Communal Table
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Chubby Fish

4.6
·491k reviews·,

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Communal Table

Chubby Fish

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Absolutely incredible! Every dish was so flavorful! Easily one of the top meals I’ve had in Charleston."

TIP

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.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5PM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

$$$

Phone

(854) 222-3949

Address

252 Coming St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Caviar Sammich

Caviar Sammich

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

TikTokGoogle Review+3
Creative Seafood Dishes

Creative Seafood Dishes

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

The Best Biscuits, Sweets, and Desserts in CharlestonBest Restaurants in Charleston, South CarolinaThe Best 15 Restaurants in Charleston+2
Lively Neighborhood Eatery

Lively Neighborhood Eatery

A warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for a fun night out with friendly staff and an energetic vibe.

The 15 Best Restaurants in Charleston, South CarolinaGoogle Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Chubby fish 10/10 BEST caviar and only caviar sandwich I’ve ever had but this place is 100% worth the wait 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 #charleston #chubbyfish #restaurant #outtoeat #caviar #mealideas #dinner #cometodinnerwithus #cometodinnerwithme
@maggiecorbo
2K likes • 40.9K views

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.

At Chubby Fish in Charleston, South Carolina, the menu changes every day, depending on whatever comes out of the waters that morning. The one thing that stays in rotation, however, is the caviar sammich. Chef and owner James London serves 100 a night. #Charleston #southcarolina #caviar #seafood #caviarsandwich #chubbyfish
@bonappetitmag
7.2K likes • 107.1K views
10/10 dining experience every damn time — Chubby Fish Charleston never misses 🔥 This intimate, 30-seat seafood restaurant in downtown Charleston delivers some of the most talked-about Southern coastal cuisine in the Lowcountry 🐟 Known for its fresh, locally-sourced seafood, the vibe is effortlessly cool and the dishes are always changing with the catch of the day…. If you’re looking for where to e...
@emileighpaigee
73 likes • 2.5K views

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.

Have you wanted to try chubby fish in Charleston, South Carolina? This restaurant 100% deserves to be on the top 50 list of best restaurants in America! This restaurant review is honest, real, and it is worth the weight, add this to your itinerary of things to do in Charleston. #charlestonsc #thingstodoincharleston #charlestonrestaurants #50bestrestaurants #chubbyfish
@oh.hey.payton
65 likes • 1.5K views

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Flavorful and creative seafood dishes
The iconic caviar sandwich
Attentive and friendly service

What People Dislike

Long wait times due to no reservations
Can be loud
No reservations policy

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.

Best Restaurants in Charleston, South CarolinaGoogle Review

To secure a table, it's recommended to arrive before their 5 PM opening or even earlier to get on the waitlist.

Google Review

The caviar sandwich is a signature item. Other highly recommended dishes include the grilled oysters, whole fish, and creative small plates.

TikTokThe Best 15 Restaurants in CharlestonGoogle Review+1

Yes, it's described as a great date-night spot due to its intimate atmosphere and shareable, delicious dishes.

The 24 Best Restaurants In Charleston - CharlestonThe Best Restaurants In Charleston

The atmosphere is warm, lively, and intimate, making it a fun spot for a night out. Some reviews mention it can get loud.

The 15 Best Restaurants in Charleston, South CarolinaGoogle Review+1

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.

Google Review+1

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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.

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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.

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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.

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