The Ordinary

Let's get this out of the way from the beginning the Ordinary is anything but ordinary. We had been walking down King Street in Charleston for about 20 minutes reading menus on the outside of different restaurants looking for something that would speak to us. We came upon The Ordinary which looked inviting from the outside and the menu looked great. When we popped in we were greeted by two of the nicest hostesses, Jessie and Kelly. Though everyone we have come into contact with in Charleston has been very pleasant, these two were as welcoming as long friends at the front door welcoming you into their home. Unfortunately, we didn't have a reservation, and it was about a 45-minute wait for our party of two to sit at the bar. Considering the time, we decided to continue our trek southbound on King Street. We came across another restaurant, popped in, and sat down. But, we couldn't stop thinking about the menu and, more importantly, the warm kind welcome we had received at The Ordinary. Ultimately, we decided to head back to The Ordinary regardless of the wait. When we got back, fortunately, we only had a short 20-minute wait and pulled up two stools at the bar looking forward to something great to eat. What we had not expected was to be there for 3 and 1/2 hours because of great food, perfectly mixed drinks, and an amazing dessert. All of which would have been enough to make this a good experience! However, the three team members behind the bar, Rachel, Ellery, and Ben, seemed to be on a mission to make our evening perfect! From the beginning, Elery provided great recommendations on a lovely Pinot wine and detailed recommendations on food options. With so many delicious sounding choices, it was hard to decide, but ultimately, we landed on the red snapper. We could not have been more pleased with the delicious light flavor and perfectly prepared fish. In less polite company, we likely would have licked our plates so as not to miss any of this delicious meal. We wanted to try some of South Carolina Oysters, and Ellery helped us pick out a couple to try, but only after asking about our preferences. DELICIOUS! They we fresh and flavourful without being overpowering. We rounded out the meal with the recommended desert and a cup of coffee. Throughout the time we were there Racheal checked in and visited, making sure we were well taken care of. Effortlessly she topped off our drinks in such a suttle way it was almost noticeable. When my guest left to use the lavatory, she refolded her napkin and reset the space for her return. Truly paying attention to the small details. I decided to ask for a drink from the 1930s and though Racheal didn't know the recipies she figured it out and blended up a delicious King Alfonce. Throughout the evening Racheal and Ellery shared their favorite pics for restaurants in town, and treated us to conversations as if we had known each other a lifetime. Many restaurants and bars excel at providing good drinks or maybe good food. On a lucky night, maybe both, but tonight we hit the trifecta, and we're truly gifted a perfect evening. We will definitely recommend the Ordinary Restaurant, but only to those who are looking for something completely, out of the ordinary.

There is nothing ordinary about The Ordinary. I have been coming for over a decade, and while the menu may change, the service and quality of the food is always impeccable. The bartenders at The Ordinary are not just mixologists; they are connoisseurs of their craft, and some are even highly-rated sommeliers. Their knowledge about the latest cocktails and wines is bound to persuade you to try something new, so if you don't have a reservation or are a small party, make a beeline to a bar seat. In terms of food, I recommend starting with something raw. Clams or oysters are always on my shortlist, as are any unique appetizers they offer. On my recent visit, they offered a fresh fish larb, which was delicious. I then had the perfectly cooked swordfish with a beautiful accompanying sauce. While known for its seafood, the Ordinary offers exceptional beef tartar, and its steak frits come with a complex beet reduction. All in all, this is one of the finest dining establishments in Charleston, so be sure to put it on your list and book a reservation or saddle up to the bar. You won't be disappointed.

Loved celebrating our engagement here 🤍Such great food and service made us feel very special.

Service, food and atmosphere could not be improved! I had read reviews about service and price and almost did not go, thank GOD I followed my instincts and went anyway. The food was amazing, the Bird Island Oysters reminded me of my loved Venezuelan ones! Full of taste, smaller and delicious! All the waitresses and people serving and greeting were outstandingly warm and interested in talking to us, our little maltipoo Nana was welcomed with love and attention. I cannot find the words to appreciate such a wonderful experience. I will come back every time I am back in this beautiful and lively city! We also had the wahoo, asparagus cream and raw yelloweyed ponzu! Delicious until the last bite…

Great atmosphere. We didn’t have a reservation but beat the evening rush so they were able to accommodate us. Ate at the raw bar and watched platter after platter of oysters being delivered. The person working behind the bar was quick and efficient. Our waiter was pleasant and attentive. He made sure we didn’t leave without trying their oyster sliders. Totally worth it just for the sliders! We enjoyed our appetizers and meals. It was exactly how I expected seafood near the water would taste. So glad we stumbled on it on our short walk from the hotel. Haha. My favorite was the oyster appetizer with the crackers. Yum!

The Ordinary is extraordinary to say the least. The staff was beyond knowledgeable, patient, kind and prompt. The chefs have carefully crafted the menu to create not only a great meal but an experience. The wreckfish schnitzel was perfection. The sauce, the toppings and the presentation were second only to the first bite. Try their featured Oysters and the tomato salad.

Came here on a Saturday night without any reservations. They were very nice and able to seat us immediately at the oyster bar. This restaurant is an old bank converted into a restaurant. Also is a james beard award winning chef. The oysters are amazing as was the clam and sourdough. The latter has the most insane flavors, I could order it again in the same sitting! Their pineapple fountain drink is also very good. Easily one of the best spots in Charleston.

We had a wonderful evening here. The atmosphere and food is upscale and the service is the best of southern charm and hospitality. Every one we spoke to was super friendly and personable. And while the food and drinks were excellent, the atmosphere cozy and romantic it was our experience with the people there that has us enthusiastic to return.

Came here on vacation with my grandma and we had the best time. Both of us agreed it was the best food we’ve ever eaten! The service was kind and helpful, and our server Paige gave great menu recommendations while also being an attentive waitress. The New England fish chowder was rich, creamy, and extremely flavorful. The seafood platter was all around terrific. I got the mustard crusted flounder and it was absolutely out of this world! Everything was incredible. We’ll be dreaming about The Ordinary for the rest of our lives!

Don't even know where to start with this amazing restaurant! First of all the restaurant is amazing and looks great. We got there as soon as it opened at 5pm. The table service was immaculate, There was always someone to ask us if we needed anything or to clean off our table. Yes the menu is a little pricey but believe me, it is worth it! We got the triple seafood tower, and that had all kinds of dishes on it in which they all had their own unique flavor such has the oysters, dressed oysters, clams, shrimp, an amazing fish pâté the list goes on. Every single dish was better than the last. I even tried the caviar, which was a first for me, I was not disappointed at all! One of "the" most delicious things I've ever eaten! Also, a new dish for me I tried was the steak tartare made from good wagyu steak and the flavor was incredible! I've never had so many great dishes laid out before me. The dessert 🍨 was to die for as well, the chocolate hazelnut budino it was called. I would looove to come back again when it's a special occasion and I'm in the area. Would love to try more on their menu.

We had a great dinner at the Ordinary. Our amazing and friendly waiter, Alison, recommend great cocktails to drink and very knowlegeable with the menu. We had the b-linner snapper ponzu, yellowfin tuna larb that was so delicous with the chili crisp in the bottom of the dish, sheepshead crudo, crispy oyster slider but we opted lettuce instead of bun, and the slow baked grouper. All the food were refreshing and delicous. The slow baked grouper fell on the neutral dish, kinda wish it has more seasoning to it but the fish was tender and overall we had a great time. If you havent try this place, we recommend to go and ask for Alison as your server! She is amazing!!

Every morsel has a flavor profile that will wow you! The zucchini carpaccio with mint and toasted pine nuts was the perfect appetizer. The grouper was like butter, the beer battered fish was delicious and was crisp to perfection. The service is outstanding! If you’re in Charleston and love seafood this should be your first stop!

Highly Recommend this place! We’ve never had oysters before so the waitress recommended the Smoked Shepherd Point Oysters as our starter and it was so good! I also recommend the Blue Crab Spaghetti! The waitress was very informative, friendly and professional and the atmosphere was on point.

Anything but ordinary! Exactly what I was looking for on my visit to Charleston. Sophisticated, yet not an overly classy feel inside this space that was once a bank. Tables are well spaced but the vibe is still plenty lively. Divine martinis. Shared oysters 🦪 , steak tartare 🥩, swordfish 🐟, blue crab pasta 🔵 🦀, and some fried okra. Not a single miss on the menu. Food, service and martinis were all outstanding.

We received a very generous gift certificate to The Ordinary as a wedding gift, as we were visiting Charleston on our honeymoon, and we had a wonderful and memorable dining experience from start to finish! We were impressed from the moment we were seated. The restaurant and bar spaces were expansive with huge windows and soaring ceilings, and beautifully decorated. We were welcomed at our table by a little handwritten card wishing us “congratulations,” and our server, Allison, was friendly, professional, knowledgeable and thoughtful. After delivering our cocktails and complimentary bubbles, she offered to take our photo and proceeded to arrange not only our seating but the items on the table to ensure a very nice shot! Our cocktails were uniquely crafted and very enjoyable, not too heavy or sweet. My husband ordered the crab cake appetizer and the snapper for his main course. I ordered the Wagyu Steak Diane and we shared a side of the seasonal rice (without the shrimp) - every bite of food was so flavorful! We paired our desserts with a white and a tawny port. Fabulous dinner and dining experience. I imagine it’s often said: anything BUT ordinary!

One of the top experiences I’ve had in Charleston. Our server was friendly and helped answer a lot of questions that we had. We started off with a dozen oysters that may have been the most fresh and delicious I’ve had in town. We could’ve easily had a dozen each by ourselves. Loved their wine selections and had 3 throughout the courses we had. I’ve had bolognese and pappardelle so many times but man this one was absolutely perfect. The pasta was thin but cooked so well and held all the delicious meat and sauce in every bite. We got the snapper with mustard although I don’t usually like mustard but our server said it’s very mild in flavor. So glad we got it because it was amazing. Fish was crispy on the outside, flaky yet soft. And when you scooped it up with the corn and sauce, it was so satisfying. Towards the end we got to meet one of the managers that had been there for several years, and he told us about the history of the building and it being an old bank which I thought was super cool. The layout of the restaurant with multiple floors and just bustling with energy. We thoroughly enjoyed everything!

Food was very good. The fish chowder was truly amazing. My drink was awesome albeit very sweet more like a dessert. Service was friendly and accommodating. The atmosphere of the place was very nice with super high ceilings. We sat upstairs and it was very quaint and charming. Server did an excellent job describing dishes and making recommendations. I would absolutely return.

Our server, Alison, was very knowledgeable and provided excellent guidance and impeccable service throughout our dining experience. Started with the fish cake. Very light and tasty. I had the Red Snapper, so many flavors. Every bite was heaven. My wife, had the Waygu steak with mushrooms, so delicious! Usually, I am leery of going to a seafood restaurant and ordering anything other than seafood but in this case, I would not hesitate ordering the steak! For a side we went with their seasonal rice dish. So many flavors For dessert we had the Pannacotta paired with a glass of white port wine and Chocolate Hazelnut pot de creme paired with a tawny port. We savored every bite and enjoyed this dining experience, from start to finish.

This place is amazing! Kian, our server, was so attentive and timely during our experience, not to mention Chef De Cousine, Zach Crosby, who came out of the kitchen to introduce himself. They take so much care into what they do. I will be back!

The food was excellent! We tried the smoked oysters and fish skewer for appetizers and could have made a meal out of them! For dinner we had the triggerfish and steak and were very happy with both. My husband had an old fashioned and spoke very highly of it. The service was just as great. The only thing we weren’t as pleased with were the seating options. Our table was exceptionally close to the table next to us. We sat upstairs and most of the other tables were very close, especially the ones that would only fit 2 people. Downstairs the majority of the seating was booths. Due to the seating availability I wouldn’t necessarily choose this restaurants again for a “romantic, intimate” evening but would most definitely eat here again.

The Ordinary is a must when in Charleston. The food speaks for itself - fresh with local flavors that get better with every bite… but that’s just the beginning. The ambiance of the space is great. It’s a larger restaurant that manages to avoid the cavernous feel. Beautifully designed, perfectly lit and seating that avoids the feel of being on top of other tables. But the best part is the service. Allison is a true gem - answering all of our questions and engaging with our conversation in such a fun way that made our dining experience truly one of a kind. We had the best time (a lot thanks to Allison!) and can’t wait to dine here again the next time we’re visiting Charleston.

Amazing place with excellent food and service! The lobster roll was the absolute best I've ever had! I cannot say enough good about this place...go visit, order the lobster roll and thank me later!! You will NOT regret it!!

Fantastic experience in every way. The waiter was very professional, extremely knowledgeable and helpful with wine and food choices. Great drinks, lobster roll was fabulous and desserts wonderful to top off a great meal. We would highly recommend!

We have been trying to get a table here our last few trips to Charleston, and finally grabbed a reservation. It was worth the wait. The smoked swordfish pate was our favorite starter, the shrimp and golden rice was our favorite main course, and you cannot skip the panacotta for dessert! Cocktails and atmosphere were also stellar. The pace is on the slower side, but felt perfectly coursed. But don’t come here if you want to get in and out quick.

Everything was delicious. The sword fist skewers are off the chain, and I recommend them highly. The wreckfish was super tasty. The fish chowder was super yummy, and the dill just added the perfect amount of flavor. Dessert offerings were interesting and we ordered the chocolate hazelnut mousse dessert. So yummy. We were taken aback by the 3% tech charge.

We had an absolutely outstanding dinner at The Ordinary — easily one of the best meals we’ve ever had. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The drinks were unique, creative, and delicious, with each cocktail feeling fresh and thoughtfully crafted. The attention to quality and balance really stood out. The food was to die for — truly some of the most memorable dishes we’ve ever tasted. The freshly made bread and fried oyster appetizer set the tone for the meal — crispy, flavorful, and perfectly executed. The swordfish was incredibly juicy and tender, cooked to perfection and packed with delicious flavor. And the fish soup was without a doubt the best soup I’ve ever had — rich, comforting, and beautifully seasoned. The service matched the food and drinks: attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. It elevated the entire experience. Hand down one of the best meals we’ve had, and we’ll be recommending The Ordinary to everyone we know. Can’t wait to enjoy it again!

Nothing ordinary about it! Occupies what was ab old bank, you can see a huge safe door between the raw bar and the kitchen. Food was delicious and on a busy Saturday at 8pm, food came out promptly from the kitchen. Oyster were super fresh, but try the smoked oysters, extraordinary! We also had the grilled red snapper and the pan fried flounder, both superb and perfectly cooked. Allison, our server was attentive, warm and spot on with recommendations. Wine was a bit expensive but selection is very good. Outstanding place.

Came here impromptu last night. Incredible experience, from your hostess finding us a seat at the raw bar despite the restaurant being packed and us not having a restaurant. The oysters and clams were great, the tuna starter was phenomenal (so good we ordered two 😋). Craft cocktails were fantastic. We'll definitely be back.

Had an okay experience at The Ordinary. I thought most of our food was generally good, but my grouper was overcooked. For close to a $50 entree, I expected flawless. Cool atmosphere and great service, but the chairs are incredibly uncomfortable. Definitely time to refresh your furniture!

I came here because this is a top restaurant in Charleston. I don't partake in oysters and instead chose to eat the selected fish. The swordfish was a good dish presented with a vegetable medley broth. The dishes here are smaller portion and this seemingly would be a great choice for someone who likes to nibble through the menu while adding a few oysters as they go. I prefer a fish dish with the ability to order a few side dishes, but nothing really sparked my interest to order on top of the swordfish. Other tables kept ordering away and seemingly loved the options, but I wasn't impressed.

Beautiful interior to this restaurant. The smoked fish dip and oysters are a highlight. On the oyster side, they have many to choose from - local to Canada. The drinks are all well crafted. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their goods. Impressive place all around. Always feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @joerazz

Picked this restaurant from the essential restaurant list published for Charleston. At the hotel, they recommended the fried oyster sliders. They were definitely a win and we recommend them too. Raw bar oysters were delicious (but a bit pricey at $4 a piece). We debated a seafood tower, but opted for the stuffed squash (delicious), the burata (very good), and the gumbo. The gumbo was served with lump crab. I like crab, but the crab was overwhelmed by the gumbo. A house made Fresno sauce was provided with the gumbo and we applied a liberal sprinkling of the hot sauce. Let's just say the gumbo was not as good as the rest of the meal. Service was friendly and efficient. Definitely enjoyed our visit.

Wish I would have been in town for lobster roll night. Grabbed a seat at the bar without reservation. The staff struck just the right balance of attentiveness without intrusiveness and were quick to give an honest opinion or recommendation when asked — which I appreciate. Though it wasn’t what I originally wanted the seafood chowder was really something to savor. It came out piping hot, as it should, but often doesn’t at other places and had a delicate balance of thoughtful flavors. It was smaller than expected but perfectly satisfying with hearty chunks of seafood you did not have to search for. The apple tart was a little too French for my preference. Too much almond extract not enough apple. The rum ice cream was great. That alone would have made a perfect end to the evening. I’ll definitely plan another visit with reservation and hope to make on a lobster roll night.

The Ordinary somewhat lived up to its name. We got the triple seafood tower. Lots of oysters, and several other appetizers came included: tuna tartare, yellowfin, shrimp. We loved all the appetizers, every one of them were great. So we were very excited for the oysters too, which is why I can only give this place a 4 star. I was very disappointed in the quality of the oysters. The quality felt like I was at some run of the mill oyster restaurant that sold dollar oysters. Even their soy mignonette topped oysters, at $6 a pop, were a let down. As much as I loved the great severs, the beautiful atmosphere, and delicious appetizers, the main focus of the meal was just such a let down. I would not recommend the oysters, but if you’re looking for good seafood outside of that, The Ordinary is still a solid choice.

I finally returned back to The Ordinary, and it was just as good the second time. A staple is the Fried Oyster Slider, it is a MUST! So much flavor and the oyster is fried perfectly. Beware if you don’t like spice, there was a Jalapeño on it this time. Easy fix to take it off though. We tried the raw bar oysters as well— locations all in SC/NC. I prefer briney oysters, and I would say these were on the milder side. One of the servers actually described one as a “sweet marshy” 😂 For entrees my husband and I shared the MUSTARD CRUSTED BEELINER SNAPPER, and I was wildly surprised I enjoyed the creamed corn that it was with. I honestly chose it with minimal thought— the whole menu looked great. Our friend had the Smoked Bird Island Cup Oysters, and she said it was great. Only complaints were HUGE bites. Maybe avoid that for a first date if he/she takes you here haha. 🅿️Parking: always a struggle, but there is a lot behind the restaurant at the hotel for $$, or you can take a chance with Cannon Street parking. $$ expect to spend minimum of 100$ if you are getting entrees.

I went to The Ordinary in 2022 and had an incredible meal - super fresh fish and creative, enticing dishes that made it hard to choose! Not sure if chefs or ownership changed, but my experience last night was nowhere near as good. We had to wait for our table despite a reservation, and it was so loud it was hard to have a conversation; not what I wanted for date night. The fish was still really fresh, but the oyster selection was slim (no briny options) and none of the dishes wowed me in the way the menu had three years ago. We each had two glasses of wine, an appetizer, and an entree, and ended up with a $280 bill (including tip). Just a really “medium” experience for a higher than medium price.

Oysters and seafood are popular. Dining service was pretty good. We were seated without a reservation, right by the door, however. Interior was the average dine in place. Could have been better. Food was ok. Smaller portions but well presented and flavorful. I didn’t see the value for such high price tags, but maybe that’s just me?

Very over-rated restaurant. Our waiter (Kean?) was nice and professional, he did great. Menu is very limited and over-priced. Entrees do not even include a side. Food presentation was nice but very small portion. Flavors okay but bland. Wife had the snapper over baby food puree squash. My lamb bolognese was in what appeared a disguised Prego sauce. The pasta was good and I feel maybe even fresh made. But bolognese sauce is a distinct sauce with bold flavors, not here. A fine restaurant should always have table bread. I might be old school but those things are important to me. As a local, this place is a tourist trap.

Be extra cautious if you have an allergy. I’m deathly allergic to milk (dairy products). I choose nicer places to eat to avoid any confusion and be safe when ordering. After explaining my allergy to the server and going back and forth between the kitchen a couple of times, he came back to tell me a meal was dairy free and only had butter. I said butter is dairy and he replied “it depends who you ask”. I said it doesn’t matter who you ask, butter is dairy and he had an attitude with my response. After giving my order I didn’t feel comfortable at all eating this meal so I approached the manager behind the bar to verify that my meal would not have any dairy and explained the interaction I just had with the server. He said he would make sure it didn’t but didn’t say anything about the servers response to me. I eat out minimum 3 dinners per week in Charleston and never leave bad reviews because they are typically genuine accidents if there is an issue but this was just lack of training and education. Won’t be going back unfortunately. Martini and oysters were great though if you don’t have to worry about the kitchen killing you.

First time in Charleston and we were told this restaurant was a must. I had booked this reservation well in advance and we were excited to try it. 8pm reservation and when we arrived we were told it would be a 5 minute wait. No problem and we went to the bar. 20 minutes later we checked in and were told the table was just settling up its check. 15 minutes later the manager came over and asked if we wanted to sit outside, which was a no since it was very humid. He asked if there was anything he could do and my friend half jokingly said “drinks while we wait would be nice!” He said we’ll see about that and never came back. After 45 minutes we decided to leave. Such a disappointment on our first night. Found a cute bistro down the road and had a nice meal. Sorry we missed dining here, but service everywhere else was friendly and we had great meals. There are better places to go than this.