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California Dreaming-Charleston
California Dreaming has been serving the Charleston community since 1987. The large, open setting boasts floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Ashley River, providing a perfect backdrop to any event. The panoramic views can also be enjoyed on the wrap-around deck with bar, that is easily accessible by boat; additional restaurant features: online ordering with curbside pick-up and family-style catering. Awarded Best Waterfront Dining and Best Salad - City Paper, 2004-2020.
Support California Dreaming-Charleston during COVID-19
Safety precautions
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep cleaned daily
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
Popular dishes
Steak Salad*
Broiled coulotte, mixed greens, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, crumbled blue, balsamic
15 reviews
Croissants (5)
Topped with honey-butter
14 reviews
She Crab Soup
A rich and creamy Charleston classic
9 reviews
WAITRESS NEVER REFILLED MY DRINK, WE ASKED FOR BREAD RECEIVED 5 PCS EVEN THOUGH WE HAD 6 PEOPLE , THEY WOULD NOT SUBSTITUTE OYSTERS OFF SEAFOOD PLATTER, SIDE OF COLESLAW CONTAINER SAME SIZE AS THE KETCHUP CONTAINER. BASICALLY PAID $20.00 FOR ABOUT 10 MEDIUM SHRIMP PILE OF FRENCH FRIES.
The piña colada‘s are not on the menu but they are the most delicious drink that they offer
Great service and experience. Will definitely be back
Our anniversary
I was able to book a table 2 hrs before my reservation so that’s a plus! My husband and I are traveling from Charlotte,NC where restaurants are ‘different’ now and using covid as an excuse but the rules make no sense. This maybe a bad thing, but being here I felt like the world was back open. People seemed to be at ease and it was filled with laughter, music, and fun! The view was amazing as well! Our sever was very polite and tried his best to stay on top of things. Being a former server I know how hectic busy nights can be! Our food took awhile but we had wine, a salad, and bread to munch on while we waited. The food was absolutely worth the wait! We had so many leftovers to take home due to portion size! Wine, appetizers, & entrees under $100! We’ll be back!
Great service! Great food! Servers were attentive and on point.
Our server Kristin was amazing. So great, that we ate here a second time tonight
My wife and I loved the food, drinks and the service
Service was a little slow for lunch. Waitress had unfortunate spill of drinks at our table. We had to move. Surprised we didn’t get a break on our bill. Locals 30 yrs.
Our waitress was AWESOME and attentive even with how busy they were on a Friday night. The cooks did not listen to a request for something taken off the salad but they immediately fixed it. Great evening at a wonderful restaurant!
Food was good and our service was amazing! Menu is limited due to COVID but they still have great options available. The new seafood nachos were so good!
The food was ok once we sent half of everything that came to the table back. In my opinion it was a little overpriced. I enjoyed the views but I don’t think we will be going back here.
Large portions and a wide variety to meet everyone’s liking.
Food and service is always amazing!! This is one of our families favorite restaurant.
Every time we’ve eaten there always been very satisfied.
Our waitress left our drinks empty for thirty minutes at a time , I ordered the 10 oz and my father in law ordered this as well we asked for medium rare and both were over cooked he sent his back but I did not because I was starving because I worked that morning and attended class and had no time to eat another meal. Instead of heading back to table after his food was taken back she did not come back til 45 minutes later after the remake was finally done. Very poor service and very disappointed, used to love this place and come for my birthdays. I sadly will not be choosing this for my birthday dinner location on the 21st anymore.
Wonderful place for a date, food was great, but would definitely make reservations, just to make it’s easier and fast as well
California Dreaming is a great place for a special dinner.
Our host David T was amazing!! He did a phenomenal job serving my boyfriend and I. He even recommended me to try their Valentine’s drink special called “Pucker Up” which I was a bit nervous since it was my first time ever ordering alcohol. It was really sweet and had this cute stick with a heart on my end and candy on the other. As always we’ll defiantly be back again! They never disappoint. Thank you so much !
I’ve always enjoyed dining at California Dreaming, and made my Valentine’s Day reservations because it had been a minute since my last visit. I had looked online at their menu, because I’m vegetarian and I wanted to make sure that they still served the shrimp San Francisco that I usually have, while substituting sautéed mushrooms in place of shrimp. Well, I made a 25min drive from Summerville to West Ashley in pouring rain only to have the waitress tell me that they now have a new menu. And you don’t post the new menu on your website?? I drove in the rain for a Valentine’s Day meal of a beyond hamburger?? I have that in my freezer at home! Needless to say that I was thoroughly disappointed and will not be coming back to California Dreaming until they add at least 2 more vegetarian dishes on their menu.
Great experience would definitely recommend and will be coming back
Very good experience. Service and food was great and COVID precautions were utilized. That was greatly appreciated.
Go for the building and the view. It has a Cheesecake Factory quality to it in terms of food and service.
Great food as usual! And of course the view is always great!
Valentines Day
Best food in Charleston & an AMAZING view of the water!! Waitress was also very good.
This group had it together. Fast service, stayed on top of refills. Food taste was fresh and hot. One of our best visits yet.
Food was not great. Server was excellent and view was amazing but would not go out of my way to visit again.
Very nice restaurant. I would recommend to anyone! Service was excellent.
First time going was for my birthday. Must try the she crab soup!!!!
My waiter jake (jacob) was outstanding. Good environment. Lovely view. We definitely will be back
Food was great. Service was great. Food prices were good. Three alcohol drinks cost more than meal.
Seated immediately for our reservation and quick service for taking our order. Food was good but steak was over cooked. Manager was very accommodating with getting new steak out quickly so Hubby was not eating alone. Manager was also good about adjusting error in billing.
We celebrated 2 birthdays had a great time and good food.
Food was great. Staff was great. Very quick. Left very happy.
This was a great find in Charleston while visiting for surgery. We had fish with green beans and steak with Caesar salad and baked potato fully dressed. Wine selection was very good.
I ordered the sirloin marinated steak. I was not satisfied as the steak was very dry, lacked in flavor. My side was vegetables, which consisted of a few pieces of squash and a few pieces of zucchini with very little taste. My husband's dinner was good.
Extremely amazing food, except the Steak special. Steak with horseradish butter. The fried cauliflower was amazing, as was the Thai chilli sauce. The Ceasars salad was actually good. Unlike most places. The house salad with honey Mustard dressing tasted like a BLT sandwich with every bite. Best house salad ever. Mash potatoes were exceptionally creamy. My girlfriends marinated steak was flavorful, bit chewy. My steak was cooked perfectly at requested medium rare. However it had no flavor and was extremely chewy.
I will eventually return again to try another dish.
We absolutely enjoyed our time here. We were seated by the window so we could enjoy the view of the water and boats. The wait staff was very courteous and all wearing masks. The food was great and they fixed one problem with speed and professionalism. We would highly recommend this restaurant.
We were seated in a booth in the bar which meant our noise level was probably a little higher than usual but the food was delightful and the service is great, I would highly recommend it:
FAQs
You can order delivery directly from California Dreaming-Charleston using the Order Online button. California Dreaming-Charleston also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 766-1644.
California Dreaming-Charleston is rated 4.3 stars by 688 OpenTable diners.
California Dreaming-Charleston does offer gift cards which you can purchase here https://centraarchy.com/purchase-gift-cards/?restaurant=california-dreaming.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.