tourists. Thankfully, The Ordinary has not yet succumbed to the fad and remains the same stately, laid back locale where I can grab a seafood tower and other decadent and indulgent seafood dishes. This was a spur of the moment dinner for us. We were wandering downtown and decided to be adults and have an actual meal (instead of just filling up on boba at Ice & Pan). Now Chad has lived in Charleston for 10+ years, but had never stepped foot in, let alone heard about, The Ordinary. I was of course shocked by this shameful claim and decided we had to quickly remedy the situation. Using my awesome OpenTable skills, I grabbed us a reservation for dinner at 9:45. However, it was only 7:45 and Chad was hungry now. As in, I'm going to be hangry unless I'm fed ten minutes ago. So we sweet talked the hostess into moving our reservation up and she was more than accommodating for us. We opted to sit on the patio (never pass on this when it's a balmy, clear night!), and chose a table nestled in amongst the greenery. Note that the patio seating is located right beside the windows of Felix next door and has a walkway leading to the parking garage behind the building. If people staring at you isn't your idea of a nice dinner, ask to be seated inside (go for the oyster bar because it's an awesome experience!). We both chose a cocktail (the beau Thai and the classic daiquiri). They were well made but the usual fare. We ended up ordering the steak tartare (topped with crispy oysters), and the double seafood tower (the triple includes the oysters Moscow, which I'm not a fan of). This was plenty of food for the both of us to share and we dove in so eagerly that I forgot to take pictures....sorry guys! I recommend this place for sure if you like seafood, if you're a foodie, and if you're not afraid of spending a few extra dollars. The seafood is fresh, the drinks are strong, and the service is always welcoming. Give them a shot and I promise you will feel like royalty as you indulge in some of the most decadent food in Charleston! read more

Shhhhwwwaaannnngggg not so Ordinary. If you've ever been to Miami, there is the New River Oyster House. I rave my reviews about that restaurant! It has an eclectic array of oysters, and the chef goes wild with a fish. The Ordinary, well the ambiance is five stars, the bar service is bar none, no pun intended, the cost is killer! I can fall in love with the ordinary, as there is nothing ordinary about it! read more

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Came here for happy hour. Got the hawaiian rolls which were very good and the oysters. Highly recommend trying each one and then ordering more of your favorite. $1.50 for each oyster during the happy hour. Very pleasant service and not too long of a wait. Menu seemed a but pricey for dinner, but may come back to try the tower! read more

Very disappointing. Waitstaff could care less about you. Laughable small portions for what you received and not very creative. Indoor dining is exceptionally loud. Outside dining in cramped and unimaginative Would not recommend To many other places to choose from than this restaurant. read more

This place has spoiled me forever. Being from the East Coast, I tend to be very critical of seafood. I traveled south to check out some new restaurants and stumbled onto this FANTASTIC place called The Ordinary. It has a lot of history as a building which is evident when you walk in and see a bank vault door opening into their kitchen. The downstairs area has booths, tables and a bar area that cater to all your dining and drinking needs. I had the oyster platter and some drinks at the bar for an appetizer. I have had dreams about those oysters ever since. The staff are super friendly and very accommodating. We then transferred our tab to a table upstairs to enjoy the view of the restaurant and have some delicious dinner. I chose the diver scallops which were obviously the best choice. They were not over-cooked nor undercooked. They were accompanied by butternut squash purée which made it even more heavenly. Oh, back to the oysters for a moment.... the sauces they bring out for the seafood platters are to die for. The red wine vinegar sauce it addictive. Ok, so back upstairs. The view outside was beautiful and the staff were eager to please, not to mention also very knowledgable about each item on the menu. I finished up dinner and wine with some bread pudding of sorts. It was so delicious that I believe I would drive 3 hours down there ever day just for the dessert. Be prepared to pay for premium seafood, because it is the best that Charleston has to offer. Great way to begin and end a trip to Charleston, SC! read more

The Ordinary - View overlooking the upstairs seating area. - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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