I enjoyed my experience here. My husband and I happened upon this place for lunch. We ordered a strawberry basil refresher, hot lobster roll with fries, caviar bump, clam chowder... it's my kind of place and I will definitely be back. I love that they have so many different kinds of lobster rolls to try! I've also been for my mother in laws birthday-- the oysters really are delicious as well. read more

Half Shell had been on my list of restaurants to try. It was a little bit difficult for me to find at first via GPS, but then I realized it's part of a complex where the entrance is down a corridor off of Hawkins Street. The ambiance of the restaurant is neutral-toned, quaint and contemporary. There are several dining options including the main dining room, the oyster bar and the patio. They also have a nice bar area. I had a great server who made solid drink and food recommendations and who was attentive the entire time we were there. Although their website states they take limited reservations, I was able to make them fairly easily using Resy. There may be street parking options that are free, but I parked in the nearby parking lots using the ParkMobile service. I had wanted the ceviche as an appetizer, but they were out of it for the night, so I tried the Tuna Poke Nachos. These were excellent! The presentation alone was amazing. I knew I wanted a lobster roll going in, so that's what I had along with truffle fries. I chose the Hot Lobster Roll since I don't love mayo. I wished it was bigger because it was really good! They have a chilled version and another variation that includes shrimp, and there are many ways to have oysters, including a curated oyster flight. I like that they have options on their menu that are fresh takes on what you sometimes find at other seafood restaurants. There's a lot more to try here, and I definitely plan to return. read more

Half Shell - Tuna Poke Nachos - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Best lobster roll in charlotte! But everything else except our server Eden was disappointing. (Eden was precious and so helpful) The chargrilled oyster had way too much breadcrumbs, you couldn't enjoy the sauce or oyster (honestly could barely tell there was one under there). We ordered martinis- the sea glass (lovely and refreshing although a martini should be more vodka forward), and a pomegranate martini. The Pom came out made with Prosecco which is not the menu description. It was terrible, but Eden took care of it. When the second one came out remade, it was dark red (like all juice). I would not order another. The restaurant is gorgeous, the bathroom even prettier. I just don't feel the need to go back even for the lobster roll. I would give this 3.5 stars if Yelp Allowed 1/2s read more

Half Shell - Lobster Roll Hot with truffle fries - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Half ass is more like it... One thing about paying for parking these days, is that you have a constant reminder on your phone or watch of elapsed time. It took just over 40 minutes to get a bland, and over toasted shrimp po' boy. I'm a glass half full kind of person, if the food is ok or bad I'll say at least the customer service was great. If the customer service was bad or meh, I'll say at least the food was great. Half Shell failed at both. My awful server, who shall not be named...because he never said his name. He walked up after we sat for at least 7-10 minutes, and said "You guys ready?". Ready for what, server guy? I've never been here, and again who are you? Just completely unprofessional, this continued during the long drawn out service. The server would just disappear for long periods of time. We had a dirty napkin wrapped around the cutlery, so we ask for a new set. He didn't bring it until I asked for the check, we had to ask someone else that was floating around once the food came out instead. The food was so middle of the road, I got a stiff bun, and a decent amount of shrimp with some flavorful breading (see glass half full). The bun itself wasn't pliable or had any chew, it was like biting into a saltine. Not even a ritz cracker, those are at least buttered. Lastly the shoe string fries were overcooked, and I left most of them to sit with the crispy bun. Pro tip: The location is on the rail trail, so there is plenty of other options. Being someone who can, and loves to cook makes it even worse to go out and get this type of result. read more

Half Shell - Shrimp Poor* Boy - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I stopped in on a Monday to try the $25 lobster roll special. The regular price is $36 so this is a really good deal--and it comes with a side. The lobster roll I had was pretty good but there was a shell in it and I think I bit into a whole garlic clove which I wasn't expecting. I like that they serve the melted butter on the side so you can control the amount yourself. This place probably gets really packed on the weekends due to its location. read more

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Food was great. We ordered chargrilled oysters, tuna nachos, smash burger, lobster roll, and crème brûlée to share. Cocktails were good but a little on the sweet side. Ambiance outdoors was nice and chill. Service was just OK, could have been A LOT better. Food was very slow coming out from the kitchen. Indya was our waitress and she could have been friendlier. The last straw for me was when she brought out dessert and just plopped the plate down without saying anything and walked away. And the cleaning crew picking up plates from our table could have been a little more professional as well. What can I say, it's still Charlotte where great service is hard to find...so it is what it is. read more

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Went for happy hour. ridiculously good three different types of butter, half price oysters between 3 and six. read more

Half Shell - Happy hour 1/2 price oysters 3-6 - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We started with the tuna nachos. Definitely good, even just the nachos by themselves had some kind of seasoning on them that made them flavorful by themselves. However the star of the show was the lobster roll. That had to be the BEST lobster roll I have ever had! I don't know what it was specifically but I don't think I breathed until I finished eating that whole thing! The bread was toasted and buttered to perfection, they didn't skimp out on the lobster meat which was flavorful and dripping with yummy goodness! The service was great and the outside seating was nice. I will definitely be returning! read more

Half Shell - Tuna nachos - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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My boyfriend and I came here on a Saturday afternoon and we were absolutely blown away. We sat on the patio(beware of the flies). Everything we had was remarkable! I have no bad notes. Go to half shell asap! read more

Half Shell - Bread service - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Half Shell is a newish seafood restaurant and raw bar located in the Linea Tower which is part of a hot new development located on Hawkins Street. I was excited to come in here the other night with some friends as I've been craving some oysters. Overall I would rate my visit as ok but felt it missed the mark a few times as well. The oysters were good although the hot sauce it came with had a unique flavor and I found myself kinda wishing I had some Tabasco sauce instead. I ordered a hot lobster roll and while it was prepared and buttered well there wasn't a whole lot of meat on it especially for the price. I would say the highlight of my meal was the desert, I got a slice of key lime pie which I hadn't had in a while so that was a nice throwback for me and it was quite good. Probably the most head scratching and frustrating thing about my evening was the fact that they do not validate parking in their own building. If you want to park in their garage you have to sign up for an app and pay not an insignificant sum. I don't know if this is an issue between them and their landlord but either way it is a part of the dining experience so be aware that if you plan on driving you will likely have to find street parking nearby. You will have to pay for that as well but it will be cheaper than using the garage. It's a nice looking place and the vibe and atmosphere were good. I think if I was in the area or even at Club West (Sycamore) right next door I would maybe come in for a cocktail or some oysters, but I don't know if I would rush back to plan a dinner date here. Plenty of room for improvement but maybe they will work out the kinks. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Oysters are a favorite. I'm not a shucker so eating them at home is problematic. Half Shell is a relatively new addition to the oyster scene in Charlotte. The staff takes the oysters seriously describing the various attributes of each variety. The shareables are large and very shareable. (Watch out there are hot peppers hiding in breading in the valamari) We have been for dinner and again for lunch. Both are great, but dinner is packed with people. Located on the light rail in South End the crowd is way cool and their dogs all wear scarfs. Staff is friendly, knowledgable and very efficient. Oyster shucking takes a minute but the drinks and other items were lightening fast. Outdoor seating on a Saturday afternoon, you really feel that you are at the center of the action. We will definitely go back. read more

Absolutely loved Half Shell. As a New England native I love my seafood and this could rival any coastal northern restaurant. The staff was so friendly and kind, and all of the food we had was delicious and fresh. Sitting outside on a nice day is a perfect vibe! read more

Half Shell - Hot buttered lobster roll and chargrilled oysters with rosemary garlic butter - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I ordered a grilled mahi sandwich with asparagus to go. Not super exciting, but it was good. read more

Half Shell - Grilled mahi sandwich with asparagus - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Nice atmosphere, especially outside on a good evening. That's where it ends. Appetizers came with no plates or utensils. I ordered a dozen oysters and got 8, no condiments, no lemon, tiny fork, just a bowl of ice. The other 4 didn't show up until after my entree was done. Staff blamed being busy and short-handed, but the dining room was half empty (everyone had moved outside) and tables seated after me got full meals before I did. Food's fine. Service killed it. Won't be back. read more

Do not go here late night. I brought my sister out to a nice dinner because she's been having a hard time, and our waitress was terrible. I hate to leave one star on the restaurant, but this woman literally laughed in our face watching us look around for her to ask for the Togo boxes we had previously asked for 10 minutes prior. The reason she was acting so petty is because I took $1 off her 20% tip because she did not give us the time of day. (Not to mention the bill was $150) We waited for quite a while for our check, and when I flagged her down to pay, she already had an attitude. I understand people have bad days, but don't take it out on customers when you're at work. I asked for fries as an appetizer along with calamari, and my fries came out last after our entrees, at that point I didn't even want them, I didn't even drink the one drink I ordered because it was so sweet, and still said nothing to the waitress, yet she was the one with the attitude? Keep it professional. As for the food, it was ok. A bit overpriced for what you actually get. read more

New spot in the heart of south end. Decided to give it a go! Sat outside since it was nice weather. Great location right off the rail trail it was easily accessible. My server was awesome and was helpful with everything I asked for regarding the menu items. Went during happy hour which is from 3-6pm on Mon-Thurs. I ordered one of each oyster on the happy hour menu. As well as the most popular tuna poke nachos. Nice crispy wonton chips and plenty of tuna. read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My first time coming to half shell and the experience was like no other. First off Tonee is so vibrant and very kind! Everything came out so quickly, the service is extremely friendly, and Tonee was awesome, gave us a lot of really good recommendations. The ambiance is very nice and classy - perfect for relaxing after a long day of work. The food is also out of this world. The oysters were so good, we did a mix of all the options they had available and each oyster tasted completely different from the next but still really good. Will definitely be coming back and especially to see TONEE!!!!! read more

Half Shell - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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We were told a table was available for us, only to end up waiting 45 minutes past that time. While waiting, we stood at the bar, and instead of being accommodated or updated on the delay, staff repeatedly asked us to scoot over as if we were inconveniencing them by being there. Delays happen, but what was frustrating was the lack of communication and the attitude. If you're going to tell guests their table is ready, it should actually be ready--or at least be honest about the wait time. Between the long delay and feeling unwelcome while waiting, the experience started on the wrong foot before we even sat down. Poke Nachos looked bomb though... didn't get to try them, but looked bomb. read more

Eden was a great waitress and all of the food and drinks were fabulous. Tuna nachos 10/10 Warm lobster roll 10/10 Shrimp po boy 6/10 Mezcal margarita 10/10 Pimm cocktail 10/10 read more

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Great location! The food was fantastic. I would highly recommend the lobsters tacos. The service was so great. Madalyn did a great job taking care of us. It was definitely a quieter feel. It wasn't super busy but the area was busy. read more

Had a great experience here. The oysters were great, the wine selection was organized so you could pair appropriately. I ended up also getting the chilled lobster roll and enjoyed it a lot. Service was really good, and the waiter gave us his opinion for people trying oysters for the first time. The music was great, and the vibe was kind of upscale casual. read more

Half Shell - Oyster tasting flight - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Our first time at Half Shell and Tonee honestly made the entire experience so special From the moment we sat down, he was so warm, so thorough, and took the time to walk us through the menu in the sweetest way. He explained the differences between all the oyster options so clearly and made sure we knew exactly what to try, which made the whole night feel extra thoughtful and elevated We ordered a few different types of oysters, added a caviar bump for the full experience, and it all felt like the cutest little girl dinner moment But truly, Tonee was the highlight. His energy was so good, so attentive, and so genuine, and he made our first visit feel fun, easy, and memorable in the best way. He didn't just take our order.he actually made the experience better by being so patient and knowledgeable, and that kind of service really stands out. Between the beautiful seafood spread, the cozy vibe, and Tonee's amazing energy, it was such a perfect first time and definitely one we'll be talking about again read more

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I love seafood and this place was definitely one of the best seafood places I've been to in a while! The food was so fresh and drinks were very tasty! Also really liked the atmosphere and the location is perfect for walking around the Rail Trail and Southend! Not pictured, but also has the lobster roll & fries and clam chowder, both of which were really yummy! Definitely will be going back! read more

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My server was amazing! She was so helpful and recommended items. Help me make food choices because I had never eaten there before. Feel of the restaurant was nice. Didn't feel rush to eat being solo diner. Food was really good! If you like lobster the spicy little tails are really good. For person who has never eaten an oyster day in her life. The chargrilled oysters in scampi sauce were really good. I am seafood lover and I can't wait to try some other items on the menu. read more

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Half shell was delicious! Extra points for the location and being able to people watch while having a relaxing Sunday dinner out on their patio. We got a few of their popular items and the chargrilled oysters with rosemary garlic butter were insaneeee. I need to go back to try the miso ones! The hot lobster roll was tasty but the bottom got a bit soggy quickly (i think the extra butter spilled onto it). Their points/rewards system and the tuna poke nachos will def get us back there! read more

Half Shell - Hot lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I wish I knew about this place sooner. Food is fresh and full of flavor. So many different oyster selections. Staff is amazing, the owner was very kind & walked me through the menu. I will definitely be back! read more

Half Shell - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Tried Half Shell and it did not disappoint. The oysters were fresh and perfectly chilled, the lobster roll was buttery and the crème brûlée had the perfect crisp top. What really stood out was the great service--attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. read more

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I had the best experience at the bar with Charlene! She was attentive, knowledgeable, & super friendly. I had the chargrilled oysters, crab claws, & fried lobster tails. Food was AMAZING! Music was fun & I was able to catch the World Cup on tv! Definitely coming back here on the regular! read more

Half Shell - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The food was great. I had the togarashi shrimp tacos and my husband had the hot lobster roll. Drinks were well made too!

The best meal I've had in Charlotte in a long time. Oysters are fantastic. The star was the tuna poke nachos which were so amazing and the hot lobster roll and truffle fries were great. Everyone was very kind and knowledgeable, especially our server Mona Lisa. I will be back and will not stop telling everyone about this place. read more

I ordered the crab cake, calamari, clam chowder, and clams in white wine sauce--and everything was absolutely delicious. The crab cake was outstanding. It was packed with lump crab meat and had very little filler, which made it incredibly flavorful and satisfying. You can really tell when a crab cake is done right, and this one definitely delivered. The calamari was lightly fried to perfection--tender, not rubbery at all--and paired nicely with the fricino peppers, which added a great touch of flavor. The clam chowder was one of the best I've had in this area. Every spoonful was loaded with potatoes and clams, and the addition of bacon and cheese took it to another level. It was rich, hearty, and full of flavor. Overall, everything I tried was well-prepared and exceeded expectations. I would definitely come back again. read more

Nesma what is the most amazing server I've ever had in my life. I came here for the first time during restaurant week and was floored by the hospitality. Highly recommend the lobster roll cold or hot is amazing and delectable. I 110% will be coming back and you should too specifically if you request nesma your waitress. read more

Excellent all around get the hot fried lobster bites app you will not regret it. The scallop dish perfectly made, and while the lobster roll isn't New England perfection it is perfection for NC! And yes- the best crème brûlée ever read more

Has to be one of the best new restaurants in Charlotte. Our group sat at the bar and tried almost everything on the menu. Everything was fantastic. Our bartender Vanessa was amazing. Great experience and can't wait to go back! read more

The food was soo good I forgot to take pictures! The service was excellent and the vibes were good!! A must try for sure!!!!

Very nice ambiance, great location, and excellent food. Fried lobster tails were a fantastic starter. Half dozen oysters, chose the Shigoku (left) and sweet petite (right). Shigoku were my favorite- refreshing "cucumber brine" was a spot on tasting note. Fish and chips was well done. read more

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Got the ahi tuna bowl for lunch and while I have no complaints regarding the taste, $20 for the amount that was given is just absurd. Either needs to be a larger portion or much cheaper, as most poke bowl places give far bigger servings for closer to $15. read more

Half Shell - Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Fresh Flavors at Half Shell in South End!!! If you're craving seafood with a neighborhood vibe, Half Shell delivers. This new spot brings a fresh, coastal-inspired experience to the heart of South End, focusing on quality seafood in a welcoming setting. Service matches the food: friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing. The staff makes helpful recommendations, and the cocktail and wine selections pair nicely with the menu. Overall, it's a strong addition to the South End dining scene. Whether you're celebrating something special or just want a good seafood dinner, Half Shell is worth a visit. read more

Everything was amazing! Jay was a phenomenal server. Food and drinks were excellent. Wide variety in menu with reasonable prices and something for everyone. The Tuna nachos and crispy mini lobster bites were delicious. Definitely will go back and will recommend. read more

Tried this place out for date night and it was excellent. The tuna nachos were awesome with plenty of tuna. They were really busy on Friday night but service was still on point. Will definitely be back soon! read more