A Charleston treat, 100%! Whether you are local or visiting, make a point to pop in to Fast &…read moreFrench (i.e., Gaulart & Maliclet) for a meal, a glass of wine, or both! :) This local spot is a long-standing standard in good food, good drinks, and a good vibe. Nestled in a narrow space on Broad Street, we are never disappointed at Fast and French. The cucumber soup is spot on. The hot dog - divine! The wine and the cocktails - equally excellent. Oh, did I mention that the service is always lovely and that the prices are so reasonable you wonder whether the menu has a typo? :) Every time we visit, we say, we should come here more often than we do! Enjoy your visit!

Oh my Lord! Please don't eat here! It's not worthy of 1 star! Food was horrible, service was…read moreterrible. I have been living in Charleston since 2010 and have been looking for a French restaurant for years. One day while walking around the French Quarter I noticed a quaint lil French bistro and put it on my "gotta try" list. So I came to see what all the 5 star reviews were about and boy was I disappointed from the get go. I try my best not to judge a book by its cover and lemme tell you I'm not scared of whole in the walls and the gems in different hodgepodge places, if it's got good eats, I'm there. I usually will try a restaurant 3 times before writing a review but helllllll no. The food and experience was so bad y'all! I have to tell you about my experience NOW while the bad taste is still in my mouth! I ordered the soup of the day which was she crab soup and a baguette. I thought cool French baguette is my fave and how could you go wrong with soup. No, I got 2 small slices of stale baguette top with some kind of cheese like a lunchable you can get at the grocery store and soup that was too salty to eat! So I said let me try something that you can't mess up. A croissant! A chocolate one well they messed that up too! How can you get a croissant wrong, and it was store bought croissants! Yuck! From a FRENCH restaurant, not made in house but if I'm wrong then those were the worst croissants ever!!!!!! Please people don't eat here! The serve staff did not greet us, ignored us and asked a white patron about his party of guests even though we were there 10 minutes before and the host knew he did wrong for asking to seat the other guy before acknowledging us because he caught my stare and we locked eyes and I did not back down or break the eye contact to let him know, yea fellow you totally ignored me for 10 minutes and asked the other guy how many in his party 1st! Even after the poor service I was dealt with in the beginning I still wanted to give it a chance, but after hearing how the wait staff addressed other patrons about how short staff they were and how horrible they had to do so many things I about had it. I was looking forward to a hot fresh French press coffee and was let down again. Weakest French press coffee just take my advice and walk swiftly past this whole in the wall. I can't believe this place is still open after so many years. Really Charlestonians!?! Really? I know we have more restaurants per square capita but this one has got to go. We ate some food because we were shopping and so hungry, but after that we paid and left fast

I can confidently say that Brasserie La Banque delivers an experience that feels both elevated and…read moreinviting from the moment you walk in. The space alone is worth a visit -- soaring high ceilings, stunning architectural details, and a beautifully designed bar that immediately sets the tone. It feels grand without being stuffy. We were seated right away in a large semi-circle booth that was both cozy and spacious for our party of four -- the perfect balance of intimate and comfortable. Maddie, our server, greeted us promptly and took our drink orders. We started with a dirty martini, a crisp glass of Sancerre, and two Autumn Old Fashioneds -- all expertly prepared. From there, we asked Maddie for recommendations, and she absolutely nailed every single one. Her guidance truly shaped our evening. To start, we ordered the Pomme Frites and the Sweet & Beet Salad. The frites were a plate of crunchy, golden deliciousness -- yes, a touch salty, but in that can't-stop-eating-them kind of way. The Sweet & Beet Salad might sound like an unexpected pairing with sweet potatoes and beets, but somehow it worked beautifully. The flavors were balanced, thoughtful, and surprisingly harmonious. For mains, the Chicken Fricassée was well executed and comforting. The Boeuf Bourguignon, however, was the undeniable star of the night -- rich, deeply flavorful, and beautifully prepared. It's the kind of dish you think about the next day. The Gnocchi Parisienne was light yet decadent (if that even makes sense), pillowy and indulgent without feeling heavy. We also ordered the Market Catch -- a type of snapper none of us had ever tried before -- and it was cooked perfectly, flaky and packed with flavor. By the end of the meal, we were happily full and couldn't even consider dessert. Maddie suggested we at least pop downstairs to check out the speakeasy bar, even if we didn't grab another drink -- and we're so glad she did. I have to give Maddie the recognition she deserves. She was fantastic -- knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely fun. She made an already wonderful dinner even more enjoyable. An absolute delight. Ask for her if you can. If you're looking for a beautiful setting, classic French-inspired dishes done right, and service that elevates the entire experience, Brasserie La Banque should absolutely be on your list.

Beautiful and elegant atmosphere. Friendly, but slightly…read moreslow service. Excellent croissants. The other food was overly hyped. Definitely try the chocolate and the cookie butter croissants. We shared one of each for our table of four. Both were very good.

New Year's Eve in Charleston called for something festive but unfussy, and this spot delivered…read moreexactly that. Staying nearby made it an easy choice for a last minute plan that felt quietly special. We picked up NA bubbles from a neighborhood shop, then grabbed a takeaway meal that turned our Airbnb into a celebration table. The short ribs were rich and deeply comforting, the kind that feels slow cooked with care. The scallops were perfectly done, tender and balanced, proof that even to go seafood can shine. Dessert sealed the night. A honey cake that was light, delicate, and just sweet enough, lingering in the best way as midnight approached. It was an effortless, elegant way to ring in the new year, with food that traveled well and still felt like a treat. A reminder that sometimes the best celebrations are the ones you carry home with you.

Bistronomy describes itself as offering a "cozy atmosphere" that "pays homage to classic French…read moredishes." The atmosphere is indeed cozy, although the entrance area feels overcrowded. Once seated, tables are well spaced, stable, and matched with comfortable chairs. One positive note: the restaurant is not excessively noisy, which makes conversation pleasant. Parking nearby is difficult, but there is a parking garage within walking distance. Bathrooms were clean and spacious. Unfortunately, the dining experience did not live up to the concept or pricing. The service felt casual to the point of being unprofessional. Staff were loud, informally dressed (jeans a Tshirt; though clean), and lacked the attentiveness and polish one might expect from a restaurant positioning itself around French cuisine. Also surprising: the menu is not available on the website. The biggest disappointment, however, was the food. Bistronomy needs a chef capable of honoring the culinary identity suggested by its name. The bouillabaisse was, frankly, an unrecognizable reinterpretation of the dish. The broth lacked the depth and defining elements traditionally associated with bouillabaisse; saffron, tomato, leeks, aromatic herbs such as bay leaf, and overall complexity. There was no meaningful presence of fish or scallops; just few shrimp and mussels out of a bag from supermarket dropped in hot water. And the rouille alongside just to check a box, placed on what appeared to be a failed crouton. Yet the dish was priced as though it were an authentic bouillabaisse. The "Wagyu" hamburger was equally disappointing. Whatever was served bore little resemblance to wagyu beef. Rather than rich and well-marbled, it was dry and lacked flavor, topped with inexpensive processed American cheese and served in a forgettable bun with overcooked fries. ... Yet the dish was priced as though it were an authentic wagyu beef. In summary: pleasant space, clean facilities, and decent acoustics. Good for a bar. But the food does not justify the concept, the execution, or the price point.

First time in charleston, SC there are many restaurants in the area and we picked by chance, The…read moreRoyal Tern, wonderful experience food was excellent and our waitress Jessie, was very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend.

Food - 5 stars. Both my girlfriend and I got the blackened…read moreshrimp chowder. Absolutely delicious! I love how they fire the shrimp at the last minute, so they don't sit in a heated soup for hours on end, becoming rubber bands. Next, I got the scallops with the saffron risotto. Yum! Girlfriend got the a snapper dish on a butter bean medley. She doesn't like Lima beans (which these actually appeared to be), so she ate around them, but she loved the fish! Service - 5 stars Our waiter was a nice gentleman named Tony. He was very friendly and helpful and timely with his service. Did a good job of helping my girlfriend navigate the wine menu (she's quite picky). They've actually got some aged white wines (Sauvignon blancs) that are quite different than what she normally drinks (she likes New Zealand varieties), so he steered her clear of them. Ambiance - 5 stars I found the interior of the place to be very inviting. Tall ceilings and modern architecture. A little on the loud side (we had a family with young kids nearby), but not bad. They actually have sound absorbing panels mounted on the ceiling, so you can tell they've given this element some thought. Finally, our table had a nice view of the kitchen and, as an avid personal chef, I really appreciate that aspect. Only odd thing (to me, at least) was that they sat us at a table right away (we arrived right at 5pm, which was when they opened), but told us that the bar seating was by reservation only. Odd...but maybe be the Kentucky Derby was coming on later that evening? In summary, I highly recommend this place and we will certainly be coming back!

Chez Nous feels like a little secret. The 200 year old house, tucked between streets, reads as a…read moretrue hideaway. We dined at night, when the patio glowed with lights, heaters, and long tables that felt instantly charming and warm. Inside, I loved the window at the end of the house looking straight into the kitchen. It felt like a front row seat at *The Bear*. The handwritten menu was a beautiful, elevated touch. The food was excellent. The burrata was the best I've had in ages, perfectly balanced with fresh, elegant flavors. The peppers with anchovies delivered a bolder, more dissonant note, but it worked beautifully. The bread was wonderful, the pork schnitzel hearty and satisfying, and my favorite dish was the snapper. Perfectly prepared, it came with a creamy but light sauce over a bed of onions. My only critique was the non alcoholic wine. The options tasted more like juice, and alcohol free wine can absolutely be refined and complex. These were not. Service? Yes. Yes. Yes. Warm, attentive, and genuinely gracious. I felt like a special visitor. Thank you.

We went here with our friends who now live in Charleston. Good thing because we never would have…read morefound it on our own. The location is off the street almost in a back alley. We were seated upstairs in a very small dining area. All the food is prepared downstairs in the kitchen and the wait staff have to bring it upstairs. The food was excellent as was the service. AVery wonderful selections which change daily. The menu handwritten, so a little difficult to read. But fortunately our server told us all the dishes. It is a three course meal. Starter, plus entree, plus dessert. Not to heavy which I appreciated. All of us really enjoyed our meals. Worth finding!

I had a great time. The staff and manager were incredibly accommodating and helped us get to our…read moreshow on time. The food was delicious. I cannot recommend this place enough.

We were seated outside in January which was ok but I definitely couldn't take my jacket off despite…read morethe heaters. Service was good. I don't say great because at ordering I said I have a dairy allergy. I ordered the mushroom steak. When she brought it out she said, oh they finish it with butter, is that ok? Um...no? So they remade it. Second thing was I ordered the salmon which came with some type of potatoes she said were finished in butter so she suggested fries. Gotcha--thanks! But then they charged me $2 extra??? Overall food was tasty. The manager was very visible. It did take an hour for our mains to arrive but we weren't in a hurry. I do think plating could be better--the dishes weren't visually appealing. The chicken franchise was swimming in sauce. Also--French onion soup is a gratinè--very very thick.

There's a part of me that doesn't want you to know about this place but they deserve the praise so…read morehere you go: take whatever reservation you can get, sit wherever they have space and come hungry. It is such a great menu with so many tasty items. I'd say don't miss the foie Gras mousse bc you'll never taste better. The restaurant is tiny but so nice and it's astounding what the chefs are able to accomplish in a small space. I'd also like to thank the staff for not dumping our many dishes all at once but coursing them nicely. It's was appreciated. An amazing addition to Charleston!

Merci is a gem of a little "neighborhood" bistro ~ right in the Harlston Village area in downtown…read moreCharleston. Service was friendly and attentive and servers make sure to take the time to explain the menu items. With only 6-7 tables in the dining of various sizes it is a must to reserve a table. The menu does change often and I've included the most recent one from this evening 12/19/25. But you'll get a good enough idea of what Merci is about and you will not be disappointed. I sit and savor the dishes I order as they contain so many different ingredients.. all go well together...just hints of flavors perfectly created. Merci is Forbes rated worthy as well as Garden and Gun, Charleston Magazine, to name a few. You're in good hands with the restaurants purveyors too including Raven Farm, King studs Farms, Ambrose Farm Rosebank Farm, Storey Farm to name a few... so local farm to table is present here. Will return. Living in the neighborhood helps. Opens at 4:00 for early diners. That's an option and would probably have more success booking a reservation-- even at that time!

Always great food at the Edison. Good service and a cozy spot to grab something delicious. Lots of…read moreseasonal options on the menu. Highly recommend!

Gotta admit - I struggled with this one. I ended up getting the West Indies seafood chowder for an…read moreappetizer. It was...good...not great. Had a slight kick to it (spice wise) but very little evidence of actual seafood in it. After much debate about what to get for a main course (and after seeing what other patrons got at the bar where I sat), I decided to get the Moroccan salad with salmon. Again...it was good...not great. I cook way better salmon at home on a cedar plank over real charcoal, so maybe I'm being unfair here? I dunno. The salad itself was heavy on arugula, which I'm not a huge fan of. Which is odd, because I love the flavor of pepper! Anyway, the menu made it sound like it was more fennel-oriented, so... Ended up capping off the meal with the blackberry key lime pie. It was quite tasty. Not the best key lime pie I've ever had, but good. As to the atmosphere, it's nice. My girlfriend has actually convinced me several times that we shouldn't come here because we weren't dressed well enough. Well, let me just say: I saw several guys here wearing jeans, fishing shirts, and ball caps and they fit right in. So: not stuffy at all! Bottom line, it's a good, not great place to grab a meal. I love that it's off the beaten path (i.e., not close to Folly Road). Will def come back with my girlfriend next time. Might try the swordfish or maybe the meatballs next time.

Le Farfalle is one of Charleston's best Italian restaurants. There's a nice large bar to enjoy, and…read moreample seating inside. Service was friendly and engaging from the moment we arrived. We had reservations for a Sunday night, and our server Joe was quick to greet us after we arrived. He delivered friendly service all night, which began with a thorough knowledge of the menu. We had starters of rosemary focaccia and braised artichokes. The focaccia is a must order, it's so soft and delicious. It's served with 3 sides of olive oil, marinara, and my favorite whipped ricotta. The braised artichokes, was a pass for me. No flavor, too soft a texture. Their entree menu has a nice variety of house made pastas. We chose fusilli lunghi, and rigatoni bolognese. Both were delicious flavorful entrees, with the pastas served perfectly al dente. The rigatoni was made with spinach, and the meat sauce was meaty and with a balanced tomato sauce. We ended our dinner, with carrot cake and chocolate cake. Yum! The chocolate cake was amazing, it was moist, velvety, and rich in chocolate flavor. A round of espresso martinis helped top off our dinner, and we ended the night with a rich appreciation of this experience.

The food was excellent and the service was very good. The pasta made fresh and was really good…read more Unfortunately, where I was seated every time I looked at my wife I also saw a load of dust between the mirrors above my wife. It was disgusting. I tried to get a good picture of it but the back light from a window was very bright. I included the picture. I would go back but I would definitely check the cleanliness before sitting down.

We came here for lunch on a Saturday and would do it again. It is very clean inside and shiny. It…read morelooks like it might be a good place to watch sports maybe but we didn't. We especially liked a roll we asked them to make- eel avocado cucumber.

Really good bento box! I was craving one so bad and I made the right decision to come here…read more Portions are big and definitely worth your time and money. Service was good. I also wished there were a lunch menu? I came during lunch and there was no option for that which my meal did come a bit pricey but it's all good because it was delicious.