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Tempest

4.3 (394 reviews)
Open • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

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TEMPEST ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Intimate
Romantic
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Tempest

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Reviews With Photos

Menu
Linda L.

The food was delicious! Service was good. The Pavlova was delightful. The ceiling of the restaurant is beautiful. They give the ladies roses at the end of the meal and you get a little shot of liquor. I appreciated that they poured a glass of water for my daughter so she didn't feel left out. I would order the flounder, calamari, salad, again. The fish tacos were not my favorite. The tortilla was not all warmed through and a little dry, but everything else was out of the park.

barramundi
Tatum B.

right off the bat, we experienced a bit of hostility from the host. when we told her the name for the reservation, she gave us attitude and said "are you sure it's not for Church and Union." we had to point out the name to her as if she was purposely trying not to see it. other than that, the service was amazing. our server was so sweet and continued to fill up our waters when they'd get low. for the appetizers we got the fried calamari(8/10), the shrimp(6/10), and the ocean rolls(8/10). for the main i ordered the barramundi. the sweet potato had a lot of flavor and the kale on top was a nice touch. the fish itself didn't have a lot of flavor (7/10). as for dessert, we got the special lemon meringue, which is perfect if you love sweet, and the s'mores, which is perfect if you love a more heavy flavor, both so delicious. the place had great music and it was so asthetic. i recommend!

The N/A-groni
Carrie Neal W.

What a treat! We visited Tempest on a rainy Friday that made us miss our reservations. We had let them know and when we arrived a half hour late found they had reserved two spots at the bar for us. Very thoughtful and a great solution! The restaurant itself is beautiful. The lowered glass ceiling is gorgeous and the driftwood piece at the end of the bar is tremendous! Our dinner was excellent. The N/A-negroni mocktail was a fun start, with its hint of orange and floreal. We shared the tasty calamari and each devoured a beef dinner: I enjoyed the steak frites, medium rare, with shoe string fries; he loved the short ribs with mashed potatoes. Great meal, nice staff. A new favorite!

Elisa W.

Amazing spot to take my family while they were in town visiting us. We ate on their patio with a party of 7 including a 1 year old. The patio allowed him to stay entertained watching people walk by. Being outside, we felt relaxed and not like we were bothering anyone if he squealed. The barramundi was a favorite - wonderfully flakey and paired nicely with the sweet potato.

Roasted shrimp
Nina J.

Our server, Angela, was fantastic. She helped us with our food selection and we were so thrilled with our choices. Started with the must-have ocean rolls, friend calamari, roasted shrimp, and local oysters. Then Rigatoni and NY Strip for the mains. Finished our meals with a delicious smores-like dessert. At the end of our meals, we were presented with a flower and two glasses of brandy, which is a tradition passed on from decades ago that the original restaurant used to do... My only regret - not getting another dessert to go!

A surprised at the end of the meal
Samantha L.

We had an amazing experience at Tempest during our weekend in Charleston. Our Uber driver recommended and we were able to walk right in on a Friday night - though I think that was pure luck since it seems quite popular! The location is so unique and the beautiful art inside attracted us in. The staff was super friendly and helpful throughout the whole meal. I very much enjoyed a pasta dish and wine, but my favorite part was at the end of the meal. We were surprised with a complementary port, a flower to take home, and a copy of The Tempest that served as a guest book. So cute and unique!

The lesser altered "tradition."
Janine R.

We arrived to an empty restaurant. We were quickly attended by the host and server. The music played through the speaker is upbeat and the lighting is appropriately dimmed for dinner with a lit candle on each table. The menu has drastically changed from a fish-centered menu to a menu with sparse fish entrees - there is but one now. Guessing there has been a chef change and they are trying to make the restaurant food choices their own. The roasted shrimp were very tasty. Would recommend. The fish tacos are very nice. Good balance of flavors. The cacio e pepe is fine. Too much butter - greasy. Not enough pecorino. This is not the same restaurant that was once voted best restaurant by USA readers in 2020. The Tempest of today is not sure what it wants to be. It has elements of Italian, elements of a steak restaurant, very limited seafood entrees, etc. It should change its name to Miscellaneous from Tempest, because the menu does not have a clear focus. We asked to change the preparation of the Filet Mignon to have an au poivre sauce with shoestring potatoes. Irish potatoes have a cabbage flavor and the texture is off-putting. The shoestring potatoes were great, the filet mignon was tender and had a great flavor but needed more au poivre sauce. The Mahi Mahi was good, but it doesn't knock it out of the park. Do not ask for a half portion of pasta because that is not allowed. Do not ask for traditional mashed potatoes because they are pre-prepared and the kitchen cannot accommodate. It's comical to see all of the ocean decor on the walls with this no longer being a fish-focused restaurant. The "tradition" of giving ladies roses, men cigars, and a taste of brandy has been downgraded to carnations and no cigars. Truly an inferior substitute. There were nicer flowers on the tables at Chik-fil-a on our drive to Charleston. If the feel of this new version of Tempest is to be an upscale, sophisticated dining experience, carnations are not the flowers to favorably impress. The bar is still wonderful and making excellent drinks. Cheers. The desserts were on par for previous visits. EASILY the highlight of the meal. The s'mores dessert is phenomenal the chocolate ice cream is the most creamy and most rich ice cream I've had in a long while. In short, skip dinner here, but definitely order dessert. Our server was very friendly as was the host. We are now in the market for an excellent seafood restaurant in Charleston - this is sadly no longer it.

Oysters
Lynn B.

I've been to the Tempest before and enjoyed it, but not as much this time. The food was so-so for my group. I really liked the oysters, but the pavlova was hard. Why even serve it if you know the humidity makes it impossible to enjoy? Odd! Ordered a wedge salad, and nothing on the menu stated that onions were served with the salad. Why?? I would have ordered without the onions, but no, the salad came out with raw onions all over it. Too many to pick off to the side, so I had to send back and wait for another. By the time my salad came out for the second time, the others in my party had already finished theirs. Just seemed like an uneven night. The manager apologized for the salad and dessert and offered a complimentary dessert to make up for it, which was appreciated. With so many great dining choices in Charleston, missteps like this are tough to make me want to try again anytime soon.

Braised short rib
Jessica S.

Had such a great time here! We had reservations so we were sat immediately & all our food came out at a reasonable time. Speaking of the food - out of this world. I'll be thinking about the braised short rib until I'm able to come back. At the end of the meal they gave the girls in our group flowers and all of us a brandy to sip on... such a cute thing that they do complimentary! Highly recommend the smores dessert

Inside
Nitya C.

This place is a night time beauty!! It's hard to not enjoy your dining experience in this absolutely stunning location. And on top of that the food is absolutely amazing!!!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Our experience was amazing. We would definitely return here for another CHS dinner.

Fingerling Potatoes
Morgan R.

This used to be my favorite restaurant in Charleston, and I so looked forward to coming back. If you used to love Tempest, there is a good chance you won't like it quite as much. Previously synonymous with excellent, fresh seafood - some of the best in Charleston, now 7/8 entrees are not seafood - this restaurant is the same as the original in name only. Get: rigatoni bolognese (one of the best I've had), Adeline cocktail, filet mignon, best item overall - Some More dessert Avoid: spaghetti cacio e pepe (too much butter and not enough pepper), mahi mahi, Irish mashed potatoes The calamari was room temperature when presented but the lemon aioli was nice and the fried, pickled peppers were great. The charcoal roasted shrimp were good but were not completely deveined - they need to be properly cleaned. The mahi mahi tacos are nice but not remarkable. The mahi mahi (last remaining seafood entree) was okay but missed the bright, unique flavor combinations of the original Tempest. The filet mignon was very tender but the Irish mashed potatoes are a very strange accompaniment. To reduce costs, many items made multiple appearances on the menu - ie the only fish available was present in the appetizer and entree, the only potato side (Irish potatoes) was present in two entrees with limited options. The previous tradition at dessert - giving ladies roses and men cigars with a taste of brandy transitioned to carnations for ladies and brandy for all. Cutting corners is always noticeable and makes you wonder what areas in the kitchen are being looked over. The desserts were great - the Some More dessert is really incredible and has been amazing for years! The Spill the Tea dessert needs a small amount of sweetness in the earl grey cream - otherwise nice. Espresso martinis are nice.

Flounder
Travis C.

We came here for my oldest daughter's birthday and it did not disappoint. The place is very cozy and the food was outstanding. The ocean rolls, which were ordered twice, were so good. We also had the calamari which was cooked perfectly. For entrees we had flounder, and several pastas. Desert was their version of a smore. Since I mentioned it was my daughter's birthday they brought out a card wishing her a happy birthday and signed by the staff. Nice touch. I highly recommend coming here.

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Very nice looking place. Great setting. The service was good. The food was very good. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

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Outstanding dining experience. The warm hospitality, food, attentive service, and ambiance were all top notch. Definitely will return again.

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Tempest Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tempest

Is there a dress code?

No, like others have said Charleston casual is good enough. I dressed up, but you don't have to.

Do they have any Gluten Free options?

I didn't see any when I was there.

Do servers wear masks?

No. Not as of last night ( Christmas Eve 2021).

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Doar Bros. - Drink - Bourbon and Clyde.

Doar Bros.

(275 reviews)

$$

Ansonborough

Every time I find myself in Charleston I must stop here. Not your average bar at all. I like that…read morethey change up their menu so every time I visit there is something new to try. I have never had a bad drink here. I got the Batata Clarified Milk Punch (description in picture) which was fantastic. The toasted marshmallow garnish was a great touch for the season we were in. My mom got the Bourbon and Clyde and she said it was incredible. Description also in picture. The orange foam and pistachio crumble was a great addition. Another great drink for autumn. My second drink was the Smokin Indo which was probably my favorite. They performed the smoked glass technique with applewood which was not only cool to watch but added a unique flavor to the drink. We always make a point to get the assorted cheeses when we are here because they make a great charcuterie board. They switch up the cheeses just like they change their cocktail menu. Love to sit at the bar because it is truly an art to watch the bartenders make these drinks and really adds to the experience. Everyone who works here is super kind and knowledgeable on their craft. However, if you are able to be there when the two Doar brothers are working it makes it truly special. They give postcards with their check and there's a bowl of matchbooks sitting on the bar. One of the best cocktail bars in Charleston. Debated writing this because I selfishly want to keep it under the radar but it definitely deserves its accolades.

The last trip to Charleston, we made a reservation for Doar Bros to pop in for a cocktail after…read moredinner. I loved the atmosphere! It's super cozy, very chic, and pretty small. The service was on point and the bartender was killing it at the bar - multitasking making 3 drinks all at once. It was super impressive and I took a few videos of him. I'm giving 4 stars because the first cocktail I ordered was SO SWEET that I couldn't get it down. I tried to drink it but had to send it back. We asked when we ordered about the flavor profile and supposedly it wasn't sweet, but all 3 of us agreed it was way oversweet. My black manhattan was phenomenal and my husband had a mocktail moscow mule that was awesome. Overall, I'd come back again - just be mindful of the ingredients in the drink and modifying as needed for sweetness. Make a reservation if you can!

Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant - Chicken and waffles

Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant

(252 reviews)

French Quarter

Complete perfection in a meal, where everything from drinks to appetizer, entree, and dessert is…read morerare, but last night at the Iron Rose they came really close. To start Abigail, our waitress, was attentive, helpful, super sweet and just about the best waitress I have ever had. My wife and I ordered a round of cocktails, expecting the usual great description with subsequent lack luster drinks. Last night was different, midnight bloom which is their take on an old fashioned, but really in a different league; Smooth complex, and satisfying. My wife got the Ruby Ruby which is sort of a pomegranate martini with champagne. Refreshing and vibrant. For appetizers we had the blue crab fritters and the pork belly. The fritters were crispy, light, and full of crab flavor. Virtually no filler. I could have eaten a hundred. The pork belly was crispy, and rich without being too heavy. They also serve it in a white sauce that I was still thinking about the next day. For entrees we got the Roasted grouper and the pork shank. The grouper was maybe a bit overcooked and dry, but the accompanying butter beans stole the show. The were rich, and layered with flavor. I will never see the simple butter bean in the same way ever again. The pork was fall off the bone tender without being dry. The sauce it was served in was a masterpiece. There were hints of apple, berry, cinnamon, and many other notes, I would drink it by the glass if it was available. We split the gelato for dessert. Pure delight. Smooth, bursting with flavor, and leaving you wanting for more. All in all, except for a small misstep with the cook on the grouper a near perfect dinner. I would go there soon because a Michelin star can not be far off, and then getting a table will be a near impossibility.

We were two couples celebrating a birthday. We had a reservation and they seated us early. The…read moredining room was loud so we requested the patio, but there was no availability. My husband's old fashioned arrive with a cute rose ice cube. My Amaretto Sour with a Cabernet Float came in a Coupe glass and was as tasty as it was pretty. All of the food we ordered was delicious! Bites: Tuna Crudo, Pickled White Shrimp. Entrees: Charred Octopus, Seared Scallops, Cider Braised Pork Shank, Market Fish (Halibut). Veggies: Flash Fried Brussels Sprouts. Dessert: Chocolate Crunch Cake. Our server, Lillian, was really helpful with dietary restrictions and menu recommendations. Thank you for a memorable meal. If the dining room wasn't as loud, this would have been a 5 star review.

AZUR - Nice crepes with Nutella. The whipped cream was superb!

AZUR

(121 reviews)

King Street

We had the pleasure of dining here 2 separate times over an extended weekend trip…read more Host very welcoming and nurturing. Finds your table, if you arrive early for a reservation we had luck with them seating us and he says a kind goodbye as we left each time. Nice list of 3 mocktails so even if not consuming alcohol one can look to play the part at the table and enjoy the flavor notes of a well made cocktail. The first meal we had was a bit of a work/get together meal. We ordered an assortment of items off of the menu and created a more tapas menu. The charcuterie board we picked the cheeses for and it was lovely. All as expected and quite surprised to find a cheddar I enjoyed. Came with some grapes, figs, nuts, honey and I think mustard. Glazed carrots were phenomenal. Heartily enjoyed the beet salad and thought the presentation was quite pretty. Lamb lettuce wraps are alright. Not my favorite of all the dishes served but delivered as promised, nicely cooked and presented. Spouse really liked the lamb wraps and were a stand out dish to them. Meatballs are excellent truly great texture and flavor. Escargot was a fun take on a classic dish. Finished with a unique strudel in its presentation it was quite pleasant. Spouse liked the peanut butter chocolate dessert. For brunch, I had the carrot ginger soup. Which I must say was a total delight. The soup had the hallmark texture and base flavor of the carrot ginger but it had a beautiful breath of savory and some heat seasoning wise to it. It was quite an elevated soup and heartily enjoyed! I followed the carrot soup with a French toast. I am all for softly scrambled eggs but the French toast was a touch undercooked. (I did not let the restaurant know or give them the chance to make right. I regularly eat soft boiled eggs and soft scrambled so I felt comfortable with consuming them.) Strawberries were ripe and tasty. The whipped cream was gorgeous in thickness and flavor. One in law had the caesar salad with croutons and grilled chicken. Their bowl was left clean so while they are not the talkative of sorts they did seem to enjoy it. Ordered a baguette with butter. Unfortunately the butter never made it to the table but the baguette was enjoyed. Spouse had the Azur burger with the side of tapas style potatoes. All was cooked properly to temperature and texture. Flavor and taste as promised. Wasn't their favorite dish at Azur as we had tried so many lovely dishes a few evenings before. But it did deliver on what was represented in the menu. Other in law had the quiche and a side salad. They liked the quiche and would order it again.

Wow! What a beautiful restaurant! I love the cozy atmosphere and the decor. There isn't a lot of…read moreseating so you need to make reservations. Our server was very sweet and helpful! Everything we ordered was delicious - I don't know that you could go wrong in anything here!

Blind Tiger Pub - Four Cheese Bacon Mac

Blind Tiger Pub

(1k reviews)

$$

French Quarter

Popped in here for our last night in Charleston. We didn't know what to expect but was impressed to…read moresee how big it was once we stepped inside. The back opens up to another bar with outdoor seating, very cool. The bartender out back took our drinks, I forgot her name but she was from California originally, La Jolla area? Anyways, very friendly and was attentive even with all the guests in need. We hung out for hours, meeting locals and enjoying drinks. Decided to order food and they had a cheese dip that was spot on. My wife ordered the steak salad and the steak was overcooked, but when asked how things were, they were quick to make it right, and brought out another steak to fix the issue. 5 stars! I hope they see this review and know that they are doing something right. I do wish they had better merch. I wanted to buy stuff but was told their shirts shrink quite a bit after washing. Bummer.

Listen, it's a great bar. The courtyard is nice. There is an ample amount of options for drinks…read more But... What does that matter if you're ushered out before closing? A group of about 8 of us went out for drinks Saturday (5/2/26). We were having a great time (respectful, quiet, not causing a problem). Last call hit at 1:30 so we decided one more drink before we went our ways home. 10 mins later we're were asked to leave the courtyard and head inside - not a problem. We will finish our drinks inside. 5 minutes after that, we were asked to take our last sips and leave. 15 mins before the posted closing time. Again, we weren't causing a problem, weren't loud, weren't disruptive. This was a group of 8, most of us well into our 40s (or older). But they were telling all guests to leave at 1:45a?? Just after we bought drinks? The posted hours say they close at 2a. Not 1:45a. Most of us left half finished drinks. The large bouncer was nice enough, the tiny one in a hoodie with glasses was totally unprofessional. So beware. The Blind Tiger has what it takes to remain a Charleston institution. Their staff, might ruin that chance.

Tempest - seafood - Updated May 2026

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