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  5. Downtown Charleston

Cru Cafe

4.7
4.7
4398 Reviews
$31 to $50
Comfort Food
Top Tags:
It's the Holy City's Hidden Gem! Cru Café is Charleston's home to some of the best gourmet comfort food in the Lowcountry. Cru Café is the culinary creation of renowned Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Chef John Zucker. Opened in 2002 in response to overwhelming demand, Cru Café is a culinary destination off the beaten path in in a classic 18th century Charleston single-style home. Cru Café and its award-winning Cru Catering division are consistently ranked as top eateries by locals and tourists alike. From our famous Four Cheese Macaroni to our tasty Thai Seafood Risotto, we feature something for everyone. And if you're in the mood for lighter fare, try our Chinese Chicken Salad or Duck Confit Salad. Guests of the restaurant can enjoy daily specials, indoor and outdoor porch seating, a wine list tailored to the varied menu and rich, mouthwatering desserts. We invite to stop in and enjoy a delicious meal with us today.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(843) 534-2434

Other options

  • Order online

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Comfort Food, Fusion / Eclectic, Southern

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm

  • Phone number

    (843) 534-2434

  • Website

    http://www.crucafe.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    John Zucker

  • Catering

    Voted Charleston's best caterer consecutively since 2001 by the Charleston City Paper, our Cru Catering branch offers full service customized catering, in-house personal chefs, corporate catering, receptions, weddings and private parties. Please contact us at 843-534-2433. <br />www.crucatering.com

  • Private party facilities

    Our private party area is upstairs above the general dining room. It seats 18 comfortably and can be arranged/decorated however you choose. Please contact us for details.

  • Private party contact

    Josh Livesay: (843) 534-2434

  • Location

    18 Pinckney Street, Charleston, SC 29401

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown Charleston

  • Cross street

    East Bay St

  • Parking details

    Cru Cafe does NOT offer parking. The gravel lot across the street is owned and operated by Palmetto Carriage Company. There is a public parking deck located off Pinckney Street behind the Bank of America building. The address is 200 Meeting Street.

  • Entertainment

    Private Upstairs Dinning Room available for up to 18 people.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

What 4,398 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7
4.7 based on all time ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

  1. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, great atmosphere!
  2. TG

    TerriG

    Raleigh

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great local restaurant. Very cozy. Buttermilk fried oyster salad is the bomb!
  3. p

    peterz

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the best ever snapper and scallops made superb with the dressings/sauces. Cru is in the hands of 5 star chefs--an experience to not be missed !!
  4. FL

    FLBunny

    Tampa

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, ambiance and wait staff! Will definitely dine here again!!
  5. SR

    SamanthaR

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 29, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Baby Sprinkle
  6. P

    Petals

    Charleston

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our dinner was delicious as always!! CRU is a fun restaurant. Interesting people. Superb server, our favorite, Talia. Can’t wait to return!!
  7. A

    Amyxo

    Cincinnati

    58 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Simple, flavorful food served by attentive staff. Put this on your list for lunch!
  8. DG

    DemetriusG

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, polite, helpful and friendly staff. I had reservations for the Chef’s Table. This is where you sit and you are able to see into the kitchen and watch the staff cook. However, I could tell that my wife didn’t like the set up and would rather be at a regular table. The staff moved us to a different location and the meal was great. The staff even gave us suggestions for bars that we could go to after dinner.
  9. FS

    FredS

    Atlanta

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We have been eating at Cru’ for more years than I can recount. Always good to great food. We have never been disappointed. We’re always in Charleston in February, but book our reservation the prior November - to make sure we get a table when we want. They’re that busy!
  10. A

    Alice

    Charleston

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always great service and delicious food.
  11. CH

    ChrisH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cru Cafe was great. I like the unpretentious atmosphere and the wait staff was incredibly fun and friendly.
  12. HM

    HaleyM

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious! From the appetizers to the desert. Made for a very special birthday!
  13. W

    Wilmingtonvisitor

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2020

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Got compt on an appetizer since we were seated well after our reservation, but had some wine on the porch and a great experience.
  14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love josh and everyone at CRU
  15. RM

    RobertsMaine

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food
  16. K

    Kaaren

    Charleston

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Of all the Charleston restaurants, it’s one of our favorites
  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 17, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Visit to Charleston for the day
  18. PM

    PattyM

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great lunch!
  19. BR

    BestRestaurantonEarth

    Charleston

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome service and amazing food!
  20. C

    Cattail2

    Greensboro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Oyster salad special was yummy Prob should have asked for dressing and bacon on the side but that is my preference Oysters were perfect Burger beyond good Soup was a touch salty
  21. KR

    KarenR

    Charleston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is excellent! Service is great
  22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent as usual. Every time we stay in Charleston Cru is where we have lunch before heading back home. The food is always consistent of quality and quantity. We have had many things on the menu and have never been disappointed. I would suggest making a reservation because the place is not big. Enjoy!
  23. RL

    RoLo

    Charleston

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I turned three friends on to the Cru Cafe on Saturday. They loved their lunches as much as I enjoyed mine. There are always two of three entrees that I want instead of just one. Although same is square footage, this is one of the city's finest restaurants!
  24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic! Thank you!
  25. J

    Joyous

    New York Area

    71 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    71 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2020

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    We went to Cru in a quiet Friday night after New Years.it was the second or third time I’d been there, but the first time we’d managed to score a table on the porch, which was very intimate and pleasant on the mild evening. With this great ambience and terrific service, I really want to love the place. And while the food was good, it just wasn’t up to the level that we have come to expect here in Charleston. The Caesar salad was excellent, but my scallops and my husbands seafood risotto didn’t sing.
  26. KA

    KACC

    Charleston

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2020

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The food was great, but our order got behind a big group so we waited over 45 minutes to get our food. I would definitely go back. Our server was apologetic but it was too long to wait for food.
  27. K

    Kendall

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Was a great meal! Off the beaten track a little but so worth it. We both had amazing meals and it’s plenty of food! We will go back!
  28. C

    Cheezies4243

    Northern MI

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our second time at Cru. The scallops and fried oyster salad were prepared to perfection. This is a wonderful restaurant!
  29. SD

    SarahD

    Atlantic City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was truly one of our favorite Charleston food experiences. Food, service, ambience, everything was top notch. Will definitely return to this restaurant and recommend to an6 friends visiting the area.
  30. B

    Beamer1

    Nashville

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was the second time we have visited Cru Cafe. Both times our food has been great. We both ate the “fish of the day” which was tile fish. Prepared perfectly ! We will visit again when in town.
  31. LT

    LikeToEat

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was great, fried green tomatoes with pork belly croutons was an awesome app (croutons are good enough on their own), Talia was a great hostess. Overall great meal.
  32. HR

    HeRo469

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful!
  33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The Salmon was excellent. My husband scallops were sweet and tender. Would definitely recommend
  34. JC

    JCecil

    Charlotte

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We came early because we were starving just thinking about our meal. The manager, young gentleman, was so kind in accommodating our request to eat earlier than our reservation. The food was excellent. Service could not have been any better. We eat here every time we visit Charleston.
  35. F

    Fred

    Atlanta

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    One of our favorite lunch spots. Dependably good.
  36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2019

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    Food was not as expected
  37. HR

    HeidiR

    New England

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2019

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Everything was great. I just don’t like to be rushed bc there is another reservation for our table. We didn’t finish our dessert.
  38. S

    Sammy

    Atlanta

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and service! We really wanted to try several different dishes... so we will definitely be back to try the ones that we could not this time!
  39. S

    Sololebow

    New York Area

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Wonderful house turned i to restaurant, very nice staff and environment, not super expensive because alcohol is reasonable, recommended.
  40. N

    Nick

    New England

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent lunch menu and the service was great! The food here is amazing, and not to be missed.

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Cru Cafe using the Order Online button. Cru Cafe also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 534-2434.

Cru Cafe is rated 4.7 stars by 4398 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(843) 534-2434

Other options

  • Order online

Additional information

  • Cross street

    East Bay St

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown Charleston

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm

  • Cuisines

    Comfort Food, Fusion / Eclectic, Southern

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Cru Cafe does NOT offer parking. The gravel lot across the street is owned and operated by Palmetto Carriage Company. There is a public parking deck located off Pinckney Street behind the Bank of America building. The address is 200 Meeting Street.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    John Zucker

  • Entertainment

    Private Upstairs Dinning Room available for up to 18 people.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.crucafe.com/

  • Phone number

    (843) 534-2434

  • Catering

    Voted Charleston's best caterer consecutively since 2001 by the Charleston City Paper, our Cru Catering branch offers full service customized catering, in-house personal chefs, corporate catering, receptions, weddings and private parties. Please contact us at 843-534-2433. <br />www.crucatering.com

  • Private party facilities

    Our private party area is upstairs above the general dining room. It seats 18 comfortably and can be arranged/decorated however you choose. Please contact us for details.

  • Private party contact

    Josh Livesay: (843) 534-2434

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