I ordered the prosecco and tuna tartare which I loved, but it appears to no longer be on the menu. Perhaps it was a special when I first visited. This place is excellent, super elegant and sophisticated. Make sure you dress up when visiting! Look at the picture of the ceiling that I've included! Service was good. I will be back for sure. read more

Tempest - Ceiling - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The most amazing experience I've had downtown and I have been here for 17 years. Amazing service, amazing food, which you don't find in the same place very often anymore. I highly recommend to anyone wanting a welcoming, fun, and delicious night downtown. read more

This place was amazing! I loved my braised short rib. The ambiance was very nice too. read more

Tempest - Braised short rib with mashed potatoes - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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After eating at this restaurant, I feel bad that it was so low on my list of restaurants to try! As you enter Tempest, you're welcomed by the intimate atmosphere and kind staff. A stained glass ceiling and fresh flowers will make you wonder if the menu was crafted with the same detail. The seating at the restaurant is limited, so I recommend grabbing a reservation. As I started my dining experience, I enjoyed their dealers choice craft cocktail. I'm the type that likes surprises, so I didn't ask what was in it until it arrived. The cocktail balanced savory and sweet to a tee. For an appetizer, my table ordered a dozen oysters on the half shell- they had many varieties, but we went with the ones from Maine. In addition to the oysters, the restaurant provides scrumptious bread and butter. The oysters were served with 3 sauce varieties: horseradish cocktail, vinaigrette, and a creamy buffalo type sauce. The crowd pleaser was the vinaigrette! Plates at Tempest are served a la carte and sides are family style. For a main course I enjoyed the tuna, but also got to try the crab cake. Both dishes were beautifully prepared and were devoured pretty quickly! As dinner began to wrap up, Tempest offers their guests a sweet treat, drink, and flower as part of their tradition. These details are what make customers return, so I commend the staff on this touch! I'll be returning soon! read more

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What a lucky find walking along the streets of Charleston. We were wandering around to wait for our haunted carriage ride, and saw the happy hour clapboard sign for $2 oysters. We couldn't resist and checked out The Tempest. Very cute spot as it used to be an old church. I loved the stained glass ceiling above the bar. We ordered a dozen of the house oysters, a couple of drinks and the ocean rolls. The rolls were milk bread with Nori and the butter had furikake sprinkled on it. The service was quick and friendly. Fun spot near all the carriage tours and the walkable market. read more

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Absolutely wonderful dinner and drinks. Austins recommendations on food, drink and desserts were spot on! read more

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Overpriced small portions, slow service and no complimentary bread was brought to our table, which at the time we didn't know we were supposed to get until I saw these Yelp reviews. We actually left hungry even with a $250 bill for 4. I can't understand why this place is rated highly as the wagyu beef was tough, not melt in the mouth tender as it should have been if it was real wagyu beef, the chicken was flavorless, slightly rubbery and tiny, smaller than a Cornish hen. Update: we went back the second day and asked about not receiving bread and were told that this is no longer complimentary due to the high costs. read more

An extremely cool place to dine! The ambiance is amazing with the stained glass ceiling. Our food was a 10/10, we got the roasted oysters with a buttery sauce. For our entrees we got the beef braised short ribs and the Spaghetti cacio E Pepe, both very good and very filling. Service was good, but not over the top. Overall great dining experience. Would definitely come back. read more

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Honestly pretty underwhelmed at most of the food here. Peppa was $40 with shrimp and the shrimp was average. The bread was supposed to be amazing, but tasted fishy. Kinda weird. Prob never again read more

I can't believe this place has a cumulative rating of 4.3. We were there early with a 5:15 reservation obtained last minute during the Food and Wine Festival, but that begs the question: Why was Tempest one of the few places with spots open? When we were seated, the place was mostly empy. The food, particularly for the price, was mediocre at best. I had the Cacio e Pepe with Shrimp. When it came, the aroma was so strong I had to check it to make sure the shrimp weren't spoiled. Imported shrimp, not local, which is important in Charleston. Salty, not creamy pasta. Several at the table had the short ribs, which were flavorful, but the beef wasn't short rib , most likely chuck meat cut to resemble boneless short rib. The chicken and the Bolognese were good according to those that had them. At the price paid, it was a disappointment. Our server was good, very attentive and efficient, while handling several tables by the time we were done, which is why I am giving 2 stars. The complimentary liquor and flowers for the ladies after the meal was also a nice touch, but it was presented as brandy and it was in fact whiskey, and didn't offset the mediocre food. And the setting is nice, we were seated upstairs with a good view of the Market outside, but, again, we were there to eat good food. For the cost, it should have been much better. Do better, Tempest. read more

Superb! We were celebrating our 144th birthday. I'm 74 my wife is 70. Initially, we were seated downstairs, which was quiet and lovely, however we wanted a lively night so we moved upstairs where a bridesmaids group was seated. We loved being around the younger group. We both ordered from the prix fixe menu. Lisa had the pickled mussels as a starter with a main of flounder. I had the wedge salad with the wagyu strip. Everything was better than excellent. Desserts didn't disappoint - I had the Horchata, and Lisa had the honey pot de crème. Our server, Kel, was wonderful. She helped make the evening special. Go! Do not miss it, you will be sorry if you do. read more

The seating downstairs was a little odd for our group and secretly wish I would have taken an adventure upstairs just to see the whole space. The portions were a little small for the price, but tasty nonetheless and not the average flavors which was nice. The service was great although I felt super awkward for only wanting to drink regular water here. read more

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Marty was our five star server! She was wonderful!!! A true professional with a genuine personality. The food was delicious: divine Caesar Salad and the most flavorful fish that melted in my mouth accompanied by a delicious risotto with shrimp!!! Excellent dish!!! The restaurant has an intimate quiet ambiance which we enjoyed very much. The beautiful colorful ceiling is the main attraction as you enter the restaurant! It's a WOW FACTOR!!! I highly recommend TEMPEST !!! read more

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Fabulous meal here. I'm not a seafood lover but my friend I was traveling with is. We had the ocean rolls which were soft and warm but a touch salty for both of our liking. We had an order of the roasted oysters and they were INCREDIBLE! I didn't think I liked oysters until I tried them. The cooking method and garlic butter truly made this dish shine. My friend had the Mahi mahi entree which she loved. I had the roasted chicken, which was tasty. The chimichurri "sauce" could have used more oil as it was mainly chopped herbs on top of the chicken. The drinks were delicious! They even gave us complimentary champagne for my birthday. I would definitely eat here again and recommend it to anyone visiting Charleston. read more

Came for early dinner on a Saturday night. Restaurant interior is beautiful. The interior reminds me of stained glasses in a church. Our server was Dalton and he was excellent. Great personality and fun upbeat vibes. My main disappointment was the food. The menu is limited. The mussels were solid. Bread was very buttery plus the oil from the bacon in the mussels could be overwhelming to some. The salad was extremely salty which made it inedible. I only ordered the two items since we were going out later. Our server still made us feel looked after and accommodated my issue with the salad. I would be willing to go back because of the ambiance and great service and try something else. read more

We came back after two years and the place got even better! Still the best steak and octopus, and now you can add bread and s'mores mousse cake dessert to their arsenal. Great drinks, amazing service, the best really, offering some free stuff to celebrate our anniversary and the engagement of the couple we dined with. My friend didn't love his fish, so they whipped him up a crab cake on the spot, which was the best I've tasted. They make it with some peppers and corn, very good flavors. Tuna tartare was just ok. Their shrimp was extremely fresh tasting, could barely tell they once lived in the sea. Ambiance in both dining spaces is comfortable. Best place in Charleston that I've been to. read more

Tempest - Ceiling - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Nice place but ambience is not followed up by service! Rushed through to order all meals at once. I wanted to order a nice wine for my bday but instead pushed to order and all 3 plates came before opening drink was done! Time I got wine for dinner food was cold! Prob won't go back. read more

My husband and I have celebrated our wedding anniversary here for the past two years. This place is a must anytime you are in Charleston. The food is delicious and service is always exceptional. Outside seating is available and this place has nice charm and beauty. See you next year! read more

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We snuck in at 5 o clock, the only free reservations were at opening, and thoroughly enjoyed our 3 course. Weirdly enough the seaweed bread rolls were one of our favorites of the night. It very much has a fine dining menu and feeling but a bit more approachable for us amateurs. The waitress was incredibly patient and knowledgeable, expertly deboning the fish at table side. The carnation and coniac (?) taster that arrived with the bill was a cherry on top of a lovely dining experience. read more

Tempest - Deserts: Honey Pot de Creme (top) Some More (bottom) - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Food overall was decent. Service could have been better. I brought a party of eight for an early evening dinner on a Saturday. Server seemed to rush us through our meal. She didn't mention or provide a dessert menu and instead gave us our check soon after entrees were done. After leaving, I learned this restaurant has a custom to provide bourbon to each guest with dessert along the book, The Tempest, which contains the bill. We were celebrating a graduation this night, and that service would have been the perfect way to end dinner- that is, if we were provided that. Instead, we were given the check in a copy of the book (still pretty neat) but no mention of any desserts or drinks. It felt like we were missing out. TL;DR, overall food is fine, service can be better, MAKE SURE TO DIRECTLY ASK THE SERVER FOR DESSERT AND THE BOURBON SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT! read more

It was our first visit to Charleston, and we're so glad we discovered Tempest! The food, atmosphere, and service were all exceptional. Our server, Grace, provided outstanding care and made us feel truly special throughout the evening. Highly recommend! read more

RESTAURANT WEEK REVIEW: We had a lovely time at dinner at Tempest on Thursday! It was 3 courses for $45 but still left paying $95. I did up charge $10 for the steak and $15 for a glass of wine. It was really nice dinner, however my steak did come out a little cold and was a bitch chewy but still very good! The crispy fingerling potatoes were delicious!! Wish they were all that way! Tomatoes were great but needed more flavor and desert was also good but we were sooo stuffed. Also the starter bread is amazing!! Our waiter was soooo nice and the ambiance was really cool. We sat on the porch and had a really nice night! read more

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We arrived about 30 minutes early for our reservation and the manager happily accommodated us. We had a great view and the service was excellent. We were celebrating a birthday and the manager brought glasses of champagne to our table-which was very much appreciated. Food was delicious for both my wife and I. She had the braised beef and I had the spaghetti. At the conclusion of our meal, they brought us a delicious dessert with a candle in it-another nice touch. Highly recommended. Great food and great service. read more

Have you ever met your soulmate? I haven't yet, but I felt an immense connection with Dalton. Easy on the eyes and even easier on the Waitering. Smooth and fast, like a 2017 camero before they made them hybrids. His kind explanations of each food with the vivid descriptions that brought you back to the poems of Robert Frost. 11/10, best waiter. Additionally, the food was phenomenal. Fish would recommend. read more

Tempest - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Best dinner I've had in Charleston! My friend got the Swordfish Schnitzel and I highly recommend it. My flounder was also very good. Ocean Rolls are a must, as well as dessert. You can tell they have an actual pastry chef and not just a chef trying their hand at pastry. The Some More dessert is a must. read more

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Delicious food and excellent service. Ambiance is cool. We dined early at 6pm and had the place to ourselves for a bit. We ordered the Gem salad to share which was delicious and our wine pairings went well with it. I ordered the Saiv Blanc and hubby ordered Chard. I ordered the Tilefish and hubby ordered the Grouper. Both were delicious I think I enjoyed his Grouper a little more than mine. Both were great with our wine pairings. They brought cognac with dessert. We ordered the peaches and cream dessert and it was delicious with the cognac too. Overall we had a great time. Staff was extremely attentive!!! Def recommend coming for Easter brunch read more

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Tempest is great for brunch. In a converted church and still has the stain glass walls and ceiling. Warm interior and loved dressing up. Also casual vibes if more your route. Next to the Market so can shop before or after you eat. The soufflé pancakes were very good and filling so come hungry. Skip the omelette. Get the tuna unami sooo freaking good. We loved them and would have easily gotten another. Great for brunch or dinner and group or personal small intimate gatherings. #bergerknowsbest read more

Tempest - Umami Tuna "Bombs" - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

From the moment I sat down to when I left, I was so so impressed by this restaurant! We made reservations on a Sunday evening and it was quite quiet, which was perfect for an intimate date night. Our waitress was outgoing, polite, and very attentive, probably one of the best waitresses I've had here! My boyfriend and I ordered the pre-fixed $55 3 course meal: Appetizer, entrée, and dessert. We started off with complimentary Japanese nori milk bread and whipped butter with some furikake sprinkled on top. It was so soft in the inside and the nori bits were nicely folded. The taste of nori was not so overpowering. For appetizers, we ordered Spanish Octopus and Smoked Fish Mousse. I was blown away by these dishes. The octopus was cooked to the right consistency where the texture was not rubbery and very easy to chew. The Smoked Fish Mousse was smooth and had a nice smoky flavor to it. Loved spreading it over the toasted bread that it came with. Both dishes had spectacular presentation! For entrée, I ordered Pan Seared Tuna. The Pan Seared Tuna was cooked to perfection. I could smell the truffle oil. Tuna can have a "weak" taste, but the black truffle sauce added that perfect amount of flavor. For dessert, I ordered the Honey Pot de Crème. It came out in a very small dish. I generally don't have a big sweet tooth, so this was the perfect amount for me. It had the two extremes of texture, soft and smooth, hard and crunchy. It definitely had a strong honey flavor so I appreciated even more with how small it was. Before we left, our waitress gave us a complimentary cognac (as well as a rose for the ladies) and explained to us a bit about the history of the place. Loved this tradition that they did. I plan to come back here soon because I had such an awesome and positive experience! read more

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So delicious! Must try the oysters we got them in a variety assortment and it was sooo good!! Honestly everything was so tasty, the service was great our server was Jill and she was super sweet! Must try everything on the menu type of place lol oh and don't get me started on the bread and whipped butter lol read more

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By far the best meal we had since being here. Came for the brunch and I'd definitely come back for another meal. Best service and flavors are amazing. Also if you get a coffee the set up is no other! Very organized and fancy! Glad we came. read more

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AMAZING FOOD! WE FELT SPOILED LAST NIGHT START TO FINISH! We were delighted to find a restaurant that offered so much for various diets. We all tried different options on the menu. I had the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe w Shrimp. ( I knew my husband wasn't going to be able to resist the short ribs!) The potato gnocchi was exceptional! Knowing they could prepare GLUTEN FREE / VEGETARIAN options ( always good to give a heads up) made it a hit with the other couple we were dining. We ordered a couple of sides to share. I've never had Irish mashed potatoes before and can't imagine ever wanting the original ever again!! Same with the spinach, both were delicious and comforting. Upon entering, the main floor ceiling had an amazing tapestry of lighted mosaic stained glass! The setting upstairs in the old building overlooking the Charleston market completed the old world feel. The tradition of ending the meal with a complimentary brandy and having the bill hidden inside a paperback copy of The Tempest was a special touch. Cudos to the amazing chef & staff! From start to finish, the dining experience at Tempest was delicious, delightful, and deems a definite return! Thank you for an outstanding dining experience read more

Went on a Sunday around 5:30. We didn't have a reservation, but it seemed to be an off-hour and not busy. We were seated outside. Everything was excellent. The service was attentive, making sure everything was well. The oysters on the half shell were excellent. The roasted shrimp was in a silver bowl on top of black rocks. Very uniquely displayed! Wish I had a picture... And it was very good. The mushroom bolognese was also very nice. At the end there was a red carnation for the lady and each of us got a snifter of bourbon as a digestive. What a wonderful idea to end the meal. Will definitely return. read more

We had a great meal at Tempest during a weekend away in November. We were seated upstairs in the front room with a window looking outside. We connected with our server and explained that we would be having a bunch of share plates. We had the wedge salad, the yellowfin tuna crudo, pickled mussels, bok choy, and the charcoal roasted shrimp and clams. Let me start by saying the bread service here was one of the best that we have ever had. The rolls are served in a cast iron skillet where the butter was then melted in the skillet. The bread had seaweed infused in it and it was to die for. The flavor of bread was supreme. Each of the small plates that we ordered were presented well and tasted beautiful! The highlights here were the tuna tartar, the pickled mussels, charcoal roasted shrimp, and the wedge. Overall it was a fantastic dining experience. read more

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Such a great restaurant! Our server Lauren was friendly and helpful with great service. Yummy fresh food (we had the oysters). Great beautiful ambience as well. read more

Tempest - Patio dining - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We come to Charleston quite a bit and stay across the street from this place at the market pavilion (a great place to stay btw) and there are two restaurants that always make the cut. This is one of them. You know a place is great when they have the same staff year after year. The food is amazing and the staff is welcoming. If I could give 10 stars I would!!! Don't miss out even if just for an appetizer!! Also- a neat ambiance read more

Everything we ordered was amazing! Had no complaints about any of the dishes we had. We do recommend this place. If you want to impress someone, bring them here. read more

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I was very excited to come to Tempest with my friends. This is a very beautiful spot! Staff is welcoming and kind. We made reservations, simply in Resy. I chose here because a friend mentioned they had Japanese soufflé pancakes. The whole reason we came. I was disappointed when regular pancakes appeared before me. I'll attach a picture of how they're suppose to look, there's no way they fell to look like regular pancakes, it's impossible with the ingredients. Japanese soufflé pancakes are luscious. One of mine was burnt on the bottom and inedible. Now for the lobster roll. It comes stuffed full of lots of lobster, but the flavor was ok. I guess having had them in Boston ruined us for anything else. But this came with what looked like Lays potato chips. Very surprised by this, was hoping for in house made chips. The fresh squeezed orange juice was lovely, should've tried a Bloody Mary. I truly hate the experience wasn't as we hoped. But I'm willing to try dinner some time in the future. read more

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So we didn't actually get to eat here. I made a reservation for this restaurant for brunch about one month prior to New Year's Day. Three days before new years (meaning way too late to book anywhere else) they call to say they are not offering brunch that day despite our reservation. Utter nonsense thanks for ruining our plans Tempest... read more

Tempest is a must have experience if you're a foodie living in or visiting Charleston. Found on the iconic Market St. downtown they are in a small location that aids in the intimate feel. The waitstaff are professional and enthusiastic about providing a fantastic dining experience. We mentioned it was our anniversary and they were quick to welcome us with complimentary champagne. They have multiple food options and all are wonderful. Your best bet is to go with the "Tasting Menu." For the price you get an amazing amount of food and get to really feel the message the chef wants to convey to the diners. My first course was octopus and the cook was flawless. The texture could not have been any better and paired with amazing flavor makes this a must try. My husband had tuna tartare on crispy rice with seaweed. This was such a fresh and flavorful bite and was like a build-your-own sushi course. For entrees he had a succulent, medium-rare filet mignon while I enjoyed amazing whole snapper with the most perfect crispy skin. We both fell in love with our plates and would gladly order them again. We finished off with dessert which was a real treat and even got a send off with a traditional pour of cognac and a flower. This place really knows how to make a night special! read more

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At best I would give 2.5 stars so 3 is rounding up. I will say the service, ambiance and presentation is 5 star and the first course and dessert is 5 star. However, what those areas brought to the table far exceeds the cuisine at this restaurant. I rarely find food that I will not finish however, their chicken seemed as though a chef may have accidentally dropped the salt shaker on the meal and the risotto tasted exactly like movie theater popcorn. I have only been here once and maybe this is not the norm. However, I am unlikely to revisit. read more

Tempest - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina