Muse Restaurant - Charleston, SC

Muse Restaurant

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Address:
82 Society Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Neighborhood:
Downtown Charleston

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Cuisine:
Mediterranean

Price: $30 and under

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Muse Restaurant Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.charlestonmuse.com
Phone: (843) 577-1102
Hours of Operation: Dinner Nightly: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian
Executive Chef: Jason Houser
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Wine Bar
Private Party Facilities: Muse is comprised of five separate dining rooms, all of which can be used for private parties. The entire establishment may also be booked for special occasions.
Private Party Contact: Beth Anne Crane (843) 301-1450
Entertainment: Live Pianist on Thursday Evenings

Getting there

Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: A city parking lot is 1/2 block away

A word from Muse Restaurant

Nestled away in a historic home in downtown Charleston is MUSE, an elegant restaurant and intimate bar reminiscent of a Mediterranean Villa. Executive Chef, Jason Houser melds the cuisines of Italy, Spain, France, & Greece, featuring preparations of Grilled Seafood, Seared Fish, Savory Meats,… Homemade Pastas, and Salads. The extensive wine list complements the experience and offers 100 selections by the glass. The cozy bar empties out onto a terrace, offering outdoor dining, tapas, and cocktails.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked 1000-Point Tables

Muse Restaurant - Best Restaurants in Downtown Charleston

Diner Reviews

"My company was in town for a business meeting and at ate this restaurant for dinner. Our table was ready when we arrived in a private room. The service was great. The building is cute and interesting. The food was extremely good with special attention to quality ingredients. The tomato salad had beautiful heirloom tomatoes and homemade fresh cheese. Not your average salad. It was way above average. Everyone loved their meals. I had the crispy sea bass and it was beautifully presented and tasted great. I ate every bite. The wine list was good however they were out of several of our selections. We did settle on several bottles that were really nice. Great evening. I recommend it."
Dined on 7/9/2014
"First the good: great cheese plate, pretty good duck app, great wine list and a really aesome atmosphere. The bad: we were seated 20 minutes past our reservation. We ordered apps and entrees at the same time. Drinks came quickly as did the bread. Another couple was seated about 15 minutes after us. The short version is that the other couple had apps entrees and had paid their check before we got our entrees. The chicken and fish were both severely over cooked. It was not good at all. Our waitress asked if we wanted another round of drinks which we did she came back a few minutes later and asked if we were still okay just drinking water. I think it could have been an off night for everybody and might give it another shot but wasn't happy."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"We had a great time visiting Muse, and meeting Drew the bartender. Made our dinner and evening really nice! Great little gem of a place with amazing food! Thanks all!"
Dined on 7/7/2014
"We dined with you on Sunday, July 6th for my husband's birthday. When I made the reservation I made sure to communicate that we were celebrating his birthday. This was never acknowledged even after I mentioned several times that he was the "birthday boy". The food was excellent and our waiter was knowledgeable of the menu and making recommendations. I'm just very disappointed that Muse never acknowledged the birthday celebration. Even a simple, "Happy Birthday" would have been nice and appreciated."
Dined on 7/6/2014
"Muse has been a great consistent fixture in the charleston dining scenes for years, but continues to innovate to keep up with the newer dining options in the city. Always a great relaxing meal."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"I had been here before and wanted to return as I had recommended it to others. My food was nothing to write home about and my friend's shrimp and grits was so bland she didn't want to eat it. The waitstaff was forgetful. I had eaten here before and had a perfectly lovely experience, but i don't know that I would recommend it again."
Dined on 6/25/2014
"I tend to forget about this quaint jewel amidst all of the new places to try downtown. It is worth putting on your list of places to frequent. I love that you can dine casually at the bar with the full menu!!! The food is excellent and the staff delivers true Southern hospitality!"
Dined on 6/28/2014
"It has been over a year since we have dined at Muse and I think this will be our last time here. We brought out of town guests and were terribly embarrassed by how shabby the Restuarant has become. It is not "shabby chic", just shabby! Out of the four of us, three diners had ok food, not great, just ok. One however ordered the grouper dish the waiter assured was wonderful, only to get a dish of dry overcooked fish."
Dined on 6/14/2014
"Very poor welcome. Understaffed. Food not balanced. Potential is there - just not delivered across the board in terms of food."
Dined on 6/3/2014
"The service was great, the food was okay, nothing memorable. We were seated upstairs in a cramped walk through area, no air conditioning and it just felt outdated, even by historic measures. "
Dined on 3/22/2014
"The fish we had were prepared with imagination. This is not a fried catfish and hushpuppies place. For those of us who prefer wine by the glass, there was a very good selection from around the world. Tables are close together so you may get to know your neighbors. If you want total privacy, this may not be your place. If you want a taste of the friendly South, this is a very good choice."
Dined on 6/1/2014
"Outstanding dinner choice for any occasion. Food and service excellent. Lots of small dining areas make the experience cozy and keep the noise down. Great wine choices. Overall a wonderful dining experience. "
Dined on 6/1/2014
"Muse is a wine bar with an excellent menu. The wine list is extensive, with a wide selection by the glass. The menu is short, but covers all of the major food groups, so there will be something for everyone. And all of the 5 dishes we tried were delicious. As were the desserts. We chose to sit outside; as Muse is on a quiet street this worked out well. The staff was very accommodating to one of our group's severe allergies (rosemary!). Service was attentive but not brisk. We would recommend Muse especially for visitors to the Spoleto Festival, as it is near all venues."
Dined on 6/1/2014
"The panna cotta for dessert is amazing. The service is very good. The menu is interesting and the food prepared in a tasteful, delicious manner. Proportions are just right."
Dined on 5/30/2014
"We reserved a table for 9 and were pleased that we were in our own room. The food was great, service perfect. The only thing that I could complain about is we had a 10 year old in our party. The food was a little too sophisticated for her. She wanted a salad with lettuce and dressing only and we were told that they could not accommodate it - the salads were on the menu and there were no variations. Really? They couldn't put a bunch of lettuce on a plate for a child? Not a kid friendly place"
Dined on 5/23/2014
"My sister had recommended this place for me and my friend from France, who had never seen Charleston. We each had the Mahi Mahi, the catch of the day, and we were both very impressed. I especially liked my Sancerre pairing. The service was also exceptional. "
Dined on 5/31/2014
"Our return visit (to Charleston and) to Muse was everything we expected. Inventive food, smooth service, funky atmosphere. No surprises, except how good everything is. We'll return again to Charleston, Spoleto USA and Muse."
Dined on 5/30/2014
"Food was great, although portion sizes were small for the price."
Dined on 5/30/2014
"We recently moved to Charleston. Not familiar with the food scene here yet so we looked on open table for suggestions. Found Muse & selected it based on prior ratings. We had friends visiting us who are major foodies. They enjoyed their food. Enjoyed their wine. Enjoyed the patio seating. Enjoyed the location downtown. Enjoyed our server's attentiveness. For the first time in 8 years, we heard no complaints from these good friends but definite food snobs. Thank you, Muse, for a lovely evening. "
Dined on 5/17/2014
"Charleston has some outstanding restaurants, unfortunately Muse was not. We have been expericiencing a real welcoming, gracious reception in the city that was not the case here. The bouillabaisse was a little sweet, both atypical and unappetizing. The server brought a bottle of wine we ordered from a particularly bad year, not what was at the menu. We will not return. "
Dined on 5/25/2014
"Every time I go to muse I try a different dish, and it is always delicious. The atmosphere is energetic, but you still don't have to shout to be heard. The waiters are attentive, but not intrusive. Muse is always a fine dining experience in every sense of the word."
Dined on 5/24/2014
"Lovely spot convenient to many attractions in mid town. Small but quaint outdoor seating, perfect for small bites or evening out. "
Dined on 5/25/2014
"Grouper was very moist. Scallops were excellent but only three were provided for the entrée."
Dined on 5/23/2014
"I came here with my family for celebratory dinner. Having never been here before, I wasn't sure what to expect. I quickly found out that Muse has an excellent wine selection with reasonable prices throughout the menu. Each dinner item we ordered was also outstanding. The food is clearly made with fresh ingredients and could easily be paired with a wine from their large selection. The staff was very friendly and offered a comfortable ambiance. Definitely recommend for a new dinner spot!"
Dined on 5/10/2014
"Walking in to the restaurant my heart sank as I noticed the walls, the rugs, the staircase looked like they were all falling apart. When we walked up the stairs I told my mother-in-law to keep her head up because if she looked down at the rug on the stairs she would have been horrified at how dirty they were. Sitting at our table, we could visibly see paint chipping, walls cracking, very few furnishes other than our dining tables and chairs. Lampshades on the side table were crooked and falling apart. BUT! The food was incredibly delicious - everything everyone at our table ordered was very memorable!! I suggest the restaurant take a 3 day break to clean, clean, clean and update and brighten the decor. "
Dined on 4/4/2014
"Muse was a great spot to celebrate our daughters graduation! We were able to fit six of us upstairs..not roomy, but comfortable and the food and wine/cocktails were fabulous. We also had great service!"
Dined on 5/10/2014
"Went with my family for a Mothers day treat and loved it as always. Their Bolognese is the best in town and the duck breast appetizer was perfect as always. Always, no leftovers and no room for dessert. The service is not overwhelming but still attentive and I cannot wait to go again."
Dined on 5/11/2014
"Muse isn't one of the big names here in Charleston, however, it should be. The food was outstanding as well as the atmosphere. I was very pleased with my dining experience and so glad I came across this restaurant. Definitely a place to try. "
Dined on 5/11/2014
"We loved Muse. The food was wonderfully prepared. I had flounder and my husband had the sea bass. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about wines and guided us with care. The bar was very inviting but we went straight to our table which was on the side porch. If I lived in Charleston this would be a place I would return to many times."
Dined on 5/8/2014
"A friend recommended we eat here during ourr visit and he was right on! Everyhting we had from the vegetable and shrimp bruschetta and grilled calamari to the sea bass and dessert was beautifully prepared with the chef throwing in a unique twist for flavor. We sat outside which was ok. The chairs were a bit uncomfortable but we forgot aboutthem once we started eating. Service was fine, nothing outstanding or really negative to point out. We wil definitely return the next time we are in town."
Dined on 5/1/2014
"We had the local shrimp served on polenta (an Italian shrimp and grits), bouillabaisse, veal scaloppini, sweetbreads, and duck breast. Everybody thought their dishes were very fine indeed with the exception of the duck breast, which was rated as OK. It's very small, and was cooked too thoroughly. The smallness of the rooms and limited seating in them contribute to Muse's charm and can also be troublesome if others in your room don't have a sense of boundary. Conversations can be easily overheard, and at times others don't seem to care that their conversations are making your own impossible. "
Dined on 5/3/2014
"Was looking for a nice place for date night and I found it. It was day of Kentucky Derby so there was a bit of a bar scene but not to bad other than noise. Staff was very attentive and the food was great."
Dined on 5/3/2014
"Cheerfully gave us directions from our B&B, kept track of our much earlier reservation and seated us promptly. Service was thorough but unobtrusive. Atmosphere outside was delightful ( & nice inside too, as far as we could see). We lingered late for a Sunday night and they accommodated us -- no vacuuming! Scallop and chorizo entree was extremely gourmet, and softshell crab entree worthy of a magazine cover."
Dined on 4/27/2014
"My boyfriend and I were looking for a decent restaurant that did not cost the earth for a romantic dinner. Muse was one of many recommended to us by local friends. I went online to check out the menu and liked what I saw. We enjoyed the intimate setting of feeling like we were in someones private dining/living room. Service was excellent and unobtrusive and waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu. I had the sea bass over green beans. We started with the bruschetta which was most unusual in flavour but delicious all the same. The flourless chocolate cake was to die for and we enjoyed every morsel. It was a lovely evening."
Dined on 4/23/2014
"Muse is near but not on King Street, and the menu is a welcome diversion from the Low Country standards. Mediterranean inspiration, but original dishes. The entire staff clearly know their food and wines, are proud of it, and provide a sense of dining en famille. The restaurant is located in an antebellum house decorated with Italian frescos and colors. While we love this restaurant and intend to return often, we hope that the word does not get out and make it harder to get a reservation. "
Dined on 4/26/2014
" Great Fine Food and Wine. Service by "Danielle" was deplorable. Very grateful that an other extremely efficient waitress stepped in to take our orders and serve us in between strange appearances by a person who was really inefficient and had no idea we were been taken care. "
Dined on 4/19/2014
"Went to Muse Restaurant with the family. It is in what appears to be an old historic house with the side porch. They do have some outdoor dining on the porch. The food was good as was the service. They have an adequate wine list that pairs with the food. I think that in a great restaurant city like Charleston they need to step up their game to compete. "
Dined on 4/19/2014
"Gosh, from previous reviews, we were so excited to try Muse for our romantic weekend away….We thoroughly enjoyed our apps, the meze platter and soup. However, the main dishes were bland and the presentation was poor. The building itself seemed dirty. And with the poor lighting, it was as if they were trying to hide the fact We tried it but will not go agin…."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"Celebrating a special occasion and decided to try somewhere new. Food was good, but not prepared the way we asked. Server was uninspired and not attentive to our table. We learned more about the specials and menu overhearing the server from the next table. Probably will not go back even though we liked the food. When check was brought to the table, no mention of "Thank you" or "Please come again". Service is half the experience when we dine out."
Dined on 4/11/2014
"I have been to this resturant twice before over the years. Fabulous setting, service was fine. Four of us for dinner, no one enjoyed there meal. We all had different selections. This is a gourmet menu, but sea bass is still sea bass."
Dined on 4/10/2014

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