252 Coming St

The food at Chubby Fish is next level and true sea to table fresh!!! VERDICT: Guilty as sin for serving up the freshest fish in Charleston

Great staff and service. Friendly and knowledgeable. Place itself is cramped, yet charming. The long wait for a table is a fun thing to do. I think it builds expectations (and hunger). Food is tasty and a nice change up from the usual boring restaurant offerings. Bring a full wallet!

My fiancé and I visited Charleston to celebrate a very special week--my 40th birthday which my fiancé proposed to me on!--and Chubby Fish made it truly unforgettable. We dined there our first night in town and were absolutely blown away. After trying another well-reviewed restaurant the next evening and leaving feeling underwhelmed, we decided to return to Chubby Fish--and that decision turned everything around. The moment we walked in and mentioned our celebration, the staff treated us like royalty. Dani and Kate were beyond kind and attentive, making us feel like VIPs the entire evening. Every dish that came to our table was a masterpiece--fresh, innovative, and hands-down the best food we've ever had. And we don't say that lightly. What really left a lasting impression was meeting the owner, James London. You could see how personally invested he is in every single dish. His passion and care are evident in every plate that leaves the kitchen. It's rare to witness that kind of dedication, and it made the experience even more meaningful. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, buzzing with the kind of energy that tells you something special is happening here. It's the kind of place you never want to leave--and certainly the kind of place we'll never forget. Thank you, Chubby Fish, for making such an important moment in our lives even more magical. We can't wait to come back.

I'm so glad I decided to get in line straight from the airport because we had a great time here. And for what you get, it's very reasonably priced. The 4 of us ordered most of the menu and several drinks and it came out to something like $70 a person. Being from the Bay Area I think it would have been almost double that here. I think the menu changes pretty often so I won't get too into specific dishes but don't be afraid to get the meat ones just because it's a seafood joint. We got a lamb one and it was maybe the best thing we had.

Chubby Fish...funny name but serious eats coming out of this kitchen! It was a Tuesday afternoon when I got in the 40 person line to reserve a table a few hours later for the wife and I. I love the "no free lunch" concept here at Chubby Fish. There are no reservations. You have to physically get to the door prior to 5pm and make your dinner reservation destiny. Sink or swim you chubby bastards! So that's what I did. I got in line around 445pm which is late by most standards, you need to be there by 4 on weekends! Luck was on my side and I requested bar seating around 8pm, which we were given. Amazing to watch the masters of the kitchen throw down on some work! Ordered up one caviar sammich, 5 oysters, bone marrow with tempura shrimp, grouper curry. Oh yeah and my plain Jane wife ordered some shrimp and rice. All the food was amazing. I can't yet wrap my mind around the caviar sammich because of how smooth it was. For me the battle of feats was bone marrow tempura shrimp and grouper curry. Both amazing dishes with both different flavors and textures. Not only was the food amazing the staff was top tier! The hostess remembered my name when we arrived for our reservation. Rebecca our server helped me captain this Chubby Fish food expedition. The guys and gals in the kitchen chatted with us often due to bar seating on kitchen row. Their skills really shined with the taste of each prepared dish. Chubby Fish is more than a restaurant, it's a cultural experience for the taste buds. I shall return!!!

Wow, just wow. We waited an hour in line at 4:15 PM just to get a 10:15 PM time slot. By that time, I was exhausted and honestly not even hungry. But this meal? Hands down the best I had during our entire Charleston trip. Every dish was perfectly executed--especially the caviar sandwich, which stole the show. From the crudo and ceviche to the curry, celery salad, clam cavatelli, and even the "not fried chicken" ice cream, everything was exceptional. The service was stellar too--truly a standout experience.

Yes! Yes! Yes! This seafood spot is absolutely worth the wait! They do not take reservations, so yes--the line is long, but once you're in, you'll see why. Every dish, from the super-fresh raw oysters to the crudo and all of the other creative fish plates, is a flavor bomb. The menu is tapas style and it makes it easy to try a bit of everything, and trust me, you'll want to. The vibe is lively, the service is on point, and the food is unforgettable. One of the best seafood experiences I've had! And one of the best meals of my life. I have zero notes for this place. Zero regrets. Caviar Sammie was so delicious! I am still thinking about it!!! I cannot wait to come back to Chubby Fish, next time I am in town. This place lived up to its hype.

I really wanted to like Chubby fish , but overall my experience was not the best. We arrived to the line 45 minutes before they opened and did not get a seating, we were instead offered to put the name on the list and wait around 3 hours until 8pm ish. We went bar hoping around town waiting for the table to open and even walked back a couple times to get updates, but we did not get a table assigned until around 9:30 pm. By the time we headed back it was nearing 10pm and we asked if it was still an option , to which we were assured , it was and sat down. We put an order for appetizers right away, and when the server a came back and we were ready to order mains, we were told the kitchen was closed, so we were not able to try anything else. I felt a bit disappointed having waited 5 hours for a table just to be told I could not order food. I wish we were given a close kitchen warning before we sat down , or at the time we put the appetizer order. We got to try three things: 1. bone marrow shrimp tempura: Delicious, very special and unique dish with an interesting presentation 2. : some ceviche like fish on a slice of bread. totally unremarkable and not worth 30 dollars 3. Tempura fried shrimp: Very unremarkable for fried shrimp also not worth the price tag. Overall , I think there are other places with higher or similar quality food that don't require so much effort and waiting. I know I am on the minority and this is a beloved place, but It does not live up to the Hype and the exclusive "no reservation wait in line for 5 hours " policy I just ruins the experience.

This place lives up to the hype. They don't take reservations, so you've got to line up before they open to snag a spot, but it's 100% worth it. The food was amazing. You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. Some of my top picks were the grilled oysters, celery salad, lamb ribs, and the curry grouper rice. Dessert was just okay, but overall, this was one of the best meals I've had.

Every now and again I come across a business that was just so good that I am intimidated to write a review. This is how it has been with Chubby Fish. I just don't feel confident that I can capture the excellence. We ate here two months ago while visiting Charleston. I did my research because we were only there for 4 days and I only wanted to eat at the best restaurants. This was by far the best meal we had in all of Charleston. We arrived at 3:30pm and stood in line for an hour and a half until they opened. Once they open, you get an option to dine immediately or put your name on the list to return later. We opted to dine immediately. The restaurant itself is quite humble. Simple decor. No menus, but a giant chalk board with the evenings offerings. The plates and glasses are all mismatched and vintage looking. Tasteful and comfortable is how I would describe it. We were lucky enough to be seated at the chef's counter at the two stools closest to the expeditor who just happened to be the Sous Chef. He was incredibly friendly and helpful with recommending his favorites. It was only two of us and we wanted to order everything. We started with the caviar sammich's. One for each of us was not enough and we immediately ordered two more. We then had the tuna crudo. I'm not going to lie, coming from Hawaii I don't ever expect fish to be as fresh as we get here, but the crudo was melt in your mouth and very fresh tuna. The grilled oysters with curry was my allstar favorite of the evening. I wasn't expecting that, but our new expeditor friend highly recommended it. My taste buds just danced once I tasted it. We also had the cauliflower cacio e pepe, gnuddi with blue crab, and not fried chicken for dessert. All good. There were only two disappointments for me...1) We didn't eat here sooner so that we could have come back again before leaving. 2) That I could not eat more at one sitting. Do not let the long wait keep you from experiencing this restaurant, just go!

Love this place every time we can get in! Where else can you taste 6 different types of the best seafood anywhere. Last night the 4 of us shared caviar, oysters snapper, grouper, mackerel and wahoo! Hostess was amazing- friendly and competent control of the wait list But shoot- the waiter put us off. He was rushed, arrogant and lacked friendliness. He was very persnickety about the order of the table - moving things around in a huff after our guests placed them. Telling a guest not to help clear the table as she was moving some plates to the side and stacking them. He hurriedly picked up the plates and spilled some of it on the seat beside us and did not return to clean it up. Even asking us to pick up our linens so he could wipe down the table after we were finished eating and about to leave? Weird.

What went well? Literally everything. The caviar sammich' and the grilled oysters where probably the best I've ever had. Also tried the buffalo tilefish collard, delicious, but salty. Ended with the Ube bannana pudding. Perfect meal. Great service. Also, love the merch here, flawless branding.

This place had the best customer service,I literally pulled up and host saw me from the window. We made eye contact and she walked out to my car . She Let me know that 9pm was the first availability to accommodate my party ,I took it. I came back she new my name and was ao engaging it felt like I knew her for years and I was having dinner at her place. The waitress was super patient with my parents who had a ton of question. This place is quaint and cozy. The food was absolutely delicious I ordered the caviar sammich ,grilled oysters ,curry smoked wrecking. The flavors were out of this world. I can't wait to visit charleston again and give this place a try.

We had the time of our lives at Chubby Fish on Tuesday night. Every single dish we ordered was incredible and worth the wait. Tapas style small plates are perfect for sharing with a group - they recommend ordering 3 per person. The team at Chubby is so thoughtful and had no issues accommodating my allergies. Chubby is such an impressive spot to bring friends and family while they're in town visiting! We ordered: Caviar sandwiches Bluefin tuna crudo Wagyu tartar Tuna belly toast Cauliflower Cacio e peppe Chili garlic shrimp Shrimp tempura bone marrow smoked curry Angel hair with octopus Life raft fried chicken icecream

Hands down the best restaurant in Charleston, in my opinion. I go every year for my birthday. Yeah, the wait is long, but it's totally worth it. For anyone who doesn't know how it works, people start lining up outside Chubby Fish around 3:30-4pm to get their name on the list. They don't start seating until 5pm, but you can hold a spot for later. If you really want to make sure you get a table, I'd recommend showing up by 4. The food is unreal. My top recs are the caviar sandwich, tuna tartare, and the celery salad.

Holly crap! Top 5 in Charleston Wow oh wow oh wow Ambiance to super comfy and relaxed Service is totally spot on in every way Food is ridiculous Go at 3:30pm and wait in line When they open at 5 you can eat then or put your name on the list for later Everything is sold out every night by 5:45pm so don't think you will creative and figure out another option Did of mention that the food is over the top

I probably had one of the best meals of my life at Chubby Fish. Yes we really did get there before 4 pm and were about the 5th party in line. By the time they started seating people/taking names the line was too long to see the end. We ordered everything they told us to order and we were happy!

Buzzing atmosphere, friendly yet polished service and food you can't get anywhere else, creations from Chef James London. Using fresh local ingredients with the focus on seafood and vegetables with a Southeast Asian twist; crudo, ceviche, oysters, shrimp and fish in unique and delicious combinations. Recently leeks vinaigrette with razor clams and cashews was unusual, tasty and successfully executed. There's always a new take on familiar food.

One of the best meals I've had my entire life. Got in line at 4:30 and had a table at 6 but went to the seahorse bar next door to wait. Every single bite was delicious. The staff is so friendly and it's such a fun atmosphere. I will go here every single time I visit Charleston.

Absolutely phenomenal. This experience has actually left me speechless. Every dish we tried was a 10/10. My favorites from this meal were the grilled oysters with crab curry and the summer melon with pork belly. Well worth the hour long wait! The restaurant opens at 5:00 and there was a decently long line forming by 3:50. Don't let the wait scare you, the food is absolutely worth it. Wonderful service and great ambiance. Can't wait to come back again soon.

We chose a chilly night to venture here since the buzz is all about the wait and lines. Surprise, no wait or line for us. Parking is extremely challenging in the neighborhood so uber is the best option . We were sat at a communal table and enjoyed chatting with our neighbors. Service was very pleasant and we appreciated the tip to take a photo or 2 of the menu. Everything is shareable size so it added up quickly. We decided upon the curry grilled oysters, crab tagliatelle was the best, salad with the caper dressing was amazing. Tempura snapper portion was large, sauce was uninspired. Pineapple sorbet dipped in chocolate was good but the chocolate was more presentation than taste fir me. Loved the sorbet though. Wine list was uninteresting and I tried 3 whites which were flavorless before switching to a local beer. Frankly, food was good, seems to be a high hype IG than quality thoughtful food pairing. We do not eat meat so maybe that is the category that is incredible.... Too much quality competition in this city....

Love the seafood in Charleston! It was my first time visiting this city and Chubby Fish was high on my bucket list for when I was here. Went on a Saturday so I imagine a pretty popular / crowded day and got in line about an hour before open (got there at 4pm when it opens at 5pm). There were definitely quite a few people who beat us there but once it came to opening, we were able to get sat right away. I believe there's an option where you can request a later slot! We sat at the bar and absolutely loved every dish! Stand outs were the caviar sammich, grilled oysters, the blue crab tagliatelle and the tuna on toast. I love that they have several rotating options as well as consistent hits. Their wine was fantastic as well. Service was helpful, knowledgable, and quick! I can't wait to come back and try even more of the items :)

I loved chubby fish. The food is amazing and our server was so nice. However, I was kind of overwhelmed by how close we were sitting to other tables. It's a smaller space so I respect that they are trying to maximize the number of customers inside as possible, but it was definitely slightly too cramped for my liking. They're so popular so I hope that they consider expanding! When it comes to the food, everything was divine. Some of my favorites were the oysters, the charred lamb ribs and the blue crab tagliatelle. The oysters were so fresh, higher salinity (which is how I like it), and came with a wonderful dip called tosazu, which is soy, rice vinegar, scallion and ginger. The yellowfin tuna crudo gets a honorable mention in my opinion because it was delicious and fresh, albeit not groundbreaking. The charred lamb ribs almost melted off the bone and were delectable on the bed of romesco. There was so much flavor! I loved the blue crab tagliatelle too, as there were large chunks of crab meat. The bone marrow entree was slightly too heavy and oily for my liking, but still really good. We ended our meal with their "short rib" dessert. It was chocolate ice cream, gochujang and shortbread cookie. I believe they work with Life raft treats for their desserts.

Amazing food! It was worth the hour wait in line for the reservation! We had the stone crabs, summermelon salad, grouper, and shrimp. All dishes were delicious!

Phenomenal dining experience and never thought I'd say it but well worth the wait in the hot humidity. Show up at 3:30 and get ready to sweat! The food was so original, unique, and FRESH. Seafood forward taking on so many different unique items. Super small establishment with good energy and quite a good vibe. Definitely recommend-- is a bit loud for your awareness.

A charming little dinning room that feels like a neighborhood kitchen. Blue crab toast: 5/5. If you've never tried this, then you're not ready for what's about to happen to your mouth! Ok - maybe you are ready. Pricey- but wildly delicous. Grouper: 2/5. I really wanted to enjoy this dish, but the fish was so over salted that I couldn't even appreciate the 2 accompanying sauces. Beautiful presentation and nice texture on the fish. Smoked fish curry: 2/5. The first bite was wonderful, but by the 2nd and 3rd bites my palette was completely overwhelmed by salt. Beautiful dish, but overtly salty. The waitress queried the chef about the salinity of the dish and they said it was salty by design. Please consider lowering the salt content. Chili garlic shrimp: 5/5. While deceptively simple, it was absolutely delicious. Shrimp was fresh and had a nice texture. Sauce was well balanced. Service: 5/5. Excellent service by our waitress. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great recommendations and responded well to our issue with the salinity of 2 of the dishes.

Food was excellent seated all expectations even the hour and a half waiting line. If you're going to be there for 5:00 seating make sure you count 40 people. Otherwise put your name on the list come back later. Definitely a place to put in the list of restaurants to try in Charleston. Oysters, caviar, shrimp, Wagu you get what I'm saying here.

Chubby fish dinner was so much fun! You had to line up around 4pm to get a table there but the food were amazing tho, worth the wait. We came and hang out at the Seahorse bar before they got our table ready and was able to ordered some yummy drinks and we can bring our drink to the restaurant. Fyi, the restaurant only serve wine and beers for the alcohol option. The host took us to our table and we sat infront of the cooking area which was so fun watching them cooking and prepping the food. The restaurant was small so it quite loud in there. We had the bluefin tuna belly toast from the raw bar, seared bluefin toro from the small plate option and bone marrow with shrimp tempura and spicy mayo from the large plate. Everything was so good and fresh and the service was pretty on point. They cheffs crew behind the tall bar counter table were friendly and very patience in answering all of my curios questions on their menu and food recommendation. Way to go Chubby Fish!

When I say worth the wait, I mean it. My husband and I finally got to come here. Chubby fish is a first come first serve restaurant so I suggest getting in line around 3:50/4:00 in order to get a spot right away. These place were extremely colorful and diverse. The freshness of the fish paired with the flavors of each dish changes my perspective on fish. I can say the curry was the best dish I've eaten so far in Charleston. Service was exceptional and every decor detail was perfect. Cannot wait to come back. Best anniversary dinner ever.

Excellent experience at chubby fish! We went on a Thursday ~4:20 and were about 50th in line. Enough people ahead of us made reservations for later that we were seated when they opened. Food and wine were both excellent and would absolutely get the crudo and seared tuna again. Everything else was also great but would explore other things before getting them again.

Always worth the wait!! The menu changes slightly to highlight the freshest seafood and veggies. The grilled oysters in curry, pasta, and fried chicken iced cream dessert are must gets. Also loved the tuna crudo & the caviar sammie (while expensive) is fun to try. Servers are knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations - overall fun & inviting atmosphere

My oh my, this was the most anticipated restaurant on my Charleston dinner list for this visit and it did NOT disappoint. Seriously, please take ALL my money!! Their menu changes constantly which I think is really cool. Also, it's a smaller space and you really DO want to show up between 4-4:15 to sit outside and wait for them to open at 5, since they don't take reservations. If you get there early there's little benches shaded by a nice big tree and they even put water out in case people need it. Now for the food, every single bite was delicious. My mind was especially blown by the Yellowfin Tuna Belly Toast and the Bone Marrow with Shrimp Tempura though. I will absolutely be returning on my next visit, and every visit going forward.

Ok I did it. We waited in line at 3:30 to get a table since we're right up the street. And when I say we, Katharine waited with a book. I took the rest of the group to Dispensary, Prohibition, then back to the neighborhood for a glass of wine at Philosophers and Fools. They're a block or two over. Chubby Fish have a water cooler for folks that wait in the sun. They open at 5 to take name. You really want to share everything when you come here. The ambiance is cool and communal, but I think if you got a single entre and glass of wine, you wouldn't get the hype. Come with friends and there really are some exquisite tastes and unique combinations. Service was good, as was the experience and company. Nothing here was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth, but also nothing was short of amazing. There was a curry that was incredible. Caviar sandwiches (slider size) can be split if the cost is jaw dropping. They are really good but pretty much a Hawaiian Roll with butter on it. Caviar is not a Lowcountry dish, and while CF doesn't state that, I think it's funny that tourists and foodies feel the need to get it. In spite of that, our table got some. Bone marrow probably the least amazing dish for me. The menu changes daily so I'm not sure it's worth reviewing plates. The Thai chili shrimp were really good. All of the salads/healthy options were spectacular. We also got some tuna tar tar which is not pictured but was really good. We'll definitely be going back. Let me know if you want to come with us!

You go to Chubby Fish to say you went to Chubby Fish. It's as simple as that. The menu changes frequently, so you never know what you'll get. However, the food was delicious, and my family and I left knowing we had spent money on quality dishes. The servers don't really engage with you, which I believe is because they don't seem to receive many complaints. Our server checked on us only once during our two-hour meal. For some, this might be a problem, but I prefer not having servers constantly hovering, so I appreciated it. Be prepared to wait outside for up to an hour. If you arrive early enough, you can sit on the bench. It's not terrible, just time-consuming. In retrospect, I probably won't return, simply because I don't always have an hour to wait in line. However, it certainly feels good to say I ate here and the food was beyond all my wildest expectations. Worth a visit and definitely a fun place to experience in my lifetime.

Waited two hours to get in, but the food was excellent. The atmosphere was lively, and the service was solid. The yellowfin tuna crudo was a standout--flavorful with a nice crunch from the finely chopped tuna. Olive oil tied it together well. The grilled oysters were great. The Thai sauce added depth, and the oysters were intentionally a bit raw, which worked. The caviar sammich had good flavors, though the buttery bread slightly overpowered the caviar. Could've been more balanced. The poached golden tilefish started off bitter, but the sauce helped. We spoke to the waitress about it, and she was very accommodating. The flounder was good too, and the sauce was generous. We finished most of the fish and ended up packing the remaining fish to bring back to our hotel. Great spot, and was worth the long wait. However, if you're traveling to Charleston for the first time, the wait might cause your schedule to be disrupted, missing other spots to visit during your trip. I wish there was a better way to not stand in line for so long.

This is long overdue, as we visited Chubbyfish on April 23rd, 2024. My husband and I were on an anniversary road trip through the south, we had never been to Charleston before, and we didn't do much research ahead of the trip for food stops (like we normally would have done). We ended up here because we were having a wonderful dinner the night before at another very popular restaurant on the main street. We were chatting with their manager about where locals love and her kitchen staff's favorite. She gave us a short list of favorites, and noted one was a "must do"... Chubbyfish. She went on to inform us of the impending James Beard Award that the chef was up for and told us that if we were going to try it, "now is the time" before it blows up even more. She gave us the recommendation that you need to be standing in line NO LATER than 4:45pm on the day you want to dine (there are no reservations, but there certainly was a line on this random Tuesday afternoon!). We were towards the back of that line, standing on a suburban sidewalk, shaded by neighborhood trees (could be worse). When we got to the front, the first seating of the entire restaurant had been sat (yes, all at once). We put our names down for 6:30pm and went for a walk to kill time. When we came back, the hostess confirmed we were second in line to be sat as tables got up. She also took our (alcoholic) drink orders and we were permitted to drink our Rosé on their sidewalk, which was nicely shaded from the hot sun by the beautiful mature trees. I was starting to get excited. It was just us 2 and we got SUPER LUCKY to be sat at the chef's table (which is the bartop seating at the back of the restaurant, facing the plating area of the kitchen). Having done some reading on the restaurant, the chef, and their mission and history, I instantly recognized Chef when we were sat. We made it known (in a very polite way), that we were going to be consulting with Chef during our experience, so the waiter was mostly left to attend to his other tables and bring us more wine. Of course, all food was excellent; we weren't surprised by that. But, I would say that the Caviar sandwiches were a MUST have and I am not really that into Caviar. Each person should get their own, but you CAN share one between two people if you only want the smallest taste. (Go for one each!) Overall, it was an excellent experience and it was also very exciting to get personal explanations, recommendations, and indepth discussions straight from a newly minted James Beard award nominated Chef. You can get all the same information from other reviews, but let me tell you... if you have the opportunity to sit at the back kitchen hightop... take it! That's my main recommendation.

My boyfriend and I had watched a Bon Appetite video on this place and it was our main reason we were in Charleston. The line starts forming before 4pm for a 5pm opening and we barely made the first seating. We were very happy with all the food we ordered. The cauliflower is nice and filling and perfectly tender. The tile fish had a nice broth and slightly smokey flavor (maybe like kombu seaweed) and reminded me of japanese food a bit. All the dishes were really well executed and it definitely lived up to our expectations!

Terrible. Stood in line for two hours and was lied to about entry time. Stood in line for another full hour after setting the res. Waste of time will not be coming back.

This place deserves a Michelin Star for sure. And there definitely is talk about it. After my experience with Chubby Fish, I would say they are a sinch to get it. I was leaving a Yelp event around the corner and was still hungry and had a parking spot near the storied restaurant. Told myself if I can get in I will go, if not, heading home to snack. But alas, I walked up and since just a one-top, I was instantly given a corner spot on the bar next to another guy that came by himself. I thanked him for making it possible to get a spot. He had to wait for his as did everyone else in the place. The service in the place was stellar. I instantly ordered a caviar slider because that is why I went! Kept seeing them online and crave the delicacy. It was served in minutes on a buttery hawaiin type role. Small but a couple bites with ample fish eggs and a smooth flavor. So decadent. I then ordered the green curry, smoked wreck fish plate. Peanuts and eggplant over rice with plenty of the smoky fish in curry. Lots of mint leaves on top that I originally thought were a little much but after a couple bites with mint I decided every bite wanted the mint and could not get enough. It was one of the lesser expensive items on the menu but it was so fantastic and seemed decadent. Plenty of curry flavor and the peanuts gave fantastic texture. Only item I did not taste was the eggplant but I was ok with it. Ambiance was great. Conversation at the bar was good and spoke to several cooks and preps and they were full of knowledge and hospitality. I can't wait to come back and get the curried fish meal again or either some other very fresh fish item. This place is a local treasure. No wonder everyone waits in line. Even in the heat of the summer.

Chubby Fish is worth the wait time. See, everyone stated I must go to Chubby Fish! I walked down the residential streets to find this unassuming restaurant on the corner and was told that it was a 45 minute wait time. Being famished I opted not to wait and I left that day. I was told to come around opening. I thought I was so clever I arrived ten minutes before opening. The line stretched 150 feet according to my GPS. Yea, apparently I was not clever enough or too many people were more clever! I waited patiently as the line moved forward taking fifteen minutes to get to the front where the hostess informed me I had two choices. I could either wait another four hours or eat immediately at a communal standing table. I went with the standing table. I joined four other woman at this standing table that was not much wider than a narrow bar top. The restaurant was packed. It was fairly loud, but not so loud that I couldn't hear people around me. Our waitress was wonderful. She was effortlessly cool. The tight spaces did not seemed not to phase her. She guided along appearing at perfect times to offer more wine or ask if we wanted more food. I mean, she made me relaxed despite not being in my element. It felt like this was her space and we were gracious guests. The ambiance became a group of strangers united by a love of wine and food. It was marvelous. My dining companions were strangers and as corny as it sounds we left as friends. Literally we went out after for drinks! Getting back to Chubby Fish the food was AMAZING. I stuck with the raw bar selections and no regrets. The oysters were grand. The tuna crudo buttery. The tuna toast with greens delightful. My taste buds sung and dance and celebrated. Chubby Fish is worth the wait and if you feel so bold the group table is a whole adventure!

The seafood is fresh, the dishes are creative, the vibe is good. I like the community table. The menu is always changing. It's a top 5 for me in CHS.

I strongly recommend getting here 45 minutes prior to 5PM. I dropped my wife off here, parked and came back on a Tuesday afternoon and we were the last two to get in. It is a small space and 50-60 might be all that is let in. The food and service were excellent. We did the crispy rice salad. Which was outstanding. The grilled oysters were topped by puffed rice and in a curry sauce,, well nuanced and light. We were told 3-5 plates should be sufficient and we added the chili shrimp dish which was loaded with fresh cilantro,

Very busy at all times! We put our names in and went about to get drinks for a couple hours and came back and got to a standing table while we waited for some guests to leave from a table. Limited seating, some bar seating and tables here and there. Caviar sliders 10/10 orgasmic. Like I didn't think they would be that good. Beef tartare with the nori and rice 10/10 Soft shell crab had a unique kaffir lime leaf flavor- yum. You know you don't get a lot with soft shell but I'll give 9/10. Spicy shrimp with the rice, delish. 10/10 Blue crab tagliatelle didn't have the most flavor I thought but overall a pretty good dish. 9/10 Great service, definitely on the pricier side and totally worth the wait.

Top 5 spots in Charleston, in my opinion. Nothing on the menu is less than amazing. Expect long wait times - but it's worth it!

We arrived around 6pm on a Tuesday and the wait was 2.5 hours. We checked back in around 7:15 just to check, and they were able to fit us in. Service was great - everyone we spoke with was super nice, and they were totally packed but attentive. The spot is cute and airy. Definitely loud but the acoustics were pretty good so I could hear those I was sharing dinner with. We ordered a ton of oysters, crudo, lamp neck, tagliatelle, and a skipjack curry. Everything was 5/5 stars! Everything was fresh and you can tell they put a ton of thought into every single dish. This is definitely a special occasion kind of place for us, a little expensive but well worth it for the quality.

Absolutely phenomenal. Best meal I had in Charleston! The hostess was such an angel and found a way to squeeze me in even though it was packed. I ordered the oysters, crudo, caviar sandwich, and fried oyster roll. Everything was exceptional. My favorite was the crudo and caviar sandwich - both were fresh and flavorful. The caviar sandwich is quite small though, so treat it like an appetizer! The oysters were delicious and came with a jelly that I loved. The fried oyster roll was decently sized and came with a side of chips - good for a main entree. It's pricey but worth every penny. This place is a must have when in Charleston!

Too notch joint! I saw this place on YouTube, and read on the site that they don't take reservations. You can show up at 4p when the line forms and put your name and table down for a later time. I called the restaurant the day of and was told if I got there before 4:40p, I should be able to get a table later than opening time at 5p. Since we were visiting from out of town, I went ahead and got in line right after 4p. We barely got a table for 4 at 6:30p, with the next time available at 8:30p. I'm glad I jumped in line early! If you want to eat at 5p, make sure your full party is there, or they will not seat you!!! The food was the best I've had in Charleston. We at the Charleston Grill the night before, which is upscale and nice, just not as delicious. The flavors at Chubby Fish all work together, and sharing 4 large plates with 2 starters is a good size for a part of four. We got the Crab tagliatelle, grouper x2, and the shrimp, plus the tuna belly toast and yellow eye snapper starters. Everyone agreed the tuna belly toast was the best, but everything else was also so amazing! It's better than the Charleston Grill and less stuffy (read: there is no stuffy, outdated dress code here). They were out of the Not Fried Chicken for dessert, so we shared the "short rib" and "pineapple (can't remember the full name)". Both were exquisite. If you wonder if the line and waiting is worth it, it definitely is. I would come here often, if I lived in CHS still!

Was in Charleston and had heard great things about this place. We lined up at 4:20 pm , they open at 5pm and don't take reservations . There are 40 seats so we ended up having to come back at 630. While we waited I was hoping this place would be worth the wait. We walked back and were seated promptly. The place is packed , loud and tight but somehow it makes an incredible vibe. I felt a little awkward at first because I don't go to places like this often. I'm not a shirt and tie guy , so I was wearing very casual clothing and felt comfortable . Our server was Hunter and I'm so glad he was our server. Hunter explained how everything worked . He recommended that for the 2 of us to start out ordering 3-4 plates and if we needed more we can always add on. They serve everything family style so you share each plate. They bring everything 1 at a time after you finish each dish. You have to have a little patience. But as busy as this place is one of the things I loved the most is that nobody is in a hurry or rushing anything . You can totally relax while you wait for your next dish. The staff are all top notch. Everyone I came in contact with was stellar and seemed like they love their jobs. So we took some of Hunters recommendations and started off with poached sea bass , the taste was amazing with the smoky fish broth leaving a comfort food feeling in my soul. Next we had the curried golden tilefish. This dish knocked my socks off and both of us thought it was incredible. We continued with a whole flounder in brown butter with capers . It was fabulous we picked the bones clean ! Lastly, we had bone marrow shrimp tempura , this was my first time trying bone marrow.This dish was outstanding , it was so savory and delicious with the perfect heat and umami flavor. And for desert we shared the not fired chicken ice cream which was very unique and tasty. My only regret was not having a bigger stomach , but we were both stuffed so our magical night was over. Everything about our visit was amazing . I would never go to Charleston again without going back to try some more ! I couldn't recommend this place anymore. Just make sure to get in line early if you want to eat at 5.

We finally braved the infamous line at Chubby Fish. We went on a Saturday around 4:15pm. So, about 50-60 deep in line, they let you in at 5pm. We got on the list to come back at 6:30pm. We are just two so that ups the chances of a seating. Must be in line by 4pm to for sure get a seating. High hopes of this place and it met the bar. We had various oysters, poached tilefish, grilled bluefin toro, black grouper and curry. The top two dishes were Curry and Bluefin Toro! Those were unmatched, but the rest of the dishes were also amazing. The server was great and did help with the GF options, if you have a soy allergy, you won't be able to eat here! We sat at the bar so we had awesome views of the cooking the entire time! We loved that! It is loud because it's small! But it's worth it for a special night to experience it, if you're willing to wait in line! Hint..stop by their sister Seahorse for a cocktail while you're waiting for your table.