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    Taverna Philosophia

    4.8 (122 reviews)
    Open • 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Taverna Philosophia Photos

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    TAVERNA PHILOSOPHIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Taverna Philosophia

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    Branzino
    Sarah M.

    We had a lovely dinner here at the bar on a Friday evening. I actually love that you can make a reservation for bar seating because that's usually where I want to dine and it guarantees a spot there! Service was good, the bartenders were friendly and attentive. For food, we got the tzatziki, lamb ravioli, and the branzino fish dinner split for two. Everything was delicious. As two frequent travellers to Greece, the food was very close to that of what you get fresh in the Greek islands. Delicious tzatziki. Wine selection was also lovely! We will be back!

    NY Strip Steak
    Eric R.

    Had an awesome experience here. Very unique food options, even for a Greek restaurant. The bread before the meal had an amazing coating that made it soooo good. Got the NY Strip with sides of mushrooms and spinach. Cool ambiance. Love it!

    Justin J.

    What a mind blowing good meal at an extremely fair price. My server was Rachel and she was fun and personable and made great recommendations! Started with the lamb ravioli and the shrimp, both were outstanding. Had the branzino, lamb, risotto, cauliflower, and the cheesy potatoes and I cannot say enough good things about it! Everything was expertly grilled and it was so nice to have a healthy Mediterranean meal that wasn't dripping fat like many restaurant meals. I WILL be back! Also, reservations are a good idea. This place got full quick even though I got here early! J.Ja

    Karpathian Caprese
    Terri R.

    Taverna.... One of our absolute favorite places to eat. They deserve a HUGE shout out for their delish menu, amazing staff and owners. Tonight we got to try a new item on the menu- Cassoulet Croquette. OMG. Amazing. We also tried another new item Karpathian Caprese salad. Big enough for 2 people. And the grilled octopus can be a 1/2 size as an app or whole for your meal. One of Justin's go to's! Entrees - Local Snapper and Grape Leaf wrapped Salmon!!! Yes please. Keep it up Dimitri and Justin!!!! #charlestonfoodandwine #tavernaphilosophia #charlestonfoodie

    Michael M.

    We have enjoyed dining at Taverna Philosophia on two recent occasions and recommend this as a favorite of our Mt. Pleasant restaurant experienecs. We had reservations on a Saturday night, and the place was lively as almost all tables were filled with diners. I love the inside decor, the ceiling is filled with large water jugs, so look up and count. On this visit we sat at the bar and had a good night of service by Anthony. He made recommendations on wines and explained the cocktail specials. Then we enjoyed starters of roasted oysters, and Kataifi shrimp as our favorite. Our entrees were the lamb porterhouse and the lamb saddle special. Both were cooked perfectly and full of flavor but the lamb saddle was tender and served with a delicious noodle. We could not end the night with out dessert and the Greek torte and baklava made the end of our dinner perfectly sweet. Taverna Philosophia is a wonderful restaurant that offers modern Greek dishes in a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to returning with our friends soon.

    Claire F.

    My friend and I decided to try this place, on the spur of the moment. Fortunately, we were able to walk right in on a Tuesday evening. We sat in the dining room and it was lovely. They also have bar and patio seating. We could not have asked for a more fun, pleasant experience. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The ambiance was great- not too noisy and everyone was having fun. The food was fantastic. Our server, Dante, who was excellent, made a terrific suggestion, after I asked what he recommended. The grape leaf wrapped salmon was out-of-this-world! So delicious and light. My friend enjoyed the lamb ravioli with some Pinot Grigio, but she wished she had ordered my salmon too. Everything on the menu looked divine. We enjoyed eating and chatting. This place is exceptional! Will definitely be returning!

    Victoria B.

    This is absolutely a new favorite of mine. I truly didn't think Greek food like this existed in the south. Dmitri and his team were truly excellent hosts , super inviting and offering advice on what to order to have the best experience. I loved the Greek wines, the atmosphere was incredible and unexpected, and bar is expansive and elegant. The appetizers, entrees, and desserts blew us the way. It was very cool to see the fresh fish guests can hand select. Even the bathroom was stunning. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

    Calamari and Octopus cocktail
    Steve M.

    Looking for something different, the wife and I thought Taverna's menu had unique dishes that fit the bill. The restaurant is open, with high ceilings, a nice looking bar, and beautiful old brick wall accent splitting two rooms. The seating is comfortable, and we got the best seat in the house up front in the corner. Kyle our server was super friendly and helpful. When the wife asked for a dry white wine, Kyle brought over the Sommelier to offer advice. She provided an excellent choice. When I requested a glass of Cabernet, I was told they had a special on a Prisoner Cabernet that although a little pricy, knocked my socks off. I had a few reservations ordering the Calamari and Octopus cocktail from the raw bar, but as I originally stated we were looking for something different and this totally answered the bell. The Calamari and Octopus is cooked, then chilled while marinating in a pepper, Caper, Fennel, and Ladolemono dressing. This dish was the star of the night, and I would order a thousand times over. A little heat from the pepper, but so cool and refreshing from the citrusy lemon coating. The meat had the texture of a steak, a nice bite but not chewy. The wife ordered the Escort Buerre Roug, in a Tomato, Capers broth served with Pita bread. Another delicious unique dish you won't find anywhere else in Charleston. We both thought the escort got a little lost, but with enough Pita bread you could have made a meal on the amazingly rich, caper forward broth, all by itself. I could not make up my mind between the Lamb Porterhouse with Mint Gremolata, and the rack of lamb. Troy recommended the Porterhouse as his favorite, and it did not disappoint. The dish was served with a lovely Romain Salad with Goat cheese, lemon juice and extra virgin Greek olive Oil. The wife ordered the Whole Branzino and requested that the fish be filet. While taking away from the presentation, it makes it so much easier to eat. The meat on the fish was cooked perfectly and was very good, however the skin was overly charred and was avoided. We ended the meal by splitting an incredible and large serving of baklava. Travena is a must night out for anyone in the Charleston area.

    Oysters
    Sky V.

    I had a great experience here. The food was fantastic! I really enjoyed the escargot but the salmon wrapped in grape leaves was a winner! I've never had a dish like this before and I can't stop thinking about it! Service was great too and they made my friends birthday very special

    Menu
    Max M.

    On the thoughtful recommendations of Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield, we showed up, with no reservations and the two of us were quickly seated in this charming restaurant. Soon, our server Patrick began helping us out, with his wit and thoughts. We selected (on our own) a $13 glass of Open Chardonnay, which was well chilled and smooth. When it came time to order I chose the grilled Branzino fish which was featured in a number of Yelp reviews. My "bad" but I did not ask Patrick if it was a filet as was shown in the reviews and photographs but a whole fish including the head which is what I received. Of course that required me to pick out the bones from the fish which somehow ended up in my mouth as I attempted to filet the fish on my plate. Despite my error, I thoroughly enjoyed the smokey grilled, tender taste of the fish ($37) which is a variety with a clean taste unlike some which have that seeming "fishy" aftertaste. All in all, a really good meal, and matching service by Patrick. A place to put on your list of Mt. Pleasant eateries to visit.

    Baklava ... could have devoured the whole pan!
    Wendy F.

    Our visit was wonderful from the minute we arrived. The hostess, Clementine, noted that we were celebrating our anniversary and seated us at a reserved table. Not a minute later, Mimi, one of the managers, came to our table with two glasses of Prosecco ... definitely, a nice touch and set the tone for a great experience. The interior is bright and inviting. Tables are nicely spaced. There's a large, bustling bar in the front right side of the dining which does not interfere with diners. Avery, our server was knowledgeable, friendly, answered questions and made suggestions. Quick to arrive was the bread service and oil for dipping. Surprisingly, it was underwhelming ... neither crusty, nor chewy ... but, that was OK as neither of us wanted to fill up on the bread. The menu is designed to satisfy many dining preferences starting with a Raw Bar, appetizers which could be shared, Greek onion soup and three salads. Entrees are offered two ways - Giorti (Feast) and Dinner. The former includes meat and fish options served with a simple salad. The Dinner includes dishes that are complete with a vegetable and/ or a starch. There's also ala carte sides which all look appealing. We started with the Kataifi Shrimp. The order was huge ... 4 very large shrimp, loving wrapped in a thin, flaky phyllo dough and fried, just enough to make them crunchy. Harissa Aioli was drizzled all over. While it first looked overwhelming, it was actually a perfect amount. Joe also ordered the Greek Onion Soup. Served in a beautiful soup bowl, the ample portion consisted of a delicious broth, caramelized onions, an olive oil brioche, gooey Kefalograviera cheese and a surprise touch of rosemary pesto. Delish! My whole roasted Branzino (filleted at my request) was fabulous ...seasoned to perfection, moist and tender. The two ample filets were served over a salad composed of chopped romaine, feta, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Joe's Tagliatelle Avgolemono was somewhat heavy with the addition of Kesseri cheese ... but, the combination of housemade pasta, bacon, mussels, clams, shrimp and the cheese worked. Though we usually skip dessert, we couldn't pass on the Baklava ... and it did not disappoint. Doused in pistachio honey is was dreamy and worth every calorie. The manager and Avery each stopped by our table several times to top off our waters and check to see if we needed anything. We loved Taverna and wish them much success. We'll be back real soon!

    Mussels and greek frites

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    6 days ago

    Every time I visit it's a consistent 10/10. So thankful this place is nearby. One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston.

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    3 months ago

    Very average...nothing exciting or special to brag about....looking for more traditional Greek dishes!

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    5 months ago

    Always a delight! Food, service, atmosphere are on point! Always! A special thanks to Dominique at this visit, she's awesome!

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    6 months ago

    Food service and atmosphere was awesome. Would definitely come back multiple times. Best Greek food, I have had in a long time.

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    The Shellmore

    The Shellmore

    4.4(58 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    What a beautiful evening at The Shellmore. A later evening…read moredinner gave the already intimate setting that much more ambiance. Starting dinner off right with some deliciously fresh raw oysters complete with a traditional "onion" mignonette, and then Chef Eric brought out a little special treat....the base was fresh lump crab meat topped with some chunked watermelon and the most light, fresh, delicious dressing & crunch. WOW. I could eat that all summer. Moving onto the main courses, a perfectly cooked NY strip & root veggies with a love boat of fresh sauces. Chimi, steak butter, and a horseradish crema. As if the steak needed any sauce, but with that trifecta?? I couldn't help myself. Incredible. The other entree, a risotto and shrimp. Incredibly flavorful, complete with crisp English peas. As I write this, I wish I had another plateful. The bartender is the Chef's little lady, & she was a GEM! I cannot remember her name, but she goes to estate sales, and thrifts the beautiful dishes and glassware that they use in the restaurant, which I thought was so neat! These two truly have put their heart and soul into this little place and you can tell. The menu is of a smaller variety, but variety for sure. Chef Eric changes the menu up daily/weekly, so you never know what you may get, and I think that is honestly one of the best parts about this place. You can tell they care, from the food to the atmosphere they have created. This one deserves all the 5 stars.

    I have been wanting to try the Shellmore for quite some time and we finally had an opportunity. We…read moremet up with a co-worker and friend, who also had never been there. The place is super small, maybe five to six tables with a small bar seating area. The menu also is very small and I guess they change it everyday. My wife and I shared the hamachi, I ordered the Ny strip, she had the crab cake and our friend had the salmon. All meals were great! Service was good and drinks were fine. I wish they had house made cocktails but two out three isn't bad. If you are in the ION area check them Out!

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    Tavern & Table - Roasted Brussel Sprouts

    Tavern & Table

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    avern and Table is located right on the Shem river, surrounded by other restaurants and lots of…read moreboat activity, which is really fun to see them coming and going. Of course they have a lot of indoor seating as well and you still get a great view. The sunset views here are incredible and they have a lot of outdoor seating available we are here in September and the weather is phenomenal so we sat right outside next to the river. The food was very good. I had the swordfish with German potato salad. It was really on a bed of rested finger potatoes with asparagus and awesome fixings. My wife had the flat iron steak and it was also delicious. Parking was a snap. Beer and wine very reasonably priced compared to other restaurants we've been to and drink prices were comparable to other places we've been to around $12- thank $14 a cock cocktail . Overall, I definitely come back here again with no problems and I recommend you check it out too!

    We came in today for drinks and some small bites. I ordered the brisket mac & cheese, and was…read moresurprised by how large the portion was and how filling that menu item was. Our table also got the meat board, pimento with bacon jam, and the crab and artichoke dip. I loved the mac & cheese and I'm convinced that if you put that sauce on anything it would be 10 out of 10. I also loved the crab and artichoke dip which is served with warm pita, however, there were mixed reviews at our table. The dip was very crab forward, and the artichoke was barely perceptible. The only criticism of the charcuterie was that there was small portions. The pimento and bacon jam is served with Ritz crackers and one's pleasant, but I felt a little underwhelmed. However, for one of the people at our table, it was the favorite. We sat outside in the covered patio area, and I was surprised by how loud the outdoor seating was. If you're sensitive to overstimulation, sitting inside in the air conditioning would be a much more quiet experience. The service was a little slow, but overall the experience was wonderful and the restaurant is located right next to the water. We were there on a weekend and it was busy even though it was in between lunch and dinner. Parking was hard to come by, but that's to be expected for this location.

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    Post House

    4.0(224 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Wonderful experience. The menu was perfect and love the use of local seafood like the Tarvin…read moreshrimp. Morgan was our server, he was a complete professional. He made the whole experience complete.

    When I think of a southern hospitality, I will always think of my experience at Post House. I was…read morelooking for a nice place for a date night and they did not disappoint. Post House is actually an inn where you can stay overnight and a restaurant. This review is only gonna be based on the restaurant portion. Had dinner reservations that were easy to make online. Arrived a little bit early, but we were able to be seated after only a few minutes waiting. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. Going into how delicious the food was. For an appetizer, they brought out some warm cornbread with sweet whipped butter. The cornbread was light and fluffy with a hint of honey. Sweet and delicious. For my main course, I ordered the sirloin steak that came with a side of potatoes and arugula. The steak was cooked medium as I requested. It had a great flavor and was absolutely delicious. I chose not to finish it off so I could save a room for dessert. For dessert, I ordered the peach cobbler. It was a ample portion of warm peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Again they knocked it out of the park. Everything about this experience was five star from the service to the food. Everyone was so nice. Since it was our first visit here, they even provided a small gift of a mug with some socks inside of it. If you are in Charleston and have the opportunity, definitely come here for dinner.

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    Red Drum Restaurant - Crab Meat & Avocado Tostaditas

    Red Drum Restaurant

    4.0(303 reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    For an early Thursday night this place was packed. They offer a fantastic Happy Hour with both…read moredrinks & food. We ordered the French fries, chicken quesadilla, and fried shrimp. All were good but the quesadilla came out cold. The spicy margarita was fantastic! Service was friendly and fast. The chairs at the bar need to be replaced. They are too short for the bar and made of fabric which doesn't enable them to be cleaned. Overall, the place was great and I would definitely return.

    I've been dining at Red Drum for over twenty years, long enough to remember when a last-minute…read morereservation on a Tuesday felt like winning the lottery. So when my family and I received some truly remarkable medical news this week, the kind of victory you save for a proper toast, Red Drum was the obvious choice. What better place to celebrate a long-awaited milestone than with familiar faces and a pork chop I've trusted since the era of dial-up internet? Well. About that pork chop. Two of us ordered the longtime menu staple. We expected the same giant, butcher's-best chop that has anchored the plate forever. What arrived instead felt like someone had rewritten a classic without reading the original. Gone were the lovely fresh tomatoes and potatoes, the bright bites that used to sing alongside the chop, along with the subtle demi that once tied everything together. In their place, Brussels sprouts were doing a full backstroke in an acid bath. And not, unfortunately, the fun kind of acid bath. I would have been fine with the sprouts but this sauce... The sauce was so sharp and dominant that it steamrolled the pork entirely. Since it made up the entire base of the dish, there was no escaping it. I later learned there were supposed to be potatoes mixed in, hash-style, but my portion must have pulled a vanishing act because not a single potato was found. My dining partner fared no better. Between the two of us, the equivalent of an entire pork chop went back to the kitchen. When we told our server the sauce tasted "off," she reacted with all the urgency of someone being told their shoelace is untied. There was no concern, no apology, and no curiosity. Our third diner ordered the salmon. He said it was very good, and the corn pudding was too, but even he missed the potato that used to round out the plate. For forty-one dollars, he said the meal felt "undercut," and I agree. When the most satisfied person at the table feels shorted, that is not great. Dessert was a bright spot. The hot butter rum toffee and the doughnuts hit the mark. By then, however, I was too busy fuming, more effectively than the pork, over the indifference that hung over the whole evening. No manager ever came by. I am not convinced our feedback reached anyone. By the time the bill arrived, it felt like our waitress wanted us to pay, smile, and scurry along. This was when the night took another strange turn. As she handed me the check, I asked about a familiar husband and wife duo who had served at Red Drum for years. They were beloved, memorable, and unmistakably professional. Anyone who has eaten at Red Drum even semi-regularly knows exactly who I mean. They were fixtures. I asked if they were working that night so I could say hello. The waitress casually told me they had been gone for some time and had left under "not good circumstances." That was when my eyebrows reached escape velocity. If you know Red Drum, the Red Drum of years past, you know that couple. You know the level of professionalism, the consistency, and the connection they brought to the room. You know they were not the "leave under not good circumstances" type. The comment felt off, unnecessary, and frankly a little concerning. It made me wonder what has really changed behind the scenes and what regulars will think when they read this. By then, curiosity pushed me to look around the room. It was nearly empty. It was 6:45 p.m. on a Tuesday. Yes, a weeknight, but dinner hour all the same. In years past, this place buzzed no matter the night. You could not get a last-minute reservation without divine intervention. Suddenly the ease of getting one this time made a whole lot more sense. I genuinely wanted this to be a triumphant return, a full-circle moment after a long illness and a day of wonderful news. Instead, it was a sobering reminder that somewhere along the way, Red Drum lost the plot, and maybe a lot more than its potatoes. After reflecting on our experience, I called the restaurant to share my concerns, but three business days have passed without a return call.

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    Taverna Philosophia - mediterranean - Updated October 2026

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