
Chubby Fish
A vibrant neighborhood seafood spot serving inventive dishes with a focus on fresh, local catches.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Chubby Fish

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant neighborhood seafood spot serving inventive dishes with a focus on fresh, local catches.
"Absolutely incredible! Every dish was so flavorful! Easily one of the top meals I’ve had in Charleston."
Arrive Early or Wait
Line up before 5 PM opening for a table, or wait at Seahorse bar. Consider a later reservation.
Sit by the Cooks
Enjoy an interactive dining experience by choosing a seat near the kitchen action.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Caviar Sammich
A must-try delicacy featuring a unique tater roll topped with crème fraîche and caviar. A true indulgence!

Creative Seafood Dishes
Expertly prepared, locally-sourced seafood with unique flavor combinations that surprise and delight.

Lively Neighborhood Eatery
A warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for a fun night out with friendly staff and an energetic vibe.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early or Wait
Line up before 5 PM opening for a table, or wait at Seahorse bar. Consider a later reservation.
Sit by the Cooks
Enjoy an interactive dining experience by choosing a seat near the kitchen action.
Shareable Plates
Order multiple dishes to share and experience a variety of flavors with your group.
Consider Drinks Next Door
The adjacent Seahorse bar is a great spot for drinks while waiting for your table.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early or Wait
Line up before 5 PM opening for a table, or wait at Seahorse bar. Consider a later reservation.
Sit by the Cooks
Enjoy an interactive dining experience by choosing a seat near the kitchen action.
Shareable Plates
Order multiple dishes to share and experience a variety of flavors with your group.
Consider Drinks Next Door
The adjacent Seahorse bar is a great spot for drinks while waiting for your table.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Chubby Fish is lauded for its exceptionally flavorful and creative seafood dishes, with many highlighting the caviar sandwich as a standout. The lively atmosphere and attentive service contribute to a memorable dining experience. However, diners should be prepared for potentially long waits due to the no-reservation policy and the restaurant's popularity.
"What's there to say that hasn't been said already. This place was absolutely amazing, from the food to the service. Even when we were waiting, the server was very accommodating and friendly.
As for the food, probably some of the best I've had. The flavors are excellent and such interesting ways of rethinking what we expect a dish to be. Even the accompaniments like asparagus felt fresh and interesting. Pretty much can't go wrong with anything you order here! I especially loved the whole fish, the cauliflower, and the gnudi though!"
Kaiwen Chen
"Absolutely incredible! Finally was able to go with a group of friends by having someone get in line at 4pm to get our name on the list for a later seating. Exceeded my high expectations. Every dish was so flavorful! I also enjoyed the wine list. Our waitress was helpful and service was paced well. Loved being able to share the dishes with the group. Highlights for me were the caviar sliders, the cauliflower and the tile fish curry, but everything was phenomenal. Easily one of the top meals I’ve had in Charleston."
Erin Scott
"Great meal at Chubby Fish! This place serves incredibly high-quality food and creative dishes. I definitely recommend the caviar sliders, curry oysters, and the bone marrow with fried shrimp. The service was attentive and the atmosphere lively, making it a fun spot for a night out. The only drawback is that it gets very loud inside, so it’s not the best choice if you want a quiet dinner or are with people you don’t know that well. Overall, it’s a must-try Charleston gem for adventurous seafood lovers!"
Gray Stone
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Chubby Fish does not take reservations. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are very popular, so expect a wait.
To secure a table, it's recommended to arrive before their 5 PM opening or even earlier to get on the waitlist.
The caviar sandwich is a signature item. Other highly recommended dishes include the grilled oysters, whole fish, and creative small plates.
Yes, it's described as a great date-night spot due to its intimate atmosphere and shareable, delicious dishes.
The atmosphere is warm, lively, and intimate, making it a fun spot for a night out. Some reviews mention it can get loud.
Yes, the adjacent Seahorse bar is a perfect spot to enjoy a drink and small bites while you wait for your table at Chubby Fish.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Biscuits, Sweets, and Desserts in Charleston
Come to this neighborhood corner establishment for the seafood, but don’t overlook the beef tartare, complemented by radish, nori, and ranch (and don’t be ashamed to order two if you’re with a party of three or more). Pricing is akin to the Ordinary, without that big brother’s fancy full experience, but it’s worth a visit for treats like tempura blowfish tails—bone-in adult lollypops of crispy, savory flavor, with lemon and spicy mayo on the side. Unconventional entrees like the smoked fish curry (amberjack one week, mackerel the next) with pumpkin and peanuts and hints of citrus, make each bite a pleasant and surprising adventure of textures and tastes.
The 24 Best Restaurants In Charleston - Charleston
Chubby Fish opened in 2018, and since then, it’s become one of Charleston’s best and most exciting restaurants. The seasonal menu, listed on a chalkboard right above the kitchen, focuses on locally-caught seafood with things like yellowfin tuna crudo and several varieties of oysters, including steamboat creeks from South Carolina. While you’ll have to come early to get a seat and put your name down for a table, this Cannonborough-Elliotborough restaurant is a great date night spot, and a must if sharing caviar sandwiches is your true love language.
Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina
Ask any Charleston local what their favorite seafood spot is and chances are they’ll direct you straight to Chubby Fish. Beloved for its laid-back vibes and simply delicious sustainably sourced seafood, from grilled oysters to triggerfish tempura, no matter what you order you really can’t go wrong. Word to the wise, there are no reservations, and seats at this pint-sized spot fill up fast so get here early or be prepared for a bit of a wait.
Best Food in Charleston for Delivery & Takeout: Where to Order From Now
Chubby Fish’s takeout menu changes daily, but when the tagliatelle is on the menu, you should definitely order it. The mouth-watering dish consists of homemade pasta with blue crab, brown butter, green garlic, and bread crumbs. It’s ideal for quarantine because no one cares how your breath smells.
Where locals eat and drink in Charleston
Head to Chubby Fish for seafood (including a fantastic raw bar) and Honeysuckle Rose to splurge on an upscale meal. From left: Andrew Thomas Lee, via Chubby Fish; Jesse Ryder McCann, via Honeysuckle Rose.
Charleston Restaurants: South's Best Food City
Then, of course, there are those restaurants where scoring a table may require a bit of divine intervention (or at least a healthy dose of patience): Though in its fifth year, tiny seafood spot Chubby Fish still inspires folks to line up at the door well before the no-reservations eatery opens at 5; and Vern's, which opened in July 2022 with a seasonal menu and biodynamic wine list, is arguably the most coveted reservation in town at the moment. Whatever you're in the mood for, Charleston's got it on the menu.
The Best 15 Restaurants in Charleston
Located in the historic Elliotborough neighborhood, Chubby Fish is a nautically themed hangout that focuses on fresh and sustainable seafood and produce from local purveyors. The highly curated menu includes raw options like crudo and oysters as well as starters and mains that vary depending on seasonality and availability. Expect dishes that blend land and sea, like the blues crab tagliatelle with corn, chives, and Calabrian chili and braised grouper cheeks with chive butter and field peas.
The Best Restaurants In Charleston
Chubby Fish opened in 2018, and since then, it’s become one of Charleston’s best restaurants and stayed one of the most exciting. The seasonal menu, listed on a chalkboard right above the kitchen, focuses on locally-caught seafood with things like whole b-liner snapper, yellowfin tuna crudo, and several varieties of oysters including capers blades from South Carolina. This restaurant is a great date-night spot, and a must if sharing caviar sandwiches is your true love language.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina
Cooks here work hand in hand daily with local fishermen to bring patrons the best Lowcountry seafood imaginable. You might luck out with a snapper ceviche with avocado and cucumber on one visit, while the next, it might be fried soft-shell crab nachos. The dining room bathed in varying blues, the wine list with plenty of lights and white, and the ever-helpful staff make this Cannonborough neighborhood standby feel like a party—without getting in the middle of yours.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Charleston
Tucked away in a cozy spot on Coming Street, Chubby Fish brings you the freshest local catch with a creative twist that is sure to both surprise and satisfy your cravings!. With an ever-changing menu based on what dishes best fit the season, each visit feels like a new adventure, tailored to you!. With dishes like butter-poached fish, seafood pastas, and inventive crudos, you’re expectations with be blown out of the water!
The Best Places to Eat in Charleston — Restaurants and More
This fish-obsessed joint doesn't take reservations, so I recommend arriving when Chubby Fish opens to secure a spot. Thick blue-velvet curtains frame a simple but elegant dining room where chef James London will take you on a journey beyond the usual fried favorites with a focus on dishes using sustainable ingredients. Try and cast as wide a net as possible, from the royal red shrimp toast to the braised grouper cheeks.
Top 10 seafood restaurants in Charleston
Witnessing the skill it takes to transform quality ingredients into well-manicured plates makes dining in elite Charleston restaurants dinner and the show. Chubby Fish offers that theatrical flair, but in a different way; the fleeting favorites on chef James London’s menu can completely change guests’ understanding of seafood. Sustainable, rarely seen types of fish are a nightly standard, and London uses the whole fish.
Our Top 50: Eating well
We recommend ordering several dishes and sharing with the group before finishing off with sweets from Life Raft Treats’ Cynthia Wong, who supplies Chubby Fish with dessert. Chubby Fish doesn’t take reservations, but it’s well worth the wait for one of 30 or so seats inside a restaurant that prides itself on turning under utilized types of fish into dishes you’ll crave for weeks.
Best Local Restaurants For Oysters in Charleston
Their sustainable approach and focus on local ingredients makes them stand out among the rest. Additionally, since their menu changes daily every visit to Chubby Fish will be a brand new experience. Charlestonian Josh Whitaker says that Chubby Fish has the best oysters in the area."They're always prepared properly and they have an outstanding Japanese style mignonette," he said.
The 10 Best Oyster Bars in Charleston SC
Chubby Fish is a locals favorite in Charleston’s food scene. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood just off of King Street, this intimate spot celebrates the freshest local seafood and their commitment to quality shines through in every dish. The oyster selection changes daily based on availability and water quality, meaning you’re always in for a treat.
7 Best Seafood Restaurants in Charleston to Visit
252 Coming Street, Charleston, SC 29403*Dine-in *Take-out *No Delivery. This restaurant is in a neighborhood away from the usual tourist spots. Aiming to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Charleston, Chef James London blends flavors from all over the world with fresh local ingredients and Lowcountry cooking at Chubby Fish.
The Ultimate Local's Guide to Charleston
For a seafood centric, coastal town, Chubby Fish is one the best places for fresh, sustainable seafood in Charleston. Tucked into the Elliotborough neighborhood, you’ll love the local vibe and nautical flare. The menu changes daily, but some of my favorite staples are bibb lettuce, chili garlic shrimp, curry, and crudo or ceviche!
Experience: Charleston
**Settle in in style with a private, family-style welcome dinner from the folks of Chubby Fish and some Shem Creek fisherfolk who supply their superb offerings. We’ll have great shrimp and fish dishes, wines to accompany, and you’ll be at your lodging in plenty of time for a good night’s rest in anticipation of the days ahead.
Downtown Charleston Delights: Must-Do Experiences
Chubby Fish, a renowned restaurant in Charleston, takes center stage in the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Indulge in their exquisite offerings, including the flavorful chubby fish, expertly prepared with a burst of tastes. Complement your meal with a choice of carefully selected wines from Charleston's renowned vineyards.
The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Charleston
If you have ONE night in Charleston and are deciding where to eat, this is where I would send you. Creative, flavorful seafood and meats in a hip, buzzing family-run restaurant, Chubby Fish is well regarded as most locals’ favorite restaurant in town. It’s run by a husband-wife chef/manager team who are just wonderful.
Hottest New Restaurants To Explore In Charleston
Chubby Fish This hidden gem is tucked away in Charleston’s Historic Elliotborough neighborhood. With a focus on fresh, local seafood and farm-to-table ingredients, this chef driven restaurant changes its menu daily to showcase the day’s catch. “I went on the recommendation of a friend and ended up really enjoying it.
Charleston's Best Local Restaurants
Just as the name suggests, Chubby Fish is one of the best local restaurants if you are a fan of seafood. You will be delighted to see the variety of seafood dishes and some great tapas. This place is so good that you’ll find a line of people already waiting before it even opens in the morning.
The Top Charleston Seafood Restaurants
If you want a unique dining experience unlike anywhere else, head to Chubby Fish. Chubby Fish took Charleston by storm in 2018 with its innovative ideas for seafood. Their goal is to use every part of the fish possible, so you’ll be able to order dishes like fish cheeks!
s Guide to Charleston, South Carolina: Where to Stay, Eat, and Shop
Founded in 2018 by Chef James London, a Charleston native, Chubby Fish has stolen the city’s heart. Even after six years, the hype has not died down and people come from near and far to line up at 4:30 p.m. to get a reservation (note: it is walk-in only).
Top-Rated Seafood Restaurants in Charleston, SC, According to Tripadvisor
– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (66 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (5.0/5), Value for money (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American, Seafood– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 252 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403-6768– Learn more on Tripadvisor
The Ultimate Charleston Foodie Guide
Chubby Fish: The epicenter of seafood in a city where you’ll find a fresh catch on every menu. With an atmosphere that takes the experience to another level and great happy hour deals*, this place is a must for seafood lovers.
14 Best Seafood Restaurants in Charleston, SC
If you are looking for somewhere with a homey atmosphere with a wide variety of seafood menus, you might want to try Chubby Fish. From their hosts to the ambiance, everything about the place is reviewed excellently by many.
Romantic Dinners in Charleston
Chubby Fish is a great date night destination for seafood lovers. Try the swordfish schnitzel, Tuna Crudo, and the Caviar Sandwich!. Chubby fish also serves Life Raft Treats’ famous “not so fried chicken” for dessert.
40 Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC for 2025 (Top Eats!)
252 Coming St Ste ACharleston, SC 29403(854) 222-3949 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Tucked away at Coming Street, this warm sailor-themed eatery offers delectable seafood treats and creative wines.
20 Must-Try Spots for Oysters in Charleston
Tucked away in the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood, Chubby Fish is a hidden gem. Their oysters are sourced locally, and the menu changes frequently to reflect the freshest catch.
Where to eat oysters in Charleston, SC
Chubby Fish, 252 Coming St. | Whether you like crisp and clean or salty and sweet oysters, there’s something here for you. Pro tip: Arrive early for the best chance of snagging a table.
The heart of the internet
Fig, the ordinary, lowland tavern, verns, chubby fish, grace + grits, pages okra grill, Leon’s, loLA, palmira bbq, wild olive, SNOB, honeysuckle rose, bearcat.
Charleston Nightlife Guide: From Rooftop Bars to Hidden Gems
Husk, Zero, Xiao Bao Biscuit, The Obstinate Daughter, Little Jack’s, Renzo, Chubby Fish, Chez Nous, Fig, Nico, Sugar Bakeshop, and Elliotborough Mini Bar
Highest-rated Seafood Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina by Diners
- Rating: 4.7/5 (317 reviews)- Address: 252 Coming St. Ste A Charleston, South Carolina - Categories: seafood, tapas/small plates- Read more on Yelp
Highest-rated seafood restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina by diners
– Rating: 4.7/5 (317 reviews)– Address: 252 Coming St. Ste A Charleston, South Carolina– Categories: seafood, tapas/small plates– Read more on Yelp
The Local's Guide to the Best Bars, Nightclubs, Live Music & More!
No matter how many times you come, there will always be something new and delicious to experience at Chubby Fish.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit