The Ordinary
Seafood restaurant · Charleston ·
Upscale seafood hall in former bank, raw bar, craft cocktails
Upscale seafood hall in former bank, raw bar, craft cocktails
"Set in a 1920s bank building with high ceilings and clean tile, this is Charleston’s destination for “fancy seafood”: impeccably fresh oysters, Jumbo lump crab toast, crudo, lobster roll, and a crispy oyster slider are all handled with a light, confident touch. Product quality is the operating principle—if it isn’t pristine, it won’t stay on the menu." - Stephanie Burt
"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
"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 grouper brandade fritters. 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. Best for: A reliable source for expertly shucked oysters and very cold martinis." - 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