Great food and literally the best waiter ever. Made me want to say yes to every recommendation. It was an enjoyable experience. read more

had an amazing experience at Sea Level Restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming and had the perfect coastal vibe. The views were beautiful, especially during sunset--it really set the tone for a relaxing meal. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can tell they take pride in their seafood--it tasted incredibly fresh and perfectly seasoned. The drinks were also a highlight, with great options and well-balanced flavors. What really stood out was the service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without being overbearing. Overall, it was a great dining experience, and I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend for anyone looking for good food, great views, and a laid-back but elevated atmosphere! read more

Sea Level NC - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Let's start with the clam chowder--and yeah, I'm not throwing this around lightly--this might be the best I've had outside of Boston. Loaded. And I mean loaded with clams. Not that "where are they hiding?" situation... every spoonful actually delivered. Creamy, balanced, not overly heavy--just straight comfort with a coastal accent. Then I went for the fish Caesar salad, and I'll be honest... I wasn't sure what lane we were in here. But it worked. Light, fresh, and a solid pivot if you're trying to keep things a little less indulgent after demolishing chowder like I did. The space itself fits that uptown energy--polished but still relaxed enough where you don't feel like you need to whisper while you eat. read more

Sea Level NC - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I admit that one of the things I miss most about where I grew up is the proximity to the ocean. While Charlotte has a lot going on, we are unfortunately landlocked. One of the side effects of this is that it can be difficult to find quality seafood. Luckily there are places like Sea Level dedicated to bringing tastes of the ocean here to the Queen City! Located on 5th street in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Sea Level has the decor and aura of a fancy restaurant, but has a surprisingly approachable and down to earth menu. I came here with some family for a night out, and I was instantly impressed with the beautiful venue. The service throughout the night was terrific! We started out with some cornbread which was a huge hit at the table! It was decadent and sweet, with a honey butter, I could have had an entire meal of it! They have a good selection of oysters from different parts of the count and with different flavor profiles and finishes. I wish I could remember which ones we ended up going with, but I can say for certain that they went down smooth and made for a great app. Now for the mains they had a lot of carefully though out fish dishes that sounded amazing, but I love lobster rolls and figured this would probably be one of my best chances to get a solid lobster roll here in Charlotte. They serve them both Maine style which is cold and with a smear of mayo, or Connecticut style which is served warm and with butter. Now truthfully there is no wrong answer, both styles have their merits. But growing up close to the Maine border I water a taste of home. It was easily the best lobster roll I've had in Charlotte and believe it or not, I've had some solid ones here (you just have to look). Sea Level brings something to the Charlotte food scene that is pretty underrepresented, and for that reason I encourage anyone planning their next night out to give them a shot! I'm glad we did, one of the best dinners out I've had in quite some time. read more

Sea Level NC - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Wow. 10/10!!! Service, vibes & ambience, and FOOD yum yum yummy. Took wifey here on Valentines Day - with a reservation of course. Sat swiftly, tended to very well, and the food. THE FOOD!!! Delish read more

Sea Level NC - Scallops & Risotto + Blackened Grouper OMG - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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We were looking for a good seafood restaurant in Charlotte NC and Sea Level did not disappoint. They have $1.50 oysters for happy hour from 2:00 - 6:00 pm and offer a lunch menu until 4:00 pm. There is plenty of indoor seating including a bar area and a small outdoor patio with high top tables. Service is Excellent and Welcoming. Food is prepared fresh. We tried the roasted oysters app but found the oysters to be a little overcooked which were dry and crunchy. The clam chowder was thick and full of clams and potatoes. The Atlantic Salmon dinner was prepared perfectly and the lobster roll was full of lobster but the lobster was lacking flavor. Would definitely rate the food 4 out of 5 and Service a 5. Definitely worth a try. read more

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Always a great vibe! The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu and provides excellent service. The food arrives quickly, at the perfect temperature, and every dish is absolutely delicious. The handcrafted cocktails are expertly made and complement the meal perfectly. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, a special occasion, or simply stopping by for happy hour and fresh oysters, this is always a fantastic choice. Highly recommend! read more

Food was great! Shipping grits were well seasoned and delicious. Good hospitality. Would go again

Downtown Charlotte on a biz trip. Sea Level not super busy on a Monday. Great service at the bar; couple TV's if you're interested in a game. Full liquor bar, good wine selection, and lots of good beer. Had chargrilled oysters as a starter and smoked whitefish caesar as an "entree". Fantastic. Highly recommended. A++ read more

Sea Level NC - Chargrilled oysters - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The ambiance is nice , located in the heart of UPTOWN. The food was decently seasoned I had the shrimp and grits with grilled oysters. The shrimp and grits is 8/10 but the oysters were super small, but the flavor was very good they were just Tooooo small! 6 oysters for $20 bucks was so not worth it! I would order them again. Service was ok. read more

Sea Level NC - Shrimp and grits - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

From the moment you arrive, the validated parking is a huge plus. The happy hour is well worth it, and the food truly shines--fresh seafood across the board. The clam chowder is rich and comforting, the charbroiled oysters are perfectly done, and the raw oysters are incredibly fresh. Each appetizer comes with a fresh plate, perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. The atmosphere is just right: comfortable, clean seating, great music that adds to the vibe without being too loud, and football games on for an easygoing, social feel. The restrooms are spotless and thoughtfully stocked with feminine products, lotion, and hair ties, which is such a nice touch. They also have a great selection of spirits, and the printing machine for coffee and espresso martinis is a standout--smooth, consistent, and delicious every time. Overall, Sea Level is a place you'll want to return to again and again for the food, the comfort, and the attention to detail. Highly recommend. read more

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Great food, nice happy hour. I enjoy the drinks and oysters here all the time. Great got a date night or just grabbing a good lunch or dinner read more

Sea level has been on my list to try for quite some time and I was extremely disappointed. For the price of the food it was poorly cooked and very bland. I got the scallops and risotto and the risotto was practically a mushy porridge. If I am paying $50 for an entree I want the food to be fresh, seasoned, and cooked properly. It had no flavor and I needed to add a lot of salt and lemon. They even left the muscle on the scallops. The grouper was okay but nothing to write home about. Also not worth $50 for the meal. The fish was dry. The calamari was also just okay. Some of the pieces were quite chewy. The only thing I didn't have complaints about was the corn bread. read more

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Had an oyster craving after a game and Sea Level NC did not disappoint! Seafood was super fresh, the mignonette was awesome, and I loved that there were multiple options for oyster shooters. Patricia was our waitress and she gave amazing recommendations that will definitely have me visiting the next time I'm in Charlotte. Cocktail menu looked super fun, and the wine menu also had some great selections. I'd love a chance to try the many wonderful things I watched coming out to other tables! read more

Sea Level NC - Bloody Mari shooters - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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We stopped in to see if they fared better than our recent experience at their sister restaurant, Waterman's... I made RSVP via Resy's, so got seated right away... but did have to move to another table...as I am claustrophobic, and don't feel comfy in these super-tight half-booths. The thing is, I never loved the tight layout of this restaurant...as the tables are way too close to one another. Also, the chances of getting a comfy table for 2 is slim. That is, you'll most likely get seated at these teeny-tiny tables or half-booths (not a fan of both). While on the topic of ambiance, I must mention that I didn't love how the overhead music was so muted that all I heard were people chattering. Just didn't make for a nice ambiance. Dull ambiance aside, the foods were a bit more promising. We started with the Fried Calamari...and loved it! Theirs seem a bit more jazzy...a bit more flavor than most, which I didn't mind at all. We also shared their New England Clam Chowder...and it, too, had a bit more flavor (though a bit too salty?). We appreciated the abundance of clam...and the generous portion. For our mains, we shared the Lobster Roll and the Po'Boy Shrimp Sandwich, with Fries and Cole Slaw. As usual, loved the roll...but thought the Poboy was a bit too heavy on the batter and the salt. Also, the Fries were a bit too greasy for me. I also ordered this cocktail, Seasonal G&T, that was really, really good! Also, very strong...got a great buzz off just 1 drink! Service was pretty good too. No issues there. Overall, we enjoyed the foods...but think I liked the drink even more this time? Still, the foods were much better prepared and presented here...versus their more casual sister, Waterman's. Guess I'd like this restaurant more if the ambiance was a bit brighter, and the seatings were a bit more comfy. Still, it's one of the best seafood restaurant options in Charlotte. read more

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I came up to Charlotte, NC for my bestie and I to celebrate our birthdays (2/23 & 3/5). We chose to have dinner at Sea Level. The restaurant was pretty full when we arrived but we had reservations so we were seated within five minutes after arriving. The decor was unique and the atmosphere seemed thriving. Our server (I forgot his name) was funny, helpful and had a great personality. He took our order as we both selected meals with salmon. She had the blackened salmon salad with She crab soup and I chose the salmon meal with blackened salmon, mashed potatoes, corn and I subbed the green beans for asparagus. Everything was perfectly seasoned and DELICIOUS!! Now let me tell you about the cornbread!! It's so special it deserves its own paragraph!! I have lived in the southeast for over 30 years and I've had my share of cornbread...but I've never had cornbread like this...! I don't know what's in it or how it was made but it will bless your life!! It look like giant crispy French toast sticks and taste a little like pancakes! It's served with honey butter but it's sweet on its own. If you ever visit Sea Level I would highly recommend placing an order of cornbread for your table!! Our server asked us where w we're from and we mentioned that I cane up from South Carolina to celebrate our birthdays. He made sure to bring us a birthday dessert which was a serving of banana pudding. I am not really big on desserts (I have a gluten allergy) but I tasted it and it was very good and SO sweet of our server to bring that to us. Over all I give the service, the food and the ambiance five stars!! And I will definitely be back!! read more

Popped in for a quick birthday lunch for my husband today and we loved everything about this visit. Our bartender/server, Molly was amazing. She had awesome menu recommendations, superior mixology skills and even better vibes. And the food was superb! We will absolutely be back on our next visit. read more

Massive congratulations to D'Nice for the top-tier service; his appetizer, main course, and drink recommendations were spot on! While I usually love Sea Level's beautiful natural lighting, the venue transforms into an equally vibrant spot at night. We started with the creamy seafood dip before moving on to the magnificent scallop risotto, which we smartened up by adding shrimp for easy sharing. We ate our greens by splitting the crisp and generously sized Sea Level house salad. Overall, we would return for this delicious foodie experience. Pro-tip: park in their garage and bring your ticket to be validated for free parking. This is perfect on a rainy day because you won't have to walk outside. Trust me, free parking makes a difference in Uptown Charlotte. read more

Sea Level NC - Meow Mule - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We were in Charlotte for one night and stumbled upon Sea Level NC for dinner and had a great experience. It was a large space with great ambiance! The staff were helpful and we were warmly welcomed and checked on during our dinner. They have so many types of oysters and it was so fun to try different ones! They had a great seafood menu and tasty cocktails! We will definitely return when in the area. read more

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Very nice ambiance Fresh selections of seafood Prices pretty high so be prepared Service awesome Had the shrimp and grits pretty good but not a 5 star flavor dish. I say that because the size of the shrimp went from small to larger not the same size. And the flavor seemed a little bland to me for a creole type dish Chocolate cake for dessert was supposed to be fabulous but to me seemed overly sweet and not a true chocolate cake gem It was touted as whipped cream with bourbon but you only had a few tiny flowers of whipped cream portions, not what I was expecting read more

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The chargrilled oysters - phenomenal! The service - top notch. The decor and atmosphere- calming. Highly recommend. I also had the seasonal salmon salad with peach vinaigrette. The salad is large enough to be an entree. read more

Sea Level NC - Chicken steam bun and Parmesan tater tots - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I was excited to try this place out because my family has only said amazing things, but as the biggest critic of the group I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Upon entering, I loved the cozy and sleek interior. I loved the ambience they created with the dim lighting and the low hanging lights. It was fancy but also cozy. Also, for a weekday the place was pretty packed which is always a good sign. Onto the food! We started our meal with the Cast Iron Seafood dip. I noticed other patrons order this too so it has to be a crowd favorite. It was really delicious. It was the perfect balance of cheesy and you could also taste the flavors from the fish. It was a great way to start the meal. For our entrees, we got the Shrimp and Grits, the Sesame Seared Tuna, and the Lobster Roll. The Sesame Seared Tuna was so fresh and melt in your mouth and the sesame seeds added a nice crunch. I loved the warm beets on ricotta too, that was a unique and fun side. This was delicious, but my only criticism is that I wish it had a sauce or something to go with the fish, but I'm like that with everything so that could be a personal preference. The Lobster Roll was also delicious and it came with a generous portion of lobster. The lobster was buttery and this was just a really good option at a good price for a lobster roll. I love that you can get it two different styles too to fit people's personal preference. The star of the show for this meal was the Shrimp and Grits. Omg I will dream about this. The sauce was so delicious and flavorful, and the shrimp was cooked to perfection. I've never had anything like this and I will definitely be returning for this. Honestly everything was exceptional, but the Shrimp and Grits will be something I will crave. We also ended the meal with the Chocolate Cake and omg! This was so fudgey, moist, and delicious. I love when classic desserts are on the menu and they do them right. Definitely get it ala mode too as the vanilla ice cream paired perfectly with it. Overall, this was an amazing and delicious meal. I will definitely be returning to get my tried and true but also try new things on the menu. Special shoutout to our waiter D Nice and the owner Paul who went above and beyond to make our dining experience exceptional. Would highly recommend checking this restaurant out. read more

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Smitten with the flavors, presentation, outside seating for us and our doggie, and superb attention from our server, Courtney, the talented chef, and the host. Three fish- centered dishes...all home runs! Shrimp cocktail (enough for 3 -4 to share), Flounder with capers in a bright sauce, on bed of mashed potatoes with perfectly cooked asparagus, and plump Diver Scallops and risotto. Creamy banana pudding for the finale! read more

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Was staying in the area so mostly chose this place for the convenience and was super surprised by how good of a meal it was. I started with a half dozen oysters. I'll admit most of them at $4-4.50 each are pretty expensive, so I opted for the cheapest option at $2.50 each and they were delicious. Fairly large and the condiments were great. The mignonette sauce was a skosh thin but the cocktail sauce was more interesting than most and enjoyed this a lot. Also grabbed the house punch, which came in a mug for unknown reasons but I didn't mind it. The taste overall was quite delightful. The true star of the meal, however, was the catfish Reuben. I was torn between this and something else and the waiter very much recommended this. I'm not really a catfish fan but this may have converted me. This was absolutely top 5 Reubens I've ever had. I'm not sure what made it so tasty beyond the slaw and the seasoning. It wasn't overly soggy as some are and the cheese was just right. The fish itself was a delightful surprise and complemented the other ingredients perfectly. Service was super nice and fairly attentive, albeit wasn't so crowded so easy to be. Sat at the bar which was a great experience for one person and was able to walk in for lunch on a Saturday. The vibe itself is fairly laid back but does give hints of their seafood heritage. I will be thinking about this sandwich next time I order a Reuben. read more

Sea Level NC - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This was part of our 34th anniversary weekend celebration. We chose Sea Level for high ratings and wonderful reviews for Seafood. Upon arriving, the host greeted us and wished us a happy anniversary. We got sat quickly and Holly was our server. She was very attentive very knowledgeable of the menu and had a lot of great recommendations. A pitcher of the Fish House Punch was a great start, this fishy pitcher actually had a great sound effect that we tried to capture in a video We started off with six of the sea level oysters on the half shell. These are only found in five different venues all over the country from Sea Level, North Carolina on the coast near the Outer Banks, they were fantastic. We then got the seafood dip that was flavorful, hot and plenty to share. Their mussels were amazing in a cream sauce that was different from what you would expect. The toasted rye bread was a fantastic compliment to these outstanding mussels. We had hoped we'd have room for dessert, but everything was so good we couldn't help but be stuffed. In a nautical ambiance, on one wall they had on loop the Sea Level Oyster bay where they cultivate these amazing juicy oysters. The process was mesmerizing, I feel a road trip coming on to investigate in person. read more

Sea Level NC - Fish House Punch Pitcher - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Oh man I loved this place! Even if you only eat the lobster rolls, you'll be completely satisfied. They do them two ways and both are fantastic! My nephew preferred the butter option and I preferred the mayo option. Try both! Fries were good too. Seasoned perfectly. I don't usually eat fries, but I had to have a couple because of the seasoning and they weren't too greasy. This place was so great that my nephew wanted to go back before we left NC. Both times the service was great even though they were slammed the second time. We got seated without a reservation and served in time to make it to the ACC Championship game! read more

Sea Level NC - Bar area - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My husband and I decided to go to this restaurant because it's one of our favorite spots for fresh oysters. We came here to celebrate my birthday on New Year's Eve. The staff was great, and the food is always excellent. I especially enjoy the margaritas--they're made perfectly every time. I love this place and would absolutely recommend it to family and friends. We'll continue to support and come back as always. read more

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I had the scallops and risotto, and wow--absolutely delicious. The scallops were so fresh and plump with the perfect sear. That crisp on the outside while still maintaining moisture on the inside is everything, and these were done perfectly. The risotto was creamy, rich, and surprisingly filling. The raw oysters are a true delicacy, and if you make it during happy hour, they're only $1.50 for local NC oysters--such a great deal! I love this place. The ambiance is perfect for a date night or a business meeting--not too loud, so you can actually enjoy a conversation. We also had the cast iron dessert with berries, which was amazing. I know it's seasonal, so apples may be the option depending on the time of year, but either way it's a must-try. Definitely a spot I'll continue to return to! read more

First the great. Clam chowder was 20 outta 10 amazing! You will struggle to find a better anywhere. The good. The atmosphere was really nice. Both good for couples and business meetings. The service is what you expect at an upscale Resturant. Very friendly and attentive. And the oysters were all really good. The bad. And not that it was bad. But it wasn't $50 a plate good. I got the scallops and risotto and although very visually appealing the risotto was a bit mushy and the scallops didn't blow me away. I had them at a hotel bar later that night and could not find a $35 difference in taste. It place is nice. And prolly some other great things on the menu. But the scallops didn't wow read more

I haven't been here in a few years due to life changes and job shifts. I used to go here ALL the time. The best chowder and lobster dogs, arguably in the entire city. It was a random Tuesday and I was craving some clam chowder so I took the walk to the tucked away entrance and was pleased to see the changes with the enclosed outdoor seating. The service was amazing as usual and the food came out hot and delicious as ever. So glad I went. Will definitely be going back regularly again since My new Job is in uptown. read more

Sea Level NC - Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Arrived for a late lunch to celebrate our anniversary! The outdoor patio was so beautiful, but it was pretty humid also we asked for a table inside! Seated right away, but service to start was slow; almost 20 min until we were asked what we wanted to drink. Had a delicious glass of Riesling that was local to NC! Oysters were on happy hour, $1.50, so we ordered a dozen! Served up beautifully, tasted delicious. We decided to do a bunch of snacks for our late lunch. The seafood dip was INCREDIBLE! Tortilla chips were the perfect compliment, and the parmesan topping on the dip was craveable. Clam chowder was FULL of clams, and had a really good depth of flavor. We did 2 of the ala carte tacos- blackened shrimp and fried oysters. Shrimp was a little spicy on its own, but worked great all together with the aioli and pineapple salsa. Would recommend dining here for sure, perhaps stick to major meal times like lunch and dinner, I think the staff changeover from lunch to dinner service caused the hiccup in our experience! read more

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Our server Patricia is super sweet and knowledgeable. It is our first visit and we enjoyed the ambiance and service and thoroughly enjoyed our food. Only complaint was we parked in garage and had pay $20 but other than that we enjoyed our dinner! read more

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This has been on my list of restaurants to go to for a while so when my job brought me out to Charlotte I already knew where I was going for dinner. Sat at the bar and the bartenders were extremely nice and constantly made sure I had everything I need and checked in with me regularly. They even came around to refill my water even though I they set out a pitcher for me to refill it myself. I started off with their seasonal gin and tonic, which was basically a G&T with coffee liqueur. I wasn't the biggest fan of it but I do love that they are willing to experiment with some of their menu drinks. I came just in time for their happy hour oysters which is such a great deal. The oysters tasted so fresh, were perfectly shucked, and they were sizable compared to some other oyster places I've been to. I really loved trying the variety of sauces that they serve with the oysters. The lobster roll was amazing as well. The lobster was nicely warmed in the butter and the Texas toast was perfectly toasted. Great contrast between the soft lobster and the crunchiness of the toast. The roll came with a side of thick cut fries, which I usually hate because they are never crispy. Well I guess almost never because these were by far the crispiest thick cut fries I've ever had. Great experience all around. read more

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Was looking for a restaurant to celebrate a great week, relax and enjoy great seafood. Sea Level checked all of these boxes and did not disappoint. I sat at the bar and was catered to by a bartender that was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. She made great recommendations that I ordered and enjoyed immensely. As a southern woman, I have high expectations when it comes to certain staples like cornbread. Let me tell you, the southern cornbread is amazing accompanied by that honey butter. Yum!! It's a must have for everyone. My entree was the scallops and risotto. It was absolutely delicious and the scallops were cooked to perfection. This is a great restaurant for all occasions. I highly recommend it if you're visiting downtown Charlotte. read more

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Amazing! Well worth the trip. I took a 24 hour trip to Charlotte just to try this restaurant. The oysters were really good. I also tried the lobster roll and some other stuff everything was good. The place was crowded. We ended up just getting seats at the bar because there was a long wait for a table for 2. It was a little loud due to how crowded it was but the bartender was still able to give us good service. I would try and see if I could get reservations the next time. read more

Sea Level NC - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The server was very polite and courteous. The smoked old fashioned made with Elijah Craig Bourbon. And the Hawaiian Delight made with (Rum Haven, Parrot Bay Passion Fruit Rum, pineapple, lime, hibiscus, demerara, passion fruit flakes) Was good, roasted asparagus, and oysters were excellent mozzarella and french fries were good as well. Atmosphere is noisy and has an industrial look. read more

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First time in downtown Charlotte and came here for lunch! Ordered the Fried NC Catfish! Catfish was yummy - I liked the tartar sauce, and got some house hot sauce on the side (which was a bit greasy but added a good kick!) Note: parking in the garage connected to the building can be validated in the restaurant! read more

Sea Level NC - Fried NC Catfish - Seafood Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yikes! - AVOID! - Went there on a non-busy afternoon, staff was extremely rude. Poorly mismanaged, seemed upset they had customers. Would not recommend! Avoid!!! read more

Wait staff were great.. Food was meh for the price. Charbroiled oysters were overdone, dry and tasteless. Seafood dip was mostly cream cheese and very little seafood. My special blackened grouper was a small piece of grouper (nicely cooked though) over a bed of rice and what amounts to shrimp and grits gravy; for $48! The hot spice was overwhelming for such a delicate fish. Wife's paella was effectively the SAME dish just stirred up in a castiron pan. The flavor profile was identical. Very disappointing that everything tasted the same. One and done! read more

Great seafood and friendly service. Best lobster roll ever. Po boy with oysters was outstanding.