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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Charleston

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Charleston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Camellias restaurant

4.5

4.5 (291)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Reservations are not accepted for Standard Service.
Reservations are required for Afternoon Tea and Special Experiences.

Discover an unparalleled Afternoon Tea experience at Camellias, where design and architecture intertwine to create a breathtaking wonder inspired by the renowned Fabergé jewels. Step into a realm of elegance and sophistication, where every detail, from the etched mirror ceiling to the dazzling crystal chandelier, exudes opulence and charm.

Located in the heart of Charleston, Camellias presents an Afternoon Tea seating that stands as an essential experience for any bucket list.

Adults | 65.00
Children’s Tea (ages under 12) | 42.00
Crown Tea | 78.00

Pricing reflects a per-person pricing based on seats reserved.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made no later than 24 hours prior to your reservation. Failure to cancel 24 hours before your reservation will result in a $25/per person fee.

Top review

C

Courtney

Dined 7 days ago

Absolutely fabulous Tea with Santa. Truly a dream for my girls and can’t wait to do it again. Thank you Camellias staff for making it such an amazing experience!

A photo of Anson restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4826)

$50 and over

Southern

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Anson was named one of OpenTable's 50 Best Southern Restaurants in America for 2018 |

Top review

RC

RandyCinSC

Dined 2 days ago

Superb wait staff. not inexpensive. Food quality was delicious. I will definitely go back.

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A photo of Whole Crispy Flounder of a restaurant

Whole Crispy Flounder

A photo of Scallops of a restaurant

A photo of Pecan Pie ala Mode of a restaurant

Pecan Pie ala Mode

A photo of Nick’s German Kitchen restaurant

Nick’s German Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (1359)

$31 to $50

Contemporary German

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Featuring scratch-made German specialties like Schnitzel, Spaetzle and more, Nick’s German Kitchen offers an authentic German kitchen infused with a modern vibe. Flavorful, fresh and appealing, Nick’s German will make you rethink everything you think you know about German food! Guten Appetit!

Top review

T

TammyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We took my husband's mother from Germany here, and we were all blown away by the food--authentic, and elevated! My mother-in-law so enjoyed speaking her mother tongue with Sam, Devin, and Nick. We came on Thirsty Thursday (half price wine), and really enjoyed a deliciously dry and juicy bottle of Dr. Loosen sparkling riesling from Mosel. Our entrees were jägerschnitzel with spätzle, beef sauerbraten with spätzle, and beef tenderloin medallions with mustard crust, bacon fried potatoes, and bacon green beans, and an additional side of spätzle. We were blown away by the deliciousness of every component of each plate. The sauces were subtle, the meats were prepared beautifully (barely any breading, if any, on my schnitzel, which I love, love, love), everything was perfectly balanced. We all exclaimed over the spätzle, because so often the noodles are too small and too over-sautéed, and you don't get a satisfying bite. Nick's is perfectly prepared and satisfying. Portions were perfectly sized for all three of us to order dessert. We had the chocolate soufflé, apple strudel, and pflaumenkuchen (plum cake--my mother-in-law's favorite). They were all amazing. The soufflé and strudel both had a bit of crispiness on the edges that immediately melted in your mouth. The apples, raisins and cinnamon in the strudel were perfectly balanced and comforting yet exciting. So good! And my mother-in-law adored the pflaumenkuchen--perfectly unctuous and not sweet. Needless to say, this is a new favorite restaurant, and we will be back soon. P.S. Everyone was happy here; the owner, the staf, and the customers. We had fun conversations with everyone. It was just a truly lovely evening.

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A photo of Wiener Schnitzel of a restaurant

Wiener Schnitzel

A photo of Chicken Spaetzle of a restaurant

Chicken Spaetzle

A photo of Veggie Spaetzle of a restaurant

Veggie Spaetzle

A photo of La Rustica restaurant

4.8

4.8 (84)

$30 and under

American

Summerville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

T

Thomas

Dined 7 days ago

The restaurant was quite busy, but our wait staff was very efficient and as attentive as possible. The food was excellent and no one in our group was dissatisfied.

A photo of The Establishment restaurant

The Establishment

4.8

4.8 (2653)

$50 and over

Seafood

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

J

Josh

Dined 3 days ago

Had a wonderful anniversary date at the Establishment. Staff went above and beyond to make it special, in addition to fantastic food and great atmosphere. A much nicer, moody, fancy vibe inside than you’d guess from the website.

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A photo of Ring in the New Year at The Establishment! of a restaurant

Ring in the New Year at The Establishment!

A photo of O-Ku restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2737)

$30 and under

Japanese

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

O-Ku, a Japanese restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, is a triumph of execution and concept. The restaurant's menu is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, and it features fresh, seasonal ingredients that are prepared with care. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the flavors are both complex and delicate. Focused on incorporating authentically Japanese flavors into the fare, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature contemporary Japanese entrées and traditional sushi of the season reflecting the uniquely designed space. Guests can enjoy chef specialties including kurobuta pulled pork don-buri, braised short rib with shiso pesto, coconut curry, and hakozushi a box-style sushi. A wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and crudos are also available. The beverage program at O-Ku is a sophisticated blend of specialty cocktails, premium sake, bubbles, red and white wines and unique beer selections.

Top review

B

Beth

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely wondering dining experience from start to finish!! Amazing food!!

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A photo of Lobster Temaki of a restaurant

A photo of Indaco restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3804)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Located on Charleston's Upper King Street, Indaco (Italian for "indigo") serves rustic Italian cuisine. Wood-fired pizzas, hand-crafted pastas, housemade salami and cured sausages fill the restaurant's menu which can be enjoyed family-style or a la carte. With community tables, an open kitchen, and a comfortable atmosphere, Indaco can accommodate 100 guests for a casual night of food and drinks. The wine list is focused on affordable Italian varietals, the Negroni cocktail is on tap, and the fresh sodas are made in-house. The massive wooden doors on Upper King Street are your first indication that Indaco is different from the typical Charleston restaurant. Rustic details continue inside with butcherblock tables, lime-wash walls, and white brick. An open kitchen with nearby community tables lets interested diners keep an eye on the action inside the kitchen. Outside, a patio puts you streetside to watch Upper King Street's vibrant nightlife scene.

Top review

A

Ann

Dined 5 days ago

Everything was fine! Not outstanding, but for the price, it was ok.

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A photo of Oak Steakhouse - Charleston restaurant

Oak Steakhouse - Charleston

4.7

4.7 (5542)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

Located on Charleston's historic Broad Street, Oak Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse. A classic array of both wet and dry aged Certified Angus® Beef are featured on the menu. Ingredients are sourced locally and regionally from sustainable farmers and fisherman to accent the steakhouse menu. Items including local oysters on the half-shell, Clammer Dave's caper clams and a daily fresh fish selection depending on the season. Other popular dishes include the whole fried lobster, goat.sheep.cow artisanal cheese plate, wedge of Kurios Farms bibb lettuce salad, the house-made pasta and vegetarian plate. The expansive and impressive wine program at Oak Steakhouse emphasizes big California Cabernets and Old World reds from Italy and Bordeaux with more than 200 wines by the bottle and 20 wines by the glass. The bar attracts a loyal, local following from nearby businesses and neighborhoods with its great cocktails and happy hour. Inside a historic bank building that dates back to 1848, Oak's stately setting features three floors with five distinct dining areas. Arched windows, 20-foot ceilings, original metal work, fireplaces and 150-year-old heart pine floors, offers the perfect setting for enjoying a special evening.

Top review

K

Kristie

Dined 2 days ago

Thank you all for a wonderful experience. Brody was an outstanding server and Chef Sean’s creations were delicious. We will be bank for sure.

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A photo of Steak Frites of a restaurant

A photo of Pan Seared Scallops of a restaurant

Pan Seared Scallops

A photo of Peninsula Grill restaurant

Peninsula Grill

4.7

4.7 (7989)

$50 and over

American

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

This AAA Four-Diamond restaurant located in the very heart of Charleston’s famed Historic District has been recognized by Departures, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, The New York Times, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, Wine Spectator, and others for serving the finest and freshest ingredients sourced locally and globally.

With velvet-lined walls in shimmering oyster tones, woven seagrass, and indigenous cypress molding, the Peninsula Grill Dining Room ambiance is supper club sumptuousness. The Peninsula Grill Champagne Bar is an intimate jewel box space that offers several outstanding champagnes by the glass and a delicious bar menu.

Peninsula Grill is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, an exclusive collection of restaurants and hotels in romantic destinations around the world. Business casual attire, Collared Shirts are required for Gentleman in the Dining Room.

Top review

J

Jami

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic service and the food was delicious. One of the best staples in town!

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A photo of The Ultimate Coconut Cake of a restaurant

The Ultimate Coconut Cake

A photo of Diver Scallops of a restaurant

A photo of Grilled Salmon of a restaurant

A photo of Grill 225 restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1652)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Downtown Charleston

About the restaurant

As Charleston's premier steakhouse, and member of the Great Steak Houses of North America, our menu is one of the few in the country that features 100% USDA Prime Beef. Located at the luxurious Market Pavilion Hotel in the heart of historic Charleston, we offer a dining experience like no other. All of our beef selections, including the filet mignon, are hand-selected and wet-aged 42 -50 days to ensure tender texture and unsurpassed flavor.

At Grill 225 we place a great deal of emphasis on seafood harvested from both local and International waters. Using only premium ingredients such as local sustainable seafood as well as exclusive premium domestic and international offerings.

Private Dining for up to 110 guests for indoor events.
Private gatherings for rooftop cocktail receptions and events up to 275 guests.

Dress Code:
For Men, smart business attire. Jackets are requested, but not required. Flip flops, T-Shirts, non collar shirts and baseball caps are not permitted.

Top review

L

Lynn

Dined 3 days ago

We love Grill 225 for a special occasion! The bar is nice and their cocktails are very good. Food is excellent and service is excellent! J B was very attentive! I recommend the veal chop!

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