I have been meaning to dine here for sometime now. On this particular Friday I thought I was heading to another of my favorite restaurants and decided to go here instead since it was right before they opened and hoped they would be able to accommodate. I was lucky to be the first there and they were able to accommodate me, party of 1. The waitress that seated and guided me through the menu was very informative and patient with me. I decided on the pineapple ginger fresh juice, which came in an individual sized bottle for you to poor over ice. It was so refreshing and tasty. I find myself wanting to go by just to get some. After asking that she ensure that I not order anything spicy, I decided on the Red-Red Ndambe dip which reminded me of a a black eyed pea chili, served with Naan. It was amazing. I felt like I was eating a vegetable bowl of chili, it was so comforting and flavorful. I would definitely order it again. I could not decide between the Thieboudieun (Grouper fish with jollof)or the Green Gumbo Okra (which can come with either broken rice or fufu), as they both were tempting. I asked her to pick for me, letting her know either would be fine with me. She decided on the Thieboudieun and I was not disappointed. The flavors were plentiful and great!! When I was asked by some patrons and anyone else that inquired, all i can say is THE FLAVORS!! I cannot fully describe them, but they were plentiful and delicious!! My only regret was I wish I had others with me so we could all try various items off of the menu. Everything was delish!! The atmosphere is very laid back and cool. My only negative, which is SO MINOR, but I feel I have to mention for hearty eaters, is that the piece of grouper was very small (in my opinion). I would say it was about 3-4 ounces of grouper, which is small for an entree protein, but it was delicious! With that being said, bcz I had the appetizer I ended up taking half of my food home for lunch the next day and that red jollof sauce rice was even better the next day! I cannot wait to go back and try something else on the menu!! read more

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If you judge a restaurant by its exterior, you might hesitate for a second when you arrive at Bintu Atelier. The small house sits in an area that's a little unexpected for a dining destination, parking is scarce, and at first glance you're not quite sure what you're walking into. That said, we had heard great things about the food and decided to give it a shot. Once inside, things quickly started to make sense. Anita greeted us warmly and showed us to our table. From where we sat, it appeared the dining room only seats about twelve guests. There may be additional seating elsewhere, but the space felt intimate and personal, like your in a friends dining room. The drink options are limited to juices, though we were perfectly happy sticking with water. Anita was fantastic about answering questions and helping us understand the dishes and their spice levels. We decided to share everything so we could try as much as possible. We started with the Suya Skewers, and they were fantastic. The seasoning was spot on and the beef was incredibly tender--each bite practically melted in your mouth. Next came the Mafe Peanut Stew and... holy cow. Absolutely delicious. Rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The portions here are generous, which made sharing easy and let us really enjoy the dish. Our final entrée was the Thieboudien, a beautiful grouper fillet served with vegetables and jollof rice. Another wow moment. The fish was perfectly cooked and the flavors throughout the dish were outstanding. We couldn't resist ordering a side of Ripe Plantains, and we're so glad we did. They were cooked perfectly--sweet, caramelized, and quite possibly the best plantains we've ever had. Bottom line: if you're willing to step a little outside your comfort zone and you love truly outstanding food, this is absolutely a place worth trying. Sometimes the most memorable meals come from the most unexpected places. read more

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We were in Charleston and it happened to be my birthday. We had done barbecue, Lowcountry food, and seafood - but I wanted something different. This restaurant came up and we snagged their last reservation. Everything was excellent! We shared the ndambe stew appetizer, which is now my favorite black eyed pea dish. Then I got the Mafe peanut stew and my husband got the Yassa lamb. Both were great, but honestly the lamb was so well done. Really enjoyed the experience. read more

When I first arrived I wasnt sure I was at the right place. Located in a small, unassuming building, it felt like we were parked outside of someone's house. As we're walking up, a woman just happened to be walking outside and asked if we had reservations. Once we confirmed, she led us into a small dining room which looked as if it was in someone's dining room. Little did we know that played into the meal as well: it felt like we we were being fed someone's favorite home-cooked meals, and they were divine! All meat we had was tender and well seasoned. All sauces we had were complex yet simple, and done to perfection. I honestly cant think of a complaint I had with any part of the meal (not that I'm necessarily TRYING to come up with something) and I cant wait to go back. The highlights of our meal include perfectly cooked fish in a curry sauce expertly seasoned; chicken wings so tender they were falling off the bone, with a sauce that was just the right combo of sweet and heat; jollof rice that was so good I ate the entire side dish by myself - if my friend wanted some he should have fought me; chicken mafe which might be the best peanut stew I've had in years. I'm upset it took me so long to come here as a Charlestonian. Places like this are what make Charleston special: small spaces, food made with love and precision, offering unique experiences to tourists and locals alike completely different than most fare you'd find in other cities of comparable size. If you're visiting Charleston, please make it a priority to make a reservation here. If you're local to Charleston, please make it a priority to make a reservation here. Note: they do not have a liquor license and do not sell alcohol. Just a heads up if you were wanting some wine or beer with your food. I believe they have a corkage fee but off the top of my head I cant remember. read more

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Here's the thing: good food is cooked with intention. Intimate space with jazz vinyl records filling the air. Fresh juice pressed and stored in individual glass bottles. A bright scotch bonnet hot sauce served by Anita with the thoughtful cautionary caveat "a little goes a long way". The shito from the crab rice inspired by Ghana while the general jollof flavors coming from Senegal. Notes of Nigeria and the Ivory Coast weave throughout. I will be back to fill my stomach and heart soon. read more

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Everything was delicious! I loved everything I tried!! My favorite drink was the passion fruit juice! I loved the egusi with goat!!! Everything they offer here is amazing! The decor is beautiful, all of the art speaks to the culture of the place! It really feels like you're at an aunt's house having dinner! The service is a bit slow but we'll worth it for what you are going to get! I will definitely be back! read more

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Bintü Atelier is an absolute MUST. If you're looking for authentic African cuisine, this is the place to be. Reservations are highly recommended, as seating is fairly limited. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and advised that our table wasn't ready, and asked to wait outside - unusual, but understandable since this is a quaint space. Upon being seated and perusing the menu, we decided on Yassa (braised lamb), Dieun/Poisson Frit (fried snapper), and a side of plantain. Each dish was served hot and prepared to perfection. The lamb was tender and flavorful, no need to a knife. The snapper was flaky and as flavorful. For drinks, we chose the Soursop and Pineapple Ginger juice. All in all, this was a dining experience, not just a meal. You can feel the TLC. Bintü is off the beaten path, but just a short distance from King Street. Definitely make the trip if you're in the area! read more

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This small Husband and Wife restaurant brings heritage to the bellies of their guests. This eatery was recommended by a local that we happened to have the pleasure of meeting as he had explained the Gullah history. As we were visiting Charleston for business, we wanted some food that was not chain and local. We were recommended this eatery. The African heritage was felt once we entered as the walls were deeply lined. The menu changes as we were told but there was definitely great choices on their for us to choose from. We ordered Snapper and Lamb meals, side of plantain, FRESH PRESSED pineapple ginger and soursop beverages. All came out hot and the portions especially the snapper was enough for 2; meaning the portions are large. This eatery is definitely unique with the set up and if we were not recommended this place, we would have NEVER had the experience to eat here. The food was beyond tasty and great. I would definitely recommend this heritage driven eatery of complete stomach joy. read more

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You ask "what went well?", the answer is EVERTHING! This West African inspired restaurant is an experience. The ambiance, the smells from the kitchen, the vibrant colors of the decor, but most of all-the food-it is out of this world delicious. I loved everything I tasted. The only reason I stopped eating was because I couldn't fit any more in my stomach. It is a very intimate and small space and the menu is limited to what they make that day. It's like going to your friend's mother's house for dinner. I wish I had a friend whose mothers could cook like this. Don't miss out on the amazing restaurant. read more

Went here with my girlfriend last weekend and had an awesome time. I live right around the corner from Bintu and had been meaning to check it out for a while and I am glad I finally did. The menu is full of authentic dishes and the lamb I had was incredible. They have both indoor and tent covered outdoor seating and the whole place has a really cozy vibe. Just a heads up they do not serve alcohol but it is BYOB with a five dollar corkage fee. Definitely recommend if you are looking for something a little different in downtown Charleston. read more

Bintü Atelier - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This was a really interesting and new dining experience, and unique from any other place I've been to in Charleston. It is a small venue and reservations are recommended. We started with the beef skewers, which were so tender and tasty. I liked the peanut topping. The marinade was very savory. Then we split the Egusi (goat dish) and Sapa Supa Kanja with the shrimp and chose the fufu. Wow, what an experience of texture and flavor. The sauce over the smooth fufu was delightful. But above all, the beverages were the show stealer in my opinion. I got the Soursop, which was again, a new unique amazing flavor. My friend got the ginger-pineapple juice. Both just really nice accompaniment to the meal. It was a nice intimate contrast to the typical dining scene in Charleston. read more

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The food was so good! We got a reservation for here in advance. I would highly recommend as this is a small restaurant. We (a group of 3) arrived 15 min early and they still seated us but warned us they weren't ready for us to order yet, which was perfectly fine. We were just happy to get a seat, especially since we arrived that early. We got the passionfruit juice and the soursop juice to drink. Both were good but we all agreed the soursop was the crowd pleaser. Highly recommend! For food, I got the braised grouper, and there's a lot of stuff in there I normally don't like, such as mushrooms but the way it was cooked, hot dang, I loved them! The grouper was perfect and the rice + veggies were phenomenal. It was unique but so, so good. To top it off, the staff was super friendly. Definitely our favorite restaurant in Charleston! :) read more

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Bintu Atelier is an absolute gem! I ordered the shrimp egusi with fufu and it far exceeded my expectations--so full of flavor and such a huge portion that I could barely finish it (though I gave it my best shot!). The restaurant itself is small, cozy, and beautifully decorated. It's super welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating, but definitely make a reservation because it fills up fast!! Annie took care of us, she was so kind and gave fantastic menu suggestions. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes, especially the Thiéboudieun (fried flounder with jollof rice and vegetables) they serve on Fridays and Saturdays. I caught a whiff of it on my way out and it literally made my mouth water, even after my huge meal. This place is a must-try--I'm already planning to come back tomorrow and bringing friends with me next time! read more

Bintü Atelier - Shrimp Egusi with fufu - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

What an adorable spot with great good...We tried several dishes as we had no knowledge of African food. Like Indian or Mexican food, there are regions and flavors, and this spot like to offer from several countries. We started with the Suya Beef Skewer and Garba Salad. The beef was flavorful, juicy and tender. The salad was so beautiful and bright, I think I let out a gasp of pleasure when it was put on the table. It was as delicious as it looked, with Argentina shrimp, yucca grain, gorgeous greens and a bright coconut ginger dressing! For our mains we ordered the spicy crab rice and the fish and rice fish. We were ignorant that the crab rice is a whole soft shell on top...and we don't do soft shell. However, we tried it, each of us eating a claw and we were surprised how tasty it was, but mostly because of the way it was seasoned. But, the rice ended up being too spicy, back of the throat burn, and couldn't finish it. We love spicy food, but this was another level, however the flavors were excellent. The second main Fish and Rice (grouper) was what I imagine in a comfort food. The jollof rice was warmed with spices, and a hint of heat. The rice was surrounded by beautiful vegetables, topped with a large grouper fillet and a drizzle of a delightful green sauce. We were so full, we ended up bringing this home for lunch!!! So, this spot is tiny, each dish cooked as ordered, and a small staff. It's made to be a leisurely time to enjoy your food...but, it was soooo worth it!! read more

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If you plan to attend, make sure you use Resy to make a reservation. Walk-ins are not guaranteed to get a table quickly, and we knew that in advance, so I am not holding this against them! In fact they treated us well and got us a table within 20 minutes. I ordered the Yassa Lamb and my partner ordered the Shito Spicy Crab Rice. This was my first time having African food, and the spices and tastes were very different than anything I was used to. I enjoyed my meal (and the tea I ordered as well), my partner, who had more experience than me with African food, was lukewarm with her choice of the crab rice. Nothing was wrong with it, in her opinion it just didn't wow her. The Katie if the place is interesting, his they covered homes into a restaurant. The cooking is done on the left side building, tables are on the right, some in a building and some in a strong tent that looks like it will stay warm even on chillly Charleston evenings. I know the review sounds mixed, but Bintu is really worth a try for something really different in Charleston. read more

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This was such a gem, tucked away off of Hanover Street (a couple of blocks from Meeting), but so worth the adventure. Truly delicious food, with such a comfortable and unpretentious atmosphere. The black eyed pea stew small plate was unforgettable, and the lamb ribs were the best lamb we tried in the city. We also ordered the Wednesday/Thursday goat stew special (sorry, I forgot the name) with fufu... SO good! From speaking with wait staff at other restaurants, it seems this place is well known and loved within the local industry. It also seems like word is getting around to visitors (like us) and hopefully locals alike. The food coming out of this kitchen is definitely worth the hype. read more

I'll preface by saying I've had Senegalese food several times and therefore had high expectations for spice and flavor. It's clear that while the menu sounds delicious and unique, this fusion of Senegalese and low country cuisine is made for an American audience. The flavors were not bursting in the yassa(used goat since they were out) and sane with the broken rice of the crab dish (tho crab was cooked to perfection). Even the cumin wings were missing a special flare with the cumin though the smoky flavor was generally fine. If this is ur first venture into Senegalese food, you'll likely hv a good experience but if you're a vet, just know what to expect. Also customer service could be better. read more

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10 10 10 across the board!! I've not experienced such unique, fresh tantalizing flavors in awhile. The Gaarba salad woke my palette and taste buds up with the coconut lime ginger dressing and pickled cucumbers. I also had the crab rice and asked for a spicy sauce and the heat complimented the dish perfectly. The soursop juice was soooo good. Tasted like a creamy pina colada. This place is unique, homegrown, small, but intimate. It's now my favorite restaurant. I'm bringing everyone I know here. read more

Bintü Atelier - Crab rice with a softshell crab on top - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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This place is different in a lot of ways. It's set up in a residential neighborhood, and I was seated in an outdoor tent between two separate indoor spaces, one with a dining area and the other with the kitchen. In bad weather, it might be challenging for them to get the food to their customers, but in good weather, it was pleasant enough, despite the wind blowing the tent up against me and the bench not being the most comfortable. The food is different as well, a West African menu that is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. When I first learned of the place, it didn't seem vegetarian-friendly, but I came in when I saw they were offering a mushroom dish and found another vegetable entree had been added and a couple of appetizers and sides were suitable. I ordered a soursop juice, which was quite flavorful, and my entree was a peanut-based sauce. Adding okra apparently meant that the okra is blended into the dish rather than me getting an extra side of okra, which was confusing and required explanation. The result was distinctively delicious, with the tongue-tingly fried mushrooms contrasting with the smooth, rich sauce and delightfully broken rice. While it wasn't a large menu, they rotate it, and if it has more things that I can eat I'd happily come back. read more

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I saw there was an African restaurant in Charleston and was so excited to try it. I live nearby so I walked here and it was a small little restaurant with seating both outdoors and inside a little home. Our servers were so incredibly nice and very welcoming. They made us feel right at home and offered tons of insight to help us decide what to order. I got the yassa lamb and my boyfriend got the goat egusi stew with fufu. The yassa lamb was so delicious - fork tender and full of so much flavor. I chose the couscous and it was such a fun textural difference with the meat. My boyfriend loved the goat egusi - it had loads of spices and vegetables, and the fufu was fun to eat. Both dishes were spicy with loads of flavor, without being too overwhelming. Our server gave us some ghost pepper (?) hot sauce, but it actually wasn't too spicy and went great with the lamb in my opinion. Great, great food. I would love to come back and try some of their appetizers and other entrees. Love the service and food. read more

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We went to Bintu Atelier for a 50th birthday celebration and it was a great choice to celebrate a milestone birthday. I'll start this review by saying we ordered entirely too much food and could not eat it all but we tasted a lot. For starters we had the Shito Spicy Crab Rice, Vegetarian Ndambe, and were generously given the meat pies (sorry don't recall the name). Everything had great flavor and spice but we could have used some salt or hot sauce for the Vegetarian Ndambe. It was good just missing a little something. The entrees are so large they definitely can be shared. This is where we went wrong and we all ordered our own entree. A lot of food! For entrees we ordered the Yassa Lamb, Goat Egusi, Mafe and the Thiéboudieun - Ceebu jën (I seem to have forgotten to take a pic of this dish). I enjoyed getting to taste so flavors from different African regions. I am not a lamb fan but I did try everything else and all was good. We also tried some of the beverages, the Passionfruit, Ginger Pineapple Juice and the Soursop Pineapple. So good! The ginger is very strong in the ginger pineapple juice but I loved it! Lastly, our server (who I'll get to) gave my sister the Baobab with Raw Honey ice cream. It is so interesting, like pudding and ice cream. The flavor was so light, tangy and tasty. On to our server. She was absolutely wonderful! So attentive and personable. We had a great chat with her after our dinner was over. I love going out to eat and she was by far one of ten best services I've ever had. read more

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First, let me say, the food and service were amazing. But, let me break it down. Food: we had a little of everything because it was a small group dinner. So, it's fair to say that there was not one dish we didn't like. The food was flavorful and you can tell the food is cooked with soul and love. I highly recommend the Thiéboudieun (my main entree) and Yassa Lamb. If you are a vegetarian/vegan, the Mafé is chef's kiss. Service: the service was excellent! The people that served us explained the dishes to us and answered all of our questions. They were also just so kind and attentive. There were quite a few of us I the party and they were on point. I can't wait to go back t try the suya steak and goat egusi. read more

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Blown away! I'd say this is the best meal I've eaten in Charleston! A complete party in your mouth! Amazing flavors, you can taste the love. Small, friendly spot. I'd recommend reservations so you're sure to get a table. Their homemade juices are also amazing. Definitely get the soursop juice! Will be back to try everything! read more

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If you've heard that Bintu is amazing, I can confirm that information is correct. From the exceptional service to the flavorful dishes, West African is well represented. Even the fresh juices leave you wanting for nothing. The prices are great as well for the quality and amount of food you get. I didn't get to see the inside as we sat outside on the patio which is nice during the warmer and transitioning seasons. They even put a space heater outside to help with cooler weather. The only thing I didn't care for was the mosquitoes biting my ankles so they may want to consider treating the patio/plants. There is plenty of parking on the street in the neighborhood and I foresee continued success for this charming gem in Charleston! read more

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What an unexpected delight! Our neighbors were visiting Charleston last month and highly recommended this West African restaurant. We are happy they retain the title "good neighbors" because their recommendation was spot on. We knew going in that the service may be slow but that the food would be worth it. We made a reservation and even though we arrived early, we were seated inside right away. From the fork tender lamb to the piping hot patties, we devoured our meal. The service was lovely, the decor was a conversation starter, and we hope to return again soon. read more

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We went her for Valentine's Day and it was wonderful! We started the black-eyed pea dip, then we had the shito crab and fried snapper! I would recommend this cute little establishment! read more

Bintü Atelier - Snapper - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I have been looking forward to trying this spot for months now and it did not disappoint! Servers were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, walking us thru everything on the menu and giving recommendations. We did it family style between the 3 of us (2 starters and 2 mains) and it was the perfect amount of food. The juices were delicious and refreshing too. read more

Bintü Atelier - Moringa Nokoss wings and Suya Skewers - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Bintu is an African cuisine Mecca! I loved everything I ordered from here. The decor is great and feels welcoming. The entire staff was so friendly and accommodating even though they were super busy. Every recommendation sounded like a winner and even though they were out of jollof rice, they had great substitutions. The crab rice was full of amazing lump crab and a whole, fried, soft-shell crab. It was delicious with the perfect amount of spice to add some character to the dish. The fried wings had great texture and I enjoyed every bite. They even had succulent veggies to go with it and I savored every bite. To top it all off they had these plantains that blew my mind. I was able to wash it all down with their homemade juices and it was absolutely refreshing! I'm so in love with this place and can't wait to come back. read more

Bintü Atelier - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Yum yum yum. What a dream this meal was. Okay! So Bintu is such an intimate environment for a meal. It's in a residential neighborhood so be mindful of parking. Limited seating for indoor and outdoor. There were only 4 tables indoors, which honestly I loved. Cutely and simply decorated. We made a reservation to be sure we could be seated. Tonight they introduced some new menu items and we were excited to give them a try. We got the Fulani wings (mango Tamarind flavor was amazing), pepper soup, suya beef platter, mushroom groundnut stew, soursop juice, passion fruit juice, and sorrel iced tea. Everything was so freshly made and well balanced. The entrees took a bit but this is something we were totally okay with considering everything is made to order and it gave our table some time to chat and catch up and connect. Everyone was pleasant and attentive. I can't remember our waiters name but he was so damn sweet! Looking forward to returning and trying the other items on their menu. read more

Bintü Atelier - The menu during the time of our visit with a few new items. - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I ADORE Bintu. They food is so well done, feels authentic, fresh, and intentional...like food for the deep parts of you. It's a small, intimate indoor space with art on the ways warm colors that help you feel like you've stepped into somewhere calm. The outdoor tent feels like stepping into another world; I always feel warm and comfortable, if not a little enchanted. The staff is small, mighty, and down-to-earth. You'll find flavors here you can't anywhere else in the city, the plumpest shrimp, and the most tender goat, the fluffiest fufu and dozens of other small things that will make you glad you chose Bintu. read more

My friend and I spent $$$ on various dishes at Bintu Atelier. We were having a lovely time when we were abruptly told that they needed the table to accommodate a couple who didn't want to sit outside. We had only been there for a little over an hour and were still in the middle of our meal due to slow service. On top of that, there was an empty table available. Confused, but rather than protest and make a scene, we took to-go boxes and paid. We even tipped generously because it is a small business. But, in retrospect, we shouldn't have because it is hard to imagine worse service. We hesitated to leave this review, but this was ridiculous and ruined an otherwise wonderful day and meal. Truly, we should have demanded an apology and our money refunded. If after reading this review, you still decide to eat at Bintu Atelier: 1. Know your order before you arrive because your food will take a very long time. 2. Ask your waitress precisely how long you have to eat. 3. Bring your own to-go cups because there are none available if you don't finish your $6 drinks. 4. Eat fast and get out before you get kicked out. read more

Unfortunately we had a bad experience as a result of poor service. We had to wait outside to be seated well past our reservation time. Then we had to wait a long time to order our food and receive our food. Finally, unbelievably, we were told we had to vacate our table in 10 minutes due to another party arriving. The food was okay with the best dish being Shito Spicy Crab. Given the wonderful restaurants were enjoyed during our 4 day stay we would not recommend this restaurant. read more

This restaurant is a must visit. The food was amazing and the service was great! The mafe and shito crab rice are a must try. Get the soursop juice too - so refreshing read more

Cute spot but make a reservation! The staff were very nice. The food was delicious! I want to try more of the menu. The juice was sooo good but the best thing we had was the homemade ice cream, mint and pistachio, I would go back just for that alone! I highly recommend! read more

Great hidden gem in Charleston and the owner was amazing. She was very kind to come out and talk to us

Very chill. Just went today with my family, including my mother who is allergic to gluten. Amazing service. I would recommend the yassa.

Unique flavors, well prepared. A unique setting, well designed and decorated. Warm, friendly chef and staff

Amazing food! Everything was incredible, from the soursop juice to the plantains (a must-try). It was all so delicious and I highly recommend. Definitely a new experience here in Chs read more

Bintü Atelier - Shinto Crab Fried Rice - African Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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This restaurant, ambiance and overall experience was amazing! The staff was very attentive and the food was simply amazing! We traveled from NC for the weekend and would not hesitate to visit again. read more

We had an absolutely spectacular dinner at Bintu Atelier and will go again. Three of us shared: (1) the Shito Spicy Crab Rice (perfectly seasoned and nicely spicy with a lovely portion of crab), (2) the Yassa lamb with olives and rice - also superb, and (3) the Thieboudieun - my personal favorite. Beautiful flavors and preparation. Walked to their neighbor, City Lights Market, and purchased an excellent French red wine that worked beautifully with the entire meal. One of us also had the pineapple and Ginger juice which was very yummy. First rate experience, warm and welcoming service, generous portions and exceptional meal. Do yourself a favor and go! read more