Everything at The Establishment begins with well-sourced ingredients from sea and field. Through developing relationships with local farmers and fishermen, our ingredients will be consistently seasonal, fresh, and pure. Chef Elliott Howells' menu will always reflect a clean, focused, and balanced approach, delivering a selection of thoughtful and refined cuisine.
Located in Charleston’s historic French Quarter a few blocks away from Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market, and Waterfront Park, The Establishment features an award-winning wine cellar, over 150 bourbon and whiskey offerings, and a lively bar scene complete with daily happy hour. We feature Live Music every Friday and Saturday starting at 8:00 PM, featuring multiple local artists performing an array of musical genres. Our private dining rooms are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or business meetings. We look forward to hosting you for a casual night out or an elevated dining experience.
The Establishment offers incredible, local seafood paired with an award-winning wine list. If you’re looking for elevated cuisine paired with fine wine, or for a room that is perfectly situated in Charleston’s French Quarter, look no further than The Establishment.
Calling our food and beverage family. Please join us for a bartender competition and F&B party at The Establishment. We are hosting an event to highlight bartenders, their creativity and celebrate friends/family in the food and beverage community in CHS. Sunday, February 2nd 2025
2pm-6pm were are closed to the public but open to fellow colleagues in one of the best culinary and beverage cities in world. Please join us for a party that is "for us, by us". This includes admission wristband, drink tickets, food and entertainment. We are hosting a 3 round elimination bartender competition sponsored by Samson and Surrey designed to be fun & promote comradery in our community. Tickets for Any Time will get you in Any Time that day. Come see us!
Menu
Taste
Wahoo SashimiUS$19.00
GnudiUS$28.00
Green Hill CamembertUS$27.00
Ghost Grow GreensUS$17.00
Chicken Liver MousseUS$15.00
Wagyu TartareUS$21.00
Spaghetti SquashUS$17.00
Lobster DumplingUS$18.00
Oysters RockefellerUS$19.00
Bay Scallop CrudoUS$25.00
vegetable Spring RollsUS$0.00
Wahoo Sashimi (Party)US$0.00
Bluefin ToroUS$25.00
Candy Roaster SquashUS$16.00
Dressed OystersUS$4.00
Harbison Reserve CheeseUS$45.00
MusselsUS$21.00
Roasted Bone MarrowUS$20.00
Bay ScallopsUS$22.00
Savor
Striped BassUS$40.00
WreckfishUS$41.00
Moqueca de PeixeUS$45.00
Whole Fish- B-LinerUS$69.00
Lamb PresseUS$36.00
Duck ConfitUS$38.00
Caldo VerdeUS$32.00
Bone-in RibeyeUS$170.00
Ribeye (Party)US$0.00
TagliatelleUS$39.00
Pork ChopUS$36.00
HalibutUS$45.00
Crispy EggplantUS$32.00
Whole Fish- YellowtailUS$65.00
Flounder Grenobloise (Party)US$43.00
Flounder GrenobloiseUS$43.00
GrouperUS$42.00
Golden TilefishUS$43.00
Prime RibeyeUS$77.00
MonkfishUS$40.00
Vadouvan CauliflowerUS$36.00
Lobster TagliatelleUS$43.00
Sides
SD Creamed KaleUS$15.00
Truffle TartifletteUS$15.00
Braised MushroomsUS$10.00
SD Bread ServiceUS$8.00
SD Patatas BravasUS$10.00
SD Charred BroccoliUS$10.00
What 2,671 people are saying
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
4.8Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.5Value
Noise • Moderate
Diners' Choice Awards
South Carolina
Hot spot
South Carolina
Seafood
Charleston
Best Overall
Charleston
Best Food
Charleston
Best Service
Charleston
Best Ambience
Charleston
Innovative
Charleston
Hot spot
Charleston
Great for fine wines
Charleston
Romantic
Charleston
Good for special occasions
Charleston
Lively
Charleston
Seafood
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Establishment in Charleston offers a "fantastic dining experience" with "impeccable service" and "amazing food." Guests rave about the "Gnudi" and the attentive staff, notably servers like Nathan and Nehemiah. The ambiance is enhanced by live music, making it perfect for special occasions. "Highly recommended" for its exceptional menu and memorable experiences.
2,671 Reviews
L
Lisa
VIP
New York City
59 reviews
4.0
59 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 4
The service is the best thing about this restaurant. Waiter was very knowledgeable about every dish and every drink. Mixed drinks are excellent. I had the Hot Todd-E which was perfect for a cold night.
Food was very good. The gnudi was highlighted as their most ordered app and was described as much lighter than regular gnocchi. This was true but the sauce - though delicious - was VERY rich. My husband and I shared that and a salad which was a nice complement to the gnudi, but we agreed that just those two dishes were enough for dinner.
Main courses: we had a poached wreck fish and a pressed (braised) lamb, both very good but I had to take most of the fish home because the apps had been so filling.
We didn’t have room for dessert. This would be a great restaurant to go to with another couple and maybe share 3 apps and 2-3 main courses. Then we might have room for dessert!
Is this helpful?
A
Ann
Charleston
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
My friends and I had a wonderful evening! We’ve been friends since the 6th grade and enjoyed catching up on things…
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J
James
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Sat at the bar for apps and cocktails. Both were great and the bartender Nathan was outstanding. Super friendly and outgoing and knew the drink menu inside and out.
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R
Ronke
Charleston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
Overall 4
Food 2
Service 5
Ambience 5
Visited for NYE so they had a fixed menu. The offerings were a bit limited, and unfortunately the korean fried chicken I ordered was extremely salty and inedible.
The manager and staff were very accommodating and tried to salvage our overall experience and made sure we had a good time. For that alone I'll be back to try their regular menu offerings.
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m
michelle
Baltimore
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
TOP NOTCH! Service was impeccable, food was on point! Staff was friendly and fun with our large group! We had a blast and can't wait to do it again!
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M
Mary
VIP
Greater Boston
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Wonderful New Years Eve- great service, great food and vibe
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R
Richard
San Francisco
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
Overall 2
Food 2
Service 3
Ambience 4
The New Years Eve $200 per person was the worst NYE experience I’ve ever had. Food was terrible
The EstablishmentResponded 7 days ago
Richard,
Please tell your wife Suzanne to stop calling and emailing the restaurant and harassing our staff and managers. Our patience with this is running thin. We tried to make amends that night but this level of harassment is now becoming troubling. Thank you.
1 person found this helpful
J
Jocelyn
VIP
Charleston
42 reviews
5.0
42 reviews
Dined on 31 December 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
This place is a downtown gem- great food and ambiance, along with superior waitstaff.
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S
Sandra
New York City
32 reviews
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
The evening was lovely, we could not have asked for a nicer dining experience.
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K
Kelly
VIP
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2024
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Excellent food and service. The Gnudi is spectacular and unique…definitely a must have!
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FAQs
The Establishment is rated 4.8 stars by 2671 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
The Establishment offers incredible, local seafood paired with an award-winning wine list. If you’re looking for elevated cuisine paired with fine wine, or for a room that is perfectly situated in Charleston’s French Quarter, look no further than The Establishment.