I've been following Charleston's & chef Wolf's instagrams since I moved to Baltimore in August and I always knew I had to try this place soon. I just love that they use local and seasonal produce with ingredients of quality & they love what they do. I consider myself a food lover and this is the dream place for food lovers. We had the most exquisite experience in our anniversary dinner tonight. Staff Was outstanding since We arrived. We started waiting for a couple of minutes by the bar and the bartender was super attentive and made great cocktails. We moved to our table and We got the 4 courses each of Us and it was incredible food. Very generous & very beautiful plating. Desserts are so good. They sent Us some sparkling wine to end our night as a courtesy for our anniversary. Thank You for the amazing experience. We definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

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OK - I admit it. I've eaten at fine restaurants all over the country. Very fine ones, including many that cost twice as much as the Charleston, and not a one of them is better than the Charleston. I don't say that lightly - this is probably one of the very best restaurants I've been to EVER - definitely in the top three, and probably in the top ONE. A lot of things set it apart. The food is simply awesome. Flavors that you never thought would go together like that, but are simply magic food. The service is top notch. The tables are far apart, not close together - and you can hear yourself think and not the people at the table next to you. The portion sizes are exactly right - you don't leave hungry, but you're not so stuffed that you can't walk. Save room for dessert, because it's included, even if you get only three courses. The wine list has something for everyone. Unlike the vast majority of "Celebrity Chef" places - this one still actually has the Celebrity Chef - which means a lot. She didn't just come in, dictate the menu, and sweep out leaving the work to her minions - she's actually there (and was, in fact, chatting with the folks at the table next to ours). If you have (well behaved and dressed) kids - the waiter will make them feel like they own the place. I simply cannot say enough good things about the Charleston. It will be the best dining experience you've ever had. read more

Good food, not great. A bit steep in the pricing for what you get. I liked it and it was fun, but I probably won't go back to much. Nice ambience though. read more

We ordered takeout from Charleston for last night (you have to order a day in advance). I wasn't sure how well their food would travel but everything was incredible. They clearly took a lot of care in packing the food with sauces and crunchy parts separately, even with the salad and dessert. We ordered the lamb shanks and the duck, along with soup, salad, dessert and cocktail for an at home date night. Everything was prepared with the same care and attention you would expect eating there, and tasted just as good as in the restaurant. I think they were careful to prepare it right for our pickup time so it didn't sit waiting. We'll definitely do this again for our at home date nights until dining out can safely resume. Thanks to the charleston for offering fine dining takeout at this time. It's nice to be able to have a special meal despite everything. read more

I made a reso to this restaurant after reading reviews e xpecting the food to be good. I was wrong. The food is incredible! My 15 years old had the 4 course menu, heavily influenced by French cuisine and loved it. Another plus- no music, so you can maintain conversation and not be annoyed by tunes you do not like. Great atmosphere, detail oriented service. Will be back! read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

All the food here was fabulous, and the chef even came out to say a small hello to all the tables. Service was impeccable in every way. Our personal favorite dish was the lobster soup that had a depth of taste i've never had before. The squab and tenderloin were perfectly cooked. The coffee panna cotta had a very subtle coffee flavor to compliment its lightness, and to me as a coffeelover, thats been a challenge for every coffee dessert i've had. It really seemed like no one had a bad a dish in the whole restaurant, so try it all! I doubt the chef could do anything badly, and we'll definitely be back to check out the rest *be forewarned, restaurant has a pre-fixed 3,4,5, or 6 course set up read more

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We had dinner at this restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday. We ordered a 3 course dinner with wine pairing and a Chef's menu of the moment. For the 3 courses, we chose the rich lobster soup with curry, pan roasted turbot and pan roasted duck. The courses were served as an entree, and there was no distinction between appetizer or main course. Despite that, we were stuffed and barely managed to finish our desserts. The food was exquisite with a touch of Asian fusion, although I have had better degustation experiences at other restaurants. The service was impeccable and intimate. I informed the restaurant ahead of time that it was my boyfriend's birthday and the service staff showered him with birthday wishes throughout the night, which made the narcissist in him very happy. All in all, a very pleasant experience. It was fine dining with intimate service, and we left happy and satisfied. Indisputably one of the best restaurants in Baltimore, and although pricey at ~$100/person, it is worth it. :) read more

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lovely meal. The food was incredible as were the wines and service. We did the 5 course memo with wine-pairing as we wanted to try so many of the dishes. They were all fantastic. And sure enough, the amazing chef, Cindy Wolf, was overseeing the kitchen on Saturday evening. As it is said, my compliments to the chef. read more

We recently celebrated our anniversary at the Charleston and the chef came out and introduced herself and talk to us about her menu and she was very considerate of my allergies and ensured that my meal was safe for me. The restaurant was beautiful, the servers were attentive and friendly and the food was very delicious! Thank you all for a wonderful evening! read more

Had a very difficult time getting to the restaurant due to construction detours. We were late but our table was still available. We were pleasantly greeted and seated at a lovely table. Attentive staff (except once when a napkin had to be requested as they had removed the prior one between courses.) We also had to ask to have the very large wine list removed as it took up so much of the table (and we were going to have the wine pairings with our meal.) We ordered the 4 course meal with the wine pairings. We got a little guidance through the large menu. My husband enjoyed most of the wine pairings but felt like a few needed more time to breathe before serving. The wine pairings with my meal mostly missed the mark. I did try to explain my preferences and the waiter/sommelier was quick to swap out the wine I did not like. I think in the future I would skip the wine pairing and simply order what I like on the side. The lobster bisque was very good. We enjoyed the steak tartare and salmon. The scallops (well scallop) was a bit too salty and the special pasta dish could have used a bit more salt (both were good otherwise.) The duck had a large vein running through it which made it tough to eat. The lamb was ok but here is where a little more guidance in menu choices would have helped as it did not go with the previous dishes (seafood.) The bread was good (great cornbread fingers!) and replenished through the meal. Dessert was fine but a bit underwhelming. We were congratulated on our anniversary several times. All in all a nice experience but not quite 5 stars for us. read more

Get the whole menu with pairings if u can splurge a grand- totally worth it! I have been there with 3 more people on a weekend night and we have ordered everything (yes, every single thing on the menu with the wine pairings and desserts) and rotated them all night just like in a Bourdain show. Our server Chanel was incredible, impeccable service from the start to the very end. Every single thing I tried was amazing, according to my boyfriend the desserts were a little too usual ( I don't agree with him though, I have enjoyed them). I don't know why this restaurant don't have a Michelin star because she really deserves it. I have had a few 3star experiences before in New York City and none of them was as impeccable as this one, yet simple ingredients with a creative combination. I was simply amazed! read more

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Undoubtedly one of the best meals of my life. You do need to be dressed nicely for this location, but it's worth getting dressed well for. The bisques are absolutely amazing. I would recommend this to everyone and will return every single time I'm in Baltimore read more

Food is one thing I will spend almost any amount of money on so I wasn't intimidated by the pricey menu. I was, however, intimidated by the menu itself because there are so many options to choose from, each sounding more delectable than the last. I valet parked my car (for free!) and was warmly greeted in the foyer (after trying to maneuver the extremely heavy doors). The lounge area (where I requested the reservation) is absolutely stunning! I went with four courses because I couldn't narrow the choices down to three, and five or six would be way too filling. I opted out of the wine pairing and instead chose a 3 ounce glass of white for the first few courses and a red for the last. I have to give acknowledgement to the waiter's incredible wine recommendations-the staff is very knowledgeable so do take advantage of it! I selected my bread from the kind gentleman and I was literally on my second bite when my first course arrived. Now I'm all for prompt service but the pacing could have been better- I felt rushed! My first course was the lobster curry soup because everyone raves about it - it did not disappoint. The lobster was succulent and the soup was unbelievably rich - it was my absolute favorite course of the night. Up next was the fried oysters (another selection made based on popularity). They were perfectly fried, delicate and very filling. Two more courses to go - how am I going to do this? Third course was the salmon with lemon risotto and friend green tomatoes. My favorite part was the risotto (I desperately tried to get the last grains on my fork) and the fried green tomato added great texture, but the salmon was forgettable. Last course was the foie gras #1; served on brioche toast with a fried quail egg. I had my most visceral reaction to this course as it was probably the best first bite of any meal I have ever had. But I found it difficult to finish because I was already full by the time I received this course and it was very rich- the bread was practically soaked in butter. I knew it was a gamble having this course last but I do not regret it. I got the stone fruit with marscarpone for dessert and it was very good but hard to enjoy after four courses. The service was definitely five stars. The table was reset after each course and the staff are very attentive and knowledgeable. My plate was always cleared instantaneously and my water never reached the half level. The downside is that because you are interacting with so many different people it feels very impersonal. The food was excellent; although some courses were stronger than others, everything was consistently excellent. The lobster soup was my favorite and I will order it whenever I visit. My bill was under $120 (not including tip) for four courses and two 3 oz glasses of wine. I consider that a steal for such an incredible meal and service. I'm already planning my four courses for my next visit. read more

Our meal was fantastic. We opted for the four course tasting menu and each dish was better than the last. The service was outstanding. read more

I have tried this restaurant a couple of times, though expensive, their food is really high quality and waiters are incredibly attentive. Really enjoyed my meals here. read more

It's the most expensive restaurant in Baltimore but for good reason. Wow, everything we tried was amazing! Not only was the food and drinks spectacular but what an experience. The service and kitchen staff were phenomenal. If you can get a seat against the wall you have a view of the open kitchen, which was fascinating to watch. I was stuffed with 4 courses (and the bf stuffed after 6) and we appreciated the small desserts. Next time I think I'll try 3 courses and then the cheese plate, because I had no room! read more

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Our first post-COVID trip to Charleston was great. The service is excellent, the waiter was an excellent guide to the tasting menu. We selected four courses with wine pairings. The advantage of this is we could sample eight dishes and wines. Standouts were the Haddock, sweetbreads and the Berringer red wine. Chef Cindy Wolf visited after the service. Good to see they are still doing well, we will be back! read more

Another overdue review. Well prepared dishes, attentive service, excellent menu. It's a delightfully fancy joint, which was a refreshing surprise as I know better than to have expectations of restaurants anymore. These folks are on top of their game. Absolutely delicious, fresh hot food, aromatic beverages, flawless service. It sure is nice to have a place you can patronize and rely on their consistent excellence. BRAVO! read more

The most outstanding dining experience ever! Food, staff, and wine made this the best date night we've ever had. Every bite and every sip was better than the last. Three courses, pear and spinach salad, amazing. We had scallops, lamb, pheasant, lobster bisque all absolutely delicious. Bryan couldn't have been a better help picking and choosing and teaching us how to order to get the most out of our experience. We will be returning without a doubt. read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I had the pleasure to had Grace this amazing restaurant. I tried the multi course and I was pleased with every dish they brought out. The staff here treat me like family. Worth every dime!!! read more

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This restaurant offers pairable spectacular courses of your choosing in numerous fashions that allow you to build the feast of your dreams. Everything that I witnessed was served in a most superb style with the chatter silencing soon after food delivery. A golden hush at the moment of flavorable glory!!!! Just fantastic! read more

I preface this review by noting that Yelpers have stated that this restaurant is not worth the price. This may be so, but if you are going here, you should know that in advance. This isn't a restaurant where you just show up and then suddenly realize the meals start at $79 for three courses and no alcohol. my parents took me and the wife here for a special occasion. We would not have normally gone here because of the price. That aside, the food is good. The wife and I ordered the lobster bisque. This is the second time we have eaten there and second time we each had the lobster bisque. Each time the base was good, but the lobster was tough. We thought it was a mistake the first time. Apparently it was not. The mozzarella would have been great... as a dessert. The blood orange killed the subtlety of this dish. It just tasted like blood orange and the beets tasted like nothing. The goat cheese and mushroom puff pastry was outstanding. The wife and I each had this and loved it. We each ordered the dourade, which was good. The wife complained that she ate too slow and as a result it became oily quickly. She had three really good bites. I eat like a pig and did not have the same problem. I ordered the duo of tartare (salmon and rockfish). This was delicious. It was salty and perfectly seasoned without being overpowering. The desserts were good. Among the four of us, we had all of the desserts. The milk chocolate mousse torte was the best. Service here is hard to beat. No complaints. Cindy Wolf came out to talk to us twice and seemed genuinely interested in speaking to the customers. I recommend this place if you don't mind dropping $135 a person minimum and like small courses. Better still, get taken there by someone who pays your bill. read more

As many others have said, the best meal I've ever eaten, hands down. My wife and I both ordered "The Season" (the chef's selection menu) with wine pairings, and none of the dishes disappointed. The standout for me was the rich lobster soup with curry. The presentation was amazing and the flavor combination was as wonderful as it was unexpected. The local buffalo tenderloin was also amazing, so much so that I was a bit sad when I finished it. The service was excellent. The door staff took my wife's coat and returned it to her at the end of the night with no coat check ticket or description of the coat she checked (I guess they just remember what coat goes with each diner? Or they store the coats with the table number? However they do it it was a nice touch). When the waitress brought the check, she also took our valet ticket so our car was waiting when we finished dinner. Overall, Charleston is just an incredible dining experience. The only bad thing I could say about it is that it's so expensive I won't be able to return as quickly as I'd like. read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Came here for a business dinner and was blown away. Quiet and intimate ambiance (I noticed a lot of couples having dinner- probably a special occasion). Food was outstanding. The filet of mignon I had was one of the most delicious and succulent steaks I ever had, in fabulous mushroom sauce. Service was extremely attentive without being obtrusive. One of the best. read more

We had dinner at the Charleston to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. From stepping out of the car we were treated like stars. They call you by your last name, offer you cashmere wraps in case you get cold and offer to hang your coat. The food was amazing. We chose the four course meal option. And even though you don't get a load of food on your plate you are still full and satisfied. I will definitely go back and enjoy a seat at the bar next time. read more

I went to dine at Charleston for my father-in-law's birthday. First thing I noticed as soon as we walked in was their supreme service! A man checked our reservation and said happy birthday to my father-in-law, took our coats and led us to our table. The servers pulled out the chairs for us to be seated. She explained the menu thoroughly for the first-timers! We went with the 3 course meal and although we all ordered something different, I got a bite of all the other plates. I ordered big eye tuna tartare, crab soup with curry, and the beef tenderloin steak. Personally tartare was my favorite, it literally dissolved in my mouth! The best I've ever had the soup was very creamy and the flavor went very well with the crab!! The best soup I've ever had!! Steak was also excellent, the perfect crisp on the outside and the tenderness in the inside. Hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever been to!! Their top notch service is also something that makes this place stand out from all the others. (It's to the point where when you get up from your chair to find the restroom, a server comes and says "this way, ma'am." Lol you don't even have to say a word.) Would definitely visit again!! Worth every penny (it's A LOT of pennies though, just a heads up ) read more

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Amazing amazing. Amazing there is nothing else to say! Fantastic food fantastic service fantastic ambiance! We will be back!

This was a gift from our son which is a good thing because it was disappointing. Their website says to be on time as the bar has limited space. Our reservation was for 5:00 (the first seating) on a Saturday. We were told the staff was in a meeting and told to wait in the bar. Hmmm. We were not seated for another 15-20 minutes. The dining room was very nice. We were seated at the window with views of the harbor. We chose the four course option. My husband and I both chose the lobster bisque. The lobster was presented in the bowl and the server poured the bisque at the table. The bisque was delicious, however the lobster was over cooked and rubbery. We could not chew and swallow most of the large pieces of lobster. I also had a piece of shell. Second course was salad and both were something we would love to eat again. Third course was white truffle fettuccine for my husband and asparagus risotto for me. The risotto was crunchy. When I told the server, his response was, "It is too al dente for you?" Duh. I wouldn't call it al dente. I opted for the fettuccine which I enjoyed but when you break it down the portion was minuscule for the price of $30. There was probably only three or four strands of pasta. Course four was the pan roasted rockfish. Delicious. Complimentary desert was limoncello cake and white chocolate brûlée. My husband thought the cake was dry and stiff. He had better at Olive Garden. I love brûlée and it was prepared well, however I didn't taste the white chocolate. As I said at the beginning, this was a gift. I wouldn't spend my own money to eat here again. read more

UPDATED: To the credit of this restaurant--a credit I take seriously--the management reached out to me to apologize. Not everyone by any means is that good. I have to commend the management for their oversight. It takes a lot of people to run a restaurant. 99% may do their jobs perfectly, but the 1% can ruin the effort. Thank you, Charleston Restaurant, for addressing my review. I appreciate it greatly. OLD REVIEW: Don't go. I was sorry from the moment I walked in the door until the moment I left. When I walked in, my fiancee and I were wearing regular shoes because we went from the Harbor Court Hotel to the Baltimore Aquarium to the restaurant. When we walked in, the Maitre D, looked at my shoes and said "I take it you have not been here before." I go to Michelin-starred restaurants all the time and I know when I am seated in the proverbial "Siberia." Charleston will never have even one Michelin star. I also noticed that in the backroom, "Siberia," my fiancee and I were seated with minorities in traditional garb. I don't believe this was an accident. Those in charge of seating have a bias. I ordered the tasting menu. Badly composed. Every dish was rich with no break in between courses. Even the "salad" was hot and rich and I ordered it because I could see the problem in the menu coming and hoped to avoid it. No luck. A tactless, ill-thought place to eat. read more

One of my dear friends brought me here for my 30th Birthday! She and I love trying out different places and the Charleston had been on our radar. We were seated in the Wine Library and it was lovely. The Rich Lobster Soup with Curry was just amazing and probably the most succulent lobster I have ever had. We moved on to the infamous Charleston Oysters which were sadly disappointing. The oysters were a bit greasy. I let our waiter know and he quickly rectified the issue and brought out the Shrimp and Grits which were excellent. They also brought out a piece of cake with a candle, in addition to my dessert order. Which was a nice added a touch. Overall a great experience and wonderful service. I think that is what makes the Charleston stand out, it is an experience. read more

This is my new favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Charleston is hands down amazing in every aspect. Since my words cannot accurately do justice and accurately depict the high quality, subtle flavors, and seemingly intricate preparation of each dish here, I'll save myself the embarrassment. What you do need to know is that every item on Charleston's menu is fabulous. You can't go wrong with anything. Speaking of menu, it changes pretty frequently -- weekly, I believe. There are about 20 dishes on the menu and you can choose any of these for a 3, 4, 5, or 6 course meal with varying prices. And of course, there are also wine pairing (3 oz) available for each dish. Dessert is a separate menu, and included in the price for the 3-6 course meal. Service is impeccable, valet parking is complimentary, and you'll leave wanting to come back sooner rather than later. read more

My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. We were able to have the valet park our car so it made it really simple. Once we were inside, the hostess took us to our table. We sat by a window and was able to people watch as well. I think all the tables by the windows were meant for couples as we noted the larger groups were always sat on the 'inside'. Our waitress was very soft-spoken but was very thorough in explaining how the menu works and offering suggestions. We both went with the 4 course dinner (without wine pairing). The lobster curry bisque was to die for. We both wanted more! The mushroom risotto was cooked perfectly. The veal tenderloin was oh so tasty, perfect combination of sides and sauce. The duck breast was really delicious as well. My husband had the special of the day - halibut, and it was moist and flaky. His beef tenderloin was also very delicious. The shrimp and grits looked watery but was perfectly cooked and seasoned. All the dishes were paired perfectly with the sides, textures and sauces. Dessert doesn't count as a course, and I had the creme brulee trio - the chocolate was the best of the 3! The goat cheese cheesecake was interesting, and definitely depend if you like goat cheese. As it was our anniversary, they gave us an extra platter of sweets - the macaroons were so fresh and tasty! We would definitely visit again, and also recommend to our family/friends. But note, this is a very pricey restaurant, so don't be scared when you see your final bill! read more

It was our 5 year anniversary and they made it a special evening for us. The service and ambiance were top notch as always but the food stole the show. We each got 4 courses (We split my 5th course of the Steak tartare). Curry lobster soup was my favorite of the 4 courses, fresh thick pieces of lobster in an incredibly flavorful soup. The bison tenderloin was right up there, cooked perfectly with an amazing sauce. Thank you chef Wolf for a great night! read more

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OMG it the best meal I ever had. THE BEST MEAL I EVER HAD !! I can't say that enough.. You order the food by courses.. we had the 5 course meal.. I had Lobster bisque soup Arugula salad Shrimp and grits Rock fish Buffalo tenderloin but this actually turns into 7 courses because. it actually included cheese and desert What made this even more over the top was the FANTASTIC AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE .. Our server was Leslie.. If you go here ask for her.. she is awesome.. and strikingly beautiful. You can't go wrong with her. read more

Charleston - New American Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Amazing food everytime with excellent service I love that you can create your own tasting. read more

The entire experience was simply amazing! The service was excellent and the food was delicious. read more

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Not Michelin nor world-class service. No one should be denied good service. Do not treat customers who do not look like the majority population that you seat in the front dining area like they are less than. Older people, those with disabilities, not the ideal weight or any other marginal group should not be separated from the main dining area in front and seated for a three-course meal in the bar area with no other customers but a cocktail size table and one chair for a group of people. I was embarassed for bringing my family to a place that I did not expect to treat people this way. We were first asked to sit in the bar area and when this seating was refused due to the fact there was not room to eat our meal, excessive sun and no one else was sitting in this area, we were shown a dark back room with no overhead lighting and all black walls. Why couldn't we sit with the rest of the customers? I had to again ask to be seated with the other customers in the main dining area because again we were dressed appropriately and we had a reservation and were on time. Why would you sit my family in the dark back room? One of the personnel went in the coat closet and lifted up what looked like a college student lamp for me to take to use in the dark room. I had to state that my family deserved to sit with the rest of the customers who were all in the dining area in front with the windows not in the back room they tried to sit us in. Concerning the food, the menu stated family style sides. A bowl arrived which was the size you wash your fingers before a meal, and inside was enough greens to fit on one spoon. We had more than one person at our table and this was the family sized portion that was advertised? Again, poor treatment and false advertising that you are providing a family size portion is not professional, world-class and certainly not award worthy. What should have been a good experience was memorable but not in a good way. The physical space is appealing but the service...Unacceptable! read more

High expectations but disappointing. The service, presentation were fantastic, however the initial sales talk of a customized menu based on preferences was less than accurate (being very nice). As i said the presentation and portion sizes. Which often at this level are small, were pleasantly surprising which made the disappointment worse as the food went on the tongue even after the nose was happy. One word SALT Good enough to give it a try again but.... . read more

AMAZING. My husband and I did the 4 course meal along with the wine pairings for each. I started with the lobster soup which was heavenly. Next, I moved on to the saffron risotto. After, I had the white truffle fettuccini and I ended with a special which was a beef wellington. Every single thing was fantastic. I can confidently say this is the best food i've ever had. The service is immaculate as well and the staff is very knowledgeable about the menu as well as the extensive wine list. The price is absolutely worth the experience. We will be back! read more

The food was very good - well executed classics that weren't innovative but well done. Unfortunately the continuous waitstaff blunders ruined the evening for us. We had 2 classes of champagne to start but the glasses had lip marks all over them - disgusting. Then, Ken ordered the wine pairings and I said I'd have a glass of wine later in the meal and never had the opportunity(and was never asked) to order one. We commented to our waiter (the guy with a beard and glasses) how much we looked forward to the cheese trolly. Every glass of wine was dumped into Ken's glass with an announcement of the grape but no details about the maker or why it was selected to go with the course. While good, it was a bit of mystery theater that was unacceptable. The moment then came for cheese and it got whisked away to another table - 20 minutes later, still no trolley so we told our waiter we'd skip it and move on to desserts. I was skeptical about the cheese service after watching the team use a single butcher knife to cut the cheese and one clueless server not knowing how to cut a cheese - he flipped it on the side and serviced the top rind to the customer. The "complimentary" desserts (how they described it on the menu) were nothing short of a disappointment and I can see why they give them away for free. The abuse from the waiter then started when he hinted we couldn't afford another meal there and we could always get the cheese in the bar without having to pay for the 3 course dinner (for the record we paid for a 5 course with pairings and Ken's shoes cost more than our dinner). As if the rudeness of our waiter wasn't done - we went to get our car from the valet and another waiter cut in front of us because they are supposed to have the car waiting for you when you get to the door. Guess our waiter didn't want to bother with helping us with that too? The chef had her back to the customers the whole meal - she should turn around once and a while and see how her staff rudely treat their customers. Food 8/10, service 2/10. read more