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Charleston's best seafood and fine cocktails. - The Establishment, Charleston, SC

The Establishment

4.8
4.8
2179 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
Everything at The Establishment begins with well-sourced ingredients from sea and field. Through developing relationships with local farmers and fishermen, our ingredients will be consistently seasonal, fresh, and pure. Chef Elliott Howell's menu will always reflect a clean, focused, and balanced approach, delivering a selection of thoughtful and refined cuisine.

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2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 21 times today
Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (843) 789-4028
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Elliott Howells
  • Private party facilities
    The Establishment offers incredible, local seafood paired with an award-winning wine list. If you’re looking for elevated cuisine paired with fine wine, for a location that pairs a rich history with modern amenities, or for a room that is perfectly situated in Charleston’s historic French Quarter, look no further than The Establishment.
  • Private party contact
    Betsy Brabham: (843) 608-8295
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Cross street
    On Broad Street between Church and State
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,179 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • South Carolina

    Seafood

  • Charleston

    Best Overall

  • Charleston

    Best Service

  • Charleston

    Best Ambiance

  • Charleston

    Good for business meals

  • Charleston

    Innovative

  • Charleston

    Great for fine wines

  • Charleston

    Romantic

  • Charleston

    Good for special occasions

  • Charleston

    Seafood

2,179 Reviews
  1. HollyS

    Charleston

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service and food were both excellent! The atmosphere is sophisticated and comfortable. We had a wonderful experience and will be back in the future.

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  2. Jrob

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was excellent! Food was delicious! We had beets and gnodie for apps and swordfish for the main with white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. I highly recommend them all. Staff was friendly, helpful and attentive. Love the open kitchen concept and will definitely look to sit there next time. Highly recommend.

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  3. Cass

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We come here every year for my boyfriends birthday and we are always so impressed, great atmosphere great food and amazing waiters and chefs!

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  4. Henry

    New York Area

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Tanner, my server, was an excellent professional. He knows the restaurant and its menu well. The food was great and the restaurant personnel were most gracious.

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  5. MarciaL

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience4
    Hair in my main plate, and waitress was a bit mad with me like I cook my meal never back again

    The EstablishmentResponded 5 days ago

    Sorry to hear about that. Not something we are striving for. At least you liked our Ambiance! Thank you for the feedback.

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  6. courtneysykes

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience!! Will be back! We enjoyed our server (Henry) and his knowledge!

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  7. KristaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Katarina was great and made our night very special!!!

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic dining experience! Great food & service!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a perfect meal with perfect service from Naramiah. Food was outstanding. Goodie Gardners

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  10. MichaelR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The manager Shane is really helpful with supporting his staff. Food was excellent.

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  11. Zoedog

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience5
    Great food and ambience as always. Service was very slow, however. It took forever to get our entree and never saw much of server. My guess is that they have a labor shortage. They were trying, but it made for a very long evening. Otherwise, it was a great meal.

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  12. MichaelC

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal experience!!! Will make this a dining experience for every trip we make to Charleston

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  13. JonahKuhio

    Washington DC

    56 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    56 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our wait staff was very professional - Nehemiah, was especially helpful in helping us with our menu choices; compliments to Tanner, Henry and Gabby as well. The appetizer with the SC peaches was exceptionally unique and tasty. This is local “go to” choice for special occasions. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.

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  14. Kelly

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very happy with our late night dinner. Service and food were excellent!

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a lovely menu. Nice cocktails, nice menu items. Wonderful service by Matthew our VERY talented waiter.

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  16. Rikey

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, cocktails, ambience, and service were all fantastic. The Establishment is now my favorite restaurant in Charleston!

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience5
    Great ambience, great food. Our waitress was extremely pleasant. Got water immediately, waited 15 minutes for a wine by the glass, took 40 minutes to get our salad and an additional 20 minutes beyond finishing our salads for our entree to arrive. Restaurant was only 1/3 full when we arrived so the food should not have taken so long, especially for a party of 2. The menu was very small. Perhaps 5 appetizers and 5 or 6 entrees on the menu. Yes, there was an option for every particular palate and we didn’t view the abbreviated menu as a negative but for those who do, this could be problematic. Food was delicious and was beautifully plated. Would absolutely go back and hope the slow food arrival was just a one time thing.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Among the best dining experiences in Charleston and my personal favorites! Food is always delicious, service impeccable, and dining at the chefs counter is always a treat. Can’t say enough good things about The Establishment!!

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The absolute best food, wine, and service in Charleston. Halls is up there, but still second to this place. Brian and Shane are the best out there.

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  20. LisaW

    Las Vegas

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful culinary experience! As always, fresh food in tasty combinations. Warm relaxing atmosphere with good service.

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  21. Foodvacationer

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We loved the local food source and changing menu options. It took us out of our comfort zone and we were very happy. The service was very good, wine selection had plenty of options and it was pretty quiet which was nice for a romantic dinner.

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  22. LeahJ

    Charleston

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful, creative dishes and cocktails! The whole fish, snapper, as well as the butter poached grouper or beautifully prepared and presented. The one thing that surprised me was the squash and marcona almond appetizer. I think that was my favorite!

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  23. DonJ

    San Antonio

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was excellent and the food was outstanding. It was our first visit to Charleston. Everything about The Establishment was top of the line.

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  24. Charlestonian

    Charleston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is the second visit to The Establishment and it did not disappoint. We were celebrating our anniversary and we were each given a glass of cava to start off. The servers were top notch, knowledgeable and very nice. Will definitely return again soon.

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  25. Houndduet

    New York Area

    122 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    122 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great menu, outstanding service, and the food was uniformly delicious. A favorite restaurant of ours downtown.

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  26. Scott

    Charleston

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have been here a couple of times for date night because the atmosphere is great, the service is awesome and the food is amazing! I would recommend this restaurant or bar to anyone who wants to just have an enjoyable evening.

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  27. Deenie

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Have eaten at The Establishment many times. The experience is always impeccable. Last night was no exception. We participated in a fundraiser. Great evening for a great cause.

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  28. Salsa

    Charleston

    8 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience1
    Disappointed. Overpriced, poor food which took an hour to get to us. Extremely loud. Nice servers but poor restaurant overall. Won’t return. Not a fine dining experience at all. More of a bar scene.

    1 person found this helpful

  29. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience4
    The food and ambience were great, but the service ruined the evening. I explained to our server that I have a shellfish allergy, and he proceeded to argue with me about what to order. I simply requested the Grouper, minus the shellfish sauce. The server seemed more concerned with having to inform the kitchen about my allergy than about being a quality server. Furthermore, when I asked for a salad, he said that I could not get one because that too had shellfish sauce. This makes no sense. Was he saying that a fine dining establishment could not figure out how to put together a green salad or a piece of fish for someone who has a shellfish allergy? I even offered to have a conversation with the chef and the server declined my offer. His obstinance along with further digs and comments he made during the evening made me and my wife very uncomfortable. I was not trying to be difficult, nor was I arguing with him, but he seemed determined to make a point regarding my shellfish allergy. Every other restaurant I visit makes a gracious attempt to accommodate when I order. Apparently not the snobby Establishment.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great evening! The staff, food and overall experience was awesome! Well done, cheers.

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  31. MikeK

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Henry, Shane, Brian and the entire staff never disappoint! Food was awesome!! Drinks and wine top notch! It is a must go to and the gem of Charleston dinning!!

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    11/10 recommend The Establishment! The food was fantastic from start to finish, the prime ribeye was cooked to a perfect medium rare and the cocktails were delicious. Our server, Cayla, was great and even gave us recommendations for after dinner cocktail spots.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Did you watch Bear? This is a real life Bear! Well done!

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely amazing food and service with a cool vibe downtown. Unique, and incredibly fresh with house made everything. Has just become one of our faves.

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  35. BrentM

    Charlotte

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful restaurant decor with great service and attention to detail. The food was fantastic, with particular recommendation for the whole fish.

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dinner at The Establishment - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend. Our meal was delicious and the service was amazing. We had a fantastic experience and we will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  37. DougB

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    When Shane (Assistant GM) answered my call to confirm the reservation, he asked if we were celebrating anything special. When I told him "nothing special" he said "...not even a date night? Date night can be a special event". Well, as it turns out, we actually were celebrating a very special, personal event - which I proceeded to tell him. The story took a minute and Shane actually listened. And to my surprise, was genuinely excited for us. I believe his words were something like "...that's the best thing ever!" It felt like he was a longtime friend I was sharing some great news with. The space itself is very cool. The long entrance hall really transitions you out of "your world" into theirs. Seated immediately, we were escorted to the most requested table in the restaurant. The RESERVED sign on the table made me ask if there was some mistake. I was told "...no mistake. everyone wants this table, so we reserved it for you". Remember, this was my first time at The Establishment. Our servers Tanner and Niamiah were experts at their craft. Tanner walked us through the courses and made great recommendations for wine pairings. Shane visited our table and shared some great insight into the menu, chef and concept. The meal was fantastic and the service was even better. The Establishment is head and shoulders above some of the "best restaurants" downtown. We will be going back again and again.

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  38. Christine

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The Gnocchi is the best! Always get the sweet little Nellie to start!

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  39. AndyJ

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent service. The meringue desert was outstanding: I always order it. The shrimp and cabbage appetizer was very good but needs to be either spiced up or sweetened up: it was bland. I had the scallops appetizer and order it on a regular basis. Time and time again it’s served at room temperature which is not desirable. For gosh sakes have the kitchen heat up the scallops before they are served. They aren’t even warm. The potatoes…as an appetizer or side dish were awesome.

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  40. Tracy

    Calgary

    153 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    153 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What an incredible place, beautifully decorated. The server was so amazing and attentive. The food was awesome!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Establishment is rated 4.8 stars by 2179 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 21 times today
Google Map for The Establishment

28 Broad St, Suite 100, Charleston, SC 29401-3004

Additional information

  • Cross street
    On Broad Street between Church and State
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Elliott Howells
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (843) 789-4028
  • Private party facilities
    The Establishment offers incredible, local seafood paired with an award-winning wine list. If you’re looking for elevated cuisine paired with fine wine, for a location that pairs a rich history with modern amenities, or for a room that is perfectly situated in Charleston’s historic French Quarter, look no further than The Establishment.
  • Private party contact
    Betsy Brabham: (843) 608-8295
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