I'm giving this place a 4 star review for the most awesome sunset. Absolutely beautiful with fantastic seating outside. The food was ok but the price was in my opinion outrageous. $30.00 for broiled seafood combination. 2 small lobster tails, 3 shrimp, 2 scallop, with a choice of sides. I had mixed vegetables & collard greens. The collard greens were excellent. The mixed veg consisted of onions & squash. It was ok. My son had pork tenderloin & mashed potatoes. He said it was excellent. The other party had shrimp & grits (Creole Style) she said it was good although spicy. They do have complimentary valet parking which is a big bonus because when busy this parking lot is rather small. Overall good & as I said spectacular views of the sunset. I would bring people here for that reason.
(4)
Nicole J.
If you happen to stumble upon a breezy, hot summer day, you MUST come enjoy part of it at the upstairs bar here. Not a large area, just comfortable enough to seat 20, the patio looks over the inlet and Intercostal Waterway. Last time we were here for drinks, we got so lucky to even spot a few dolphins! In the summer, it seems that Boathouse is definitely tourista central, full of families staying on IOP or Sullivan's. I expect that once everyone goes back to school, this will turn into more of a local's spot (not like it makes a difference). When we were here, we decided not to dine because of all of the children in the dining room (no offense parents!!). If anything, come for a drink and stay for the view. It is worth it!
(4)
Marilyn B.
Weekend in for wedding planning, ate with future in-laws and then went back the night after wedding ceremony to try again. Sunset to die for. Great outside bar area. Meal was average but the ambiance was pretty special while outside. Table had Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Calamari...average Various meals lacking seasoning. I had the Broiled Seafood Combination...Average Husband had the spicy shrimp and grits...Have had better. Noisy inside. Had requested seating to look out on the harbor...got stuck in the corner away from any visual outside. Thank goodness we came early to be on the deck.
(2)
Carolyn D.
Incredible service! Although they were under staffed per our waiter Joel....this restaurant had 5***** service and the food....WOW! THE BEST! We love this place! Shouts out the entire staff! WE WILL BE BACK! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! YOU GUYS ROCK! Joel we love uou already, looking forward to becoming a regular when we move to Charleston!
(5)
Erin K.
Great location on the Sound, great service, great food! Had the crab stuffed flounder with collard greens and gritz. Holy moly! Every bite was incredible! Hushpuppies were "ok". Def recommend this place for fresh fish and a great SC experience.
(5)
Katie S.
**rooftop bar review only** A group of girls and I were visiting from out of town, wanted a rooftop bar in the area and so were told to go to the Boathouse. We got there right around sunset and can absolutely see why we were given this recommendation. Watching the sunset over the inlet was breathtaking! I can't speak to any else except to say that our drinks and aps were both pleasant and timely. But that sunset is worth the trip alone! Next time I visit, I hope to partake in either dinner or brunch as I have heard great things about both!
(4)
Sophia R.
No doubt the view is incredible and you pay for that. The tuna tacos and corn hush puppies were gross and dry like they'd sat under a heat lamp all weekend. Shrimp and grits was great though--perfect spicy and giant portion! We split those three things and a few beers and the bill was $73. If you don't mind the price for mediocre food then the view with dolphins is incredible! Would go back for drinks only though!
(3)
Mindy H.
Came here with a business group, and sat outside on the porch with the incredible view. The complimentary parking always starts the evening off stress free which is a nice touch. Everything this visit seemed less as good when compared to my visit before. The service was mediocre. They forgot several of my colleagues sauces, but quickly brought them out. The broiled seafood combination plate was OK, scallops were tough, and everything was tasteless. The collard greens and okra were good, but nothing to write home about. Overall just OK quality. Except the view is always priceless.
(3)
Bryan M.
Got the filet with Mac and cheese and asparagus. The Mac was good. Everything else was blan. Could have made the steak and asparagus better on my own for way cheaper. Not impressed for how expensive that was
(2)
Scotty C.
So I'm sitting there on Yelp trying to come up with that list of places you always say you're going to try but, just haven't gotten around to yet when all of a sudden I see Boathouse. No it's not the newest hottest restaurant on the block but, they've been around longer than I've been in the area which at least speaks for something. I jumped online and made a quick reservation for 7:45pm. I didn't think I needed one but did just in case and it paid off. It was raining when we arrived and there was a few groups of people coming in trying to get tables. While they had a bit of a wait, we were immediately seated at our table. The food was great. When I first saw my plate, I thought it looked a little slim with only three scallops but the dish definitely filled me up by the time I was done. It was a bit deceiving at first glance with much of the dish hiding underneath. The mix of prosciutto and chopped asparagus was a new one that went over well. The prosciutto might have made the dish just a bit too salty but I didn't mind. The risotto was a little soft and didn't exactly stand out next to scallops or prosciutto with asparagus but it did the job as a starchy filler. Most importantly the scallops were perfect and seasoned just right. I also tried a couple items from the Broiled Seafood Combination. That citrus herb butter sauce they use was unexpected and fantastic all at the same. I really wanted something chocolate to finish off my wine with but, the Creme Brulee was calling our name so we split one. They really nailed it. The custard inside was so light and creamy with a hardened crust that you could easily break with a spoon while still leaving plenty of crunch. The service was excellent and our server had a great sense of humor. One thing that really stuck out to me though was the timing of everything being so perfect. Normally timing is something you don't really pick up on unless it's off. Our entrees came out right after the salad, she checked on us just enough throughout the meal, then a little bit of a pause but, not too much time before offering dessert. I don't think it was luck, she was great at her job and knew exactly what she was doing. At the end of it all, the worst I can say is that the wedge salad was a bit lacking (more of those amazing tomatoes please... and maybe everything else for that price) and the gouda mac was just okay. It was probably the only thing left on our plates. After hearing such mixed things about Boathouse, I'm glad I gave it a try and would definitely be back.
(4)
Anne O.
I couldn't say enough nice things about this place......my sister was visiting from SF and she wanted something pretty, on the water, so we decided to try this one. There were 4 of us and all 4 were completely happy with our meal. My sister had the special, halibut on a crab cake and it was the hit of the table. I had the mussels and my son had the fried shrimp plate. The shrimp were huge, and lightly battered - couldn't have been more perfect. We ended with 'to die for' creme brule. They have a great wine selection and our server could not have been nicer! Looking forward to taking my husband out here!
(4)
Christopher S.
Take it from a local. This place is for tourists. The food is very generic. While it's not bad, do not take this as a true representation of our food. The hush puppies are a shame and the fried green tomatoes are bland that use the blue cheese as a substitute for flavor. However, not all is bad. The fish is local which is good but the prep could use some work. If you want a true southern seafood experience one needs to leave the islands and Shem Creek and go to downtown Charleston. There the competition is so fierce that all the food is prepped and presented in an amazing manner.
(3)
Andrew S.
This place has a great location and a beautiful rooftop bar. We showed up at 9:00 on a Tuesday for drinks, but were told by the bartender that they were closing early and we could only order one round. Closing time posted on yelp was 10:00. Staff said they were closing early due to it being a slow night, but several other parties came in after we did and were turned away also.
(2)
Krista S.
This place is overpriced and the food is average. Don't go if there's a chance of rain because the roof leaks and they won't move you to a dry spot. Too many other really good places to eat in the area, so don't waste your time and money here!
(1)
Amanda C.
Oysters were fresh and delicious. Mussels were amazing, a little pricey but over all pretty good. Floor was a little sticky but other than that pretty good.
(4)
Block F.
Overall this place is as good as is has to be, but it's uneven. Food and service can feel sort of mass produced. The three dining areas have varied ambiance, and it might be too hot or too cold or too dark, or your table might slope or you might get dripped on depending on when and where you are seated. But hey, it's the beach and they've got a view of the water, and there are a boatload of visitors on IOP so the place can be busy. The food can be pretty to really good from visit to visit. Last time our dinners came out almost instantly and the temps were off as if stuff had been sitting around a while. If you are expecting a very refined restaurant experience you might be disappointed.
(3)
Tom S.
We went last night and based on the reviews I thought it would be a great meal. Unfortunately, that was not the case at all. The apps (mussels, hushpuppies, and crab fritters) were about like you would get at any seafood place priced a lot lower. I had the special of the night (recommended by the server) of snapper over a mushroom risotto. The snapper had absolutely zero seasoning. The risotto was OK but not special. Everyone at our meal when deciding what we thought about the restaurant since it was out first time there just sort of shrugged our shoulders and "meh". Oh yeah, our server was so attentive and friendly when we were ordering and then she vanished. I had to flag other servers down to get refills and even to get our check. Sad. I know I expect a lot more for the prices they are charging. The only reason I gave it two stars was because I enjoyed the collard greens. That's it. Won't go back to give it another chance. I'll stick with the old tried and trues.
(2)
Eddie N.
Staff was super friendly, nice view of the river, food was just okay I thought. It is kinda pricey for what ya get, although my son had the kids lobster and wife had the broiled sampler w/ lobster so expected it to be somewhat high.
Solid *fresh* seafood offerings. Great service. Noisy atmosphere. Spicy shrimp with grits was great and portion very large. SC oysters on the half shell were unsurpassed in my experience. Great views if you are seated in the right spot.
(4)
Frank B.
Food excellent last night. Service could have been better. Waiter said the correct words but clearly rushed us. The high point was when my wife was lowering her fork from her mouth and beginning chewing when he tried to clear her plate. It's a good thing I was there to help as my wife wouldn't speak with a full mouth. Lots of great restaurants in the area so I will not be rushing back.
(3)
Elissa N.
I love the location of this tucked away spot that is really a local joint. The views are fantastic and sitting at the bar outside with the screened porch is really breathtaking at sunset. Boathouse has a great low country menu with a plethora of side items. This is where Boathouse fell short, I think fried shrimp should never be prepared incorrectly in the low country. The shrimp was perfect BUT it was not deveined. Several of the shrimp also had the legs still on them. The breading was fantastic but in my opinion shrimp that isn't deveined is dirty.
(3)
Molly N.
Got a table 15 mins before on Open Table. Service was friendly. Parking is odd, valet only? If there is a bunch at once you are stuck waiting a while! The food is the draw here, we had the scallops and the clam gnocchi in garlic cream sauce. Wow! It must of had 2 dozen mini clams in it. About 5 of them didn't open but I didn't mind the portion was huge. I never mentioned it yet our server brought a piece of key lime pie and said because so many didn't open. Nice observant service exceeding my expectations! Go for great food, super service and I suspect a great view before it gets dark!
(4)
Bo M.
Two stars because I think the location and view could possibly be amazing... However, my reservation was made after sunset. There is complimentary valet but make sure to be ready to wait, as there was only one guy working on the Saturday that we went to dinner. Close quarters here, so make sure you are comfortable being super close to your fellow diners. It was very loud and hard to hear, thought since the restaurant was so full the food must be good. Deception. The food was lackluster at best. My table got the hush puppies for an app, didn't blow my mind by any means. I got the seared tuna app as my entree and a side of smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese to try. Since the Mac & Cheese is an extra $2 than the normal $3 sides I was expecting greatness. I feel Kraft does a better job from a box and I pay less money. It was a bit over cooked and dry after maybe sitting under the broiler or salamander for too long. To top everything off they were completely out of Flounder, the ONLY fish on their menu. For a restaurant called "the Boat House" to run out of their only fish on a Saturday night can only mean that poor planning was involved from the chef and/or management and purchasing. No one in my party really enjoyed their meal. We all left hungry for some real sea food.
(2)
Kyle T.
Food and service was excellent. We went in August and it IS HOTTER THAN HELL INSIDE. I will go somewhere else to eat during a SUMMER visit. The location and view is awesome, get drinks up top before your reservation. I don't mind the heat, but everyone in my party of 6 wanted to leave. Go eat here in the spring or fall, lol.
(4)
Joann T.
Can't say enough good things! Two couples in my family ate here on Thursday night and the rest of us (on their recommendation) ate here on Friday night. ALL of us were very, very pleased. Staff was wonderful. Friendly and prompt. On Friday, there were 7 of us. We sat on the enclosed porch. Lovely. We ordered two different raw oysters and crab cakes to start. Best we've had all week. Our meals varied, but all were exceptionally tasty. I had the lobster tails with okra and Mac & cheese. Highly recommended! Huge portions! Shrimp & grits were spicy, but excellent. We ordered three different desserts....the chocolate torte was my favorite. A few of us had salads, all were fresh & delicious. We had reservations for our large party of 7 for Friday night, but the other two couples on Thursday were walk ins. They waited about 15-20 minutes. They used the free valet parking....we're very happy that is was offered.
(5)
Jennifer H.
Fabulous food, service and overall experience. My husband and I will gladly visit again!
(5)
Greg G.
3 1/3 stats is rather rud. Wouldn't give it 5 but 4.9 would be in line :)). Clams whatever dug out of the mud a couple of hours age 300 feet away and the local grey snapper "woooow" was line caught today as we'll.
(5)
Amy B.
Great service and views. Fresh local seafood. Try the shrimp and grits. When the weather is warm look for dolphins frolicking in the inlet.
(5)
David L.
As I drove between Isle do Palms and Sullivan island all week, I passed by this place on every trip. It is nestled right at the bridge, on the breach inlet and seemed to constantly invite us in. It was just a matter do time before we landed here....and I'm so glad we did. Seafood. Done. Right. Truly! We timed our visit right at sunset - a spectacular view that was improved with the combination of the water's reflection. Spectacular! We chose to dine inside (a much briefer wait) and we were soon seated. The menu offered a nice variety of dishes. We settled on the following: * The Breach Sampler - my good friend ordered this for the variety. It's a platter full of shrimp, oysters, egg rolls and crab fritters. Not my preference (everything was fried)' but he seemed to enjoy it. * Pan Roaster Sea Scallops - delicately - no perfectly - prepared and presented. Succulent. Great parmesan risotto. No further description necessary. * Flounder - a special of the night. Cooked to perfection, with a flavorful sauce. * Lobster and Crab Cake - while the lobster was slightly overdone ( a tad tough), the crab cake was fantastic. The waiter should get an honorable mention here (argh...can't recall his name!). He literally SOLD these dishes with his colorful derivations of what they were and how they are prepared. All in all, a very good dining experience!
(4)
Colleen M.
The beautiful atmosphere and delicious food is just one of many reasons to try this place. I went with a group and everything we ate was delicious. Their blue cheese coleslaw and Mac n cheese was phenomenal. This place can be a little bit pricey but the food and atmosphere is worth it. I also like that they have complimentary valet so you don't have to worry about parking. We only had one issue when we went there and it was immediately fixed. My friends have been there several times and said the blue cheese coleslaw was not as good as previously. We mentioned something to the manager when she came around to see how everything was. She immediately went back to the kitchen and tasted it for herself and agreed. She corrected the issue and I was very impressed with how they handled the situation. I would recommend coming here during a sunset or when the weathers perfect. Everywhere you sit at the restaurant you will have a perfect view!
(4)
Stephenie D.
Excellent food and service - the best collard greens in Charleston -great atmosphere and views
(5)
Tom C.
The food was disappointing and overpriced for what was plated. Service was fine, but nothing special. I would not return.
(1)
Jay T.
Very enjoyable, relaxed dining. I visited Boathouse during the off season, but the food was excellent, service superb. I had a special of crab cakes stuffed between two flounder and topped with a nice, mildly spicy cream sauce. One of the best fish dinners I have had, although it was a bit spendy! .
(4)
Carrie D.
I was at the Boathouse this evening for what I hoped to be a great first experience from a place that came highly recommended by many. We were seated near a table with two couples with two young kids with them. I was shocked at the commotion coming from their table. I thought I was at a restaurant, not a college bar. This table was out of control drinking bottles of wine and shots of alcohol. And when I mean bottle of wine, I mean literally drinking directly from the bottle. I hope that they had a designated driver and that it wasn't the two young children sitting with them. The kids were more well behaved than the adults at the table. I've never experienced such adults acting so inappropriate for a family restaurant. We spoke to the hostess to ask her to please ask the table to watch their language, as their language was starting to become more and more explicit with the continuous flow of alcohol being consumed. We had some children in our group of 15 that did not need to hear such explicit language, nor did everyone else need to hear it too. Since there was no change in volume, explicit language, or alcohol control, we brought it to the managers' attention. Colleen was her name and she was the most unprofessional manager I've ever seen. She was completely defensive with our party when we asked her to help with the unruliness of the table behind us. Colleen stated that they were only having an after dinner cocktail. When we told her that we witnessed them all having shots, and bottles of wine, she quickly responded with, " don't worry they aren't driving." That was not our concern, as we are not their babysitter. We were trying to have a nice family dinner on our vacation and enjoy our evening. It was clearly obvious that she knew the parties at the table and was defending them. To make matters worse, she went up to the main loudmouthed drunk in their party, pointed at our table and laughed with him as she clearly was stating to him that we were complaining about them. The male stumbled up to our table and slurred what he tried to get out as an apology for being loud. It was far from an apology and was just an obnoxious gesture that was brought upon from the manager Colleen. I will for sure never come back to this restaurant and do NOT recommend going here if Colleen is managing that night and her friends are seated at a table next to you. You will know who they are cause the drinks will keep flowing from the bar in the direction towards their table, the wine glasses are always full, the shots will be clinging in cheers, the curse words are the only words in their vocabulary, and there will be two innocent little children with them. It's unfortunate that the manager, Colleen, doesn't handle situations in a better way cause the food was good and our waitress Pam was so on point and efficient with her customers.
(1)
Pam L.
The view & atmosphere are very nice & the food was pretty good. Not anything to really brag about but just pretty good however our service was terrible which was quite disappointing. Our server, Decker, focused his attention completely on the table next to us so much so that it was like a slap in the face & I am not exaggerating. One example is we literally sat for well over 15 minutes to just order our food with our menus closed while he ran by us at least 8 times from the table next to us into the kitchen & back not stopping for 1 second to check on us. He would give us a quick glance back but continue on his way. Not even a quick "I'll be back to take your order in a moment". We would have even appreciated that. Same service for the drinks. We were pleasantly surprised with the food runner who was cheerful & actually asked us if we needed anything else & was pleasant as well. We also had to stack our dishes on top of each others to get his attention that we were ready for our check. And that even took 15 minutes. It was a Saturday night so it was busy & we understand that however this was unbelievable treatment & very blatant. There were 6 people at the table next to us & only 3 of us so we speculated that he as hoping for a heftier tip from them but although I did tip it was not the generous tip that I normally would give. When we return or I should say if we return we definitely would not sit in Hector's section & I would highly recommend you to do the same. I would also like to add that we have eaten in many dozens restaurants of all types & star ratings & have never received this type of service & we are not ultra picky compared to many.
(2)
Vince F.
Very nice experience. We (party of 7) had a table on the outdoor enclosed patio, which gave us a nice view of the sunset. The food was very good...I has the blackened mahi, which was grilled just right. The food took a little longer than it should have to come out, but nothing that bothered us. The server, Charis, felt bad however, and brought us out 3 complementary desserts. What a great gesture. I would definitely recommend trying it out, and ask for Charis if you can!
Wonderful screened in porch on the water. Shrimp and grits are full of yellow red and green peppers and Andouille sausage on stoneground grits. Mmmmmmmm. Love it.
(4)
Alexandra P.
I want the salmon dip again! Amazing! I had the salad with shrimp added for my dinner and creme brulee for dessert. Best creme brulee ever! The fried shrimp was awesome but it's hard to mess that up. The view is pretty and the atmosphere was a little loud since it a good place for groups. Ask for a table inside instead of out if you would like quiet. We opted for the view from the patio. Overall good, friendly service! We valet parked and I wish there was self parking (Monday night).
(5)
Suzanne D.
Incredibly overrated and overpriced. The food was "okay" but definitely not worth the price tag. I would definitely rank this place as a tourist trap.
(2)
Jeff C.
Very good. Can be crowded. Make reservations.
(4)
Tim B.
Fabulous meal and excellent service. Waiter was super attentive and had great recommendations. My wife has scallops and I had the lobster and crab cake. Excellent and nice casual, friendly atmosphere.
(5)
Carl M.
delicious mac and cheese and blue cheese coleslaw fish was fresh and tasty
(3)
Paige C.
Great food and service. The scallop in my seafood pasta was incredible-perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. Wonderful server!
(4)
Red B.
Ok so lets see what we have here. A manager (Phil) who cares and offered a refire on his dime. A world class sunset with porpoises swimming below. An excellent server. Large portions and now 4 very satisfied and appreciative Sunday brunch guests. Now this is where it gets a little tricky. I cook most meals in my home and think that I can out cook at least half of the restaurants I eat in. I make my wife call me chef. Somehow I dont hear her respond, fake chef cause real ones dont serve reheated take out pizza. Anyway my secret review is 3.625 stars since some of us know that the chef is usually given off Sundays. I plan on returning some evening and can hear someones uncle shouting out..Let the battle begin.
(4)
Shannon D.
We just got back from a holiday weekend at IOP and The Boathouse was definitely the highlight of the trip. First-off there was free valet parking which makes life SO much easier. Corey, our waiter, was very nice and attentive, even though the restaurant was pretty busy. I got the special that night which was a crab cake stuffed flounder with a chipotle sauce - YUM! I ordered the stone ground grits which were just to die for!. Afterwards we sat on the little board walk that borders the parking lot and watched 3+ firework shows! All round amazing!
(5)
Amy H.
The Boathouse offers great seafood with a beautiful view. Its on the inter coastal waterway in Isle of Palms and thanks to the large windows, pretty much every diner can look out onto the water and enjoy the sunset. They have a cool looking rooftop bar as well though i didnt venture up there on this trip. They have seafood pastas as well as a wide variety of fish which you then pair with your choice of sauce. I got the salmon with chipotle sauce and it was great. I like my salmon medium rare and so many places dont cook it right-either its overcooked and dry or its basically sushi. The Boathouse actually cooked it to my specifications and though the chipotle sauce wasnt as flavorful as I was expecting it to be thanks to the perfectly cooked and seasoned salmon. My sides were great too- vinegary collard greens and savannah red race which was sprinkled with sausage and had a nice kick. There are only a few things that prevent me from giving this place five stars. First, the cuts of fish are kind of small relative to the price. I still had a decent sized meal thanks to the two sides but when youre paying 25-30 bucks, you want a big piece of fish (especially when youve been swimming in the ocean all day and have worked up an appetite!). Second, the service is pretty slow. On another service related note, if you make a reservation, specify whether you want to be outside or inside. They almost seated us outside which i thought was kind of strange since I usually assume that making a reservation guarantees you an inside seat. Im not deducting points for this since to be fair, their outdoor area is large and thus, maybe I shouldve assumed that it was a possibility theyd put us out there but I wanted to mention this so that other diners are aware. I usually like sitting outside but not in the 100 degree SC heat during the summer! The hostess was very accommodating though and got us a seat inside
(4)
Andrew W.
The views are amazing...three unique bars including one right on the water. The food is just okay...we had a large group there recently and a few people were totally disgusted by their food, a few loved their food, and most were just saying it was decent and okay. The other unfortunate part we had was the waitress...I don't like to be mean but she was just awful. Rarely checked up on our group, all of the drinks we ordered from her were filled halfway compared to the waiter taking care of one of the other tables, and nearly all of our checks weren't right. I'd be wiling to give it another try but it's not a place I am dying to visit anytime soon again. PS...$$$ means $31-60...it's not THAT expensive.
(3)
Jack C.
Just finished dinner with my family. We are staying on IOP and choice to stay on island. We had the shrimp appetizer (tasty) and the crab cakes. (Also tasty). The spicy corn crab chowder could have been a little hotter. My wife had the mussels and my son had the fettuccine. Both enjoyed their meals. Really nice casual atmosphere
(4)
Chris K.
Went to this restaurant for Valentine's Day. I was asked to sit on the outside porch which was unexpected. My date and I both ordered the filet special medium rare. They came out almost well done. When we asked the waitress about it she took it back and said the kitchen staff couldn't believe it was cooked that much over. Then we found out that we were the last table of the night and that was the last of the "special filet" They made up for it and brought out a proper cooked filet mignon from the regular menu. I was with a poor impression though since it was obvious they tried to unload the last of the special filet on us even though it we obviously not cooked the way we asked for. Other than that the rest of the good was delicious. I would probably go back, just not for a special occasion or probably not even for dinner.
(2)
Ryan K.
Went for brunch today. Pretty disappointed in the food. Ordered a bloody mary. Very high on alcohol, and no garnishes. Lady at table next to me ordered a bloody Mary and it looked totally different and in a bigger glass. Ordered a three item omelette, bacon ham and sausage, cheddar cheese, cause I really like meat. Also got the brunch potatoes. Omelette came out and clearly the bacon was processed. Not curly or warm for that matter, like it came right out of the microwave. Potatoes were clearly from a bag in the freezer. Small diced potatoes that tasted like a refrigerator. Received the bill and was charged for an additional item. Waiter told me cheese is an item. Who orders an omelette without cheese? Do yourself a favor and head down to Acme.
(2)
Kim S.
The location is definitely the only thing that keeps this place going. I was there with family and friends. My young son had his iPad and asked the staff of they had a password for their Wi-Fi. He was told that the Wi-Fi was only for the owners. My husband's grouper was served raw and my crab cake was tiny and had more breading than crab. Our server was nice and efficient though. Don't think I will give it a second try
(2)
Kenley O.
Came to SC for vacation. Everywhere I went in IOP or in Charleston, people told me that I had to try this restaurant before I left. The location was beautiful, right on the harbor with a gorgeous sunset. The overall restaurant isnt very large but has a rooftop deck that I didnt get a chance to see. My family and I sat inside.. its a cramped place. Service was mediocre. Our waiter worked his tail off and tried to be as accommodating as is large number of tables allowed him to be. Our food actually came out half hot, half cold. I wasn't as impressed as everyone else seemed to be. Location is great. Food, doesnt stand out over any other local seafood joint, in my opinion. I doubt I'll go back.
(3)
Shell P.
This review is specifically for the Crow Bar, at the Boathouse. The views are fantastic at this roof-top deck bar. This and the friendly bar staff are reason to go. As an out-of-town visitor, this was a great place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of Charleston. The beverages made it even better, thanks to the helpful bartenders! The limited appetizer menu is okay. Parking wasn't great, we did valet.
(4)
Virginia M.
Nice spot to have dinner. It is crowded so I would recommend making a reservation.
(3)
Sonya G.
Ate here along with 6 other families and we will NEVER eat here again. It's overpriced and underseasoned. Had the broiled seafood combo and it was bland & overcooked. We made reservation for 23, they stated they could accomodate but obviously could not. They put together odd shaped tables which left an awkward eating area for some of our party. We were assigned one waitress which was ridiculous. Service was slow and food was not very good.
(1)
Chris H.
Ate there for Father's Day brunch. It was ok but I've had much better at other places. The service and food were adequate. 4 years ago I ate dinner there. Nothing's really changed. Just so so. I'm sure I won't try it again. There's plenty of other choices that are really good.
(2)
Mike H.
Fantastic. All the fish is caught that day. So fresh. You will not be disappointed. Going back ASAP.
(5)
J P.
I was so disappointed when I saw TILAPIA on their menu! Any waterfront restaurant that has the location/views of this place should not let Tilapia come within 2 miles of their kitchen. Come on, Tilapia is a fresh water farm raised fish meant to be served as the 'fresh fish' selection at Old Country Buffet, not a waterfront location in Charleston! Where's the local fish? Flounder, trout, sheepshead, grouper, wreckfish, etc, etc. Tilapia! Are you kidding me! Someone needs to talk to the chef. I know tourists don't have the most sophisticated of palette and a bland, flavorless white fish is a safe bet but this ruined my visit from the moment I opened the menu.
(1)
King M.
If not for the Crows Nest bar and bartenders I would give this place NO STARS! The food was marginal at best! I had fried shrimp which was ok but the slaw was horrible. My wife had the pickled shrimp which had zero flavor. We decided to have key lime pie and that had no lime flavor as well. To top the evening off our waitress, serving the large group next to is, rattled off numerous specials to them. When I asked her why she didn't tell us the specials she responded "you didn't ask!" She then can back and said she thought she but had told us but was busy. Of course this was with an attitude. I got the bill and proceeded to the front and asked for the manager. When she appeared I told her what had happened; her response "she's our best waitress." My response "well then you have issues with your staff". She then said "she has a lot on her mind, her mother had surgery today." As my wife says it takes a lot for you to complain which is true. DON'T waste your time & money for dinner. Just go for drinks upstairs.
(2)
Brittany L.
This was my husbands and my first time in Charleston. We wanted to eat at a nice restaurant for our last night on vacation. I picked The Boathouse because I read some good reviews about it, but oh boy are those reviews misleading! 1. We waited an extra 20 minutes than what the hostess said, which made it over an hour wait time. 2. No one told us that there was a nice outdoor bar that served the full menu if we didn't want to wait. 3. The hostess didn't care at all about the extra wait. 4. When we finally got to our table, it was dirty with food all over it, so we had to stand there and wait for it to be wiped down. 5. When we finally sat down, our table was very wobbly and moved whenever we would pick up our drinks. 6. Our table was about a foot from the neighboring table, which took away our privacy and theirs. 7. We didn't get the bread basket until we were already seated for 40 minutes. The bread was flavorless anyway. 8. It took the waiter a long time to take our order. 9. We both ordered filet mignon cooked medium. Mine was over-cooked on one side and under-cooked on the other. 10. My husband ordered red wine and asked for it to come out with his steak, but it didn't come out until he had already eaten it. 11. The portions were so small, which is terrible because it was a $35 entree. I wanted to order another side after I was done, but I was afraid it was going to take another 20 minutes. 12. It just didn't seem like the hostess or the waiter cared about our experience at all. We left a 40% tip anyway because we don't scale our tip in relation to our experience. I'm not usually the type to leave a bad review. In fact, I've NEVER left a bad review, but the other reviews were so misleading, which allowed us to be completely caught off guard with the terrible everything.
(1)
Ashley W.
The view is certainly the highlight of this place. The inside needs one of those HGTV makeovers and I was kind of glad we weren't eating in there. Our party of 14 (!) was seated on the screened in patio, which was admittedly a little smelly (musty with a dab of fish). But the view was amazing and as we watched the sun slip over the inlet, I sipped my sauv blanc and breathed in the air contentedly. Overall the food was good (3.5 Yelp stars) and they got the bump up to 4 stars for the view and the service. Handling 14 dining patrons in one group is like herding cats and our server as well as management was very accommodating and welcoming to our group.
(4)
Nicole W.
Yesterday was my third visit to Boathouse and I have yet to be disappointed. Its name is fairly eponymous - a big old "boat" house with plenty of sea worthy paraphernalia. Eats are pretty straightforward here - a sampling of just about every fish cooked every way with a smattering of tasty apps and specials. Think crab stuffed tilapia and jalapeno grouper bites. Most recently I enjoyed the spicy shrimp and grits - a true Southern meal...and Boathouse does it right. Thick, creamy grits smothered and covered with an ample portion of fresh shrimp, spicy sauce, veggies and tasty sausage. It was a hefty portion and I really tried to make a solid dent in it. And please, for the love of all things holy, try the gouda mac 'n cheese. It's outstanding. Creamy and delicious topped with a crispy blanket of breadcrumbs. Other things to note - the service is friendly and efficient and the bar upstairs is a great place to grab a few cocktails before you start your evening. Valet is complimentary but be sure to tip the nice young men who take care of your car. Thanks boathouse - we get along swimmingly.
(4)
Lisa S.
Ate at the Boathouse with family and really enjoyed it. The view was awesome watching the dolphins in the inlet. Although the prices were quite high the food was really good. I had the crab cakes. The only reason it only got three stars is if you have a budget while vacationing this isn't a good place to go. For a splurge, it's a good time.
(3)
Julia M.
The Boathouse is a nice place for a meal when you are staying on IOP or Sullivans Island and don't feel like venturing too far from home. I heard that they have a second location somewhere in the Charleston area as well, but this is the one closest to were I usually stay. They have a nice deck & enclosed porch with a view of the waterway. The place gets busy at dinner time during peak tourist season, so keep that in mind when you are making your dinner plans. One downside to going at a really busy time is the parking situation - there are never enough parking spaces. But, once you are inside with an appetizer & beverage, it's all good. I love good seafood and just about everything I've ordered here has hit the mark for me. I usually like to go with whatever is on the fresh catch of the day menu. You can select how you would like it prepared (grilled, seared, fried) and you can select from a variety of sauces if you would like. The catch of the day comes with your selection of 2 sides ( you can select from Collard Greens, Stone Ground Grits, Veggie of the Day, Stewed Tomatoes & Okra, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese 0r Steamed Asparagus). The Boathouse is a little pricey, but not outrageous - especially compared to some of the really expensive places down in the historic district. I have not yet tried their Sunsday brunch - but on my next visit, I'd like to check it out!
(4)
Daniel G.
Good food, good seafood selection. Great view and atmosphere, and great service.
(4)
Bill R.
We visited in late April and sat outside on the deck for dinner and enjoyed a dolphin show in the harbor too. My wife had the swordfish, which she said was excellent and I had the "always off the menu but always available" crabmeat stuffed tilapia. It too, was excellent and perfect for a beach dinner watching the sun set. Service was attentive and prompt but not intrusive. Make your reservations on Open Table through their website because this place fills up quickly.
(4)
Asails F.
I am writing this review for an old relic that is now gone. I stopped at this restaurant in search of an old dive across the bridge. The old crab shack that I was looking for served the BEST SHE CRAB SOUP I ever had. I had nine bowls in a weeks time and I should say lived off that soup for my visit to the islands. Looking again for the little bar without seats and Harley bikes outside was fruitless as it was washed away in a hurricane shortly after my 82 visit. In the boathouse I found someone fond of the old place and we traded stories while slurping on She Crab Soup without the She Crab as it was now illegal to eat crabs carrying eggs. We slurped silently wishing for days gone by before the malling of Mount Pleasant when one could stop on the side of the road and get all the oysters he could eat out of the canal. We sadly ate knowing those days were never going to return again.
(4)
Dan G.
The poor reviews on here are wrong! As good as ever...scallops, lobster tails, crab cakes and calamari better than anywhere.
(5)
Craig G.
Complimentary valet parking makes getting into the restaurant a breeze. The host and hostess are very friendly and have great personalities. They chatted with us for a while and felt like old friends. Even though the restaurant was starting to get crowded, we were promptly seated. They had a high chair in place for my son in no time. I had the Toby's Breach Inlet Littleneck Clams, Roasted Corn and Crab Soup, and the Spicy Shrimp and Grits. All of these were winners. The Littleneck Clams were cooked in garlic butter sauce with the bacon and spinach. Every clam was a tasty morsel. I was very sad when I finished them. Roasted Corn and Crab Soup was very like a lobster bisque. It wasn't what I expected when I ordered it, but it was none the less delicious. The Spicy Shrimp and Grits were quite good. The grits reminded me of a high quality polenta. My wife had Grilled Grouper. That was excellent as well. The crusty artisan bread that they served was flavorful and tasty. The restaurant itself is a fun place. Dark wood combined with white paint gave the distinct feeling of a old school golf club house with a rich history. While we were there, the place was alive with energy. The constant ebb and flow of the waiters and customers walking through the pathways between the tables; the hundreds of conversations that provided a nice background noise without being intrusive. The majestic view of the river behind the restaurant makes it easy to see the rapidly moving current as it winds out of sight.. The waitress serving us was extremely busy, yet she was always attentive to us without being overly so. Just glance at her across the room, and she would come over to see what we needed. The food, service, and ambiance were all top notch at the Boathouse. I would definitely recommend a visit to this restaurant.
(5)
Kurt K.
Just went last night straight from the beach and there was a 20 minute wait so we got a buzzer and went up to the bar and spent $30 on a round of drinks. When it finally went off we walked downstairs and I was told that since I had a tank top on I couldn't dine there. They offered me to BUY one of their shirts so I could eat. Why didn't they say something when we first walked in. It was the same two hostess' that handed me the buzzer. I talked to a manager and she said I could borrow a shirt?! Seriously??? Your going to take back a shirt that I wore and then try to sell it to another patron? We could've already been eating a meal somewhere else by the time they refused our business. Terrible handling of the situation and annoying...
(1)
Rachel R.
I'm from Chicago and was vacationing in Isle of Palm over the summer with family and they raved about the fried green tomatoes here and I couldn't wait to try them. My father took me to watch the sunset on the rooftop and have a taste of the tomatoes and a few cocktails before dinner. I couldn't say more about how nice it was! A storm was rolling in so big, black clouds were nearing us but they kept away due to the sea breeze. The clouds made the sunset look that much prettier and the water was completely calm. It was such a pretty sight to watch from the rooftop. The bartender up top was extremely(!) nice to us. He has been in the area for a long time and gave us a few good things to go see. He kept up with conversation and was polite and witty without ever imposing on a family moment. It was great. And the fried green tomatoes, yummo! So good! I've never had anything close to that, and I can't wait to eat it again. I don't even like tomatoes usually! A very cute place. Wonderful atmosphere, very polite people working, and a great rooftop. I plan on visiting again this summer and I am absolutely positive we will be back here.
(4)
Kristin D.
Fresh seafood and friendly service. The scallops were huge and juicy and the seafood linguine was the best Alfredo sauce I've ever had. We were there at sunset and it was breathtaking. We had some unusual drink requests and the bartender Chris was friendly and happily made our drinks. The wait was a little long for a week night but the overall experience was a good one!
(4)
Brian S.
We hit the Boathouse a second time last night, and were just as impressed as our first time. It seems they've made the crabcake-stuffed tilapia a standard off-the-menu item, although they've changed the sauce that is on top of it. (I believe he called it a chipotle cream sauce -- it didn't taste very chipotle to me, but it was still quite good.) I ordered the broiled seafood platter. I was initially worried this might be boring and low on flavor, but the tarragon butter topping was amazing. The gnocchi appetizer, while good and well prepared, was probably the only disappointing part of the meal. It just felt like it was missing some extra bit of flavor. Our tab, with a bottle of inexpensive Zinfandel, and the two entrees and two appetizers, came to just under $110 plus tip. I'll go back the next time we're here. Of note: they are currently doing half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So, if you're looking to imbibe on a budget, that's definitely something to keep in mind.
(5)
Susan F.
Our party of 8 went to the Boathouse instead of one of Charleston's gourmet low-country spots because the weather was so iffy and we had some seniors in the group. We first noticed how accommodating the service was -- when we were shown to a table that had a four-person bench seat, I wrinkled my nose and the host said, "Talk to me!" We decided it would work, and all agreed that this restaurant was a very comfortable, not snobby, place. Our server didn't hover but showed up at all the right times. Food highlights: We recommend the crab fritters, four balls on a plate, as a share appetizer. Also all fresh seafood options and whatever is on the specials. Side dishes are pretty awesome, especially the blue cheese cole slaw. We didn't stay for dessert because we had to go home and eat my dad's 80th birthday cake! Next time we will plan farther ahead and ask for a view.
(4)
Larry H.
We had great service. Our waitress and the owner checked on us regularly. The food was very good and they accommodated our special requests for some slight changes in the preparation. We ate early ( around 6:15) and by the time we left the place was starting to fill up quickly. It was a Friday night so, I'm sure that contributed to the good crowd. As most people will note, the view is great and contrary to some of the other reviews, I think the food matched the view.
(3)
Stephen M.
Visited tonight, 08/05/12, and was treated to plentiful food and nice ambiance in the back porch dining area overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway. My family of four shared a calamari appetizer and sourdough bread. I had a Bibb salad with feta cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and sherry vinigarette, which was tasty, then the grilled local snapper with lobster macaroni and cheese,which was very tasty. Other family members enjoyed their seafood dishes, which included fried shrimp and scallops, crab cakes, and tilapia. What would have been a wonderful dinner was marred by the service. Colin, our server was slow in getting to us and seemed forgetful of our needs. When serving our water and soft drinks, he didn't bring straws and, despite our asking twice, my daughter had to get up and go to the bar to get straws. She also ordered a side order of shrimp to go with her crab cakes which she never received. There was a long delay in receiving our salads with no word from Colin as to what was causing the delay. When we finally asked about the salads, he said someone was "right behind" him bringing the salads. Maybe they were invisibile, but we didn't see anyone for another five minutes. Finally, the entrees were brought out before we were 1/2 through with our salads and Colin took it upon himself to have the entrees sent back to sit under the "warm window," rather than ask what we preferred should happen. I've been to the Boathouse on prior occasions without such service problems, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this time . . .
(3)
Nicole D.
The food was worthy of the price. Other seafood restaurants will have better dishes, but they don't have the view that the Boathouse at Breach Inlet boasts. If for no other reason, go for the view and get dessert. We had the Key Lime Pie, which was incredible. (I read another review indicating otherwise and that it was decorated with cool whip, but my Key Lime Pie was purely homemade.) The view is the reason to visit, and the food is pretty good.
(4)
Courtney R.
We found The Boathouse advertised in a tourist booklet and decided we would give it a try. We are personally very glad we had stopped. My companions and I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi, and Crab-stuffed Tilapia. All three dishes were cooked expertly and the flavors just popped. The mussels were delicious. There's only three complaints we really had, the first was dealing with the speed of getting our food, it took about 30-45 minutes after we received our appetizers. The second issue we had was there was a large party next to us in which several of the people had probably drank a little too much and felt it necessary to scream and bang on the table. The third issue is that the food is quite costly. But if you want to treat yourself to a savory meal and want to enjoy the coastal surroundings then this is the place for you.
(4)
Ted F.
Popped over to the Boathouse for beverages (twice!) on a recent beach trip. Both times sat at the Crow Bar (rooftop deck) overlooking the Inlet. The drinks were great and the prices were lower than I'd expected (given the gorgeous setting). Ordered the crab fritters on our second go-round and they were every bit as delicious as you'd expect them to be at a place overlooking the water. Definitely worth a visit (or two ;-) )if you're on IOP or Sullivan's.
(5)
Scott D.
I have visited the Boathouse on several occasions and it always seems to be hit or miss on both the food and the service. Furthermore, this place is very expensive relative to your other options on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. On the positive side, the location is phenomenal and the views are awesome, especially at sunset. If you on vacation and want to make sure you have a great meal then proceed with caution.
(3)
Janis Z.
Great food on water. Will return.
(4)
Michael G.
We checked out the Boathouse after a few recommendations on here. Generally the place is just OK. Very popular. It seems to be a place that regular visitors to the area like to gather, but honestly the place had the feel of a middle-aged yuppie meat market. Food was ok, nothing special. Service was ok, but rough on the edges. No one seemed to bend over backwards to be pleasant. Generally, we prefer places that are old stand-bys and popular with the locals, like the old raw-bar kind of places off the beaten path. The Boathouse had the appearance of this, but fell short of our expectations.
(3)
Lindsey B.
Was 4 star but has slipped in recent years, the bar on top was a great place to watch the sun to down, and get cool breezes.. food is what you expect, but maybe a tad too pricey for the overall dining experience.
(3)
Thomas S.
Many many years ago we had been to the Boathouse Downtown. I think I remember it being pretty good. Had never been to the one at Breach Inlet...When my Mom came to town we decided to go to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet for dinner one evening. We started off with Fried Calamari (you'd think this would be hard to ruin) BLAND BLAND BLAND. First off...I never order "Shrimp & Grits" at any restaurant because I know they can NOT compare to Tommys Shrimp N Grits...so it was my fault I didn't like the Boathouses version. They were WAY over seasoned..onions, bell pepper, spices, the whole kitchen sink was in my dish. Just WAY too much "flavoring" We also got the Triggerfish - Only about 1/4 of the fish was eaten IF that much. My mom got the Scallops, and honestly her dish was the only one that looked worth eating. At least we can say we've been there.
(2)
Nina B.
In all the years I've lived in the Charleston area, I've always wanted to try the Boathouse, partially due to its idyllic location on the water and also because it seems to be an iconic place to eat in the area. This year I decided not to cook for Thanksgiving and wanted to go out to eat instead. After asking around which restaurants were open on the holiday and hearing the Boathouse mentioned I thought what better time to try the restaurant than now. I easily made the reservations online - received a confirmation email and a reminder email the day before with extra information that Thanksgiving would be a four course meal at $26.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. I thought that sounded reasonable and was looking forward to dinner. The four course menu offered a choice from 3 soups, 3 salads, several entrees and sides and desserts. Let me say the soups were all good (I had a wild rice and chicken soup and the rest of the party all ordered the corn and crab chowder; the 3rd option was a butternut squash bisque that nobody ordered). Unfortunately, the soups were the highlight of our meal and it all went downhill from there. I ordered a Spinach salad that was served tossed in a "champagne vinaigrette." The dressing was "okay" but nothing spectacular. The strawberries and grapes were sparse and the salad was pretty much nothing but the spinach, but I didn't really mind it. Everyone else had a House salad (the 3rd option was a Caesar). The salads were all good aside from the tomatoes - I was informed they were mushy. For the third course, three people ordered the turkey, one the fish (Washoo) and I the crab cakes. After the turkey was eaten I was informed that it was cold but nobody wanted to send it back. It was supposedly "free range" but my father-in-law said there were no tendons or muscle to be seen and appeared to be processed. (I didn't examine the meat and am not sure if this is true, but I have no reason not to believe him.) My crab cakes were good. The wahoo was good. For my sides I ordered "sauteed vegetables" and "green bean casserole." The sauteed vegetables were Brussels sprouts. I have no problem with Brussels sprouts and in fact I like them, however they should have written Brussels sprouts on the menu and not vegetables. The description made it sound like there would be multiple types of vegetables so I ordered them for one of the kids. Needless to say, the kids don't eat Brussels sprouts. The green bean "casserole" was nothing but green beans out of a CAN (they were definitely not fresh) that had an inkling of sauce poured over them with some of those fried onion crisps on the side. Hardly a casserole and not anything better than my child's cafeteria food. The stuffing was "eh" the mashed potatoes were cold and even those who didn't order the sauteed vegetables got an extra portion of the Brussels sprouts. One of them were rotten. (BLACK). Despite the fact that we had bread plates on the table no bread every came out. When asked if we needed anything else I requested the bread and also the cranberry sauce that two of the turkey meals didn't come with. The bread was not completely baked but the flavor was good...seemed to have nuts/seeds in them but it was still very doughy. We then ordered dessert - 3 chocolate mousse cakes with oreo cookie crusts and 2 apple crisps. The cakes came out about 5-10 minutes before the apple crisps, apparently because it took a while to microwave them to heat them up. Even so, they were still somewhat frozen in the center. They were clearly frozen desserts from the store. The mousse cakes were tasty but appeared to be frozen. 3 adults, 2 children, NO ALCOHOL and 20% gratuity included came up to roughly $150. On the bill our waitress put a star next to the line item where the 20% gratuity was included, which I thought was fine. A lot of people overlook included gratuity so it was nice she brought it to our attention. But then she had the gall to put a star next to the line item for EXTRA tip! Quite frankly 20% is already a nice tip and there was no way we were going to spend another nickel on that shoddy meal. NOW - I was patiently waiting to be asked how the meal was which is pretty customary after meals in a restaurant. After all, I always asked those types of questions when I waited tables. The question was never asked so I never gave them my opinion of the food. We ate some of it and we weren't looking for a handout and I'm not one to complain but am honest in my feedback when asked. The service was just "okay." I will not return to the Boathouse.
(1)
Sean C.
Always one of my favorite jaunts. Had guests in from Houston recently and we enjoyed the most delicious dinner. Go for the raw oysters and enjoy a little brine while waiting on the arrival of the large seafood platter (add a lobster tail). You won't have room for dessert unless you are really smart and share - we did and another delicious treat. Great wine selection, or bring your own and pay a corkage fee. Reservations are a must during the season. (If you're one or two, and arrive without a reservation, enjoy food with drinks at the bar.) Valet parking easily available. And a roof top bar make sunsets really special. Three dining areas - though the main room is my favorite (across from the inside bar and near the hostess station). A little pricey - but worth every penny. And, it's fun to dress a little more island casual to enjoy. Enjoy!
(5)
Shaughn H.
The food is overpriced. We waited for over an hour for our entrees, too bad we didn't order appetizers. When the food finally did come the fish was overcooked, the grits were dry and looked like they were scraped from the bottom of the pan and the linguine was just sitting in butter. The bread was good though. Go for a drink but eat somewhere else.
(1)
Mark C.
While the location is wonderful nothing else is. The service from the waitstaff is below par and they desperately need a new expediter one who can read tickets. Most of the food for our table was flat out wrong and the food auction by the runners was terrible. Now the food complaints: When you order fish "Just Grilled" that doesn't mean blacken it or over salt it (as was the case with two of the entrees at the table). Don't serve Caesar salad as a do-it-yourself meal where you have to cut up your own lettuce. If you're going to advertise Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee two things: The base for Creme Brulee normally has vanilla bean it in, and if you emphasize the vanilla it should taste of real vanilla not the fake stuff in a bottle, a little vanilla speck would be nice. As a result I won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
Scott H.
Worn out from day at the beach and quasi-sunburned but compelled to write about The Boathouse, which is Long John Silver's masquerading as a high-end restaurant. After all, I won't be able to sleep knowing some other poor unsuspecting sap falls for this tourist trap. I literally think they've got a cadre of college kids on summer break manning Microwaves that crank out frozen seafood claiming it's fresh and local. Think Applebee's/Chili's quality with prices resembling [Name your City's] best steak house. It gives me no pleasure to write such a scathing review, but the Boathouse deserves every bit of it. In fact, I'd give it 0 stars if that was an option.
We visit the Charleston area twice a year and drive all the way from Kiawah to get to this restaurant. We really enjoy the food and service and particularly the view from the rooftop bar -- a view we just can't get over! We live in a landlocked state, so we eat a lot of seafood, which is always well prepared here. This place is a little dressier than beach attire, but I'd definitely go here for a date if I lived in the area!
(4)
Leigh E.
We ate here while on vacation on IOP. I had the seafood linguini and my husband had a sampler with fish, lobster, scallops, collard greens and rice. I enjoyed my food, it was tasty although not amazing. My husband's food was really bad- the greens and the rice were VERY salty, almost inedible- and I like salty food! The fish was good but the lobster tail was tiny and not great. When the waiter came to clear the table my husband told him how over salted the food was and he shrugged and said " Sometimes that can happen depending upon who makes the food". We won't go back- the food doesn't justify the prices.
(2)
george h.
Probably best seafood on the island and around Charleston in general. Great service and it's just a fun place to go eat. A cut above menu wise so it'll please those wanting more than your typical fried seafood platter. Porch is nice but can get hot in the summer but the view is great. I don't think you can go wrong but make a reservation! A caveat to this review is I have not eaten here in the last 4 years as we now hit Fripp Island for vacation and not Wild Dunes. With that said, things can change. Best advise, stay drunk my friends and it's all good.
(4)
Betty R.
This restaurant cashes in on its lovely setting, for sure - it is a beautiful place to eat and watch the sunset. The service was friendly, though a bit slow (we had a big group, so that might explain some of that). Lots of seafood options, only some of which are local (a little surprising). The crab and corn soup had WAY too much going on - particularly thyme - so you couldn't taste the named ingredients. Southern/seafood egg rolls were tasty and not too greasy. The fried seafood was done nicely, and the sides were fine - a couple of folks who ordered more complicated dishes were a little disappointed, so I definitely think that simpler is better. Might end up as our new vacation tradition...
(3)
Tracy G.
One of the things i look forward to when coming to the Isle of Palms for the family vacation is the first meal of trip ... always at the Boathouse. The atmosphere is causal beachy. The staff are friendly and attentive. The food ... just like coming home, good, comforting, something I look forward to. There is a reason we come here every trip, sometimes twice. We had a reservation, and the only wait for our table was due to our early arrival.
(4)
Traci C.
I recently attended a wedding held at the Boathouse and must say, I have rearranged my favorites in Charleston after our visit! The setting is beautiful and really provides that casual beach feel that so many restaurants strive for and fail. The service was outstanding, with the waiters and bartenders attending to all the guests needs and wants in a friendly and responsive way. Now the food! The bride and groom selected from some of their favorites. From the friend green tomato topped with crabcake, to the low-country antipasto---it was fresh and well-prepared. The dessert (which instead of wedding cake) was the most amazing key lime and bourbon pecan pies we've ever tasted. For the setting, food, and service you really can't beat the Boathouse. They have other locations as well, but the IOP location is really what coastal dining is all about.
(4)
Burbalicious X.
We thought this was pretty good - and were pleasantly surprised given so many mixed reviews on Yelp. We were able to get a table on the "patio" area and could see the water (granted, through some very thick plastic sheets) so the ambiance was nice. Husband started with a shrimp, scallop & she crab bisque that was really tasty and fresh. For dinner I had the blackened mahi with grits and blue cheese slaw, all delicious. Hubby had the shrimp & grits which was spicy and good. We shared a piece of key lime pie for dessert. I've had better but it wasn't bad. They also had Kim Crawford unoaked chardonnay by the glass, big plus! We would go back. We went to Morgan Creek Grill the next night on a couple of recommendations from friends and were sorely disappointed...despite slightly nicer setting at MCG, would definitely choose Boathouse for the food!
(4)
Cindy W.
Terrible service, mediocre food. She never offered more drinks after the first round. Food took 45 minutes after salads came and it wasn't crowded. She never checked on us after food was served. I wouldn't recommend.
(1)
Thomas T.
I went there with co-workers and friends during a business trip to Charleston, SC. Their seafood selection is decent. I ordered the steak and lobster plate, with 2 included side items (broccoli/cauliflower and mashed potatoes). When I received my dish, the steak was smaller than a deck of playing cards and the lobster tail wasn't that great. For a 30 dollar dish I should have gotten more steak and a great piece of lobster and better side dishes. I wasn't that impressed with my food. The parking is valet, which is somewhat of a turn off for people coming out-of-town on a budget. Their beer selection wasn't that good; they only had fat tire, blue moon and two other "so-so" beers on tap. I ordered the fat-tire in a 16 ounce glass; the glass was not poured to the top and had about 1-inch of empty space at the top. During my dining experience here, the service was okay. Towards the end of the meal, I kindly asked the server if he could take a picture of all us at the table, but instead, he recommended that we take one as we leave the restaurant. I did not appreciate that lack of effort, for a simple picture, and for that, my generosity towards him (i.e. - TIP) was reflected upon his own efforts and attitude towards us. This place is, in my opinion, highly over rated. Hank's Seafood in Downtown Charleston (On Haynes Street) is 1000 times better than this place and their prices are nearly identical to the Boathouse. Also, the service is better at Hanks and the atmosphere was a lot more lively than the Boathouse.
(2)
Christie R.
We stayed at Wild Dunes and the Concierge AND the Valet BOTH independently suggested this restaurant. We had just arrived and did not want to go off the "island" and into Charleston. Most of the 1 to 3 star reviews of this place are spot on. The food is average and the facilities are small and hot. The AC went out about half way through our meal and the staff couldn't get it back on. This apparently was the second night in a row this happened. My husband had the seafood fettuccine (mostly an unknown white fish, one scallop and a couple of shrimp) and I had the spicy shrimp and grits. Both were just fair, nothing unusual or special. The crab fritter appetizer was pretty tasty as were the Little Neck Clams. The Key Lime pie for dessert was also good, nothing special and served with a dollop of cool whip. (YUK) If you want a close by place for dinner and basic food is all you need or want, go for it. We really hoped for something a little more unusual and reflective of South Carolina.
(2)
Brian D.
Good food and very romantic if you eat indoors. The back patio has thick foggy plastic curtains and doesn't suit the place well. Please ask for a corner booth if you're on a date. You won't regret it or the fried oysters. On a down note, the place is a bit snobby for a beach restaurant. Its mostly filled with southern country club "folks" in boat shoes.
(4)
Rich G.
We ate here on our last night on Isle of Palms and we're glad we did. The view from the enclosed porch at sunset was FANTASTIC! The food was very good. We each got one of the specials and the fish was fresh and well prepared. The food here is easily as good as any meal we had in downtown Charleston.
(4)
Blake W.
I've been here a few times and I've never really been impressed. I love the view at the Breach Inlet and the roof top bar is alot of fun when you've got to wait for a table (seems to happen no matter when we make a reservation). On our most recent trip, we came here to celebrate our few hour old engagement since it was close to the house and celebration was sure to happen so driving to Charelston was out. We waited for our table for about 20 minutes past our reservation (Tuesday night before the 4th). We got down to our table only to wait another 20 minutes for a server to talk to us. We tried to order a bottle of Champagne, but some friends from out of town had already beat us to it. A waiter told us he had a bottle already picked out for us and he would be bringing it right out.... another 20 minutes go by and the Champagne comes -- Not even cold, just slightly chilled Veuve. I tell him to go ahead and pore it beucase I'm damn thirsty and hungry. So moving on to the food..... I had the Duck Confit App, it was cooked perfectly althought the presentation was quick boring -- a leg with a Mango (or peach I can't remember) The Lobster and Crab cake was alrgiht. I was really excited about the Gouda Mac N Cheese but that was really mild and the Noodles where mushy. I wasn't unhappy with the experience but it definitely wasn't the best....
(3)
Michelle S.
Food was really good! I had the lobster and crab cake entree with collard greens and stew tomatoes and orka as sides. Our server was super nice and was up front about all prices. The environment was wonderful and teh location is really great. If it hadn't started storming we would have sat outside.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Thu Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joan M.
I'm giving this place a 4 star review for the most awesome sunset. Absolutely beautiful with fantastic seating outside. The food was ok but the price was in my opinion outrageous. $30.00 for broiled seafood combination. 2 small lobster tails, 3 shrimp, 2 scallop, with a choice of sides. I had mixed vegetables & collard greens. The collard greens were excellent. The mixed veg consisted of onions & squash. It was ok. My son had pork tenderloin & mashed potatoes. He said it was excellent. The other party had shrimp & grits (Creole Style) she said it was good although spicy. They do have complimentary valet parking which is a big bonus because when busy this parking lot is rather small. Overall good & as I said spectacular views of the sunset. I would bring people here for that reason.
(4)Nicole J.
If you happen to stumble upon a breezy, hot summer day, you MUST come enjoy part of it at the upstairs bar here. Not a large area, just comfortable enough to seat 20, the patio looks over the inlet and Intercostal Waterway. Last time we were here for drinks, we got so lucky to even spot a few dolphins! In the summer, it seems that Boathouse is definitely tourista central, full of families staying on IOP or Sullivan's. I expect that once everyone goes back to school, this will turn into more of a local's spot (not like it makes a difference). When we were here, we decided not to dine because of all of the children in the dining room (no offense parents!!). If anything, come for a drink and stay for the view. It is worth it!
(4)Marilyn B.
Weekend in for wedding planning, ate with future in-laws and then went back the night after wedding ceremony to try again. Sunset to die for. Great outside bar area. Meal was average but the ambiance was pretty special while outside. Table had Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Calamari...average Various meals lacking seasoning. I had the Broiled Seafood Combination...Average Husband had the spicy shrimp and grits...Have had better. Noisy inside. Had requested seating to look out on the harbor...got stuck in the corner away from any visual outside. Thank goodness we came early to be on the deck.
(2)Carolyn D.
Incredible service! Although they were under staffed per our waiter Joel....this restaurant had 5***** service and the food....WOW! THE BEST! We love this place! Shouts out the entire staff! WE WILL BE BACK! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! YOU GUYS ROCK! Joel we love uou already, looking forward to becoming a regular when we move to Charleston!
(5)Erin K.
Great location on the Sound, great service, great food! Had the crab stuffed flounder with collard greens and gritz. Holy moly! Every bite was incredible! Hushpuppies were "ok". Def recommend this place for fresh fish and a great SC experience.
(5)Katie S.
**rooftop bar review only** A group of girls and I were visiting from out of town, wanted a rooftop bar in the area and so were told to go to the Boathouse. We got there right around sunset and can absolutely see why we were given this recommendation. Watching the sunset over the inlet was breathtaking! I can't speak to any else except to say that our drinks and aps were both pleasant and timely. But that sunset is worth the trip alone! Next time I visit, I hope to partake in either dinner or brunch as I have heard great things about both!
(4)Sophia R.
No doubt the view is incredible and you pay for that. The tuna tacos and corn hush puppies were gross and dry like they'd sat under a heat lamp all weekend. Shrimp and grits was great though--perfect spicy and giant portion! We split those three things and a few beers and the bill was $73. If you don't mind the price for mediocre food then the view with dolphins is incredible! Would go back for drinks only though!
(3)Mindy H.
Came here with a business group, and sat outside on the porch with the incredible view. The complimentary parking always starts the evening off stress free which is a nice touch. Everything this visit seemed less as good when compared to my visit before. The service was mediocre. They forgot several of my colleagues sauces, but quickly brought them out. The broiled seafood combination plate was OK, scallops were tough, and everything was tasteless. The collard greens and okra were good, but nothing to write home about. Overall just OK quality. Except the view is always priceless.
(3)Bryan M.
Got the filet with Mac and cheese and asparagus. The Mac was good. Everything else was blan. Could have made the steak and asparagus better on my own for way cheaper. Not impressed for how expensive that was
(2)Scotty C.
So I'm sitting there on Yelp trying to come up with that list of places you always say you're going to try but, just haven't gotten around to yet when all of a sudden I see Boathouse. No it's not the newest hottest restaurant on the block but, they've been around longer than I've been in the area which at least speaks for something. I jumped online and made a quick reservation for 7:45pm. I didn't think I needed one but did just in case and it paid off. It was raining when we arrived and there was a few groups of people coming in trying to get tables. While they had a bit of a wait, we were immediately seated at our table. The food was great. When I first saw my plate, I thought it looked a little slim with only three scallops but the dish definitely filled me up by the time I was done. It was a bit deceiving at first glance with much of the dish hiding underneath. The mix of prosciutto and chopped asparagus was a new one that went over well. The prosciutto might have made the dish just a bit too salty but I didn't mind. The risotto was a little soft and didn't exactly stand out next to scallops or prosciutto with asparagus but it did the job as a starchy filler. Most importantly the scallops were perfect and seasoned just right. I also tried a couple items from the Broiled Seafood Combination. That citrus herb butter sauce they use was unexpected and fantastic all at the same. I really wanted something chocolate to finish off my wine with but, the Creme Brulee was calling our name so we split one. They really nailed it. The custard inside was so light and creamy with a hardened crust that you could easily break with a spoon while still leaving plenty of crunch. The service was excellent and our server had a great sense of humor. One thing that really stuck out to me though was the timing of everything being so perfect. Normally timing is something you don't really pick up on unless it's off. Our entrees came out right after the salad, she checked on us just enough throughout the meal, then a little bit of a pause but, not too much time before offering dessert. I don't think it was luck, she was great at her job and knew exactly what she was doing. At the end of it all, the worst I can say is that the wedge salad was a bit lacking (more of those amazing tomatoes please... and maybe everything else for that price) and the gouda mac was just okay. It was probably the only thing left on our plates. After hearing such mixed things about Boathouse, I'm glad I gave it a try and would definitely be back.
(4)Anne O.
I couldn't say enough nice things about this place......my sister was visiting from SF and she wanted something pretty, on the water, so we decided to try this one. There were 4 of us and all 4 were completely happy with our meal. My sister had the special, halibut on a crab cake and it was the hit of the table. I had the mussels and my son had the fried shrimp plate. The shrimp were huge, and lightly battered - couldn't have been more perfect. We ended with 'to die for' creme brule. They have a great wine selection and our server could not have been nicer! Looking forward to taking my husband out here!
(4)Christopher S.
Take it from a local. This place is for tourists. The food is very generic. While it's not bad, do not take this as a true representation of our food. The hush puppies are a shame and the fried green tomatoes are bland that use the blue cheese as a substitute for flavor. However, not all is bad. The fish is local which is good but the prep could use some work. If you want a true southern seafood experience one needs to leave the islands and Shem Creek and go to downtown Charleston. There the competition is so fierce that all the food is prepped and presented in an amazing manner.
(3)Andrew S.
This place has a great location and a beautiful rooftop bar. We showed up at 9:00 on a Tuesday for drinks, but were told by the bartender that they were closing early and we could only order one round. Closing time posted on yelp was 10:00. Staff said they were closing early due to it being a slow night, but several other parties came in after we did and were turned away also.
(2)Krista S.
This place is overpriced and the food is average. Don't go if there's a chance of rain because the roof leaks and they won't move you to a dry spot. Too many other really good places to eat in the area, so don't waste your time and money here!
(1)Amanda C.
Oysters were fresh and delicious. Mussels were amazing, a little pricey but over all pretty good. Floor was a little sticky but other than that pretty good.
(4)Block F.
Overall this place is as good as is has to be, but it's uneven. Food and service can feel sort of mass produced. The three dining areas have varied ambiance, and it might be too hot or too cold or too dark, or your table might slope or you might get dripped on depending on when and where you are seated. But hey, it's the beach and they've got a view of the water, and there are a boatload of visitors on IOP so the place can be busy. The food can be pretty to really good from visit to visit. Last time our dinners came out almost instantly and the temps were off as if stuff had been sitting around a while. If you are expecting a very refined restaurant experience you might be disappointed.
(3)Tom S.
We went last night and based on the reviews I thought it would be a great meal. Unfortunately, that was not the case at all. The apps (mussels, hushpuppies, and crab fritters) were about like you would get at any seafood place priced a lot lower. I had the special of the night (recommended by the server) of snapper over a mushroom risotto. The snapper had absolutely zero seasoning. The risotto was OK but not special. Everyone at our meal when deciding what we thought about the restaurant since it was out first time there just sort of shrugged our shoulders and "meh". Oh yeah, our server was so attentive and friendly when we were ordering and then she vanished. I had to flag other servers down to get refills and even to get our check. Sad. I know I expect a lot more for the prices they are charging. The only reason I gave it two stars was because I enjoyed the collard greens. That's it. Won't go back to give it another chance. I'll stick with the old tried and trues.
(2)Eddie N.
Staff was super friendly, nice view of the river, food was just okay I thought. It is kinda pricey for what ya get, although my son had the kids lobster and wife had the broiled sampler w/ lobster so expected it to be somewhat high.
(2)Christopher S.
***/** 3.7 star rating. Could easily be 4. My entrée was off the charts, Rock stars was just okay. Best Calamari I have tasted so far in 2014. I actually finished one appetizer and ordered another right behind the first serving of Calamari. Lovely atmosphere over looking the water. Our server was excellent. Very strong seafood menu with a lot of other entrée choices for all types of tastes and cravings. I really like this restaurant and recommended it when visiting IOP. Good price/value relationship and great vibe.
(3)Jeff W.
Solid *fresh* seafood offerings. Great service. Noisy atmosphere. Spicy shrimp with grits was great and portion very large. SC oysters on the half shell were unsurpassed in my experience. Great views if you are seated in the right spot.
(4)Frank B.
Food excellent last night. Service could have been better. Waiter said the correct words but clearly rushed us. The high point was when my wife was lowering her fork from her mouth and beginning chewing when he tried to clear her plate. It's a good thing I was there to help as my wife wouldn't speak with a full mouth. Lots of great restaurants in the area so I will not be rushing back.
(3)Elissa N.
I love the location of this tucked away spot that is really a local joint. The views are fantastic and sitting at the bar outside with the screened porch is really breathtaking at sunset. Boathouse has a great low country menu with a plethora of side items. This is where Boathouse fell short, I think fried shrimp should never be prepared incorrectly in the low country. The shrimp was perfect BUT it was not deveined. Several of the shrimp also had the legs still on them. The breading was fantastic but in my opinion shrimp that isn't deveined is dirty.
(3)Molly N.
Got a table 15 mins before on Open Table. Service was friendly. Parking is odd, valet only? If there is a bunch at once you are stuck waiting a while! The food is the draw here, we had the scallops and the clam gnocchi in garlic cream sauce. Wow! It must of had 2 dozen mini clams in it. About 5 of them didn't open but I didn't mind the portion was huge. I never mentioned it yet our server brought a piece of key lime pie and said because so many didn't open. Nice observant service exceeding my expectations! Go for great food, super service and I suspect a great view before it gets dark!
(4)Bo M.
Two stars because I think the location and view could possibly be amazing... However, my reservation was made after sunset. There is complimentary valet but make sure to be ready to wait, as there was only one guy working on the Saturday that we went to dinner. Close quarters here, so make sure you are comfortable being super close to your fellow diners. It was very loud and hard to hear, thought since the restaurant was so full the food must be good. Deception. The food was lackluster at best. My table got the hush puppies for an app, didn't blow my mind by any means. I got the seared tuna app as my entree and a side of smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese to try. Since the Mac & Cheese is an extra $2 than the normal $3 sides I was expecting greatness. I feel Kraft does a better job from a box and I pay less money. It was a bit over cooked and dry after maybe sitting under the broiler or salamander for too long. To top everything off they were completely out of Flounder, the ONLY fish on their menu. For a restaurant called "the Boat House" to run out of their only fish on a Saturday night can only mean that poor planning was involved from the chef and/or management and purchasing. No one in my party really enjoyed their meal. We all left hungry for some real sea food.
(2)Kyle T.
Food and service was excellent. We went in August and it IS HOTTER THAN HELL INSIDE. I will go somewhere else to eat during a SUMMER visit. The location and view is awesome, get drinks up top before your reservation. I don't mind the heat, but everyone in my party of 6 wanted to leave. Go eat here in the spring or fall, lol.
(4)Joann T.
Can't say enough good things! Two couples in my family ate here on Thursday night and the rest of us (on their recommendation) ate here on Friday night. ALL of us were very, very pleased. Staff was wonderful. Friendly and prompt. On Friday, there were 7 of us. We sat on the enclosed porch. Lovely. We ordered two different raw oysters and crab cakes to start. Best we've had all week. Our meals varied, but all were exceptionally tasty. I had the lobster tails with okra and Mac & cheese. Highly recommended! Huge portions! Shrimp & grits were spicy, but excellent. We ordered three different desserts....the chocolate torte was my favorite. A few of us had salads, all were fresh & delicious. We had reservations for our large party of 7 for Friday night, but the other two couples on Thursday were walk ins. They waited about 15-20 minutes. They used the free valet parking....we're very happy that is was offered.
(5)Jennifer H.
Fabulous food, service and overall experience. My husband and I will gladly visit again!
(5)Greg G.
3 1/3 stats is rather rud. Wouldn't give it 5 but 4.9 would be in line :)). Clams whatever dug out of the mud a couple of hours age 300 feet away and the local grey snapper "woooow" was line caught today as we'll.
(5)Amy B.
Great service and views. Fresh local seafood. Try the shrimp and grits. When the weather is warm look for dolphins frolicking in the inlet.
(5)David L.
As I drove between Isle do Palms and Sullivan island all week, I passed by this place on every trip. It is nestled right at the bridge, on the breach inlet and seemed to constantly invite us in. It was just a matter do time before we landed here....and I'm so glad we did. Seafood. Done. Right. Truly! We timed our visit right at sunset - a spectacular view that was improved with the combination of the water's reflection. Spectacular! We chose to dine inside (a much briefer wait) and we were soon seated. The menu offered a nice variety of dishes. We settled on the following: * The Breach Sampler - my good friend ordered this for the variety. It's a platter full of shrimp, oysters, egg rolls and crab fritters. Not my preference (everything was fried)' but he seemed to enjoy it. * Pan Roaster Sea Scallops - delicately - no perfectly - prepared and presented. Succulent. Great parmesan risotto. No further description necessary. * Flounder - a special of the night. Cooked to perfection, with a flavorful sauce. * Lobster and Crab Cake - while the lobster was slightly overdone ( a tad tough), the crab cake was fantastic. The waiter should get an honorable mention here (argh...can't recall his name!). He literally SOLD these dishes with his colorful derivations of what they were and how they are prepared. All in all, a very good dining experience!
(4)Colleen M.
The beautiful atmosphere and delicious food is just one of many reasons to try this place. I went with a group and everything we ate was delicious. Their blue cheese coleslaw and Mac n cheese was phenomenal. This place can be a little bit pricey but the food and atmosphere is worth it. I also like that they have complimentary valet so you don't have to worry about parking. We only had one issue when we went there and it was immediately fixed. My friends have been there several times and said the blue cheese coleslaw was not as good as previously. We mentioned something to the manager when she came around to see how everything was. She immediately went back to the kitchen and tasted it for herself and agreed. She corrected the issue and I was very impressed with how they handled the situation. I would recommend coming here during a sunset or when the weathers perfect. Everywhere you sit at the restaurant you will have a perfect view!
(4)Stephenie D.
Excellent food and service - the best collard greens in Charleston -great atmosphere and views
(5)Tom C.
The food was disappointing and overpriced for what was plated. Service was fine, but nothing special. I would not return.
(1)Jay T.
Very enjoyable, relaxed dining. I visited Boathouse during the off season, but the food was excellent, service superb. I had a special of crab cakes stuffed between two flounder and topped with a nice, mildly spicy cream sauce. One of the best fish dinners I have had, although it was a bit spendy! .
(4)Carrie D.
I was at the Boathouse this evening for what I hoped to be a great first experience from a place that came highly recommended by many. We were seated near a table with two couples with two young kids with them. I was shocked at the commotion coming from their table. I thought I was at a restaurant, not a college bar. This table was out of control drinking bottles of wine and shots of alcohol. And when I mean bottle of wine, I mean literally drinking directly from the bottle. I hope that they had a designated driver and that it wasn't the two young children sitting with them. The kids were more well behaved than the adults at the table. I've never experienced such adults acting so inappropriate for a family restaurant. We spoke to the hostess to ask her to please ask the table to watch their language, as their language was starting to become more and more explicit with the continuous flow of alcohol being consumed. We had some children in our group of 15 that did not need to hear such explicit language, nor did everyone else need to hear it too. Since there was no change in volume, explicit language, or alcohol control, we brought it to the managers' attention. Colleen was her name and she was the most unprofessional manager I've ever seen. She was completely defensive with our party when we asked her to help with the unruliness of the table behind us. Colleen stated that they were only having an after dinner cocktail. When we told her that we witnessed them all having shots, and bottles of wine, she quickly responded with, " don't worry they aren't driving." That was not our concern, as we are not their babysitter. We were trying to have a nice family dinner on our vacation and enjoy our evening. It was clearly obvious that she knew the parties at the table and was defending them. To make matters worse, she went up to the main loudmouthed drunk in their party, pointed at our table and laughed with him as she clearly was stating to him that we were complaining about them. The male stumbled up to our table and slurred what he tried to get out as an apology for being loud. It was far from an apology and was just an obnoxious gesture that was brought upon from the manager Colleen. I will for sure never come back to this restaurant and do NOT recommend going here if Colleen is managing that night and her friends are seated at a table next to you. You will know who they are cause the drinks will keep flowing from the bar in the direction towards their table, the wine glasses are always full, the shots will be clinging in cheers, the curse words are the only words in their vocabulary, and there will be two innocent little children with them. It's unfortunate that the manager, Colleen, doesn't handle situations in a better way cause the food was good and our waitress Pam was so on point and efficient with her customers.
(1)Pam L.
The view & atmosphere are very nice & the food was pretty good. Not anything to really brag about but just pretty good however our service was terrible which was quite disappointing. Our server, Decker, focused his attention completely on the table next to us so much so that it was like a slap in the face & I am not exaggerating. One example is we literally sat for well over 15 minutes to just order our food with our menus closed while he ran by us at least 8 times from the table next to us into the kitchen & back not stopping for 1 second to check on us. He would give us a quick glance back but continue on his way. Not even a quick "I'll be back to take your order in a moment". We would have even appreciated that. Same service for the drinks. We were pleasantly surprised with the food runner who was cheerful & actually asked us if we needed anything else & was pleasant as well. We also had to stack our dishes on top of each others to get his attention that we were ready for our check. And that even took 15 minutes. It was a Saturday night so it was busy & we understand that however this was unbelievable treatment & very blatant. There were 6 people at the table next to us & only 3 of us so we speculated that he as hoping for a heftier tip from them but although I did tip it was not the generous tip that I normally would give. When we return or I should say if we return we definitely would not sit in Hector's section & I would highly recommend you to do the same. I would also like to add that we have eaten in many dozens restaurants of all types & star ratings & have never received this type of service & we are not ultra picky compared to many.
(2)Vince F.
Very nice experience. We (party of 7) had a table on the outdoor enclosed patio, which gave us a nice view of the sunset. The food was very good...I has the blackened mahi, which was grilled just right. The food took a little longer than it should have to come out, but nothing that bothered us. The server, Charis, felt bad however, and brought us out 3 complementary desserts. What a great gesture. I would definitely recommend trying it out, and ask for Charis if you can!
(5)Jay J.
I went to the Boathouse for dinner on a clear, warm, fall afternoon. The restaurant is located at the mouth of Breach Inlet, where multiple rivers and stream meet the ocean. (The colliding waters create quit a scene, even on calm days.) There is valet parking avialable, which I took advantage of. The building is somewhat older and worn, but very suitable for the setting and not at all detremental. In fact, it adds character to the dining experience, in my opinion. You can dine inside or on the back deck, which is screened in. On this clear, warm, fall afternoon, I chose the back deck. The bar offers a hand full of beers on tap from both local breweries and staple beers. There is a fair selection of wines and distilled beverages, along with the typical non- alcoholic drinks. As you would expect from a restaruant located on the water, named The Boathouse, the menu tilts heavily toward seafood. There were also many other appealing entrées, but my focus for this meal would be seafood. There are also many appealing appetizers, but I'll have to return to sample those at another time. Sarah was my waitress and she did a good job of tending to me. I watched the other wait staff and they too did a good job of tending to the other tables. The floor manager was also making rounds and assisting the wait staff. I thought that was a nice touch. Sarah explained the menu and specials, then provided insight as to which entrées were generally preferred. The surf 'n' turf with a crab cake bonus, one of the specials, had me at hello. The Boathouse has a good selection of sides, most catering to the southern tounge. The smoked gouda mac 'n' cheese and collard greens ended up as mine. Here is where the rubber hits the road. Up to this point, everything is either asthetic or relational. That is all well and good and is very important to the dining experience, but I'm paying for the food and I want it prepared RIGHT! steak and lobster can be difficult to cook correctly. An overdone or underdone steak - not good. And it's worse with lobster! Well, whoever was cooking that night, nailed it! My steak was perfect and so was the lobster! Absolutely delicious! The crabcake was also prepared well and came with a chipotle sauce and crispy onions. That too was very tasty!!! The sides were sides; good, but not the stars of the plate. Actually, I expected more from the smoked gouda mac 'n' cheese. I think it could have been a bit more creamy. Bottom line is I had a great dining experience sitting on the back deck of The Boathouse, on a clear, warm fall afternoon, eating a perfectly prepared steak and perfectly prepared lobster, with a delicious crabcake bonus and would definitely do it again!
(5)Margo K.
Wonderful screened in porch on the water. Shrimp and grits are full of yellow red and green peppers and Andouille sausage on stoneground grits. Mmmmmmmm. Love it.
(4)Alexandra P.
I want the salmon dip again! Amazing! I had the salad with shrimp added for my dinner and creme brulee for dessert. Best creme brulee ever! The fried shrimp was awesome but it's hard to mess that up. The view is pretty and the atmosphere was a little loud since it a good place for groups. Ask for a table inside instead of out if you would like quiet. We opted for the view from the patio. Overall good, friendly service! We valet parked and I wish there was self parking (Monday night).
(5)Suzanne D.
Incredibly overrated and overpriced. The food was "okay" but definitely not worth the price tag. I would definitely rank this place as a tourist trap.
(2)Jeff C.
Very good. Can be crowded. Make reservations.
(4)Tim B.
Fabulous meal and excellent service. Waiter was super attentive and had great recommendations. My wife has scallops and I had the lobster and crab cake. Excellent and nice casual, friendly atmosphere.
(5)Carl M.
delicious mac and cheese and blue cheese coleslaw fish was fresh and tasty
(3)Paige C.
Great food and service. The scallop in my seafood pasta was incredible-perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. Wonderful server!
(4)Red B.
Ok so lets see what we have here. A manager (Phil) who cares and offered a refire on his dime. A world class sunset with porpoises swimming below. An excellent server. Large portions and now 4 very satisfied and appreciative Sunday brunch guests. Now this is where it gets a little tricky. I cook most meals in my home and think that I can out cook at least half of the restaurants I eat in. I make my wife call me chef. Somehow I dont hear her respond, fake chef cause real ones dont serve reheated take out pizza. Anyway my secret review is 3.625 stars since some of us know that the chef is usually given off Sundays. I plan on returning some evening and can hear someones uncle shouting out..Let the battle begin.
(4)Shannon D.
We just got back from a holiday weekend at IOP and The Boathouse was definitely the highlight of the trip. First-off there was free valet parking which makes life SO much easier. Corey, our waiter, was very nice and attentive, even though the restaurant was pretty busy. I got the special that night which was a crab cake stuffed flounder with a chipotle sauce - YUM! I ordered the stone ground grits which were just to die for!. Afterwards we sat on the little board walk that borders the parking lot and watched 3+ firework shows! All round amazing!
(5)Amy H.
The Boathouse offers great seafood with a beautiful view. Its on the inter coastal waterway in Isle of Palms and thanks to the large windows, pretty much every diner can look out onto the water and enjoy the sunset. They have a cool looking rooftop bar as well though i didnt venture up there on this trip. They have seafood pastas as well as a wide variety of fish which you then pair with your choice of sauce. I got the salmon with chipotle sauce and it was great. I like my salmon medium rare and so many places dont cook it right-either its overcooked and dry or its basically sushi. The Boathouse actually cooked it to my specifications and though the chipotle sauce wasnt as flavorful as I was expecting it to be thanks to the perfectly cooked and seasoned salmon. My sides were great too- vinegary collard greens and savannah red race which was sprinkled with sausage and had a nice kick. There are only a few things that prevent me from giving this place five stars. First, the cuts of fish are kind of small relative to the price. I still had a decent sized meal thanks to the two sides but when youre paying 25-30 bucks, you want a big piece of fish (especially when youve been swimming in the ocean all day and have worked up an appetite!). Second, the service is pretty slow. On another service related note, if you make a reservation, specify whether you want to be outside or inside. They almost seated us outside which i thought was kind of strange since I usually assume that making a reservation guarantees you an inside seat. Im not deducting points for this since to be fair, their outdoor area is large and thus, maybe I shouldve assumed that it was a possibility theyd put us out there but I wanted to mention this so that other diners are aware. I usually like sitting outside but not in the 100 degree SC heat during the summer! The hostess was very accommodating though and got us a seat inside
(4)Andrew W.
The views are amazing...three unique bars including one right on the water. The food is just okay...we had a large group there recently and a few people were totally disgusted by their food, a few loved their food, and most were just saying it was decent and okay. The other unfortunate part we had was the waitress...I don't like to be mean but she was just awful. Rarely checked up on our group, all of the drinks we ordered from her were filled halfway compared to the waiter taking care of one of the other tables, and nearly all of our checks weren't right. I'd be wiling to give it another try but it's not a place I am dying to visit anytime soon again. PS...$$$ means $31-60...it's not THAT expensive.
(3)Jack C.
Just finished dinner with my family. We are staying on IOP and choice to stay on island. We had the shrimp appetizer (tasty) and the crab cakes. (Also tasty). The spicy corn crab chowder could have been a little hotter. My wife had the mussels and my son had the fettuccine. Both enjoyed their meals. Really nice casual atmosphere
(4)Chris K.
Went to this restaurant for Valentine's Day. I was asked to sit on the outside porch which was unexpected. My date and I both ordered the filet special medium rare. They came out almost well done. When we asked the waitress about it she took it back and said the kitchen staff couldn't believe it was cooked that much over. Then we found out that we were the last table of the night and that was the last of the "special filet" They made up for it and brought out a proper cooked filet mignon from the regular menu. I was with a poor impression though since it was obvious they tried to unload the last of the special filet on us even though it we obviously not cooked the way we asked for. Other than that the rest of the good was delicious. I would probably go back, just not for a special occasion or probably not even for dinner.
(2)Ryan K.
Went for brunch today. Pretty disappointed in the food. Ordered a bloody mary. Very high on alcohol, and no garnishes. Lady at table next to me ordered a bloody Mary and it looked totally different and in a bigger glass. Ordered a three item omelette, bacon ham and sausage, cheddar cheese, cause I really like meat. Also got the brunch potatoes. Omelette came out and clearly the bacon was processed. Not curly or warm for that matter, like it came right out of the microwave. Potatoes were clearly from a bag in the freezer. Small diced potatoes that tasted like a refrigerator. Received the bill and was charged for an additional item. Waiter told me cheese is an item. Who orders an omelette without cheese? Do yourself a favor and head down to Acme.
(2)Kim S.
The location is definitely the only thing that keeps this place going. I was there with family and friends. My young son had his iPad and asked the staff of they had a password for their Wi-Fi. He was told that the Wi-Fi was only for the owners. My husband's grouper was served raw and my crab cake was tiny and had more breading than crab. Our server was nice and efficient though. Don't think I will give it a second try
(2)Kenley O.
Came to SC for vacation. Everywhere I went in IOP or in Charleston, people told me that I had to try this restaurant before I left. The location was beautiful, right on the harbor with a gorgeous sunset. The overall restaurant isnt very large but has a rooftop deck that I didnt get a chance to see. My family and I sat inside.. its a cramped place. Service was mediocre. Our waiter worked his tail off and tried to be as accommodating as is large number of tables allowed him to be. Our food actually came out half hot, half cold. I wasn't as impressed as everyone else seemed to be. Location is great. Food, doesnt stand out over any other local seafood joint, in my opinion. I doubt I'll go back.
(3)Shell P.
This review is specifically for the Crow Bar, at the Boathouse. The views are fantastic at this roof-top deck bar. This and the friendly bar staff are reason to go. As an out-of-town visitor, this was a great place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of Charleston. The beverages made it even better, thanks to the helpful bartenders! The limited appetizer menu is okay. Parking wasn't great, we did valet.
(4)Virginia M.
Nice spot to have dinner. It is crowded so I would recommend making a reservation.
(3)Sonya G.
Ate here along with 6 other families and we will NEVER eat here again. It's overpriced and underseasoned. Had the broiled seafood combo and it was bland & overcooked. We made reservation for 23, they stated they could accomodate but obviously could not. They put together odd shaped tables which left an awkward eating area for some of our party. We were assigned one waitress which was ridiculous. Service was slow and food was not very good.
(1)Chris H.
Ate there for Father's Day brunch. It was ok but I've had much better at other places. The service and food were adequate. 4 years ago I ate dinner there. Nothing's really changed. Just so so. I'm sure I won't try it again. There's plenty of other choices that are really good.
(2)Mike H.
Fantastic. All the fish is caught that day. So fresh. You will not be disappointed. Going back ASAP.
(5)J P.
I was so disappointed when I saw TILAPIA on their menu! Any waterfront restaurant that has the location/views of this place should not let Tilapia come within 2 miles of their kitchen. Come on, Tilapia is a fresh water farm raised fish meant to be served as the 'fresh fish' selection at Old Country Buffet, not a waterfront location in Charleston! Where's the local fish? Flounder, trout, sheepshead, grouper, wreckfish, etc, etc. Tilapia! Are you kidding me! Someone needs to talk to the chef. I know tourists don't have the most sophisticated of palette and a bland, flavorless white fish is a safe bet but this ruined my visit from the moment I opened the menu.
(1)King M.
If not for the Crows Nest bar and bartenders I would give this place NO STARS! The food was marginal at best! I had fried shrimp which was ok but the slaw was horrible. My wife had the pickled shrimp which had zero flavor. We decided to have key lime pie and that had no lime flavor as well. To top the evening off our waitress, serving the large group next to is, rattled off numerous specials to them. When I asked her why she didn't tell us the specials she responded "you didn't ask!" She then can back and said she thought she but had told us but was busy. Of course this was with an attitude. I got the bill and proceeded to the front and asked for the manager. When she appeared I told her what had happened; her response "she's our best waitress." My response "well then you have issues with your staff". She then said "she has a lot on her mind, her mother had surgery today." As my wife says it takes a lot for you to complain which is true. DON'T waste your time & money for dinner. Just go for drinks upstairs.
(2)Brittany L.
This was my husbands and my first time in Charleston. We wanted to eat at a nice restaurant for our last night on vacation. I picked The Boathouse because I read some good reviews about it, but oh boy are those reviews misleading! 1. We waited an extra 20 minutes than what the hostess said, which made it over an hour wait time. 2. No one told us that there was a nice outdoor bar that served the full menu if we didn't want to wait. 3. The hostess didn't care at all about the extra wait. 4. When we finally got to our table, it was dirty with food all over it, so we had to stand there and wait for it to be wiped down. 5. When we finally sat down, our table was very wobbly and moved whenever we would pick up our drinks. 6. Our table was about a foot from the neighboring table, which took away our privacy and theirs. 7. We didn't get the bread basket until we were already seated for 40 minutes. The bread was flavorless anyway. 8. It took the waiter a long time to take our order. 9. We both ordered filet mignon cooked medium. Mine was over-cooked on one side and under-cooked on the other. 10. My husband ordered red wine and asked for it to come out with his steak, but it didn't come out until he had already eaten it. 11. The portions were so small, which is terrible because it was a $35 entree. I wanted to order another side after I was done, but I was afraid it was going to take another 20 minutes. 12. It just didn't seem like the hostess or the waiter cared about our experience at all. We left a 40% tip anyway because we don't scale our tip in relation to our experience. I'm not usually the type to leave a bad review. In fact, I've NEVER left a bad review, but the other reviews were so misleading, which allowed us to be completely caught off guard with the terrible everything.
(1)Ashley W.
The view is certainly the highlight of this place. The inside needs one of those HGTV makeovers and I was kind of glad we weren't eating in there. Our party of 14 (!) was seated on the screened in patio, which was admittedly a little smelly (musty with a dab of fish). But the view was amazing and as we watched the sun slip over the inlet, I sipped my sauv blanc and breathed in the air contentedly. Overall the food was good (3.5 Yelp stars) and they got the bump up to 4 stars for the view and the service. Handling 14 dining patrons in one group is like herding cats and our server as well as management was very accommodating and welcoming to our group.
(4)Nicole W.
Yesterday was my third visit to Boathouse and I have yet to be disappointed. Its name is fairly eponymous - a big old "boat" house with plenty of sea worthy paraphernalia. Eats are pretty straightforward here - a sampling of just about every fish cooked every way with a smattering of tasty apps and specials. Think crab stuffed tilapia and jalapeno grouper bites. Most recently I enjoyed the spicy shrimp and grits - a true Southern meal...and Boathouse does it right. Thick, creamy grits smothered and covered with an ample portion of fresh shrimp, spicy sauce, veggies and tasty sausage. It was a hefty portion and I really tried to make a solid dent in it. And please, for the love of all things holy, try the gouda mac 'n cheese. It's outstanding. Creamy and delicious topped with a crispy blanket of breadcrumbs. Other things to note - the service is friendly and efficient and the bar upstairs is a great place to grab a few cocktails before you start your evening. Valet is complimentary but be sure to tip the nice young men who take care of your car. Thanks boathouse - we get along swimmingly.
(4)Lisa S.
Ate at the Boathouse with family and really enjoyed it. The view was awesome watching the dolphins in the inlet. Although the prices were quite high the food was really good. I had the crab cakes. The only reason it only got three stars is if you have a budget while vacationing this isn't a good place to go. For a splurge, it's a good time.
(3)Julia M.
The Boathouse is a nice place for a meal when you are staying on IOP or Sullivans Island and don't feel like venturing too far from home. I heard that they have a second location somewhere in the Charleston area as well, but this is the one closest to were I usually stay. They have a nice deck & enclosed porch with a view of the waterway. The place gets busy at dinner time during peak tourist season, so keep that in mind when you are making your dinner plans. One downside to going at a really busy time is the parking situation - there are never enough parking spaces. But, once you are inside with an appetizer & beverage, it's all good. I love good seafood and just about everything I've ordered here has hit the mark for me. I usually like to go with whatever is on the fresh catch of the day menu. You can select how you would like it prepared (grilled, seared, fried) and you can select from a variety of sauces if you would like. The catch of the day comes with your selection of 2 sides ( you can select from Collard Greens, Stone Ground Grits, Veggie of the Day, Stewed Tomatoes & Okra, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese 0r Steamed Asparagus). The Boathouse is a little pricey, but not outrageous - especially compared to some of the really expensive places down in the historic district. I have not yet tried their Sunsday brunch - but on my next visit, I'd like to check it out!
(4)Daniel G.
Good food, good seafood selection. Great view and atmosphere, and great service.
(4)Bill R.
We visited in late April and sat outside on the deck for dinner and enjoyed a dolphin show in the harbor too. My wife had the swordfish, which she said was excellent and I had the "always off the menu but always available" crabmeat stuffed tilapia. It too, was excellent and perfect for a beach dinner watching the sun set. Service was attentive and prompt but not intrusive. Make your reservations on Open Table through their website because this place fills up quickly.
(4)Asails F.
I am writing this review for an old relic that is now gone. I stopped at this restaurant in search of an old dive across the bridge. The old crab shack that I was looking for served the BEST SHE CRAB SOUP I ever had. I had nine bowls in a weeks time and I should say lived off that soup for my visit to the islands. Looking again for the little bar without seats and Harley bikes outside was fruitless as it was washed away in a hurricane shortly after my 82 visit. In the boathouse I found someone fond of the old place and we traded stories while slurping on She Crab Soup without the She Crab as it was now illegal to eat crabs carrying eggs. We slurped silently wishing for days gone by before the malling of Mount Pleasant when one could stop on the side of the road and get all the oysters he could eat out of the canal. We sadly ate knowing those days were never going to return again.
(4)Dan G.
The poor reviews on here are wrong! As good as ever...scallops, lobster tails, crab cakes and calamari better than anywhere.
(5)Craig G.
Complimentary valet parking makes getting into the restaurant a breeze. The host and hostess are very friendly and have great personalities. They chatted with us for a while and felt like old friends. Even though the restaurant was starting to get crowded, we were promptly seated. They had a high chair in place for my son in no time. I had the Toby's Breach Inlet Littleneck Clams, Roasted Corn and Crab Soup, and the Spicy Shrimp and Grits. All of these were winners. The Littleneck Clams were cooked in garlic butter sauce with the bacon and spinach. Every clam was a tasty morsel. I was very sad when I finished them. Roasted Corn and Crab Soup was very like a lobster bisque. It wasn't what I expected when I ordered it, but it was none the less delicious. The Spicy Shrimp and Grits were quite good. The grits reminded me of a high quality polenta. My wife had Grilled Grouper. That was excellent as well. The crusty artisan bread that they served was flavorful and tasty. The restaurant itself is a fun place. Dark wood combined with white paint gave the distinct feeling of a old school golf club house with a rich history. While we were there, the place was alive with energy. The constant ebb and flow of the waiters and customers walking through the pathways between the tables; the hundreds of conversations that provided a nice background noise without being intrusive. The majestic view of the river behind the restaurant makes it easy to see the rapidly moving current as it winds out of sight.. The waitress serving us was extremely busy, yet she was always attentive to us without being overly so. Just glance at her across the room, and she would come over to see what we needed. The food, service, and ambiance were all top notch at the Boathouse. I would definitely recommend a visit to this restaurant.
(5)Kurt K.
Just went last night straight from the beach and there was a 20 minute wait so we got a buzzer and went up to the bar and spent $30 on a round of drinks. When it finally went off we walked downstairs and I was told that since I had a tank top on I couldn't dine there. They offered me to BUY one of their shirts so I could eat. Why didn't they say something when we first walked in. It was the same two hostess' that handed me the buzzer. I talked to a manager and she said I could borrow a shirt?! Seriously??? Your going to take back a shirt that I wore and then try to sell it to another patron? We could've already been eating a meal somewhere else by the time they refused our business. Terrible handling of the situation and annoying...
(1)Rachel R.
I'm from Chicago and was vacationing in Isle of Palm over the summer with family and they raved about the fried green tomatoes here and I couldn't wait to try them. My father took me to watch the sunset on the rooftop and have a taste of the tomatoes and a few cocktails before dinner. I couldn't say more about how nice it was! A storm was rolling in so big, black clouds were nearing us but they kept away due to the sea breeze. The clouds made the sunset look that much prettier and the water was completely calm. It was such a pretty sight to watch from the rooftop. The bartender up top was extremely(!) nice to us. He has been in the area for a long time and gave us a few good things to go see. He kept up with conversation and was polite and witty without ever imposing on a family moment. It was great. And the fried green tomatoes, yummo! So good! I've never had anything close to that, and I can't wait to eat it again. I don't even like tomatoes usually! A very cute place. Wonderful atmosphere, very polite people working, and a great rooftop. I plan on visiting again this summer and I am absolutely positive we will be back here.
(4)Kristin D.
Fresh seafood and friendly service. The scallops were huge and juicy and the seafood linguine was the best Alfredo sauce I've ever had. We were there at sunset and it was breathtaking. We had some unusual drink requests and the bartender Chris was friendly and happily made our drinks. The wait was a little long for a week night but the overall experience was a good one!
(4)Brian S.
We hit the Boathouse a second time last night, and were just as impressed as our first time. It seems they've made the crabcake-stuffed tilapia a standard off-the-menu item, although they've changed the sauce that is on top of it. (I believe he called it a chipotle cream sauce -- it didn't taste very chipotle to me, but it was still quite good.) I ordered the broiled seafood platter. I was initially worried this might be boring and low on flavor, but the tarragon butter topping was amazing. The gnocchi appetizer, while good and well prepared, was probably the only disappointing part of the meal. It just felt like it was missing some extra bit of flavor. Our tab, with a bottle of inexpensive Zinfandel, and the two entrees and two appetizers, came to just under $110 plus tip. I'll go back the next time we're here. Of note: they are currently doing half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So, if you're looking to imbibe on a budget, that's definitely something to keep in mind.
(5)Susan F.
Our party of 8 went to the Boathouse instead of one of Charleston's gourmet low-country spots because the weather was so iffy and we had some seniors in the group. We first noticed how accommodating the service was -- when we were shown to a table that had a four-person bench seat, I wrinkled my nose and the host said, "Talk to me!" We decided it would work, and all agreed that this restaurant was a very comfortable, not snobby, place. Our server didn't hover but showed up at all the right times. Food highlights: We recommend the crab fritters, four balls on a plate, as a share appetizer. Also all fresh seafood options and whatever is on the specials. Side dishes are pretty awesome, especially the blue cheese cole slaw. We didn't stay for dessert because we had to go home and eat my dad's 80th birthday cake! Next time we will plan farther ahead and ask for a view.
(4)Larry H.
We had great service. Our waitress and the owner checked on us regularly. The food was very good and they accommodated our special requests for some slight changes in the preparation. We ate early ( around 6:15) and by the time we left the place was starting to fill up quickly. It was a Friday night so, I'm sure that contributed to the good crowd. As most people will note, the view is great and contrary to some of the other reviews, I think the food matched the view.
(3)Stephen M.
Visited tonight, 08/05/12, and was treated to plentiful food and nice ambiance in the back porch dining area overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway. My family of four shared a calamari appetizer and sourdough bread. I had a Bibb salad with feta cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and sherry vinigarette, which was tasty, then the grilled local snapper with lobster macaroni and cheese,which was very tasty. Other family members enjoyed their seafood dishes, which included fried shrimp and scallops, crab cakes, and tilapia. What would have been a wonderful dinner was marred by the service. Colin, our server was slow in getting to us and seemed forgetful of our needs. When serving our water and soft drinks, he didn't bring straws and, despite our asking twice, my daughter had to get up and go to the bar to get straws. She also ordered a side order of shrimp to go with her crab cakes which she never received. There was a long delay in receiving our salads with no word from Colin as to what was causing the delay. When we finally asked about the salads, he said someone was "right behind" him bringing the salads. Maybe they were invisibile, but we didn't see anyone for another five minutes. Finally, the entrees were brought out before we were 1/2 through with our salads and Colin took it upon himself to have the entrees sent back to sit under the "warm window," rather than ask what we preferred should happen. I've been to the Boathouse on prior occasions without such service problems, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this time . . .
(3)Nicole D.
The food was worthy of the price. Other seafood restaurants will have better dishes, but they don't have the view that the Boathouse at Breach Inlet boasts. If for no other reason, go for the view and get dessert. We had the Key Lime Pie, which was incredible. (I read another review indicating otherwise and that it was decorated with cool whip, but my Key Lime Pie was purely homemade.) The view is the reason to visit, and the food is pretty good.
(4)Courtney R.
We found The Boathouse advertised in a tourist booklet and decided we would give it a try. We are personally very glad we had stopped. My companions and I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi, and Crab-stuffed Tilapia. All three dishes were cooked expertly and the flavors just popped. The mussels were delicious. There's only three complaints we really had, the first was dealing with the speed of getting our food, it took about 30-45 minutes after we received our appetizers. The second issue we had was there was a large party next to us in which several of the people had probably drank a little too much and felt it necessary to scream and bang on the table. The third issue is that the food is quite costly. But if you want to treat yourself to a savory meal and want to enjoy the coastal surroundings then this is the place for you.
(4)Ted F.
Popped over to the Boathouse for beverages (twice!) on a recent beach trip. Both times sat at the Crow Bar (rooftop deck) overlooking the Inlet. The drinks were great and the prices were lower than I'd expected (given the gorgeous setting). Ordered the crab fritters on our second go-round and they were every bit as delicious as you'd expect them to be at a place overlooking the water. Definitely worth a visit (or two ;-) )if you're on IOP or Sullivan's.
(5)Scott D.
I have visited the Boathouse on several occasions and it always seems to be hit or miss on both the food and the service. Furthermore, this place is very expensive relative to your other options on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. On the positive side, the location is phenomenal and the views are awesome, especially at sunset. If you on vacation and want to make sure you have a great meal then proceed with caution.
(3)Janis Z.
Great food on water. Will return.
(4)Michael G.
We checked out the Boathouse after a few recommendations on here. Generally the place is just OK. Very popular. It seems to be a place that regular visitors to the area like to gather, but honestly the place had the feel of a middle-aged yuppie meat market. Food was ok, nothing special. Service was ok, but rough on the edges. No one seemed to bend over backwards to be pleasant. Generally, we prefer places that are old stand-bys and popular with the locals, like the old raw-bar kind of places off the beaten path. The Boathouse had the appearance of this, but fell short of our expectations.
(3)Lindsey B.
Was 4 star but has slipped in recent years, the bar on top was a great place to watch the sun to down, and get cool breezes.. food is what you expect, but maybe a tad too pricey for the overall dining experience.
(3)Thomas S.
Many many years ago we had been to the Boathouse Downtown. I think I remember it being pretty good. Had never been to the one at Breach Inlet...When my Mom came to town we decided to go to The Boathouse at Breach Inlet for dinner one evening. We started off with Fried Calamari (you'd think this would be hard to ruin) BLAND BLAND BLAND. First off...I never order "Shrimp & Grits" at any restaurant because I know they can NOT compare to Tommys Shrimp N Grits...so it was my fault I didn't like the Boathouses version. They were WAY over seasoned..onions, bell pepper, spices, the whole kitchen sink was in my dish. Just WAY too much "flavoring" We also got the Triggerfish - Only about 1/4 of the fish was eaten IF that much. My mom got the Scallops, and honestly her dish was the only one that looked worth eating. At least we can say we've been there.
(2)Nina B.
In all the years I've lived in the Charleston area, I've always wanted to try the Boathouse, partially due to its idyllic location on the water and also because it seems to be an iconic place to eat in the area. This year I decided not to cook for Thanksgiving and wanted to go out to eat instead. After asking around which restaurants were open on the holiday and hearing the Boathouse mentioned I thought what better time to try the restaurant than now. I easily made the reservations online - received a confirmation email and a reminder email the day before with extra information that Thanksgiving would be a four course meal at $26.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. I thought that sounded reasonable and was looking forward to dinner. The four course menu offered a choice from 3 soups, 3 salads, several entrees and sides and desserts. Let me say the soups were all good (I had a wild rice and chicken soup and the rest of the party all ordered the corn and crab chowder; the 3rd option was a butternut squash bisque that nobody ordered). Unfortunately, the soups were the highlight of our meal and it all went downhill from there. I ordered a Spinach salad that was served tossed in a "champagne vinaigrette." The dressing was "okay" but nothing spectacular. The strawberries and grapes were sparse and the salad was pretty much nothing but the spinach, but I didn't really mind it. Everyone else had a House salad (the 3rd option was a Caesar). The salads were all good aside from the tomatoes - I was informed they were mushy. For the third course, three people ordered the turkey, one the fish (Washoo) and I the crab cakes. After the turkey was eaten I was informed that it was cold but nobody wanted to send it back. It was supposedly "free range" but my father-in-law said there were no tendons or muscle to be seen and appeared to be processed. (I didn't examine the meat and am not sure if this is true, but I have no reason not to believe him.) My crab cakes were good. The wahoo was good. For my sides I ordered "sauteed vegetables" and "green bean casserole." The sauteed vegetables were Brussels sprouts. I have no problem with Brussels sprouts and in fact I like them, however they should have written Brussels sprouts on the menu and not vegetables. The description made it sound like there would be multiple types of vegetables so I ordered them for one of the kids. Needless to say, the kids don't eat Brussels sprouts. The green bean "casserole" was nothing but green beans out of a CAN (they were definitely not fresh) that had an inkling of sauce poured over them with some of those fried onion crisps on the side. Hardly a casserole and not anything better than my child's cafeteria food. The stuffing was "eh" the mashed potatoes were cold and even those who didn't order the sauteed vegetables got an extra portion of the Brussels sprouts. One of them were rotten. (BLACK). Despite the fact that we had bread plates on the table no bread every came out. When asked if we needed anything else I requested the bread and also the cranberry sauce that two of the turkey meals didn't come with. The bread was not completely baked but the flavor was good...seemed to have nuts/seeds in them but it was still very doughy. We then ordered dessert - 3 chocolate mousse cakes with oreo cookie crusts and 2 apple crisps. The cakes came out about 5-10 minutes before the apple crisps, apparently because it took a while to microwave them to heat them up. Even so, they were still somewhat frozen in the center. They were clearly frozen desserts from the store. The mousse cakes were tasty but appeared to be frozen. 3 adults, 2 children, NO ALCOHOL and 20% gratuity included came up to roughly $150. On the bill our waitress put a star next to the line item where the 20% gratuity was included, which I thought was fine. A lot of people overlook included gratuity so it was nice she brought it to our attention. But then she had the gall to put a star next to the line item for EXTRA tip! Quite frankly 20% is already a nice tip and there was no way we were going to spend another nickel on that shoddy meal. NOW - I was patiently waiting to be asked how the meal was which is pretty customary after meals in a restaurant. After all, I always asked those types of questions when I waited tables. The question was never asked so I never gave them my opinion of the food. We ate some of it and we weren't looking for a handout and I'm not one to complain but am honest in my feedback when asked. The service was just "okay." I will not return to the Boathouse.
(1)Sean C.
Always one of my favorite jaunts. Had guests in from Houston recently and we enjoyed the most delicious dinner. Go for the raw oysters and enjoy a little brine while waiting on the arrival of the large seafood platter (add a lobster tail). You won't have room for dessert unless you are really smart and share - we did and another delicious treat. Great wine selection, or bring your own and pay a corkage fee. Reservations are a must during the season. (If you're one or two, and arrive without a reservation, enjoy food with drinks at the bar.) Valet parking easily available. And a roof top bar make sunsets really special. Three dining areas - though the main room is my favorite (across from the inside bar and near the hostess station). A little pricey - but worth every penny. And, it's fun to dress a little more island casual to enjoy. Enjoy!
(5)Shaughn H.
The food is overpriced. We waited for over an hour for our entrees, too bad we didn't order appetizers. When the food finally did come the fish was overcooked, the grits were dry and looked like they were scraped from the bottom of the pan and the linguine was just sitting in butter. The bread was good though. Go for a drink but eat somewhere else.
(1)Mark C.
While the location is wonderful nothing else is. The service from the waitstaff is below par and they desperately need a new expediter one who can read tickets. Most of the food for our table was flat out wrong and the food auction by the runners was terrible. Now the food complaints: When you order fish "Just Grilled" that doesn't mean blacken it or over salt it (as was the case with two of the entrees at the table). Don't serve Caesar salad as a do-it-yourself meal where you have to cut up your own lettuce. If you're going to advertise Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee two things: The base for Creme Brulee normally has vanilla bean it in, and if you emphasize the vanilla it should taste of real vanilla not the fake stuff in a bottle, a little vanilla speck would be nice. As a result I won't be back anytime soon.
(1)Scott H.
Worn out from day at the beach and quasi-sunburned but compelled to write about The Boathouse, which is Long John Silver's masquerading as a high-end restaurant. After all, I won't be able to sleep knowing some other poor unsuspecting sap falls for this tourist trap. I literally think they've got a cadre of college kids on summer break manning Microwaves that crank out frozen seafood claiming it's fresh and local. Think Applebee's/Chili's quality with prices resembling [Name your City's] best steak house. It gives me no pleasure to write such a scathing review, but the Boathouse deserves every bit of it. In fact, I'd give it 0 stars if that was an option.
(1)Dawn C.
We dined there this past Saturday. After reading many good reviews we decided to go for dinner. We had about a 20 minute wait but in the end decided to eat at the bar below the restaurant. The bartender (didn't get his name) was very professional, attentive and overall a nice guy. The food was not as great. We ordered the mussels and the clams for an appetizer. The mussels were good. The chef was a little heavy with the chopped tomato's though and the clams would have been good if there wasn't so much bacon in the dish. We did ask for the bacon to be omitted but that didn't happen. Overall the first course was good. We decided to try the seafood fettuccine per the MANY recommendations and reviews we read online. This was by far a very poor entrée. There was very little seafood (1 scallop, a few shrimp and a few pieces of unknown chunks of fish, that were overcooked IMO) The sauce was heavy and gummy with little to no taste. The food was also extremely HOT which tells me they probably microwaved it before it came out. Needless to say we did not order another entrée.
(2)Heidi S.
We visit the Charleston area twice a year and drive all the way from Kiawah to get to this restaurant. We really enjoy the food and service and particularly the view from the rooftop bar -- a view we just can't get over! We live in a landlocked state, so we eat a lot of seafood, which is always well prepared here. This place is a little dressier than beach attire, but I'd definitely go here for a date if I lived in the area!
(4)Leigh E.
We ate here while on vacation on IOP. I had the seafood linguini and my husband had a sampler with fish, lobster, scallops, collard greens and rice. I enjoyed my food, it was tasty although not amazing. My husband's food was really bad- the greens and the rice were VERY salty, almost inedible- and I like salty food! The fish was good but the lobster tail was tiny and not great. When the waiter came to clear the table my husband told him how over salted the food was and he shrugged and said " Sometimes that can happen depending upon who makes the food". We won't go back- the food doesn't justify the prices.
(2)george h.
Probably best seafood on the island and around Charleston in general. Great service and it's just a fun place to go eat. A cut above menu wise so it'll please those wanting more than your typical fried seafood platter. Porch is nice but can get hot in the summer but the view is great. I don't think you can go wrong but make a reservation! A caveat to this review is I have not eaten here in the last 4 years as we now hit Fripp Island for vacation and not Wild Dunes. With that said, things can change. Best advise, stay drunk my friends and it's all good.
(4)Betty R.
This restaurant cashes in on its lovely setting, for sure - it is a beautiful place to eat and watch the sunset. The service was friendly, though a bit slow (we had a big group, so that might explain some of that). Lots of seafood options, only some of which are local (a little surprising). The crab and corn soup had WAY too much going on - particularly thyme - so you couldn't taste the named ingredients. Southern/seafood egg rolls were tasty and not too greasy. The fried seafood was done nicely, and the sides were fine - a couple of folks who ordered more complicated dishes were a little disappointed, so I definitely think that simpler is better. Might end up as our new vacation tradition...
(3)Tracy G.
One of the things i look forward to when coming to the Isle of Palms for the family vacation is the first meal of trip ... always at the Boathouse. The atmosphere is causal beachy. The staff are friendly and attentive. The food ... just like coming home, good, comforting, something I look forward to. There is a reason we come here every trip, sometimes twice. We had a reservation, and the only wait for our table was due to our early arrival.
(4)Traci C.
I recently attended a wedding held at the Boathouse and must say, I have rearranged my favorites in Charleston after our visit! The setting is beautiful and really provides that casual beach feel that so many restaurants strive for and fail. The service was outstanding, with the waiters and bartenders attending to all the guests needs and wants in a friendly and responsive way. Now the food! The bride and groom selected from some of their favorites. From the friend green tomato topped with crabcake, to the low-country antipasto---it was fresh and well-prepared. The dessert (which instead of wedding cake) was the most amazing key lime and bourbon pecan pies we've ever tasted. For the setting, food, and service you really can't beat the Boathouse. They have other locations as well, but the IOP location is really what coastal dining is all about.
(4)Burbalicious X.
We thought this was pretty good - and were pleasantly surprised given so many mixed reviews on Yelp. We were able to get a table on the "patio" area and could see the water (granted, through some very thick plastic sheets) so the ambiance was nice. Husband started with a shrimp, scallop & she crab bisque that was really tasty and fresh. For dinner I had the blackened mahi with grits and blue cheese slaw, all delicious. Hubby had the shrimp & grits which was spicy and good. We shared a piece of key lime pie for dessert. I've had better but it wasn't bad. They also had Kim Crawford unoaked chardonnay by the glass, big plus! We would go back. We went to Morgan Creek Grill the next night on a couple of recommendations from friends and were sorely disappointed...despite slightly nicer setting at MCG, would definitely choose Boathouse for the food!
(4)Cindy W.
Terrible service, mediocre food. She never offered more drinks after the first round. Food took 45 minutes after salads came and it wasn't crowded. She never checked on us after food was served. I wouldn't recommend.
(1)Thomas T.
I went there with co-workers and friends during a business trip to Charleston, SC. Their seafood selection is decent. I ordered the steak and lobster plate, with 2 included side items (broccoli/cauliflower and mashed potatoes). When I received my dish, the steak was smaller than a deck of playing cards and the lobster tail wasn't that great. For a 30 dollar dish I should have gotten more steak and a great piece of lobster and better side dishes. I wasn't that impressed with my food. The parking is valet, which is somewhat of a turn off for people coming out-of-town on a budget. Their beer selection wasn't that good; they only had fat tire, blue moon and two other "so-so" beers on tap. I ordered the fat-tire in a 16 ounce glass; the glass was not poured to the top and had about 1-inch of empty space at the top. During my dining experience here, the service was okay. Towards the end of the meal, I kindly asked the server if he could take a picture of all us at the table, but instead, he recommended that we take one as we leave the restaurant. I did not appreciate that lack of effort, for a simple picture, and for that, my generosity towards him (i.e. - TIP) was reflected upon his own efforts and attitude towards us. This place is, in my opinion, highly over rated. Hank's Seafood in Downtown Charleston (On Haynes Street) is 1000 times better than this place and their prices are nearly identical to the Boathouse. Also, the service is better at Hanks and the atmosphere was a lot more lively than the Boathouse.
(2)Christie R.
We stayed at Wild Dunes and the Concierge AND the Valet BOTH independently suggested this restaurant. We had just arrived and did not want to go off the "island" and into Charleston. Most of the 1 to 3 star reviews of this place are spot on. The food is average and the facilities are small and hot. The AC went out about half way through our meal and the staff couldn't get it back on. This apparently was the second night in a row this happened. My husband had the seafood fettuccine (mostly an unknown white fish, one scallop and a couple of shrimp) and I had the spicy shrimp and grits. Both were just fair, nothing unusual or special. The crab fritter appetizer was pretty tasty as were the Little Neck Clams. The Key Lime pie for dessert was also good, nothing special and served with a dollop of cool whip. (YUK) If you want a close by place for dinner and basic food is all you need or want, go for it. We really hoped for something a little more unusual and reflective of South Carolina.
(2)Brian D.
Good food and very romantic if you eat indoors. The back patio has thick foggy plastic curtains and doesn't suit the place well. Please ask for a corner booth if you're on a date. You won't regret it or the fried oysters. On a down note, the place is a bit snobby for a beach restaurant. Its mostly filled with southern country club "folks" in boat shoes.
(4)Rich G.
We ate here on our last night on Isle of Palms and we're glad we did. The view from the enclosed porch at sunset was FANTASTIC! The food was very good. We each got one of the specials and the fish was fresh and well prepared. The food here is easily as good as any meal we had in downtown Charleston.
(4)Blake W.
I've been here a few times and I've never really been impressed. I love the view at the Breach Inlet and the roof top bar is alot of fun when you've got to wait for a table (seems to happen no matter when we make a reservation). On our most recent trip, we came here to celebrate our few hour old engagement since it was close to the house and celebration was sure to happen so driving to Charelston was out. We waited for our table for about 20 minutes past our reservation (Tuesday night before the 4th). We got down to our table only to wait another 20 minutes for a server to talk to us. We tried to order a bottle of Champagne, but some friends from out of town had already beat us to it. A waiter told us he had a bottle already picked out for us and he would be bringing it right out.... another 20 minutes go by and the Champagne comes -- Not even cold, just slightly chilled Veuve. I tell him to go ahead and pore it beucase I'm damn thirsty and hungry. So moving on to the food..... I had the Duck Confit App, it was cooked perfectly althought the presentation was quick boring -- a leg with a Mango (or peach I can't remember) The Lobster and Crab cake was alrgiht. I was really excited about the Gouda Mac N Cheese but that was really mild and the Noodles where mushy. I wasn't unhappy with the experience but it definitely wasn't the best....
(3)Michelle S.
Food was really good! I had the lobster and crab cake entree with collard greens and stew tomatoes and orka as sides. Our server was super nice and was up front about all prices. The environment was wonderful and teh location is really great. If it hadn't started storming we would have sat outside.
(5)