Overall, a great restaurant with a fun, chef tasting experience. Some of the service aspects need some work, specifically the hostess and seating. We came during the COVID pandemic, and weeks prior, had requested a table outdoors. Upon arrival, the hostess took us to a table inside. When we indicated that we'd requested outdoor seating, the hostess acknowledged her awareness of this, and let us know we'd need to wait ten minutes for an outdoor table. It was a little frustrating that the restaurant was clearly aware of our desire to be seated outdoors, and attempted to give us a seat indoors without saying anything to us until we mentioned it. In these truly unique times, however, I can't knock an establishment for an issue like this. I get it. And the rest of the experience more than made up for it. Most of the food was tremendous. Our waiter was outstanding, and truly one of the best we'd ever had. And the chef went out of his way to accommodate one of the vegetarian diners in our party. I was very happy with the visit overall, and would definitely recommend to others. read more

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My family and I converged on Charleston from around the country to celebrate a "big" birthday for my wife. After much research, we selected ZR+B for our event. There were 7 of us. We were seated in outdoor room just outside the main room. It was perfect for us. We have been fortunate enough to have eaten at tremendous restaurants all over the world. This experience certainly stacked up very favorably. The drinks, the wine, the food and the service were all "top drawer". Be prepared to pay for the experience. It is expensive, but we have learned top notch dining is expensive. We would strongly recommend ZR+B for anyone desiring peaceful ambience and a terrific dining experience. read more

Phenomenal. A great place for couples. Once you enter the courtyard you automatically relax and enjoy the experience. We did a tasting menu with wine at each course and the service was excellent, the food presentation was beautiful, and the food was decadent. This is hands down our favorite place. You'll drop a few bucks but it was so worth it. As we left we bee lined it through the kitchen to thank the chef and his crew. Did I mention how beautiful it is there? There you go. read more

Omnivore menu for 2 please! I kind of laugh at herbivore being an option that is only $10 less. But that was not on our radar. We were met by our server who I think was Julianna from the postage stamp we call Rhode Island and Newport which is my favorite place up in the northeast.. She was quite charming and the entire night was quite good at describing each and every course in a way that was understandable with preparations that were anything but simple. Wow, wine (or beer) pairings with each portion that really hit the spot. It would take too much time to describe each and every course. So I won't. I will say that this place rocks. When I saw Yelp rates highly and found somewhere that the chef won chopped twice I was sold. I have lived here in Charleston my entire life and this is probably the best meal that I have ever had here. The molecular gastronomy and unusual items were fantastic. The tortellini with the mushrooms was probably the best described and tasting item with juices exploding in your mouth. You are required to use a spoon. How cool. The plant that was actually radish in a quinoa mixture that covered butter was the most unusual and it was awesome and what a cool experience. The wellington was great, everything was great. We finished with a tres leches cake that brought us to our knees. WHAT!? Incredible. We were not full but definitely not hungry and had just the right amount of spirits. We did not stop at the bar beforehand because we heard that the amount of alcohol was plenty enough and I would say it was just right. Just like everything about this meal. What a great spot and the $125 price tag seemed high until you take in all the drink and food and how fantastic it all was. We will be back! read more

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Loved everything about this place. Took the cooking class. Felt the price tag was well worth the food and experience. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to cook and learn. read more

There are so many great restaurants in Charleston but Zero is on the top of my list of favorites. I was there this past weekend for the second time and it proved to be just as good as the first time. I love a restaurant that stretches my taste buds and the tasting menu does just that. There is an omnivore and an herbivore option. My favorite dishes were the scallop tartare with chili, coconut and cilantro (this says a lot as I generally don't like scallops or coconut for that matter) and the beef wellington which was a favorite of mine on my last visit as well. The service is top notch; professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic. read more

If you want to experience this place on a different level you must take the cooking class! Chef is on point with technique and will talk you through all of the details to try and re-create the dish on your own or you could be like us and make a reservation every month to try the new menus either way absolutely amazing and does not disappoint. Are absolutely favorite place in Charleston and always will be. read more

We came to this restaurant based on ratings yet nobody we knew had heard of the place. The reason. It's an amazing secret, from the building, the waitstaff to the food itself. The attention to detail of the food pairings is unlike anything we have experienced before. Such grace and pride is placed on every selection. We are non foodies yet there is no doubt that we could discern the amazing choices the chef placed on every offering. It wasn't stuffy and we loved our server Marley for her chill demeanor and honest choices to help us throughout the night. Solid people, solid food. Amazing food experience. read more

Perfect in every way. From the outside courtyard, to the elegantly preserved rooms you feel like you have been transported back in time. The venue can only be beat by the impeccable service and creatively prepared excellent food. The staff is very knowledgable and make learning and understanding the choices of the wine pairings much more fun. From the moment you sit down at the table to the end of a wonderful meal, everything could not be more perfectly executed. Unlike some prix fix dinners, not only is the presentation beautiful, but the tastes are terrific in every way. This is one of the best dinners to be had in Charleston and should not be missed. read more

I'm usually hesitant to write a review after just one visit, but in this case, I would almost feel guilty trying to keep this place a secret. I came here with two girlfriends on a Saturday night and we had a lovely time. This restaurant/cafe is in the bottom level of the main carriage house of Zero George, which is a boutique hotel comprised of several houses at the corner of East Bay Street and George. It's really easy to drive/walk right past this place without realizing what it is. It can even be a little confusing trying to find the entrance to the restaurant. However, when we stepped into the courtyard and started to walk around a bit confused, a young woman quickly came out from the main carriage house to greet/rescue us. We had reservations (recommended) and decided to sit outside in their patio area, which was the way to go although the inside looked really inviting as well. It was a bit hot outside (I mean, it's August after all), but it's so beautiful out there, it was a no brainer. The whole place has a great ambience - charming, quaint and intimate with really dim lighting. The atmosphere here is quintessential Charleston, but the nice, more relaxed, quiet, unassuming side of Charleston. Though I was here with girlfriends, I quickly added this to the top of my list for great date night spots. This is a really small set up here, which I loved. We first walked through the kitchen (it's completely open, which was strange but really cool at the same time), where there were maybe two people there cooking. And then I'm pretty sure there may have only been one server for everyone. Possibly two but still, just know that while the service is excellent, you're in for a long, leisurely dinner. The whole menu, while pretty small, all sounded amazing. There were only three main entrees, so we thought the best way to go was for us to each get one of them and share bites. While I usually don't go for chicken when I see it on the menu, my friends had called the other two so I sort of got it by default. Any disappointment I might had had about getting "stuck" with the chicken went out the door when it was put in front of me. The chicken was unbelievable. It had a farro salad that had figs and various summer vegetables in a sour cream type sauce. I'm not sure what exactly it was but it was amazing and unique. The bites of scallops and wreckfish that I got from my friends' plates were equally delicious. Great cocktails, too. Which reminds me that they have a cute little bar inside that I will definitely be stopping by in the near future. Loved everything about this place! There is zero reason (haha, see what I did there?) for you not to try this place. read more

The cooking class was off the charts! Amazing food, entertaining and educational chef demonstrations, a perfect way to spend a Monday evening. read more

This is a quaint hidden little restaurant near The Gaillard Center. A great place to dine if you're attending a concert there. We decided to dine before a concert and arrived just before the dinner service started. Finding the entrance to this place is challenging and it's a good thing that someone greets you at the door because you enter right into a kitchen area where various chefs are preparing meals. Since it's also a tight space with a small concierge desk there isn't a good place to put coats or on a rainy night(as this was) umbrellas. They were stored in another building. Interesting. But then, this is an old structure so one expects a few inconveniences. All in all it's a charming place with intimate dining. We were seated and the server brought the tasting menu. Luckily we had gone on-line to know that there was also a pre- theater menu, so we asked for that one. I also asked for a wine list and she produced one. I selected a glass of prosecco since I had already decided on the Wahoo entree. My husband chose Beef Wellington. The server also suggested we try an appetizer course from the tasting menu that consisted of four small plates consisting of a squash donut, micro radish with edible soil, a pastry with a seafood filling, and organic raw oysters with a simple vinaigrette. Of all of those, I would have to say that the oysters were the best and I am usually not a fan of raw oysters and these were excellent! First courses consisted of a tortellini with hen of the woods mushrooms and scallops done four ways. I tasted the scallops and have to say they were my favorite---especially the one with horseradish! On to the main course. The server informed me that Wahoo wasn't available, so would I like swordfish in its place prepared the same way? I wasn't disappointed as the fish was cooked perfectly moist with some root vegetables. The Beef Wellington was good also and cooked perfectly between medium and medium rare. Dessert was Tres Leches Cake for him and a cheese selection for me----all good! We ended the meal with espresso coffees. On the way out we once again looked over at the food preparation. I noticed a chef preparing a dish that looked like the swordfish I had eaten. It was and he then explained how it was cooked in the Big Green Egg over in the corner of the room and he was putting finishing touches on the plate. There is definitely a lot of care, blending of flavors, and artistry that goes on here with the food. Definitely a place to come if you want to experience new tastes and be adventurous! read more

Off the chart good. One of the top 5 meals my wife and I ever had. We are foodies and have high expectations. Zero George far exceeded them. It is a quaint and charming place. You start by walking in past the kitchen where Chef Vinson P is preparing your meal. The bar keep is a real craftsman and you should try the house specials "the Money Penny" and the award winning "Red Scare" (warning it is spicy). We started meal with the Hamachi collar and the pressure cooked Octopus. Our mains were the Snapper and the Duck. Dessert was the Tres Leche cake. Everything was wonderful. Top 5 for sure. Service and atmosphere was excellent. We went to Husk on the previous night and Zero George is way better. read more

My new favorite favorite restaurant. The absolute best place ever. If in Charleston and you're a foodie (like me) you have to come here!!!

Best meal I have had in Charleston in two years! Attention to detail and sauces with each dish were well noted. Make it your next stop.

We chose Zero Cafe and Bar, located inside the beautiful Zero George Hotel for a casual business meeting over dinner. It was a beautiful evening, so we decided to sit in the courtyard that adjoins the dining area. The ambiance was understated perfection. All three of us decided on the five course tasting menu with included beverage pairings. ($115 a person). One of the diners in our group is a pescatarian, which was handled easily with a phone call to the restaurant the day before. On to the food. As a "thank you" ordering the tasting menu, the chef complimented us with a order of the best deviled eggs I have ever eaten. Perfectly executed, with four eggs each presenting their own unique flavor profile. We then started with Local Oysters on the half shell topped with a frozen melon mignonette, caviar, and wait for it... GOLD LEAF. Perfect. We then moved onto a yakatori style Hamachi Collar. Perfectly grilled, presented with a miso truffle emulsion. Quite simply the best seafood dish I have ever eaten. We then had a crispy skinned Stripped Bass, served with Chanterelle Mushrooms, pork shoulder, and a delicious broth consisting of ham, and summer peas, which were flash frozen at the height of the summer to maintain the perfect pea flavor. We then moved on to our main course, which was a 50 day dry aged sirloin steak, accompanied by squash purée, and squid ink potatoes. The squid ink was not at all fishy and added a perfect salinity that elevated the already superior flavor that the beef possessed. Now desert. I am usually a bit put off by pairings of ingredients that don't make a lot of sense at first, (they usually don't make sense at second or third either) but the chef's pairing of chocolate and caraway seeds truly illustrated an understanding of flavor and the finesse to be able to execute it flawlessly. In short, that was the best dining experience I have had in Charleston, and I encourage all those food curious out there to enjoy it while it is still relatively under the radar. read more

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Wow. This culinary experience far exceeded my expectations. And a side note, our girl Amy, did not disappoint in the least.

Zero Bar and Cafe is simply one of the best restaurants in Charleston which is a dining mecca.. We went there last time we were in Charleston and had to return this year. We had very high expectations and these expectations were surpassed. This restaurant has it all - great food, great service and great ambiance. Just a quick not about our server whom we had a nice conversation with about wine and food and our mutual home town of Tucson, Airzona and the wineries there (although I have lived in Georgia now for over 20 years). But the star is Chef Vinson Petrillo's great culinary creations. Now normally you get bread with the meal, but here you get the most unusual and tasty crackers. These go well alone, with the butter provides or as an accompaniment with the tastes or small plates. We started with a wonderful burrata with a flavorful mozzarella wrapping filled with mozzarella and cream (and I think some butter) mixed to form a creamy mix. It was surrounded by a variety of heirloom tomatoes. Then there was a pasta carbonara . Now I like my pasta a bit al dente and this was cooked perfectly. It had a wonderfully fresh sauce with peas and of course a perfectly cooked egg that when broken added to the richness of the sauce. However the meal did spawn a disagreement between my wife and I over which main course was the best (we always share so we an compare). Despite not liking white fish very well, she choose the flounder at the recommendation of the server (whose description of dishes can be very insightful) and she absolutely loved it. It was a delightful combinations of flavors and textures with perfectly cooked vegetables (again al dente with a nice crunch) and nice breading crust on the fish and a wonderful sauce. However in my mind the lamb took top honors. It was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and had a deconstructed ratatouille which was called "elements of ratatouille" on the menu. This is a definite must go to restaurant. By the way you should review a restaurant for its food not its cooking classes. And the food and ambiance here is spectacular. read more

Excellent bar / bartender.. great little spot for a before / after dinner drinks .... very cool patio area .....

What a beautiful spot! We had the chance to dine here on a Saturday night. This is a very quaint spot that I found romantic. We had the opportunity to sit outside and it was perfect! The ONLY "bad" thing I have to say it that the tables are pretty small. We started with the Roasted Yellow-tail Collar and the House Made Ravioli with Crab. What a treat! The collar was roasted perfectly but it wasn't the easiest I've had to eat. And the ravioli was great, it is ink ravioli so check your teeth after. We split and entree, as not to get too full to the rest of our night out. We had the Beef Wellington. The beef so perfectly cooked, the best we have ever had! I can not wait to go back. I will make sure I am prepared and order the Chef's tasting menu. read more

NOTE: this is a a prefix 5 course meal (with wine pairings) menu. I believe you can do a 3 course option as I heard a couple behind me do (after I had ordered) but it wasn't offered or mentioned by my server. I make that note because I somehow missed the prefix 5 course meal detail when reading reviews and looking at photos. So, when I was finally seated I looked at the menu and was surprised at what I had just committed to for dinner. The server, noting my surprise, did let me know that they are small portions so not to worry. You can choose from the omnivore or herbivore options. I went with omnivore which is $125pp and chose to add truffles ($15) to the pasta dish. The food and wine pairings did not disappoint. The presentation was superb and incredible well thought out. My favorite creative presentation was in the first course, it was a palette cleanser that looked like a potted plant in soil but was in fact a mini radish in a quinoa mix on top of butter that tasted like buttered popcorn. Each dish was extremely flavorful but did require each bite include all of the components of the dish. This seems obvious but when eating in the courtyard it is pretty dark and you can't always see to bottom of the black dishes to ensure you've scooped up each component of the dish in each bite. The outside courtyard is a small, quaint candle lit area in which many folks pulled out the lights on their phone to see the menu so that certainly was a detractor for me. It also doesn't have much air circulation so I found myself either sweating or fanning myself with my menu. Neither is ideal if you are on a romantic date or special night out. If it's hot outside I recommend sitting inside unless you have a high tolerance for humid nights. Last tip, the bar area is not very big at all so don't arrive too early for your reservation. I was there alone, there was a group of 4 at the bars seats with me and a couple standing in the corner. That about filled up the bar space. The bartender is very knowledgeable, cocktails are good but better can be found for the money (approx $14 ea) read more

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I was very excited to come here. I had this idea in my mind that this was going to be my favorite of all the restaurants we tried while in Charleston. I was especially intrigued because so many people had no idea about it, and it seemed to be a well-kept secret and a gem. I knew of some renowned Charlestonians who had spent their honeymoon at the hotel in which this restaurant in located and they raved about this establishment. I simply could not wait to give this a try! But then...it all went downhill from the first hello. The place was unexpectedly pedantic, obviously because of the staff. We arrived on time and were told our table was not ready but we could wait at the bar, when in fact the entire place was mostly empty (they did it solely to get us to order drinks first as a strategy to get more money - something that a true first class venue would NEVER do). When we said we would rather wait to order drinks at the table they got obviously disdainful and unhappy, and about 10-`15 minutes later proceeded to seat us. Out table was nice, small, poorly lit, but it gave it a very romantic feel. I had a couple of food restrictions (no pork and intolerant to salmon) which are always accommodated at any place we go, and we tend to eat primarily at three Michelin star restaurants all over the world. My goal was to try the tasting menu, which they could not reveal at all or change, and I was told very dismissively by the waiter that I was better off ordering a la carte given my restrictions. The cocktails, which they are so famous for, all tasted the same (like a sour mix). There was very little variation and they were simply not as strong and complex as I would have thought or hoped. We also noticed that the few tables that were sat after us were treated extremely different from us, much more politely, respectfully and with greater positive energy. Everyone but us was served champagne upon arrival to their table as well. Not sure if that had something to do with the hotel guests package (and we weren't staying there) or what but it was obnoxiously rude and profoundly irritating. My husband and I are young, good-looking, successful people, and never felt mistreated in our lives. This was the first and only time and I am still scratching my head as to why, especially with us being true foodies and this being a young Chef's restaurant with a young staff. The food was excellent, and therefore all three stars I am giving this place are solely due to the 5 star dishes. We LOVED the steak taretare and all the dishes we had were phenomenal. Overall then I would say it is a 5 star cuisine with 1 star service for a 3 star experience with a 10 star expectation. read more

No brainer for any special dinner celebration. Service is fantastic, ambience is unbeatable - intimate yet fun, cozy, full of character. The food is consistently surprising, delicious, creative, fresh - never disappointing. The asian style fish appetizer (changes with the available fresh catch) and octopus are particularly memorable - can't say I've ever picked up a fish collar before and started sucking on the bones, but it happened here. Classy, I know, but that's how good it was. I bet I haven't been the only one. read more

Finally, I've found the best chef in Charleston! Chef Petrillo is a genius! His preparation, presentation, quality of ingredients are without peer in Charleston! I've been eating in French restaurants in France during the past 64 years -- and I've eaten in some of the best throughout Europe; therefore, I have a basis for saying that the Michelin Guide would unquestionably award at least One Star to Zero George! Chef Jason, you have a new standard by which your own excellent kitchen can further evolve! Of course, I shall return to Zero George! Very soon! read more

Zero Bar has the best craft cocktails in all of Charleston. That is a bold statement given how great the cocktail scene is in the Lowcountry. The mixologists are well versed in the history of cocktails, and they place their own spin on the drinks. You can enjoy your cocktail at the quaint bar, in one of the beautifully decorated classic Charleston lounge rooms, or on the piazza overlooking the courtyard. Zero George is definitely my favorite place to enjoy a cocktail. As for the Zero Restaurant, Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo is as good as it gets. This award winning chef prepares an exquisite 5 course meal selection, and his creativity is incredible. Combine his expertise with the top-notch service at Zero Geroge, and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants an incredible culinary experience. read more

Go early and have a delicious custom cocktail on the porch. The location and ambience are fantastic. I wish we had stayed at the hotel - next time. For dinner, we did the tasting menu with wine pairing, sitting at a table for two on the patio. The servers were delightful people and very knowledgeable about each dish and pairing. The chef's choices and execution were second to none. I still have dreams of the Beef Wellington and I'm not even an every day meat eater. If you're looking for an unforgettable, special meal, this is the place to go. read more

Literally the best restaurant in Charleston! The food was TO DIE FOR! Everything about this place is perfect. The predinner drinks were excellent, the entire place was gorgeous and very intimate. We had the tasting menu and we were not disappointed. Every dish was better than the last. Our waitress was awesome as well. She knew the dishes and the wines very well. The wine pairings were generous. Everyone should eat here at Zero at least once in their life. The only thing that could have made the dinner better would have been a little hello from the chef :-) read more

This place has a romantic ambiance. We started off with some wonderful cocktails on the porch upstairs. Then we had dinner outside. We loved our appetizers! Tuna tartar was delicious... The octopus was phenomenal.. The deviled eggs were incredible. So different and tasty. The tomato was good but not great. Then we had our entrees... I had the duck which was cooked perfectly and was delicious... My wife had the wreck fish which was scrumptious and local as well. I had a tasty Cabernet with my duck. Perfect pairing. We finished with the passion fruit. Good but not great. Our waiters name was JJ and he was top notch. Very nice and recommended several things for us to do while in town. The service was great. I will recommend this place to everyone... And will definitely be back next time I'm in town! read more

Amazing, great service, and the "small" portions from our 3 course meal were definitely filling. Some reviewers said they left hungry but I think they're used to those American sized portions. I am American and I think a lot of restaurants get a little out of hand. We will be back! read more

What an overrated restaurant. The food was tasteless! The wine parings were awful! We went to this restaurant with another chef and I am in the food business in Los Angeles. No one enjoyed the food. Expensive so not worth it, read more

I have been fortunate enough to eat at some of the world's finest restaurants (Paul Bocuse, French Laundry, Alinea, Atelier Crenn, Quince, etc.), and Zero George is on par with them. It was such a wonderful experience. The tasting menu was beyond delicious. Make sure you get the amuse-bouche add-on. It's worth the $17. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in Charleston. read more

$420 dollars for 2 people with tip... Definitely not worth your time. Staff is great... Service is great... Cocktails fantastic... Food what a letdown. I was here a year ago for a chefs menu dinner and was wowed. Really looking forward to enjoying a full sit down meal here but no. Only redeeming item was the duck (hard hard fat sear was delicious) Everything else was meh...oyster was lost in apples... Deviled egg was weak even with the addition of "caviar". 8oz of wine pp and "5 courses" ended up at over $400... Pass. read more

Intimate venue, inventive & delicious food and cocktails, one of the best dining experiences of our trip to Charleston!

Kind of a hidden gem. Obviously the chef puts a lot of thoughts in the dishes. Wonderful.

Loved the cocktails, salad and dessert. We were a lil underwhelmed by our vegaterian entree option. Would go back anyway

Super cute little bar there with a great selection and great service. Really cool atmosphere for sure. AJ is the bartender and he is the man. If you like manhattans order their house version. Good stuff. read more

This place was amazing. What impressed me the most was the creativity with the food. We did the food/wine pairing menu. Everything was so good and beautifully served. The server was attentive and helpful. And they finished strong with an amazing desert. Totally worth the price! I highly suggest this place for a special evening out. read more

This place is just lovely. It's cozy and off the beaten path. The wait staff were absolute pros and attended to our every need. (At one point one of them overheard my wife saying she just got a mosquito bite, and he rushed to grab some bug spray they kept in the back.). The cocktails were phenomenal, especially if you're a bourbon drinker. The plates were light, so not ideal for sharing, but a lot of care was put into the preparation and presentation. Pricey but worth it. read more

My husband and I went here last Sunday night, and it was an amazing experience. Amy was fun and knowledgable, and didn't mind all my questions! The food was on par with our favorite similar Chicago spots (Elizabeth, Grace). The soft egg, scallops, beef Wellington and dessert were UNREAL, and the wine pairings were perfect. We can't wait to go back again in the future! read more

After enjoying a lovely meal at Zero George a few weeks ago, I was eager to return! Unfortunately, my most recent experience was not so lovely... For my fiancé's birthday, I had planned for us to partake in Zero George's cooking class. I was surprised (and a bit frustrated) with how difficult it was to book the class. I spoke to the Concierge Manager and asked her to send me available dates and pricing for a private class. I was initially upset with how rude she was over the phone, but I was even more disappointed when I never received any information from her! However, I was determined to surprise my fiancé with the class so I called back and was able to make reservations for one of their group classes. I received a confirmation email and phone call from the same employee so when we showed up for our class I was SHOCKED that we were not on the schedule! I was looking forward to this special night for some time and was embarrassed that I now was "empty handed" for my fiancé's birthday. Apparently though we are not the first couple that this has happen to. Staff members said that this is the SECOND time this week that there has been some "mis-booking." I must say that the chef and hostess were very apologetic! They even offered us a glass of wine. We rescheduled our class, but I must say I'm not as excited about returning... read more