I'm so glad I decided to get in line straight from the airport because we had a great time here. And for what you get, it's very reasonably priced. The 4 of us ordered most of the menu and several drinks and it came out to something like $70 a person. Being from the Bay Area I think it would have been almost double that here. I think the menu changes pretty often so I won't get too into specific dishes but don't be afraid to get the meat ones just because it's a seafood joint. We got a lamb one and it was maybe the best thing we had. read more

A charming little dinning room that feels like a neighborhood kitchen. Blue crab toast: 5/5. If you've never tried this, then you're not ready for what's about to happen to your mouth! Ok - maybe you are ready. Pricey- but wildly delicous. Grouper: 2/5. I really wanted to enjoy this dish, but the fish was so over salted that I couldn't even appreciate the 2 accompanying sauces. Beautiful presentation and nice texture on the fish. Smoked fish curry: 2/5. The first bite was wonderful, but by the 2nd and 3rd bites my palette was completely overwhelmed by salt. Beautiful dish, but overtly salty. The waitress queried the chef about the salinity of the dish and they said it was salty by design. Please consider lowering the salt content. Chili garlic shrimp: 5/5. While deceptively simple, it was absolutely delicious. Shrimp was fresh and had a nice texture. Sauce was well balanced. Service: 5/5. Excellent service by our waitress. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great recommendations and responded well to our issue with the salinity of 2 of the dishes. read more

Wow standout dishes oysters and dessert both 11s amazing worth the wait and definitely dreamed about ever since we left read more

Chubby Fish - Grilled Thai styled oysters maybe the best dish in Charles Town by far! - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Food was excellent seated all expectations even the hour and a half waiting line. If you're going to be there for 5:00 seating make sure you count 40 people. Otherwise put your name on the list come back later. Definitely a place to put in the list of restaurants to try in Charleston. Oysters, caviar, shrimp, Wagu you get what I'm saying here. read more

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I was visiting from out of town and had to try this place. It definitely lives up to the hype and was well worth waiting an hour in line, we had decided to give this place on Wednesday in hopes the line wouldn't be as long(we arrived around 4PM) The servers were very helpful and everything had such a unique taste. The restaurant is cozy and they even had some outside seats. Would come back again. read more

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The food is the most amazing food I've had. It does get very busy so arrive early to get on the list asap. The caviar sammich and waygu tartare were so good. It is pricey and small portions but you have to experience this place at least once. read more

Chubby Fish - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Chubby fish dinner was so much fun! You had to line up around 4pm to get a table there but the food were amazing tho, worth the wait. We came and hang out at the Seahorse bar before they got our table ready and was able to ordered some yummy drinks and we can bring our drink to the restaurant. Fyi, the restaurant only serve wine and beers for the alcohol option. The host took us to our table and we sat infront of the cooking area which was so fun watching them cooking and prepping the food. The restaurant was small so it quite loud in there. We had the bluefin tuna belly toast from the raw bar, seared bluefin toro from the small plate option and bone marrow with shrimp tempura and spicy mayo from the large plate. Everything was so good and fresh and the service was pretty on point. They cheffs crew behind the tall bar counter table were friendly and very patience in answering all of my curios questions on their menu and food recommendation. Way to go Chubby Fish! read more

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Excellent experience at chubby fish! We went on a Thursday ~4:20 and were about 50th in line. Enough people ahead of us made reservations for later that we were seated when they opened. Food and wine were both excellent and would absolutely get the crudo and seared tuna again. Everything else was also great but would explore other things before getting them again. read more

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Great staff and service. Friendly and knowledgeable. Place itself is cramped, yet charming. The long wait for a table is a fun thing to do. I think it builds expectations (and hunger). Food is tasty and a nice change up from the usual boring restaurant offerings. Bring a full wallet! read more

What went well? Literally everything. The caviar sammich' and the grilled oysters where probably the best I've ever had. Also tried the buffalo tilefish collard, delicious, but salty. Ended with the Ube bannana pudding. Perfect meal. Great service. Also, love the merch here, flawless branding. read more

Tonight we had the pleasure of dining here, we had the pleasure of being served by Haley and Dani. Everything we had was exceptional. Watching the open kitchen matched with great wine pairing made for a great night out. read more

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Arrived as the 15th person in line at 3:45pm on a Tuesday (the line grew to around 75+ people by 4:30pm), secured at 6:30pm reservation for two when they started taking reservations at 5pm. The vibe and service were nice. The food was good to just ok based on our order. On the plus side, the cacio e pepe cauliflower and seared blue fin tuna small plates were both very good On the negative side -the caviar slider is almost bite size and not worth $20 for only one, it tastes like a toasted buttered potato roll with a hint of caviar -the flounder whole fish is cooked well and fresh, but the scallion sauce is way too overpowering for the fish, next time I would ask for light on the sauce, or maybe on the side. Overall, the whole experience was good (3.5 stars) but not worth the hype, the wait in line or the price. read more

Love this place every time we can get in! Where else can you taste 6 different types of the best seafood anywhere. Last night the 4 of us shared caviar, oysters snapper, grouper, mackerel and wahoo! Hostess was amazing- friendly and competent control of the wait list But shoot- the waiter put us off. He was rushed, arrogant and lacked friendliness. He was very persnickety about the order of the table - moving things around in a huff after our guests placed them. Telling a guest not to help clear the table as she was moving some plates to the side and stacking them. He hurriedly picked up the plates and spilled some of it on the seat beside us and did not return to clean it up. Even asking us to pick up our linens so he could wipe down the table after we were finished eating and about to leave? Weird. read more

Chubby Fish - Caviar Sammy! - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My oh my, this was the most anticipated restaurant on my Charleston dinner list for this visit and it did NOT disappoint. Seriously, please take ALL my money!! Their menu changes constantly which I think is really cool. Also, it's a smaller space and you really DO want to show up between 4-4:15 to sit outside and wait for them to open at 5, since they don't take reservations. If you get there early there's little benches shaded by a nice big tree and they even put water out in case people need it. Now for the food, every single bite was delicious. My mind was especially blown by the Yellowfin Tuna Belly Toast and the Bone Marrow with Shrimp Tempura though. I will absolutely be returning on my next visit, and every visit going forward. read more

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Waited two hours to get in, but the food was excellent. The atmosphere was lively, and the service was solid. The yellowfin tuna crudo was a standout--flavorful with a nice crunch from the finely chopped tuna. Olive oil tied it together well. The grilled oysters were great. The Thai sauce added depth, and the oysters were intentionally a bit raw, which worked. The caviar sammich had good flavors, though the buttery bread slightly overpowered the caviar. Could've been more balanced. The poached golden tilefish started off bitter, but the sauce helped. We spoke to the waitress about it, and she was very accommodating. The flounder was good too, and the sauce was generous. We finished most of the fish and ended up packing the remaining fish to bring back to our hotel. Great spot, and was worth the long wait. However, if you're traveling to Charleston for the first time, the wait might cause your schedule to be disrupted, missing other spots to visit during your trip. I wish there was a better way to not stand in line for so long. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal. This experience has actually left me speechless. Every dish we tried was a 10/10. My favorites from this meal were the grilled oysters with crab curry and the summer melon with pork belly. Well worth the hour long wait! The restaurant opens at 5:00 and there was a decently long line forming by 3:50. Don't let the wait scare you, the food is absolutely worth it. Wonderful service and great ambiance. Can't wait to come back again soon. read more

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Excellent unusual menu done well with very good service. I like oysters however I would like better and more options of condiments. I felt the Tempura fried Tile Fish with butter and soy was the best I had. But with all the different offerings I think I need to go back and try other things. read more

This is long overdue, as we visited Chubbyfish on April 23rd, 2024. My husband and I were on an anniversary road trip through the south, we had never been to Charleston before, and we didn't do much research ahead of the trip for food stops (like we normally would have done). We ended up here because we were having a wonderful dinner the night before at another very popular restaurant on the main street. We were chatting with their manager about where locals love and her kitchen staff's favorite. She gave us a short list of favorites, and noted one was a "must do"... Chubbyfish. She went on to inform us of the impending James Beard Award that the chef was up for and told us that if we were going to try it, "now is the time" before it blows up even more. She gave us the recommendation that you need to be standing in line NO LATER than 4:45pm on the day you want to dine (there are no reservations, but there certainly was a line on this random Tuesday afternoon!). We were towards the back of that line, standing on a suburban sidewalk, shaded by neighborhood trees (could be worse). When we got to the front, the first seating of the entire restaurant had been sat (yes, all at once). We put our names down for 6:30pm and went for a walk to kill time. When we came back, the hostess confirmed we were second in line to be sat as tables got up. She also took our (alcoholic) drink orders and we were permitted to drink our Rosé on their sidewalk, which was nicely shaded from the hot sun by the beautiful mature trees. I was starting to get excited. It was just us 2 and we got SUPER LUCKY to be sat at the chef's table (which is the bartop seating at the back of the restaurant, facing the plating area of the kitchen). Having done some reading on the restaurant, the chef, and their mission and history, I instantly recognized Chef when we were sat. We made it known (in a very polite way), that we were going to be consulting with Chef during our experience, so the waiter was mostly left to attend to his other tables and bring us more wine. Of course, all food was excellent; we weren't surprised by that. But, I would say that the Caviar sandwiches were a MUST have and I am not really that into Caviar. Each person should get their own, but you CAN share one between two people if you only want the smallest taste. (Go for one each!) Overall, it was an excellent experience and it was also very exciting to get personal explanations, recommendations, and indepth discussions straight from a newly minted James Beard award nominated Chef. You can get all the same information from other reviews, but let me tell you... if you have the opportunity to sit at the back kitchen hightop... take it! That's my main recommendation. read more

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Holly crap! Top 5 in Charleston Wow oh wow oh wow Ambiance to super comfy and relaxed Service is totally spot on in every way Food is ridiculous Go at 3:30pm and wait in line When they open at 5 you can eat then or put your name on the list for later Everything is sold out every night by 5:45pm so don't think you will creative and figure out another option Did of mention that the food is over the top read more

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Soooo good. We got lucky and got a seat at 5pm. I thought everything was so delicious and flavorful. The restaurant is small but cozy. read more

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Ok I did it. We waited in line at 3:30 to get a table since we're right up the street. And when I say we, Katharine waited with a book. I took the rest of the group to Dispensary, Prohibition, then back to the neighborhood for a glass of wine at Philosophers and Fools. They're a block or two over. Chubby Fish have a water cooler for folks that wait in the sun. They open at 5 to take name. You really want to share everything when you come here. The ambiance is cool and communal, but I think if you got a single entre and glass of wine, you wouldn't get the hype. Come with friends and there really are some exquisite tastes and unique combinations. Service was good, as was the experience and company. Nothing here was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth, but also nothing was short of amazing. There was a curry that was incredible. Caviar sandwiches (slider size) can be split if the cost is jaw dropping. They are really good but pretty much a Hawaiian Roll with butter on it. Caviar is not a Lowcountry dish, and while CF doesn't state that, I think it's funny that tourists and foodies feel the need to get it. In spite of that, our table got some. Bone marrow probably the least amazing dish for me. The menu changes daily so I'm not sure it's worth reviewing plates. The Thai chili shrimp were really good. All of the salads/healthy options were spectacular. We also got some tuna tar tar which is not pictured but was really good. We'll definitely be going back. Let me know if you want to come with us! read more

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Chubby Fish is worth the wait time. See, everyone stated I must go to Chubby Fish! I walked down the residential streets to find this unassuming restaurant on the corner and was told that it was a 45 minute wait time. Being famished I opted not to wait and I left that day. I was told to come around opening. I thought I was so clever I arrived ten minutes before opening. The line stretched 150 feet according to my GPS. Yea, apparently I was not clever enough or too many people were more clever! I waited patiently as the line moved forward taking fifteen minutes to get to the front where the hostess informed me I had two choices. I could either wait another four hours or eat immediately at a communal standing table. I went with the standing table. I joined four other woman at this standing table that was not much wider than a narrow bar top. The restaurant was packed. It was fairly loud, but not so loud that I couldn't hear people around me. Our waitress was wonderful. She was effortlessly cool. The tight spaces did not seemed not to phase her. She guided along appearing at perfect times to offer more wine or ask if we wanted more food. I mean, she made me relaxed despite not being in my element. It felt like this was her space and we were gracious guests. The ambiance became a group of strangers united by a love of wine and food. It was marvelous. My dining companions were strangers and as corny as it sounds we left as friends. Literally we went out after for drinks! Getting back to Chubby Fish the food was AMAZING. I stuck with the raw bar selections and no regrets. The oysters were grand. The tuna crudo buttery. The tuna toast with greens delightful. My taste buds sung and dance and celebrated. Chubby Fish is worth the wait and if you feel so bold the group table is a whole adventure! read more

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This place had the best customer service,I literally pulled up and host saw me from the window. We made eye contact and she walked out to my car . She Let me know that 9pm was the first availability to accommodate my party ,I took it. I came back she new my name and was ao engaging it felt like I knew her for years and I was having dinner at her place. The waitress was super patient with my parents who had a ton of question. This place is quaint and cozy. The food was absolutely delicious I ordered the caviar sammich ,grilled oysters ,curry smoked wrecking. The flavors were out of this world. I can't wait to visit charleston again and give this place a try. read more

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Amazing food! It was worth the hour wait in line for the reservation! We had the stone crabs, summermelon salad, grouper, and shrimp. All dishes were delicious! read more

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I strongly recommend getting here 45 minutes prior to 5PM. I dropped my wife off here, parked and came back on a Tuesday afternoon and we were the last two to get in. It is a small space and 50-60 might be all that is let in. The food and service were excellent. We did the crispy rice salad. Which was outstanding. The grilled oysters were topped by puffed rice and in a curry sauce,, well nuanced and light. We were told 3-5 plates should be sufficient and we added the chili shrimp dish which was loaded with fresh cilantro, read more

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My boyfriend and I had watched a Bon Appetite video on this place and it was our main reason we were in Charleston. The line starts forming before 4pm for a 5pm opening and we barely made the first seating. We were very happy with all the food we ordered. The cauliflower is nice and filling and perfectly tender. The tile fish had a nice broth and slightly smokey flavor (maybe like kombu seaweed) and reminded me of japanese food a bit. All the dishes were really well executed and it definitely lived up to our expectations! read more

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The line was at least 80+ people long on a Saturday night just to get a table one hour prior to the restaurant opening at 5. The restaurant is tiny and cozy. We were told that we could get a table for 4 at 10:30pm. Around 9 we decided to drive back to see if they could get us seated but only option was the standing table. We opted to take it and started ordering from their menu. Wait staff were friendly and attentive and true to their word, we got our table around 10:15 with 2 more dishes to share and dessert. Everything was delicious, worth the wait and taste experience! read more

Very busy at all times! We put our names in and went about to get drinks for a couple hours and came back and got to a standing table while we waited for some guests to leave from a table. Limited seating, some bar seating and tables here and there. Caviar sliders 10/10 orgasmic. Like I didn't think they would be that good. Beef tartare with the nori and rice 10/10 Soft shell crab had a unique kaffir lime leaf flavor- yum. You know you don't get a lot with soft shell but I'll give 9/10. Spicy shrimp with the rice, delish. 10/10 Blue crab tagliatelle didn't have the most flavor I thought but overall a pretty good dish. 9/10 Great service, definitely on the pricier side and totally worth the wait. read more

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We arrived around 6pm on a Tuesday and the wait was 2.5 hours. We checked back in around 7:15 just to check, and they were able to fit us in. Service was great - everyone we spoke with was super nice, and they were totally packed but attentive. The spot is cute and airy. Definitely loud but the acoustics were pretty good so I could hear those I was sharing dinner with. We ordered a ton of oysters, crudo, lamp neck, tagliatelle, and a skipjack curry. Everything was 5/5 stars! Everything was fresh and you can tell they put a ton of thought into every single dish. This is definitely a special occasion kind of place for us, a little expensive but well worth it for the quality. read more

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Food was incredible and worth the 40 minutes wait in line. Great service! Highly recommend.

The seafood is fresh, the dishes are creative, the vibe is good. I like the community table. The menu is always changing. It's a top 5 for me in CHS. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal. Best meal I had in Charleston! The hostess was such an angel and found a way to squeeze me in even though it was packed. I ordered the oysters, crudo, caviar sandwich, and fried oyster roll. Everything was exceptional. My favorite was the crudo and caviar sandwich - both were fresh and flavorful. The caviar sandwich is quite small though, so treat it like an appetizer! The oysters were delicious and came with a jelly that I loved. The fried oyster roll was decently sized and came with a side of chips - good for a main entree. It's pricey but worth every penny. This place is a must have when in Charleston! read more

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When I say worth the wait, I mean it. My husband and I finally got to come here. Chubby fish is a first come first serve restaurant so I suggest getting in line around 3:50/4:00 in order to get a spot right away. These place were extremely colorful and diverse. The freshness of the fish paired with the flavors of each dish changes my perspective on fish. I can say the curry was the best dish I've eaten so far in Charleston. Service was exceptional and every decor detail was perfect. Cannot wait to come back. Best anniversary dinner ever. read more

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Came here with two friends for dinner and it was amazing. Service was OK, nothing to write home about. We didn't have a reservation so we went to a nearby bar to wait and it was worth it. The place is small and we ended up ordering 6 different things and they were all amazing. Definitely would recommend coming here if you are in the area. read more

Chubby Fish - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Too notch joint! I saw this place on YouTube, and read on the site that they don't take reservations. You can show up at 4p when the line forms and put your name and table down for a later time. I called the restaurant the day of and was told if I got there before 4:40p, I should be able to get a table later than opening time at 5p. Since we were visiting from out of town, I went ahead and got in line right after 4p. We barely got a table for 4 at 6:30p, with the next time available at 8:30p. I'm glad I jumped in line early! If you want to eat at 5p, make sure your full party is there, or they will not seat you!!! The food was the best I've had in Charleston. We at the Charleston Grill the night before, which is upscale and nice, just not as delicious. The flavors at Chubby Fish all work together, and sharing 4 large plates with 2 starters is a good size for a part of four. We got the Crab tagliatelle, grouper x2, and the shrimp, plus the tuna belly toast and yellow eye snapper starters. Everyone agreed the tuna belly toast was the best, but everything else was also so amazing! It's better than the Charleston Grill and less stuffy (read: there is no stuffy, outdated dress code here). They were out of the Not Fried Chicken for dessert, so we shared the "short rib" and "pineapple (can't remember the full name)". Both were exquisite. If you wonder if the line and waiting is worth it, it definitely is. I would come here often, if I lived in CHS still! read more

Chubby Fish - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

10 out of 10 dinner! We were able to book the large table for a party of ten, committing to a food and beverage minimum. The menu is a surprise although you can request some types of items. The best things were the caviar sandwiches (what??) for being unique, any of the fresh fish and the desert. The desert was an icecream that looked like fried chicken in the most realistic way but tasted like the most amazing crunch coated creamy sweet treat. Try some of the stuff you might not normally- example the celery salad was such a cool dish and the lamb was lovely! read more

Chubby Fish - Cavaiar sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This place deserves a Michelin Star for sure. And there definitely is talk about it. After my experience with Chubby Fish, I would say they are a sinch to get it. I was leaving a Yelp event around the corner and was still hungry and had a parking spot near the storied restaurant. Told myself if I can get in I will go, if not, heading home to snack. But alas, I walked up and since just a one-top, I was instantly given a corner spot on the bar next to another guy that came by himself. I thanked him for making it possible to get a spot. He had to wait for his as did everyone else in the place. The service in the place was stellar. I instantly ordered a caviar slider because that is why I went! Kept seeing them online and crave the delicacy. It was served in minutes on a buttery hawaiin type role. Small but a couple bites with ample fish eggs and a smooth flavor. So decadent. I then ordered the green curry, smoked wreck fish plate. Peanuts and eggplant over rice with plenty of the smoky fish in curry. Lots of mint leaves on top that I originally thought were a little much but after a couple bites with mint I decided every bite wanted the mint and could not get enough. It was one of the lesser expensive items on the menu but it was so fantastic and seemed decadent. Plenty of curry flavor and the peanuts gave fantastic texture. Only item I did not taste was the eggplant but I was ok with it. Ambiance was great. Conversation at the bar was good and spoke to several cooks and preps and they were full of knowledge and hospitality. I can't wait to come back and get the curried fish meal again or either some other very fresh fish item. This place is a local treasure. No wonder everyone waits in line. Even in the heat of the summer. read more

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We finally braved the infamous line at Chubby Fish. We went on a Saturday around 4:15pm. So, about 50-60 deep in line, they let you in at 5pm. We got on the list to come back at 6:30pm. We are just two so that ups the chances of a seating. Must be in line by 4pm to for sure get a seating. High hopes of this place and it met the bar. We had various oysters, poached tilefish, grilled bluefin toro, black grouper and curry. The top two dishes were Curry and Bluefin Toro! Those were unmatched, but the rest of the dishes were also amazing. The server was great and did help with the GF options, if you have a soy allergy, you won't be able to eat here! We sat at the bar so we had awesome views of the cooking the entire time! We loved that! It is loud because it's small! But it's worth it for a special night to experience it, if you're willing to wait in line! Hint..stop by their sister Seahorse for a cocktail while you're waiting for your table. read more

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Oh yes, definitely a five-star meal. The question is, what can I say about this wonderful fresh seafood restaurant that hasn't recently been written in the dozens of other positive reviews? We didn't look forward to standing in line prior to opening, but it became one of the highlights of our evening. We met some terrific people from within Charleston and around the country. As we discussed food, travel, food, occupations and food the time flew by. The menu is only available from a board posted on the front top wall, and I didn't bring my glasses. Not a problem, we (and other guests) simply walked up and took screenshots with our phones. The restaurant doesn't serve liquor, only beer and wine. Somehow, we survived ;) The raw oysters are served with a smoked caviar topping. Delicious, but I really enjoy some heat with mine. Have no fear, a restaurant-made hot sauce is available, just ask. Quite the kitschy plate-ware, see photo. I should've bought a t-shirt! I love the restaurant logo. It's great to sight-see the dishes being served to other tables. The curry smelled and looked wonderful. Seating is quite limited. I understand parties of three (and also large groups) may be asked to wait because most of the tables are arranged for two or four guests. Wish we had saved room for dessert. I'll be back read more

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I have been a Charleston foodie/restaurant worker my entire life. I studied culinary arts and worked with talented people. But I have never experienced culinary taste buds explosion before like Chubby fish resturant ever. The subtle depth of flavors with light textures finished with the freshest seafood is beyond genius. Chef James London is a James Beard Best Chef Southeast finalist. Absolutely amazing space, very well executed with a beautiful location. The bar has definitely been raised! We are blessed to have this restaurant in our city. No reservations or parking, the restaurant fills up fast. I am going back as often as possible, nothing comes close to the culinary experience and dining satisfaction. You notice when guests are leaving they have an ecstatic look on their face, are light in their step almost like a ballerina floating on air. read more