Housed in a stunning 1920s bank, The Ordinary brings an upscale vibe to Charleston's seafood scene, serving fresh oysters and inventive dishes in a lively setting.
"The bar at seafood house the Ordinary is nautically handsome, and a martini just feels right. While the signature martini service with multiple accouterments no longer exists, the very cold martini (your choice of gin or vodka) still comes with a fun, seasonal pickled item on a pick." - Erin Perkins
"You’re never too far from a raw bar in Charleston, but when you want to turn a casual meal of oysters and shrimp into an event, head to The Ordinary on King Street. This 1920s bank-turned-restaurant serves a wide range of seafood dishes, but the main reason to come here is for the shellfish towers, which you can get in one, two, or three layers. Order a drink and a tower, and a few shared plates like the crispy oyster sliders and banded rudderfish with shiso and ponzu. The architecture of the building is an event of its own, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight above that fills the big space with light. Oh, and there’s an old grand bank vault door that now serves as a passage between the kitchen to the oyster bar." - jai jones, emily yates
"Mike Lata and Adam Nemirow created an homage to all things from the ocean with their fancy fish house the Ordinary. Housed in a 1920s bank on Upper King, the dining room retains much of the charm of the era with vintage sea decorations, bistro tables, white marble, and a sparkling mezzanine overlooking the space. As one of the best raw bars around, customers dining at the Ordinary can go big with a triple tower full of fresh shellfish and perfectly executed mignonettes or go bold with the rock shrimp larb served with chili crisp and lettuce cups." - Erin Perkins
"What can be said about the Ordinary that hasn’t already been printed in hundreds of other publications? The hype is real. Gather friends and family, make a reservation, and luxuriate in the two-story dining room housed in a former bank from 1927. Standouts include the oyster sliders, smoked cobia pate, and the New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp. Imbibers should finish the night with a few rum drinks and go home very happy." - Erin Perkins
"We keep coming here for the impeccable service and the beautiful white tiled raw bar. Check out their daily featured meal, the Ordinaries – we recommend the lobster roll on Tuesdays." - Fuzzco
