Drift on Lake Wylie

Drift on Lake Wylie reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. V

   Velvet

   Charlotte1 review

   2.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The table that we were sat at had something sticky on top, half of the silverware on the table was dirty. The waitress didn’t refill my son’s lemonade, and my salmon was not seasoned. It way my husbands bday, and normally they will bring out a bday “treat” of ice cream. He didn’t want the ice cream, but asked for a birthday coffee instead, which the waitress agreed to bring out. When I received the bill, she charged me for the coffee.  We have been to Drift many times, but this was the worst and I will not be going back.  they could’ve offered to take something off of the bill since the table wasn’t clean and the silverware wasn’t clean. They did not, so if you’re going to charge fine dining prices, you should make sure everything is top-notch from the table to the silverware to the food. 
   

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2. P

   Pamela VIP

   San Diego11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We went in mid May and it was a beautiful day to sit out on the patio and watch the boats dock from an outing on the lake. It was one of our best dining experiences ever and we highly recommend making a reservation at this lovely upscale restaurant.
   

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3. J

   Jessica

   Washington DC1 review

   1.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Came here for my birthday dinner with friends and had an extremely disappointing experience. Our server provided significantly more attention and service to all other tables around us - while our waters and drinks were completely empty for most of the night, after multiple follow ups. Simple requests were completely ignored. A friend wanted pepper for her starter salad, and never received it after asking two different people (including the server). Another friend ordered a margarita before her entree - which never arrived - after asking multiple times as well. Another friend wanted parmesan for her pasta entree - guess what? Never arrived. None of these were extravagant requests, yet it seemed difficult for this staff to fulfill. By the end of the night, our table was full of empty cups and dirty plates. No one even bothered to ask if we wanted to-go boxes or take away empty plates until we had to ask (what I’m assuming to be) a manager who was walking around checking tables. We voiced these issues, and our appetizers and salads were removed from the bill, but by that point, the night was ruined. I understand that servers have difficult jobs, so I try my hardest to be as patient as possible. But when I blatantly witness my server providing quality service to the table next to me, then walking past my empty drink and not bothering to ask if I need anything else, it’s not ok. What should have been a fairly simple dinner for 5 guests lasted a total of 3 hours due to the inattentiveness and disorganization of this staff. A very disappointing end to my birthday.
   

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4. J

   Janet

   Charleston5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great lunch with family from out of town that wanted to dine at Drift, because they know we love it. Ashton provided great customer service! Accommodated for my sister with mobility issues as well.
   

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5. Z

   Zarya

   Charlotte2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I celebrated my birthday here Friday night. I wasn’t unaware that they closed at 10 because OpenTable allowed me to move my reservation back to 9:30. However no one made me feel rushed or unwelcome. All the staff were so friendly and attentive I felt like I was getting princess treatment. I’d like to say I’m a little picky when it comes to food so I hardly ever like anything. With that being said the cheesecake was so so good. The lobster mac and cheese was 10/10 I would get that every time I come.
   

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6. M

   Marlene

   Charlotte1 review

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It had been two years since we last went to the restaurant and the menu had changed yet every dish we ordered was better than the last. It’s a great casual ambiance yet at the same time you can make it a special occasion destination as well. It is a must visit
   

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7. M

   Michael

   Charlotte1 review

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Nice outside seating. Food is what you expect for the price if not a bit better.
   

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8. S

   Susan

   Charlotte7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We love the Drift. We had a wonderful Anniversary dinner with all the doors open to a beautiful night on Lake Wylie. The food was exceptional as always. I loved the Chilean Sea Bass! Emma our server was so sweet.
   

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9. D

   Doug

   Western NC6 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   The New York strip steaks were local diner quality. 1/2 inch thick full of gristle, creole shrimp with the filet was the same boiled shrimp from the shrimp cocktails, cold and unseasoned. Service was poor and in attentive not tending to used dishes and glasses. We certainly expected better from Drift.
   

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10. D

    David VIP

    Charlotte38 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4

    Went for Mother’s Day dinner, so I knew we likely wouldn’t be getting their beat as it was a busy day. Our server, NJ, was lovely. Definitely the best part of our experience (other than the view!) Drift has a great ambiance. Beautiful views over Lake Wylie. But it feels like they’re “trying” to be an emergent restaurant, when they’re not. The food was fine ( squid pasta was gummy, probably because it was par-boiled) and our Caesar salads were limp and came out with no dressing. (We were at The Jimmy then night before, and their Caesar is AMAZING!) I realized and understood that this was a prix-fix menu, and would cost big $, but didn’t really feel we received full value for what was charged. That said: I would come back on a sunny day, but with more realistic expectations
    

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