Sea Level NC

Seafood restaurant · Uptown

Sea Level NC

Seafood restaurant · Uptown

3

129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

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Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by Sea Level NC
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
Sea Level NC by null
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Highlights

Seafood & Southern favorites are paired with cocktails & beer in chic digs with a patio.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Get directions

sealevelnc.com

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Get directions

+1 704 412 2616
sealevelnc.com
sealevelnc

$10–20 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 12, 2025

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@infatuation

"Even though Charlotte isn’t a coastal city, it’s only 175 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Why are we telling you this? Because restaurants here have prime access to fresh, local, and sustainable seafood. Sea Level’s raw bar is the perfect place to experience it all. Go for oyster Happy Hour from 2-6pm Monday through Friday when oysters are only $1.50, or for dinner with friends when you can reasonably order the gigantic Truist Tower that’s piled high with oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp, ceviche, poke, lobster, and caviar. The large restaurant gets busy and chatty, but that won’t keep other people from staring in envy as a waiter passes by with your seafood skyscraper." - tess allen

The 25 Best Restaurants In Charlotte 2024
View Postcard for Sea Level NC
@infatuation

"Even though Charlotte isn’t a coastal city, it’s only 175 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Why are we telling you this? Because restaurants here have prime access to fresh, local, and sustainable seafood. Sea Level’s raw bar is the perfect place to experience it all. Go for oyster Happy Hour from 2-6pm Monday through Friday when oysters are only $1.50, or for dinner with friends when you can reasonably order the gigantic Truist Tower that’s piled high with oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp, ceviche, poke, lobster, and caviar. The large restaurant gets busy and chatty, but that won’t keep other people from staring in envy as a waiter passes by with your seafood skyscraper." - Tess Allen

Sea Level NC Review - Uptown - Charlotte - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Sea Level NC
@eater

"This elegant establishment boasts farm-to-fork oysters grown in North Carolina, as well as other fresh seafood offerings sourced from the coasts of the Carolinas when available. Settle in for oyster shooters (there’s the Oyster Jammer with vodka, pale ale and mignonette), fish tacos, and steam buns, plus house favorites like fried catfish and paella with the daily catch from North Carolina." - Katie Toussaint

17 Best Restaurants to Eat in Uptown Charlotte - Eater Carolinas
View Postcard for Sea Level NC

Les Jackson

Google
Outstanding Experience at Sea Level NC – Fast, Friendly, and Flavorful! We had a fantastic dining experience at Sea Level NC! From the moment we sat down, the service was exceptionally quick and well-coordinated. Our drinks, appetizers, and main courses came out in perfect timing—never rushed, never delayed. You could tell the staff was detail-oriented and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed without ever having to ask twice. Let’s talk about the char-grilled oysters—absolutely amazing. They reminded me of the ones you’d get at Drago’s or Acme in New Orleans—smoky, buttery, and packed with flavor. If you’re an oyster fan, these are a must-try. The crab and lobster bisque was rich and delicious with a slightly tangy kick. Not your traditional style, but still very enjoyable and worth ordering. The catfish was decent—crispy on the outside, but I’ve definitely had better elsewhere. Not bad at all, just not the standout dish of the night. The rice that came with it had a jambalaya-style flavor, which added a nice Southern touch. One pleasant surprise was the spinach and crab dip—served with chips, it was creamy, flavorful, and totally addictive. Definitely worth trying. Overall, we had a great time and left full and happy. Highly recommend Sea Level NC, especially for oyster lovers and anyone who appreciates prompt service and a welcoming staff.

Jennifer E.

Google
Always a favorite for my husband and I. Came to celebrate for my birthday and was very happy with our dinner. Ordered their mussels and calamari for the appetizer. The mussels are super delicious. Marinated very well, doesn't taste too salty, and is just overall delicious. It comes with bread which pairs well with the mussels. The calamari is also very delicious. Comes with chopped red peppers. The added heat compliments the calamari and gives it an added level of flavor. The oysters were also very fresh. Had been craving oysters and was very happy with my selection. It came with lemon, vinegar, and hot sauce. Our waitress (I failed to get her name) was super friendly and efficient. She was very attentive and gave great recommendations. The whole experience was phenomenal and made me feel special on my day. This is located in uptown so parking is iffy. Lots of street parking if you are able to snag one close enough and I know they do have parking decks around the uptown area. Definitely returning to try other items on their menu.

Kareema Riddick

Google
Sea Level exceeded all expectations! I originally made a reservation for another restaurant with a similar name by mistake, but the staff at Sea Level were incredibly accommodating and still managed to seat us—even though they were busy. The service was top-notch from start to finish. The food was seasoned to perfection! I had the shrimp and grits, and my husband ordered the short rib—both were absolutely delicious. We also added lobster, which was a reasonably priced add-on and well worth it. Our drinks, the Hawaiian Delight, were sweet and refreshing, the perfect complement to our meal. From the exceptional service to the perfectly executed dishes, Sea Level is a must-visit. Can’t wait to come back!

Daniel Alvarado

Google
The place looks great inside! Our waitress, Verenice, was super helpful in giving us the menu in Spanish. I had the ATLANTIC SALMON. It was good but missing just a bit of salt for my liking. The mash potatoes and the asparagus were very tasty. I also had the TUNA POKE BOWL. it was flavorful and also good. Overall great experience and great food!

Chantelle Beeslaar

Google
Romantic date night spot, my husband ordered the fat belly oysters-very fresh, blackened east coast grouper-filled with flavor, the pickled onion and soft crunch grouper were a game changer for him. I ordered the clam chowder-huge clumps of clam and the chowder was perfect for a cold night, Atlantic salmon- salmon was cooked very well however lacked a bit of seasoning for me, the Brussels sprouts were crispy juicy and packed a punch of flavor. For desert we had the banana cream pie- above average but nothing special. Overall, excellent service, flavorful food and quality drinks. Highly recommend

Trisha Pearsall

Google
This resturant is AMAZING! My fiance and I came here tonight to celebrate my graduation. We got 4 of the sea level oysters (5/5) fresh, amazing melon tasting oysters; salmon poke (5/5), crazy amazing good with the pineapple salsa; green curry muscles (5/5), one of my new favorites [A must try]; scallops with risotto (4/5) they were good but needed some acid and my fiance got the flounder (10/5) the best tasting fish I've had in a long time. I had food envy and so we switched dishes, it was so good. I also got a Hawaiian drink, best drink I've had in a long time. My fiance got the zinger whiskey drink, he said it was super good, especially when the ice cube started to melt. The waiter Patricia also paid for our parking since we parked in the lot and gave me a congratulations card. She was an amazing waitress.

Lay Moni

Google
First off, service was wonderful. Staff was very attentive and informative. The quality of the food was amazing, taste was great as well. Usually I’m not a fan of fried sushi but they executed this dish very well. Lamb chops were also very soft and flavorful. Lighting was dimmed and very romantic for a date night. Would definitely go again.

Fiona Zhang

Google
A nice place for oysters especially at happy hour after 2pm. The lobster roll is recommended. We ordered Connecticut roll. And I love the vibe here. It must be a good place for dating. It offers liquor as well. It offers parking validation at Truist parking lot.

Nick B.

Yelp
11 months later we're back. And on an extremely busy holiday. All I can say is that chef Eric, has absolutely taken control of this place and run away with it. Terron (I hope I got that right, my apologies if not my man!) and Amber were absolutely stellar this evening. The oysters... still absolutely amazing and incredible. The shrimp and lobster bisque... beautifully balanced all around. My only complaint, there wasn't enough! Scallops and risotto, wonderful consistency, scallops pan seared to perfection. Which given how busy they were this evening and how quickly the dishes were coming out, absolutely incredible. The show stopper... the short rib with brussel sprouts. Every bite just amazing. The butternut squash puree was the perfect compliment to the short rib and brussels. The restaurant was alive tonight. Everything was fluid and comfortable. Perfectly balanced at an extremely high speed. Everything tonight was everything I heard it used to be. I'm honored to have had such an amazing experience. Thank you!

Nicasha M.

Yelp
Good food Good service Great ambience Sea Level is a great uptown destination for all things seafood.

Jaydah C.

Yelp
Stopped in here before Gunna's Concert.Super cute and dimly lit restaurant! Service was fast, staff was friendly, and the drinks were great! Items Tried Food: Lobster roll (hot) with house fries Drinks: Cosmo, Hawaiian delight, & Damn fine espresso martini

Muz D.

Yelp
A...you know how in movies, sum1 opens a briefcase or box, and their face and body just light up like there's 30 flashlights in there? And da sound effects like angels playing harps with THC driven riffs? Hold dat thought!! We walk up, and there's a small lil patio with folks out back eating. Bout 6 tables. I likes!! Walk past the patio, then enter and there e is. Anybody from Charleston knows and is addicted to this smell. Da smell of fresh seafood in your home, compared to fresh seafood in a restaurant HIT DIFFERENT. I knew I been amongst my creed. Lol. Passio fruit drink was excellent. Great rations in that bad boy. Calamari was good with sweet sauces sprinkled with raw red peppers. I like mine with less breading. BUT DAT SEAFOOD DIP THO!!!!! BRUH!!!! I een neva had seafood dip with lime. Da lime and garlic is really cmon thru. Made it tropical kinda. Can't really explain it but I ga get with pinterest and come up with something when I get back. YUP, I will copycat ya food. Y not? Not y. Da breading on day fried oysters HIT DIFFERENT. CrAzY fLaVoR maaaan. Fried oysters, fish n corn, shrimp tacos were pretty epic. I gotta say. Great service, there pretty fast to. We didn't see oyster bar so we ask we're all the half ShellS we been seeing on yelp. Da waiter say dat our selection of oysters RIGHT DEY!!. Just then I realized dat writing on da chalk board I thought been craft beer....is a selection of oysters??? CUE DA ANGELS DAWG!!!! WHAAAAA?!?!?! Oh e on now!! They were from all over. We ordered some n I told him to bring me Da biggest one. Gotta b honest, not ordering oyster n da streets no more. There never as big or satisfying as when ya get em @ da crib. I know e a place out dere to prove me wrong, but ine care @ this point. Been let down too many times man. Dat clam chowder taste super fresh. Everything was fresh to be honest. Very impressive. So sad I forget bout dat bread pudding. All da more reason to come back. Anybody from DA CHUCK (Charleston SC) who come here, I have stamped them safe. NO GREAT VALUE SEAFOOD IN YA!!! I OUTJA!!!!

Darin K.

Yelp
The service was great, my food wasn't hot and they took it back and quickly made me a new one. I got the scallops and risotto and it was amazing, seasoned very well, scallops cooked perfectly and the risotto was flavorful. Appetizer, I had lobster and shrimp bisque and it was good not great, especially for the price-- I don't mind paying top dollar if the food is good. Dessert I wasn't sure about getting the pineapple cheesecake, but my waiter recommended it and I'm glad I listened, it was very good.

Ida M.

Yelp
Great seafood options. Super friendly service. Great for groups. I had the scallops and didn't get the risotto. I subbed that out with their creamed corn and it was a nice pairing for the scallops.

Katrina B.

Yelp
Went here for appetizers and drinks before heading to dinner. Loves the vibes here! We sat at the oyster bar, although we are not oyster aficionados, we learned a lot about the process while sitting there. The oyster bartender offered to show us how to shoot an oyster and allowed us to pick our own small oyster to try as first timers. It didn't sway my position on being just fine if I never tried another oyster in life. But hey, to each their own right! We ordered a house drink made with tequila. I have that a B. The seafood dip and the calamari on the other hand...outstanding, A+! We did have to ask for fresh chips for the dip as the bowl of ships we initially received was stale. Overall I would definitely return here to enjoy more of their amazing seafood!

Mingo M.

Yelp
During a recent visit to Sea Level NC, the experience fell short of expectations. The simultaneous arrival of appetizers and main dishes, along with an oversight in a specific request (a dish with pickles despite being ordered without it) As a seafood enthusiast from Miami, I found the quality of dishes like the fried calamari to be just passable, not matching the rich seafood culture I'm familiar with. Additionally, the absence of bread pudding, a listed menu item, on a Friday afternoon was disappointing. While the food was okay, the combined service missteps and inconsistencies make me hesitant to recommend or return to Sea Level NC in Charlotte.

Nikki M.

Yelp
Sea Level offers a pleasant dining experience with its charming restaurant decor. The ambiance adds to the enjoyment of the meal. Additionally, the servers were exceptionally friendly and attentive, enhancing the overall experience. Food was very good.

Samad R.

Yelp
Sea Level NC is a seafood haven located in the Truist building in Uptown Charlotte. On my recent visit, I had their signature oyster appetizer, as well as their Shrimp and Grits entrée. The Shrimp and Grits at Sea Level NC pay homage to Southern tradition, It's a harmonious marriage of creamy grits and plump, succulent shrimp. The grits are velvety, with just the right amount of buttery richness. The shrimp are perfectly cooked--tender and flavorful. The dish is elevated with a touch of smoky bacon, a sprinkle of green onions, and a dash of hot sauce for that Southern kick. The signature oysters at Sea Level NC are a revelation. Whether you prefer them raw on the half shell like I had or lightly grilled, each oyster bursts with briny goodness. Sea Level NC is more than food,it's an experience. This place exudes ambiance with a dimly lit coastal decor perfect for a business meeting, night out with friends, or even date night. Next time you're in the mood for Oysters on half shell or Shrimp and Grits, check this place out.

Anthony H.

Yelp
We wanted to take our brother in law out for dinner while he's visiting. He's a seafood enthusiast so I searched Yelp for the most rated restaurant with the best reviews and Sea Level NC was atop the list. When we arrived we, we were quickly seated even though they were very busy. The decor inside is definitely an upscale seafood restaurant vibe and the atmosphere is what you'd expect if dining on the outer banks. There is a decent size bar with a vast selection of whatever it is you're looking to drink. Our waitress Verenice was very helpful, courteous and professional. She was able to assist with some recommendations and help me navigate the menu since I have a seafood allergy. I ordered the Fried Flounder with Asparagus on the side instead of the seafood rice which has lobster in it. We also had the calamari side. The calamari was cooked very well and was very delicious. The portion size was very good as it fed the three of us. My flounder was simply perfection; it had a nice breading on it and was seasoned extremely well. The asparagus was seasoned well also. Our waitress did a great job of checking in on us periodically and making sure that we were good on everything. Overall, the reviews for Sea Level NC are in line with what you can expect and again the food, service and ambiance brings the experience to the Queen City.

Rose S.

Yelp
Sea Level's service was fantastic! She came and checked on us frequently. We had a fabulous table in the back that was right by the doors that are bolted shut by the Truist center lobby. This is the table to ask for - plenty of room, no one was scrunched and we weren't on top of other tables. I had the Queen's Feast options - Salmon poke, Grilled Salmon and banana pudding. We also ordered the corn bread. To me the corn bread really didn't have any flavor but our dining companions loved it. It's messy because it is very crumby. The salmon poke surprised me because in the dim lighting it looks like it's mostly won ton chips. There was an actual portion size there that was decent once I started digging in with the won ton chips. The chips weren't greasy. The sriracha honey was a nice complement to the salmon. The grilled salmon with Brussels was equal parts Brussels to fish. The Brussels were tasty. The fish cooked correctly. The pomegranate gastric felt like a stretch like it was trying too hard. Banana pudding was great banana flavor. The serving container makes it look like a dainty dessert but don't be fooled there's more there than you'd think. More nilla wafers in the middle would make this a bomb. It's hard to mix the wafers at the top and the bottom into the middle.

Mayra B.

Yelp
First time trying this place and it was a very nice experience. The atmosphere was very nice. My husband and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary. My first impression upon entering was, wow, this place is amazing. There weren't many people yet, they seated us quickly. Our waiter was very good and very attentive to us. He took our order quickly, and the food didn't take long. The prices are very expensive, but the food is very delicious and they serve a lot. I ordered a clam chowder soup that was delicious, and I couldn't eat just one, I ordered another because it was so delicious. I also ordered an Atlantic Salmon, which came with brussels sprouts. Everything was very delicious, I could say that they were the best brussels sprouts I have ever eaten, and the salmos were very well seasoned. Everything was very delicious. My husband ordered a fried flounder. Very well breaded and also delicious. Next time in Charlotte, I will definitely come back to this place again.

Elizabeth C.

Yelp
I stopped at Sea Level when I was in Charlotte on vacation. We visited in the afternoon, it was pretty quiet. We sat at the bar, service was good throughout our visit. They have $1.5 oysters during their happy hour during the week from 2pm-6pm. I would definitely recommend visiting if you like oysters/seafood. They offer a nice selection of cocktails but don't have much craft beer.

Kurt M.

Yelp
They had 12 different types of oysters. They make their own tonic. The service was great. It seems to be very busy at 6pm on a Wednesday. The decor matched the name of the place.

Kamtrice H.

Yelp
I love me some Sea Level!! The lobster roll is one of my favs!!! The severs are always very pleasant and knowledgeable!! The prices are really good!! Love the free parking and they also gave me a little bday gift so of course I returned a month later!!!

Taylor B.

Yelp
Very good spot. The sea food and drinks are high quality and fresh. This is a great place to grab lunch, drinks or dinner. If you are looking for a local feel at a nicer price point I highly recommend. The staff was very knowledgeable on the drink menu and attentive.

Orest S.

Yelp
It was ok, however, I expected a little bit more from paella . Also, the fish is deep-fried. There are a lot of ways to cook a fish. Why fry it in bread crumbs and oil? Service is good, inferior is nice, however, it is too loud in there, so there's no way to enjoy a romantic dinner. Also, considering prices - 3/5.

Ali Z.

Yelp
I like the interior, they validate parking so I was very happy about that, and the staff was so kind. I just felt my app was a little overpriced, the Creole shrimp - which is basically a dollop of guacamole and a seasoned piece of shrimp on a tortilla chip, 5 topped chips for $16. I also had the lobster roll, Connecticut style (butter). I liked that it was filled with lobster, the bun was toasted and buttered, and the whole thing is served warm - I just wish it had further seasoning of some sort. It truly is just lobster tossed in butter, and a little bland imo. If you're a purist, you'll love this. I'm not, so next time I'll try the main style (Mayo) to see if there's more flavor. The fries were great though, and I would go back. I'd just order differently. Also note, not great for a working lunch because they don't have outlets anywhere inside.

Kellie D.

Yelp
In town for a concert and had read good reviews about this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered the Meow Mule and husband ordered the old fashioned. Waitress also brought us a carafe of water. Mule was a little too sweet with the sugar and weak with the alcohol for my taste. Husband liked his old-fashioned. Husband ordered clam chowder and I ordered ceviche. I haven't had much clam chowder in my life but his was very tasty and full of clams. My ceviche was one of the best I've ever had, served with chips. Second round of drinks I went with Riesling and he an IPA. For our meals I went with the swordfish and husband the grouper. Both were excellent. The flavors of swordfish, grit cake and Romesco sauce blended together perfectly. Husbands had a Cajun twist with red beans and rice. Both entrees were cooked perfectly. Unfortunately I got so excited I took a terrible blurry picture of mine so not worth posting. I will say that for the over 40 crowd you might want to bring your readers. The font on the menu is terrible in the low light.

Thao T.

Yelp
If you want oysters... come here! They're so good. The first batch we got, they were super salty. I asked for another set that weren't so salty and the server recommended 3, 4, and 5. I ordered them all. They were good. Our favorite was the James Rivers ones. Delicious. We came during restaurant week. They had a course menu. We tried the shrimp and grits and it was scrumptious. Poke was okay. If the banana pudding was cold it would've tasted better. We started off with the shrimp cocktail and seafood dip which were good. The cocktails were okay.

Donna M.

Yelp
I finally made it!!! This restaurant has been on my wanna go list for a while now. Mucho mucho sabor!!!! The flavor of the clam chowder, scallops and risotto was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was part of the trifecta one experiences when you order the Queen's Feast, a three course meal. I wasn't able to indulge in the bourbon banana pudding, which saddened me. They ran out just before it was time for dessert! Not a fan of pancetta, couldn't do the cheese cake due to lactose intolerance. No other dessert offers available, or just not offered. Probably can't substitute, but didn't ask. The Mai tai was one of the worst I've had. It was loaded with alcohol but didn't maintain the flavor profile of a true Mai tai. That's one of my favorite drinks, so I know. But I still drank it. Slow sipped. (Ended up leaving half of my drink behind! I always finish my drink, as I have an affinity for good libation and craft cocktails.) The service was friendly and the ambience was low light, casual or upscale. Depends on you. I'd like to come back. Maybe they'll have the bourbon banana pudding next time! The chowder was the star of the show for me!

Lindsey O.

Yelp
Great experience with delicious food. I came solo on a business trip and the staff was so friendly and prompt since I was just looking for a quick (yet tasty) meal. I got the $40 prix fixe - with that I got the blackberry salad, the Atlantic salmon, and the berry panna cotta. The blackberry salad was outstanding - I think my favorite of the three - but everything was wonderful. The GM even came to say hello. Overall the service was excellent.

Danielle L.

Yelp
Wow, we had a fantastic meal here! Had reservations on a Saturday at 6pm. The vibe is vibrant, upscale casual. A little loud, but it was also packed. Our waitress was fantastic and had a lot of fun with our boisterous group. For dinner we ordered a bunch of oysters to start, they were fresh and delicious. The sauces, especially the mignonette were great. For mains we got the swordfish which came on a great grit cake and a delicious red pepper sauce. Grouper with red beans and rice, added a lobster tail, was delicious. Yellowfin tuna came out over cooked first but they fixed this quickly and presented a perfectly cooked tuna. Scallops and mushroom risotto was divine, the sear they get in the scallops was SO good, they were cooked perfectly. We finished off for dessert with the apple pecan and peach cobbler. Both were so good and a great way to end a fantastic meal!!

Kate A.

Yelp
Not pictured are the oysters because they were devoured quickly! If you love seafood, you much check this place out

Dr. Syrine Amia R.

Yelp
We love the food here! And the service is always amazing! The ambiance is fairly social without being overly casual or upscale. Easy dining experience for family or date night. The food is consistently good! It is definitely a fan favorite of me and my family!

Lydia C.

Yelp
so they validate parking in the attached deck, which is good. the vibe is casual but still nice. the food overall was just very ok to me. the scallop in my paella was very good & perfectly tender, so next time i would maybe get the scallop dish because the rest of the seafood flavor/seasoning wise left a lot to be desired. i was expecting more flavor in this dish as a paella, but then i realized the rice was the same rice served with my friend's grouper... so not really a paella, more like a cajun rice. it wasn't bad at all, just not what i was expecting and not spectacular. the oysters were also decent. not the best i've had, not the worst. but i don't think they were shucked properly, i kept biting pieces of shell. ouch. however, the bread served with it was really good. our server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu items.

Tiffanee T.

Yelp
Visit Sea Level on the Saturday during memorial weekend and everything was 10/10! The location and ambiance was so classy and chic and I've been hearing amazing reviews so we had to go! The service from the door through dinner and leaving was top tier! Very patience and kind. I ordered the Atlantic salmon and ceasar salad with sweet tea. Will be back again!

Jody S.

Yelp
I've always had exceptional service and excellent food at Sea Level. Drawn to their raw oyster selection, my wife and I go on occasion to have dinner and many times to just get oysters. We love to stop by after a show at Blumenthal but you'd better make reservations because it can get very busy. The oysters are always the star of the show for me. They have oysters from up and down the east coast to include P.E.I. as well as the Pacific Northwest. House Oysters are $1.50 during happy hour (M-F 2-6pm). That's a heck of a deal if you like the big NC oysters. During my last visit I ordered the personal size paella and it was fantastic! It's the perfect size and was cooked to perfection. I've also had their halibut, shrimp and grits and scallops and risotto on previous visits. I cannot recommend anything over the other because all of the dishes I've tried were top notch.

Denese W.

Yelp
Maybe i could not fully appreciate this place because i don't eat oysters. I did get a shrimp poboy and there was just way too much going on with it. A simple remoulade sauce, some lettuce, tomato's and pickles would have been sufficient. I did not enjoy it. The crab dip was good though. The fries not so much. The service was fast and our waitress was super nice. Parking was pretty easy in the Truist building and they did validate so that was also a plus. Maybe i will give it another try and order something different.

Matt C.

Yelp
Just visiting NC for the first time when we decided to stop in here based on other reviews. Food was amazing. My wife had the seared scallops with wild mushroom risotto, while I had the clam chowder and blackened east coast grouper, both of which were amazing. But even more amazing was the service and vibrant energy of the place. Everyone also worked as a team. Our server, Molly, was incredibly attentive and personable, an authentically nice person really. Can't go wrong here.

Rika T.

Yelp
Dropped in on a Friday evening! Lovely location and we were seated quickly! The appetizers were delicious! well everything except the cornbread. It was missing an egg or something but was quite underwhelming! The crab dip and ceviche were good. To the main course! Though pretty good I was expecting more from the snapper! It wasn't big at all. We had to order the lobster roll which was pretty tasty! Otherwise I would revisit this location. The seating was pretty comfortable and the drinks looked amazing

Jackie R.

Yelp
Exceptional food! Everything our group of 17 ordered was delicious! They lacked service, but we did have a large group but had to ask for first drink two additional times before they brought it and then refreshing drinks had to be asked for multiple times as well. The delicious food will bring me back but I hope the service will improve and I can then give five stars

Anida K.

Yelp
Went here to celebrate the fathers in our lives hoping to experience a special dinner that would offer options for a variety of tastes within the seafood category. With ages as young as 1, to more mature palettes like grandma's, we were repping every generation in our large group of 12. I made an online reservation for 10 adults and 2 children which was a bit difficult. I didn't have a way to confirm other than the third party app I booked through and had tried to call several times to firm up the details since I wasn't sure if my booking needed to be accommodated as 12 adults or 10 and 2 kids. I've had a variety of experiences where it mattered so this was key. Getting there a little earlier than we expected from our Father's day Top Golf reservation, I asked if it was possible to be seated earlier since the whole party was there. We were lucky and they told us they could accommodate us. What a welcomed relief too. It was hot as all get out waiting outside. We enjoyed a selection of different raw oysters and other appetizers for the table. They were delicious. Grandma could not forget these oysters which kicked off several weeks of cravings thereafter this visit. For my hubby, he got the lobster roll, and for me, a lobster and scallop risotto. I enjoyed mine and my hubby thought his roll was delicious as well. Overall, we had a great experience considering the logistics of planning such a big dinner group on short notice. The food is good, but is a bit pricy for the portion sizes and for comparable quality elsewhere. The bill came out to over $500 so that may give some folks pause and I wouldn't blame them.

Christina F.

Yelp
I'm not a big seafood person but on a food tour and the shrimp and grits was excellent as was the fisherman punch! Nice ambiance and the waiter really knows his stuff

Allie C.

Yelp
First off the ambiance is amazing-- dim lighting, soft upbeat music, various seating style like booths bar outside/patio seating The food was spectacular if you love seafood. They did have a variety of dishes but I recommend the sweet and spicy calamari to start. Perfectly Crispy calamari with spicy pepper and a sweet/sour sauce. I then tried oysters for the first time and had their house oyster called sea level. With their house made pepper salt vinaigrette. I then had ordered a Connecticut style lobster roll-- different from the Maine style they offer (Maine is with mayo, while Connecticut style is toasted with butter) the lobster was tender sweet and high of quality in a toasted buttery roll. This comes with a choice of fries or slaw. The fries were good just didn't have enough room to eat them all ahaha. I also had their mule it was sweet and didn't really taste strong. I'd drink it again. I will say the service was a little slow but it could be that our waiter was also the bar tender. Next I'll let my boyfriend tell you about his dish: Hi I'm Boyfriend, I had the Fried NC Flounder and it was above and beyond my expectations. It was served with a delicious Carolina Gold Seafood rice that was so savory. It was a big plate so come hungry because leaving any crumbs of this dish should be a crime. Quality and quantity is definitely met here at Sea Level NC! We will be returning here everytime we're in Charlotte. 9.7/10

Liyah S.

Yelp
Great service, amazing food. A little on the expensive side fyi. The atmosphere was just like being at the beach!

Daniel V.

Yelp
We were craving oysters, and we couldn't have made a better choice. We took the opportunity to indulge in their happy hour special. The weather was perfect, so we decided to sit outside on their covered patio. Fresh and briny, the oysters were delicious! My wife decided to try the Fisherman's Punch, and it turned out to be a hit. The oysters alone are worth the visit, and we look forward to dining here again.

M.J B.

Yelp
A great place to eat. The menu is delicious and diverse. If you love seafood u may never leave. The LOBSTER ROLL is to good to be true, you won't regret it

Mary P.

Yelp
It's been years since I've been to this establishment I couldn't make it to restaurant week, but I made last night a date night with my husband. We love seafood, especially oysters, and this was the perfect place to come and have some really good oysters happy hour always there's $1.50 from 4 PM to 6 PM, they were amazing. We also got the grilled Rockefeller style oysters which was really good the crispy Brussel sprouts. Amazing. I wish I had my own. I didn't want to share and the Poboy shrimp sandwich. It was really good. I share that with my husband then when I have too much carbs overall I get this place 10 out of 10 the staff was amazing. The bartender was really nice they made some really good margaritas. I would recommend this place of family and friends.

Kathryn T.

Yelp
We've dined at sea level twice now--once for New Year's Eve and once for the Queens Feast Restaurant week. My review for the first visit is a 5/5. My review for restaurant week is a 3/5. We ordered the Truist Tower during our first visit, and it was easily the star of the show. Lots of fresh seafood and a great variety. For restaurant week, the main courses were both delicious. I had the salmon with asparagus (the asparagus was AMAZING), and my friend ordered the shrimp and grits. Both were great. The only course that was really disappointing was the oysters. I know Charlotte isn't on the water, but these were the smallest oysters I've ever seen... To the extent that I could fit all 6 of them in one shell. Good flavor, but really underwhelming size. For dessert, we split the bread pudding and the Oreo cheesecake. Both were good, neither were out of this world. The Oreo cheesecake was more like a pudding/dirt cup type of dessert, rather than a true cheesecake. For drinks, I ordered the pommarita both times I came, and I love it. If you like a spicy marg, this is your drink. My friend ordered the meow mule and said it was underwhelming. Service and atmosphere are great. And on a regular night, I really do love the farm to table element of the restaurant. Would still recommend, but would not seek it out for restaurant week.

Tom S.

Yelp
Our go-to restaurant for anything at Blumenthal. Get there before Oyster Happy Hour ends at 6p. Summer = outside, Winter = inside at a hightop. Always great service that makes sure you're at the Theater in plenty of time.

Adrika C.

Yelp
I visited for restaurant week last year. The options were decent especially for the price. Highly recommend the shrimp and grits! The spice from the andouille sausage was a great accent to the creamy grits. Shrimp, were actually cooked perfectly to my surprise! Skip the cocktails, they're definitely over-priced! Sorry for the lower quality photos, I didn't have an updated iPhone at the time.

Courtney B.

Yelp
I have been to the restaurant twice. Once on a girls trip and the other on a date night. Both times the food was great. Just enough food and the price point was ok. Both times I enjoyed the 129 mile with my meals .

Valeen W.

Yelp
Loved loved loved!!! Came here for queens feast, and so glad I made the decision! From the service to the food, it was amazing! Never have, I tried salted sea level oysters on the half shell, but it was so good! Onto the mignonette sauce, that accompanies it... Best I ever had hands-down! Beautiful interior, super sexy! I wish I had a picture of the clam chowder soup that I had but once I took one bite, I could not stop to even take a picture! Yes, it was that good! I thought I was literally in New England! Don't walk, run and go here! Can't wait to go back!

Aimee T.

Yelp
I love the vibe downtown and this restaurant fit right in with its cool atmosphere. Obviously, I had to try the oysters given the fact that the name of the restaurant came from the town that provides their oysters. I've had oysters many times from the west coast, but his was my first experience eating oysters from anywhere else (to my knowledge). They were good. We tried 1, 2, and 4. They served it with a delicious cocktail sauce and dill/vinegar based sauce that was killer. It was a perfect addition to the oysters. The southern fried oysters were amazing! It was very sauce heavy but every flavor came together. For my entree I had Scallops and NC Caviar and it was just alright. The scallops were overcooked and had no flavor if I ate a bite without the caviar and creme fraiche. It was very expensive for what you get, HOWEVER, the price is right there next to the entree description and that was my choice to try it knowing that. So, it's fine. Hubby had NC Catfish, of which I had to have a bite, and it was delicious. It was cook perfectly and the flavors were on point. I drank the Ghost Pepper Pommarita with vodka instead of tequila and it was good. He had the Melting NY Sour and loved it! Overall, it was a nice place for a date night out.

Kel G.

Yelp
Order: scallops and risotto, NC fried Catfish Came here on a Monday night for my birthday dinner with my husband. Restaurant was a little empty as it was a Monday, I don't like crowds so it was nice to have a more quiet intimate setting. We got our food fairly fast. The presentation of the risotto was nice but the fish could use some work. Risotto was good. I was hoping for more of a creamy buttery flavor but I think it had a tomato base. The scallops were nicely seared and not over cooked. The catfish was served on with yellow rice and topped with diced pickles. The crunch on the catfish was on point but it was sadly very under seasoned. The pickles did help with flavor but it would have been good if the fish was salted. Overall the food was decent. There are other menu items that caught my eye. Will be back to try the mussels. On the upside, they offer validated parking to the attached parking garage (that's always a win when trying to find parking downtown).

Nesha M.

Yelp
Lovely ambiance for Happy Hour. The staff were very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu and even made a few personal recommendations. The food came out quickly and was very delicious. We enjoyed the lobster roll and oyster platter.

Carrie H.

Yelp
Get your parking ticket validated! Great service and amazing food! Nice drink selection and plenty of menu items. Clean restaurant and bathrooms Ceviche was great; fried oysters and tomatoes were tasty (slightly salty, but good that way); swordfish plate was adjusted due to allergy - that cheese grit cake was amazing and fish nicely done; snapper came with very flavorful gnocchi, which was a nice surprise for me. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Lots of elevated touches from the ice of the drink (melting by sour) to the sauces, flavor combinations, and presentation. It felt weird to enter what felt like right at someone's table, (both entrances) but once inside it was a nice atmosphere in a great location!

Samantha M.

Yelp
Don't be fooled by the menu you do not have to get dressed up to eat here. We ate here as it was right next to the theater. The drinks are pretty good I enjoyed the espresso martini and cocktails. The Mac and cheese was yummy and I would order that again. DO NOT ORDER THE LOBSTER ROLL I took distinct bites, and both have shell in them.