Every year I spend a few days in Charleston, and every time I'm here I come to Charleston Place, to have lunch or diner at the Palmetto Cafe. Yes it is that good. The combination of a very pleasant setting, great food and impeccable service makes this place a 5 star experience. I usually go into a lot of details in my reviews, but this place needs no extensive analysis. You have to experience it yourself. Come in, relax, get a table by one of the large windows, let the Maitre Deux or waiter suggest you a dish and a drink, and just sit back and enjoy. One note of praise: service is amazing, and the smiles are everywhere, the "thank yous" are repeated over and over, everyone polite and respectful... "ma'm" and "sir" are the norm. Recommended!
(5)
Liz L.
This is a really nice place to relax and have a delicious meal. It is certainly expensive but what hotel restaurant isn't? The service is great, and the menu has something for everyone (except maybe vegetarians but I'm sure they'll accommodate you). I liked the atmosphere - quiet and easy to have a conversation. I had the seared scallops and gazpacho which were both great; also the goat cheese cheesecake was really light and tasty. I'd go back if someone else was buying :)
Just an FYI they validate parking. I really liked this place. It's got a nice atmosphere and very comfortable. A little pricey but I knew that going in. The staff here is great. Our server Maureen was very friendly and accommodating. She kept checking on us and made sure we were attended to. She even got the manager to visit and give us our validated parking. There was a sampler of breads and a Neapolitan Butter. Omg the butter was great!!! It had 3 flavors of Pesto, Olive and I had the sampler platter which has a lot of food items. Very filling. There was a She-Crab Soup with Sherry. There was a lot of crab in this little sampler. I also got a crab cake which looked amazing. There was a slider with some deliciously cooked Wagyu Beef caramelized onions and topped with a cherry tomato. It also had a basket of fries and Tandoori Chicken Salad. I just have to say the chicken salad was my favorite with its unusual Tandoori flavoring. The only thing I would have probably liked if it was a warm instead of cold. Regardless I could not stop eating it. My friend had the Seafood Club. This thing was enormous! Top layer had the salmon with lobster in the middle layer and shrimp on the bottom layer. It looked very difficult to eat but that didn't stop my friend from chowing down. Now the beverages. I had their version of Moscow Mule and the Peach Bellini. If I had gotten the Bellini first I def would have ordered another one. It was weirdly served in a martini glass which I quickly got over. My friend also got the White Sangria looked amazing. That thing was huge.
(4)
Ed W.
This is a review for breakfast only. We stayed in the hotel and decided one morning to have a nice long breakfast on the patio. I am so glad we did. The food, for starters, is very well done. From the eggs and bacon (an American staple) to the juevos rancheros (spicy and outstanding), the cuisine was really high class and well prepared. The service at Palmetto Cafe is simply outstanding. Every time we turned around, someone was standing there to help us. Whether it was some additional rock sugar sticks for the latte, or an extra fork after one dropped on the floor, we did not have to wait long. Fresh squeezed juices, quality ingredients and an excellent preparation yields way to a four star breakfast.
(4)
Jaclyn A.
Wowowowow I was hesitant to eat here because I thought it was just going to be another stuffy fluffy Charleston restaurant, but boy was I wrong. After visiting Charleston and getting a taste of the different food it has to offer, including the classic Hall's chophouse I figured all traditional South Carolina food was heavy, but our meal here was light and dare I say refreshing. I ordered a cup of the gazpacho to start-without a doubt the best gazpacho I've ever had thanks to the addition of watermelon at the bottom of the cup. Then I shared the tuna poke and crab salad with my dad, the tuna was basically swimming an hour before we ate it and the crab salad was like two crab's worth of meat. It was more food than we thought it would be, but well worth the price, TRUST ME. Bonus point for our excellent server, Alice. Next time I'm in Charleston I will for sure be back here!
(5)
Tyler C.
The plantains with short rib were fantastic. As was the '21' burger. Highly advise both. Service was impeccable.
(4)
Adriane W.
I had the simplest hotel buffet breakfast, but it was the little things that made it special. Chilled asparagus as an option. Dark roast french press for the table. Cheese blintz on the buffet--delicate and delicious. But pricey!! Not sure it was worth the $35+ including tip, but the service was impeccable.
(4)
Jennifer G.
Positive: Beautiful atmosphere - unparalleled indoor garden space When I opened the menu and found a nearly 30 dollar burger which did not include fries I knew we were in for it. No burger is ever worth 30 dollars. Food was good but certainly not worth the $90 we paid for two for lunch (a lunch which did not include alcohol). Many, many better places to go.
(2)
Lauren H.
Really enjoyed this restaurant. We came for breakfast and had a lovely experience. I ordered the Palmetto omelet and they are very generous with their lobster and crab. Much more stuffing than egg! Delicious. We also tried the shrimp and grits which were delectable and my son got the pancakes which they kindly adorned with a few chocolate chips. He was in heaven. After the meal they served a few dried chocolate dipped pineapple pieces. Lovely!
(5)
Eddie C.
Great ambiance, excellent service, and food. $25 per entree for breakfast was a little pricey in my book but you get what you pay for. Enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash Omelette and fresh squeezed OJ
(4)
Elizabeth G.
In my opinion, this is one of the absolute best restaurants in Charleston. Hotel restaurants can be iffy, or if not that, they can be very overpriced and predictable and boring, both in food and ambience. This place is great on every level. I wasn't staying in the hotel but was visiting family here and happened to be shopping downtown. I had eaten here years ago and it was just a standard dull, slightly dark hotel restuarant. But it's been redecorated to make it a comfy but bright and sophisticated place, and the chef is also fairly new. The menu is great. I had lunch there, and while it's expensive, it's worth every dime. The service is great, first off, friendly and pleasant but professional. The staff knows the menu well, too, which is refreshing! I had the best crab salad I have ever had outside of California, where they have a different type of crab. Incredibly fresh, succulent crab stacked in a tower held together with a light but creamy dressing, topped with a little field of watercress and sitting in a tiny pool of a tomato vinaigrette. One of my dining companions had the grilled octopus dish, and it was the best octopus I have ever tasted, even at restaurants in the Mediterranean. The wine list is good and the desserts are excellent - well, we only had one, but they all looked good. Even the coffee was great. Go for the Aztec, a French press coffee that is so dark and rich it tastes chocolaty. The environment is quiet without being dull and you can actually hear your dining partners talk, something that is a rarity in large or even small restaurants in Charleston. Love this place!
(5)
Ken E.
Had the most amazing lunch at a Palmetto Grill today. Started with an incredible appetizer that were fresh and had amazing flavors. It had scallops in a curry reduction of some sort with fresh herbs and grapefruit that was Divine I tell you! For the main course I highly recommend the Seafood club on a house made flatbread filled with delicious fresh crab, shrimp, and thinly sliced salmon pile high and garnished perfectly with greens and a secret buttery sauce that was memorable. My only regret is that I don't go there often enough and I am a local!
(5)
James P.
Came here for the Sunday brunch buffet. Very good with a lot of fresh fruit selections and your drink is included also. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Howard K.
This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in the city, if not the country. The she-crab soup might be the best in the world as is the chicken caesar salad. Honestly, come here, enjoy anything on the menu, and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Karen G.
It doesn't get better than the Palmetto Cafe. Whether it be breakfast, brunch, Or lunch, the food is wonderful. The service is top draw. The servers know How to pamper their guests. Whatever I have ordered, I have never been Disappointed. A must go
(5)
Kristin D.
Yes, it's pricey but it hit the mark on all three of my dining criteria: service (impeccable), value for dollar/flavor/quality (crab sampler with plenty of lump crab in a beautiful presentation), and atmosphere (sat outside and enjoyed perfect weather). Also tried two cocktails: a cucumber mint ginger beer drink and a blueberry mojito. FRESH and delicious ingredients. Definitely try it if you are on the fence.
(5)
Carol P.
The restaurant decoration is impressive high roofs, large windows, The tables are dressed very classy with white table cloths, nice silverware, etc. The service was not so impressive though, the waitress did not offer us the complimentary bread basquet until I asked for it ( 20 min. after being seated), also, she informed me there was no soup, 10 minutes after I ordered it... Then as I did not know what else to eat from the limited menu I just had a salad. The menu was very short and limited, very disappointing and expensive. Not recommendable for lunch maybe for a drink. I will definitely not repeat the experience.
(2)
Richard G.
One of our favorite places for that "special" occasion....food is alway tasty and well presented and always greeted by the staff.....I will say I took off one star since discontinued the discount card without any prior notice.....Like some others have already said, the prices are excessive for most of the menu...
(4)
John H.
Charleston's best Sunday brunch on the peninsula. Restaurant is renovated recently. Great food, superior service. This is the restaurant inside Charleston Place hotel.
(4)
Malarie G.
Amazing! We tried the lobster 3 ways, We had the special of the day and the trout along with a bottle of wine. Out server was delightful. She recommended a great bottle of wine! My now finance, proposed while there. Out server got champagne and made the experience memorable.
(5)
Pam D.
Situated in the Charleston Place Hotel. If the weather permits they have a wonderful courtyard. Breakfast Buffet with a omelet station. Mike, the manager has been there for at least 15 years. The peach tea is the best in Charleston and comes with a simple syrup. Also serves lunch with an eclectic menu. The Holiday menu is perfection. Make reservations months in advance for the Holidays
(5)
Henry L.
My wife and I had lunch here today and we loved our meals and enjoyed the attentive staff. The prosciutto and mellon appetizer was a creative creation and wonderful blend of flavors. The carb brioche was fantastic and prepared with terrific ingredients. Wonderful atmosphere.
(5)
Curt D.
Fabulous octopus pad Thai - I know it sounds strange but it was absolutely delicious. Our server (John) was fantastic - one of the orders wasn't exactly to our guests liking and John came out with another entree to replace it! Wonderfully attentive service and uniquely interesting dishes make this a great experience. Beautiful dining room, only wish the terrace had completed the renovation so we could try al fresco. It a little pricy but worth the southern style. If you're really hungry, get the club 21 burger , it's MASSIVE! Interesting tidbit, order the blue bottle of water, it's etched with the bottling company Oriental Express. Just a little something fun.
(4)
Katie K.
Absolutely the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The omelette bar is great too.
(5)
Gary R.
For starters..... very pricey... but for a memory that's lasts beyond the price... they do a great job!!!
(5)
Fae W.
Talk about 5 star dining, this place is great. Excellent service and excellent food. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Todd S.
I decided to take my youngest sister and her husband along with Ginny and me for Easter brunch here. Fortunately the weather was perfect (no rain and the humidity was not yet stifling) and we were able to sit in the courtyard. I've eaten here a number of times before but have never eaten outdoors. The food selection and preparation of the brunch buffet is fabulous and I had a difficult time not gorging myself. My only gripe about this visit is that I was assessed an automatic 20% gratuity for a table of four. Considering that we dined buffet-style and that we were only a small party, I felt this to be somewhat unnecessary. I would have certainly tipped our server at least 20%, as he was friendly and extremely attentive to our beverage needs. I do suppose, however, that there are those who would not tip at all, making it necessary to add in the automatic gratuity. One item of note: dress appropriately. This should be a note for every occasion. I was surprised by the parents who found it OK for their son to come to breakfast at a 5-star hotel in a tank top, shorts, flip flops and a baseball cap. Seriously? Have a little class, people. After 4 or 5 visits for breakfast or brunch, I need to make a lunch visit here sometime soon.
Ooh, yummy. Went to a wedding reception at the Palmetto Cafe last night. I had the Chilean sea bass with a Montrachet beurre blanc sauce. It was out of this world. I don't know if it's on their regular menu, but when in season, it should be. The she crab soup was pretty good, and the arugula salad with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, and pear vinaigrette brought tears to my eyes it was so perfectly, simply delicious. Best of all, I got to soak up the jealous stares of tourists wandering through the adjacent shopping mall during the festivities. Sometimes it's nice to be on the inside looking out.
(4)
Jim C.
The food quality was great, my only complaint was that the menu doesn't have alot to offer someone that is allergic to seafood... Very nice restaurant, very nice people, and great service..
(4)
Craig L.
Maybe it's just me, but I have certain expectations when going to a Sunday brunch buffet. To me, brunch implies having both breakfast and lunch entrees. A carving station. An abundance of cold selections. A desserts bar. Maybe even an ice sculpture. This was a breakfast buffet. Period. Just because you serve it during the lunch hours, does not qualify it as brunch. As far as the breakfast selections, they were ok. Nothing stood out, nothing was horrible. Basic overpriced hotel breakfast buffet. Nothing more nothing less.
(3)
Jomo K.
Just the best burger I've had...seriously. The burger is the 21 Burger from the NY 21 Club. I can't even begin to describe how good it was. We dined here for lunch after spending 4 nights at Charleston Place hotel. As others said, this was an pricey lunch, but I don't mind spending money when the service and quality of food is worth it. If you're on vacation, and want to splurge a little, this is one of dozens of great places to dine in Charleston. The service provided is awesome and the selection of wines they offer by-the-glass, are pretty impressive (not numerous, but great wines for a reasonable price). We all had a difficult time selecting just one item from the menu for lunch, so our table of 4 opted for 3 appetizers and 4 lunch plates. The duck and collards eggroll was perfect, as was the soup, the burger, the chicken, and the salad. I could go on and on about how impressed I was. As for attire, if you're dressed like a "Charlestonite"- always proper... you're okay. Know that for lunch, there is a mix of business professionals and proper folks, and as always, the mix of visitors. Regardless of how you're dressed though, I've got a feeling that you'll be welcomed. If you're in Charleston and you want a nice, quite, relaxed lunch...stop by.
(5)
Phillip L.
Hands down, the best seafood dishes I've ever had. We only had the sandwiches, but as the waiter explained, "Except for the burger, you need a knife and fork to eat all the sandwiches." I highly recommend the Charleston Cheesesteak that comes with lump crabmeat on it or the lunch sampler, with a bit of everything. The waiter also highly recommended the fried green tomatoes, which served as a great appetizer for the family for only $5. The rest of the menu is more pricey, with lunch entrees ranging from $17-23, but worth every penny.
(5)
Caroline R.
In the past month I have had the pleasure of eating in the Palmetto Cafe twice. Being a part of this Low Country of South Carolina culture with family roots in The Holy City, frankly, I would never have thought to eat here. The first visit was for Sunday breakfast. I ordered quite simply, scrambled eggs, grits and sausage patties. Well, here I sit, four weeks later, and I still think of that breakfast. Even the scrambled eggs were the best I have ever had. The coffee was even outstanding. Then, I took Mother there for a little lunch a week ago. We just ordered Caesar Salads, mine with chicken, hers with fired oysters. The salad came wrapped in a circular crustada. It must be cut on the meat grinder, wrapped around a cake pan and toasted in the oven.....fabulous presentation. Mother's fried oysters were some of the best I have ever had. And the butter on the table was cut from a terrine of butter. The layers were made up of pesto butter topped with olive butter with the final layer sun-dried tomato butter. Our waitress and her assistants were warm, happy and made us feel as if they were really glad to see us. I look forward to my next visit to explore this menu further.
(5)
Robert M.
Expensive for Breakfest, but worth it. Have the Kona Coffee it is excellent. Have also had the waffles and egg bendicts. Both where great.
(5)
Happy L.
The food was awesome. The service particularly at this price point was not. Dishes should not be taken away before you have finished eating nor should the last course dishes still be on the table while you have moved on to the next course a long time ago. Service was very friendly but neither smooth nor appropriate.
(4)
mis h.
The breakfast disappoints me is the only thing. There's not a ton of options. The green eggs and ham does not disappoint though! (Pesto eggs with prociuttto and toasted tuscan bread) I have had nothing bad on the lunch menu. Like Charleston Grill, this menu changes constantly so I can't really tell you everything I've had. The she crab soup is always there and delicious. The burger is the recipe from the 21 Club in NYC and is fantastic. (They're both owned by Orient Express Hotels.) Wait for dinner and eat the crab cake in the Grill instead. Palmetto's aren't bad, the Grill one is just outstanding. Reasonably priced for what you get as well. Again, if you have any issues Mike would be more than happy to help you out, just ask!
(4)
Laika W.
Best coffee in a hotel I have had since Singapore Shangri-la in 1989. It is so rare to see any restaurant take such pride and care in their coffee. Coffee is five stars. Food is four star.
(4)
Mason S.
The restaurant is very comfortable. Everytime we go there, the food always tastes so fresh an homemade. I had Red Snapper for lunch on top of some hand cut noodles in a Ginger soy sauce. It was magnificent. The food can be expensive, but you get what you pay for: good food.
Just an FYI they validate parking. I really liked this place. It's got a nice atmosphere and very comfortable. A little pricey but I knew that going in. The staff here is great. Our server Maureen was very friendly and accommodating. She kept checking on us and made sure we were attended to. She even got the manager to visit and give us our validated parking. There was a sampler of breads and a Neapolitan Butter. Omg the butter was great!!! It had 3 flavors of Pesto, Olive and I had the sampler platter which has a lot of food items. Very filling. There was a She-Crab Soup with Sherry. There was a lot of crab in this little sampler. I also got a crab cake which looked amazing. There was a slider with some deliciously cooked Wagyu Beef caramelized onions and topped with a cherry tomato. It also had a basket of fries and Tandoori Chicken Salad. I just have to say the chicken salad was my favorite with its unusual Tandoori flavoring. The only thing I would have probably liked if it was a warm instead of cold. Regardless I could not stop eating it. My friend had the Seafood Club. This thing was enormous! Top layer had the salmon with lobster in the middle layer and shrimp on the bottom layer. It looked very difficult to eat but that didn't stop my friend from chowing down. Now the beverages. I had their version of Moscow Mule and the Peach Bellini. If I had gotten the Bellini first I def would have ordered another one. It was weirdly served in a martini glass which I quickly got over. My friend also got the White Sangria looked amazing. That thing was huge.
(4)
Alexandre H.
Every year I spend a few days in Charleston, and every time I'm here I come to Charleston Place, to have lunch or diner at the Palmetto Cafe. Yes it is that good. The combination of a very pleasant setting, great food and impeccable service makes this place a 5 star experience. I usually go into a lot of details in my reviews, but this place needs no extensive analysis. You have to experience it yourself. Come in, relax, get a table by one of the large windows, let the Maitre Deux or waiter suggest you a dish and a drink, and just sit back and enjoy. One note of praise: service is amazing, and the smiles are everywhere, the "thank yous" are repeated over and over, everyone polite and respectful... "ma'm" and "sir" are the norm. Recommended!
(5)
Liz L.
This is a really nice place to relax and have a delicious meal. It is certainly expensive but what hotel restaurant isn't? The service is great, and the menu has something for everyone (except maybe vegetarians but I'm sure they'll accommodate you). I liked the atmosphere - quiet and easy to have a conversation. I had the seared scallops and gazpacho which were both great; also the goat cheese cheesecake was really light and tasty. I'd go back if someone else was buying :)
(4)
Jennifer G.
Positive: Beautiful atmosphere - unparalleled indoor garden space When I opened the menu and found a nearly 30 dollar burger which did not include fries I knew we were in for it. No burger is ever worth 30 dollars. Food was good but certainly not worth the $90 we paid for two for lunch (a lunch which did not include alcohol). Many, many better places to go.
(2)
Ed W.
This is a review for breakfast only. We stayed in the hotel and decided one morning to have a nice long breakfast on the patio. I am so glad we did. The food, for starters, is very well done. From the eggs and bacon (an American staple) to the juevos rancheros (spicy and outstanding), the cuisine was really high class and well prepared. The service at Palmetto Cafe is simply outstanding. Every time we turned around, someone was standing there to help us. Whether it was some additional rock sugar sticks for the latte, or an extra fork after one dropped on the floor, we did not have to wait long. Fresh squeezed juices, quality ingredients and an excellent preparation yields way to a four star breakfast.
(4)
Jaclyn A.
Wowowowow I was hesitant to eat here because I thought it was just going to be another stuffy fluffy Charleston restaurant, but boy was I wrong. After visiting Charleston and getting a taste of the different food it has to offer, including the classic Hall's chophouse I figured all traditional South Carolina food was heavy, but our meal here was light and dare I say refreshing. I ordered a cup of the gazpacho to start-without a doubt the best gazpacho I've ever had thanks to the addition of watermelon at the bottom of the cup. Then I shared the tuna poke and crab salad with my dad, the tuna was basically swimming an hour before we ate it and the crab salad was like two crab's worth of meat. It was more food than we thought it would be, but well worth the price, TRUST ME. Bonus point for our excellent server, Alice. Next time I'm in Charleston I will for sure be back here!
(5)
Tyler C.
The plantains with short rib were fantastic. As was the '21' burger. Highly advise both. Service was impeccable.
(4)
Adriane W.
I had the simplest hotel buffet breakfast, but it was the little things that made it special. Chilled asparagus as an option. Dark roast french press for the table. Cheese blintz on the buffet--delicate and delicious. But pricey!! Not sure it was worth the $35+ including tip, but the service was impeccable.
(4)
Elizabeth G.
In my opinion, this is one of the absolute best restaurants in Charleston. Hotel restaurants can be iffy, or if not that, they can be very overpriced and predictable and boring, both in food and ambience. This place is great on every level. I wasn't staying in the hotel but was visiting family here and happened to be shopping downtown. I had eaten here years ago and it was just a standard dull, slightly dark hotel restuarant. But it's been redecorated to make it a comfy but bright and sophisticated place, and the chef is also fairly new. The menu is great. I had lunch there, and while it's expensive, it's worth every dime. The service is great, first off, friendly and pleasant but professional. The staff knows the menu well, too, which is refreshing! I had the best crab salad I have ever had outside of California, where they have a different type of crab. Incredibly fresh, succulent crab stacked in a tower held together with a light but creamy dressing, topped with a little field of watercress and sitting in a tiny pool of a tomato vinaigrette. One of my dining companions had the grilled octopus dish, and it was the best octopus I have ever tasted, even at restaurants in the Mediterranean. The wine list is good and the desserts are excellent - well, we only had one, but they all looked good. Even the coffee was great. Go for the Aztec, a French press coffee that is so dark and rich it tastes chocolaty. The environment is quiet without being dull and you can actually hear your dining partners talk, something that is a rarity in large or even small restaurants in Charleston. Love this place!
(5)
Ken E.
Had the most amazing lunch at a Palmetto Grill today. Started with an incredible appetizer that were fresh and had amazing flavors. It had scallops in a curry reduction of some sort with fresh herbs and grapefruit that was Divine I tell you! For the main course I highly recommend the Seafood club on a house made flatbread filled with delicious fresh crab, shrimp, and thinly sliced salmon pile high and garnished perfectly with greens and a secret buttery sauce that was memorable. My only regret is that I don't go there often enough and I am a local!
(5)
James P.
Came here for the Sunday brunch buffet. Very good with a lot of fresh fruit selections and your drink is included also. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Howard K.
This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in the city, if not the country. The she-crab soup might be the best in the world as is the chicken caesar salad. Honestly, come here, enjoy anything on the menu, and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lauren H.
Really enjoyed this restaurant. We came for breakfast and had a lovely experience. I ordered the Palmetto omelet and they are very generous with their lobster and crab. Much more stuffing than egg! Delicious. We also tried the shrimp and grits which were delectable and my son got the pancakes which they kindly adorned with a few chocolate chips. He was in heaven. After the meal they served a few dried chocolate dipped pineapple pieces. Lovely!
(5)
Eddie C.
Great ambiance, excellent service, and food. $25 per entree for breakfast was a little pricey in my book but you get what you pay for. Enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash Omelette and fresh squeezed OJ
(4)
Carol P.
The restaurant decoration is impressive high roofs, large windows, The tables are dressed very classy with white table cloths, nice silverware, etc. The service was not so impressive though, the waitress did not offer us the complimentary bread basquet until I asked for it ( 20 min. after being seated), also, she informed me there was no soup, 10 minutes after I ordered it... Then as I did not know what else to eat from the limited menu I just had a salad. The menu was very short and limited, very disappointing and expensive. Not recommendable for lunch maybe for a drink. I will definitely not repeat the experience.
(2)
Richard G.
One of our favorite places for that "special" occasion....food is alway tasty and well presented and always greeted by the staff.....I will say I took off one star since discontinued the discount card without any prior notice.....Like some others have already said, the prices are excessive for most of the menu...
(4)
John H.
Charleston's best Sunday brunch on the peninsula. Restaurant is renovated recently. Great food, superior service. This is the restaurant inside Charleston Place hotel.
(4)
Karen G.
It doesn't get better than the Palmetto Cafe. Whether it be breakfast, brunch, Or lunch, the food is wonderful. The service is top draw. The servers know How to pamper their guests. Whatever I have ordered, I have never been Disappointed. A must go
(5)
Kristin D.
Yes, it's pricey but it hit the mark on all three of my dining criteria: service (impeccable), value for dollar/flavor/quality (crab sampler with plenty of lump crab in a beautiful presentation), and atmosphere (sat outside and enjoyed perfect weather). Also tried two cocktails: a cucumber mint ginger beer drink and a blueberry mojito. FRESH and delicious ingredients. Definitely try it if you are on the fence.
(5)
Malarie G.
Amazing! We tried the lobster 3 ways, We had the special of the day and the trout along with a bottle of wine. Out server was delightful. She recommended a great bottle of wine! My now finance, proposed while there. Out server got champagne and made the experience memorable.
(5)
Pam D.
Situated in the Charleston Place Hotel. If the weather permits they have a wonderful courtyard. Breakfast Buffet with a omelet station. Mike, the manager has been there for at least 15 years. The peach tea is the best in Charleston and comes with a simple syrup. Also serves lunch with an eclectic menu. The Holiday menu is perfection. Make reservations months in advance for the Holidays
(5)
Henry L.
My wife and I had lunch here today and we loved our meals and enjoyed the attentive staff. The prosciutto and mellon appetizer was a creative creation and wonderful blend of flavors. The carb brioche was fantastic and prepared with terrific ingredients. Wonderful atmosphere.
(5)
Curt D.
Fabulous octopus pad Thai - I know it sounds strange but it was absolutely delicious. Our server (John) was fantastic - one of the orders wasn't exactly to our guests liking and John came out with another entree to replace it! Wonderfully attentive service and uniquely interesting dishes make this a great experience. Beautiful dining room, only wish the terrace had completed the renovation so we could try al fresco. It a little pricy but worth the southern style. If you're really hungry, get the club 21 burger , it's MASSIVE! Interesting tidbit, order the blue bottle of water, it's etched with the bottling company Oriental Express. Just a little something fun.
(4)
Katie K.
Absolutely the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The omelette bar is great too.
(5)
Gary R.
For starters..... very pricey... but for a memory that's lasts beyond the price... they do a great job!!!
(5)
Fae W.
Talk about 5 star dining, this place is great. Excellent service and excellent food. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Todd S.
I decided to take my youngest sister and her husband along with Ginny and me for Easter brunch here. Fortunately the weather was perfect (no rain and the humidity was not yet stifling) and we were able to sit in the courtyard. I've eaten here a number of times before but have never eaten outdoors. The food selection and preparation of the brunch buffet is fabulous and I had a difficult time not gorging myself. My only gripe about this visit is that I was assessed an automatic 20% gratuity for a table of four. Considering that we dined buffet-style and that we were only a small party, I felt this to be somewhat unnecessary. I would have certainly tipped our server at least 20%, as he was friendly and extremely attentive to our beverage needs. I do suppose, however, that there are those who would not tip at all, making it necessary to add in the automatic gratuity. One item of note: dress appropriately. This should be a note for every occasion. I was surprised by the parents who found it OK for their son to come to breakfast at a 5-star hotel in a tank top, shorts, flip flops and a baseball cap. Seriously? Have a little class, people. After 4 or 5 visits for breakfast or brunch, I need to make a lunch visit here sometime soon.
(4)
Craig L.
Maybe it's just me, but I have certain expectations when going to a Sunday brunch buffet. To me, brunch implies having both breakfast and lunch entrees. A carving station. An abundance of cold selections. A desserts bar. Maybe even an ice sculpture. This was a breakfast buffet. Period. Just because you serve it during the lunch hours, does not qualify it as brunch. As far as the breakfast selections, they were ok. Nothing stood out, nothing was horrible. Basic overpriced hotel breakfast buffet. Nothing more nothing less.
(3)
Jomo K.
Just the best burger I've had...seriously. The burger is the 21 Burger from the NY 21 Club. I can't even begin to describe how good it was. We dined here for lunch after spending 4 nights at Charleston Place hotel. As others said, this was an pricey lunch, but I don't mind spending money when the service and quality of food is worth it. If you're on vacation, and want to splurge a little, this is one of dozens of great places to dine in Charleston. The service provided is awesome and the selection of wines they offer by-the-glass, are pretty impressive (not numerous, but great wines for a reasonable price). We all had a difficult time selecting just one item from the menu for lunch, so our table of 4 opted for 3 appetizers and 4 lunch plates. The duck and collards eggroll was perfect, as was the soup, the burger, the chicken, and the salad. I could go on and on about how impressed I was. As for attire, if you're dressed like a "Charlestonite"- always proper... you're okay. Know that for lunch, there is a mix of business professionals and proper folks, and as always, the mix of visitors. Regardless of how you're dressed though, I've got a feeling that you'll be welcomed. If you're in Charleston and you want a nice, quite, relaxed lunch...stop by.
(5)
Laura A.
Ooh, yummy. Went to a wedding reception at the Palmetto Cafe last night. I had the Chilean sea bass with a Montrachet beurre blanc sauce. It was out of this world. I don't know if it's on their regular menu, but when in season, it should be. The she crab soup was pretty good, and the arugula salad with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, and pear vinaigrette brought tears to my eyes it was so perfectly, simply delicious. Best of all, I got to soak up the jealous stares of tourists wandering through the adjacent shopping mall during the festivities. Sometimes it's nice to be on the inside looking out.
(4)
Phillip L.
Hands down, the best seafood dishes I've ever had. We only had the sandwiches, but as the waiter explained, "Except for the burger, you need a knife and fork to eat all the sandwiches." I highly recommend the Charleston Cheesesteak that comes with lump crabmeat on it or the lunch sampler, with a bit of everything. The waiter also highly recommended the fried green tomatoes, which served as a great appetizer for the family for only $5. The rest of the menu is more pricey, with lunch entrees ranging from $17-23, but worth every penny.
(5)
Caroline R.
In the past month I have had the pleasure of eating in the Palmetto Cafe twice. Being a part of this Low Country of South Carolina culture with family roots in The Holy City, frankly, I would never have thought to eat here. The first visit was for Sunday breakfast. I ordered quite simply, scrambled eggs, grits and sausage patties. Well, here I sit, four weeks later, and I still think of that breakfast. Even the scrambled eggs were the best I have ever had. The coffee was even outstanding. Then, I took Mother there for a little lunch a week ago. We just ordered Caesar Salads, mine with chicken, hers with fired oysters. The salad came wrapped in a circular crustada. It must be cut on the meat grinder, wrapped around a cake pan and toasted in the oven.....fabulous presentation. Mother's fried oysters were some of the best I have ever had. And the butter on the table was cut from a terrine of butter. The layers were made up of pesto butter topped with olive butter with the final layer sun-dried tomato butter. Our waitress and her assistants were warm, happy and made us feel as if they were really glad to see us. I look forward to my next visit to explore this menu further.
(5)
Robert M.
Expensive for Breakfest, but worth it. Have the Kona Coffee it is excellent. Have also had the waffles and egg bendicts. Both where great.
(5)
Happy L.
The food was awesome. The service particularly at this price point was not. Dishes should not be taken away before you have finished eating nor should the last course dishes still be on the table while you have moved on to the next course a long time ago. Service was very friendly but neither smooth nor appropriate.
(4)
Jim C.
The food quality was great, my only complaint was that the menu doesn't have alot to offer someone that is allergic to seafood... Very nice restaurant, very nice people, and great service..
The breakfast disappoints me is the only thing. There's not a ton of options. The green eggs and ham does not disappoint though! (Pesto eggs with prociuttto and toasted tuscan bread) I have had nothing bad on the lunch menu. Like Charleston Grill, this menu changes constantly so I can't really tell you everything I've had. The she crab soup is always there and delicious. The burger is the recipe from the 21 Club in NYC and is fantastic. (They're both owned by Orient Express Hotels.) Wait for dinner and eat the crab cake in the Grill instead. Palmetto's aren't bad, the Grill one is just outstanding. Reasonably priced for what you get as well. Again, if you have any issues Mike would be more than happy to help you out, just ask!
(4)
Laika W.
Best coffee in a hotel I have had since Singapore Shangri-la in 1989. It is so rare to see any restaurant take such pride and care in their coffee. Coffee is five stars. Food is four star.
(4)
Mason S.
The restaurant is very comfortable. Everytime we go there, the food always tastes so fresh an homemade. I had Red Snapper for lunch on top of some hand cut noodles in a Ginger soy sauce. It was magnificent. The food can be expensive, but you get what you pay for: good food.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Alexandre H.
Every year I spend a few days in Charleston, and every time I'm here I come to Charleston Place, to have lunch or diner at the Palmetto Cafe. Yes it is that good. The combination of a very pleasant setting, great food and impeccable service makes this place a 5 star experience. I usually go into a lot of details in my reviews, but this place needs no extensive analysis. You have to experience it yourself. Come in, relax, get a table by one of the large windows, let the Maitre Deux or waiter suggest you a dish and a drink, and just sit back and enjoy. One note of praise: service is amazing, and the smiles are everywhere, the "thank yous" are repeated over and over, everyone polite and respectful... "ma'm" and "sir" are the norm. Recommended!
(5)Liz L.
This is a really nice place to relax and have a delicious meal. It is certainly expensive but what hotel restaurant isn't? The service is great, and the menu has something for everyone (except maybe vegetarians but I'm sure they'll accommodate you). I liked the atmosphere - quiet and easy to have a conversation. I had the seared scallops and gazpacho which were both great; also the goat cheese cheesecake was really light and tasty. I'd go back if someone else was buying :)
(4)Marlena M.
I ate at this café twice while staying in Belmond Charleston place, which I also reviewed. This setting is beautiful, with an elegant vertical garden on one of the walls. There was also a cute garden outside, but it was closed because of the heat when I was there in July. I first went for lunch, and I had just under an hour before I had to get to a meeting. I informed the staff of my time crunch. They were very understanding and provided quick service that didn't sacrifice quality. Overall, the service is quite formal, so you expect to be called ma'am constantly. The menu was very meaty, so I asked the waiter if the chef could put something vegetarian together. He concocted a ramen noodle dish with veggies and a light sauce. It was a simple but delicious meal. A bread basket was also served with 4 different kinds of breads, including lavash. The veggie omelet I had for breakfast was basic, but satisfying. If you are looking for a cheaper breakfast alternative and willing to forgo the niceties of fine dining, I would suggest Sweetwater Café that is just across the street, which I have also reviewed on Yelp. Overall, this is a nice option if you are staying at the Charleston Place. The service is excellent and detailed.
(4)Harold W.
Just an FYI they validate parking. I really liked this place. It's got a nice atmosphere and very comfortable. A little pricey but I knew that going in. The staff here is great. Our server Maureen was very friendly and accommodating. She kept checking on us and made sure we were attended to. She even got the manager to visit and give us our validated parking. There was a sampler of breads and a Neapolitan Butter. Omg the butter was great!!! It had 3 flavors of Pesto, Olive and I had the sampler platter which has a lot of food items. Very filling. There was a She-Crab Soup with Sherry. There was a lot of crab in this little sampler. I also got a crab cake which looked amazing. There was a slider with some deliciously cooked Wagyu Beef caramelized onions and topped with a cherry tomato. It also had a basket of fries and Tandoori Chicken Salad. I just have to say the chicken salad was my favorite with its unusual Tandoori flavoring. The only thing I would have probably liked if it was a warm instead of cold. Regardless I could not stop eating it. My friend had the Seafood Club. This thing was enormous! Top layer had the salmon with lobster in the middle layer and shrimp on the bottom layer. It looked very difficult to eat but that didn't stop my friend from chowing down. Now the beverages. I had their version of Moscow Mule and the Peach Bellini. If I had gotten the Bellini first I def would have ordered another one. It was weirdly served in a martini glass which I quickly got over. My friend also got the White Sangria looked amazing. That thing was huge.
(4)Ed W.
This is a review for breakfast only. We stayed in the hotel and decided one morning to have a nice long breakfast on the patio. I am so glad we did. The food, for starters, is very well done. From the eggs and bacon (an American staple) to the juevos rancheros (spicy and outstanding), the cuisine was really high class and well prepared. The service at Palmetto Cafe is simply outstanding. Every time we turned around, someone was standing there to help us. Whether it was some additional rock sugar sticks for the latte, or an extra fork after one dropped on the floor, we did not have to wait long. Fresh squeezed juices, quality ingredients and an excellent preparation yields way to a four star breakfast.
(4)Jaclyn A.
Wowowowow I was hesitant to eat here because I thought it was just going to be another stuffy fluffy Charleston restaurant, but boy was I wrong. After visiting Charleston and getting a taste of the different food it has to offer, including the classic Hall's chophouse I figured all traditional South Carolina food was heavy, but our meal here was light and dare I say refreshing. I ordered a cup of the gazpacho to start-without a doubt the best gazpacho I've ever had thanks to the addition of watermelon at the bottom of the cup. Then I shared the tuna poke and crab salad with my dad, the tuna was basically swimming an hour before we ate it and the crab salad was like two crab's worth of meat. It was more food than we thought it would be, but well worth the price, TRUST ME. Bonus point for our excellent server, Alice. Next time I'm in Charleston I will for sure be back here!
(5)Tyler C.
The plantains with short rib were fantastic. As was the '21' burger. Highly advise both. Service was impeccable.
(4)Adriane W.
I had the simplest hotel buffet breakfast, but it was the little things that made it special. Chilled asparagus as an option. Dark roast french press for the table. Cheese blintz on the buffet--delicate and delicious. But pricey!! Not sure it was worth the $35+ including tip, but the service was impeccable.
(4)Jennifer G.
Positive: Beautiful atmosphere - unparalleled indoor garden space When I opened the menu and found a nearly 30 dollar burger which did not include fries I knew we were in for it. No burger is ever worth 30 dollars. Food was good but certainly not worth the $90 we paid for two for lunch (a lunch which did not include alcohol). Many, many better places to go.
(2)Lauren H.
Really enjoyed this restaurant. We came for breakfast and had a lovely experience. I ordered the Palmetto omelet and they are very generous with their lobster and crab. Much more stuffing than egg! Delicious. We also tried the shrimp and grits which were delectable and my son got the pancakes which they kindly adorned with a few chocolate chips. He was in heaven. After the meal they served a few dried chocolate dipped pineapple pieces. Lovely!
(5)Eddie C.
Great ambiance, excellent service, and food. $25 per entree for breakfast was a little pricey in my book but you get what you pay for. Enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash Omelette and fresh squeezed OJ
(4)Elizabeth G.
In my opinion, this is one of the absolute best restaurants in Charleston. Hotel restaurants can be iffy, or if not that, they can be very overpriced and predictable and boring, both in food and ambience. This place is great on every level. I wasn't staying in the hotel but was visiting family here and happened to be shopping downtown. I had eaten here years ago and it was just a standard dull, slightly dark hotel restuarant. But it's been redecorated to make it a comfy but bright and sophisticated place, and the chef is also fairly new. The menu is great. I had lunch there, and while it's expensive, it's worth every dime. The service is great, first off, friendly and pleasant but professional. The staff knows the menu well, too, which is refreshing! I had the best crab salad I have ever had outside of California, where they have a different type of crab. Incredibly fresh, succulent crab stacked in a tower held together with a light but creamy dressing, topped with a little field of watercress and sitting in a tiny pool of a tomato vinaigrette. One of my dining companions had the grilled octopus dish, and it was the best octopus I have ever tasted, even at restaurants in the Mediterranean. The wine list is good and the desserts are excellent - well, we only had one, but they all looked good. Even the coffee was great. Go for the Aztec, a French press coffee that is so dark and rich it tastes chocolaty. The environment is quiet without being dull and you can actually hear your dining partners talk, something that is a rarity in large or even small restaurants in Charleston. Love this place!
(5)Ken E.
Had the most amazing lunch at a Palmetto Grill today. Started with an incredible appetizer that were fresh and had amazing flavors. It had scallops in a curry reduction of some sort with fresh herbs and grapefruit that was Divine I tell you! For the main course I highly recommend the Seafood club on a house made flatbread filled with delicious fresh crab, shrimp, and thinly sliced salmon pile high and garnished perfectly with greens and a secret buttery sauce that was memorable. My only regret is that I don't go there often enough and I am a local!
(5)James P.
Came here for the Sunday brunch buffet. Very good with a lot of fresh fruit selections and your drink is included also. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Howard K.
This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in the city, if not the country. The she-crab soup might be the best in the world as is the chicken caesar salad. Honestly, come here, enjoy anything on the menu, and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Karen G.
It doesn't get better than the Palmetto Cafe. Whether it be breakfast, brunch, Or lunch, the food is wonderful. The service is top draw. The servers know How to pamper their guests. Whatever I have ordered, I have never been Disappointed. A must go
(5)Kristin D.
Yes, it's pricey but it hit the mark on all three of my dining criteria: service (impeccable), value for dollar/flavor/quality (crab sampler with plenty of lump crab in a beautiful presentation), and atmosphere (sat outside and enjoyed perfect weather). Also tried two cocktails: a cucumber mint ginger beer drink and a blueberry mojito. FRESH and delicious ingredients. Definitely try it if you are on the fence.
(5)Carol P.
The restaurant decoration is impressive high roofs, large windows, The tables are dressed very classy with white table cloths, nice silverware, etc. The service was not so impressive though, the waitress did not offer us the complimentary bread basquet until I asked for it ( 20 min. after being seated), also, she informed me there was no soup, 10 minutes after I ordered it... Then as I did not know what else to eat from the limited menu I just had a salad. The menu was very short and limited, very disappointing and expensive. Not recommendable for lunch maybe for a drink. I will definitely not repeat the experience.
(2)Richard G.
One of our favorite places for that "special" occasion....food is alway tasty and well presented and always greeted by the staff.....I will say I took off one star since discontinued the discount card without any prior notice.....Like some others have already said, the prices are excessive for most of the menu...
(4)John H.
Charleston's best Sunday brunch on the peninsula. Restaurant is renovated recently. Great food, superior service. This is the restaurant inside Charleston Place hotel.
(4)Malarie G.
Amazing! We tried the lobster 3 ways, We had the special of the day and the trout along with a bottle of wine. Out server was delightful. She recommended a great bottle of wine! My now finance, proposed while there. Out server got champagne and made the experience memorable.
(5)Pam D.
Situated in the Charleston Place Hotel. If the weather permits they have a wonderful courtyard. Breakfast Buffet with a omelet station. Mike, the manager has been there for at least 15 years. The peach tea is the best in Charleston and comes with a simple syrup. Also serves lunch with an eclectic menu. The Holiday menu is perfection. Make reservations months in advance for the Holidays
(5)Henry L.
My wife and I had lunch here today and we loved our meals and enjoyed the attentive staff. The prosciutto and mellon appetizer was a creative creation and wonderful blend of flavors. The carb brioche was fantastic and prepared with terrific ingredients. Wonderful atmosphere.
(5)Curt D.
Fabulous octopus pad Thai - I know it sounds strange but it was absolutely delicious. Our server (John) was fantastic - one of the orders wasn't exactly to our guests liking and John came out with another entree to replace it! Wonderfully attentive service and uniquely interesting dishes make this a great experience. Beautiful dining room, only wish the terrace had completed the renovation so we could try al fresco. It a little pricy but worth the southern style. If you're really hungry, get the club 21 burger , it's MASSIVE! Interesting tidbit, order the blue bottle of water, it's etched with the bottling company Oriental Express. Just a little something fun.
(4)Katie K.
Absolutely the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The omelette bar is great too.
(5)Gary R.
For starters..... very pricey... but for a memory that's lasts beyond the price... they do a great job!!!
(5)Fae W.
Talk about 5 star dining, this place is great. Excellent service and excellent food. I will definitely be back!
(5)Todd S.
I decided to take my youngest sister and her husband along with Ginny and me for Easter brunch here. Fortunately the weather was perfect (no rain and the humidity was not yet stifling) and we were able to sit in the courtyard. I've eaten here a number of times before but have never eaten outdoors. The food selection and preparation of the brunch buffet is fabulous and I had a difficult time not gorging myself. My only gripe about this visit is that I was assessed an automatic 20% gratuity for a table of four. Considering that we dined buffet-style and that we were only a small party, I felt this to be somewhat unnecessary. I would have certainly tipped our server at least 20%, as he was friendly and extremely attentive to our beverage needs. I do suppose, however, that there are those who would not tip at all, making it necessary to add in the automatic gratuity. One item of note: dress appropriately. This should be a note for every occasion. I was surprised by the parents who found it OK for their son to come to breakfast at a 5-star hotel in a tank top, shorts, flip flops and a baseball cap. Seriously? Have a little class, people. After 4 or 5 visits for breakfast or brunch, I need to make a lunch visit here sometime soon.
(4)Zanne C.
There are little moments of serendipity, where perhaps your merry little band and yourself are exhausted and drained from that infamous low country summer sweltering sizzle, and you're looking for an oasis out of nowhere. The Palmetto Cafe is such an establishment. Even in our eclectic array of dress, the staff were more than kind and friendly enough to accommodate us (just as we were!). As you enter, the decor has a sort of country club feel using the palmetto motif. It's got that British Colonial appeal to it, with use of wood, light greens and golds. Very comfy and classic. You can arrive, 'come as you are', however that said, I would recommend being clothed on the dressier side of casual. Khakis (this includes pants and shorts), dark denim, maybe a casual oxford or polo shirt with some loafers (flat sandals or espadrilles for the ladies) would all be appropriate. When I walked in I immediately thought, Lily Pulitzer or Ralph Lauren; You get the picture, casual country club wear. Nonetheless, they had a menagerie of guests there when I was seated in all types of dress (sneakers, jeans, street wear etc). The She-Crab soup, and I'm an aficionado, was absolutely fantastic. They present it to you with just the right amount of sherry, and there are bits of delectable sweet crab tucked into the middle of the bowl. My father and I had the seafood club, and that was completely enjoyable. It was interesting to have the traditional club with a twist. My sister had the Prosciutto and Honeydew salad and she loved it, we shared the fries (with tomato seasoning) and they were completely devoured! My mom had the Diver Scallops and she thought they were wonderful. Now for the pièce de résistance, my sister-in-law ordered the Palmetto Cafe Lunch Sampler. Wow! If you are a true omnivore and and indecisive one at that, THIS is the plate for you! It features the cafe's 'greatest hits', if you will. All on one plate, you're treated to miniature versions of some of their best dishes, like the the She-Crab soup, their french fries, crab cake, the chicken salad and the famous '21' burger. If my sister-in-law wasn't the little waif she is, I truly believe she could've finished it! It looked so good! It almost made me want to give up my pescetarian ways! They also had a pretty tasty peach iced tea (along with regular), and they serve it with (and this is my favorite) miniature carafes of simple syrup. This is old school protocol for catering to everyone! Simply a must for any good Southern restaurant wanting to placate both unsweet tea visitors and sweet tea enthusiasts! We had two waiters working with us, and they were attentive, cordial and agreeable. Anyway, without further ado, let me say that if I'm in C-Town again, I will come back. Must...have...more...soup!
(5)Laura A.
Ooh, yummy. Went to a wedding reception at the Palmetto Cafe last night. I had the Chilean sea bass with a Montrachet beurre blanc sauce. It was out of this world. I don't know if it's on their regular menu, but when in season, it should be. The she crab soup was pretty good, and the arugula salad with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, and pear vinaigrette brought tears to my eyes it was so perfectly, simply delicious. Best of all, I got to soak up the jealous stares of tourists wandering through the adjacent shopping mall during the festivities. Sometimes it's nice to be on the inside looking out.
(4)Jim C.
The food quality was great, my only complaint was that the menu doesn't have alot to offer someone that is allergic to seafood... Very nice restaurant, very nice people, and great service..
(4)Craig L.
Maybe it's just me, but I have certain expectations when going to a Sunday brunch buffet. To me, brunch implies having both breakfast and lunch entrees. A carving station. An abundance of cold selections. A desserts bar. Maybe even an ice sculpture. This was a breakfast buffet. Period. Just because you serve it during the lunch hours, does not qualify it as brunch. As far as the breakfast selections, they were ok. Nothing stood out, nothing was horrible. Basic overpriced hotel breakfast buffet. Nothing more nothing less.
(3)Jomo K.
Just the best burger I've had...seriously. The burger is the 21 Burger from the NY 21 Club. I can't even begin to describe how good it was. We dined here for lunch after spending 4 nights at Charleston Place hotel. As others said, this was an pricey lunch, but I don't mind spending money when the service and quality of food is worth it. If you're on vacation, and want to splurge a little, this is one of dozens of great places to dine in Charleston. The service provided is awesome and the selection of wines they offer by-the-glass, are pretty impressive (not numerous, but great wines for a reasonable price). We all had a difficult time selecting just one item from the menu for lunch, so our table of 4 opted for 3 appetizers and 4 lunch plates. The duck and collards eggroll was perfect, as was the soup, the burger, the chicken, and the salad. I could go on and on about how impressed I was. As for attire, if you're dressed like a "Charlestonite"- always proper... you're okay. Know that for lunch, there is a mix of business professionals and proper folks, and as always, the mix of visitors. Regardless of how you're dressed though, I've got a feeling that you'll be welcomed. If you're in Charleston and you want a nice, quite, relaxed lunch...stop by.
(5)Phillip L.
Hands down, the best seafood dishes I've ever had. We only had the sandwiches, but as the waiter explained, "Except for the burger, you need a knife and fork to eat all the sandwiches." I highly recommend the Charleston Cheesesteak that comes with lump crabmeat on it or the lunch sampler, with a bit of everything. The waiter also highly recommended the fried green tomatoes, which served as a great appetizer for the family for only $5. The rest of the menu is more pricey, with lunch entrees ranging from $17-23, but worth every penny.
(5)Caroline R.
In the past month I have had the pleasure of eating in the Palmetto Cafe twice. Being a part of this Low Country of South Carolina culture with family roots in The Holy City, frankly, I would never have thought to eat here. The first visit was for Sunday breakfast. I ordered quite simply, scrambled eggs, grits and sausage patties. Well, here I sit, four weeks later, and I still think of that breakfast. Even the scrambled eggs were the best I have ever had. The coffee was even outstanding. Then, I took Mother there for a little lunch a week ago. We just ordered Caesar Salads, mine with chicken, hers with fired oysters. The salad came wrapped in a circular crustada. It must be cut on the meat grinder, wrapped around a cake pan and toasted in the oven.....fabulous presentation. Mother's fried oysters were some of the best I have ever had. And the butter on the table was cut from a terrine of butter. The layers were made up of pesto butter topped with olive butter with the final layer sun-dried tomato butter. Our waitress and her assistants were warm, happy and made us feel as if they were really glad to see us. I look forward to my next visit to explore this menu further.
(5)Robert M.
Expensive for Breakfest, but worth it. Have the Kona Coffee it is excellent. Have also had the waffles and egg bendicts. Both where great.
(5)Happy L.
The food was awesome. The service particularly at this price point was not. Dishes should not be taken away before you have finished eating nor should the last course dishes still be on the table while you have moved on to the next course a long time ago. Service was very friendly but neither smooth nor appropriate.
(4)mis h.
The breakfast disappoints me is the only thing. There's not a ton of options. The green eggs and ham does not disappoint though! (Pesto eggs with prociuttto and toasted tuscan bread) I have had nothing bad on the lunch menu. Like Charleston Grill, this menu changes constantly so I can't really tell you everything I've had. The she crab soup is always there and delicious. The burger is the recipe from the 21 Club in NYC and is fantastic. (They're both owned by Orient Express Hotels.) Wait for dinner and eat the crab cake in the Grill instead. Palmetto's aren't bad, the Grill one is just outstanding. Reasonably priced for what you get as well. Again, if you have any issues Mike would be more than happy to help you out, just ask!
(4)Laika W.
Best coffee in a hotel I have had since Singapore Shangri-la in 1989. It is so rare to see any restaurant take such pride and care in their coffee. Coffee is five stars. Food is four star.
(4)Mason S.
The restaurant is very comfortable. Everytime we go there, the food always tastes so fresh an homemade. I had Red Snapper for lunch on top of some hand cut noodles in a Ginger soy sauce. It was magnificent. The food can be expensive, but you get what you pay for: good food.
(4)Marlena M.
I ate at this café twice while staying in Belmond Charleston place, which I also reviewed. This setting is beautiful, with an elegant vertical garden on one of the walls. There was also a cute garden outside, but it was closed because of the heat when I was there in July. I first went for lunch, and I had just under an hour before I had to get to a meeting. I informed the staff of my time crunch. They were very understanding and provided quick service that didn't sacrifice quality. Overall, the service is quite formal, so you expect to be called ma'am constantly. The menu was very meaty, so I asked the waiter if the chef could put something vegetarian together. He concocted a ramen noodle dish with veggies and a light sauce. It was a simple but delicious meal. A bread basket was also served with 4 different kinds of breads, including lavash. The veggie omelet I had for breakfast was basic, but satisfying. If you are looking for a cheaper breakfast alternative and willing to forgo the niceties of fine dining, I would suggest Sweetwater Café that is just across the street, which I have also reviewed on Yelp. Overall, this is a nice option if you are staying at the Charleston Place. The service is excellent and detailed.
(4)Harold W.
Just an FYI they validate parking. I really liked this place. It's got a nice atmosphere and very comfortable. A little pricey but I knew that going in. The staff here is great. Our server Maureen was very friendly and accommodating. She kept checking on us and made sure we were attended to. She even got the manager to visit and give us our validated parking. There was a sampler of breads and a Neapolitan Butter. Omg the butter was great!!! It had 3 flavors of Pesto, Olive and I had the sampler platter which has a lot of food items. Very filling. There was a She-Crab Soup with Sherry. There was a lot of crab in this little sampler. I also got a crab cake which looked amazing. There was a slider with some deliciously cooked Wagyu Beef caramelized onions and topped with a cherry tomato. It also had a basket of fries and Tandoori Chicken Salad. I just have to say the chicken salad was my favorite with its unusual Tandoori flavoring. The only thing I would have probably liked if it was a warm instead of cold. Regardless I could not stop eating it. My friend had the Seafood Club. This thing was enormous! Top layer had the salmon with lobster in the middle layer and shrimp on the bottom layer. It looked very difficult to eat but that didn't stop my friend from chowing down. Now the beverages. I had their version of Moscow Mule and the Peach Bellini. If I had gotten the Bellini first I def would have ordered another one. It was weirdly served in a martini glass which I quickly got over. My friend also got the White Sangria looked amazing. That thing was huge.
(4)Alexandre H.
Every year I spend a few days in Charleston, and every time I'm here I come to Charleston Place, to have lunch or diner at the Palmetto Cafe. Yes it is that good. The combination of a very pleasant setting, great food and impeccable service makes this place a 5 star experience. I usually go into a lot of details in my reviews, but this place needs no extensive analysis. You have to experience it yourself. Come in, relax, get a table by one of the large windows, let the Maitre Deux or waiter suggest you a dish and a drink, and just sit back and enjoy. One note of praise: service is amazing, and the smiles are everywhere, the "thank yous" are repeated over and over, everyone polite and respectful... "ma'm" and "sir" are the norm. Recommended!
(5)Liz L.
This is a really nice place to relax and have a delicious meal. It is certainly expensive but what hotel restaurant isn't? The service is great, and the menu has something for everyone (except maybe vegetarians but I'm sure they'll accommodate you). I liked the atmosphere - quiet and easy to have a conversation. I had the seared scallops and gazpacho which were both great; also the goat cheese cheesecake was really light and tasty. I'd go back if someone else was buying :)
(4)Jennifer G.
Positive: Beautiful atmosphere - unparalleled indoor garden space When I opened the menu and found a nearly 30 dollar burger which did not include fries I knew we were in for it. No burger is ever worth 30 dollars. Food was good but certainly not worth the $90 we paid for two for lunch (a lunch which did not include alcohol). Many, many better places to go.
(2)Ed W.
This is a review for breakfast only. We stayed in the hotel and decided one morning to have a nice long breakfast on the patio. I am so glad we did. The food, for starters, is very well done. From the eggs and bacon (an American staple) to the juevos rancheros (spicy and outstanding), the cuisine was really high class and well prepared. The service at Palmetto Cafe is simply outstanding. Every time we turned around, someone was standing there to help us. Whether it was some additional rock sugar sticks for the latte, or an extra fork after one dropped on the floor, we did not have to wait long. Fresh squeezed juices, quality ingredients and an excellent preparation yields way to a four star breakfast.
(4)Jaclyn A.
Wowowowow I was hesitant to eat here because I thought it was just going to be another stuffy fluffy Charleston restaurant, but boy was I wrong. After visiting Charleston and getting a taste of the different food it has to offer, including the classic Hall's chophouse I figured all traditional South Carolina food was heavy, but our meal here was light and dare I say refreshing. I ordered a cup of the gazpacho to start-without a doubt the best gazpacho I've ever had thanks to the addition of watermelon at the bottom of the cup. Then I shared the tuna poke and crab salad with my dad, the tuna was basically swimming an hour before we ate it and the crab salad was like two crab's worth of meat. It was more food than we thought it would be, but well worth the price, TRUST ME. Bonus point for our excellent server, Alice. Next time I'm in Charleston I will for sure be back here!
(5)Tyler C.
The plantains with short rib were fantastic. As was the '21' burger. Highly advise both. Service was impeccable.
(4)Adriane W.
I had the simplest hotel buffet breakfast, but it was the little things that made it special. Chilled asparagus as an option. Dark roast french press for the table. Cheese blintz on the buffet--delicate and delicious. But pricey!! Not sure it was worth the $35+ including tip, but the service was impeccable.
(4)Elizabeth G.
In my opinion, this is one of the absolute best restaurants in Charleston. Hotel restaurants can be iffy, or if not that, they can be very overpriced and predictable and boring, both in food and ambience. This place is great on every level. I wasn't staying in the hotel but was visiting family here and happened to be shopping downtown. I had eaten here years ago and it was just a standard dull, slightly dark hotel restuarant. But it's been redecorated to make it a comfy but bright and sophisticated place, and the chef is also fairly new. The menu is great. I had lunch there, and while it's expensive, it's worth every dime. The service is great, first off, friendly and pleasant but professional. The staff knows the menu well, too, which is refreshing! I had the best crab salad I have ever had outside of California, where they have a different type of crab. Incredibly fresh, succulent crab stacked in a tower held together with a light but creamy dressing, topped with a little field of watercress and sitting in a tiny pool of a tomato vinaigrette. One of my dining companions had the grilled octopus dish, and it was the best octopus I have ever tasted, even at restaurants in the Mediterranean. The wine list is good and the desserts are excellent - well, we only had one, but they all looked good. Even the coffee was great. Go for the Aztec, a French press coffee that is so dark and rich it tastes chocolaty. The environment is quiet without being dull and you can actually hear your dining partners talk, something that is a rarity in large or even small restaurants in Charleston. Love this place!
(5)Ken E.
Had the most amazing lunch at a Palmetto Grill today. Started with an incredible appetizer that were fresh and had amazing flavors. It had scallops in a curry reduction of some sort with fresh herbs and grapefruit that was Divine I tell you! For the main course I highly recommend the Seafood club on a house made flatbread filled with delicious fresh crab, shrimp, and thinly sliced salmon pile high and garnished perfectly with greens and a secret buttery sauce that was memorable. My only regret is that I don't go there often enough and I am a local!
(5)James P.
Came here for the Sunday brunch buffet. Very good with a lot of fresh fruit selections and your drink is included also. Would definitely recommend.
(4)Howard K.
This is definitely one of the best brunch spots in the city, if not the country. The she-crab soup might be the best in the world as is the chicken caesar salad. Honestly, come here, enjoy anything on the menu, and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Lauren H.
Really enjoyed this restaurant. We came for breakfast and had a lovely experience. I ordered the Palmetto omelet and they are very generous with their lobster and crab. Much more stuffing than egg! Delicious. We also tried the shrimp and grits which were delectable and my son got the pancakes which they kindly adorned with a few chocolate chips. He was in heaven. After the meal they served a few dried chocolate dipped pineapple pieces. Lovely!
(5)Eddie C.
Great ambiance, excellent service, and food. $25 per entree for breakfast was a little pricey in my book but you get what you pay for. Enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash Omelette and fresh squeezed OJ
(4)Carol P.
The restaurant decoration is impressive high roofs, large windows, The tables are dressed very classy with white table cloths, nice silverware, etc. The service was not so impressive though, the waitress did not offer us the complimentary bread basquet until I asked for it ( 20 min. after being seated), also, she informed me there was no soup, 10 minutes after I ordered it... Then as I did not know what else to eat from the limited menu I just had a salad. The menu was very short and limited, very disappointing and expensive. Not recommendable for lunch maybe for a drink. I will definitely not repeat the experience.
(2)Richard G.
One of our favorite places for that "special" occasion....food is alway tasty and well presented and always greeted by the staff.....I will say I took off one star since discontinued the discount card without any prior notice.....Like some others have already said, the prices are excessive for most of the menu...
(4)John H.
Charleston's best Sunday brunch on the peninsula. Restaurant is renovated recently. Great food, superior service. This is the restaurant inside Charleston Place hotel.
(4)Karen G.
It doesn't get better than the Palmetto Cafe. Whether it be breakfast, brunch, Or lunch, the food is wonderful. The service is top draw. The servers know How to pamper their guests. Whatever I have ordered, I have never been Disappointed. A must go
(5)Kristin D.
Yes, it's pricey but it hit the mark on all three of my dining criteria: service (impeccable), value for dollar/flavor/quality (crab sampler with plenty of lump crab in a beautiful presentation), and atmosphere (sat outside and enjoyed perfect weather). Also tried two cocktails: a cucumber mint ginger beer drink and a blueberry mojito. FRESH and delicious ingredients. Definitely try it if you are on the fence.
(5)Malarie G.
Amazing! We tried the lobster 3 ways, We had the special of the day and the trout along with a bottle of wine. Out server was delightful. She recommended a great bottle of wine! My now finance, proposed while there. Out server got champagne and made the experience memorable.
(5)Pam D.
Situated in the Charleston Place Hotel. If the weather permits they have a wonderful courtyard. Breakfast Buffet with a omelet station. Mike, the manager has been there for at least 15 years. The peach tea is the best in Charleston and comes with a simple syrup. Also serves lunch with an eclectic menu. The Holiday menu is perfection. Make reservations months in advance for the Holidays
(5)Henry L.
My wife and I had lunch here today and we loved our meals and enjoyed the attentive staff. The prosciutto and mellon appetizer was a creative creation and wonderful blend of flavors. The carb brioche was fantastic and prepared with terrific ingredients. Wonderful atmosphere.
(5)Curt D.
Fabulous octopus pad Thai - I know it sounds strange but it was absolutely delicious. Our server (John) was fantastic - one of the orders wasn't exactly to our guests liking and John came out with another entree to replace it! Wonderfully attentive service and uniquely interesting dishes make this a great experience. Beautiful dining room, only wish the terrace had completed the renovation so we could try al fresco. It a little pricy but worth the southern style. If you're really hungry, get the club 21 burger , it's MASSIVE! Interesting tidbit, order the blue bottle of water, it's etched with the bottling company Oriental Express. Just a little something fun.
(4)Katie K.
Absolutely the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The omelette bar is great too.
(5)Gary R.
For starters..... very pricey... but for a memory that's lasts beyond the price... they do a great job!!!
(5)Fae W.
Talk about 5 star dining, this place is great. Excellent service and excellent food. I will definitely be back!
(5)Todd S.
I decided to take my youngest sister and her husband along with Ginny and me for Easter brunch here. Fortunately the weather was perfect (no rain and the humidity was not yet stifling) and we were able to sit in the courtyard. I've eaten here a number of times before but have never eaten outdoors. The food selection and preparation of the brunch buffet is fabulous and I had a difficult time not gorging myself. My only gripe about this visit is that I was assessed an automatic 20% gratuity for a table of four. Considering that we dined buffet-style and that we were only a small party, I felt this to be somewhat unnecessary. I would have certainly tipped our server at least 20%, as he was friendly and extremely attentive to our beverage needs. I do suppose, however, that there are those who would not tip at all, making it necessary to add in the automatic gratuity. One item of note: dress appropriately. This should be a note for every occasion. I was surprised by the parents who found it OK for their son to come to breakfast at a 5-star hotel in a tank top, shorts, flip flops and a baseball cap. Seriously? Have a little class, people. After 4 or 5 visits for breakfast or brunch, I need to make a lunch visit here sometime soon.
(4)Craig L.
Maybe it's just me, but I have certain expectations when going to a Sunday brunch buffet. To me, brunch implies having both breakfast and lunch entrees. A carving station. An abundance of cold selections. A desserts bar. Maybe even an ice sculpture. This was a breakfast buffet. Period. Just because you serve it during the lunch hours, does not qualify it as brunch. As far as the breakfast selections, they were ok. Nothing stood out, nothing was horrible. Basic overpriced hotel breakfast buffet. Nothing more nothing less.
(3)Jomo K.
Just the best burger I've had...seriously. The burger is the 21 Burger from the NY 21 Club. I can't even begin to describe how good it was. We dined here for lunch after spending 4 nights at Charleston Place hotel. As others said, this was an pricey lunch, but I don't mind spending money when the service and quality of food is worth it. If you're on vacation, and want to splurge a little, this is one of dozens of great places to dine in Charleston. The service provided is awesome and the selection of wines they offer by-the-glass, are pretty impressive (not numerous, but great wines for a reasonable price). We all had a difficult time selecting just one item from the menu for lunch, so our table of 4 opted for 3 appetizers and 4 lunch plates. The duck and collards eggroll was perfect, as was the soup, the burger, the chicken, and the salad. I could go on and on about how impressed I was. As for attire, if you're dressed like a "Charlestonite"- always proper... you're okay. Know that for lunch, there is a mix of business professionals and proper folks, and as always, the mix of visitors. Regardless of how you're dressed though, I've got a feeling that you'll be welcomed. If you're in Charleston and you want a nice, quite, relaxed lunch...stop by.
(5)Laura A.
Ooh, yummy. Went to a wedding reception at the Palmetto Cafe last night. I had the Chilean sea bass with a Montrachet beurre blanc sauce. It was out of this world. I don't know if it's on their regular menu, but when in season, it should be. The she crab soup was pretty good, and the arugula salad with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, and pear vinaigrette brought tears to my eyes it was so perfectly, simply delicious. Best of all, I got to soak up the jealous stares of tourists wandering through the adjacent shopping mall during the festivities. Sometimes it's nice to be on the inside looking out.
(4)Phillip L.
Hands down, the best seafood dishes I've ever had. We only had the sandwiches, but as the waiter explained, "Except for the burger, you need a knife and fork to eat all the sandwiches." I highly recommend the Charleston Cheesesteak that comes with lump crabmeat on it or the lunch sampler, with a bit of everything. The waiter also highly recommended the fried green tomatoes, which served as a great appetizer for the family for only $5. The rest of the menu is more pricey, with lunch entrees ranging from $17-23, but worth every penny.
(5)Caroline R.
In the past month I have had the pleasure of eating in the Palmetto Cafe twice. Being a part of this Low Country of South Carolina culture with family roots in The Holy City, frankly, I would never have thought to eat here. The first visit was for Sunday breakfast. I ordered quite simply, scrambled eggs, grits and sausage patties. Well, here I sit, four weeks later, and I still think of that breakfast. Even the scrambled eggs were the best I have ever had. The coffee was even outstanding. Then, I took Mother there for a little lunch a week ago. We just ordered Caesar Salads, mine with chicken, hers with fired oysters. The salad came wrapped in a circular crustada. It must be cut on the meat grinder, wrapped around a cake pan and toasted in the oven.....fabulous presentation. Mother's fried oysters were some of the best I have ever had. And the butter on the table was cut from a terrine of butter. The layers were made up of pesto butter topped with olive butter with the final layer sun-dried tomato butter. Our waitress and her assistants were warm, happy and made us feel as if they were really glad to see us. I look forward to my next visit to explore this menu further.
(5)Robert M.
Expensive for Breakfest, but worth it. Have the Kona Coffee it is excellent. Have also had the waffles and egg bendicts. Both where great.
(5)Happy L.
The food was awesome. The service particularly at this price point was not. Dishes should not be taken away before you have finished eating nor should the last course dishes still be on the table while you have moved on to the next course a long time ago. Service was very friendly but neither smooth nor appropriate.
(4)Jim C.
The food quality was great, my only complaint was that the menu doesn't have alot to offer someone that is allergic to seafood... Very nice restaurant, very nice people, and great service..
(4)Zanne C.
There are little moments of serendipity, where perhaps your merry little band and yourself are exhausted and drained from that infamous low country summer sweltering sizzle, and you're looking for an oasis out of nowhere. The Palmetto Cafe is such an establishment. Even in our eclectic array of dress, the staff were more than kind and friendly enough to accommodate us (just as we were!). As you enter, the decor has a sort of country club feel using the palmetto motif. It's got that British Colonial appeal to it, with use of wood, light greens and golds. Very comfy and classic. You can arrive, 'come as you are', however that said, I would recommend being clothed on the dressier side of casual. Khakis (this includes pants and shorts), dark denim, maybe a casual oxford or polo shirt with some loafers (flat sandals or espadrilles for the ladies) would all be appropriate. When I walked in I immediately thought, Lily Pulitzer or Ralph Lauren; You get the picture, casual country club wear. Nonetheless, they had a menagerie of guests there when I was seated in all types of dress (sneakers, jeans, street wear etc). The She-Crab soup, and I'm an aficionado, was absolutely fantastic. They present it to you with just the right amount of sherry, and there are bits of delectable sweet crab tucked into the middle of the bowl. My father and I had the seafood club, and that was completely enjoyable. It was interesting to have the traditional club with a twist. My sister had the Prosciutto and Honeydew salad and she loved it, we shared the fries (with tomato seasoning) and they were completely devoured! My mom had the Diver Scallops and she thought they were wonderful. Now for the pièce de résistance, my sister-in-law ordered the Palmetto Cafe Lunch Sampler. Wow! If you are a true omnivore and and indecisive one at that, THIS is the plate for you! It features the cafe's 'greatest hits', if you will. All on one plate, you're treated to miniature versions of some of their best dishes, like the the She-Crab soup, their french fries, crab cake, the chicken salad and the famous '21' burger. If my sister-in-law wasn't the little waif she is, I truly believe she could've finished it! It looked so good! It almost made me want to give up my pescetarian ways! They also had a pretty tasty peach iced tea (along with regular), and they serve it with (and this is my favorite) miniature carafes of simple syrup. This is old school protocol for catering to everyone! Simply a must for any good Southern restaurant wanting to placate both unsweet tea visitors and sweet tea enthusiasts! We had two waiters working with us, and they were attentive, cordial and agreeable. Anyway, without further ado, let me say that if I'm in C-Town again, I will come back. Must...have...more...soup!
(5)mis h.
The breakfast disappoints me is the only thing. There's not a ton of options. The green eggs and ham does not disappoint though! (Pesto eggs with prociuttto and toasted tuscan bread) I have had nothing bad on the lunch menu. Like Charleston Grill, this menu changes constantly so I can't really tell you everything I've had. The she crab soup is always there and delicious. The burger is the recipe from the 21 Club in NYC and is fantastic. (They're both owned by Orient Express Hotels.) Wait for dinner and eat the crab cake in the Grill instead. Palmetto's aren't bad, the Grill one is just outstanding. Reasonably priced for what you get as well. Again, if you have any issues Mike would be more than happy to help you out, just ask!
(4)Laika W.
Best coffee in a hotel I have had since Singapore Shangri-la in 1989. It is so rare to see any restaurant take such pride and care in their coffee. Coffee is five stars. Food is four star.
(4)Mason S.
The restaurant is very comfortable. Everytime we go there, the food always tastes so fresh an homemade. I had Red Snapper for lunch on top of some hand cut noodles in a Ginger soy sauce. It was magnificent. The food can be expensive, but you get what you pay for: good food.
(4)