You always come for the oysters at the ordinary, which are anything but ordinary! The service is very extraordinary, too! Our server, Eric, help steer us towards gluten-free options, so we had the tuna skewer and the salad of bitter greens. For entrées, we both got the snapper with root vegetables and cabbage and select selected a beautiful wrestling to go with both. Superior service fresh seafood what a great experience!
Jacob T
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 servers, 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.
Paula Wilson
Spectacular service - Thank you, Kian. If you come on a Wednesday, don’t forgo the lobster roll. It’s spectacular. They make the bread in house. Chowder, fishcake, also 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
miked47a
This was an outstanding experience. The building alone has been beautifully restored and maintained and when you walk in the door, you feel like you have stepped back in time to "The Olde Savings And Loan." The food was amazing. We started with the Crispy Oyster Sliders and the Snapper Crudo. Both were flavorful and beautifully presented. We followed that with the Snowy Grouper and special Amberjack. The waitstaff was very attentive and thoughtfully explained the dishes and options. This is on my "must repeat" list!
M. G.
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.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jorge Salum
Very good food and ambience. The smoked oyster and oyster sliders were elite. Everything else was very good — the crudo, amberjack and dessert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Downey
Fantastic seafood in a varied menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nina Cash
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lu Ellis
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Izz
Terrific food, service and cocktails! Save room for dessert!
Phenomenal seafood and staff! Will be back as often as possible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana Salesman
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.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rose
Mad and the others from entry to departure were fantastic! Creative menu, good atmosphere, solid interesting and new drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alan Martin
Upscale classy restaurant ideal for a romantic dinner. Food was expensive but excellent - very delicious. Service was perfect - helpful and attentive while leaving space. Gorgeous atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Armstrong
What can I say, if visiting Charleston, put this on the list of NOT to be missed restaurants!!! Interior, Service, Food, Presentations, creativity - excellent and a reason for the James Beard award. Enough said.
You always come for the oysters at the ordinary, which are anything but ordinary! The service is very extraordinary, too! Our server, Eric, help steer us towards gluten-free options, so we had the tuna skewer and the salad of bitter greens. For entrées, we both got the snapper with root vegetables and cabbage and select selected a beautiful wrestling to go with both. Superior service fresh seafood what a great experience!
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 servers, 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.
Spectacular service - Thank you, Kian. If you come on a Wednesday, don’t forgo the lobster roll. It’s spectacular. They make the bread in house. Chowder, fishcake, also 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was an outstanding experience. The building alone has been beautifully restored and maintained and when you walk in the door, you feel like you have stepped back in time to "The Olde Savings And Loan." The food was amazing. We started with the Crispy Oyster Sliders and the Snapper Crudo. Both were flavorful and beautifully presented. We followed that with the Snowy Grouper and special Amberjack. The waitstaff was very attentive and thoughtfully explained the dishes and options. This is on my "must repeat" list!
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.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Very good food and ambience. The smoked oyster and oyster sliders were elite. Everything else was very good — the crudo, amberjack and dessert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic seafood in a varied menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrific food, service and cocktails! Save room for dessert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Phenomenal seafood and staff! Will be back as often as possible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mad and the others from entry to departure were fantastic! Creative menu, good atmosphere, solid interesting and new drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upscale classy restaurant ideal for a romantic dinner. Food was expensive but excellent - very delicious.
Service was perfect - helpful and attentive while leaving space.
Gorgeous atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What can I say, if visiting Charleston, put this on the list of NOT to be missed restaurants!!!
Interior, Service, Food, Presentations, creativity - excellent and a reason for the James Beard award. Enough said.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...