Merci

French restaurant · Charleston

Merci

French restaurant · Charleston

4

28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401

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Highlights

French-influenced bistro with Southern hints; reservations recommended  

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28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401 Get directions

mercichs.com
@mercichs

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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28 Pitt St, Charleston, SC 29401 Get directions

+1 854 200 4407
mercichs.com
@mercichs

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 20, 2025

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@eater

Charleston’s Best New Restaurants | Eater Carolinas

"Tucked away in Harleston Village, Merci is a dreamy space with touches of old-world Europe. The team behind the culinary company Drifter, Michael and Courtney Zentner, opened the restaurant to showcase French fare with hints of the American South, creating a playful, less formal menu. The space is small, so reserve early. And don’t skip the ice cream for dessert." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/maps/best-new-charleston-restaurants
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@eater

The Best New Charleston Restaurant Openings, April 2025 | Eater Carolinas

"A small, tucked-away restaurant in Harleston Village with a dreamy, old‑world European feel from the team behind Drifter (Michael and Courtney Zentner), offering playful French-influenced dishes with Southern hints; reservations are recommended and the house ice cream is a standout dessert." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/2025/4/17/24410340/new-charleston-restaurant-openings-april
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@eater

Charleston’s Newest Neighborhood Bistro, Merci, Opens This Saturday | Eater Carolinas

"Occupying the former neighborhood bodega at the corner of Pitt and Montagu Streets in downtown Charleston’s Harleston Village, this European-style bistro is the new project from the team behind The Drifter, whose founders Michael and Courtney Zentner are known for staging Instagrammable culinary events. The kitchen is led by culinary director Michael Zentner with Alex Cotler (formerly of Costa) as sous chef, and the menu leans French with Southern touches—playful and less formal, described by the team as an “argument between your French and Italian grandmothers.” A flagship dish is a quartered focaccia stuffed with stracciatella and finished hot with shaved Benton’s ham, pickled peppers, hot honey, and pistachios, offering a balance of refinement and playfulness. Housed in an 1820s Federal-style building redesigned with local designer Helen Riceto and fitted with custom cabinets and tables by woodworker Brad Hubbard of the Knotty Log, the 20-seat dining room (plus six at the bar) mixes vintage art, antique furniture, and collected silverware to feel approachable yet like fine dining. Reservations are available online ahead of the opening on Saturday, March 22; once open it will serve dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and may occasionally reinterpret classics like steak frites or French onion soup to suit its style." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/2025/3/17/24387749/merci-charleston-opening
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15 Most Anticipated Restaurants Across North and South Carolina | Eater Carolinas

"A neighborhood spot by Michael and Courtney Zentner opening in late 2024 with an intimate dining room and a menu focused on French and Italian dishes paired with an attentive wine list, designed to feel like a local, convivial gathering place." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/2024/9/10/24233782/anticipated-fall-restaurants-carolinas-2024
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Kaylee Locke

Google
Best dining experience we’ve had in a while. Everyone was SO KIND and involved with service. Beautiful dining room, you can tell every detail was thought about. I will dream about the beef tartare and Caesar…..and those desserts….and the focaccia - just all of it was fantastic!

Todd Mullis

Google
This was an awesome dinner. You can tell they are still tweaking things and were really intentional about everything. The head chef/owner was there putting the final touches on the dishes and the staff were clearly well trained and hospitable. When they asked if we liked a dish, you could tell they genuinely cared. Their space is super small and inviting with some modern French flair. Felt both lively and intimate. The food was excellent and they had some unique takes on dishes (see gnudi and duck ballotine). Seemed to me they are going for French w/ southern influence (chicken with greens as a good example). The tuna crudo, the duck ballotine, and the chicken were our favorites. We sat at the bar and it was entertaining to watch them put the dishes together and we talked with one of the cooks a good bit which was fun. Would highly recommend.

Matthew Kenner

Google
We absolutely loved our experience at Merci! From the moment we walked in, Madison the host made us feel so welcome—warm, inviting, and genuinely excited to have us there. The open kitchen setup is a treat, you get to watch the team in action, and it makes you want to order even more just from seeing the dishes come together in front of you. The staff was wonderful, the energy was cozy but lively, and every plate felt crafted with care. The leeks, in particular, blew us away, who knew you could actually crave a leek dish?! Easily our favorite. So grateful to have a little French gem like this in Charleston. Merci will definitely be a place we return to again and again!

Kathleen

Google
Delicious food with exceptional service and one of a kind dining experience. The dining area is intimate and cozy. We had the chance to sit at the chefs counter and it was so fun to watch everything be prepared with such care. Overall a great experience and looking forward to going back!

Lily Lysle

Google
We’ll never forget this meal. It was amazing. Do whatever you need to do to get a table here

Samuel Windfield

Google
Hands down the most exceptional dining experience I’ve had in the five years I’ve lived in Charleston — truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm, genuine welcome by the hostess, whose warmth, charisma, and attentiveness immediately set the tone for the evening. She made us feel like old friends returning home, not just guests. The wine list was impressively curated, with a thoughtful variety of selections that perfectly complemented the menu — which itself was beautifully balanced and creatively composed. We sampled a bit of everything, and each dish was more outstanding than the last — bursting with flavor, artfully plated, and refreshingly inventive. Our server, Bennet, was nothing short of phenomenal. Despite the restaurant being newly opened, he demonstrated an impressive command of the entire menu — confidently walking us through each dish and offering spot-on wine pairings with remarkable insight. His recommendations were thoughtful, his timing impeccable, and his warmth and professionalism elevated the evening to something truly special. He went above and beyond at every turn, making sure our experience was flawless from start to finish. We cannot wait to return.

Jim Havel

Google
Outstanding food and service. Everyone was fantastic - Madison, Bennett, Christy - the whole crew. Food was terrific. The duck is outstanding. Every dish we tried, from the Spring Pea Salad all the way to the strawberry trifle was as advertised - exceptional. Fantastic restaurant and we will be back. Everyone should book this restaurant if you’re able to do so.

Phillip Collins

Google
Ordered the heirloom tomato salad and got 4 or 5 little plum tomato’s cut in half. Less than. 1 dollars worth of food I was charged 24 dollars for. It was anything but heirloom tomatoes. You cannot hear yourself talk in this place promoting everyone to yell at each other to have a conversation. Another overrated so called Charleston dinning experience. I’ll leave this one to the tourist.
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Sarah-Bradley D.

Yelp
Merci, merci. This place is truly beautiful start to finish. We were seated at the chefs table which really enhanced our experience. Michael, the owner, touched every table and the expediters were very interactive. They do not have cocktails but have a vast beer and wine selection. The menu seems to be ever changing but we went with the leeks, focaccia, beef Wellington and mousse. Each bite was so unique and delicious but the focaccia might just be the best thing I've ever had. The leeks were served cold and robust in flavor and the beef Wellington was just sheer perfection from cook to flavor. Our literal only complaint was the lack of backs on the barstools. This place is special and we cannot wait to come back and try more of this menu.
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Paula T.

Yelp
I can't say enough about how great this restaurant is! Yes, it's a competition to get a reservation but you will be so happy you snagged one. We ordered 4 different dishes to share and had the Wellington also. Each dish was plated and presented beautifully and the flavors are beyond description. Just perfect. We also had two amazing deserts and some really nice wine pairings. The service was exceptional. Right now, this is the best experience in Charleston.
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Tara P.

Yelp
Cute spot for date night- tight quarters but still comfortable as long as you don't mind being snuggled up to the next table. Related, the noise level is a bit high - no obvious sound absorbing materials or panels. Our service was super attentive and lovely - no bread for the table; you could order focaccia, but always hoping for a baguette to chew on when I go French, so that was lame. Food was tasty- we had the tuna crudo, leeks, duck ballontine, gnudi, flounder and chicken. Tuna was great- lovely flavors and super fresh. Leeks were good- I felt like they should be warm but probably a preference thing. My meat-eater shared the chicken and duck were both very good. The gnudi was the low part of dinner - the texture and flavor were just off. I was left craving the gnudi at Melfi's after that experience. Flounder was very well cooked and capers added great acidity to the plate. We didn't stay for dessert- nothing really stood out and we had over ordered anyway. Overall, good, but expensive.

Cindy W.

Yelp
For an unforgettable dining experience in another worldly atmosphere, make a reservation at Merci, the newest and brightest star among Charleston's already renowned restaurants Everything is perfect, including actually entering the beyond beautiful space that is Merci. The food sets itself apart with a menu that is creative and delicious. Do not skip dessert! Get thee to Merci, quick! You'll see what I mean