Vern's is absolutely lives up to all the talk. The menu is concise but thoughtfully curated. The sourdough is a must-order. It arrived warm with a beautifully blistered crust, a soft, airy crumb, and the perfect amount of tang. Simple, but executed flawlessly. The bavette was the star of the evening. It was cooked to a perfect medium-rare with an incredible sear, sliced beautifully, and packed with rich, beefy flavor. For pasta, we shared both the campanelle and the pappardelle, and each had its own personality. The campanelle held onto every bit of sauce, making each bite incredibly flavorful, while the pappardelle was silky, comforting, and deeply satisfying without feeling overly heavy. You can tell the kitchen pays close attention to texture and balance. Beyond the food, the service was knowledgeable, genuinely welcoming, and paced the meal perfectly. The dining room has an energetic, intimate atmosphere that feels lively without being overwhelming. read more

See all

We were so excited to get a reservation here. We were down at 5pm for the first seating.Unfortunately it was 5:20pm before we had water on our table and after 5:35pm before our order had been taken. There were guests sat at the same time as us who waited even longer to have their orders placed. There was a ton of staff so we were very confused by these significant delays. While service had room for improvement, the food really was delicious. We liked the bread so much we ordered a second portion to eat with our entree. The salad was very large and great for sharing. For our entrees we got the ragu and steak, both beautiful and unique takes on classics. If we came back I'd probably order the exact same things because it was that good. Ultimately we really enjoyed the food but were surprised by the overall experience. I'm unsure if we just got an off night. read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

If you're looking to get a table at Vern's, booking a reservation is absolutely essential. The space is intimate and cozy and they are only open for dinner five nights a week. Add their rave reviews to the equation, and you have a textbook case of high demand meets low supply, with the commodity being their highly exclusive tables. If sitting at the bar is your vibe however, feel free to walk in and test your luck. Fortunately I was able to book a reservation a month in advance, and arrived to a crowd of patrons standing at the entrance on a Sunday night. After being seated, the rest of the night went smoothly enough with only an occasional wait here and there. Their drink menu was extensive and inclusive enough to ensure the wine/cocktail/beer enthusiasts and non-alcoholic drinkers could find something to their liking. Personally I enjoyed my meal overall, but my dining partner had mixed feelings. Starting with the crispy and raw scallop appetizer: I didn't care much for the crispy portion, and my partner felt it was "good, but not great," which I was in agreement with. For the asparagus dish, I didn't realize it would come battered, but the vinaigrette beneath was a perfect complement that elevated the entire plate, and my partner claimed it was the best dish of the night. Our main courses, the pappardelle and "rabbit pasta," was where we had our biggest disagreement. I enjoyed them thoroughly, with the pappardelle potentially erring on saltier side. On the other hand, my partner found both dishes to be flat out salty and did not enjoy them at all. We both found the sorbet meringue dessert disappointing. It just wasn't our cup of tea. Ultimately, our meal was a classic case of "you can't make everyone happy." However, we both agreed that the service was outstanding and that the staff was kind and attentive throughout the night. If we ever find ourselves back in Charleston, I would absolutely love to return and experience other offerings from their menu; maybe add a little variety and avoid ordering two pasta dishes as well. I'm certain we can order something next time to ensure the missus leaves just as satisfied as I was! read more

See all

This was the 2nd of our trifecta of great food in Charlestown (Started with Bareo for lunch). We got reservations for 9pm this past Sunday, and we're so glad we could get in. Vern's is elevated; the cocktails? Spot on. The escargot with garlic and tarragon butter served with charred sourdough bread, ridiculously delicious; two pasta dishes; one with rabbit and the other with mushrooms, both amazing; and finished with a chocolate/hazelnut flourless torte with house-made ice cream. Had the dessert with Braulio Amaro shaken with ice, creating something like an elevated espresso martini. read more

Five stars all around! Vern's was incredibly accommodating, and the service was outstanding from start to finish. Every dish was exceptional--we especially loved the charred sourdough, tuna tartare, campanelli pasta with rabbit, and the Wagyu porterhouse. Truly an incredible meal and experience. Highly recommend! read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

It really does live up to the hype! I went many times before they received a star and recently went after. Their quality of service and food are still top tier. Don't miss the bread, or the tuna tartare. read more

See all

Great service and ambiance. We got the raw tuna appetizer, charred sourdough, beet salad, squash, wagyu, and a black currant dessert special. -The tuna tasted good, but it felt like the dish was missing something to eat the tuna with. - Sourdough was great just messy to eat since the knife didn't work to cut and we had to resort to ripping it. - We liked the beet salad, but wasn't a huge fan of the squash. - My friend really enjoyed the wagyu. - The black currant dessert special was really unique/interesting. read more

See all

I was lucky enough to snag a reservation at Vern's for a Friday night. We opted to sit at the bar because it looked so cozy! There are only 6 bar seats - so it is a very intimate setting with the bartender providing excellent service. For dinner, we had the rabbit pasta, scallops, and the 33oz porterhouse steak. Our favorites were the rabbit pasta- it was delicate yet decadent - absolutely delicious & the 33 oz porterhouse steak. The steak came with fresh salsa verde which was unlike anything I had ever had - dreamy! And also came with freshly grated horseradish. The steak was tender, cooked to perfection, and served in an appetizing manner. Service was fabulous. The atmosphere of Vern's is sexy, sophisticated, moody, and cozy. Absolutely perfect for date night or a splurge dinner. We will be back! read more

See all

All it took was stepping in to the restaurant to understand why it's special. The service is incredibly personable, attentive, and knowledgeable. Although I didn't have reservations, I was able to grab a table for 2 right at 5pm. We were celebrating an anniversary so they brought us small complimentary glasses of champagne. The interior is softly light, making it romantic and comfortable. I tried the charred sourdough which was light, buttery and not too large to make me full for the rest of the meal. I'd never had escargot but our server spoke so highly of it that we ordered it. It was unbelievable - creamy, indulgent and not the overly chewy texture I was expecting. We also tried the rabbit campanelli which tasted like an elevated cacio e Pepe. Then I splurged and ordered the 30oz wagyu porterhouse. It was worth every dollar and paired perfectly with the horseradish and salsa verde. Please do yourself a favor and go!!!! read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

Vern's lived up to every bit of the hype. We couldn't get a reservation so we grabbed bar seats and honestly it made the experience even better, the bartender took such good care of us the whole night. The rabbit campanelli is everything. Silky, rich, perfectly sauced, we could have ordered two. The Wagyu was unreal. And then the hazelnut dessert to finish... we did not need it and we have zero regrets. This is the kind of place where the food is serious but the vibe is totally relaxed and fun. Michelin star, neighborhood restaurant energy. Can't wait to go back. read more

Came here for a girls night and it did not disappoint. Everything was delicious!! Some of the best desserts I've had in a while. read more

See all

Incredible food- great spins on classic meals! Was a little disappointed in the staff, and we were told to order way too much food for 2, but everything was so good, I didn't mind leftovers too much. Very cozy, intimate, and dark. They recently got a liquor license and i'd recommend just sticking with the wine. MUST GET: the scallops: my favorite dish of the night. somehow fried and still light. felt like an elevated version of the beach shacks i would go to as a child The bitter greens salad: Loved the breadcrumbs The rabbit ragu: had all the depth of a ragu but still light and bright. read more

Vern's - wagyu - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

Made a reservation for the newly Michelin starred Vern's for a trip to Charleston with my sister. We had the charred sourdough, bitter lettuces, testaroli, pappardelle and the strawberry dessert. Don't let "bitter" throw you off. It was my sisters favorite part of the meal. Each dish was really interesting and delicious. I was surprised by the strawberry dessert. It doesn't look like much but it is so good! Every layer is different and it all melds together beautifully. Very fair prices for the level of quality and service. The restaurant is very pleasantly decorated and the florals are stunning, even in the bathroom! Would not hesitate to return or recommend. Note: Do not try to park here. Just park in a garage, walk or Uber! There is no parking lot and the street parking is sparse and tight. read more

See all

We came here on a Sunday night without a reservation, and they were kind enough to fit us in at the bar. We'd heard nothing but amazing things from locals, so we were determined to make it work--and it exceeded every expectation. Our bartender was amazing. She was so attentive, explained every dish in detail, and described everything so well that we completely trusted her recommendations. She did not disappoint. She was the blonde cutie!! We started with the scallops, sourdough, and the White Rabbit pasta--the one she said we'd "dream about." She was absolutely right. Then we had the chicken and the pole bean salad, and somehow it just kept getting better. Every single dish was packed with flavor. We kept looking at each other after every bite, completely blown away. We asked her to surprise us with the dessert she would order and the strawberry ice cream with shaved ice was something you couldn't get anywhere else. Everything completely melted in your mouth. It was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had and I say that as foodies. You can truly taste the quality of the fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Absolutely incredible. We'll be talking about this meal for a long time. read more

See all

The service here is exceptional. From the hostess to the bartender and server I felt very well taken care of. They have a great wine selection and the food was superb. I enjoyed the fennel, carrots, trout, and rabbit pasta. All incredibly flavorful and perfect for sharing. I love the dark moody vibes of the inside, it's a great date night spot. Limited bar seating available, I recommend a reservation. read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

I had a very good experience at this restaurant. I'd actually give it 4.5 stars if that was an option. I believe it received a Michelin star not long ago, and I totally get it! The charred sourdough was fantastic and bursting with flavor. The portion size was also generous for a high end restaurant. My pasta dish was near perfection. It had a ton of complex flavors and textures that were all working together and totally different from any dish I've tried prior. The only downside was that the dish was extremely salty. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be or not, but it definitely deterred me from giving a 5 star rating. The atmosphere was quaint and moody. The hostess and bar tender were both extremely friendly. I definitely would come back! read more

See all

Hands down the best meal I've had in Charleston. If ever in need of a restaurant for a special occasion, this is the place to go! We went with the recommendation to get the escargot with the sourdough and we were so glad we did!! We also got the scallops which just melted in your mouth. Then we got the pork and some of the sweet potato's which were spectacular! I've never had sweet potato's like this. The pork was tender and flavorful. Dessert was a special for the night. We agreed it wasn't our favorite but very unique flavors! For a fun drink I recommend the one that is similar to an espresso martini (can't remember the name) but it had salted almond cold foam and it was delicious. Service was amazing, did a great job of explaining the dishes. Ambiance was moody and cool. I hope to come back here again ASAP! read more

See all

LOVE Vern's so much, I had to come back and leave another review after visiting again. It's impossible to have a bad meal here. This time we had the charred sourdough with escargot, raw yellowfin tuna, bitter lettuces (YUM), pappardelle, roast spring chicken and wagyu flat iron, but the cocktails need their moment to shine. I started with the "Vision Quest" which is a play on the spicy mezcal margarita with Calabrian chili...truly out of this world. When I thought it couldn't get better, I ordered the "Cafe Obscura" next aka an espresso martini, which genuinely took the cake, made with aged rum and topped with salted almond foam...to die for! I say this every time, but I WILL be back! read more

Vern's - Vision Quest (Spicy Marg w/ Mezcal) - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

The other day I asked myself which restaurants actually had a chance at a Michelin star now that Michelin is coming to the South. In Charleston, Vern's is my top pick. The service is impeccable (so accommodating and swift), the ambiance is dark and cozy. We got drinks, both desserts, several entrees, everything was great. But I have to dedicate my review to the freaking pesto pasta. Guys. This is the closest you will get to Italian food in Charleston. Tell me why I felt I got the very essence of cheese eating this? The savoriness of this dish blew my mind. We took one bite and pretty immediately knew we had to get a second one. I will be dreaming about this for years. read more

See all

Hard place to get a reso too especially since they've gotten their first star but we were able to snag a 9pm reso on a Monday night. We were able to get sat a few minutes early which was nice and our server came over and gave us the run down on the menu. The restaurant itself was very chill, unpretentious, warm and very busy. Not a big dining room, only a handful of seats at the bar and an open kitchen. Hubby is celiac so our server showed us another menu with the options that he could have which was nice. Our server and the support staff were great, however we weren't blown away by the food. Felt the quality was good but some of the flavors kind of didn't work for us. I personally enjoyed the scallops- I found it to be unique in how it was presented and made. Good textures and tasted fresh. We ordered three "salads" - bitter lettuces, beets and delicata squash. The first two were served together and I would not recommend getting these two together because the acidity in both got overwhelming and had similar flavors. We preferred the beets salad because it had a very tasty labneh and pistachio to cut through the acid, but if we had to choose one of the two it would be that one. The squash was brought out with our 2 entrees - 16oz NY strip that was marinated in tamarind and miso, and the pork loin with chanterelles, onion and harissa. The squash dish was unique and flavors were interesting. I thought the tomato sauce was powerful and outshined the beautiful delicata squash, then you have this Swiss chard with the sesame seeds and it just didn't seem like they fit together in harmony when you took a bite of everything together. Steak looked absolutely amazing and cooked perfectly. However, we just didn't feel like it had much flavor or seasoning. It really just needed some flaky salt or something to just bring it up a notch. There was a salsa verde/chimichurri offered on the side which we used heavily to accompany the steak but it didn't wow us. With a beautiful steak like that, we were expecting more flavor, or a simple salt and pepper crust would've gone a long way since we couldn't really taste any of the tamarind or miso. We still enjoyed the steak of course but we're looking for more with it being $95. The pork loin, cooked perfectly and we enjoyed the mushrooms and onions. It was interesting because we enjoyed the flavor of the harissa sauce, but just didn't feel like the two went together. The flavors of the sauce were deep but we enjoyed the pork separately. We enjoyed all the different flavors, but just not how some went together throughout our meal. However, perhaps with just our expectations and preferences, it didn't quite give us that 5 star experience. Despite these things, I would still recommend this place overall because we felt they still executed good, quality food and service. We were grateful for the opportunity to experience this in Charleston. read more

See all

Went to Verns Restaurant last week and had a great time. The service was incredible from start to finish and the food was really good across the board. The menu is very shareable and I would highly recommend ordering a bunch of plates for the table and trying a little bit of everything. My favorite thing on the menu was the rabbit which really stood out. Would definitely go back. read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

Bethany at the front is the most welcoming person on this planet - so warm. Sheila chatted with us while we waited to be seated. Vern's is impossible to beat - Leah helped us pick out he perfect wine paring - she is just a sweetheart - luv her. Patrick was our server - always up and helpful - got a new baby girl also. The ambiance is lively and cheerful - yet you feel cozy at the same time. And, the cuisine is always yummy and incredibly consistent. We started with our favorites - the Charred Sourdough and are the Rare Yellowfin Tuna - yum and followed that with the Charcoal Grilled Trout - deeeeelicious. Saw Dano overseeing everything that was coming out of the kitchen - reminded me of Nancy Oats at Boulevard in San Francisco - she looked at every plate before it was sent out. There is a reason they have a Michelin Star - waiting for the second. read more

Went for the tea and dessert and left with an unforgettable experience. I received excellent service from Bethany, who was incredibly kind and welcoming. The strawberry dessert is a hit, but I must warn you it has orange zest (which I'm not a fan of and the result of the 4 star rating) but it's still really yummy. The tea paired nicely as I sat outside to make the most of the experience. I'm looking forward to enjoying the full experience on my next visit. The ambiance is incredible and the restroom was clean (this is a big deal for me). Enjoy! read more

See all

Lived up to the hype Everything wowed me but the pork. The pork itself was good quality but was not a fan of the preparation. Was kinda lik barbecue pork and not elevated . Don't skip the chicken. Seriously don't. It's the sleeper hit. And don't skip the rabbit pasta - not a pasta lover and this blew me away read more

See all

We went to Vern's for an early birthday dinner, and if I could give it six stars, I would. This might honestly be my favorite restaurant of all time. We started with the sourdough, which paired perfectly with the escargot. The bread was so warm and buttery, and it was my first time trying escargot. I did not expect it to be that delicious and savory at all. We also had the scallops, which were crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside. For our mains, we shared the testaroli and the skate wing. The skate wing was unreal. I had a full-blown Ratatouille moment with the foam. It reminded me of sinigang, one of my favorite Filipino dishes, and I was genuinely blown away by that flavor. At the end, they even lit a candle for my birthday, which was such a sweet touch. The ambiance was intimate and cozy, and the staff was so welcoming and knowledgeable, walking us through the menu and making everything feel special. I already can't wait to come back here. read more

Vern's - Scallops, Sourdough, and Escargot - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

See all

SPECTACULAR! Such a great cozy and quaint local restaurant. We were lucky to snag a last minute reservation and enjoyed so many delicious bites off their rotating menu. The bitter salad was INCREDIBLE. Please do not go without trying it. The spring chicken set the standard for what chicken should taste like: juicy, fresh, and packed with flavor. I am still thinking about the dessert. Everything was 10/10, including service. I recommend stopping by and checking out an incredibly delicious spot in CHS. read more

See all

The food and service were amazing. Prime Rib was excellent. Everything we ordered was spectacular. read more

See all

Incredible neighborhood spot that knows the food is the star of the show. Laid back atmosphere with an ample wine list and simple menu. Extra points for having an entire orange wine selection. Not a bad thing on the menu. Definitely try at least one thing from each category at least and your server will course it perfectly for you. Stand outs were the pappardelle which reminded me of hamburger helper in the most elevated and delicious way. As well as the most flavorful wagyu I've ever had. They also have an excellent dirty martini. The chocolate cake tasted like a giant baked Ferraro roche in the best way possible. All around an excellent, cozy spot with the best possible preparation of comfy and familiar flavors. read more

Vern's - Martini - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Reservations can be difficult to get last minute so plan ahead but it's totally worth your time. Whether it's brunch or dinner we've always had a good time. It's a perfectly cozy spot with a menu built on local ingredients. read more

Vern's - Golden Latte and Matcha Latte - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I don't think you know that I love you and I need you Vern's. Last night's meal was marvelous! Nestled in between Charleston's historic homes is an American eatery full of umami flavors to savor. Our server, Sheila, was amazing and recommend the best options. The restaurant has a cute bar and the space feels like home. I can't wait to go back to this restaurant What we got Sweater Weather ~CHARRED SOURDOUGH-I could eat 2 or more ~ESCARGOT- The sauce it came in was amazing we loved it. ~RAW YELLOWFIN TUNA- amazing I wish I'd had something to eat with it like a chip or something. ~TESTAROLI- Addictive I kept going back for more. ~CAMPANELLI- this show stopper was beautifully plated and tastes just as good as it looked. ~GROUPER- The fish was cooked to perfection ~BAVETTE- Savory and full of flavor ~GRANITA- A table favorite very refreshing to the pallet. ~CHOCOLATE- the hazelnut throughout was the crunch I didn't know I needed. We had feast and you can too! I highly recommend Vern's. Reservations on @resy read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Exceptional. When we were finished and asked each other which course was a must- repeat, we agreed the answer was - each of them. Charred sourdough, special sushi- ish app on a hash brown (I mean come on), Pappardelle, lamb. Did I say exceptional? And the cocktails and dessert just brought it all home. Up there with the best meals we've had. read more

What can I say except this spot is fantastic. The restaurant is very cozy and intimate, they have a great wine selection and the food was incredible. I went here for a date night and we both had the Campanelli with rabbit - absolutely delicious. read more

Ambience, service, charm. Shared a few courses with the table. Delish. Liked the shrimp & salad selection. Tasted like fresh herbs in every dish. read more

See all

Ok, this was the second stop in a double dinner night. And so glad this was stop 2 as it was THE PLACE to dine and needed to be the finish of what was a succulent evening. Wow. I was so glad we put a Resy alert on this one since you need a table to get in. Upon entering the space and seeing Top Chef legend Stephanie Izard dining validated all the decisions to come here. Our stomachs would find the room for what Vern's was about to throw down. The sourdough pizza like item was nuts. Like, garlic's perfect mate. The beef tartare was stupid good. I mean a plate of greens just made itself known as a freaking star among a menu with a killer lineup. Don't even get me started on the lamb special. It may have been the best damn lamb I've ever tasted. Mary had a little lamb. And we had the biggest damn plate of it as it was a mighty helping of decadence. Bow down to the chefs. So many notes being hit at the table. Our server was incredible. Absolutely was floored with our time here and probably the best meal we had top to tail in the city. read more

See all

Vern's is very deserving of its Michelin Star. The food was extraordinary, the service was exquisite, and the space was elegantly cozy. This restaurant is perfect for a date night, but you need to book ahead. They only take reservations 30 days in advance and they get booked out within hours. Highly recommended for any foodies traveling to Charleston. read more

See all

lived up to the hype...walk in bar dining experience was awesome. Food was fantastic, but service/vibe was even better.

10/10 everything. Excellent service, beautiful setting, and the food and cocktails were delicious. Truly a perfect evening out.

perfect girls' night or date night spot! Lovely wine menu to pair with their pasta dishes. We truly enjoyed carbonara! Our server was able to help us pair dessert with wine/cocktails which helped our indecisiveness (too many great options to choose from) read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Sourdough - great Escargot - good, but not a must order Bitter lettuce salad - excellent Rabbit pasta - delicious, but some of the pasta significantly undercooked, which was a bummer Lamb chop special - expensive but incredible. One of the best dishes I've had. read more

Vern's - Sourdough and escargot - New American Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I cannot rave about Vern's enough. The lighting is dim, the staff is kind, the vibes are chill and the food, oh my, it's absolutely craveable. Vern's rivals any of the top restaurants in NYC. Must orders are the charred sourdough, the escargot (dip the bread in the sauce), the rabbit campanelle (I could eat everyday), and the strawberries and cream dessert. read more

See all