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The Refuge, Isle of Palms, SC

The Refuge

4.6 (655)
$30 and under
American
1517 Palm Blvd, Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Lively
  • Great for brunch
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Charleston sits The Refuge in Isle of Palms. This family owned and operated venue is sure to please all.
Here at The Refuge, we take pride in pleasing the palates of locals and tourists alike. Our experienced staff stands behind the recipes on our menu, and use only the freshest ingredients to ensure an unforgettable dining experience. The coastal location of The Refuge is complimented by our modern and sophisticated design, which brings an upscale aesthetic to dining in Isle of Palms.
The Refuge offers an array of menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner to fit the schedule of any island dweller. Brunch enthusiasts can take refuge in our Weekend Tide menu, overflowing with delicious creations like baked avocado and egg, or stacks of buttermilk pancakes. With a coffee bar for coffee lovers and a restaurant for foodies,


Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 8:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (843) 242-8934
  • Website
    http://therefugeiop.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Jason Daly
  • Catering
    The Refuge has catering services available for any type of event, from birthday parties to weddings. Our staff is prepared to help plan your customized catering menu so that you can relish in the savory tastes of our dishes. The Refuge can accommodate parties of all sizes, whether you're looking for pastries and baked goods, or a full-service meal.<br>Our brunch, lunch and dinner menus are available for you to pick items for your catered event. Choose your favorites to create a personalized taste experience for your guests to enjoy.
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    1517 Palm Blvd, Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
  • Neighborhood
    Isle of Palms
  • Cross street
    Palm Boulevard and the IOP connector
  • Parking details
    In the Harris Teeter Shopping Center
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • STEAKHOUSE NIGHT AT THE REFUGE EVERY TUESDAY

    Multiple dates available
    Choose a Rib-eye or New York Strip, among others, to indulge on alongside our array of sauces and sides. All available cuts of meat are blackened or grilled.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 655 people are saying

The Refuge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Charleston

    Great for brunch

  • Charleston

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Refuge offers a "great food" experience with a menu highlighted by dishes like "Triggerfish" and "tuna tartare." Patrons appreciate the "great cocktail" offerings and "extensive drink menu." While service can occasionally be slow, the "accommodating staff" and "amazing" atmosphere make it a popular choice for many.
655 Reviews

  1. Sophia

    Charlotte3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a good experience - food, service, drinks, ambience. Always clean. Always a good special of the day. Trigger fish entree or sandwich (lunch) never disappoints.

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  2. Donna VIP

    Nashville22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lobster night was delicious and Travis worked so hard and was a great server

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  3. David VIP

    Greater Boston30 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    While we have been here three times for dinner, and had a great experience each time, this visit for brunch on 6/30 was very disappointing. The food was very mediocre and none of the 5 of us were impressed. My wife's crabcakes benedict came, unexpectedly, with fried crabcakes; the menu did not mention that they were fried, and they were terrible. We suspected that they were perhaps the night before's leftover crabcakes that they then deep fried for the Sunday brunch. Two of us had the turkey pesto sandwich which was very bland, and my daughter's smash burger was greasy, overcooked, and tasted like old oil. Not sure if there's a new chef on staff or what. I hate to write such a bad review of this place that we loved prior to last Sunday. We may give them another chance for dinner, but brunch is out of the question for us - and should be for you, too.

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  4. steve

    Chicago / Illinois7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We felt our server was very good, and the food was very good. I would highly recommend the Triggerfish- it is very good. Only compliant is it took a long time for our food to come out this time, and not all the meals were served at the same time, it is a pet peeve of mine. But there was a lot of traffic on the causeway, and they could have been short staffed in the kitchen this time. For a local place right in Isle of Palms I am a fan of the refuge.

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  5. Gwen VIP

    South Carolina2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on June 19, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Fried shrimp was so overcooked that you couldn’t taste the shrimp! Very noisy. Felt dirty. Server (bartender) was inattentive - more interested in talking than serving.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando / Central Florida East1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is great, better than next door, which had had a better reputation in the past. A little loud for the older crowd better everything else is so good that you won’t care. This may become our new regular spot over the competition.

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  7. Christine VIP

    South Carolina47 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was great. It always takes so long to get food. Like the kitchen is slow. It’s our third time visiting and it’s always a long process. Server was great. Decor is nice. We book anyway but you need to plan extra time.

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  8. Derrick VIP

    South Carolina19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. Service was a tad slow, but that may be because the restaurant was busy. But, the appetizers and all the entrees were top notch. We would definitely visit again when we return.

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  9. M Kevin

    South Carolina2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 3, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Went on “steak night”. Drinks took on average 15 minutes to get to table. Very loud in dining room, hard to have a conversation with anyone other than the person right beside you. Service was pleasant & attentive but it took almost 2 hours to get our food. They either had a bad night or don’t have bar & kitchen staff capable of handling the volume that summer brings.

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  10. LaJean VIP

    Asheville / Western North Carolina2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 31, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was kinda all over the place. We had 2 different people greet us prior to our server actually coming. They didn't bring our appetizers before our entrees which made it crowded on the table. And totally forgot our soups and salads. We were told they would take the soups and salads off the bill since they came after our entrees. But they did not follow through. The she crab soup was really good and became what I actually ate instead of the entree and apps. Overall we had a nice night but they have lots of kinks to work out unless it's isolated with our server specifically.

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FAQs

The Refuge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 242-8934.

The Refuge is rated 4.6 stars by 655 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. South Carolina
  4. Charleston
  5. Isle of Palms

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Refuge

1517 Palm Blvd, Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Palm Boulevard and the IOP connector
  • Neighborhood
    Isle of Palms
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 8:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    In the Harris Teeter Shopping Center
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jason Daly
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Website
    http://therefugeiop.com/
  • Phone number
    (843) 242-8934
  • Catering
    The Refuge has catering services available for any type of event, from birthday parties to weddings. Our staff is prepared to help plan your customized catering menu so that you can relish in the savory tastes of our dishes. The Refuge can accommodate parties of all sizes, whether you're looking for pastries and baked goods, or a full-service meal.<br>Our brunch, lunch and dinner menus are available for you to pick items for your catered event. Choose your favorites to create a personalized taste experience for your guests to enjoy.
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