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California Dreaming

3.2 (989 reviews)
ModerateSeafood, Salad, American
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

California Dreaming Photos

Business Info

CALIFORNIA DREAMING ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - California Dreaming

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Reviews With Photos

Chicken Tenders
Julia R.

The California Dreaming patio is one of the best places in Charleston to go on a nice day after 4 pm. This is my favorite spot on a Friday afternoon. Beautiful view, lots of seating and reasonable prices. You will want to come early, because it fills up quickly! We enjoyed drinks and apps on Friday afternoon. All 3 apps were good, but the seafood nachos were overly creamy. I wish they would bring the bbq nachos back!

Pretty
Laura P.

Great view - we didn't get anything because it was crowded and waiting for a long time- couldn't get their attention! I think the place at least on Google maps is called Ashley patio bar so that is what this is. No comment on food or drink.

Menu Front!!
Dr. Scott C.

Food usually solid here at California Dreaming!! Great Spring Day today so great views of Downtown and the Ashley River!! Today Host Stand little frazzled with seating us in the Bar area. Took about 15 minutes and there were only 3 booths taken out of the many. Plus they were seating in the main dining room before us. We finally got seated and our waitress was very nice. Looks like they were struggling to bus the main dining area several dirty tables left unattended. Ordered the croissants for appetizer and we ordered the California Dreaming Salads with Honey Mustard Dressings! Yummy! Only 4 Stars today just look like lack of communication slowing them down!

Menu
Daniel Y.

This restaurant caught my eye from the balcony of my hotel room. It's a huge structure that really stands out and the 50' American flag was also an eye catcher. This restaurant had a lot of mixed reviews but I really wanted to checkout this restaurant. The interior of this restaurant was really impressive, and the enormous windows offer great views of the bridge and Ashely river. The food on the other hand was just ok. I guess the food was not really the draw. Everything we order did not impress us at all.

Luis D.

I stopped by for the first time this past Friday. I came by boat and appreciated the ample boat parking space. The dock is well maintained. We decided to sit outside since it was a beautiful day. Staff and service were decently quick albeit they refused to serve some seats right next to the last table. I thought this was a little strange since staff walks by the area. Outdoor tables and seats were clean. Bathrooms were also well stocked and clean. We didn't eat much but I did taste the soup, fries, and croissants. All items were good. I'll definitely look to return. I hear the steak is wonderful.

Shrimp taco
William G.

We got to Charleston a little late Friday night and I wanted a restaurant knew there would be surplus parking. Despite it being around 9pm the lit up marina and city is still a nice view. We did advance reservation so had no wait upon entry. We went with starters of loaded baked potato soup and 5 count croissants. The soup was hit or miss, can't go wrong with croissants. I really like scallops but it wasn't on menu so went with shrimp taco w side of seasoned veggies $16.95. My wife choose shrimp & grits, it was a hefty portion but way too much gravy on top. My tacos were edible but if I'm being honest the fish tacos I get from our local Mexican were better. These two entrees were probably not the best selections here but were on their menu so I will say it was just so so. This review may have been lower but we had a peach of a server Madison. She elevated our meal with her conservation about Charleston about recommended attractions. We would definitely have to pick different entrees if dined here again, overall mixed feelings some good some bad.

Our Famous Croissants (5)
James H.

Just had a large family dinner here this evening and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish! The interior is beautifully designed, with big open windows that give you a great view of boats passing by - it really sets a relaxing, coastal vibe. The service was absolutely fantastic. Our waitress was attentive without ever being overbearing, constantly checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. On top of that, the restaurant was spotless and just had an all-around pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. We kicked things off with their famous croissants, which came out warm and fluffy, topped with a honey butter sauce that's truly to die for. They disappeared in seconds - so good that we ordered an extra box to take home. For my entree, I went with the crab cakes served alongside mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies, which were green beans and onions. Honestly, some of the best crab cakes I've ever had - perfectly cooked and paired with a sauce that made each bite even better. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful, and the green beans had just the right amount of snap. I cleaned my plate. My girlfriend ordered the fried shrimp with green beans and loved it. She also had a cocktail that she couldn't stop talking about. All in all, we had an amazing time. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and a lovely atmosphere.

View from your table!
Devin K.

I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant as the location is what took me there as it's right in the water. The only set back would be the food- to me it's basic and not the best. I think it could use some more variety and a flavor takeover but the salads are good enough!

Renee S.

Yelp Review - California Dreaming (Charleston, SC) Great waterfront atmosphere and well-made drinks. The She Crab Soup is a must-try--rich and flavorful. Steaks were cooked to order but could use a bit more seasoning. Some dishes felt slightly overpriced, but overall, the food was enjoyable. Friendly service and a solid dining experience, though there's room for improvement. Still worth a visit for the views and drinks!

Seafood Nachos
Aisha H.

After a day at the beach of course we had to grab food before heading back home. Luckily for us we had family with us who recommended this place and called ahead to make a reservation- which thank god because we came here 7ish on a Saturday night and this place was packed! Which is a good sign. We waited still almost an hour before being sat but we were able to pass the time going outside and looking for fish in the water and watching the boats sail by and park at the dock. Once we were seated our waitress came immediately - the lighting is very dim at night but there still is enough lighting and the views of the water are breathtaking. We started with some appetizers and soup- we went with the she crab soup which our waitress told us was a must, the baked potato soup ( it was just ok), the famous croissants topped with honey butter which were 10/10 and some seafood nachos ( I was hesitant on these but don't let looks fool you these were also easily 10/10). Now for the main course my cousin and husband went with the Charleston seafood pasta (which was perfection), our other cousin went with the Ashley which our waitress said was her favorite thing on the menu and I went with the blackened chicken pasta with a side of fries for my daughter and I to share both ( I preferred my husbands sauce from his pasta because his had the cream and also a lemony kick) but still was good. I didn't catch our waitresses name but she had dreads and told us she's originally from new York but amazing service- very attentive and brought everything out pretty quickly. Would definitely stop by again when in the Charleston area.

Chicken Strips
Scher S.

Haven't eaten here in a while so it seamed like a good choice and although the service was great and very well organized the food was good but not great. At one point their chicken strips were so good & a staple when I came here but have fallen short to the routine of preparation and just weren't memorable. My husband enjoyed his seafood platter so next time I visit, I'll have to find something else on the menu which shouldn't be hard because they have a great variety of menu options.

Shrimp tacos
Shannon W.

I thought this spot was great! Staff was very friendly, great views of the water. My shrimp tacos were exactly what I wanted them to be. Nice flavor, good sauce. You can choose your own side, so I went with mashed potatoes which were very tasty. It's also close to many local hotels. I'll definitely book this one for next time!

Menu

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5 days ago

The food was very good, but more importantly the service was exceptional. Our waiter Mark went above and beyond to make our meal great!

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1 month ago

Excellent food and service. Our out of town friends enjoyed the food and harbor views.

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Ask the Community - California Dreaming

Do you take reservations?

Hi Bill, We accept online priority seating via our website or Opentable. To reserve, please visit: www.californiadreaming.rest. Thanks and looking forward to serving you soon.

We have family from California visiting and they are nervous to go for inside dining. Do you have outside dining for 8 or more people and if so can we make a reservation?

Hi, thank you so much for choosing California Dreaming. We can only accomodate parties of 6. We do also offer outdoor dining, but it's no reservations, limited menu, more of a bar atmosphere on the water.

View All 4 Questions

Verde

Verde

4.1(177 reviews)
1.4 mi•Radcliffborough
•$

5 stars for great, hearty salads in a convenient location…read more King Street has tons of sit down restaurants, but when I was in need of a quick, healthy lunch to take on the go, Yelp led me to Verde. I opted for the mesa verde thanks to many great reviews about it. It consists of romaine lettuce, cilantro, black beans, chicken, tomatoes, red onions, corn, tortilla strips, and I subbed in a lemon tahini dressing. I also got a kombucha to-go, but they had plenty of other great canned drinks including Poppi. I didn't eat there as I was planning to cowork at my hotel, but everything was packed well and traveled well. Overall, a solid lunch option for people on the go!

Charleston's local salad bowl place has moved their location a couple of blocks and rebranded a…read morebit. They offer some marketplace items in addition to diverse and customizable salads. When I arrived to pick up mine, the one person there was sitting on the counter, which I found a little dubious (near the cash register, not in a food prep area). My salad was nonetheless resplendent, both in appearance and in substance. Ample options were offered, and mixing fruit with basil for flavor and adding a black bean burger to my greens to fill me up gave me a salad that took two sittings to finish. Ordering a hard to find local tea from their marketplace wasn't a bad decision either. There is a little room here to sit in, but this outlet is clearly geared towards takeout, and it is quality stuff.

Photos
Verde - Interior of Verde at 433 King

Interior of Verde at 433 King

Verde
Verde - YES to fresh greens and wholesome ingredients. Excellent Carolina Cobb Salads @ Verde-King Street. #YelpCharleston

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YES to fresh greens and wholesome ingredients. Excellent Carolina Cobb Salads @ Verde-King Street. #YelpCharleston

Basic Kitchen - Almond cake w strawberry

Basic Kitchen

4.3(631 reviews)
1.4 mi•King Street
•$$

I would 10/10 recommend Basic Kitchen to anyone visiting Charleston! Perfect for brunch or lunch…read moreafter walking on King Street. It's a sit down brunch spot with a warm atmosphere. I'd make a reservation. Staff was very respectful of food allergies. Good vegan options. Very inclusive menu. I highly recommend the sweet potato fries. My boyfriend and I still talk about how good they are!

We had a wonderful dinner at Basic Kitchen, located just a short walk from King Street. The…read morerestaurant has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that feels very community-driven and intimate, making it a great spot for a relaxed dinner. When we visited on a weekday evening, we were seated quickly with no wait! We started with the corn ribs, which were honestly one of the BEST appetizers we've ever had! They had the texture and flavor of ribs but were made from corn and served with an incredible chipotle dipping sauce that brought everything together perfectly! For our main dish, we ordered the spinach and feta pita, which was warm, gooey, and packed with flavor. The pita was stuffed with spinach and feta, making it rich and comforting--almost like a warm hug. It also came with a fresh side salad that was tangy and refreshing, which balanced the richness of the pita really well! I do wish that the pita was a bit more flavorful on the inside, not just the outside. My husband also ordered an Old Fashioned and said it was excellent. Overall, the food felt incredibly fresh and thoughtfully prepared. If you're looking for a cozy spot in Charleston with fresh ingredients and great flavors, this place is definitely worth visiting!

Photos
Basic Kitchen - Dining Room

Dining Room

Basic Kitchen - Striped snapper w mushrooms. Yum!

Striped snapper w mushrooms. Yum!

Basic Kitchen - Corn "ribs"

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Corn "ribs"

Stella's - No 5 Pasta

Stella's

4.6(613 reviews)
1.4 mi•Radcliffborough
•$$

We had such a fun date night at Stella's downtown. I made us a reservation for a Saturday night at…read morethe bar, which we really enjoyed. We were surprised when we walked in and the bar was actually low, with low, spinny bar seats. But it actually was pretty unique and fun! Our server was excellent and gave us great recommendations. We started with the Stella's Kalamari that had sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and artichoke hearts. It was very flavorful and delicious. Something to keep in mind here is that the portions are pretty large. Perfect for splitting dishes and a lot of food for your buck. The stand out dish for me was the spanakopita. It's a flaky, crispy pastry with spinach and feta inside that you dip in tzatziki. What's not to love about all of that?? We splurged a bit on our entree and split the braised lamb shank. The lamb itself was pretty good, but what I enjoyed most was the pasta it comes with. I would maybe suggest trying a different entree. It wasn't my favorite, but it was good. For drinks I got the Cretan, which had cucumber infused gin, lime, rosemary and thyme. It was so refreshing and just what I wanted. I will definitely be coming back here and recommending it to others!

My husband made my birthday dreams come true by reserving a table at Stella's. We are from…read moreRichmond, VA and are avid fans of the original location. Having one here is amazing. We started off with cocktails and ordered the octopus and mushroom saganaki to start. Both dishes were flavorful and tasty. I ordered the pikilia platter for my entree. Everything was good but the souvlaki was too heavy on the salt. My husband was going to get a steak. Our server, Katrina, told him that there was no steak special that evening but the chef had a pork chop taking its place as a nightly feature. He thought the description sounded good so he ordered it. He was very happy with his meal. When the bill came, he said "good thing I liked that pork chop. It was $50!" In the restaurants defense, he should have asked for the price before he ordered. We just never in our wildest dreams imagined a pork chop entree would come out to $50. Overall, we enjoyed our meal. It isn't really fair to compare this to the Richmond location. In all honesty, if this was my first Stella's meal and I had nothing to compare it to it would be an easy 5 stars. We will no doubt return but will ask how much the special is in the future.

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Stella's
Stella's
Stella's - Pikela

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Pikela

California Dreaming - seafood - Updated May 2026

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